Panasonic ER-GB86 Wet & Dry Electric Beard Trimmer for Men, Rechargeable Mens Grooming Kit, Sharp & Durable Blades, 58 Cutting Lengths From 0.5mm to 30mm, 3 Attachments, Long beards

Product Information

There’s no one answer to this question, with the length of time a beard trimmer remains viable depending on how frequently you use it and the trimmer itself. If you care about a long-lasting trimmer, look out for models that tout self-sharpening capabilities and offer waterproofing. However, the best way to judge is from the results. If you think your trim is becoming less effective then it’s likely time to upgrade. Should you trim your beard all the same length? If 20mm is long enough, the ER-GB80 is quite similar to the more pricey GB96, although its wider cutting head means you can’t be quite as precise when trimming. On the whole it gives an impressive all-over cut, plus it comes with a smaller, much narrower set of pop-up blades for neat edges. To maintain a neat and well-groomed look, invest in a high-quality beard brush or comb. Regularly brushing or combing your stubble helps ensure an even distribution of hair, while also training the hairs to grow in the desired direction. This practice prevents any unruly patches and helps you achieve a more polished appearance. While some beard trimmers may tout their anti-rust capabilities in product descriptions, rusting is always a possibility when metal is involved. To prevent it, always clean and dry your beard trimmer after use – including taking advantage of any bundled in brushes that’ll let you access the small and hard to each places. How often should you trim your beard? Next, conditioning is essential for long beards. Apply a high-quality beard conditioner or beard oil to moisturise and soften your facial hair. This helps prevent dryness, reduces frizz, and promotes healthy growth.

As well as the financial cost, you’ll also have a debt to pay when it comes to cleaning up afterwards. There are minimal nooks and crannies around the top for the offcuts to collect in, so while there’s no need to stop halfway through and clear it out, you’ll be surprised by how far and wide it can fling tiny shards of hair. The Super Beard’s plastic build doesn’t look as premium as Panasonic’s two options or the Philips Series 5000, but it feels solid enough, plus it comes with a stand for charging that keeps things neat and tidy at home but isn’t the most practical solution for travel. The two longer comb attachments only adjust in 2mm increments, so you can’t be too fussy about the length, but they’re all incredibly easy to attach, even the ones that require you to change the entire cutting head. While the adjustable ones perhaps don’t fit as snugly as on the more expensive trimmers available, and the mechanism itself is a bit looser as well, it never feels like it’s about to slip.Regular trimming using a reliable beard trimmer or clippers is pivotal to maintaining your desired stubble length and achieving a well-groomed look. While you’re unlikely to spend much time switching between length settings, it’s still important to take into account how easy that is to do. Some models come with one attachment that caters for all available settings, while others have different ones that need to be switched in and out to achieve certain lengths. You’ll want a trimmer that’s easily adjustable, but not something liable to slip and change setting if your push a bit too hard while you trim. Regular trimming and shaping are necessary to maintain the desired shape of your long beard and prevent split ends. Using sharp beard scissors or a reliable beard trimmer, carefully trim any stray or damaged hairs. Daily application of beard oil is highly recommended. Everything about the ER-GB86 bellows sturdiness, whether it’s the rotating barrel-style adjustment that sits under your thumb, the three plastic comb attachments that fit securely over the blades, or the textured, waterproof chassis that makes it easy to clean. There’s also a hole that allows you to rinse the cutting head right through. Of course, there’s more to take into account during the grooming process than just what length the trimmer is set to. You tend to get two types of attachment with beard trimmers: comb-shaped ones and more box-shaped guards. Both have teeth to stop the blades getting too close to your face, giving you a shorter cut than you had in mind, but not all attachments are created equal.

Let’s start with that laser attachment, which is surely the reason for the Series 9000’s relatively high price. While it sounds like a neat idea in theory, in practice it’s badly implemented to the point of being almost useless. If you’re not careful it reflects off the head of the trimmer and actually makes it more difficult to see what you’re doing. For those who may be excited to see something new from Gillette, via the new King C. Gillette branding, it is worth noting that the company has worked with Braun on this beard trimmer – and it’s very similar to its budget offerings rather than something completely new. Then there’s the fundamental flaw in the idea itself. The laser will only ever be as straight as you hold it, and since you have to move the trimmer as you cut there’s no guarantee that this will offer a straighter trim than just going by sight alone.Moisturising your stubble and the skin beneath can also improve its overall health and appearance. Consider using a top-quality beard oil or moisturiser to hydrate both the hair and the underlying skin. This not only reduces itchiness but also promotes healthy stubble growth, keeping it soft and manageable. The ER-GB80 is one of the two trimmers we tested that is designed to be used on the top of your head as well as the bottom of your face. The other is Wahl’s SPL 4-in-1 Multigroomer, which isn’t quite as bathroom-friendly as the rest. Changing the cutting length requires swapping out the attachment, which also means you sometimes need to change the cutting head. That doesn’t take long but it’s less convenient than just twisting a dial or adjusting a slider. Plus they don’t all fit as snugly as you’d want when performing irreversible facial topiary.