Great beards don’t grow themselves. Or rather, they don’t groom themselves. They require the right tools and products, like conditioning beard oil, that suit your particular needs. But how do you know which of the best beard trimmers out there fits your situation? There are a few features you should look for and some personal preferences to keep in mind. First, how quickly and uniformly does it trim? A device’s efficiency and precision is usually a result of its power—how quickly its blades can mow through hairs without requiring a second pass. Second, consider how long it will hold a charge. Is it able to hold a good charge and potentially last months (idly or in use) before requiring a re-up?

Look for a beard trimmer that includes the right attachments for your grooming needs, like the ... [+] Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000.

Many beard trimmers feature dual wet-or-dry use. Some are also waterproof and can be taken into the shower (when unplugged, obviously; you’ll want a small fog-free mirror at the ready for this). Regardless of your preference on where to shave, these devices should be able to get wet without compromise, which makes them easy to rinse and keep clean. Of course, it comes down to what’s important for you—there’s likely a perfect match out there. Whether you’re working with a five o’clock shadow or full beard, scroll down for our list of the best beard trimmers available.

Philips Norelco’s Multigroom 9000 device comes with 21 different heads and guards, which might seem overwhelming at first glance. But consider the perks of having swappable guards for the precise task of trimming your eyebrows and nose hairs or for cleaning up your sideburns. The trimmer’s greatest strength is its beard maintenance, though, which is why it’s at the top of our list.

The different detailing heads allow for clean lines, stray hair-zapping and various lengths. It has a two-year warranty, is rinsable and travels in a hard-top plastic case for constant protection. Its battery holds an impressive six-hour charge and lasts for months, if that’s how long you go between trims.

Wahl’s trimming device, with its 12 trimming lengths and styles, is a close second best for beards but is the frontrunner as a full-body groomer. In addition to cleaning up the beard, eyebrows, nose and sideburns, it’s also a great chest, groin and back trimmer. It draws clean lines wherever you need them—be it the mustache, cheeks or neck—and its beautiful stainless steel framework shines on your vanity.

It also has a five-year warranty, which guarantees a long-lasting investment. A four-hour battery life puts it ahead of most competition, and a quick one-minute charge gives you five minutes of use if you need a last minute touch-up.

If the Multigroom 9000 is out of your price range, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 3000 is a substantially cheaper option. You’ll get fewer attachments, a fraction of the battery life and no hard case (however, it does come with a zip-t0p pouch), but it still offers the versatility of an all-in-one-groomer.

This pick comes with three trimmers and seven guards, including an ear and nose trimmer and stubble guard. While the charge only lasts one hour compared to the 9000’s six, it’s still plenty long enough to do a full groom or two without stopping to recharge.

Hatteker’s interchangeable trimmer is a 4-in-1 shaver, trimmer, nose trimmer and cleanser, allowing you to swap between its clipping, rotating and zapping heads. While its charge hold is just 60 minutes, the real perk here is the wet-shave capability that allows for mid-shower cleanups.

Of the devices here, it’s the best for a full beard shearing followed by a close electric shave without the need to swap devices. So if you tend to cycle between being baby faced and bushy bearded, then this device offers exactly the capabilities you need.

With this sleek trimmer from Bevel, you can opt for a zero-gap trim by aligning its teeth to provide the closest shave possible. It also comes with an interchangeable T-blade head for fine detailing around the edges. However, it’s important to note that this trimmer doesn’t yet include any guard attachments—and that’s totally fine if you’re trimming a long beard with a steady hand or if you want perma-stubble. It’s especially ideal for guys who are prone to ingrown hairs but want that stubble shave, minus the pain.

You’ll also appreciate this trimmer’s premium power features: An eight-hour charge sinks the competition, and it holds a six-month standby charge. There’s a weight to it, too, in a good way that makes it feel like the prized possession that it is. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that there’s an all-black version of the same trimmer if that’s more your style.

If you want a multi-groomer without two dozen interchangeable heads, Panasonic’s trimmer is your device. It’s got a pop-out detailer, plus a rotary dial and three comb guard attachments, together providing 39 different options for trimming lengths (from 0.5mm to 20mm). This trimmer is rinsable, and while it only carries a 50-minute charge, it has a two-year warranty to promise big-picture longevity.

With its motorized comb and 175 length settings at 0.1mm increments, this high-tech beard trimmer is ideal for those with long beards. Its auto turbo feature allows the trimmer to detect thickness and adjust accordingly for a best-suited blade speed. Plus, it has a memory setting that automatically reverts to the previous trimming lengths for consistency. It has 50 minutes of power on a full charge, and this lithium-powered trimmer can be powered up using a USB port, making it easily transportable. It’s also washable for simplified cleaning—however, using it in the shower is not recommended.

If you draw your own edges into your facial hair (or even your hairline, for that matter), then you want a trimmer that specializes in short lengths and straight lines. That’s the Brio Axis to a T, which maxes out at 6mm (and goes as short as 0.5mm) but which can also be “zero-gapped,” which aligns the trimming teeth and allows for the cleanliness and edge work. It’s got a single button—on-off—and no other frills. This one tidies you up, period.

If you’re headed on vacation or a business trip, you may want to leave your regular beard trimmer at home and throw this versatile, portable option in your dopp kit instead.

The Gillette Styler will help you pack a little bit lighter because it’s battery-powered, eliminating the need for a charger, and comes with three combs and a ProGlide blade refill for multi-use grooming. It’s also completely waterproof so you can use it in the shower. And, if the AA battery dies—though it can last for up to a month and a half—it’s easy enough to pick up a new one.

“The top things I’d be looking for in a trimmer for my needs would be multiple guards so I can rock different beard styles; an adjustable blade so that I can make refined tapers; and a big, rechargeable battery that lasts a long time between charge,” says Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand. If you’re going to buy your first, universal-use beard trimmer (as in, you might use it on a medium beard some days or trim yourself nearly bare other days), here are some baseline things to look for.

Will you need it for short, stubbled looks or longer maintenance? Some trimmers have a variety of heads and guide combs for different lengths and details, while others focus on short, manicured styles.

Do you need the device for more than a beard? Some devices multitask as body trimmer, electric shaver, nose trimmer and so forth.

Does it offer the attachments you need to achieve your desired style (and to meet the above needs)?

Some trimmers can be used in the shower, while others can only be rinsed clean at the head. Others yet are not water resistant whatsoever. Ideally it will have some degree of water protection, at least in order to be cleaned.

Typically, all beard trimmers are cordless (some can be used while charging). They don’t require the same power of hair clippers, which often have to be plugged in for use. There really isn’t any reason you should buy a corded beard trimmer.

A cheaper trimmer will run on AA batteries, and you end up paying more for batteries than the cost of the device, says Bandholz. “I’d definitely want to invest in a cordless trimmer that has a rechargeable battery. On the other hand, you have versions that plug into a wall, and these can be kept and serviced for a lifetime. Those usually won’t cost more than $100 depending on the brand and model. You also start to approach barber-grade quality and will be getting a device that’s designed to run for hours a day, everyday.”

Bandholz prefers the long charge hold over a trimmer that charges quickly (if you have to prioritize one over the other, though some devices offer both). “I find that it’s not inconvenient to leave a trimmer charging overnight and then be available for several weeks,” he says. “It also allows for a more minimal travel experience, where you can charge up and be good to go without the need of bringing extra cables.”

Beard trimmer maintenance can vary. “Consult your owner’s manual, as different trimmers might have different requirements,” says Bandholz. “The general best practice is to keep it oiled as needed, brush off any hair after use and on a less frequent basis do a deep clean where you unscrew the blade to get the hair trapped under the blade. Most companies will include a small bottle of oil with the trimmer. If water gets on metal, be sure to wipe it off or dry it before storage as [otherwise] that will eventually lead to rust.”

Bandholz relies on a beard trimmer for its adjustability. “To create a nice, blended taper of your beard, you’re going to need a trimmer that can make small adjustments without the need of constantly changing out the guards,” he says.