Whether you’re a frequent groomer or sporadic one, you no doubt prize a body hair trimmer that keeps you neatly manscaped without resulting in cuts, nicks or irritation. Thankfully, the best body hair trimmers are super gentle on sensitive areas and designed to make it easy to hit hard-to-reach areas. In our testing, we found the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 to be the best manscaping trimmer overall, thanks in large part to its adjustability, ergonomics and convenient wet and dry operation.
If you’re looking for a do-it-all trimmer that’s equally adept working on your facial hair as your hair down there, we think the Braun All-In-One Series 9 Trimmer is the best multitasking trimmer. And the MicroTouch Solo Platinum is a great choice if you’re looking for a great value device, delivering solid performance for a really good price. Want to consider all the options? Read on to find the five best manscaping trimmer we could find based on testing, research and the advice of a professional barber.
Best Manscaping Trimmer Overall: Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000
Best Multitasking Manscaping Trimmer: Braun All-In-One Series 9 Trimmer
Best Value Manscaping Trimmer: MicroTouch Solo Titanium
Best Upgrade Manscaping Trimmer: Panasonic MultiShape Grooming Kit
Best Manscaping Trimmer For Sensitive Skin: Gillette Intimate Body Trimmer
Best Manscaping Trimmer Overall
A Dual-Sided Device For Arms, Legs, Groin And More
Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000
Trimming options: Adjustable trimming lengths from 1 to 7mm | Runtime: 80 minutes | Additional features: Dual-sided design for trimming and shaving, 3D pivoting head for better contouring | Waterproof: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Dual-sided design with a foil shaver and trimmer on opposite ends
- Pivoting head to access skin contours
- Self-sharpening steel blades
Keep in mind:
- Can’t be used while charging
The Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 is our top pick overall in large part because it can effectively groom regions all over your body—your chest, abs, back and shoulders, arms, underarms, groin and legs. You get that flexibility from a waterproof dual-sided design; it has both a four-directional pivoting head and an adjustable trimmer with self-sharpening steel blades. More than that, though, its slightly contoured hourglass-like shape is extremely ergonomic and easy to get wherever you need it.
This isn’t the first time we’ve awarded this model a prize, either: It earned a spot on our guide to the best beard trimmers roundup as well. Our tester appreciated the versatility, noting that he uses it to shave his arm and leg hair for cycling races, as well as, “before heading out to get tattooed so the poor artist doesn’t have to awkwardly try to shave half of my arm with a cheap razor.” He adds that the two-in-one nature of the Bodygroom 7000 makes it convenient for travel. Our testing confirmed the trimmer’s 80 minutes of runtime, with our tester saying, “The battery life seems to last longer than other shavers I have used in the past.”
Best Multitasking Manscaping Trimmer
A Full-Body Trimmer With A Precision Adjustment Wheel
MOST POPULAR
Braun All-In-One Series 9 Trimmer
Trimming options: Adjustable trimming lengths from 0.5 to 20mm | Runtime: 180 minutes | Additional features: Auto-sensing motor for efficient trimming, multiple attachments for various grooming needs | Waterproof: Yes
What you’ll love:
- 40 trimming lengths controlled by precision dial
- Multi-use and portable for travel
- Very long runtime
Keep in mind:
- Some build quality concerns
Like the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000, this Braun model is a consummate multitasker, though this one gets all that done with a single-sided design that relies on a set of versatile attachments. In fact, Braun describes this as a 13-in-1 trimmer thanks to a half-dozen heads, combs and a mini-foil shaver. In addition to tackling body hair, it has a beard trimmer, ear and nose trimmer and more. That’s a lot of attachments, so it comes with an organizer case (which lets you travel with it easily as well).
Perhaps Braun’s most impressive feature—and what makes it the best multitasking trimmer—is its Precision Wheel, which lets you dial in the exact length you need, with 40 settings in half-millimeter intervals. It also has an excellent runtime, giving up to 180 minutes on a single charge. All that said, my own experience with this trimmer is borne out by reviewers online—the build quality doesn’t match the price, and you might encounter parts that wear out long before they should.
Best Value Manscaping Trimmer
Simple Tool That Lights Its Own Way
MicroTouch Solo Titanium
Trimming options: 1mm, 3mm, 5mm attachments | Runtime: 45 minutes | Additional features: Built-in LED light | Waterproof: Water-resistant
What you’ll love:
- Surprising array of accessories given the price
- LED makes it easier to use in low lighting
Keep in mind:
- Not fully waterproof
- Blades can require frequent replacement
A $30 trimmer might not have all the versatility of a model that costs three or four times as much, but the MicroTouch Solo Titanium still offers the ease and convenience of an electric manscaping trimmer, which most guys would agree is a better bet than using a traditional straight razor. Despite the simple and compact design, it includes an LED headlight to help you see what you’re trimming. And three grooming comb attachments let you vary the length of your trims.
The blade is sharp enough to prevent nicks and cuts—it’s a dull blade you need to beware of—and official MicroTouch replacement heads are relatively inexpensive as well (we found them for about $12). Of course at this price don’t expect it to be a wet-or-dry trimmer; you can rinse the blade under running water, but you should only use this trimmer outside of the shower.
Best Upgrade Manscaping Trimmer
Customizable And Supremely Versatile
Panasonic MultiShape Grooming Kit
Trimming options: Adjustable trimming lengths from 0.1 to 10mm | Runtime: 50 minutes | Additional features: 45-degree angle blade, three comb attachments | Waterproof: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Sleek, modern design
- Wealth of attachments including a toothbrush head
- Convenient for traveling
Keep in mind:
- On the pricier side if you go for the full kit
Consider me a fan of this comprehensive Panasonic MultiShape Grooming Kit, though it’s more expensive than the competition, making it something of a luxury purchase. But what do you get for the relatively higher price? An aesthetically pleasing design, for starters, with a modern bullet-shaped base and eight sleek attachments. There’s an all-in-one beard, hair and body trimmer head that lets you dial in an impressive 58 different cutting lengths, along with four comb attachments and two toothbrush heads. There’s also a 3-blade shaver head and a nose, ear and facial trimmer.
It all packs into a water- and mold-resistant Dopp kit that allows you to pack without waiting for wet accessories to dry. For more details, you can read our full review of the Panasonic MultiShape, or check it out as our most versatile pick in our best beard trimmers roundup.
Best Manscaping Trimmer For Sensitive Skin
A Solid Option For Cleanups
Gillette Intimate Body Trimmer
Trimming options: 3 to 11mm sliding guards | Runtime: 100 minutes | Additional features: Sensitive guard attachment and closely-spaced teeth to minimize nicks | Waterproof: Yes
What you’ll love:
- Guard system and proprietary blades designed to protect delicate skin
- Long 100-minute runtime
- Quiet operation
Keep in mind:
- Comes with a limited number of accessories
Gillette’s Intimate Body Trimmer is a solid mid-priced wet/dry electric device that is designed for those who have easily irritated, sensitive skin. It comes with three detachable guards, one of which is specifically designed for sensitive areas; another is an adjustable comb that you can set from 3mm to 11 mm, depending on what length you want to trim to. Gillette focuses on minimizing irritation with this trimmer, using its proprietary so-called SkinFirst technology—essentially, very closely spaced blades that are intended to minimize cuts, nicks and other irritation.
The trimmer can run for about 100 minutes on a charge and it all packs into a minimalist nylon bag for travel. For those who are bothered by noisy razors, it’s also worth noting that the Gillette Intimate Body Trimmer is designed to run quiet.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched, written and published dozens of grooming stories—like the best electric razors for men and the best beard trimmers.
- The author of this story is Dave Johnson, Forbes Vetted’s executive editor and someone who has decades of experience reviewing and writing about all kinds of gear, from tech and electronics to outdoor gear and fitness equipment.
- This article was was overseen and edited by deputy editor Jane Sung, who has over two decades of experience testing and reporting on style and grooming subjects.
- We talked to Robert Monte Niro, barber at L’Enfer Lounge in British Columbia, and Robin Staz, barber at Beardbrand Barbershop in Austin, TX, for expert tips on what to look for while shopping for manscaping trimmers.
How We Chose the Best Body Hair Trimmers
To find the best manscaping trimmers, we considered many options from all of the major brands and weighed feedback from hundreds of product reviews as well as our own testing.
- When evaluating customer reviews and online ratings, products needed to have an average score of at least 4 out of 5 stars in order to be considered for this list.
- Forbes Vetted staff and testers have used many of the products in this story, helping us to hone the list and make the smartest choices. We have firsthand experience with the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000, for example, as well as the Braun All-In-One Series 9 Trimmer. We’ve written a full in-depth review of the Panasonic MultiShape and included it—along with the Bodygroom 7000—in other best lists as well.
- We ensured that there was a range of products under consideration—both premium trimmers like the Panasonic MultiShape as well as less expensive and budget choices like the MicroTouch Solo.
What To Consider In Body Hair Trimmers
When shopping for a manscaping trimmer, what criteria should you consider? First and foremost, advises Robert Monte Niro, barber at L’enfer Lounge in British Columbia, “you’ll want to be sure that it’s cordless and that it comes with guards.” But there’s a lot more to consider. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Blade Quality
The single most important element of any trimmer is the blades. You need a sharp and high-quality blade to minimize the risk of nicks or irritation. Specifically, look for trimmers with stainless steel or titanium-coated blades. Self-sharpening blades are also a great feature to help maintain their effectiveness over time.
Adjustable Blades
It goes without saying that different regions of your body have different length hair, so a trimmer with adjustable length blades is ideal, especially for multi-tasking models. Look for trimmers that offer blades with variable cutting lengths, either through comb attachments or a built-in setting (the Braun Series 9 Trimmer has 40 length options via a handy dial that we especially love).
Battery Runtime
Most trimmers use rechargeable batteries, with runtimes that can range from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. A short runtime isn’t necessarily a problem, as Niro points out: “It doesn’t take long to trim yourself or charge the machine.” But the longer it runs between charges the more convenient it can be—especially if you tend to pack your trimmer in a Dopp kit and use it while traveling.
Wet And Dry Ability
If you’re the kind of guy who likes to trim in the shower, you absolutely need a waterproof or “wet and dry” trimmer. This also makes cleaning the trimmer easier, since you can rinse it under running water (though some trimmers that are not wet and dry models do let you clean them under running water, as long as you don’t immerse the whole unit in water).
Additional Features, Attachments And Accessories
Some trimmers come with a variety of attachments and accessories almost to the point that they seem like a miniature upright vacuum. These may include combs in a variety of lengths, precision trimmers, grooming guards and cleaning brushes. Others even features a nose hair trimmer and toothbrush attachments.
Don’t buy a trimmer just because it has a lot of accessories, but focus on the extras that are exactly what you need and can make all the difference. Robin Staz, barber at Beardbrand Barbershop, says. “Versatility can be a huge benefit. The tradeoff might be a little bit of precision, a little bit of quality, but you get a ton of convenience. For example, if you are a road warrior, the Panasonic MultiShape can function as a trimmer, toothbrush, foil shaver and nose hair trimmer. With this, you can pack light and keep your routine in check.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is It Safe To Use Beard Trimmers For Manscaping?
Yes, it’s generally safe to use a beard trimmer down there, as long as you are careful. Make sure the trimmer is clean to prevent infection, and use a guard to prevent nicking loose skin. Keep it steady, going slow to avoid accidents.
Is It Better To Trim Or Shave Body Hair?
It depends on your personal preference and skin sensitivity, but in general, trimming generally causes less irritation and looks more natural. And because trimming doesn’t cut the hair as close to the skin, there’s a lower risk of developing ingrown hairs. The cons? It’s not as smooth. Staz says, “Getting the hair as close to your skin as possible can lead to irritation, nicks, itchiness and ingrown hairs. I recommend keeping a bit of length to the hair: For underarms, chest and down under, aim for about a 3mm guard length.”
How Do You Manscape With Sensitive Skin?
You shouldn’t find it difficult to perform regular manscaping, even with sensitive or irritant-prone skin—just be sure to use the guards that come with your trimmer. To minimize cuts, Niro says, “just stretch the skin out to create flat surfaces as you go.” What’s more, if your trimmer comes with a foil shaver option, ensure it is hypoallergenic (Niro says that most are).
