Today, I’m going to be bringing you the most budget-friendly beard trimming tool that arrives with a full kit – including a separate nose hair trimmer – it’s the Wahl Groomsman!
While most kits like this cost almost 1.5 times its price, Wahl has vowed to honor their consumers who don’t want to spend the extra and yet remain connected to their brand.
Let me clarify one thing, Wahl Groomsman isn’t made with top-tier material and from the first touch, you’ll know that there are certain compromises to the quality.
This Wahl Groomsman review is going to show you exactly how much this device is capable of and where you should draw the line in terms of expectations!
“Wahl Groomsman is your ideal budget & entry-level beard trimmer that comes with a wide variety of accessories. It looks good, feels sharp and bridges the gap between groomers and brands with an affordable price point!”
Unboxing Wahl Groomsman
Don’t expect anything special from the package design when it comes to the Wahl Groomsman since it comes inside a typical, brown box with no photo.
The only way you can make sure from the outside is through the printed ‘Wahl Groomsman’ text by the brand – speaks of the budget-grade production.
When you open the box from the flat side, you’ll locate everything stashed inside side by side with no particular holder or crevice.
However, it’s great that both the beard and nose trimmers are protected by plastic wrappers and the package material is robust enough to keep things safe while shipping.
What’s Inside the Box: Wahl Groomsman Trimmer, 1 Nose Hair Trimmer, 1 Adjustable Comb, 7 Fixed-Length Combs, 1 Hair Comb, 1 Charging Adapter, 2 Blade Guards, 1 Cleaning Brush, 1 Lubricant, User Manual.
Specifications: Wahl Groomsman, 5622v
Before heading into the detailed discussion, first we should take a dive into the technical specifications for the Wahl Groomsman.
- Dimensions: 15.4 x 2.8 x 2.5 cm
- Weight: 4.6 Ounces
- Colors: 1 (Silver & Black)
- Blade Type: Precision Ground
- Blade Material: High Carbon Steel
- Blade Teeth Gap: Zero-overlapped
- Accessories: 15
- Motor Power: Approx. 3,000 RPM
- Waterproof: No
- Battery Indicator: Charging Light
- Battery Runtime: 35-40 Minutes
Wahl Groomsman: Standout Features
This section will give you a broad idea of the features in this Wahl Groomsman and how much to expect from this handy device.
Shiny Silver Aesthetics
From the word go, you’ll definitely find the housing design alluring with the silver tone and reflecting handle.
It’s very compact and the duotone between silver and black gives it a more unique aesthetic touch – something that’s very rare in entry-level tools.
The black portion is the rubberized area at the bottom half which aims to support your grip levels.
One issue I’ve encountered with the handle design is the modality of the power slider – you have to press down the tiny notch to release the locking mechanism and only then it slides around. It feels finicky to say the least.
Tiny, Rubberized Grip
Due to the compact handle design, different grip patterns are made possible with the Wahl Groomsman, from a full grip to a pen hold for precision trimming.
As mentioned earlier, the rubber patch enhances the quality of grip and despite being shiny, the silver portion does retain grip due to the plastic material and curved design.
All in all, I faced no issue with the quality of grip and the affordable price point isn’t reflected in this particular department.
Budget Build Quality
While most of Wahl’s beard trimmers are crafted with lasting materials, it hasn’t translated to Wahl Groomsman to cut down on the production cost.
Everything from the outer shell, blade, motor or battery are old-school and somewhat compromised.
But with proper maintenance and care, this device could actually last you a few years – you’ll only need to replace the blades every 6 months.
Super Light Weight
One of the factors that render the Groomsman portable is its extremely light weight – only 4.6 ounces, classifying this tool among the most travel-friendly gadgets.
This weight allows you to grab it at any given angle, even with only three fingers for prolonged durations without fatiguing yourself.
Elderly groomers or ones with any sort of medical conditions will definitely find it to be highly useful in varied circumstances.
Average Blade Sharpness
You might be surprised to learn that the blades in Wahl Groomsman are zero-overlapped – stainless steel Precision Ground Blade unit.
Although it’s not the perfect tool for bulk removal of different beard textures, fine or average-density beard bodies can harness the blade’s prowess.
Other than trimming out different stubble lengths, you might try using it for edge up duties, but the outcomes aren’t always neat and crispy due to the particular blade teeth arrangement.
Generic Motor Power
As expected, the Wahl Groomsman motor isn’t something extraordinary and this too has contributed to the limited functionality of overall trimming.
Wahl never mentioned how much this motor torques up, but I don’t think it ever exceeds 3,000 RPM with a full battery, depleted batteries perform even worse.
The ideal consumer group who can benefit from this motor power would be ones who don’t prefer bulk trims through coarse, textured beards and precision trims.
15 Accessories Kit
There are tons of accessories inside the package for Wahl Groomsman, including a separate nose hair trimmer that seems like a miniature version, and runs with a triple A battery.
Other than that, different types of guide combs let you try out stubble or even side hair lengths between 1/16 inch to 1/2 inch at a total of 14 lengths.
The guard types can be split into three categories: Adjustable, Stubble and Generic.
These guards aren’t the most premium but they do get the job done for most parts. Just don’t expect these to work perfectly over longer hair.
40-Minute Battery Life
Wahl has claimed that the Groomsman is able to run for 60 minutes with a full charge. But in actuality, I found out only 40 minutes of usable runtime can be squeezed out from it.
It has to do with the NiMH battery unit’s limited capacity and a cost-cutting venture by the brand. Yet, you’ll still be able to harness cordless functionalities for a considerable amount of time.
There’s no low battery warning or a generic battery level indicator. The only thing you’ll get is an LED light to notify you whether the Groomsman has been fully charged.
Corded Use – Not Washable
Those who are concerned about its battery life should know that Wahl Groomsman is fully capable of corded use – having the charging adapter connected to it should suffice.
I’m not a big fan of such a method as the cord connector to the beard trimmer isn’t the tightest one and the 2.4 meter cord is somewhat thin if durability is considered.
Another thing to note is that the Groomsman is not a waterproof beard trimmer – thus damp trimming or washing the blades should not be considered.
What I Like
- Good aesthetics with highly functional grip
- Durability is better than it’s price point
- Offers tons of accessories inside the package
What Could be Better
- Blade & motor have limited functionality
- Battery life is not up to standard but sufficient for a full grooming session
My Experience with Wahl Groomsman
In case you’re wondering how the Groomsman feels to use in real-life conditions, this section will tell you all about it in great detail!
Trimming Closeness
While I tried out the Groomsman with no guard, directly against the skin, the closeness level fails to match the ones of refined zero-gapped devices.
You’ll be left with a 4 o’clock shadow after a complete grooming session. It’s good enough for stubble trimming in my opinion, but lacks in the precision trimming department.
One area it excels at is mustache grooming because of the narrow blade unit and compact handle, allowing you to make precise strokes at tighter facial hair bodies.
Skin Comfort
Wahl Groomsman didn’t feel like the most comfortable grooming tool to use, especially on the neck or sensitive parts of your skin.
It has to do with the blade teeth design and alignment – the edges are too serrated and the fringes lack the roundness it deserves.
That said, I had even less expectations considering its price points. Other than this, I faced no other issue regarding skin comfort, even on my mustache or jawline.
Speed of Grooming
The efficiency department is not the strongest suit for the Groomsman due to the limited sharpness of blade, average motor power and a battery unit that just doesn’t seem to support all of this.
While I managed to make its way around long beard grooming, I have to concede – Groomsman is not cut for that.
If you apply it on a shorter beard for even trims or maintaining a mustache, the speed of operation feels tolerable. However, you should expect limited efficiency over coarse or textured facial hair.
Versatile Use
I won’t call the Groomsman the most versatile device there is out there and even the Multigroom 3000 outclasses it at times in this regard.
But you can still take care of different stubble lengths, treat your hair sides or sideburns, groom your mustache while you’re at it.
Devices priced at this point are generally more specific and niche, but Groomsman seems to have transcended that limitation into becoming a relatively more versatile grooming tool in the market.
Accessories & Attachment
The accessories like the different guards provided inside the package have been easy to attach, detach or even discern which size they are.
These guards are not the most comfortable to glide against your skin but they get the job done as long as you don’t apply excessive pressure.
If you have the demand for a nose hair trimmer, you might find its separate device useful. Otherwise the nose hair trimmer won’t add much to your grooming routines.
Cleaning & Maintenance
All of the cleaning jobs for the Groomsman are to be conducted without involving water – meaning, no wash or rinse is possible.
For basic cleaning, you can use the cleaning brush provided with the device and brush out the hair particles between the blade teeth.
If you want a more thorough cleansing, you could use an alcohol pad or a disinfectant with a cloth rag to mop the blade as well as the handle once per week.
As per additional maintenance, applying a couple drops of lubricant after each cleaning session and turning the trimmer on for 10 seconds should enhance trimming quality and extend durability.
How I Tested the Wahl Groomsman?
I usually take a much invested approach while testing a budget-friendly beard trimmer because these are the devices that attract a larger group of consumers in general.
The inspection began with close observation of the handle and the blade – how much these succumb to pressure and the absolute limit you can push them to.
Then I clocked the battery life, tested out the motor’s capability through different beard textures and growths, with an additional performance test of each guide comb.
All in all, I’d have to say that the Groomsman has passed all the necessary assessments to be featured among my recommendations, but you still have to retain a realistic expectation given the price.
What I Like
- Great for stubble grooming even without the guards on
- Skin comfort is commendable – aside from the sensitive parts
- Quite versatile for the price considering all the accessories
What Could be Better
- Not ideal for long, coarse or textured facial hair
Who is the Wahl Groomsman for?
To be straightforward, Wahl Groomsman is for those who spend the bare minimum for a cordless beard trimmer with a full kit of accessories.
It’ll help the mentioned consumers maintain their shorter beard, groom the side hair to some extent and even trim the hair of children should it be a requirement.
Another set of groomers who should consider buying the Groomsman are travelers – it’s easy to pack and supports international usage – other than the fact that it’s cheap and thus safer to carry around.
The most alluring part is that you won’t have to go overboard to buy this and it does have an expected lifespan of over 3 years with proper maintenance, and even more if you’re fortunate.
Wahl Groomsman vs Edge Pro: Finding the Budget-Killer Trimmer
For budget picking of beard trimmers from top-tier brands like Wahl, you have two options that belong to similar price ranges – Wahl Groomsman and Edge Pro.
This section presents the two trimmers side by side in the mode of a battle – Wahl Edge Pro vs Groomsman to briefly give you a contrastive idea.
| Feature | Wahl Groosman | Wahl Edge Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cordless with Corded Use | Corded Beard Trimmer |
| Motor Type | Generic | Rotary |
| Blade Type | Precision Ground Stainless Steel | Zero-Gap T-Blade |
| Ideal for | Bulk Trimming, Stubble & Mustache Grooming | Precision Trimming, Outlining, Stubble, Mustache |
| Crispiness | Less Sharp | Sharp |
| Separate Nose Hair Trimmer | Yes | No |
| Detachable Blade | No | No |
| Noise Level | Quiet | Quieter |
| Guards | 8 | 8 |
There’s little to no similarity between the tools in concern and their major variances are located in the mode of use, blade unit, motor department, expected grooming areas and types of accessories.
Corded or Cordless?
Wahl Groomsman’s charm surfaces with its cordless functionalities as the NiMH battery keeps the motor running for 40 minutes.
Other than that, you can use it with the power adapter connected, thus relentless use can be ensured.
Wahl Edge Pro here is restricted only to its corded use since there’s no battery to support cordless functionalities. The 2.4 cord gives you relentless runtime and sufficient mobility around the groomed individual.
T-Blade against Generic Blade
If you’re more into precision trimming or sharp outcomes on the beard, Wahl Edge Pro would be an excellent choice because of its zero-overlapped T-Blade.
But it’s not as ideal for landing bulk trims as the Groomsman. The latter utilizes a Precision Ground stainless steel blade for broader aspects of grooming.
Between the two, Edge Pro is slightly more comfortable to use but you have to be cautious with your stroking techniques to retain that performance.
Motor Power Mismatch
In terms of motor power, you should expect a corded device like the Edge Pro to hold the ‘edge’ of raw performance over the Groomsman.
It manages to trim out every facial hair texture or coarseness like a knife through butter – something the Groomsman struggles to maintain.
Groomsman is mostly meant for fine, short facial hair. The limited power, even when connected to the power adapter, fails to address thicker hair.
Grooming Areas
These two Wahl devices are actually meant for very specific types of uses that are very different from one another.
Groomsman is the more capable tool for bulk trimming your beard at particular lengths since the blade teeth have the depth to pull off such a feat.
On the other hand, Edge Pro’s narrow T-Blade can craft out the crispiest outlines and help you refine your beard or hair body. In short, one is a starter and the other a finisher in beard styling.
Accessories Difference
Although the two devices are presented with 8 guide combs each for the consumers, Groomsman offers ones that are more versatile in nature, not to mention the nose hair trimmer.
Edge Pro guards cater more toward shorter beard trimming and maintenance. Due to the type of blade unit used, you’ll get less depth with a guard on as the outcomes will leave a lot to be desired.
In terms of build quality, it seems like the Edge Pro guards are kinder on your skin as opposed to the bulky, sharp Groomsman guards.
Verdict: While both of these Wahl trimmers are affordable, Groomsman is the flagbearer for cordless use and bulk trimming – versatile to some extent but doesn’t cater to coarse beard textures.
Wahl Edge Pro is one that’s more powerful and has the ability to groom diverse types of facial hair. It’s more durable and long-lasting, but a very niche, precision trimming tool that’s restricted by a permanent cord.
FAQ
Some of the important and unanswered questions regarding Wahl Groomsman can be found under the following FAQ section.
Q: How long does the Wahl Groomsman take to charge?
Ans: The charging time for Wahl Groomsman is a major setback for the trimmer. From close to nil, the Groomsman takes about 8-10 hours for a full recharge, the bottleneck caused by the older NiMH battery unit. The charging light will notify you once it’s fully charged and you can still use the trimmer in the meantime, connected to power.
Q: Is this Groomsman good for travel/international voltage?
Ans: Yes! Wahl Groomsman offers worldwide voltage of 110-220V which makes it functional at any given part of the world. While the 40 minute battery life might discourage you from taking it as a travel companion, such global voltage and corded functionality render this compact tool a handy device for the cause!
Q: What are the warranty options for Wahl Groomsman?
Ans: The warranty options for Wahl Groomsman might vary depending on your location and vendor. In general, Wahl offers between 3-5 years of official warranty and certain vendors allocate a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. You should check with your particular vendor about these before making the purchase.
Verdict
The home groomers will definitely find this Wahl Groomsman review enlightening and definitely thought provoking to a certain extent.
A large selling point for this tool is its good-looking, lightweight handle that supports cordless use and the perfect entry-level tool for regular beard maintenance.
With proper care and maintenance, you can make the Groomsman last for the coming years and squeeze the most out of your investment.
Having a complete kit spares you the trouble of additional purchases, other than the blade replacement generally conducted every 6 months on average.
| Score | |
| Beard Trimming | 4.7 |
| Outlining | 4.5 |
| Accessories | 4.7 |
| Motor Power | 4.6 |
| Maneuverability | 4.8 |
| Overall Comfort | 4.6 |
| Overall | 4.65 |
| Verdict
Wahl Groomsman comes off as a bulk trimming, cordless and fancy-looking beard trimmer that’s portable, offers tons of accessories and a great value for its price – a perfect device for regular home use. |
|