How does a trimmer differ from a hair clipper: differences in functions and dimensions

A trimmer is a name given to many different devices, including, for example, a device for mowing lawns. The name comes from the English “trim” - haircut, “trimmer” - device for cutting. Even in hairdressing applications, trimmers can also be different. These devices differ in functionality and technology.

One trimmer is a small device, often cylindrical in shape, designed to trim excess hair in the ears and nose (some use it to tidy up their eyebrows). The other looks very similar to a regular hair clipper, but has a number of differences in its technical characteristics and capabilities. Sometimes the future user has no idea how a trimmer differs from a hair clipper. Meanwhile, functionally these are very different devices, each with its own specifics.

What is the difference between a trimmer and a hair clipper?

A hair clipper removes hair to a certain length, which makes it possible to create a certain hairstyle. Unlike a clipper, a trimmer can cut hairs as short as possible, right to the root. Hair can be removed more “cleanly” only with a razor.

Hair clipper shapes hairstyle

Are these two devices interchangeable? Theoretically, you can try to work with one device as if it were two, but you won’t get a decent haircut quality. A machine, even the best one, without a single attachment, does not remove hair “to zero”; stubble of a small length will still remain. You can try to make a haircut with a trimmer by installing attachments on it. But the work will be very hard, and things will go extremely slowly. However, a trimmer is used to trim a beard. There is less hair here, and it is coarse, thick and sparse - a suitable option for a trimmer. As can be seen from the above, a hair clipper and a trimmer cannot be fully used instead of each other.

Choosing the ideal trimmer: rating of the best models

The rating included both expensive and budget devices.

Hair trimmers

Control-T, charisma

Professional model at an affordable price. It has a wide T-shaped blade block (40 mm), and provides a cutting height of up to 0.1 mm. With the help of attachments it can be increased to 1.2 mm or 3 mm (they are included in the kit). Knife block – with stainless steel blades.

Advantages:

battery power supply (lithium-ion battery);
USB charging (wire included);
battery life – 90 minutes;
Battery charging time is 90 minutes.

Cleaning brush and knife care oil included.

Ergonomic trimmer D8, Andis

This is a professional thin, compact and light model: weight – 140 g, dimensions 15.6 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Country of manufacture – USA. The brand specializes in the production of products for hair styling, barbering, contouring, and care for short stubble.

The model is equipped with a lithium-ion battery and a powerful rotary motor (6000 rpm). Sold with a charging stand and can also be powered.

Advantages:

The blade block is T-shaped, thanks to which the trimmer can make edging, cut patterns, and clear lines.
Battery life – 120 minutes, charging time – 150 minutes.
Charging stand, 4 attachments, oil and care brush included.

Trimmer CTX Corded Clipper TC-2 from Andis

A compact device with which you can shape both the contours of a haircut and a beard. Equipped with a high-speed rotary motor (8000 rpm) and a quick-change blade unit (cutting height - 0.8 mm). The knives are made of stainless high-carbon steel, which cuts both dry and wet hair. Power supply is from the network.

Advantages:

light weight - only 90 g, so that the hand does not get tired when working with the device;
the presence of attachments for adjusting the length of hair when cutting - 4 pcs included in the set. at 3, 6, 10, 13 mm;
The 2 m long cord is soft and tangle-free.

Trimmer ER-GP21, Panasonic

A professional trimmer is designed for edging work, but is also suitable for beard trimming. Manufactured by a Japanese brand whose products are valued for their durability and innovation. Comes with a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Advantages:

Improved knife block - the knives fit 40% tighter to the skin compared to other models of the brand, which ensures a precise, clean cut.
Cutting height – 0.3 mm.
Charge indicator (green means that the device is charging, red means it needs to be charged).
Powerful electric motor with reduced vibration levels to reduce hand strain and provide a better haircut.
Ergonomic design with smooth body transitions to make the model comfortable to hold in your hand and soft rubber pads that prevent it from slipping.

Primat Mini, Moser

A miniature model for creating edging (body length is only 13.6 mm, weight – 190 g). Produced by the Moser brand, which belongs to Wahl Clipper Corporation and specializes in the production of products for hairdressers and stylists. The country of the brand is the USA, the country in which the products are manufactured is Germany.

Advantages:

The knife block is STAR BLADE, made of high quality steel in Germany and providing a cutting height of 0.1 mm. The blade width is 32 mm for creating precise lines and clear contours. The knives can be adjusted by changing their position and cutting height using the upper knife mounts when installed.
Pivot motor with low noise and vibration levels.
Availability of nozzles with a cutting height from 3 mm to 6 mm (step – 1 mm).

Available in two colors – gray and red.

T-Outliner, Andis

Professional trimmer for edging, dry shaving and close-up haircuts. Has an exclusive old school design (retro style).

Advantages:

Wide T-shaped knife (32 mm) with fine shortened teeth made of polished high-carbon steel, prized for its precise cutting and durability. The model can be equipped with blades with elongated teeth.
Possibility of adjusting the knife block for maximum fit for cutting, like a razor (0.05 mm).
The motor is electromagnetic, powerful (7200 rpm), operates without noise, vibration and overheating.
Cord – reinforced, length – 2.5 m.

Trimmer FX 59ZE, BaByliss PRO

Professional, powerful model from a French brand that specializes in the production of tools for hairdressers. Their advantages are high quality, the use of innovative technologies and a relatively low price.

Advantages of the model:

Lithium polymer battery. Unlike lithium-ion, it is lighter and more compact. With the same size, a lithium polymer battery has almost 2 times the capacity. Moreover, it charges faster and is considered safer thanks to built-in protection against electrolyte leakage. The battery installed in this trimmer can work continuously for up to 75 minutes and is fully charged in 2 hours.
The rotary motor is silent, does not create vibration and does not heat up.
You can set the cutting speed – high/low.
The knife block is T-shaped, wide (40 mm), made of stainless steel. With such a knife it is convenient to make edging, including in hard-to-reach places - on the neck, near the ears, or trim a beard, mustache, create a design, clear lines, contours.
4 nozzles for 3 mm, 6 mm, 10 mm, 13 mm included.

OSTER Pro-Power machine

A professional model from a line of exclusive tools created for barbers and stylists. Made in the USA. Designed for edging work.

Peculiarities:

Power supply - mains. Motor – electromagnetic, vibration, anchor (pivot), polarizing. This is the company's own development with Whisper Quiet™ technology, indicating low noise and vibration levels during operation. The motor's own power consumption is 9 W, but thanks to the high speed of operation (over 3000 movements) and the high force transmitted to the knives, the motor is as productive as similar devices with a power of 18–20 W.
OSTER blade blocks are also made in the USA and are considered the best in the world. They are made of alloy steel with mandatory forging on a hydraulic press, which ensures power and hardness (it increases to HRC60 on the Rockwell scale). This is one of the highest values among blades for professional machine knives.
The moving knife of the block has 25 teeth of a special geometry, and the fixed one has 27, which guarantees the most accurate and smooth cut on any hair (dry, wet, thick, thin, hard, soft).
The cutting height is adjustable - from 0.1 to 3 mm, but due to the attachments it can be increased to 12.6 mm.

ETCHFX ZE, BaBylissPRO

Professional trimmer from the series for barbers. They are used to create edging, detailed patterns for artistic haircuts, decorate temples, and shape beards.

Advantages:

Powerful rotary motor – 5600 rpm, which does not vibrate and does not overheat during operation.
Removable T-shaped knife block (width – 40 mm).
Blades with high-precision diamond sharpening, with which you can cut hair to zero. There are 2 screws on the body to adjust the cutting height and set the movable knife as needed (screwdriver included).
Cord length – 3 m.
There are 4 nozzles – 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 13mm.
Ergonomic symmetrical design, so that both right-handed and left-handed people can comfortably operate the trimmer.

Curly hair trimmer

A compact and multifunctional device - you can use it to create curly hairstyles, remove hair from the nose, ears, face, neck, legs or arms. Women can use it to create an intimate haircut. It is also suitable for modeling the shape of eyebrows.

Despite its light weight, the device has 2 working blades, wide and thin (for removing hair in hard-to-reach places).

Advantages:

Cutting height – 0.6mm.
Powered by batteries (type AAA, included).
Stainless steel knives.
DC Motor is a direct current electric motor that provides power to the tool.

Special trimmers

These devices are used to shape a beard and remove hair from the nose and ears.

Beard trimmer with height-adjustable attachment, Valera

Manufactured by a Swiss brand, it helps to care for your beard - it comes with an attachment that allows you to choose one of 30 super-precise cutting height settings from 0.5 mm (for the “three-day stubble” effect) to 1.5 cm.

Advantages:

Wide knife block – 32 mm, blades – stainless steel.
Operates from mains or battery.
Battery life – 90 minutes.
Fast charging – 90 min.
You can charge the device from other devices via a USB cable (cord included).
Universal voltage – 100–240 W.
Sold with mustache comb.

Mustache and beard trimmer, BaByliss PRO

It's no coincidence that this trimmer is ranked as the best. His knife width is 45 mm. It is designed for working with a beard, but it is also convenient for edging and shaping the hairstyle.

Advantages:

Battery power supply – lithium-ion battery. Autonomous operating time – 60 minutes, full charging time – 90 minutes. There is a fast charging function in 5 minutes, the charge is enough for 1 haircut.
Adjustable cutting height from 1 mm to 15 mm (step – 1 mm).
The knife block is quick-detachable.
The blades are sharpened using an electrochemical method - when sharpening, an equal layer of metal is removed over the entire surface of the product, taking into account cavities and teeth, which guarantees smooth gliding.
Lightweight, low weight - 220 g.
Stable operation even at low battery levels.

Shaver by Andis

The device is suitable for both shaving and creating contours of the beard or trimming it. It is equipped with a powerful rotary motor (9000 rpm) and a lithium-ion battery (battery life - 80 minutes, recharging time - 90 minutes). Instead of knives, metal shaving heads made of hypoallergenic material with durable titanium coating are used.

Advantages:

compactness – the length of the device is 121 mm, and the width is 73 mm;
light weight – 130 g;
floating shaving heads - they fit closer to the body, glide easier, allowing you to work on hard-to-reach places (for example, dimples on the chin and at the sides of the nose) and minimizing the risk of micro-cuts.

Nose and ear trimmer, BaBylissPRO

One of the lightest devices (weight – 85 g). Equipped with a powerful motor (silent and with minimal vibration). Powered by AA battery (included). It has 2 rotating blades that cut hair efficiently and safely. The head is removable, and there is also a protective cap to safely rinse the head with water.

Trimmer Andis FastTrim 13540 for nose and ears

Powerful and easy to use model. Weight – 90 g, length – 127 mm. Power supply: battery (AA type, included). Equipped with a rotary motor, rotation speed – 7000 rpm. (cuts hair quickly and efficiently, without jerking).

Advantages:

Narrow knife block for accessing hard-to-reach areas with rotating blades made of surgical stainless steel. They are durable, hypoallergenic, and easy to care for, since the material does not have micropores. That is, bacteria are on its surface, so the blades are easy to disinfect. Another advantage is their resistance to corrosion and mechanical damage (scratches, chips).
After use, the head can be washed under running water.
The kit includes a protective cap for the knife.

Trimmer Trimmy, Valera

The device is designed to remove hair from the nose and ears, and can also be used to correct the shape of the eyebrows. Made in the form of a pen with a cap, it is convenient to carry with you. Weight - 83 g. Equipped with sharpened steel blades - they cut hair without tearing it out or scratching the skin. The head is removable so that it can be washed with water. Powered by batteries (type AA, not included).

You will find more trimmers for household and professional use in the HITEK catalog.

Scope of application of a trimmer in hairdressing

As already mentioned, the trimmer is great for caring for a beard and mustache. You can not only give them shape, but also shave off everything that does not fit into the haircut concept. That is, in this situation you can get by with one device.

The trimmer is ideal for beard and mustache care

The trimmer is widely used as an auxiliary tool when cutting scalp hair. They are used for edging, shaving where necessary, and complex shaped elements.

Moser trimmer for trimming mustaches and beards. Advantages and disadvantages of beard and mustache trimmers

MOSER trimmers, like other hairdressing tools from the company, enjoy a very good reputation among professionals and ordinary users. The advantages and strengths of these trimmers are much greater than the disadvantages, and among the main positive features are the following:

MOSER devices are durable and reliable. Thus, knife blocks dull very slowly and do not require frequent sharpening.
The set of trimmers is very rich. The device is always supplied with oil, lubricant and a cleaning brush, which greatly simplifies the maintenance of the instrument. There are also various attachment attachments that allow you to leave facial hair of the required length and adjust the hair length as accurately as possible.
MOSER trimmers are very ergonomic and pleasant to use. Convenient shape, light weight and compact dimensions make it easy to perform complex maneuverable operations and perform precise work on small areas of the face.
Most trimmers are equipped with both battery and mains power supply, that is, they can be used both with access to an outlet and without it (for example, on the road).
Despite their high quality, MOSER trimmers have a relatively low price for professional hairdressing equipment. The average price of trimmers from this company is 6,000 – 7,000 rubles.

Technical differences of hairdressing tools

Externally similar, but so different in scope of application, instruments also differ in their technical part.

Knife location

The machine and the trimmer differ from each other in the position of the working knives. This parameter determines how close to the skin the device will touch the hair and cut it. Only a razor works cleaner than a trimmer. Experienced craftsmen often “draw” contours with a trimmer, within which they are already working with a razor.

Working area width

The trimmer has a narrower working head, making it much more convenient for them to work on thin, small details. And that is why cutting all the hair on their heads is a long and tedious task.

Engine and blades

The trimmer, designed, among other things, for working with a beard, has a more powerful motor, and the blades of its knives are made of steel grades with better strength characteristics.

Beard trimmer blade

Facial hair is coarser and thicker. For the “delicate” steel of hairdressing scissors and clipper blades, such hairs are destructive; they instantly dull the working edge. The trimmer copes with the task without reducing the quality of the cut over time. Clippers designed for cutting hair on the head, on the contrary, have a weak motor, but are able to work for quite a long time without overheating.

Trimmer for cutting mustache and beard. Panasonic ER-GB40

The Panasonic ER-GB40 beard and mustache trimmer is recognized by customers as the most convenient device for beard trimming, which is easy to clean and even wash. Its body is insulated from water, rubberized for a comfortable grip, and the handle has an ergonomic shape, with a rotating length adjuster from 1 to 10 mm, a total of 20 positions in increments of 0.5 mm.

The cutting unit with a single nozzle 27 mm wide and blades sharpened at an angle of 45° moves smoothly along the contours of the face, working on every curve. The battery charge is enough for 50 minutes of simulation; there is an indicator of the remaining energy on the case. It should be remembered that the battery takes 8 hours to charge, it is recommended to leave it on the wire overnight. The convenience of the Panasonic ER-GB40 model is in the provided delivery, suitable for simultaneous charging and storage of the trimmer.

The Panasonic ER-GB40 beard and mustache machine is the lightest in the budget device category - it weighs only 150 grams with high-quality assembly, and you can purchase it for an average of 2,400 rubles.

Advantages

Cleaning brush and lubricant included;

The charging stand is suitable for storing the trimmer;

Long-term operation on one battery charge;

Suitable for dry and wet shaving.

Flaws

The only attachment in the set (a relative disadvantage of the rating leaders).

Types of trimmers

There are models that are designed for beards, noses or mustaches. Universal devices for working with vegetation on different parts of the body have interchangeable attachments.

A head trimmer is mainly used to trim the temples or sideburns.

Special thanks should be given to the inventors of such devices for their help in modeling haircuts, especially in creating unusual designs. For the same task, the unit is also used in intimate areas, where it would definitely be painful and inconvenient to carry out such an operation with a machine. Thus, the technique can also perform the function of a razor.

What is better to choose

Ideally, you should purchase both. But when it comes to a specific choice, it is worth setting priorities. If you plan to frequently trim thick and fast-growing hair, then it is best to purchase a clipper.

For model haircuts, you still have to obtain the appropriate knowledge, otherwise you will have to go to a hairdresser to improve the result.

For those people who like to be constantly well-groomed, we can advise you to buy a trimmer. This is especially true for owners of today's fashionable beard. And special attachments will help girls maintain beauty in piquant places without going to a specialized salon, and at the same time develop their imagination in the art of barbering.