Manscaped Beard Hedger vs Beard Hedger Plus: Which One Should You Buy?
The Manscaped Beard Hedger (top) vs the Beard Hedger Plus (bottom)
Disclosure: Manscaped sent me The Beard Hedger last year and the new Beard Hedger Plus three weeks ago for review purposes, but they have not seen or approved this post before publication. As always, my opinion is my own. This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’ve now used both. The original Manscaped Beard Hedger has been my main beard trimmer for months. I reviewed it properly, genuinely liked it, and still think that adjustment wheel is one of the smartest features I’ve seen on a beard trimmer in a long time.
Then Manscaped sent me the Beard Hedger Plus, the newer and more compact version, and I’ve been using it daily for the past two weeks to see what is actually different.
So this Manscaped Beard Hedger vs Beard Hedger Plus comparison is not a spec-sheet article written by someone who glanced at two product pages. I’ve had both in my hand. I’ve trimmed my beard with both at 7am in front of a bathroom mirror. I know what feels better, what feels worse, and what you actually notice after a few days of real use.
If you’re trying to choose between them, or if you already own the original Beard Hedger and you’re wondering whether the Beard Hedger Plus is worth it, here’s everything you need to know.
Quick Verdict
- Choose the Beard Hedger if you want the more premium, substantial feel, that brilliant adjustment wheel, and you only need up to 10mm. It feels luxurious in the hand.
- Choose the Beard Hedger Plus if you want something more compact, easier to handle, with a longer trimming range up to 20mm, and you value everyday practicality over premium heft.
Beard Hedger vs Beard Hedger Plus: Full Spec Comparison
| Beard Hedger (Original) | Beard Hedger Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Build & feel | Heavier, glossy, premium heft | Lighter, compact, matte, ergonomic |
| Length adjustment | Zoom wheel (20 settings, 0.5–10mm) | Quick-Adjust Slider (14 settings, 1–20mm) |
| Max length | 10mm | 20mm (with two combs) |
| Blade | 41mm titanium-coated T-blade | Stainless steel blade |
| Motor | 7,200 RPM | Powerful, quiet (RPM not stated) |
| Battery | 60 min, tri-level indicator | 60 min, battery level light |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Waterproof | IPX7 | IPX7 |
| Travel lock | No (but hard case included) | Yes |
| In the box | Trimmer, case, USB-C cable, AC adapter, comb | Trimmer, 2 combs, USB-C cable, instructions |
Design and Handling
The original Beard Hedger is the more premium-looking and feeling of the two. It's heavier, glossier, and sits in the hand with a bit of weight that says "I cost real money." I liked that. It feels substantial, like a proper grooming tool rather than a plastic gadget.
The Beard Hedger Plus goes the other direction — and I think that's a good thing. It's noticeably more compact and lighter. The body is matte rather than glossy, and it's more contoured to the shape of your hand. I found it far easier to manoeuvre around my face, especially on the jawline and neck. It doesn't feel cheap; it feels refined and practical.
For everyday use, I'd pick the Plus just on comfort alone. The original still wins on that initial "wow, this feels expensive" impression, but after a week with the Plus, I prefer the lighter, more nimble design.
The Big One: Adjustment Wheel vs Slider
This is the feature divide.
This is the zoom wheel from the original Beard hedger
The original Beard Hedger uses a zoom wheel — a little dial on the side that scrolls through 20 settings from 0.5mm to 10mm in 0.5mm increments. I loved that wheel. I still do. It's satisfying to use, it's precise, and it gave the original Beard Hedger a unique personality that no other trimmer on my shelf has.
The Beard Hedger Plus replaces that wheel with a Quick-Adjust Slider. You slide it up and down to choose your length setting, from 1mm to 20mm across two comb attachments.
The new Manscaped Beard Hedger Plus is more compact with a slider instead of a wheel.
Is the slider worse? Honestly, no. It's different. The wheel had charm; the slider is faster and more practical for daily use. I adapted to it immediately. I didn't miss the wheel during a trim. I only missed it when I stopped to think about it.
For a man who trims quickly in the morning and just wants the job done, the slider is probably the better user experience. For a man who enjoys the ritual of grooming and wants the more premium, tactile feel, the wheel still has the edge.
Trimming Range: 10mm vs 20mm
This is the single biggest functional improvement on the Plus.
The original Beard Hedger maxes out at 10mm. For my short beard — I keep it around 2mm — that was never a problem. But if you wear a fuller beard, or you like more length on the chin and jawline, 10mm is limiting. You'd need a separate clipper just for the longer sections, which defeats the point of having one trimmer.
The Beard Hedger Plus comes with two sturdy, easy-to-swap combs that take you all the way up to 20mm. That opens it up to a much wider range of beard styles. It's not just a short-beard trimmer anymore. It's a proper all-rounder.
The combs themselves are well made — they click on securely and don't wobble mid-trim. That matters because a loose comb leads to uneven results. No such problems here.
Me, holding the original Manscaped Beard Hedger
Trimming Performance
Both trimmers deliver a clean, even cut. I tested the Plus mainly at 2mm, which is my usual length, and the result was actually neater than what I typically get from the original. The more compact body gave me better control, and I needed fewer passes over the same area. The moustache zone needed a little extra attention, but that's true of every trimmer I've ever used.
The original Beard Hedger has a 7,200 RPM motor that's noticeably powerful. It cuts through thick growth in a single stroke most of the time. The Plus is quieter and feels slightly less aggressive, but I didn't find it underpowered. For daily or every-other-day trimming, it's more than capable.
On the neck and cheek lines, I used both trimmers without the comb. The Plus is easier to angle and more precise around the curves of the face. The original is still good, but the compact design of the Plus makes a real difference here.
Battery, Charging, and Features
Both trimmers give you 60 minutes of runtime, which is plenty for regular beard maintenance. Both charge via USB-C, which I appreciate — no proprietary cables to lose.
The original has a tri-level charge indicator. The Plus has a battery level light that's clear and useful. I slightly prefer the Plus here because the light is more intuitive.
The new Beard Hedger Plus has a battery indicator and a clever travel lock.
The original comes with a hard-shell travel case, which is excellent if you take your trimmer on the road. The Plus doesn't include a case, but it does have a travel lock — something the original lacks. Swings and roundabouts. I'd still like a case for the Plus, but the travel lock at least stops it switching on in your wash bag.
Both are IPX7 waterproof, so rinsing them under the tap is easy. I trim dry and clean wet — works perfectly.
Which One Should You Buy?
Here's the honest, no-nonsense breakdown.
Get the original Beard Hedger if:
You love the feel of a heavier, premium tool.
That zoom wheel appeals to you — and trust me, it's genuinely satisfying.
You keep your beard short (10mm max) and don't need more length.
You want the hard travel case and the full premium unboxing experience.
I am holding the packaging of the new Beard Hedger Plus
Get the Beard Hedger Plus if:
You want something lighter, more compact, and easier to handle daily.
You need more than 10mm of trimming range — up to 20mm gives you real flexibility.
You prefer a quick slider over a wheel for speed.
You want the travel lock and don't mind not having a case.
You're looking for the better-value, more practical everyday trimmer.
Personally, for my short beard and simple routine, I'd pick the Plus. It's the one I reach for more often because it's easier to live with. The original is still the premium choice, but the Plus fits my life better.
FAQ: Manscaped Beard Hedger vs Beard Hedger Plus
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Not better — different. The original Beard Hedger feels more premium, has that excellent zoom wheel, and comes with a hard case. The Beard Hedger Plus is more compact, easier to handle, goes up to 20mm instead of 10mm, and adds a travel lock.
For daily practicality and beard-length flexibility, the Plus wins. For luxury feel and tactile satisfaction, the original still leads.
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If your beard is very long — several centimetres or more — neither trimmer is ideal as the only tool. But the Beard Hedger Plus handles up to 20mm, which is enough for a fuller, well-shaped beard.
The original Beard Hedger stops at 10mm, so it is better for short beards and medium stubble. If you have a truly long beard, I would use a dedicated clipper for the bulk and either Beard Hedger for shaping, detailing and finishing.
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No, it does not feel cheap. I thought I would miss the wheel, and I still like it, but the slider on the Beard Hedger Plus is fast, intuitive and solid enough in daily use.
The wheel is more satisfying. The slider is quicker. After a week of using the Plus, I did not find myself constantly reaching for the original just to get the wheel back. The slider does the job with no fuss.
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The original Beard Hedger comes with a hard-shell travel case, which is excellent, but it does not have a travel lock. The Beard Hedger Plus has a travel lock, so it should not switch on in your wash bag, but no case is included.
If I had to pick one for a trip, I would take the Plus. It is lighter, more compact and has the travel lock. I would just put it in a small pouch. The original case is lovely, but the trimmer itself is chunkier.
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For short beards, both are very good. I keep my beard around 2mm, and both trimmers handle that easily.
The original gives you more precise small adjustments from 0.5mm to 10mm, which is great if you like fine control. The Plus starts at 1mm but feels easier to manoeuvre around the jawline, neck and moustache area. For my own short beard, I now reach for the Plus more often because it is quicker and easier to handle.
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Only if you want the extra trimming range, the smaller body and the travel lock. If you already own the original Beard Hedger and you keep your beard short, you probably do not need to rush out and replace it.
But if you sometimes want more length, find the original a bit chunky, or want a more practical daily trimmer, the Beard Hedger Plus makes sense. It does not make the original obsolete. It simply gives you a more flexible and easier-to-live-with version.
The Bottom Line
The Beard Hedger Plus doesn't replace the original. It sits alongside it as the more practical, more flexible option for men who want a compact daily trimmer with a longer cutting range. The original remains the premium choice — heavier, glossier, and with that wonderful zoom wheel that still puts a smile on my face.
For me, with a short beard and a preference for tools that get out of my way and let me get on with my morning, the Plus is the smarter buy. But if you want the most premium beard trimming experience Manscaped makes, the original is still right there waiting.
Both are excellent. You just need to decide what matters more: luxury feel or everyday practicality.
Read my full in‑depth reviews: [Manscaped Beard Hedger review] and [Manscaped Beard Hedger Plus review].
— Jerome
About the author: I'm Jerome, founder of Dapper & Groomed. I've spent the past 13 years testing and reviewing fragrances, grooming products, and men's lifestyle gear on this blog and on my YouTube channel. My reviews are never approved or previewed by brands — just honest, real-world testing from a dad who's been at this since 2013.
