It’s true that a fair whack of the multimillion-pound grooming industry is smoke and mirrors (what even is a triple hyaluronic cold plasma night cream?), but there are certain products (in this case of the electrical kind) proven to be more essential than snake oil.
We’re not alone in our thinking, either. In fact, according to one survey published in a consumer tech magazine, a third of men would rather spend time playing with new gizmos than being with their other half.
Far be it for us to want to be responsible for any form of marital disharmony, below you will find ten grooming devices worth checking out. And if you do end up single because of the recommendations, at least you’ll be attractive and single.
Beard Trimmer
Without something to keep whispy whiskers neat and tidy at home, you run the risk of bankrupting yourself at the barbers. Or worse, being mistaken for someone who spends most of their free time scrawling stickmen on cave walls.
But just any old beard trimmer won’t do. You want something that gets the job done (and well), with the battery power to tackle full face fuzz in one go and enough guards to taper in all the right places. Guys who like to keep their beards in-check every few days should also look for bonus features like a vacuum that sucks up the hairs or laser guides for precision.
Electric Toothbrush
The most important thing with a toothbrush is that you have one (duh) and that you know how to use it properly. After all, research by dating site Match found that more than half of singles rank nice gnashers as the most important characteristic about a potential mate.
There are lots of reasons to opt for electric over manual. For starters, they’re better at removing plaque and reducing the chances of gum disease. They also make the whole job much less of a pain in the neck (wrist?) with everything from basic timers and pressure gauges to Bluetooth apps, which means you’re probably more likely to clean your teeth when all you want to do is collapse straight into bed.
Cleansing Brush
Up until 2018, the majority of exfoliators contained tiny bits of plastic known as microbeads. Can you imagine? Why don’t you just punch a turtle in the face before getting in the shower?
A cleansing brush is a much better way of sloughing dead skin cells from your face. Not only do they have the added benefit of boosting circulation to the surface of the skin, improving its overall appearance, they’re also particularly good for guys with facial hair, allowing you to reach the skin beneath your beard and prevent painful ingrown hairs.
Detail Trimmer
In this day and age, it’s just not okay to go about your daily business with unruly tufts unfurling from your facial orifices. If you can see it, so can everyone else. So stop.
Here to help keep your mild case of hypertrichosis in check is a whole host of micro-trimmers designed specifically for trimming noses, ears and eyebrows. And as you might expect from something with the sole purpose of cutting tiny amounts of hair, there isn’t a whole lot to it – just make sure yours is of a reputable enough make not to nick.
Hairdryer
We know what you’re thinking A hairdryer? Really? Isn’t a few vigorous towel rubs enough? To which we’d respond, have you ever tried sculpting a quiff with a bath towel?
Important for shaping voluminous looks, a hairdryer isn’t so much an expressway to get the wet out, as the tool you need to sculpt your highest hairstyles. They’re worth a look if you’ve got short hair too, as they can also help to create texture and structure that can be set in place with a styling product. Just don’t fall victim to high-end hairdryers and their Ferrari motors. Look for models that combine dual speed and heat settings with ionic technology that breaks down water molecules without sapping moisture.
Electric Flosser
Despite a 2016 report claiming there is no benefit to flossing, most health experts agree that you still need to clean between your teeth if you don’t want to end up with corn kernels hanging out of your gums.
While the OG stringy stuff works perfectly well, an oral irrigator makes committing to the cause a lot easier. Electric flossers, as they’re otherwise known, work by firing jets of water or mouthwash between your teeth, getting rid of left behind debris from that lunchtime burrito and giving you a smile David Gandy would be jealous of.
Combs & Brushes
The least technical of all grooming ‘gadgets‘, many men seem to operate under the misconception that combs and brushes exist only for the opposite sex, or for guys who wear their hair slicked back or to the side. But unless your fingers are somehow miraculously spindlier than either, there’s a fair chance you could benefit from owning a few.
There are myriad types out there – folding and non-folding, rounded and flat, ones for your beard, ones for your hair – so take the time to consider which you need and how to use them. (And no, holding a nail in place when hanging a picture doesn’t count.)
Manicure Set
No one expects you to carve out time for twice-monthly manicures. If anything, there’s something a little too Patrick Bateman about a pair of perfectly manicured mitts.
Still, a good manicure set has a place in even the most spartan of bathroom cabinets. Comprising nail scissors, tweezers, nail clippers and a nail file, it’s like a penknife for looking polished.
Wash Bag
Not a gadget or tool per se, but crucial nonetheless. (Where else were you planning on stashing all your new gizmos?) A wash bag helps keep bathroom clutter in check whether at home or when traveling.
Swerve the cheaper came-with-the-gift-set options and instead opt for infinitely more stylish leather or canvas styles that are every bit as considered as what’s stowed inside.
Body Trimmer
Manscaping is so commonplace these days that it’s hard to imagine a time when there weren’t gizmos available to make the removal of unwanted body hair a cinch.
While the razor might be patient zero when it comes to fur removers, a body trimmer is the easiest (and safest) ways to achieve a smooth torso, allowing you to trim or completely remove unwanted hair at the push of a button. With a pubic trim thought to add an extra optical inch ‘downstairs,’ it may be your soundest investment yet.
