25.04.2023

The Different Types Of Trimmers And How To Choose The Best One For You

The Different Types Of Trimmers And How To Choose The Best One For You
Designed for clean, close cuts and smooth, defined edges, hair trimmers are essential tools in every barber's grooming kit. However, they're also the secret to mastering last-minute touch-ups at home; in the right hands, they can even mean skipping the barbers altogether. But with so many types of trimmers available, choosing the right one for you can be challenging. That's why we've delivered the low down on trimmers, covering everything you need to know about the different trimmers available and how to choose the right one for your hairstyle.

Table of contents

  1. Firstly, what is a trimmer?
  2. The different types of trimmers
  3. Can I use a face trimmer on my body, and vice versa?
  4. Are hair clippers and trimmers the same?
  5. Which trimmer is best for cutting hair?
  6. Corded or cordless trimmers, which is best?
  7. What are the best haircut trimmers?

Firstly, what is a trimmer?

Hair trimmers are electronic devices designed for cutting short hair, like face and body hair. They feature small blades which cut close to the skin, making them particularly suitable for dry shaving, buzz cuts, precision detailing, and – you guessed it – trimming. Unlike hair clippers which cut through long hair easily, trimmers are better equipped to tackle smaller areas. For instance, hair on the face and around the ears, neckline, and sideburns. They can also be used to define moustaches, shorter beards and stubble.

The different types of trimmers

Whether you want to touch up your sideburns, tidy up your beard, or trim down your stubble, there's a trimmer to suit. However, it's essential to choose the right trimmer for your needs. Different hair types require different blades, so you should never use a face trimmer on other parts of your body and vice versa. Below, we've covered the ins and outs of the different types of trimmers, including which one is best for tackling different haircuts and why.

Multipurpose hair trimmers

Multipurpose hair trimmers are versatile devices that combine the functions of various trimmers, such as hair trimmers and beard trimmers. They often come with different attachments and feature various speeds and hair length settings, allowing you to achieve a wide range of hair lengths and looks. Multipurpose hair trimmers are versatile enough to trim the hair on your head and various areas of your body, meaning you can cut your hair and beard with the same trimmer.

Beard trimmers

Beard trimmers are exclusively designed for beard cutting. However, you can also use them to trim the hair around your neck, jawline, face and ears. Compared to hair clippers, beard trimmers feature smaller blades, allowing you to trim your beard precisely. 
Various beard trimmers are available, and which is best for you depends on your desired look. For instance, do you want to sport stubble or shape up your beard? Or do you want to maintain a well-defined moustache? Beard trimmers come in various designs and sizes and have different features, so it's important to consider your needs and desired outcomes when choosing the best one.

Detailer trimmers

Like beard trimmers, detailer trimmers are designed for use on facial hair. However, they are specifically designed for defining edges, lines and detailing, featuring lightweight designs that are easy to manoeuvre. 

T-blade trimmers

T-blade trimmers feature curved edges, making it easier to trim hard-to-reach areas, like around the ears and the back of the neck. Moreover, the blade's curved edges make it perfect for shaping beards and moustaches and creating highly detailed looks. 

Ear and nose trimmers

The hair around your nose and ears is delicate, so it requires its own trimmer. These multi-purpose devices feature an exclusive, compact design allowing the user to access and trim ear and nose hair easily.

Can I use a face trimmer on my body and vice versa?

While nothing stops you from using the same trimmer on different areas of your body, you should reconsider if you care about hygiene. Dermatologists recommend against using the same hair tool on your delicate facial foliage as you do on intimate areas. This can increase the risk of spreading bacteria, leading to infection. Moreover, trimmers designed for facial use are often designed to be more gentle on sensitive skin, so you may experience razor bumps or other skin problems if you use a trimmer that isn't designed for your face.

Are hair clippers and trimmers the same?

Hair clippers and trimmers are similar in design but have significant differences, so switching between them might not be a great idea. The main difference is blade size. Hair clippers are designed to cut long hair and come with various guard combs and attachments to adjust to your desired style and hair length. Trimmers, however, do not have any attachments, featuring smaller blades that provide a closer cut and more precision. You can read more about the difference between clippers and trimmers and their benefits in our recent blog post, Clippers vs Trimmers.

Which trimmer is best for hair cutting?

Like how the type of facial hair you have determines whether a beard trimmer, detailer or t-blade trimmer is best, your hair length and thickness determine which hair tool is best for you. A multi-purpose hair trimmer is the best if you have short hair or want a close-cut look. However, if you have longer hair or want to remove a few inches of hair safely, a hair clipper is more suitable. Hair clippers come with various guards and attachments, allowing you to safely control how much hair you remove whilst preventing you from cutting too close to the skin. If you prefer a clean-shaven style or to remove the hair completely, opt for a trimmer with a shaving function or a foil shaver.

Corded or cordless trimmers, which is best?

One of the first decisions you must make when buying new hair trimmers is choosing a corded or cordless design. Corded clippers offer a continuous power flow, meaning you will experience the same high performance every time you cut. However, corded trimmers can be restrictive if you need to tackle hard-to-reach areas. Cordless trimmers allow you complete freedom of movement, making them perfect for those with more creative looks. Both corded and cordless clippers have their benefits and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your needs when selecting new trimmers.

Which trimmers are best?

Regarding the best trimmers, three brands consistently outperform others: Wahl, Remington and Babyliss. They design their hair trimmers with precision and quality, offering high-performance devices that make maintaining your hair cuts at home easy, whether you want to trim your beard, maintain stubble, or shape up your haircut between barber appointments. Looking to upgrade your grooming routine? Our hair clippers and trimmers collection have you covered, featuring a fantastic selection of high-performance hair tools by industry-leading brands. We also stock hair clippers and trimmer accessories, including trimmer attachments, guard combs, blade oils, storage cases and more!
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