Beards aren't the ubiquitous style accessory they were during the pandemic, but they'll be back. Here in the states, beards have been going in and out of style since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. But for many of us bearded gents, our whiskers aren't a fashion statement—they're a lifestyle. (If you're experimenting with facial hair for the first time, welcome to the brotherhood, my man.) And like a lot of endeavors in life, if you want to do it right, you need the right tools for the job. After extensive beards-on testing, from the must-have staples to the downright strange, we've collected our favorites for you here. Many are former GQ Grooming Award winners, and they've all been personally vetted to help you achieve peak beard.
The author's bathroom counter, right before a shave. Image courtesy of Timothy Beck Wirth
Your Beard-Related FAQs, Answered
The Grooming Tools You Need, According to an Expert
Our Experience
About the Author
The Beard Trimmer
Philips-Norelco
Multigroom Series 9000
The undisputed king of the beard trimmers according to GQ grooming experts, the Series 9000 makes quick work of messy beards. This trimmer comes with 21 accessories to create every type of line, fade, and length you could possibly want. It also packs an insane 17-hour battery life per charge. As an added bonus, the self-sharpening blades don't require any messy oil.
Bevel
Professional Hair Clippers
Bevel's original beard trimmer makes impossibly crisp lines, and the brand's hair clippers up the ante with comb guards that give guys more options for styling. The professional-quality clipper works equally well on beards and hair, and the precision blades can be adjusted by 0.1mm increments. Design lovers will also appreciate the sleek black finish and powerful magnets that snap the guards into place.
The All-In-One Groomer
Panasonic
Multishape
Guys really can have it all. When the Multishape first came out, GQ named it a “God tier” grooming tool, and it has yet to be surpassed. It's also the best trimmer for long beards thanks to the variety of lengths and attachments. But even clean-shaven guys will love this groomer, as it also does quadruple duty as an electric toothbrush, hair clipper, body groomer, and ear and nose hair trimmer.
Braun
13-in-1 Grooming Device
If you don't like the idea of brushing, shaving, and trimming with one device, then this will be more your speed. This grooming tool can trim lengths from 0.5 to 20mm, so it's a versatile pick if you like to change up your facial hair. The attachments include a mini foil shaver and body tools, so you can trim the hairs you want to keep and erase the ones you don't.
The Beard Brush
Zeus
Boar Bristle Beard Brush
If you have a beard, then you need a brush, full stop. A boar-bristle brush lets you avoid beard dandruff and its cousin, beard stank, by exfoliating the skin under the hair. Along with dead skin, these tools tame wiry beards, control flyaways, and evenly distribute natural oils. This particular brush features an easy-to-hold pear wood handle and is tough enough for tangles.
Diane
Premium 100% Boar Bristle Brush
For a more affordable beard brush, try this one from Diane. The military brush works well on afro-textured hair and thick beards, but anyone with facial hair or stubble can benefit. Not only will it help define your hair's natural shape, but it also gets wiry and frizzy facial hair under control.
The Beard Comb
Chicago Comb
Model 7 Carbon Fiber Pick Comb
This small brand makes heavy-duty combs right here in the United States. The brand's carbon fiber grooming tools are lightweight but strong enough to slice through stubborn tangles. For thick, long beards and Afro-textured facial hair, consider this your top pick.
Baxter of California
Beard Comb
Most pocket combs—especially for beards— are decidedly low-quality, which is why we recommend this one. Baxter's comb is handcrafted in Switzerland to be just the right size for styling, detangling, and maximum portability. Plus, the tortoise shell-style comb has both fine and wide teeth for added versatility.
Goodline Grooming Co.
Premium Grooming Comb
We get it—we didn't expect to include a CVS product here either. But metal combs are an underrated anti-static styling tool, capable of busting through tangles to whip thick beards into shape. And after an exhaustive search, this is the only metal comb we can heartily recommend. Made from stainless steel rather than carbon fiber or aluminum, it's weighty and solid in the hand. Two teeth widths also give you more ways to groom.
The Beard Oil
Caldera + Lab
Beard Oil
If your beard is here to stay, then make sure you treat it with all the tender loving care it deserves. Caldera + Lab is a relative newcomer to the men's skincare game, and their new beard oil was a big winner in the GQ Grooming Awards 2023. A mix of apricot oil and botanicals conditions and moisturizes facial hair for optimal staying power.
Baxter of California
Beard Oil
In our testing, no beard oil absorbs as quickly or spreads as evenly as this one. It also has a pleasing, complex, and sweet fragrance that's only grown on us over time. The formula uses squalene and avocado oil to moisturize and a mix of Vitamin E and botanicals to strengthen your hair. We also love that a little goes a long way, so you're not left with messy, oil covered hands.
Jack Black
Beard Oil
This is a classic men's grooming product that's earned its sterling reputation. A blend of kalahari melon oil and Vitamin E delivers antioxidants and vitamins that nourish your hair and skin at once. Over time, the oil acts as a leave-in conditioner, softening up your hair for easier styling. In our experience, you have to use a little more than directed, but it won us over with its subtle fragrance.
The Beard Wash
King C. Gillette
Beard Wash
A regular shampoo can dry out beards by stripping away those all-important natural oils. So reach for this moisturizing wash instead, part of Gillette's premium men's shaving and beard care line. You can go ahead and ignore the “3-in-1” label; don't use this on your scalp hair or as a replacement for acne face wash. With coconut water, argan oil, and avocado oil, this wash lathers up to clean and moisturize your beard simultaneously.
Anthony
Conditioning Beard Wash
If you find oils too messy, then opt for this wash-out beard conditioner, which quickly softens up and hydrates your hair. In addition to moisturizing coconut oil, it also contains black currant and rosemary to soothe your skin and banish beard itch. Paraben- and cruelty-free, it's also friendly on sensitive mugs.
The Post-Shave Product
Cremo
Post-Shave Balm
Need a post-shave salve for your sensitive skin? Cremo's balm gently calms irritated skin with a fragrance-free formula. That means you don't have to worry about dryness, redness, and razor burn every time you touch up your facial hair.
Kiehl's
Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief
When we apply this after-shave lotion, we find fewer bumps and ingrown hairs in the days ahead. The fast-absorbing cream also feels cool and satisfying in the moment, and it uses aloe vera, willow herb, and Vitamin E to nourish the skin. We also love that the formula includes witch hazel, a natural astringent. A masculine and fresh-smelling fragrance only adds to the experience.
The Razor
Harry's
The Winston Razor
The Winston isn't just the best razor for guys with beards, it's GQ's all-around consensus pick for guys, period. Friendly to all hair and skin types, the 5-blade razor creates sharp lines for a polished look and a smooth shaving experience. We also love the weighty metal handle, as well as the affordable price tag.
DSC
Shave Gel
There are plenty of high-brow shaving creams we love, but for guys that shave only seldomly, we recommend combining Harry's Winston with DSC's popular shave gel. It might feel blasphemous to mix products from these shave club rivals, but it's a pleasing one-two punch that will keep your beard in shape—even on a budget.
The Facial Hair Scrub
Kiehl's
Facial Fuel Scrub
You might not think of scrubs as a beard care product, but they can be even more important for guys with facial hair. All that extra hair leaves lots of space for germs and gunk to hide. The scrub uses finely ground apricot kernels to exfoliate, while a skin-tingling blend of caffeine, menthol, Vitamin E, and citrus oils wake up your skin. Somehow, it manages to feel both luxurious and heavy-duty, and we recommend using it in the shower a couple of times a week. Plus, it's paraben and sulfate free.
Horace
Gentle Face Scrub
For men with shorter beards or more sensitive skin, try this scrub instead of a more intense option. In the GQ Grooming Awards 2023, we named this the best exfoliator for men of the year. Use this product once or twice a week and it will gently wipe away any impurities hiding under your beard. Unlike cheap alternatives that use plastic microbeads, it uses natural argan seeds to buff away dead skin.
What Beard Grooming Tools Do You Really Need? An Expert Sounds Off
The return of the American beard in the 21st century coincided with a renaissance in men's grooming. Men now have entirely new ways to primp and groom every hair on our bodies. The men's skin care boom also fathered many new brands and products for your bathroom shelf (too many, frankly), and we want to narrow it down for you. To help us out, we consulted Matty Conrad, owner of Victory Brand and one of GQ's go-to grooming gurus.
Conrad is a professional beardsman with a wealth of knowledge, and we wanted to know, what are the bare necessities for a well-groomed mane? He told us he separates beard care products into two categories for his clients: tools (trimmers, combs, brushes) and care (oils, washes, styling). “These two can get very convoluted and busy given the amount of beard care that suddenly seems to exist. It’s become quite an industry over the last eight years."
