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Chris Rowlands takes his chin on a quest to find the best cordless stubble-busters for dainty down and bushy beardage alike

TRAVEL TRIMMERS

The rugged razor

Wahl Lifeproof Wet/Dry Shaver

Wet shaves are all well and good, but soapy paws can make it tricky to keep a grasp on your grooming tool. Wahl’s waterproof number helps your hands with a sculpted rubber housing. Good for 90 minutes on a charge, its shockproof shell should survive the fall if it somehow slips from your grip. £6 5 / wahl.co.uk

The pocket pruner

Philips PQ206/18

Business beards can be tough to maintain if your trade takes you travelling. Go from five o’clock shadow to boardroom-ready with this battery-powered buzzer. Designed for dry shaves on the fly, it’s small enough to fit in any toiletry bag, yet its floating rotary heads still serve up a close shave.

£17 / philips.co.uk

The capped cutter

Braun MobileShave M-90

Are your mutton chops the envy of your biker buddies? Stick this pocket-friendly implement in your panniers for easy pruning at every pitstop: washable and protected by a twist-cap, its flexing foil will keep your chin as smooth as a saddle while the precision head puts a hard edge on your handlebars.

£20 / uk.braun.com

ROTARY REAPERS

The budget barber

Carmen Titan

A good grooming routine goes beyond taming your ’tache twice a week. The swappable top on this multi-tool keeps more of your noggin neat and tidy: sort fuzz with the floating titanium blades, before using the clipper attachment to define your sideburns. Plus there’s a nasal trimmer.

£19 / carmen-products.co.uk

The simple strimmer

Remington R4

Not sure whether to match your socks to your shirt? You need a style guide. Not sure how short to cut your stubble? You need a styler guard. This Remington rotary can’t help with your sartorial choices, but its clip-on limiter will give your scruffy growth a dapper three-day finish.

£40 / uk.remington-europe.com

FOIL FUZZ-KILLERS

The multigrain mower

Braun Series 9 Pro

Braun’s premium pruner isn’t stumped by lengthy bristles: ProLift tech deftly raises and snips the hair on your face, maintenance is automatic thanks to the SmartCare dock, and the PowerCase keeps the battery boosted for up to six weeks away from the mains.

£280 / uk.braun.com

The turbo tool

Panasonic ES-LV97

Even on the furriest of faces, fluff isn’t uniform. This responsive razor uses speedy sensors to detect the density of different patches and adjust power accordingly. It’s like traction control for your kisser, boosting the blades to whizz through tricky whiskers then laying off when it finds a softer spot.

£130 / panasonic.com

The gleaming groomer

BaByliss Pro FoilFX02

Want a barbershop experience in your own bathroom? You could try your hand with a straight-edge razor… or for a clean shave without the risk of a Sweeney Todd slip, try this cordless job. Equipped with double gold foils, it promises a cut close enough to impress the professionals on Fleet Street. £125 / babylisspro.co.uk

The cheek checker

Philips Shaver Series 9000

You don’t need a management certificate to know that extra pressure rarely improves results. That’s why sensors in this ‘smart shaver’ check if you’re pressing too hard and use lights to tell you when to ease off. Like a performance review of your personal grooming, the Series 9000 also employs face-tracking tech to monitor your technique and offer feedback through an app. £450 / philips.co.uk

HOW TO DECIDE

1 Heads up

With straight edges hidden behind a mesh guard, foil shavers are ideal for close cuts on sensitive skin. Rotary razors use spinning heads to tackle stubborn stubble on tougher mugs.

2 Lather up

Electric shavers let you trim your chin far from the nearest sink. Still like a foamy shave sometimes? Look for a ‘wet or dry’ model that can do both kinds.

3 Clean up

Waterproof razors are easy to rinse, but it takes more than a quick splash to shift any whiskers stuck inside. Some shavers work with docking stations that clean, oil and dry while charging.

4 Lube up

All blades eventually lose their edge. Most razors have replaceable heads, and lubrication can also lengthen their lifespan: use a suitable oil to reduce friction and protect metal parts.