7 Best Stubble Trimmers for the Closest Shave

9.7/10

The Philips Norelco 5100 sets the bar for trimming proficiency. Its double-sharpened blades and hair lift feature permit a bona fide all-angle, one pass trim. The trimming head functions in two ways: on one side is a standard blade that handles your basic, all-around trimming needs while a finer-toothed blade takes care of more intricate shaving, shaping, and detailing work. Dual-sided trimming lets you switch lengths with the turn of the trimming head without changing attachments. Combine everything with precise, fully customizable length settings and you have a trimmer that can do anything.

Features

9.7/10

Its Dynamic Beard Guide System lifts and guides hair to the blades for a close and even cut. Its dual-side technology will cut your grooming time in half. Seventeen length settings from 0.4 to 13mm span the gamut of beard styles–all controlled by a responsive zoom wheel. The stainless-steel blades are self-sharpening, double-whetted, hypoallergenic and round-tipped to make even comb-less grooming exact yet safe. An indicator light tells you when the charge is full or when it needs charging while in use.

Battery Life

9.7/10

1 hour gives it a full charge or 70 minutes run time. It has a 5-minute quick charge feature that’ll give enough power for one trimming session. It can even be used while charging.

Maintenance

9.7/10

Cleaning is as simple as running it under the tap or using a dry soft brush to dislodge debris. The blades are self-sharpening so it doesn’t require oiling.

Design and Style

9.8/10

It’s a thoughtfully-constructed, stylishly designed piece of machinery. From its robust build and zoom wheel placement to its color palette and exquisite finish, the 5100 is an engineering and design marvel. Now, that’s saying a lot for a device that cuts whiskers and bushes.

Value

9.7/10

$44.95 for a flagship trimmer that delivers. It comes with a full 2-year warranty. Purchase includes 2 additional hair clipping combs, and a cleaning brush.

Overall Editor Score

9.7/10

9.6/10

The Remington MB4040 boasts an extremely powerful motor. Along with its specially treated blades, the device makes short work of any type of facial hair. It has three interchangeable heads: the main blade with a standard wide coverage for all-around trimming, a slightly narrower blade for goatees, and another for stubbles or precision detailing. An adjustable guide comb manages the length settings for all three blades to tailor-fit your look. Removing the comb will allow you to trim closer. It also works great for your hairline, sideburns, and body hair.

Features

9.6/10

It’s three blades are self-sharpening and titanium-coated to preserve their edge and enhance their durability. The trimmer has nine custom length settings which range from 1.5 to 18mm. The lengths are set with the turn of a dial on the front of the handle. Your chosen setting will appear on an indicator by the side of the dial. The trimmer’s 120-volt motor provides power that rivals those of some corded models.

Battery Life

9.7/10

3 hours of charging will give 120 minutes of run time. Before your first use, an initial charge of 16 hours is recommended.

Maintenance

9.3/10

Cleaning is basic and undemanding. The trimmer blades and guide comb are removable. The blades are permanently lubed so they’ll never need oiling. The blades can be sufficiently cleaned with a soft brush. Only the guide comb is washable.

Design and Style

9.0/10

Its design is slim and compact. Its frame is predominantly black, with silver highlights. Raised edges on the front add texture and detail. The length control dial and old-school display also deserve style props. Its size, weight, and contour of its handle make the device so remarkably easy to wield. While the MB4040’s looks won’t turn heads nor elicit oohs and aahs, its functionality will definitely win you over.

Value

9.6/10

For $33.27 with a 2-year warranty and 60-day refund, you’ll get solid trimming efficiency with a battery that doesn’t quit.

Overall Editor Score

9.5/10

9.5/10

Brush type: A paddle brush created from man-made materials – but good ones, especially given the price.

Handle: The velvet touch handle offers solid control and is well-sized for men’s hands.

Bristles: The ball tipped nylon bristles are designed to detangle your hair.

Value

9.5/10

This sells for less than $5 as an add-on item at Amazon. At that price, you shouldn’t expect the company to allow returns – and they don’t. We think it’s a proper steal.

Overall Editor Score

9.5/10

The price is right, and the brush is both solid and not bad looking. We dig that.

Paddle brushes such as this one are designed for longer hair and if you’re a guy with long thick hair, we think you’re going to love this brush.

But, even if your hair isn’t that long, we don’t want you to walk away yet. There are plenty of guys that like it on their shorter dos.

The brush is well made and the flexible cushion base makes it comfortable on your scalp. Better still, it’s awesome at detangling and can work through wet hair, so it’s great for the day after a big night (whatever that means to you).

Now, you can scoff at the price or you can scoop up this brush with your next Amazon order (it’s an add on item), but you know what we’re going to say about that right?

We think it’s absolutely worth the try if you’re in the market for a new brush. Seriously.

9.5/10

It’s fitted with two heads on opposite sides of its handle: a shaver that cuts hair smooth and close at skin level, and a flexible trimmer that clips hair to your desired length. Both cutting tools perform with uncompromising precision without causing irritation. The shaver’s intuitive pivoting system reacts instantly to your face and body’s curves and crevices for an even shave. The trimmer comb with custom length settings fine-tunes your grooming needs. The unit is water–resistant and rechargeable for cordless portability that can be used wet or dry, anywhere and everywhere.

Features

9.5/10

It expertly combines the functions of a shaver and a trimmer in a single water-resistant device. You can switch between the two cutting instruments with a flip of its handle. Both shaver and trimmer blades are hypoallergenic. The shaver head flexes in four directions (up, down, and sideways) as you shave, requiring fewer passes and less pressure. The shaver blades possess rounded tips to prevent nicks and cuts. The trimmer blades are self-sharpening: they brush against each other as you trim to keep the edges from dulling. The trimmer’s integrated guide comb accurately conforms to 5 length settings, ranging from 3 to 11mm. A small indicator light displays the battery’s power status.

Battery Life

9.8/10

It has the best charging to run time ratio among the trimmers in our top picks. Its high-capacity lithium-ion battery gets an impressive 80 minutes of run time from 1 hour of charging.

Maintenance

8.8/10

The shaver head and trimmer comb attachment can be detached to expose the blades, which can then be rinsed under running water. The shaver and trimmer blades do not need to be oiled.

Design and Style

9.1/10

The design for its shaver plus trimmer consolidation is splendidly executed. The silver plastic surface with a textured finish resembles premium brushed aluminum. The silver and black color scheme, along with its clean lines and rounded edges give the device an upmarket, understated elegance.

Value

9.1/10

$59.95 for a shaver and trimmer in one dynamo of a device that never lets up.

Overall Editor Score

9.3/10

9.5/10

The ER-GB40-S is designed to cut cleanly along the mustache, sideburns, and beard line. Its razor sharp, stainless steel blades are set at a forty-five-degree angle to achieve optimum trimming results with less passes and fewer strokes. The device is a trimming beast that can shear long, thick, dense, and unruly hair with leisurely ease. Precision cutting, trimming, detailing, and sculpting are regulated by its uniquely-designed multi-setting control for absolute personalization.

Features

9.5/10

The trimmer has 19 length settings that range from 1 to 10mm in 0.5mm installments. Each setting can be activated with the turn of its quick–adjust precision dial. With its selection of settings, you can have a close stubble, a full beard, or any style and length in between. It’s waterproof and submersible, so you can do your grooming in the shower and use foam, gel, or cream while you trim. However, it works just as smoothly for dry trimming too. The blades are made from hypoallergenic, high-grade stainless steel. The charging stand has an LED indicator light that glows red while the device is charging and turns green when it’s fully charged. The trimmer itself has a power indicator light that flashes red when battery power is low.

Battery Life

7.8/10

It takes 15 hours to reach a full charge. While the 50-minute run time at full juice is sufficient for 5-7 full facial trims, the battery could use some improvement. In fact, its extended battery charge time is the only thing that kept the Panasonic Er-GB40-S from clinching our “Best Overall” spot. Since winning the coveted “Men’s Health Grooming Award” for design, features, and performance a few years back, Panasonic would’ve done well to upgrade its Ni-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) battery to the more reliable lithium-ion found in newer electronic devices.

Maintenance

9.5/10

The device is entirely watertight and fully immersible, which makes for hassle-free maintenance. Just rinse it under warm running water. It has a clever easy-open water shutter where you can flow water through to completely wash out any debris from the blades. It’s recommended to oil the blades after each wash.

Design and Style

9.4/10

It’s one of the best stubble trimmer designs in the industry. The build is tough and sturdy with a “ready for anything” feel. It comes in a deep blue and silver-grey color combination. The power button and length settings dial are strategically located along an easy to grasp, ergonomic handle. The slip proof, rubberized grip provides safety and comfort, and adds to its masculine flair.

Value

9.3/10

If you get past the overlong charging time, the Panasonic ER-GB40-S is still one of the best beard trimmers available. And, for $36.99, it’s as great a deal as any we’ve come across. 

Your purchase even comes with a standard 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. 

Overall Editor Score

9.2/10

9.1/10

The ConairMAN Super Stubble Trimmer is designed to provide the best possible trim and detail for stubbles or beards. Not only does it deliver a barbershop quality trim, it does so without causing irritation or discomfort to sensitive skin. The trimmer has adjustable speed controls and 15 pre-programmed length settings (from 0.4 to 5.0mm) in 2mm increments for optimal customization. The excellent close trim quality of its 0.4mm minimum length setting demonstrates just how capable this dedicated stubble trimmer can be. Its self-adapting Flexhead, along with its ideal weight and size, offer topnotch stability when you’re working on tricky spots like the chin and Adam’s apple. The handling and grasp are spot-on for added control.

Features

9.0/10

Its electro-chemically shaped blades are extremely sharp yet incredibly gentle on sensitive skin. The blades are mounted on a flexible pivoting head that gently tracks the contours and curves of your face. All settings and adjustments are initiated automatically with a few button-clicks. The LCD display shows your selected setting and remaining run time. It has a memory function that remembers the last length setting you used. It includes a protective guide comb that can be flipped back when unneeded, or removed entirely for easier cleaning. It’s rechargeable and 100% waterproof, so it’s safe to use for cord-free wet trimming. When not in use, it sits upright in its charger stand for space-saving convenience.

Battery Life

9.7/10

Its lithium-ion battery requires 80 minutes to fully charge. A full charge produces 70 minutes of run time. The battery is energy-efficient; you won’t notice any decline in performance even with the charge nearly consumed. It also has a rapid charge feature wherein a 5-minute charge can power one full stubble trim. Out of the box, the trimmer has to be charged for 3 hours to calibrate its battery.

Maintenance

8.6/10

Caring for the ConairMAN Super Stubble couldn’t be any easier. Since it’s completely waterproof, the blades can be rinsed under the tap to wash off fine stubble hairs and gunk. For a more thorough clean, the removable trimming blades can be cleaned with the supplied cleaning brush or rinsed with warm water. The blades should be oiled regularly to maintain its sharpness.

Design and Style

9.3/10

Its design is distinct and compact. It has a polished black handle and a V-shaped accent on the front that convey a hushed swagger. It’s meticulously crafted and solidly assembled for sturdiness and water resistance. The + and – controls for length adjustments are placed cleverly above the power button. The large digital display most definitely deserves style points. On the whole, it’s a happy marriage of form and function.

Value

9.0/10

It’s just under $113 and backed by a 2-year warranty. It’s expensive, for sure. But don’t you think your skin deserves a little lavishing every once in a while?

Overall Editor Score

9.1/10

9.2/10

The Remington PG6025 offers total grooming options. The full-size trimmer head covers a lot of skin surface area with each stroke to make trimming quicker and more comfortable. The shaving function allows you to sculpt and shape with detailed precision. Three comb attachments and a hair clipping comb with adjustable settings accommodate different length preferences. Whichever you choose, its surgical steel blades ensure an evenly polished shear. While you’re at it, you may want to trim or shave your hair, chest, or back, which this device can handle with ease. Additional nose and ear grooming accessories make the Remington PG6025 a complete hair management supertool.

Features

9.2/10

Its blades are self-sharpening and forged from surgical steel. The kit includes a generous collection of attachments and accessories to cover all your grooming needs: a full-size trimmer can be used with or without a comb; a foil shaver for accuracy and protection against scrapes or cuts; a nose, ear, and detail trimmer; a hair clipper comb with eight length settings (from 2 to 16mm); and three snap on beard and stubble combs in 3, 6, and 9mm variations. It comes with a handy carrying pouch for travel or easy storage. It’s a terrific option for frequent travelers, college students, and trimming newbies.

Battery Life

7.9/10

Its lithium-ion battery needs four hours to fully charge. While the charging time is a lot lengthier than the industry standard, a full charge does give you 60-70 minutes of grooming time. It uses a charging cord in place of a charging stand and can be operated while it’s plugged-in. 

Maintenance

8.9/10

The device isn’t waterproof. Great care should be taken to keep the unit, especially the handle, dry. The groomer head–and only the groomer head–can be cleaned under a gentle stream of water. The blades need to be oiled once a month to keep it working smoothly. 

The foil shaver attachment is permanently lubed. So, it doesn’t require oiling and should never be rinsed. Just remove it from the trimmer, give it a good shake to dislodge the clippings, then snap it gently back into place. 

Cleaning the attachments is straightforward. Just wash them with warm water and liquid soap, or lightly scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Design and Style

9.5/10

It’s sleek, futuristic look speaks of its efficiency. The power switch is conveniently situated on an ergonomic handle for easy one-handed operation. There are three LED indicator lights that display the charging level, further adding to the design’s ultra-modern vibe. Style-wise, the PG6025 is definitely not your dad’s electric shaver. If your friends mistake it for a lightsaber – just go with it.

Value

9.3/10

At $20.99, the Remington PG6025 All-In-One Grooming Kit is the best stubble trimmer in its price range. Your purchase also comes with a 2-year warranty.

Overall Editor Score

9.0/10