When it comes to grooming, there are a lot of options out there. Some people prefer to use razors for shaving, while others like to use hair clippers.
But can you use hair clippers on your beard?
The quick answer is that you can use hair clippers on your beard. The hair clipper is a very versatile tool that can be used for various purposes, including trimming your beard. In addition, hair clippers are designed to cut hair therefore, they work better on men that have longer beards (no stubble) about 1 inch.
In this blog post, I will take a closer look at the pros and cons of using hair clippers on your beard and the differences between hair clippers and beard trimmers.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Differences Between Hair Clippers and Beard Trimmers
The key differences between the two types of grooming tools are the length of their blades and the type of motor they use. Read on as I dive deeper into the differences between these two grooming tools.
Length of the Blades
When you look at the trimmer blades, you’ll see that they have tiny spiky teeth meant to cut through shorter hair quickly. Clipper blades are bigger and paired in pairs, with the top blade being fed hair by the bottom blade and cutting taking place as the blade travels. Blades of clippers and trimmers are normally built of ceramic or stainless steel.
Type of Motor
Beard trimmers usually have rotary motors, while hair clippers have reciprocating motors. Rotary motors are more powerful and can handle thicker beard hair. However, they are also louder and tend to vibrate more.
On the other hand, reciprocating motors are not as powerful, but they run more smoothly and quietly.
What They Can Do
Another key difference is what each type of grooming tool can do.
For example, beard trimmers are designed for detailing and shaping the beard, while hair clippers are better suited for quickly cutting large amounts of hair.
Having said that, there are many different types of clippers. In general, however, clippers are wider. You will need to use the edge of the blade to cut more precisely.
Teeth Spacing
The spacing of the teeth on the blades is another key difference.
Beard trimmers usually have narrower spaces between their teeth, which helps to prevent hair from getting caught in the blades. On the other hand, hair clippers have wider spaces between their teeth, making them better suited for cutting thick and coarse hair.
Blade Width
Beard trimmers usually have narrower blades than hair clippers. This helps prevent skin irritation and makes them better suited for detailed work. On the other hand, hair clippers have wider blades that are better suited for quickly cutting large amounts of hair.
Attachments
Beard trimmers usually come with various attachments that can be used for different purposes, such as shaping, trimming, and detailing.
Hair clippers, on the other hand, usually come with metal or plastic guards in a variety of lengths up to around 1.5″.
High-quality beard trimmers have a wide variety of attachments to be able to cut your beard in many different lengths.
On the other hand, hair clippers have fewer attachments. That’s why most, if not all, barbers do not cut your hair using only one hair clipper, right?
Key Differences Between Hair Clippers And Beard Trimmers (Summary)
| Diff/ Tool | Blade length | Motor | Teeth Spacing | Blade Width | Attachments |
| Hair Clippers | Bigger teeth | Reciprocating motors | Wider spaces | Wider blades | Various attachments |
| Beard Trimmers | Tiny teeth | Rotary motors | Narrower spaces | Narrower blades | Metal or plastic guards |
Pros and Cons of Using Hair Clippers On Your Beard
Now that we’ve looked at the key differences between hair clippers and beard trimmers let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of using hair clippers to trim your beard.
Pros:
Less Expensive
Hair clippers are generally more expensive than beard trimmers. There are some really expensive hair clippers out there!
But, if your question is if your hair clippers (that you already own is able to also cut your beard) then yes you save money by not buying a second tool.
In that sense, it is cheaper if you can trim your beard with hair clippers.
Better for Cutting Longer Beards
If you have a longer beard, then hair clippers will be better suited for cutting it down to size. This is because they have longer blades that can handle more hair.
That’s obvious.
Trimmers are designed to cut less hair than clippers. If you wanna trim a long beard quickly, hair clippers are perfect!
Ease of Use
Hair clippers are also generally easier to use than beard trimmers. This is because they are designed to cut large amounts of hair quickly, while beard trimmers are designed to detail and shape the beard.
Quicker
Hair clippers are also generally quicker than beard trimmers. While using the hair clippers, you can make large, sweeping motions to cut down your beard quickly.
Safe
The guard combs that come with hair clippers also make them much safer to use than beard trimmers. This is because they help to prevent the blades from coming into contact with your skin.
Read Also: How Long Do Hair Clippers Actually Last?
Cons:
Not As Precise
Hair clippers are not as precise as beard trimmers. They are designed for cutting large amounts of hair quickly, so they are not as good for detailing and shaping the beard.
That’s a major drawback for hair clippers. Some men will not accept that. They will prefer buying a separate tool to make the job done properly.
The Finishing Won’t Be Neat
Hair clippers are not the best option if you’re looking for a neat and tidy finish. They tend to leave the hair looking choppy and uneven sometimes.
To sum up, you can cut your beard with hair clippers but it is not ideal!
Now, let’s move on to discuss the best hair clippers that can cut facial hair properly!
Top 3 Hair Clippers That Can Be Used on Beards
Now that we’ve looked at the pros and cons of using hair clippers to trim your beard let’s take a look at the top three hair clippers that can be used on beards.
Andis Master Clippers
The Andis Master Clippers are one of the most popular hair clippers on the market.
Pros:
- Powerful motor
- Cuts through thick hair
- Long-lasting blades
Cons:
- Noisier than some other options
Wahl Clipper Elite Pro
The Wahl Professional Clippers are another popular choice for hair clippers.
Pros:
- Wahl Clipper Elite Pro is also popular among barbers and stylists.
- It is powerful and have a wide variety of attachments.
- It is also easy to use and maintain.
- Very Affordable
Cons:
- The Wahl Clipper Elite Pro is noisy and sometimes it gets hot if you are using it for an extended period of time.
Oster Classic 76 Hair Clipper
The Oster Classic 76 Hair Clipper is a classic hair clipper that has been around for decades.
Pros:
- The Oster Classic 76 Hair Clipper is powerful and durable.
- It has a wide variety of attachments.
- It is also easy to use.
Cons:
- The Oster Classic 76 Hair Clipper is expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use The Same Hair Clipper For Beard And Pubic Hair?
Technically you can but you know there are some health-related issues associated with doing so. If you clean and sterilize the clipper after using it, I suppose it is not a big deal but ideally buy a different trimmer that has a good motor and is able to cut pubic hair without pulling it out.
How To Trim Your Beard With Hair Clippers?
Trimming your beard with hair clippers requires experience and increased attention. Use the edge of the clipper to be more precise and choose the right guards carefully. If you don’t have exactly the guard you want, try adapting the level of pressure on the clipper and don’t go against the grain to find the sweet spot for your beard’s length.
Can You Shave Your Face With Hair Clippers?
It depends on the thickness of your beard and your expectations. Razors can cut deeper than trimmers or hair clippers. That’s the reality. But, in my opinion, hair clippers and some beard trimmers can cut beard hair up to 0.3-0.5mm which is really short. You can try it for sure. If you don’t like it go back to razor shaving. Not a big deal!
Final Thoughts – Can You Actually Use Hair Clippers On Your Beard?
Trimming your beard with hair clippers can be done very easily if you have the right tools and experience.
You can save money (because you won’t buy both hair clippers and beard trimmers), more powerful, and easier to use than beard trimmers.
However, they are not as precise and can leave the hair looking choppy.
Read Also: Can I Cut My Hair With My Beard Trimmer?
I hope this article has helped you decide if hair clippers are the right choice for you.
If you have any questions or wanna share your thoughts with us, leave us a comment below and we will be happy to reply!
Until next time,
Stay safe,
Tasos
Tasos Moulios is the founder of Beardlong. He loves trying different beard and hair styles and blogs about them. The tips he shares come from his own experience and love for what he does.