Best body hair trimmers 2024: Tried & tested by GQ
The LawnMower 5.0 is a premium tool for total body hair control, with skin-safe blades that carefully lift the hair and closely shave without nicks or irritation. It’s waterproof, has a marathon-length battery and even comes with a little light to illuminate the deepest, darkest parts of your body, which is significantly more useful than you might initially give it credit for. It’s priced at £110, which is an awful lot for what is just tidying up your undercarriage.
A significantly cheaper option would be the Olov body groomer from Amazon at £30. It’s a slimline, ergonomic design that has a decent battery, skin-safe blades, and even arrives with a charging dock to keep it topped up between uses.
For a mid-tier option, we’d recommend the Gillette Intimate at £45, which is one of our favourite body trimmers for sensitive skin. The design of the blades gets you as close to the skin as possible, with a special technique to clip hair close and leave you without a rash or burn.
What is the difference between a trimmer and a hair cutter?
You may have already read our guide to the best beard trimmers or hair clippers and wondered what the difference is between a body trimmer, beard trimmer and a hair cutter or clipper, so allow us to educate you. Trimmers, be they beard or body-related, are largely the same thing, with a strip of blades that slice through unwanted hair like a tractor. Beard trimmers will have various attachments to shape up facial fuzz adequately, including edging tools to get the perfect chin strap or sideburns.
Body hair trimmers typically feature softer razors that still treat hair with the destructive force you’re after, but will take care not to pull at your skin or result in razor burn. Finally, hair clippers will feature much longer blades and attachments to tackle the growing mass on your head, which is typically thicker and longer anyway. Hair clippers won’t do a good job of ensuring a close shave where the hair is shorter than stubble, but will reduce hair length if it’s become unwieldy.
Can I just use a beard trimmer on my body hair?
While you could get away with using a beard trimmer on your body hair, I wouldn’t recommend it. Beyond the (hopefully obvious) hygiene reasons, all-in-one body trimmers are specifically built to deal with body hair and will be more comfortable in delicate areas. Some products even guarantee no nicks on your nuts, thanks to their precision stainless steel blades. They’re often waterproof, too, for easy use and clean up in the shower, while many have replaceable heads for optimum performance and hygiene. So if you’ve ever had the misfortune of a shaving mishap down below, you’ll value the extra peace of mind offered by a dedicated body trimmer.
Can I use a body hair trimmer in the shower?
Waterproof trimmers are a dream if you hate having to clean up after yourself, but not all devices are made equal, and it’s not always best to shave in the shower. “Always check on the operating instructions,” Mills tells us. “Personally, I think it’s easier and more controllable to trim dry hair and skin as wet hair can clog the blades and you tend to get a more even finish when the hair is dry. Also, you want to be able to see what you are doing, so depending on what you are using them for, it may be easier out of the shower.”
That being said, a quick wash, once you’re done, will clear away the chopped hair for a fresh, clean look every time.
How do I clean a body hair trimmer?
You definitely want to maintain good blade practice by keeping them clean and sharp. Leaving them wet can result in rusty, blunted blades that can end up causing you headaches on your next shave. Mills recommends, “After each use, brush off any hair on the clipper and blades and then make sure they are dry by patting them with a towel. Really, you need to keep them lubricated and sterilised so use a spray cleaner such as clippercide, which will keep them in tip-top condition.”
How do you trim body hair?
When it comes to sensitive areas, it also goes without saying that you should be slow and steady, even when using a guard. Skin can be pinched and nicked in rather unpleasant ways if you’re not careful. If you’re using a waterproof trimmer or shaver, don’t be shy about using shaving cream, which should help it glide through hair all the more easily.
Is it okay to trim body hair? How often should I trim it?
Of course it is, though if you’d rather not, then don’t be pressured into it. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting to keep things tidier — whether that involves protruding nose hairs or a more defined trim down below. As for how often, that depends entirely on how fast your hair grows, and how much you trim off in the first place. You’ll have to experiment to see what works best for you. Bear in mind that if you go for a full shave, you can expect to experience itching in most cases until a few days have passed.
Should I trim my pubic hair?
We’re hardly prudes over here at GQ – just read our guide to the best sex toys – but when it comes to your own pubic hair, you should be sure to only trim what you want to trim. Curious about taming what lies below your belt? Just make sure you follow the advice in this article, and take things slow and steady to avoid any nicks or cuts. If you fancy a look that lies somewhere between ’70s porn star and fully shaved, remember that many body shavers do so at multiple lengths with good reason.
What about other men’s grooming items?
Keen to tidy up everything you can? I don’t blame you, summer is fast approaching and it’s well worth getting your body squeaky clean to show off. If you’re looking for more than just a shaved chest though, you’re going to need a few more tools to get you going, namely the best beard trimmers or electric shavers, a powerful hair clipper and some nose and ear hair trimmers for the full effect. Luckily for you, we’ve got guides on what to buy for each of those, so I recommend heading over there and learning about the best tools in the business. If it’s specificity you’re after, we’d point you in the direction of our roundup of the best Philips beard trimmers to find out what the kings of grooming can give you.
GQ’s pick of the best grooming guides
Keen to expand your empire of body grooming tools? Good, we’re glad to hear it. Regardless of your previous experience, our grooming editors have you covered, with a collection of guides and tips to help you on your journey to a well-groomed lifestyle. Below is every major roundup of the best grooming items and devices that will level up your routine.
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