Ball-work still deserves to be done while sitting, though, but all that grip makes the Archibald feel more secure in your hands when you’re doing your best impression of an arthroscopic surgeon, trying not to make a nick. Its 3-step buffer guard stays snug on the tool’s head so that it doesn’t snag any loose skin, which is one reason I never pulled the goalie and trimmed without it. I’m more than content with a 3mm finish if it means no yelping.
The Archibald is a superb body trimmer in its own right, too—but if you’re church-and-state about these things, it’s the most sure-handed ball-hair destroyer on this list.
Best Multitasking Trimmer for Body and Beard: Braun All-in-One Series 9 Trimmer 9400
Why we like it: If you want an all-in-one device for hair, body, and face (or some combo of the three), this Braun has you covered. Or, well, trimmed. As a high-end beard trimmer first and foremost, it has a high-powered motor with the oomph to cut through thick patches anywhere else with ease. Meanwhile, its forty different trimming settings, all in 0.5-millimeter increments controlled by the dial, ensure you’re not stuck making your sideburns the same length as your chest hair.
Of the Series 9’s myriad attachments, the fine-toothed body-buffer head is a godsend for body hair trimming, letting you mow through thick hair quickly. Not only does it provide a slight buffer between skin and teeth, but since those strands each get combed before the cut, there’s a lot less tugging and clogging than with other multitool-style trimmers.
There are some obvious caveats. For one, the Braun’s not ergonomically designed to be a great back hair trimmer unless you have a very friendly roommate or a very kind partner. And you’ll need to step up your rinsing and disinfecting game if you’re planning on going face-to-balls with the same trimmer. (At the very least, maybe hit the pubes after you’ve hit the shower.)
Best Body Hair Detail Trimmer: Philips Norelco OneBlade Intimate SkinProtect Trimmer and Shaver
Why we like it: The OneBlade arrived on the scene years back as a hybrid between an electric trimmer/shaver and a manual razor, with replaceable cartridges ensuring you always had the sharpest cutting surface. (And, let’s be honest, a reason to keep spending money.). The Intimate SkinProtect version steps up the game with coated teeth that protect against bites without compromising on stubble maintenance. For truly sensitive areas—a.k.a., where the skin’s loose and the danger’s high—I’d still recommend using the low-profile buffer guard to prevent friction or snips. Best of all, if you’re already a OneBlade owner, you can just buy the Intimate SkinProtect cartridges, and swap them on when you start working below the neck.
What to Look For in a Body Hair Trimmer
For a professional opinion on what to prioritize when buying a body trimmer, we sought out the expertise of celebrity groomer Dan Perri, who keeps A-list clients like Post Malone, Gerard Butler, and Brendan Fraser looking tidy. Here are the key attributes of a good body hair trimmer, says Perri:
- Versatility: A good body hair trimmer should be able to trim hair on various parts of the body, says Perri, as well as offer the user plenty of control over the finished results. (Whether you want a short trim, a near-shave, or a combination of both.) This means it should have design features like proper angling or thoughtful trimming heads in order to trim hair in different places.
- Skin-friendly guards: This is so necessary with body hair trimmers, especially anything tending to sensitive areas like the groin or armpits. “I highly recommend looking for trimmers that are made with hypoallergenic blades to prevent irritation and breakouts,” Perri adds.
- Precision: “A good body hair trimmer cuts confidently and precisely, and doesn’t pull on skin, because ouch,” Perri says. This can come down to the materials used, the quality of the tools (thus, well-reviewed and reputable brands are a must), as well as design details like wide-set teeth or carefully buffered blades.
- Water-resistant, if not waterproof: While not all devices are designed to be used under running water, they should at least be water-resistant enough to handle a quick rinse or cutting hair on freshly-cleaned skin. If you do plan to use a body hair trimmer in the shower, make sure the product says it’s shower-safe.
How We Tested
I’m as fuzzy as a teddy bear, so in my decade-plus as a grooming editor I’ve tested plenty of body-hair-trimming, manscaping products. I know the woes of needing a back trim without having anyone around to help, as well as the desire to look my best for a beach weekend. I’m somebody who embraces body hair, but likes to manage it—so I look for that versatility and customization in all of the devices I test. As a result of my long-standing grooming review career and GQ, I’m usually one of the first to test products as they hit the market (and sometimes before).
