“Which is better, corded or cordless?” This is a commonly asked question when purchasing a beard trimmer, but to tell you the truth, there really isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. I have used both corded and cordless beard trimmers over the years and found each one to have advantages and disadvantages.
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The differing functions between the two are meant to suit different lifestyles and meet different needs, so only you can decide which one is better for you. Although, by comparing and contrasting the two, hopefully the deciding process will be a little easier.
Main differences between a corded and cordless beard trimmer
- Cord
Both the cordless and the corded beard trimmers include a cord, but the difference lies in the purpose of the cord. The cord included with corded beard trimmers is directly attached to the trimmer and must be plugged into an outlet in order for the trimmer to operate.
The cord included with cordless beard trimmers is either attached directly to the trimmer or to a charging base. Unlike corded trimmers, the cord of a cordless trimmer must be plugged into an outlet only when charging the battery, and is not required to be plugged in while operating the device.
There are even some trimmers available that offer both a corded and cordless operation, allowing you to choose.
- Portability
A cordless beard trimmer tends to be more portable than a corded beard trimmers because it has less baggage. If the freedom of being able to use your beard trimmer anywhere is important to you, cordless trimmers will probably suit you best.
Unlike cordless trimmers that you can just throw in your bag, corded trimmers have a long cord that could get tangled up and take up more space. There is also the possibility that the plug could damage other items in your bag (I cracked a kindle screen one time).
Otherwise, if you only trim your beard at home, portability might not be a major deciding factor to you when choosing between corded and cordless trimmers.
- Amount of Power
Corded trimmers are known for having more power than cordless trimmers. This is because cordless trimmers run on a battery, and the lower the battery life is, the less power the trimmer can put out.
On the other hand, corded trimmers are able to provide strong, consistent power for long periods of time. If you do choose to go with a cordless trimmer and aren’t familiar with different batteries, you might want to opt for one with a lithium ion battery, as these tend to have the longest battery life.
Pros and Cons of corded beard trimmers
Pros
- Uniform cutting power (no loss due to battery going low)
- Unlimited time to trim your beard, no battery to dictate how long you have to finish the trim
- Ready when you are
Cons
- Tied to a wall socket
- Cable & plug takes up more space
- Plug can scratch/damage other items in your bag
Pros and cons of a cordless beard trimmer
Pros
- Portability
- Compact
- Lithium batteries given fast charge and long use time
Cons
- Battery life dictates cutting time
- Low charge will change how the blades cut (reduced speed can cause tugging)
- No plug to cause damage to other items in your backpack
- Less power than a corded beard trimmer
- Requires charge before you can use (forethought required)
Now that you know the positive and negatives of corded and cordless beard trimmers, it’s important to consider your lifestyle and personal preferences. If you enjoy having a free range of movement and require a grab-and-go beard trimmer, the cordless trimmers will better suit you.
On the other hand, if you’d rather have a more powerful trimmer without a limited run time, you should go with the corded beard trimmers.
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