Doing a close shave may look like child’s play, but it requires a good pair of beard tools and sturdy hands.
People usually prefer electric shavers or razors for their beard shaving, but using a beard trimmer for close shaving has many benefits.
A beard trimmer for close shave is a considerable alternative as it requires no shaving creams, and its blades never come in contact with skin, reducing the chances of cuts, nicks, and razor burns.
To ease your research, I have reviewed the seven best beard trimmers for close shaves to get you the clean-shaven look with minimal effort.
Also, read Best beard trimmers for five-clock shadow.
Table of Contents
Are you in a hurry?
If you do not have enough time to read the entire blog, you can trust Wahl 9818A Lithium-Ion Beard Trimmer for Men.
Wahl beard trimmer is our first choice for the best beard trimmer for close shave. The best factor of the Wahl trimmer is the material quality at such an affordable price.
Best stubble trimmer: Comparison Table:
Our choice | Runner up | Best value | |
Preview |   |   |   |
Product name | Wahl 9818A Lithium-Ion Beard Trimmer for Men | Braun 5050cs Electric Razor and trimmer for a close shave | Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer and Shaver |
Runtime | 4 hours | 50 minutes | 90 minutes |
Li-ion battery present | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Waterproof | No | Yes | Yes |
Length settings | 12 | NA | 14 |
Where to buy |
Beard trimmer for close shave: Buying guide
Buying a beard trimmer for stubble needs patience and an understanding of the features a closest shaving trimmer must have.
It must be durable, lightweight, and easy to use. Apart from this, I have discussed a few more things one must look at before buying the best stubble trimmer:
Blade quality:
For getting a close shave, the quality of the blades must be up to the mark.
Look for the best professional beard trimmers with sharp, durable, and hypoallergenic blades that give you the closest shave possible without pulling or tugging.
In addition, check the blade material. Try to get the trimmer with titanium, stainless steel, or ceramic blades. These materials are non-react to the skin and prevent irritation.
Motor power:
If your closest shaving trimmer has a powerful motor, we can expect it can effortlessly cut through dense or coarse facial hair.
Go with the beard trimmer with strong motors for consistent cutting performance, even with longer or thicker hair.
Cord or cordless:
You can choose either. It is up to you. Both have pros and cons.
Beard trimmers without cords are travel-friendly and offer more flexibility and convenience. You can go anywhere without getting restricted by the power supply. But it may get discharged between your grooming session.
On the other hand, corded beard trimmers get a power supply for the entire grooming session without thinking about the battery life.
Battery Life and Charging Options:
If you have chosen a cordless trimmer, look for the battery life and the trimmer’s charging options.
Look for professional beard trimmers with long battery life to avoid frequent charging.
Additionally, convenient charging options like USB or charging docks can enhance the trimmer’s usability.
Accessories:
Who does not like accessories, especially given along with grooming tools? Unfortunately, some trimmers do not come with accessories.
Look for the best beard trimmer for close shaves with accessories like precision trimmers for detailing, adjustable guide combs for different lengths, cleaning brushes, and blade oil for maintenance.
Durable & easy to clean:
Look for a trimmer made from durable materials that can withstand regular use. It must last longer and can handle the demands of regular grooming.
Also, the beard trimmer must be easy to clean, made with detachable and washable blade heads. Trimmers with self-sharpening blades can also reduce the need for frequent maintenance.
Ergonomics and Grip:
A comfortable grip and ergonomic design are the most crucial thing when choosing a beard trimmer for stubble.
A poor gripped trimmer can enhance fatigue in a long grooming session and affect your styling. Choose trimmers that have a comfortable grip.
Waterproof:
I think this factor is the only common thing anyone can consider.
A waterproof beard trimmer is always a wise decision.
Value for Money:
Decide a budget and consider the trimmer’s price according to its features and performance.
Look for a stubble trimmer that gives good value at an affordable price, ensuring to get the best possible performance for your investment.
7 best beard trimmers for close shave
Wahl 9818A Lithium-Ion Beard Trimmer for Men
Wahl beard trimmer is our first choice for the best beard trimmer for close shave. The best factor of the Wahl trimmer is the material quality at such an affordable price.
The 3-in-1 beard trimmer has three attachments: T-Blade, Rotary Personal Trimmer, and Detail Trimmer.
Of course, we know the usage of a T-blade. A rotary trimmer helps to groom ear and nose areas, whereas a detail trimmer helps with details, clean up, and complex designs.
Wahl comes up with self-sharpening stainless steel blades with patented technology for superb cutting of thick and coarse hair. They are long-lasting, even after multiple use work as new.
The Wahl model has a powerful motor that works incredibly on thick hair and gives the closest shave.
The lithium-ion battery provides 3.5 hours of usage with 1 hour of charge. Also, it has the feature to quickly charge for 1 minute and use it for 3 minutes.
The 9818 Li-ion+ Wahl comes with eight guide combs for beard trimming from short (1/16″) to long (1/2″) and a 10-position adjustable guide comb ranging from 2mm-11mm.
Pros:
- Sleek and minimalistic stainless-steel design
- Self-sharpening precision blades
- High-torque motor prevents snagging.
- Long-lasting
Cons:
- A little heavy (12.8 oz)
- No adjustable guard (constantly change plastic guards)
Braun 5050cs Electric Razor and trimmer for a close shave
Braun 5050 razor plus trimmer is the best choice if you prefer close shave over trimming. It provides the closest shaving experience.
Braun electric razor and trimmer provide three options: close shaving, precision trimming, and body grooming.
The beard razor has auto-sense technology, which means it adapts power according to your beard density and captures and cuts them closely in one stroke.
The three flexible blades follow the contours of your face and shave every bit without disturbing the skin’s comfort.
The lithium-ion battery takes 1 hour of charging for 50 minutes of continuous shaving. Also, it provides 5 minutes quick shave feature.
The Braun 5050 shaver is durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. You can use it with foam, gel, or even under the shower. There is no need to remove the shaver head for cleaning.
Pros:
- Cut up to 3 days’ beard
- Waterproof
- Flexible blades provide a close shave.
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- You need to change the head every 18 months
- Not suitable for trimming
Philips Norelco Series 9000, Precision Beard and Hair Trimmer
Phillips Norelco is one of the best-selling beard trimmers, and their 9000 series model is one of them.
The beard sense technology helps to determine the beard density and quickly trim them in one stroke.
Philips 9000 has self-sharpening steel blades with a steelhead that provides the closest shave possible fastest trimming, even on dense beards.
Along with one guard attachment, Norelco has an adjustable zoom wheel that locks 30 length settings at 0.2mm (1/128″) increments from 1/64″ to 25/64″ and gives you the desired look.
The lithium-ion battery gives 120 minutes of cordless shave with 1 hour of charging, and the best part is it has a battery light indicator.
The model is 100% waterproof; you can wash it under the faucet without thinking twice. The 9000 series provides you most effective shaving and trimming with the lowest efforts.
The best part of the Norelco 9000 series is it comes with blade oil that enhances its life and a travel-friendly case that you can carry anywhere.
Pros:
- Powerful electric motor easily cuts dense beards
- Blades are of stainless steel(won’t go dull even after years of use)
- Waterproof(easy to clean)
- Provides 2 hours of continuous use
Cons:
- Sliding lock mechanism causes “attachment bloat.”
- Little bulky trimmer head
- The adjustable guard is delicate
MANSCAPED Premium Men’s Beard Trimmer for stubble
Manscaped premium beard trimmer is another choice for shaving off stubble. The outer and inner designs are different than usual, making it a worthy and must-try product.
The intuitive zoom wheel feature provides 20 different length settings (0.5mm to 10mm), making it a compact, all-in-one trimmer by ditching clipper attachments.
The Manscaped beard trimmer is the best stubble trimmer. It has a built-in comb that lifts the flat hair and gives even smooth cutting in a single stroke.
The titanium-coated t blades are sharp enough to cut even the coarse and dense facial hair in one go.
The powerful, 7,200 RPM DC motor gives the closest shaving trimmer experience. Also, the high-quality battery provides 1 hour of continuous use, even in the shower.
The manscaped beard trimmer for close shave comes with an AC adapter, USB-C cable, a comb attachment, and a travel case in the box.
Pros:
- Easy to use, compact, and sleek design.
- Easy to clean
- The titanium-coated t-blades do not require blade oil
- 100% Waterproof
Cons:
- No cleaning blush is available
- It heats up considerably fast
Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer and Shaver
Phillips Norelco Oneblade is one of the best-selling beard trimmers. The 3-in-1 feature of the model makes it convenient for all purposes. You can trim, edge, or shave any beard length.
The unique one-blade technology provides the closest shave (not as good as a traditional blade) by its fastest oscillating motor, which moves 12000x per minute.
The dual-sided blade lets you line up your desired style and shave from both sides to create precise edges. Also, the 360-degree moving head follows the contour of your face, giving a close shave with zero cuts.
The stainless steel blades are glide coated and designed in curves to protect the skin. It lasts for four months if used twice a week for shaving.
Phillips Norelco one blade has lithium-ion batteries that give 90 minutes of use with 1 hour of charge. They have worked on their batteries that earlier used to give 45 minutes of usage.
One thing that you may not find convenient is it provides adjustable length settings that vary between 0.4 to 10mm and only cover short, medium, and long stubble beard styles.
Pros:
- Best for short beard trimming, shaving, goatees, and stubble.
- Good battery life than the previous model
- Powerful anti-snag blades
- Strong motor, lightweight
Cons:
- Not suitable for long beards
- The head is quite delicate
- Dual side blade is useful only when not using guards
Wahl Professional | 5-Star Series Razor Edger Trimmer
Wahl’s Professional 5-Star Razor Edger is the best-corded beard trimmer for close shaving, crisp lines, detailed tattooing, and facial detailing.
The zero gap capability offers a razor-close cut, and the T blade provides the best closest shaving trimmer experience.
The trimming kit comes with impressive 3 T-shaped trimming guides (1/16″, 1/8″, and 3/16″), a Pro-Set tool, a cleaning brush, clipper blade oil, and an instructions guide.
The best part of the Wahl professional is its ergonomic design that you can hold for as long as you want.
The eight-long foot cord helps you to use it at the distance you are comfortable, giving you the best professional beard trimmer experience.
If you are looking for an affordable, corded beard trimmer for stubble, Wahl’s professional beard trimmer will never disappoint you.
Pros:
- Stay cool during use
- Easy to use
- It provides close trimming
- Chemical-resistant power cord
Cons:
- You cannot use it underwater
- Quite a heavy trimmer
Braun All-in-One Style Kit Series 5 5490
Braun is one of the most trusted beard trimmer brands; their all-in-one style kit provides trim, shave, detail hair, nose, ear, and body hair.
The trimmer has a sleek design and a precision wheel that gives 40-length settings and adjustable beard and hair combs.
The ultra-sharp blades help to trim or shave in a minimal stroke and give the fastest close shaving experience.
Even if you have a thick, coarse beard, you will never get disappointed. Braun works wonders on dense facial hair.
The lithium-ion batteries give 100 minutes of cordless runtime with 1 hour of charging.
Braun’s all-in-one style kit is 100% waterproof. You can use it under the shower, with or without foam.
The best part is its accessories. It comes with an ear/ nose trimmer, body trimmer, mini foil, detailed trimmer, adjustable beard, hair comb, charging stand, and a zipper pouch, making it all in one package.
Pros:
- It has a powerful motor, suitable for a thick beard
- Versatile trimmer with 40-length settings
- Ultra-sharp blades give the closest shave
- Waterproof
Cons:
- The hair may get stuck if you have too long a beard
- The trimmer attachments may loosen up over the years.
Conclusion: beard trimmer for stubble
I hope the ultimate guide for the best beard trimmer for close shave helped you find the right one.
Whether it is Braun, Philips, Wahl, or manscaped, none will disappoint you, as all are pretty good beard trimmers for stubble.
Remember, trimming or shaving your beard is just the beginning of a beard care regime; you need to work on all the factors that boost healthy beards.
FAQs:
Which trimmer is best for a close shave?
The best trimmer for a close shave depends on personal preference and hair type. Some popular options known for their close-cutting capabilities include the Philips Norelco OneBlade, Braun Series 9, and Wahl Professional 5-Star Series.
Can you get a close shave with a beard trimmer?
Although beard trimmers are primarily intended for grooming and sculpting facial hair, they may not offer the same level of proximity as conventional razors. However, some beard trimmers offer adjustable settings and precision blades that can achieve a relatively close shave for some individuals.
Which type of beard trimmer is best?
The best type of beard trimmer varies based on individual preferences and hair type. However, some popular options include cordless trimmers for convenience and flexibility, trimmers with adjustable length settings for versatility, and sharp, durable blades for precise and efficient trimming.
Which trimmer cuts the shortest?
When it comes to trimmers that cut the shortest, the Andis Professional T-Outliner Trimmer and the Wahl Professional Balding Clipper are often regarded as top choices. These trimmers are known for their close-cutting capabilities and can achieve a shaved look or a short hair length.
Kayden is an entrepreneur, writer, hairstylist working in a professional salon. He specializes in men’s grooming. He loves to blog about beards, hairstyles, and skincare.