The Bevel Beard Trimmer Helps You Become Your Own Barber

Bevel is a grooming brand that caters specifically to Black skin. Its trimmer, however, is a must-have for anyone with sensitive skin and a beard to trim.

By Evan Malachosky

Published July 21, 2022

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Updated July 21, 2022

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I’ll admit it: I’m not the best person to be reviewing a beard trimmer. First, I can’t grow one, and I haven’t used a razor since, say, 2017. I trim what hair does grow — it’s more than stubble but far from substantial — with a $20 Philips Norelco MG3750 Multigroom Trimmer, which ranks as the best affordable beard trimmer in our buying guide to the category. It’s honestly very easy, and it doesn’t get hot or need oil to run. It’s lightweight, too, albeit because it’s mostly plastic.

That guide’s best upgrade pick is Bevel’s signature Beard Trimmer, a $180 tool made from heavy metal. Its weight is the most immediate difference between Bevel’s design and others I’ve tested. More like a bottle of cologne than a single-use razor in the hand, the Bevel Beard Trimmer stands out, but its curves make it easy to hold — the body starts wide on top, widens even more at the middle and narrows near the bottom. And in a category dominated by ancient Andis and Wahl ones, Bevel’s futuristic design just looks different, which is a welcome change.

Bevel Trimmer Review

Bevel Beard Trimmer

$199.95 at Amazon

Pros

Produces sharp lines
Well-made

Cons

Requires setup and upkeep

Attachments: 0
Run Time: 8 hours on, 180 days on standby
Warranty: 1 year

The Good:

It’s at home in the shop or, well, at home.

If you arrived here via Google, you probably passed plenty of video reviews of this unit. Further, almost all of them have been done by barbers in professional spaces. There, the trimmer is a helpful tool — something stylish, somewhat expensive and extremely effective. Simply put, the Bevel Beard Trimmer is a professional tool made public.

First, you can make blade adjustments using the internal Bevel Dial, which is literally just a dial you twist back and forth. It’s located on the underside of the blade, so you do have to remove it in order to adjust it. When at its sharpest, the Bevel Beard Trimmer is sharp — so be careful. This is also why I’d argue this device is for professionals first. Sure, folks at home deserve access to the same devices, especially if they’re shaving their head every two days or tidying a true beard.

The upkeep is fairly easy, too: a few drops of oil each time and two or three quick sweeps across the blade with the included brush.

It provides close shaves for more faces.

Founded by Tristan Walker, Bevel was the first head-to-toe grooming brand for Black men. Whether it be hair or body wash, face cleansers or, of course, electric trimmers, Bevel makes it all and specifically for persons of color, who are more prone to ingrown hairs, razor bumps and burn. The razor works on sensitive skin, actively reducing the likelihood they’ll have irritated skin afterward.

It’s about time there’s a brand that catered to Black men’s needs. That being said, anyone can use a Bevel trimmer — sensitive skin is a universal issue.

The Bad:

For baby faces and quick shavers, it can feel like overkill.

Although most folks would happily trade in their daily drivers for something sportier, the same can’t be said across all categories. For me, I think I’d rather stick with my cheaper razor, but that might just be because of familiarity — there’s a big gap between Bevel’s trimmer and my usual Philips Norelco one. There isn’t a learning curve, per se, because it’s the same process, but the Bevel almost felt wasted on me, someone who isn’t battling a bushy beard, shaving my whole head or trimming customer after customer in my own eponymous barber shop.

The Bevel Trimmer is probably a worthwhile upgrade for those who need a trimmer that can keep cool through a day’s worth of cuts or define the edges of a hard-earned beard, but I’m not either of those people. (To be fair, the Bevel Beard Trimmer is a far better product, but how does the saying go? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

The Verdict:

Worth it for sure, if it’s what you need.

It’s hard for me to say anything bad about the Bevel Trimmer, because it’s clearly a quality product designed to serve a specific audience. Ultimately, I am not that audience, but I was impressed with how the trimmer felt, looked and operated. I was left with a shave that rivaled those done by a foil shaver — it was close but comfortable.

So, if you’re a person of color with sensitive skin, someone impressed by well-made products at the top of their category or you simply can’t stand to look at another vintage Andis, the Bevel is probably a good bet — especially when it’s on sale, which is often.