When reviewing the best trimmers for short beards there are certain qualities that need to be taken into account. A man with a short beard is a man looking to make a statement. The trimmer they use needs to account for this.
If you’re in a rush, the Brio Beardscape takes the number one spot. It’s phenomenal. Keep reading if you’ve got the time to find out exactly why.
Short beards need to maintain a degree of neatness or they risk looking accidental as opposed to intentional.
There’s nothing worse than a beard that’s been left wandering, looking more and more unkempt as the days pass by.
Your beard trimmer should become like a member of your family – loved and trusted unconditionally.
What I’ve done is listed the qualities you should look for in a beard trimmer for short beards, and then reviewed the best ones that meet these criteria. It’s condensed all the research you’d otherwise have had to do, in a simple and digestible way.
Let’s get to it, my short-bearded friend.
Factors to consider when buying a trimmer for short beards
1. Do you need it to be cordless?
Although the immediate response is usually yes, there are advantages to both corded and cordless beard trimmers.
The cordless beard trimmer has the advantage of being easier to maneuver across your short beard without being restricted by a cord.
This is particularly important if there are no convenient sockets near your trimming location of choice.
An advantage of corded beard trimmers is that they usually provide that extra little bit of power. When it comes to trimmers, the force behind the blade is just as important as the blade itself.
If you do go for a corded trimmer, be sure to note how long the cord is and check whether it enables you to trim freely in front of your mirror of choice.
With a short beard, you won’t be trimming for a period that would be impractical for a cordless trimmer. But it’s important to know how long you’ll be able to trim for with a fully charged trimmer. 1 hour’s worth of trimming should be the bare minimum you should accept.
2. What lengths are you working with?
There’s no use in buying a trimmer with size guards ranging up to 20mm when you want to rock a 1-inch beard (25mm).
Make sure that the beard trimmer you buy comes with size guards compatible with your facial hair length of choice.
For short beards to gain a textured, nuanced appearance it’s important to vary the length in certain areas.
You might want to keep the thicker mustache and chin areas shorter than the cheeks for a more even-looking appearance overall.
Or, you might want to fade the neckline and cheek line for a transition from skin to hair that’s less sharp and jarring.
Over time your beard trimming technique will become more nuanced, and you’ll want to make sure you have a wide variety of size guards to allow for this.
3. The quality of the blades
This is incredibly important. I’d personally position it as my most important factor. The reason I place such high importance on the blades is that a trimmer lacking in this department can cause all sorts of problems.
Poor quality blades lead to uneven cuts of hair shafts, which leads to an untidy cut as well as a prickly and coarse beard. They also lead to irritation of the skin, which is something I work very hard to avoid.
Titanium, stainless steel, and ceramic blades provide the cleanest and most even cut. They’re also the most durable and long-lasting.
3. Is this going to an “all-in-one” trimmer?
In other words, will you want to use this trimmer for your other regions as well? For example, will you also use it to trim your chest hair, back hair and so on?
If so, you’ll want to make sure the trimmer comes with the necessary length settings and attachments.
In general, I wouldn’t recommend using a beard trimmer for anything other than your beard if you can avoid it.
This isn’t to say it won’t be effective in other body regions, because it almost certainly will.
But the bottom line is, the more you use something, the quicker it wears out. Using the same trimmer for absolutely everything is the quickest way to tiring out your trimmer.
It just won’t last as long and you’ll find yourself having to buy new trimmers when you wouldn’t have had to.
The 5 best trimmers for short beards (2019)
1. The Brio Beardscape
Best Features
Overall, the Brio Beardscape is the best trimmer for short beards on the market right now. It’s the most versatile, easy-to-use, and stylish trimmer you can buy for an affordable price.
The premium ceramic blades are what I’d call it’s “hallmark feature” just because of how unique they are. They cut through the hair shafts very easily, and are incredibly durable as well.
Ceramic is four times harder than stainless steel, and this is important because the longevity of your beard trimmer should be taken into account.
The LCD display is very convenient and easy to read which I actually feel is rare within this price range. It shows you the speed in RPM and the remaining charge.
A fantastic bonus is that it also indicates when the clipping head needs cleaning or oiling – something often forgotten but crucially important.
The battery life exceeds expectations and also sets this beard trimmer apart. It’s phenomenal, thanks to its extra-large Lithium-ion battery that allows for four hours of usage on a single charge.
It’s length settings are perfectly fine for a short to medium beard, with 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 15mm, and 18mm size guards.
The blade height is also adjustable between 1mm and 1.9mm if you desire a more intricate stubbled appearance. What it allows for overall is perfect for the short beard.
This wide range is important for a short beard as you may want to vary the length in certain parts of the beard per the style you’re going for. Or, simply to make it look evener.
The motor is also exceptionally quiet, despite packing some serious power. It’s a feature worth taking seriously because a loud hum can be overbearing and impact the trimming experience during long sessions.
The fact that it’s cordless and lightweight (weighing in at a mere 7.9 oz) makes it ultra-portable. There’s a very affordable travel case available for purchase with it as well.
What You May Not Like
Although the trimmer does come with a wide range of length guards, it would have been great to have them in smaller increments to allow for more precise control. But this is if I was being very harsh.
It isn’t waterproof. This isn’t a huge deal for me because I never trim wet. Trimming wet generally leads to a less effective and less efficient trim. But if you are prone to trimming in the shower, this trimmer definitely wouldn’t be for you.
Conclusion
It’s a game-changer. Sure, there are other beard trimmers that are just as capable, but none within this very affordable price bracket.
2. Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000, MG7750/49
Best features
It’s difficult to start any Philips Norelco Multigroom review without mentioning its DualCut Technology right off the bat.
This trimmer cuts effortlessly and with immaculate precision because it has twice the number of blades and also has self-sharpening technology.
In other words, the blades rub gently against each other during the trim keeping them nice and sharp for a longer period.
“Multigroom” isn’t a false claim. It really does allow a man to trim every bit of his body. Beard, head, nose, ears, chest, and so on.
Although I did say I prefer to keep my trimmers separate, this isn’t everyone’s preference. Some do prefer an “all-in-one” trimmer, and if so this one should be your top consideration.
The fact that it comes with a foil shaver attachment is just a dream. You don’t have to buy one separately which is fantastic.
A foil shaver is a fantastic addition to your toolkit, enabling you to shave unwanted stubble beneath the neckline and above the cheek lines of your beard. When determining the best trimmer for short beards specifically, these regions are incredibly important.
Polish it off by using the precision trimmer attachment to sharpen up the edges. The options are just endless.
It comes with 14 length guards ranging between 1mm and 16mm – ideal for a man rocking a short beard. This allows for intricate variation and precise control over the beard.
These guards also feel very sturdy, having been reinforced with ultra-strong fiberglass to prevent bending and buckling.
One thing that sets it apart from the Brio Beardscape is that it is waterproof. This is, of course, an essential feature for those of you that would want to trim wet.
A defining feature of this trimmer is how durable it feels. The frame is built from premium stainless steel and feels like it should be a lot more expensive than it is.
Let’s finish off by talking about battery life. Yes, it’s cordless, and it’s runtime clocks in at 5 hours when fully charged. This is once again thanks to a very powerful Lithium-ion battery. Although a short beard doesn’t take a huge amount of time to trim, it’s still nice to know you won’t have to charge it as often.
What you may not like
The “all-in-one” nature of this trimmer may appeal to a lot of people for obvious reasons. But some may want a specific trimmer designed with beards in mind only. For those people, I’d have to recommend the Brio Beardscape.
Some people most likely wouldn’t want to keep and store so many different length guards and attachments. Although they do provide a huge amount of versatility, some may actually say it’s too much.
The design is also a little frustrating for one specific reason. There is a small gap beneath the blade where hair can build up. This will require regular cleaning to prevent it from clogging.
Conclusion
Overall, this trimmer should be more expensive than it is. Its versatility is quite phenomenal. I can round it up quite simply.
If you’re looking for a specific beard trimmer and don’t require it for anything else, go for The Brio Beardscape. If you want an “all-in-one” trimmer for different body regions, definitely go for the Philips Norelco Multigroom.
3. Remington MB4700
Best features
When I first heard the term “smart trimmer”, I immediately thought gimmick. But I was wrong. The ultra-modern “smart” features this trimmer comes equipped with are a revelation. Let’s talk through them.
The first one is so simple yet so satisfying. I’ve always hated a beard trimmer running out of battery mid-trim with no warning whatsoever.
The Remington MB4700 has a digital battery indicator that displays how much battery you’ve got left.
This trimmer also has in-built memory to store previous length settings. It saves masses of time in the long run as you just pick up your trimmer and it’s already set to your length of choice.
The blade speed is automatically adjusted according to the thickness of the hair being cut. I just love that because it seems so futuristic and allows for a very personalized trimming experience.
It removes the need for storage of heaps and heaps of length guards and attachments. This trimmer has a motorized comb that moves in 0.1mm increments.
That equals a staggering 175 length settings between 0.4 and 18mm. Considering you’re reading an article on the best trimmers for short beards, you’re likely well within this range.
The fact that it can manage stubble beards as well (<5mm) is a fantastic bonus.
I saved my favorite feature until last. The “wake up” feature refers to how you can literally pick up the trimmer and have it automatically turn on, set to your favorite setting. Sure, some might call this lazy, but I call it ruthlessly efficient.
What you may not like
The runtime when fully charged is listed as 50 minutes, although in reality, you can probably squeeze around 20 minutes more out of it. Although it runs for less time than the two ranked above, as a short-bearded man this shouldn’t really be an issue. But it’s something to make note of nonetheless.
Some people may find all of these additional features gimmicky because at the end of the day, they aren’t essential. The purists among you may want a beard trimmer to do just that – trim the beard. No fancy stuff. But hey, everyone’s different.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a beard trimmer with all the frills, this one’s for you. It’s ultra-modern, sleek, and let’s face it – fun.
At the end of the day, it provides an excellent trim, and that’s what’s most important. All of the added features are just phenomenal bonuses.
4. Wahl Stainless Steel 9818
Best features
So when it comes to “all-in-one” trimmers, this one comes in a very close second. But overall, it’s the fourth-best trimmer for short beards. Here’s why.
The brand has long been opted for by professional barbers due to its durability and flawless mechanics. But the Wahl 9818 is a favorite among non-professionals because of just how easy it is to use.
The trimmer’s versatility is mainly derived from its four attachments: a detail shaver, rotary personal trimmer, T-blade, and a detail trimmer. I
t’s hard to think of a single area of your body you can’t trim with it. But talking specifically about beards, it’s great for debulking the meatier parts, as well as sharpening up the edges – yes, even your mustache and goatee.
The nose and ear hairs are also easy to tackle.
Battery life is also definitely something to write home about. Also utilizing the premium power of Lithium-ion + technology, it provides up to 4 hours of runtime fully charged.
A neat little feature is the “quick charge” option, which provides 3 minutes of runtime after just 60 seconds of charging. Perfect for mornings where you’ve forgotten to charge it beforehand and need an emergency trim.
I’ll finish off by talking about the blades. The blades are very effective and glide across the beard, sharpening themselves as they do so. I just love the concept of self-sharpening blades as it just screams longevity.
What you may not like
Interestingly I’ll start by talking about the charger plug. The plug actually feels quite flimsy and needs to be handled with a little care.
The length guards need to be positioned carefully over the blades to ensure they sit square over it. It can be tricky at first but becomes easier as you get used to it.
Conclusion
A very stylish beard trimmer from a brand that is universally accepted by professionals. A great “all-in-one” groomer that competes well with the Brio Beardscape. One of the best trimmers for short beards in my opinion.
5. Panasonic GB40-S
As always, I’ll start by talking about my favorite feature. With the Panasonic GB40-S, it’s definitely the feel. The ergonomic, rubberized grip is just so easy on the palm.
When it comes to trimming short beards, dexterity and maneuverability are important. Your hands will not ache.
The stainless steel blades are very sharp and sit at an acute 45-degree angle, allowing for a quick and clean cut.
Now, the next feature I’m going to mention I have mixed feelings about. The quick-adjust beard trimmer dial is very easy to use, completely removing the need for detachable length guards.
There are only 19 settings, ranging from 1 to 10mm. This makes it unsuitable for men who wish to maintain a short beard longer than 10mm. But in a way, having a few settings within a narrow range of lengths keeps it nice and simple.
It’s also waterproof, making it very convenient for men who prefer a wet trim. It also makes it much easier to clean.
In fact, cleaning is made even easier by having an easy-open water drain in the beard trimmer. This allows water to flow freely through it, cleaning it as it’s used.
Finally, the Panasonic GB40-S prides itself on being a very competent mustache groomer. This is thanks to its ability to handle fine edging work that other beard trimmers can’t quite handle.
What you may not like
The battery life is quite average, clocking in at 50 minutes of runtime on a full charge. Having said this, it’s perfectly acceptable for a short beard trimmer.
Some people feel that it can occasionally tug at the beard. But ensuring it’s looked after, cleaned and oiled properly should reduce the likelihood of this happening over time.
Conclusion
A highly competent beard trimmer, ideal for men who want a good mustache groomer to go with it. The comfortable feel of this beard trimmer is its hallmark.
How short is a “short” beard?
This is a question that’s asked by many men, who understandably want to know what category they fall into. Do they have stubble, a short beard, a medium beard, or a long beard?
The reason this is difficult to answer is that one man’s short may be another man’s long (and vice versa).
As a general rule of thumb, “stubble” is considered to be less than 5mm long. If you fall within this category, it may be better to get a specialized stubble trimmer instead.
If your facial hair is longer than 5mm, you fall into the short-bearded category. After this threshold, the point where a “short beard” becomes a “medium beard” is widely disputed.
As another rule of thumb, it would be safe to suggest that beyond the range of 15 to 20mm, you would be delving into “medium beard territory”.
Ultimately, the intricacies don’t really matter that much. What matters is that you choose a beard trimmer that meets all of your requirements. But again, requirements vary from one man to another.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best trimmer for short beards isn’t easy. There are a huge number of trimmers on the market at the moment, most of which fall below par.
Hopefully, you’ve now got a good idea of what to look for in a beard trimmer, tailoring your decisions to your personal preferences and needs.
If you feel as though there is a beard trimmer that should have made this list and hasn’t, leave it in the comments below!
Ready Sleek founder. Obsessed with casual style and the minimalist approach to building a highly functional wardrobe. Also a fan of classic, vintage hairstyles.
