Multitasking Trimmers: Philips Multigroom vs Braun Series 9

By Adam Hurly

March 22, 2026

The Multigroom Series is a force to be reckoned with; how does Braun’s Series 9 All-in-One stack up?

I’ve given away a lot of beard trimmers. The new ones come in, I test them, and more often than not, I give them away to my friends. That’s not because they’re bad at beard trimming; I would never give my friend something subpar. But I’m just too loyal to my go-to trimmer, the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, with one exception, the Braun Series 9 Beard Trimmer.

This article will mostly spotlight the Multigroom series, but we’ll get into my love for the Braun, too, because it deserves some serious consideration for those guys who want a premium, precise, and easy shave—especially if they need it primarily for facial hair and less for head/body.

Still, in my opinion, the Braun S9 and the PN Multigroom 9000 (and 7000, for that matter) check every possible box that a trusted beard trimmer should:

Precision: The top priority for me. Can the device draw clean lines efficiently, and can it also help you tend to the smallest of details?
Customization: Similarly, can the beard trimmer help you to achieve any look you need, in that it provides various trimmer heads and detailing functions?
Durability: Does the device negate the need for a warranty, simply because it lasts a long time and doesn’t feel like it’s made of cheap materials? (Still, it should come with at least a 2-year warranty.)
Endurance: Will it hold a charge, so that you don’t have to plug it in after every second or third use?
Power: Can it mow through the thickets strands and densest patches of facial hair?

Philips Norelco Multigroom Spotlight

Now here’s my pitch for Philips Norelco’s Multigroom—specifically the 5000, 7000 or 9000 (the last of which comes in two tiered sets). I’ll differentiate below. Skip the 3000, which just doesn’t have the muscle, customization, or durability of the others.

The Best Multitasking Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000:

This trimmer is the outright winner. On a single full charge, you can get up nearly 18 hours of runtime with this thing in its most youthful days. (It advertises 6 but my own test run delivered 17.5 hours!!) It has serious heft, with a slim stainless steel core that is easy to grip. Its stainless steel blades self sharpen so you never need to oil them; it’s easy to take out the heads and rinse it clean, plus it has a sensor that adjusts its intensity for thicker patches of hair. It’s fully waterproof too, so you can use it in the shower or dunk it to rinse things clean.

SHOP THE CORE PHILIPS NORELCO MULTIGROOM 9000 MODELS:
28-in-1 // 25-in-1 // 23-in-1

The 9000 has the best range of trimming heads, including a beard trimmer with a precision dial to get you 1-3mm lengths in 0.2mm increments. Another will graduate you from 3-7mm in single millimeter increments from there. There’s a T-blade for drawing straight lines (and for connecting any of the hair clipper guards if you need them; this guy’s got enough muscle to justify buzzing yourself with it, too). Plus it’s got a body shaver head, two body guards in 3 & 5mm lengths, a nose hair trimmer and eyebrow guard.

But we’re here to discuss facial hair… and where this device really seals the deal (aside from that power, durability, and performance), is its precision trimmer and shaver. The trimmer is just a few hairs wide, like a little tooth, which I love for zapping individual hairs that sprout around my bare cheeks, and for any detailing I do with my current facial hair style. My favorite is to disconnect the bridge between my mustache and beard, and to mow down the tops and sides of the mustache, to think it out.

I also use this trimmer to snip carefully at the hairs dangling above my upper lip. The foil shaver head is as wide as your thumb, and will mow any of those precision trimmings down even further, so they disappear instead of looking like patches of stubble. I know it might sound silly to say that these two tiny attachments are my favorite thing about a device that is already unparalleled, but they punctuate the experience for me, and prove that it’s all in the details.

In this video below, I break down why Philips Norelco has earned its reputation as the go-to trimmer brand, and how Braun remains the only serious competitor for the top spot. Whether you’re comparing features, attachments, or overall design, this head-to-head review helps you decide which tool belongs in your bathroom and which one actually deserves the title of “best beard trimmer for men.”

Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 Stats:

Run Time: 6 hours (we got 17 hours on first charge…)
Charge Time: 3 hours
Waterproof: Yes
Cutting Lengths: 0.2–20 mm (multiple guards + adjustable comb)
Attachments: 23-28 pieces (hair clipper, T-blade, body, detail, foil shaver, nose/ear, etc…)
Each 9000 model has slight variations

SHOP THE CORE PHILIPS NORELCO MULTIGROOM 9000 MODELS:
28-in-1 // 25-in-1 // 23-in-1

The Best Value Multitasking Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000

The 7000 was my trusted trimmer for years, until the 9000 came along. Even after owning it for 3 years, it maintained an 8-hour runtime despite advertising 5 hours. It has the same density-sensing and -adjusting powers as the 9000, is also fully waterproof, plus has the same sharpening blades. In fact, I would endorse this as the best value option of the list her, given it also has those terrific dial-adjusted beard trimming guards. It’s even got my favorite detailing head, the tooth-like snipper.

SHOP THE CORE PHILIPS NORELCO MULTIGROOM 7000 MODELS:
23-in-1 // 19-in-1

What it lacks in some models is that aforementioned thin foil shaver head, though. (The newer 23-in-1 models do have it, though, thankfully). I think most people will be fine without that little hsaver, but for me, it means I’d be tending to those details every couple days instead of every 4-5 days. (In other words, that little shaver keeps my overall facial hair style more styled for a couple days longer.)

But bottom line, you’re really only stepping down on run time and additional attachments (inconsequential if you primarily need it for beard and body)—and with newer versions of the 7000 and 9000, sometimes the stepdown also mans a subpar carrying case. And maybe that matters very little to you. Either way, the terrific value 7000… for your consideration, aye?

Philips Norelco Multigroom 7000 Stats:

Run Time: 5 hours
Charge Time: 2 hours
Waterproof: Yes
Cutting Lengths: 0.5–18 mm (fixed + adjustable guards)
Attachments: 14–23 pieces depending on kit (hair clipper, precision, foil shaver, T-blade, body, nose/ear, etc)
Each 7000 model has slight variations

SHOP THE CORE PHILIPS NORELCO MULTIGROOM 7000 MODELS:
23-in-1 // 19-in-1

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The Best Low-Cost Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000

The 5000 is a particularly solid model and will satisfy less frequent trimmers, as well as those on a budget. You’ll get the 3-7mm trimmer attachment as well as separate options for lower lengths (but not the precise and incremental lengths offered at 7000 and above). Also, you still get that tiny tooth detailing head that I raved about (no foil shaver detail head, though).

I haven’t committed to one of these 5000s in years—meaning, it really just doesn’t stand out to me, compared to all the other models on this roster. But, it’s still agreta buy-in at a low cost, a really nice value if you just need a trusty beard trimmer and detailer. It’s still shower proof, though it lacks any designated body trimming heads as well as the durable steel core. You’ll certainly get your money’s worth, but I find it a step down in overall performance, customization, precision, and breadth of abilities.

Philips Norelco Multigroom 5000 Stats:

Run Time: 3 hours
Charge Time: 1 hour
Waterproof: Yes
Cutting Lengths: 0.5–16 mm
Attachments: 18-piece kit (body, precision trimmer, nose/ear, T-blade, etc)
Each 5000 model has slight variations

GET THE PHILIPS NORELCO MULTIGROOM 5000

A Note on the Multigroom 3000

The Multigroom 3000 is too far a fall in those same factors, so I wouldn’t recommend it ahead of other options in the marketplace.

Braun Series 9 All-in-One Trimmer Spotlight

If you are comparing the Braun All-in-One Series 9 against the Philips Norelco Multigroom models (which we are literally doing in this article, ha), then the Braun is the more premium, more beard-trimming-first experience.

The Philips still wins on broad mass appeal, especially because the lineup is so flexible across price points and attachments, but the Braun feels like the more refined tool if beard maintenance is the priority. Its standout advantage is that front dial, which gives you all those tiny half-millimeter adjustments up to 20mm without forcing you to keep swapping guards. That makes the whole experience faster, easier, and frankly more pleasant if you are constantly tweaking your beard length or blending different sections.

So while the Philips Multigroom is the better all-purpose recommendation for most people, the Braun Series 9 is the one I would choose when I care most about ease, precision, and a more elevated day-to-day trimming experience. And, as the latest Multigroom 9000 near the Braun Series 9 in price, I say this: If you want a premium device, with great beard trimming precision and ease, then go all-in on Braun’s all-in-one.

Braun Series 9 All-in-One Trimmer Stats:

Run Time: 3 hours
Charge Time: 2.5 hours
Waterproof: Yes
Cutting Lengths: 0.5–20 mm on combs (41 precision settings)
Attachments: T-blade, body, foil shaver, detail, hair combs + ear/nose trimmer

GET THE BRAUN SERIES 9 ALL-IN-ONE TRIMMER

Also, be sure to check out the Blue Ribbon review spotlighting Philips Norelco’s Multigroom device. (I give those to the hands-down best-ever men’s grooming products.)

WATCH THE VIDEO:

SHOP THIS VIDEO:

BEST MULTIGROOM TRIMMER FOR MEN:

Philips Norelco Multigroom / All-in-One Trimmer 9000:
LATEST MODEL // MODEL DISCUSSED IN VIDEO

GREAT ALTERNATIVE (SLIGHT DOWNGRADE):

Philips Norelco Multigroom / All-in-One Trimmer 7000:
23-in-1 // 19-in-1

All-in-One Trimmer Showdown: Philips Norelco Multigroom Series vs. Braun Series 9