Grooming gifts for him, from trimmers to proper skincare
The bathroom-shelf upgrades he keeps putting off, from a better trimmer to skincare that isn’t just shower gel.
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Plenty of men are still using the trimmer they were given years ago, a blunt pair of nail clippers and whichever shower gel was on offer. That makes grooming one of the easier things to buy for: almost everything here is an upgrade he’ll notice the first morning he uses it.
The trimmers, shavers, toothbrush and massagers come from our top lists, where we compared the main options side by side. The rest are smaller things that round out a wash bag.
A beard trimmer
££ Mid-range
For anyone with a beard or long stubble, a trimmer that holds its length setting makes the weekly tidy-up quick and even.
Our pick
9.0/10
Braun Series 5 Beard Trimmer BT5525
££ £15–£40
Forty lengths in half-millimetre steps, a wheel that locks in place, and up to two hours of cordless trimming.
- 40 lengths, 0.5mm steps
- PrecisionLock and PrecisionWheel
- Up to 120 min cordless
- 100% waterproof
- Styling tools for edges
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use and love the fine length control. They think it looks good and is good value.
Heads up: It comes with a two-pin charger for a bathroom shaver socket, so an adaptor is needed for a normal plug.
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A closer look: The lock stops the length wheel turning by accident mid-trim, which is how most beards get an unplanned bald patch. Being fully waterproof, it can be rinsed under the tap afterwards. A two-hour battery means it goes on holiday without the charger.
An electric shaver
£££ Treat
For the clean-shaven, a good rotary shaver saves time on busy mornings, and this one can be used wet or dry.
Our pick
9.0/10
Philips Series 3000 Wet & Dry Electric Shaver
£££ Over £40
Heads that pivot and flex with the jaw, 27 self-sharpening blades, and it works with foam in the shower too.
- 27 self-sharpening blades
- 5D pivot and flex heads
- Wet & dry
- SkinProtect for comfort
- Travel pouch
What owners say: Owners say it gives an incredibly smooth shave, holds its charge well, and is easy to clean and to change the heads.
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A closer look: Rotary heads follow the jaw and neck well, which makes them a good fit for someone moving from a razor. It can be used in the shower with foam or gel. It charges from any USB plug, so it travels light.
A OneBlade for stubble
££ Mid-range
For designer stubble: it trims to an even length, tidies the edges and can shave clean on days he wants a fresh look.
Our pick
8.8/10
Philips OneBlade 360 Face + Body
££ £15–£40
Three stubble combs, a flexing blade and a body comb, so one tool covers face and body.
- Trims, edges and shaves
- 360° flexing blade
- 3 stubble combs (1, 3, 5mm)
- Body comb and skin guard
- 3 blades in the box
What owners say: Owners rate it very highly for performance and ease of use, and like that it works on face and body.
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A closer look: It’s designed to cut hair rather than skin, which is why it suits faces that hate shaving. Three blades in the box will last a good while. It suits the man who keeps permanent stubble rather than a clean shave.
A hair and beard trimmer kit
£££ Treat
Clippers, a beard trimmer and a nose trimmer in one kit: handy for anyone who tidies his own hair between barber visits.
Our pick
8.8/10
Braun Series 7 All-in-One Style Kit MGK7410 (10-in-1)
£££ Over £40
Ten tools with a charging stand and 100 minutes of cordless running, and it adjusts its power for thick hair.
- 10 tools in one kit
- Beard trimmer and hair clippers
- AutoSense adapts to thick hair
- 100 min cordless
- Charging stand and pouch
What owners say: Owners like how well it works and how many heads and tools come with it, and say the battery lasts. They think it’s good value.
Heads up: The charger has a two-pin plug, so it needs a bathroom shaver socket or an adaptor.
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A closer look: It’s the one to pick for someone who cuts his own hair as well as his beard, as the clipper guards save trips to the barber between cuts. The stand keeps everything together on a shelf. It’s waterproof, so the heads can be rinsed after use.
An electric toothbrush
£££ Treat
The upgrade most people keep meaning to make, with a pressure sensor that gently tells him off for scrubbing too hard.
Our pick
9.1/10
Oral-B iO2 Electric Toothbrush (with travel case)
£££ Over £40
Quiet and simple to use, and it lights up red when he presses too hard. Comes with a travel case.
- Oral-B iO cleaning
- Pressure sensor
- Quiet
- Long-lasting battery
- Travel case
What owners say: Owners say it gets teeth really clean, is worth the price, and like the travel case.
Heads up: It comes with a two-pin charger, so a UK three-pin adaptor is needed away from a bathroom shaver socket.
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A closer look: The red light is the useful part: most people press too hard, and the brush slows down to tell them. One button keeps it simple for anyone switching from a manual brush. The travel case means it can go away for the weekend without the charger.
A mini massage gun
£££ Treat
For runners, cyclists and five-a-side regulars, a few minutes on tight calves and quads after a session feels great.
Our pick
9.3/10
Bob and Brad Q2 Mini Massage Gun
£££ Over £40
Small enough for a kit bag and quiet enough for the living room, with five heads for different muscles.
- Phone-sized, 0.43kg
- 5 speeds, 5 heads
- USB-C charging
- Under 40dB
- Travel case
What owners say: Owners are surprised by how much power there is in something so small. It’s easy to hold, the battery lasts, and it’s a favourite after a run.
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A closer look: It’s small enough for a kit bag or hand luggage, so it tends to get used after every run or gym session rather than living in a cupboard. It switches itself off after 10 minutes, and a USB-C charger you already own does the charging (there’s no plug in the box). Very bony or sensitive spots are better left to the softer heads.
A neck and shoulder massager
££ Mid-range
For the desk-bound or the long-distance driver: it kneads out tight shoulders while he watches the match.
Our pick
8.8/10
iKristin Shiatsu Shoulder and Neck Massager with Heat
££ £15–£40
Sixteen heads on four rotating nodes, gentle heat, and it works on the lower back as well as the neck.
- 16 heads on 4 3D nodes
- Changes direction every minute
- Optional heat
- 15-minute auto-off
- Home and car chargers
What owners say: Owners say it relieves pain and tension from the lower back to the neck, feel it’s powerful and relaxing, and some sleep better for it. It’s cheaper than a sports massage.
Heads up: Some owners find the heat not very warm.
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A closer look: It works as well laid behind the back in an armchair as it does round the neck. The wipe-clean faux leather keeps it fresh when it’s shared. It turns itself off after 15 minutes, so dozing off isn’t a problem.
A nose and ear trimmer
£ Budget
Nobody buys one for themselves until they need it. A small, useful add-on to a bigger present.
Our pick
8.7/10
Panasonic ER-GN30 Nose, Ear and Facial Hair Trimmer
£ Under £15
A dual-edge blade that cuts from the sides and the top, it’s fully washable, and it runs on a single AA battery, so it travels well.
- Dual-edge blade
- Nose, ears and eyebrows
- Wet and dry, washable
- Rinse-clean system
- Runs on 1 AA battery
What owners say: Owners find it effective and easy to use, like that it rinses clean under the tap, and think it’s good value.
Heads up: A few owners say theirs stopped working after a few months.
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A closer look: Rinsing it under the tap flushes out the clippings without taking the head off. It runs on one AA battery rather than a charger, which makes it handy for a holiday wash bag, so keep a spare battery with it.
A beard care kit
££ Mid-range
Oil, balm and a proper brush and comb in a metal tin: the step up from just trimming that makes a beard look looked-after.
Our pick
9.0/10
Viking Revolution Ultimate Beard Kit
££ £15–£40
Everything in one tin: a boar-bristle brush, a pocket comb, sandalwood oil and balm, and beard scissors.
- Boar-bristle brush
- Double-sided pocket comb
- Sandalwood beard oil and balm
- Beard scissors
- Metal gift tin
What owners say: Owners find it good quality and good value, like the sandalwood scent, and say their beard feels softer and easier to shape.
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A closer look: Brush and comb first, tidy with the scissors, then work a few drops of oil into the beard and the skin underneath, with the balm last to shape it. Sandalwood is a warm, woody scent; for anyone who dislikes fragranced products, an unscented oil is the safer choice.
A skincare gift set
££ Mid-range
For the man whose whole skincare routine is shower gel. Four simple steps, and the washbag it comes in stays useful long after the tubes run out.
Our pick
8.9/10
L’Oréal Men Expert Fully Charged Gift Set
££ £15–£40
A 3-in-1 shower gel, a vitamin C face wash, a 24-hour moisturiser and a sheet mask, packed in a washbag.
- 3-in-1 shower gel
- Vitamin C face wash
- 24H moisturiser
- Sheet mask
- Washbag
What owners say: Owners find it excellent value, say the products leave skin feeling clean and fresh, and think it looks more expensive than it is.
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A closer look: The sheet mask is sized for a man’s face and takes five minutes, so it’s an easy first try at something beyond soap. The moisturiser is non-greasy, which helps it become a habit. A good starter set for an older teenager too.
A hanging wash bag
££ Mid-range
It hangs off a hook or a rail, so everything is in reach in a cramped hotel bathroom. One of those things people only realise they needed once they have one.
Our pick
8.8/10
Bago Hanging Toiletry Bag (X-Large)
££ £15–£40
Roomy enough for full-size bottles, waterproof and wipe-clean, with a hook, mesh pockets and side pockets.
- Hanging hook
- Fits full-size bottles
- Waterproof fabric
- Mesh and side pockets
- Wipe clean
What owners say: Owners find it well made and spacious, with good compartments, and say it’s great for weekends away.
Heads up: Some owners feel it’s on the pricey side for a wash bag.
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A closer look: At about 28 × 26 × 14cm it takes full 500ml bottles, so he can pack the proper stuff rather than travel miniatures. The hook goes over a door, towel rail or shower pole and keeps the bag off a wet counter. It comes in several colours, so check the one you pick before ordering.
A nail clipper set
£ Budget
Proper clippers from a German maker, in a neat case: a small upgrade he’ll use every week.
Our pick
8.8/10
3 Swords Germany Manicure Set (brown case)
£ Under £15
Finger and toe nail clippers, tweezers and a sapphire file: hand-made steel tools from a German maker, neatly cased.
- Finger and toenail clippers
- Tweezers
- Sapphire nail file
- Synthetic leather case
- Gift box
What owners say: Owners find it high quality and compact, say the file and tweezers work well, and think it’s worth the money.
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A closer look: Separate finger and toe clippers are more hygienic than sharing one, and the case (about 11 × 5cm) slips into a wash bag or coat pocket. A quick wipe with the microfibre cloth in the box keeps the steel bright.
Tips for grooming gifts
- Check whether he keeps a beard, stubble or a clean shave before choosing between a trimmer, a OneBlade and a shaver.
- A wet-and-dry shaver can be used with foam or gel, which some men with sensitive skin find more comfortable.
- Several Braun and Oral-B chargers have two-pin bathroom plugs, so a cheap UK adaptor makes a thoughtful extra.
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