The 5 Best Body Groomers For Men In 2023

In this post I’ll be sharing what I consider to be the best body hair trimmers you can buy in 2023.

This guide will help you find a groomer that’s effective, reliable and suitable for your needs, from shaving the groin to trimming body hair.

Using a suitable product is a key aspect that’s often overlooked in most of these roundups of the best groomers.

When it comes to body hair grooming and manscaping, our preferences and needs are different and a particular trimmer won’t be ideal for everyone.

Apart from performance and effectiveness, there are other things to factor in as well, like the availability and price of replacement blades, durability and so on.

I’ve personally bought and tested all the recommended trimmers in this guide.

In fact, I’ve been using most of them for years.

I’ll be sharing all the important stuff from the perspective of someone that owns and uses these body groomers on a regular basis, pros and cons included.

Lastly, I am not endorsed or sponsored by any of the brands I recommend — I’m just a regular user sharing his own personal experience.

With that out of the way, let’s dive right in.

Different types of body groomers for different needs

In your search for a suitable body trimmer, you’ve probably seen countless models, shapes and designs, all promising great things.

But if we look closely at the actual cutting system, we can narrow down the types of body hair groomers to only two.

It’s important to identify and understand them because the type will actually determine the groomer’s capabilities.

For example, the type of cutting system will make a certain trimmer more suitable for shaving the groin area.

So let’s check out the two main types of body hair trimmers for men.

Side note: this isn’t an official classification, it’s just my personal take on grouping all the different body groomers into easy-to-grasp categories.

1. Body hair trimmers with basic shearing blades

This is the simplest type of body trimmer and one that you’re likely familiar with.

The cutting system consists of two blades: a static blade and a moving one that shear against each other and cut the hairs captured by the teeth.

They’re pretty much like hair clippers, but specially designed for tackling body hair (which is different than the hair on our head).

This type of body groomer has several specific pros and cons.

They can deal with hair of any length, they don’t get clogged easily, the blades can last longer before needing to be replaced and are easy to clean.

As for the cons, they can (and most will) nick the skin if you’re not very careful, especially when trimming more sensitive areas (groin, armpits).

That is of course the case when using such a trimmer with no guard.

Most will come with guards of different sizes and some even have an integrated, adjustable guard (the latter is in my opinion more practical).

These guards allow you to get the desired hair length.

For example, you may want to only trim the bulk of the hair on your legs, but want a closer trim on your chest and abs.

Some body groomers that use basic shearing blades come with rounded teeth that minimize the nicks, but not all of them are as effective as the manufacturers claim.

For example, I found the Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0 to be particularly unforgiving when used without a guard on sensitive areas.

2. Body trimmers with shearing blades and a foil element

This is a more advanced type of trimmer head; the foil element uses blades that oscillate behind a thin, perforated metal screen.

This prevents nicks while allowing the blades to cut the hairs very close to the skin.

It is ideal for men that want a very close trim, even on sensitive areas like the groin and armpits.

The body trimmers that use a foil element usually have a second type of cutter that works together with it.

And that second cutter is usually a pair of shearing blades (like the one presented above).

Check out the shaving head of this Philips Bodygroomer:

You can clearly see the perforated foil element flanked by a pair of shearing blades.

During a stroke the first blade will come into contact with the hair, cutting it relatively close to the skin.

The remaining stomp will poke through one of the holes in the foil and will get cut at skin level, resulting in a very close shave.

This is a very effective system for cutting body hair close to the skin since it’s fast and comfortable as the two blades that flank the foil usually have rounded teeth to prevent the skin from getting nicked.

And while a foil element can only deal with short hair, the two rows of blades allow you to use it on longer body hair as well.

And that’s pretty much it when it comes to the different types of cutting systems used by body hair groomers.

Regardless of the brand, the groomer will likely use a variation of these types of cutters.

Here’s the head of a Braun Series XT5 which uses the same implementation (foil + a pair of blades) as the Philips Bodygroom above:

It does look a bit different, but it’s the exact same principle.

Push and pull-style body trimmers

Another aspect that gets way too little attention is the way you use a body trimmer.

Precisely, you can either push it or pull it against the direction of hair growth depending on how you’re supposed to grip it.

And that has a surprisingly big impact on the effectiveness of the trimmer when shaving a particular body part.

For example, a body groomer with a foil element+blades will almost always be a pull-style trimmer.

The head is angled down and you pull it towards you (like you would with a rake when collecting fallen leaves) and thus against the hair grain.

This is ideal for trimming the groin area and armpits. It will of course work just fine on the rest of the body, but it’s really practical in those particular areas.

Not only is such a trimmer more effective at catching the hair, it’s also more enjoyable and feels very natural for the user.

Here’s a pic of my hairy leg getting trimmed with the Philips OneBlade (pull-style) and a 3mm guard:

Since the head of these trimmers has two rows of blades and it can work in either direction, you can also push it, but it won’t be nearly as practical and effective.

And speaking of pushing, push-style body trimmers are usually the ones that only feature basic shearing blades.

As you can see in the image below, you hold them in a completely different manner and you push them toward you:

Trying to shave the groin with a push-style groomer is in my experience more cumbersome (you have less leverage) and more time-consuming.

Also, a push-style groomer will usually have shearing blades that can nick the skin when used on the groin area without a guard.

You can use a push-style trimmer with or without a guard as nicks are a lot less likely in those areas.

But in my opinion, a push-style trimmer with shearing blades is best used with a guard for trimming body hair at 3mm or longer.

For a close, skin-level trim, regardless of the area, you’d be better off with a pull-style trimmer with a foil+blades head.

Now that we know the main variations, let’s see which type of body trimmer is best for you and your needs.

Choosing the right body trimmer

Just like with electric shavers, you should choose the trimmer that makes the most sense for your needs and budget.

I will be sharing my top 5 picks in the next section, but for now, let’s see the things you should be looking at when buying a body groomer.

Obviously, you’ll be using it to trim body hair, but we can further divide that into the groin area and the rest of the body.

And that’s because the two imply different capabilities of the trimmer. Some can even do both successfully as you’ll see later on.

Men usually want a close trim (skin level) in the groin area and a reasonably short trim on the rest of the body (2mm and up).

That can vary of course and I’ll address those use cases as well for each of the trimmers.

That said, if you need a body trimmer for a close and safe shave in the groin area, you should definitely be looking for a pull-style groomer that uses a foil element + blades (like most Philips Bodygroom models).

These are the most effective and comfortable body hair trimmers to be used down there. They also work great for the armpits.

Some even come with guards of various lengths that go over the foil head, so you can use them on the rest of your body as well.

That way you’ll be able to get the desired hair length if you don’t want to cut it at skin level.

If cutting the hair at skin level (be it pubic hair or on the rest of the body) is not a must, then you can also consider a push-style groomer with different guards.

Also, there are some that will even work as beard trimmers and hair clippers if you want a single do-it-all tool.

Other things that are really important when choosing a body trimmer are the availability and price of the replacement blades/heads.

Ideally, you shouldn’t need to replace them very often and the price should be reasonable.

There are for example some newly launched trimmers that while look good on paper, there aren’t any replacement parts available. In my opinion you should avoid those.

I’ll only be recommending body groomers for which you can easily source the original blades/heads.

Then there’s the price of the trimmer itself — some are just way too expensive for what they offer.

I think the cost should be a decisive factor and I only picked the ones that are reasonably priced and offer good value for money.

This again brings me back to the Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0, a highly popular body groomer that’s being talked about a lot.

I think it’s too expensive, the replacement blade is pricy as well and it must be changed every 3 months.

It’s one of the reasons why the Lawn Mower didn’t make my list (there are cheaper and better alternatives available).

Decent battery life is another hallmark of a quality body hair trimmer.

Ideally, you’ll want one that can provide at least 40 minutes of cordless operation (most trimmers will not work with the cord plugged in).

40 minutes is in my experience the bare minimum for a comfortable, full-body grooming session.

A quick charge feature can be really handy when you’re caught off guard.

I’ll also be sharing a few of my favorite compact body groomers for a trip/holiday and the ones that make the least noise during use — in some cases, a loud trimmer can be a deal-breaker.

Finally, a body hair trimmer should be easy to clean and care for and would last for years of regular use.

Luckily, I’ve been using most of the trimmers in this list for years, so I’m able to also evaluate their reliability.

Let’s now get to the fun part and check out some of the best body trimmers out there.

Which are the best body groomers for men in 2023?

1. Philips Norelco Bodygroom 5000 (BG5025/40)

Best body trimmer for most men

See the price on Amazon

Also available on Walmart, Philips.com.

My number one pick as the best body hair groomer for most men is the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 5000 (BG5025/40).

Deal alert: This model is identical to the previous Philips Norelco Bodygroom 3500 BG5025/49, so you can confidently buy either of them (whichever you can get cheaper).

Side note: The European equivalent is the Philips Bodygroom 5000 BG5020/15 (identical performance-wise).

So what exactly makes the Bodygroom 5000 the best option overall and the number 1 choice on this list?

Well, it does pretty much everything right and will get you covered regardless of what you’ll be doing with it.

It’s a great tool for genital area, but also for trimming/shaving the hair on the rest of the body.

Moreover, it’s reasonably priced, the replacement head is durable and widely available and it even comes with a handle extension for hard-to-reach areas like your back.

It was a really close battle between the Bodygroom 5000 and the number 2 on the list as you’ll see next, but I ultimately had to choose the 5000.

Here’s why I think it should be suitable for most men looking for a capable and reliable body trimmer.

Foil + shearing blades cutting system

The Bodygroom 5000 from Philips Norelco uses a classic implementation of a foil shaver + a pair of shearing blades.

This means it’s really effective at trimming long, even flat-lying body hair, but can also cut the remaining hair at skin level.

The two shearing blades use rounded, blunt teeth that reduce to a minimum the risk of nicks, even when shaving the genitals or armpits.

Yes, it can still cut you if you’re sloppy, but it’s a lot more forgiving than most other groomers that use shearing blades (for example, the Manscaped Lawn Mower).

Great for pubic hair

The combo head of the Bodygroom 5000 makes it ideal for shaving the groin even without a guard.

It’s able to capture flat, curly hairs with the leading blade when you move the head against the grain.

You can then tilt it a bit so the foil part of the head comes in contact with the skin, shaving any remaining stumps.

Out of all the different groomers I’ve tried, even the ones specifically designed for shaving the genitals, Philips’ hybrid head was the most effective and the most comfortable.

It’s the one that inflicted the fewest nicks when using it below the waist.

If you want an effective and comfortable trimmer for the groin area that can trim the hair really close, the Philips Bodygroom 5000 will give you precisely that.

I don’t think it’s quite the very best trimmer for the genitals because it has a fixed head (check out the number 2 option as an alternative), but it’s still easily one of the best.

Practical and effective for trimming body hair

We already saw that the hybrid foil & blade head is able to cut the hair really close, but what if you don’t want that?

What if you only want to trim it to a certain length, one that you feel comfortable with?

Well, you can do that as well with the 3 included guards.

The guards fit securely over the shaving head and you can use the trimmer in either direction to get a precise trim.

That said, you’ll mostly use a pulling motion as it’s far more effective and natural.

The guards come in three sizes: 1/8”(3mm), 3/16”(5mm) and 9/32”(7mm). That is the length of the remaining hair after trimming it.

And while these removable guards aren’t as practical as an integrated adjustable guard that offers more granular control over the hair length, the ones that come with the Bodygroom 5000 have a few specific pros.

First of all, they’re sturdy and glide very easily over the skin, even if it’s a bit damp.

Secondly, this is a pull-style groomer, so it is in my opinion more practical and easier to use, especially when trimming the legs, armpits and the groin area.

I prefer push-style body trimmers only for the chest and forearms (because it gives me more leverage).

Using the Bodygroom 5000 on the rest of the body is easy and enjoyable and the trimmer is very effective at cutting flat-lying hairs as well.

Some groomers will leave some hairs behind when used with a guard, but that wasn’t the case with this one.

Also, because it’s a pull-style trimmer, it’s less likely to be affected by moisture.

My only gripe is that I would have liked a smaller guard included as well (1 or 2mm) as I prefer to trim the hair on my body pretty short.

But other than that, the performance was great.

I didn’t get to actually use the back extension as I don’t have any hair on my back, but did a dry run and it’s a very practical and effective accessory should you need it.

Durable and inexpensive replacement parts

The Bodygroom 5000/3500 comes with the BG2000 shaving head, a part that’s used on pretty much all the models in Philips Norelco’s Bodygroom line.

It’s a tried and tested head, widely available and reasonably priced.

Philips Norelco BG2000 replacement head

See the price on Amazon

Moreover, it lasts more than pretty much anything I’ve used.

Philips recommends replacing it every 12 months, but in my experience it lasts even twice as long provided you clean it regularly.

Final verdict

The battery life of the Norelco Bodygroom 5000 is pretty solid as well at 60 minutes of cordless use.

Because the trimmer is waterproof, you can clean it effectively and quickly just by rinsing it with warm tap water.

You can also trim the hair in the shower or with shaving cream/gel if you prefer so.

I personally stick to a dry trim as it takes me less time and most trimmers are a lot more effective at cutting hairs when they don’t stick to the wet skin, especially if you use a guard.

This groomer is also adequately powerful and will have no trouble cutting dense body hair.

I also like that it doesn’t clog so you won’t have to constantly stop and remove the hairs.

It’s an excellent trimmer for cutting pubic hair but also for the rest of the body.

On the other hand, it is pretty noisy during use and emits a loud hum and the vibrations are moderately high.

In conclusion, while the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 5000 isn’t perfect — I would have liked a flexible head and at least an extra smaller guard — it’s a solid trimmer that will be a great option for the majority of men.

2. Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 (BG7030)

Best trimmer for the groin area

See the price on Amazon

Also available on Walmart, Philips.com.

Deal alert: You can sometimes get the Bodygroom 7000 BG7040 variation that comes with an extra replacement head and a nice travel case for even less money, so definitely check it out.

Side note: The European equivalent of the BG7030 is the Philips Bodygroom 7000 7025.

The Bodygroom 7000 is an improved variation of the Bodygroom 5000 above with a few key differences.

However, it doesn’t mean it’s better in all regards as you’ll see.

Let’s check it out and see why it’s one of the best groomers out there for the groin, but also for the rest of the body.

Dual head design

What makes the Philips Bodygroom 7000 stand out from pretty much all other body trimmers out there is its dual head design.

On one end it has the same hybrid foil & blades head as the Bodygroom 5000, great for cutting hair at skin level without nicks, including pubic hair.

But unlike the fixed head of the 5000, the Bodygroom 7000 has a flexible head, allowing it to swivel during a stroke.

This makes holding and using this groomer more natural, especially when trimming the genital area and the armpits.

On the other end instead of a charging port we have a full-fledged trimmer with shearing blades and an integrated adjustable guard (which can be detached as well).

This guard allows you to set a hair length of anywhere from 3 to 11mm.

It’s very practical and useful and you won’t have to deal with fitting and removing different size guards.

So far it looks like a winner and it actually is in most regards, so let’s see what makes the Bodygroom 7000 one of the better trimmers in 2023.

The best groomer for the genitals

I can confidently say that the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 is one of the best trimmers for pubic hair if not the best.

As mentioned earlier, it uses the exact shaving head as the Bodygroom 5000. However, it is mounted on a frame that swivels up and down.

And while I initially questioned its usefulness and it even took me some time to get used to it, I think it’s great, particularly for pubic hair.

It allows you to hold the groomer at an ideal angle in a more comfortable way — it’s difficult to explain, but take my word for it.

When shaving down there I prefer using the Bodygroom 7000 over the 5000 for precisely that reason.

Other than that, it’s just as effective at cutting the hairs close, fast and without nicks.

In my opinion the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 is the best pubic hair groomer out there.

So what exactly is a suitable trimmer for the genital area?

Well, it ultimately comes down to being able to use that trimmer safely for a close, comfortable and effective shave.

And the Philips Bodygroom 7000 definitely checks those boxes.

The combination of rounded blades and that foil element for a close and gentle shave works great for the groin area.

It’s my trimmer of choice for the genital area with the Bodygroom 5000 a close second.

Integrated guard for different hair lengths

As we saw, the Bodygroom 7000 has a second cutting system at the other end.

It consists of a basic clipper-style blade with an adjustable guard (that can also be removed completely).

However, unlike the pair of blades at the other end, this one does not have rounded teeth, so it will cut the skin if you use it without the guard.

I strongly recommend using the foil head if you need to cut the hair at skin level as that one is a lot safer and more comfortable.

This trimming head should only be used with the included guard at your desired setting for the hair length.

The lowest setting is again 3mm which is in my opinion a bit too long.

The guard is sturdy and going through the different lengths is easy and convenient.

Once you set it, it’s a push-style trimmer that you therefore push against the hair grain.

It’s effective and powerful and doesn’t clog.

However, it does have some intrinsic disadvantages of a body groomer that you’ll be pushing instead of pulling.

It’s a bit fiddly to use on the hamstrings or behind the knees. Also, if the skin is wet (from sweat or high humidity), it can get stuck and the stroke will be jittery and jerky.

This is made worse by the fact that the groomer is quite large and heavy, so not the most nimble.

That’s why I actually prefer the Bodygroom 5000 (pull-style) for trimming body hair even though it has removable guards instead of the integrated comb.

Also, because it’s a wet/dry groomer, you can use the 7000 in the shower as well.

Again, I do not recommend it as it’s just more difficult and time-consuming, especially if you use the trimmer with the guard.

Excellent battery life

The Bodygroom 7000 is fitted with a large Li-ion battery that’ll keep the trimmer going for almost 90 minutes.

That’s way beyond the official 80 minutes run time.

Having good battery life is really important with cordless-only body trimmers like this one.

Inexpensive and durable replacement head

Just like the Bodygroom 5000, the 7000 uses the same BG2000 hybrid head, which means it’s durable, cheap and easy to source.

The blade at the other end does not need to be replaced.

From my experience that one will last for years with minimal to no maintenance.

You can lubricate it every once in a while, but mine still cuts great despite not doing that and I’ve been using it for years.

As for cleaning, since it’s a waterproof groomer, you can quickly rinse it with warm tap water after your trimming session.

Final verdict

My main gripe with the Bodygroom 7000 is that the push-style trimmer end isn’t quite as effective at cutting the hair on the rest of the body compared to the Bodygroom 5000.

It’s the main reason why I think that one will be better in most cases.

Also, the 7000 is quite large and heavy so trimming hard-to-reach areas will be more fiddly.

Finally, there’s the noise during use. This thing is loud. It is by far the noisiest body trimmer on this list.

Moreover, it vibrates a lot, especially when using the hybrid head (it has two motors, each one powering each of the shaving heads).

However, the Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 would be my number 1 pick for trimming the genital area.

It also works reasonably well on the rest of the body when using the guard trimmer.

Just make sure the skin is dry for the trimmer to be effective and enjoyable to use.

3. Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 (MG7750/49)

Best multipurpose groomer (all-in-one)

See the price on Amazon

Also available on Walmart, Philips.com.

The Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000 has got to be the Swiss army knife of trimmers.

This thing can do (almost) anything and it comes bundled with a huge array of guards and cutting attachments, including a nose hair trimmer and a foil head.

It’s a sleek-looking trimmer as well, featuring an all-aluminum body.

Moreover, it’s quite light and compact, especially when considering its powerful motor and large battery.

Here’s why I think the Multigroom 7000 is one of the best versatile body hair trimmers out there.

All in one body, beard and hair trimmer

If you like keeping things simple and want a single tool to handle all your trimming needs, this is probably the one to get.

You can use the Norelco Multigroom 7000 to trim body and facial hair, but also as a hair clipper.

It’s a push-style trimmer that comes with two blades: a standard and a wider one and you can swap between them with ease.

You would use the standard blade with the appropriate guards for trimming your beard and body hair, and the wider blade for cutting your hair.

For trimming body hair, you get two guards, 3mm and 5mm:

The beard guards come in 5 different sizes: 7, 5, 3, 2 and 1mm:

The 6 wider hair guards fit only over the wider blade and there are 4 standard hair guards (16, 12, 9 and 4mm — pictured below) and 2 angled guards (4–9mm for cutting the hair around the ears).

There’s also a foil head attachment that cuts facial hair at skin level; its main use would be to clean up your neck/cheeks from stubble and get as close as possible to the beard line.

Powerful, quiet and easy to use

The Multigroom 7000 is by far the best push-style hair trimmer I’ve ever used.

The blades are really sharp and the motor is torquey and silent and this groomer mows through the hair regardless of how thick and dense it is.

The trimmer is extremely fast and effective even with flat-lying hairs.

The guards are made of high-quality plastic, they don’t bend or buckle under pressure and glide easily over the skin.

The trimmer itself has great ergonomics and it’s easy and nimble regardless of what you’re doing.

It also doesn’t vibrate during use and it’s one of the quieter body trimmers out there.

Compared to the first two options (or any other model in the Bodygroom line), it’s a lot quieter.

Perfect for trimming body and facial hair

The Multigroom 7000 is a highly capable body hair trimmer, limited only by the inclusion of the two 3mm and 5mm body guards.

As I mentioned earlier, I think a smaller guard would have been useful.

There’s a workaround though: I’ve been using the 2mm and 1mm beard guards for body hair as well and work perfectly fine.

I will however recommend being extra careful with the 1mm beard guard as that one leaves the blade exposed and you can nick the skin.

The Multigroom 7000 is my tool of choice for trimming body hair (but not for the groin as you’ll see).

It’s just so effective, fast and easy to use, especially when trimming large areas like the legs and chest/abs.

The blade of the Multigroom 7000 doesn’t have skin-friendly, rounded teeth, so it will certainly cut you if you use it without a guard and you’re not careful.

I would strongly recommend against using the blade with no guard over sensitive areas like the genitals or armpits — it will cut you and it will be extremely painful.

It’s one of the least forgiving trimmers in that regard.

I would only use it without a guard to trim my beard while still being very careful.

The beard trimming capabilities of the Multigroom 7000 are impressive and you can use it to pre-trim the beard (before shaving), maintain it at a certain length or edge it with great precision.

Useful if you cut your own hair

The wide blade makes the Multigroom 7000 suitable for cutting the hair on your head as well.

I would however only recommend it for basic hairstyles like buzz cuts since it only has 4 guards (apart from the two angled ones) and doesn’t have a lever for adjusting the blade gap.

So you will not be able to seamlessly blend the lines of a skin fade for example.

If you’re serious about cutting your own hair, it’ll be worth investing in a dedicated hair clipper.

The Norelco Multigroom 7000 will be good enough for basic haircuts or for less frequent uses, it can definitely come in handy.

For example, I used it to cut my hair during lockdown before getting a Wahl Magic clipper — the latter is a much more capable tool for haircuts.

But again, if you only need a tool for basic haircuts, it can definitely handle that.

Fantastic battery life, corded&cordless use

The Multigroom 7000 can go for 5 and half hours on a single charge.

And on top of that, it will also work with the cord plugged in while charging.

So it’s pretty much in a class of its own when it comes to battery life.

Philips somehow managed to squeeze in a large battery that charges from 0 to 100% in under 3 hours.

And you can also quick charge it for 5 minutes if the battery is completely drained — you’ll get just enough power for a quick trim.

Then again, you have the peace of mind that you can always use it with the cord plugged in.

Waterproof and easy to clean

Since you’ll be using the same blade for body and facial hair, proper hygiene will be important.

Luckily, the Multigroom 7000 is fully waterproof and you can simply wash it with tap water.

You can do so with all the attachments and guards and then just let them air dry.

Final verdict

No trimmer is perfect and the Norelco Multigroom 7000, despite its impressive performance in most scenarios, is no exception.

Its Achilles heel is the ability to shave/trim sensitive areas at skin level.

Precisely, the genitals and armpits.

The blade of the Multigroom 7000 is very unforgiving and will inflict some nasty cuts if you try to use it on sensitive areas without a guard.

So if you want a close trim on your private parts, you won’t be able to do it with this trimmer.

You will need a second tool specifically for that. There are some small, cheap groomers that would be perfectly suitable for that as you’ll see later on.

But the Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 won’t be a good choice for trimming pubic hair close to the skin.

Even when shaving your armpits (with no guard) you must be extremely careful as the blade can easily nick the skin and trust me, it’s a nasty cut.

This is the main drawback of owning and using a single multipurpose trimmer.

The only workaround would be to use a guard, which may or may not be a deal breaker depending on your preferences.

If you want a close trim, you will need a second groomer specifically for the sensitive areas.

For additional info, you can check out my detailed review of the Multigroom 7000.

4. Braun Series XT5 (XT5100)

Best compact/travel body groomer

See the price on Amazon

Also available on Walmart, Braun.com.

The trimmers on this list so far are highly capable with large batteries and while they perform great, aren’t very practical for traveling or for a quick touchup.

I’ve been testing quite a few of these compact body hair trimmers and ultimately settled on the Braun Series XT5 (XT5100) as my pick.

The honorable mentions are the Philips OneBlade Face + Body and the Philips Bodygroom Series 1100.

The OneBlade had very limited accessories for body hair and was ineffective at trimming flat-lying hairs, particularly pubic hair.

The Bodygroom Series 1100, while very enjoyable thanks to its dimensions and low weight, had really brittle guards (I broke two, even though I was very gentle handling it) and it clogged with hair way too often.

So overall, the Braun Series XT5 managed to edge ahead and it is in my opinion the best out of all these compact body hair trimmers.

It has the fewest shortcomings and performance-wise, it’s surprisingly good for a trimmer of this type (and size).

In fact, while I think it would be ideal as a second/backup/travel groomer, it can work as your main (and only) hair trimmer as well.

Moreover, it’s both a beard and body hair trimmer, so highly versatile if you also need to edge or maintain/trim your beard.

So let’s see where the XT5 excels and where it’s not that great.

Light, compact and adequately powerful

The main selling point of the Braun XT5 has to be its size.

It’s a really small groomer, smaller than the Philips OneBlade and it’s just a joy using it compared to other bulky trimmers.

At 105 grams (3.7 oz), it’s half the weight of the Philips Bodygroom 7000.

Granted, it’s not as capable and I’ll get to that as well, but it’s so nimble and effortless to use, especially when trimming some less accessible areas (like the back of the legs/hamstrings).

Its shaving head is similar in design and function to the one on the Bodygroom line from Philips.

Precisely, it has a pair of shearing blades and a foil element between them.

However, the blades aren’t as forgiving and the Braun XT5 can cut you if you use it without a guard, especially when shaving down there.

Also, the teeth are very close together and there are far fewer perforations in the foils, which means that overall this cutting system isn’t as effective or as capable as the one of the Philips Bodygroom 7000 or 5000.

But even so, considering its size and price, the XT5 is quite good. It’s also quieter than the Bodygroom trimmers and doesn’t vibrate as much.

But the Philips Multigroom 7000 for example is still the quietest on this list.

Side note: the quietest trimmer I’ve used is the Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0. I did not however include it in my top 5 because of its high price and underwhelming performance, especially when trimming sensitive areas.

Body (including the genitals) + face trimmer

The XT5 can trim body and facial hair and comes with appropriate guards.

The body hair guards are only two, a 0mm SkinGuard and a 3mm standard guard.

The SkinGuard attachment allows you to cut body hair at skin level in a safe and comfortable manner.

And it actually works.

Usually, a 0mm guard would still impact the closeness, but not in this case. The hair is still cut at skin level since the foil element remains exposed and the guard sits flush with the blades.

It’s particularly useful when trimming the genital area; it cuts close and does a fine job, although it requires more work to get all the hairs compared to a large Philips Bodygroom trimmer for example.

It’s also not as effective if the hairs stay flat on the skin and you will need to go over that area multiple times.

The other 3mm guard has the same issue, it’s not as effective with flat-lying hairs as the Bodygroom 5000 which is also a pull-style trimmer with detachable guards.

But again, given the size of the Braun XT5, that was to be expected.

There are 5 beard guards as well: 1, 2, 3 and 5 mm. I’ve actually used them to trim body hair and worked well.

Again, I find the 3mm body guard a bit too large and the 0mm SkinGuard would trim the hair too short.

The 1mm and 2mm beard guards are ideal for me, so I just use them to cut body hair.

Also, while you can trim up and down with the two-way head and guards, most of the time you’ll be pulling up towards you as that’s more effective and you have more leverage.

Decent battery life

The XT5 has a thin and compact body, so Braun could only fit in a smaller battery.

When fully charged, it’s able to provide around 45 minutes of cordless-only operation, which is just okay.

In my case, it was barely enough to complete a full body trim and I’m not a very hairy guy.

The smaller battery, together with the fact that it takes more work for a clean trim means the Braun XT5 won’t be ideal for men with a lot of body hair.

Any of the first three options on the list would be a lot better in that case.

Waterproof and easy to clean

The Braun XT5 is a very basic, straightforward groomer and since it’s wet/dry, you can just rinse it clean with warm water.

The shaving head does tend to get a bit hot during use, so I would also lubricate it with a drop of clipper oil every once in a while.

Braun doesn’t mention this, but it does seem to help.

A lubricating spray for clippers or electric shavers will also work great.

Ideal for traveling and touchups

In my view, the XT5 would make a great body trimmer to take with you on trips or as a backup for a quick trim.

It’s lightweight and only takes a bit of space in your luggage.

The battery should be more than enough for a vacation (provided it’s 100% charged), so there’s no need to take the Braun charger with you.

And speaking of charging, it would have been great to have a USB-C port instead of the Braun proprietary connector.

That way you could simply use your phone’s charger and cable.

Replacement head

The replacement head for the XT5 (called the XT10) should be pretty easy to source in most countries and according to Braun, it should be replaced every 6 months.

That estimation is based on two full shaves per week.

Braun Series X XT10 replacement head

See the price on Amazon

If you’ll only be using it for traveling or a quick touchup, the head should last a lot longer than that.

Cleaning and lubricating it regularly will also increase that timeframe.

The price is a bit higher compared to the OneBlade head for example, but it should (at least in theory) last more.

Final verdict

This tiny groomer has got you covered regardless if you need to trim your beard or body hair, even the groin area.

There are plenty of guards to get the desired result and overall it’s a decent trimmer that can work great for traveling or as your main groomer if you don’t have a lot of body hair.

Because of its small head, an entire trimming session will take longer, so definitely keep that in mind.

Also, while I wouldn’t call the XT5 expensive, it’s rather on the pricier side. I think you should definitely wait for a discount on this one.

5. Panasonic ER-GK60-S

Best ergonomics for full body grooming

See the price on Amazon

Also available on Walmart, Panasonic.com.

Finally, there’s the Panasonic ER-GK60-S which takes a completely different approach compared to pretty much any other body trimmer out there.

While the cutting system is a standard shearing blade, it is positioned in line with the body of the groomer in this V-shaped head.

The consequence of this design approach is that you can hold the trimmer in a very natural way with no stress on your wrist.

And in most cases this works better than the traditional trimmer with the cutting head perpendicular to the handle.

Unique head design, great ergonomics

Using this Panasonic groomer feels natural and effortless, especially when trimming the hair on your legs, abs and arms.

I actually prefer this grip to the standard push and pull trimmers.

The groomer itself is pretty slim and lightweight compared to a Philips Bodygroom and this further improves the positive experience.

The V-shaped head, especially when used without a guard is very nimble and you can easily trim some hard-to-reach areas, like behind the knee joint or the crease between the leg and groin.

Effective body hair trimming

The Panasonic ER-GK60-S comes with three guards:

• 2mm SkinGuard
• 3mm body hair guard
• 6mm body hair guard

Panasonic recommends the use of the SkinGuard comb when trimming sensitive areas like your groin or armpits.

However, unlike the SkinGuard that comes with the Braun XT5 above, this one will actually impact the closeness.

Precisely, the length of the remaining hair will be 2mm.

That’s perfectly fine on the rest of the body (I actually use it for that), but on the groin and armpits most men would prefer a very short trim.

You could use the groomer with no guard, but the blade doesn’t have any special features to prevent nicks.

Panasonic does mention rounded tips, but the blade doesn’t seem to be any less forgiving than regular shearing blades.

And unless you’re extremely careful, the ER-GK60-S with the exposed blade can cut you.

Panasonic recommends always using one of the three combs when trimming sensitive areas.

And that’s the main shortcoming of this trimmer in my opinion — just like the Philips Multigroom 7000, it’s not ideal if you want a close, fast and comfortable trim below the waist.

A Philips Bodygroom 5000 or 7000 will be a much better option in that regard.

Also, I don’t find the grip particularly comfortable when trimming pubic hair — works great on the rest of the body, but is a bit awkward and fiddly when used below the waist.

The guards included with this Panasonic are excellent.

Sturdy, easy to remove, fit extremely securely over the blade and glide easily on the skin.

These are the best guards I’ve seen on a body groomer along with the ones that come with the Norelco Multigroom 7000.

They’re pretty effective even when the hairs stay flat on the skin and the blade never gets clogged.

I would not however use it (with the guards) in the shower — if the skin is wet, it’ll miss a lot of hairs (just like any other body groomer).

Apart from the 2mm guard (SkinGuard), the ER-GK60-S comes with two 3 and 6 mm guards.

That’s all you’re getting and for most men it should be enough.

I personally only use the 2mm guard as that one leaves the hair at an ideal length for me.

The 3mm and 6mm guards work great for debulking.

Excellent battery life

The battery on the Panasonic ER-GK60-S is really good.

The weird part is that the manufacturer officially claims only 40 minutes of cordless use.

However, I constantly get around 90 minutes — more than double the official number.

And I’m not the only one — I’ve checked other user reviews as well.

The bad part? Charging the groomer from 0 to 100% takes a lengthy 8 hours.

Moreover, you can only charge the ER-GK60-S via the included (and very bulky) charging stand.

The cord is non-removable, so you cannot plug it directly into the trimmer.

Luckily, if you take it with you on vacation, a fully charged battery will be more than enough.

Easy cleaning and maintenance

Since the ER-GK60-S is fully waterproof, you can of course rinse it with warm water for quick and effective cleaning.

The blade is also easy to remove so you can use the included brush to remove any hairs stuck on the inside.

Panasonic also includes a small bottle of lubricant with the ER-GK60-S.

The user manual says you should oil the blade by placing a single drop of lubricant in 5 key spots (indicated below) before and after using the trimmer.

In my opinion that is a bit overkill and I personally only do it right before using the trimmer.

The blade should be replaced every 3 years according to Panasonic, so it’s by far the most durable, at least in theory.

The blade has the part number ER9500 and should be available in most countries. The price is pretty reasonable as well.

Final verdict

What isn’t so reasonable is the cost of the trimmer itself — the Panasonic ER-GK60-S is rather pricey. It’s the most expensive groomer on this list.

I actually had some doubts about including it precisely because of that.

It offers some compelling features and I think it’s a really good body trimmer, but I would only recommend getting it if you can find a great deal.

Otherwise, I would go with one of the other options above.

For more info, you can check out my full Panasonic ER-GK60-S review.

There it is, my personal top 5 body hair trimmers for 2023.

These should cover everyone’s needs and hopefully by this point, you should have a strong bias towards one.

I tried to pick the ones that offer good value for money, are effective, reliable and easy to operate/clean.

Now that you know which body trimmer is right for you, it’s time to put it to good use.

Trimming body hair: 6 tips for easy and pain-free grooming

Whether you prefer a smooth, skin-level shave or just to trim away the bulk, here are a few easy-to-follow, but highly effective tweaks you can implement right away.

1. Make sure your skin is dry

I’ve often touched upon this, but it’s one of those little things that can make the difference between a poor and a great experience.

Unless you’re using a trimmer in a very specific way that would favor the addition of water (and shaving cream), you’d be better off using it dry.

Sweat can therefore be a major problem, especially if you use a guard/comb attachment as the hairs will stick to the skin and the blade won’t catch them.

Moreover, the trimmer won’t glide smoothly and will constantly drag and skip over the skin.

A body groomer that must be pushed against the hair is usually affected to a higher degree by moisture and sweat, causing the motion to be jerky.

I for example suffer from Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweat) which is a lot worse during summer or humid days.

It’s a problem when I shave my face as well.

When trimming body hair, excessive sweat/moisture can be really annoying. There are a couple of ways you can sort of get around this.

First, a cooler environment definitely helps. If there’s a cooler room you can use, definitely try that or crank up the AC during hot summer days before you actually start trimming.

Second, dry the skin with a towel and use a bit of talcum powder (baby powder).

I use some on my legs and forearms to absorb any remaining moisture — for some reason, those areas are affected to a higher degree.

Tip: if you use baby powder or any mineral-based powder, make sure you give your trimmer a thorough cleaning with warm water because mineral residue can lead to premature wear of the blades.

2. Trim your body hair in a well-lit room

I know this sounds trivial, but you just can’t underestimate how much of a difference good lighting makes.

You can easily leave behind patches of hair if the lighting is poor and it’ll also take you more time to finish trimming.

Natural light is by far the best, but let’s be real, most of us don’t have access to that while manscaping for example (for obvious reasons).

Using an extra light source — even the flashlight on your phone — can help.

On that note, the Lawn Mower 4.0 has a built-in tiny flashlight and it’s so useful. It’s a pity the trimmer itself proved to be underwhelming.

And here’s a bonus tip:

Once you’ve finished your grooming session, take a quick shower and swiftly inspect the results (in a well-lit room, of course). I guarantee you there are some stray hairs left, so make sure to get them now.

3. Make sure your trimmer has enough battery charge

This is something you’ll want to check before you start.

It’s no fun to have your trimmer die on you mid-session. And most of the current models will only work cordless and charging can take a lot of time.

I try to always charge my trimmers after using them, so I can always grab one and use it without any fear of the battery dying.

Also, most modern groomers use Li-ion batteries you can charge whenever you want without any significant impact on the battery lifespan.

Ideally, you’d want the charge between 20% and 80% to get the absolute maximum out of it, but I wouldn’t stress too much about staying within those boundaries.

4. Take your time when trimming sensitive areas (groin, armpits)

Even though several trimmers like the Bodygroom models have skin-friendly blades, you can still get cut if you’re sloppy.

And wrinkly, thin skin is a lot more susceptible to cuts.

Use your free hand to keep it taut and move the trimmer slowly and in a controlled manner against the hair’s direction of growth.

You’ll want to be very thorough and careful, so I actually recommend starting with the genital area and armpits and then moving to the rest of the body.

Towards the end of a trimming session, my patience and focus are lower and I think that’s the case with most people.

That’s why it’s generally a good idea to tackle the difficult areas first.

5. Clean and lubricate your trimmer regularly

Cleaning a body groomer after each use is not only good for hygiene, but also for the groomer itself.

Dirt buildups between the blades will impact the trimmer’s performance.

The motor will work harder just to keep the blade moving and the battery will also run out of charge faster.

All the trimmers I’ve recommended are waterproof and can be easily cleaned with warm tap water.

Just remember to let them air dry completely (preferably with the head/blade detached) before storing them.

Proper lubrication is also important for optimum performance and will keep the blades sharp for a longer time.

Some brands will include detailed instructions in the user manual about how and when to do it — Panasonic will even include a bottle of oil with the ER-GK60-S — but some will not even mention lubrication.

If yours didn’t come with lubricant, you can use clipper oil or a spray lubricant for electric shavers.

I recommend Wahl clipper oil or Oster blade lube, these are cheap and effective lubricants that I’ve been using for years with all my trimmers, shavers and hair clippers.

As for spray lubricants, the Andis CoolCare Plus is effective and reasonably priced.

A good rule of thumb would be to apply a couple of drops on the blade/foil (the blade should be clean and dry), then let the trimmer run for 5 to 10 seconds to distribute the oil evenly.

Gently wipe off any excess with a tissue and you’re all set.

As for how often you should be oiling your trimmer, two or three times a month should be enough. If you use it very often, you can increase the frequency to once or twice a week.

This isn’t some definitive rule that you should follow to a T — just some general guideline that should work well in most cases.

6. Use a suitable trimmer for your needs

Last but certainly not least, you should use a body trimmer that best suits your needs.

With the ones I’ve presented in this post as being my top picks, I tried to emphasize their strengths and weaknesses so you can hopefully choose one that would be right for you.

For example, if you need a beard + body trimmer, the Philips Multigroom 7000 is one of the best options out there.

For the groin area, the Bodygroom 7000 is in my opinion the one to have. It’s also good enough for the rest of the body, but it really shines as a pubic hair trimmer.

So make sure to prioritize your needs and budget and pick a trimmer accordingly.

How to trim/shave the groin area

Manscaping down there deserves a separate section as it’s a very specific part of a man’s grooming routine and requires some extra care.

Most of us want a close trim below the waist, ideally without any nicks and extra work.

And with the right tool and the right approach, it can be done.

All the above tips still apply, but I’ll share a few more specific recommendations that I consider to be key when trimming the groin area with an electric groomer.

Here they are.

1. Use a trimmer with a skin-friendly blade

As mentioned above, most men prefer a very close, skin-level trim down there.

With most groomers, that basically means using the trimming head with no guard/comb attached.

There are a couple of exceptions, like the Braun Series XT5 with its 0mm SkinGuard, but in general, it means no guard.

It’s therefore important to have a trimmer that is very forgiving as the skin on your private parts is very thin and can get cut easily.

As I mentioned previously, my picks would be the trimmers in Philips Norelco’s Bodygroom range, like the 5000 or 7000.

You would still need to trim the hair carefully as any trimmer will cut you if you’re really pushing it, but the chances are a lot slimmer with these.

The shaving head of these groomers is ideal for cutting groin hair, with the rounded blades and the foil element for that extra close shave.

You’ll want to first cut the long hairs using the leading blade by dragging it against the hair, then slightly increase the angle you’re holding the trimmer against the skin so that the foil will be flat on the skin, shaving any remaining stubble.

Tip: If you’re constantly getting razor bumps/pseudofolliculitis when trimming pubic hair, you may want to skip using the foil and just use the blade to cut the hairs. Shaving them at skin level will increase the likelihood of getting bumps.

2. Dry skin is even more important when trimming sensitive areas

The sensitive skin on your privates will make things a lot worse if it’s not perfectly dry.

There are two things I found to be of great help for a comfortable and effective trim.

The first is to take a quick shower before you start grooming.

Make sure you dry the skin thoroughly with a towel. The skin is usually a bit dry after being washed with shower gel and the hair is easier to cut.

The second is again to use a bit of baby powder to draw any moisture, so pretty much what you would normally do when trimming other body parts.

If you use shaving cream/gel, you obviously don’t need to bother with drying the skin.

I personally prefer a dry trim as shaving cream is messy, takes more time and I can’t really see much with all that lather.

There are transparent/no-foam shaving gels as well, but I still don’t find the extra work to be worth it.

3. Be gentle and take your time

This is important especially if the hair is longer.

If you move the trimmer too quickly, there’s a higher chance the hairs will get snagged instead of being cut and it won’t be pleasant.

Also, you can get some nasty cuts if you’re not moving the trimmer in a slow and controlled manner.

4. Manscape more often

On a related note, since short pubic hair is easier to cut, you might want to increase the frequency of your manscaping.

If you’re dealing with any skin irritation/razor bumps, then definitely allow a few days for the skin to heal.

But otherwise, more often is usually better: it takes less time, there’s a lower risk of the hairs getting pulled and they’re easier to cut.

5. Avoid the things that could irritate the skin

Really tight underwear for example can cause a rash and even bumps if your skin is sensitive.

Also, when showering right after trimming your groin, I recommend using warm or even lukewarm instead of hot water as that can also irritate the skin.

Conclusion

I decided to write this guide after reading quite a few of these lists of the best body hair trimmers.

However, a lot of the most popular pieces I’ve read were clearly written by editors that have never actually used the trimmers they mention.

That fact is immediately obvious to someone that has been using those very trimmers for a long time.

Moreover, some of the recommendations were simply redundant or didn’t make any sense.

And there are way too many options in a list that will only confuse the reader. More isn’t necessarily better.

For example, one such article recommended 17 body trimmers. Seventeen. Analysis paralysis much?

With this real-world guide, I tried to scratch my own itch and come up with something that would be useful to me — things I would have liked to know before buying a particular body groomer.

Hopefully you won’t have to go through trial and error to find a suitable trimmer.

I’ve personally bought and used all of them, so at least in that regard, I think this roundup will be more relevant and useful than most.

I will be keeping it updated in case there’s a better/cheaper alternative to some of the models I recommended.

If you have any questions or you’d like to share your experience with a particular trimmer, please leave a comment below.