Wahl is the original, the inventor, the innovator. Over a century, it grew its respect organically in the echelons of professional barbershops up and down the USA. Now, the brand is the global gold standard for professional clippers.
But, you know all this. You need help deciphering which are the best Wahl beard trimmers to suit your particular needs. Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right spot.
Still operating out of Stirling, Illinois, Wahl now has six global manufacturing plants, over 4,000 employees worldwide, and sells products in 165 countries. The brand is a true heritage American brand that has kept its position at the top through relentless innovation. In 2004, the Aero-Clipper was designed to “handle temperatures of 58ºF to -122ºF while sucking up hairs as they are clipped,” to be used in the harsh environs of space.
The product was approved by NASA and used on the International Space Centre; it was the first and only one of its kind. Space trimmers: that’s the level on which Wahl is operating.
Reviewers on the r/buyitforlife Reddit thread are positively emphatic about Wahl trimmers too. One guy says, “The answer anytime you want a trimmer is Wahl. Buy a corded model, oil and clean it regularly, treat it well, and you’ll have a tool that’ll last you over a decade.”
Another boasts of having their first Wahl trimmer for 18 years. If you’re looking for a truly durable trimmer, read on to find out which are the best Wahl beard trimmers.
Key Takeaways
For this piece, I plugged myself into the internet and began wading through reviews on Reddit, Amazon, publications, and e-commerce sites. This helped to chop the Wahl product range down to the 5 final products you see here. Overall, the top of the line of the best Wahl beard trimmers is The Wahl Peanut.
This is because of its reliability, zero-gap shave, maneuverability, and (I don’t say this lightly) iconic design. Throughout the process, I also considered customer reviews, online recommendations, affordability, design, and versatility.
The second-best choice among the best Wahl beard trimmers is a stalwart classic. It is the Wahl Magic Clipper. You might know it already, as it is the favored choice for barbershops. It has a chunky design, is ergonomic to handle, is built like a Hummer, has many decades of happy customers in its wake, and produces beard trims that are worth paying for.
Why it’s great: It doesn’t need explaining, does it? The 1992 best-selling design: the peanut shape. This nutty shape just so happens to be one of the most ergonomic, chintzy and fun shapes a beard trimmer could come in. Who knew?
Beyond that, it is lauded for its surprisingly close trim ability, reliability (reports of 20+ usage online), ease of maintenance, cutting power, fair price, and flexibility in terms of corded or cordless. Just know that style writer David Coggins and podcaster-writer Chris Black both have beards trimmed by this machine. It is simply the numero uno of the best Wahl beard trimmers.
Who is this for: You know, beards? Well, if you can grow one, this trimmer is for you. And if you have a penchant for novelty, expression, and a certain flair in life, then even better. Even if that pertains to a beard trimmer which hardly anyone will see.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The design isn’t for everyone. Also, cordless batteries degrade, so prepare to purchase Wahl’s easily replaceable rechargeable batteries after a few years (use-dependent), or maybe opt for the power cord version to avoid that altogether.
Battery Life: Power cord, or, AA batteries (Amazon reviews mostly positive on battery life) | Waterproof: No | Beard Type: All | Skin Type: All
Why it’s great: Value for money, this is the best Wahl trimmer for beards. It’s a nimble waterproof electric shaver with an hour of use for one charge that can be charged worldwide thanks to the in-built voltage capacities. Plus, it comes with 6 trimmer positions, 7 attachment guards, and a nose trimmer. That’s quite the bundle.
Who is this for: It’s for those who prioritize convenience and the need for something compact and travel-friendly. The self-sharpening blades mean that you can pick up and use this trimmer with full confidence time and time again. Its sleek, simple design sits in the palm very easily too.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Noise has been noted by some of the overwhelmingly contented 68,000+ Amazon reviewers.
Battery Life: 60 mins | Waterproof: Yes | Beard Type: All | Skin Type: All
Why it’s great: Shaving your beard provides technical problems – mainly that you can’t always see what you’re doing because either your chin or the object itself blocks the view. The purpose of the skeletal design on this Wahl product is to eliminate that.
It’s manufactured in the USA, has a lithium-ion battery powered (two hours use), and the reviews point to its quietness. It comes with three attachments as standard. The nose/ear trimmer, the dual foil shave (for skin-tight shaves), and the DLC T-Blade with 8 guard combs ranging from 1/16″- 1/2″ for longer trims.
The latter two attachments have a Black Diamond Hard Carbon Coating designed to reduce noise, heat, and inflammation. This will be a boon for anyone with sensitive skin.
Who is this for: The preened, the manicured, and the metrosexual (as the staunchly heterosexual used to say). This product is ideal for those looking for precision styling of their beard and mustache. The exposed head gives a clear line of sight for accurate detailing.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The weighty price tag will inevitably put a few customers off. But it’s still the high-end favorite among the best Wahl beard trimmers.
Battery Life: 2 hrs | Waterproof: Yes | Beard Type: Short | Skin Type: Sensitive
Why it’s great: If you’re ever looking for clues, always start with the name. The Wahl Professional Detailer is a professional-grade trimmer very adept at producing precise trims and hair shaping, i.e. the details. Though it’s best to be used alongside a larger, more robust trimmer for your general length-reducing shaves, the guards mean that it can do that job if required.
In this sense, it can be doubled up as a versatile general tool, but for precision shaving, there is no other like it. A worthy addition on this list of the best Wahl beard trimmers, this one has a fast cutting speed and power, and you know it hails from a trustworthy brand. A lithium-ion battery version is also available.
Who is this for: If you’re an artist and your medium is the mustache, this trimmer is for you. The trimmer can handle the intricacies and refinement that your stache requires.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Not waterproof and weighty (0.24kg) for a home device.
Battery Life: power cord or 100 mins | Waterproof: No | Beard Type: All | Skin Type: All
Why it’s great: On r/BuyItForLife, reviewers claim that the Wahl Magic Clipper blades last up to 15 years and the body of the clipper can whir away for 20 years plus. That is serious longevity for a household product and why it’s on this list of the best Wahl beard trimmers.
The Magic Clipper will require a bit of oiling, brushing, and sterilizing to maintain. But the self-sharpening blades reduce the real work of keeping the blades sharp. Phew. Not only that, but the blades can get a zero-gap shave and come with a vast array of guards.
Throw in the sexy design and ergonomic feel, and that’s why they are the de facto barbershop clipper. Plus, it comes in a cordless or corded version.
Who is this for: If you’re looking to recreate the luxuriousness of the salon in your own home, this device will do some leg work in transporting you. The solidity and chunkiness of the product combine with the authentic retro styling to produce an object that’s pleasing to use and pleasing to look at.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Its flaw is that in achieving flawlessness as a product, it has added weight, price, and volume.
Battery Life: 100 mins | Waterproof: No | Beard Type: All | Skin Type: All
Buying Considerations for The Best Wahl Beard Trimmers
Power
Decide if you would rather go for the cordless or the corded version. Cordless brings about ease of use, portability, and travel capability. However, even lithium-ion batteries need replacing after a while.
Thankfully, Wahl makes this process easy. Corded trimmers are good if you don’t travel a lot (or won’t need adapters) and you want maximum longevity from the purchase.
Is it waterproof?
You’ll notice that not all of the best Wahl beard trimmers are waterproof. It’s necessary only if you travel a lot, require fast cleaning with water, shave in the bathroom and keep your shaver in your washbag.
If you don’t travel and are careful with your shaver, storing it in its case, then you can survive without a waterproof shaver very easily. The most premium shavers tend not to be waterproof, so the extra attention is worthwhile.
Beard Style
Your beard style will determine the type of product you need. If you have a pencil mustache that you must meticulously preen every morning to achieve perfect symmetry (and therefore artistic beauty), then the Detailer is your choice.
If you have a thick, wiry beard and want to keep it long but tamed, then you’ll want a wide T-blade and a powerful motor, so the Peanut or Magic Clipper will be more suited.
How We Chose
Trying to uncover the best Wahl beard trimmers is disarming. The range in price means that there are products targeted at every single price point in the market. Wherever I could, I chose products that were the best-reviewed on Google, Amazon, and Reddit. This indicated whether the product was worth the cash. These are the things I looked for:
Customer Reviews: It would have been sacrilege to leave products like the Detailer, Magic Clipper, and Peanut out of this list of the best Wahl beard trimmers. These are some of Wahl’s most famous products.
But it’s the customer reviews online that keep this impeccable reputation intact. The effusive reviews point to the incredible quality and longevity of these famous Wahl products.
Price: The second point to square these reviews with the product is affordability. Customer reviews here are useful, too, because generally, people aren’t very positive about a product if they feel they’re also being ripped off for it.
Design: This is what makes the product unique in some ways. The Peanut is a unique specimen among the best Wahl beard trimmers. Not only does it shave incredibly well and last forever, but it also has a fun shape.
The retro styles of the Detailer and the Magic Clipper are also unique to Wahl because they are the originals, working from the OG beard trimmer back in the early 20th Century.
Versatility: If a product can do everything to a high standard, this pushes it up the list for me. Versatility reduces overall expenditure (by not having to buy separate devices for specific tasks) and increases the ease of use.
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to grooming and fashion advice, few voices are as trusted or as experienced as Harvey’s. With a rich history of contributions to FashionBeans, Harvey has cemented his expertise across a wide array of topics, from timeless style advice to the latest trends in men’s grooming.
For the last 13–14 years, his male hormones have been persuading his dermal layer to sprout facial hairs. Partially, it has worked. Since then, he has been using and abusing beard trimmers.
However, he developed a rational fear of razor blades in his early modeling days after being forced to shave with minimal lighting, awful blades, and terrible shaving foam. These days , he is taking revenge by writing well-rounded buying guides on the best Wahl beard trimmers so that no one ever has to suffer indignation.
He’s also got a history of writing about the best beard trimmers: see the Brio Beardscape V2 review and the Philips 7000 review. Harvey will not rest until razors are eliminated from this world.
Final Verdict
The best Wahl trimmer for beards is the Wahl Professional Peanut. It has an unbeatable combination of positive attributes. It has versatility through its clipper lengths. It has a lightweight, small, maneuverable shell design that fits in the palm with ease.
The design is zany, inspiring and extremely eighties. It has power. It has longevity. And finally, it has the gravitational weight of Wahl behind it. These are the trappings of the best Wahl beard trimmers.
FAQ
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Yes. People online report having used the same Wahl beard trimmer for 20-30 years after their purchase. While batteries might fade and shaving heads need replacing, the essential mechanics live on. So, while the initial price of a Wahl beard trimmer might seem higher than the market average, just remember, there’s a good reason for that. The cost per year is likely to be much lower than the cheaper options.
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