Wahl Aqua Blade Beard & Stubble Trimmer review: a solid beard trimmer that excels at close cutting

The Wahl Aqua Blade beard and stubble trimmer is the latest in a long line of quality Wahl shaving products, offering long battery life, quick charging, and the ability to give a very close shave, down to just 0.2mm.

Of course, competition is tough to get the crown of the best beard trimmer, which we currently rate as the Philips BT9000 Prestige, but the Wahl Aqua Blade is definitely up to the job and offers some pretty compelling features for its price.

The Aqua Blade also has the distinction of being able to cut head hair, making it a versatile trimmer and hair clipper, alongside a completely waterproof design, to allow for wet and dry shaving – good news for anyone who shaves in the shower.

In recent years, Wahl has expanded its consumer range, bringing barbershop-quality performance into the home, like the Wahl Rapid Clip. The Aqua Blade is one of its top trimmers, designed for those who want a versatile and powerful trimmer without the hassle of multiple devices.

But does it live up to the hype? Wahl has a strong reputation in the grooming world, but the Aqua Blade is up against stiff competition from the likes of Philips, Braun, and Remington. To find out, we put the Wahl Aqua Blade through its paces over the past few weeks.

Wahl Aqua Blade review: price and availability

The Wahl Aqua Blade Wet/Dry Stubble & Beard Trimmer is currently available in the UK for £59.99, discounted from its original price of £94.99, directly through Wahl's website. You can also purchase it from various retailers, including Amazon, ASOS, and Argos.

In the United States, the trimmer costs $69.99 and can be bought from Wahl's U.S. website. While specific pricing for the EU and Australia isn't readily available, we advise checking local retailers or Wahl's regional websites for the most accurate information.

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Wahl Aqua Blade review: unboxing and set-up

The Aqua Blade arrives in a pretty standard box with the trimmer in a plastic pouch and then its 14 combs in another, plus a proprietary charger, a sleek black travel case, and the usual instruction manuals.

The blades range from 0.2mm to 25mm and cover all of the usual increments in between depending on the closeness of shave you're after. There's also a handy little brush for cleaning the Aqua Blade.

The trimmer itself only has an on/off switch and is comfortable to hold in the hand. The self-sharpening blade easily clicks onto the trimmer body, and we had no issues setting it up. Anyone who is familiar with beard trimmers will find the Aqua Blade intuitive from the get-go.

Wahl had charged up the Aqua Blade and so we could get right into shaving.

Wahl Aqua Blade review: design and features

The Wahl Aqua Blade trimmer has a pretty straightforward design, featuring a black plastic body with chrome-coloured accents. The company seems to have adopted an "if it's not broken" motto and, well, it's not broken.

While the trimmer is lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle, the fact it's made of plastic might lead some users to feel its less premium than other options on the market that utilise a metal body, but that really comes down to personal preference.

In terms of accessories, as we just discussed, the Aqua Blade comes with 16 individual guide combs, offering cutting lengths from 0.2mm to 25mm.

While this provides a wide range of styling options, having to switch between multiple combs can be cumbersome compared to trimmers that feature an adjustable comb mechanism, like the Philips Series 7000.

Wahl's travel pouch is functional but made from a relatively thin material, which may not offer substantial protection during travel, so try and avoid any knocks.

The trimmer is fully waterproof, allowing for convenient use in the shower and easy cleaning under running water. Its soft-touch rubber non-slip grip ensures it remains secure in hand, even when wet.

The precision-ground stainless steel blades are designed to cut 60% closer than standard trimmer blades, aiming to provide a close shave without the irritation often associated with traditional razors.

Charging happens via a standard plug charger, and the trimmer boasts a substantial 180-minute run time on a full 60-minute charge, thanks to its lithium-ion battery. For quick touch-ups, a 1-minute quick charge provides approximately three minutes of use.

Wahl Aqua Blade review: performance

In my testing, the Wahl Aqua Blade delivers a decent trim, but it’s not without its quirks. For shorter beards and stubble, like mine, it works well: the ultra-close blade cuts cleanly, and I was able to get a sharp, defined shape around the edges of my beard.

The 0.2mm cutting length really does get impressively close to the skin, but I wouldn’t say it’s as smooth as a wet razor shave. It’s ideal if you like the “permanent five o’clock shadow” look without going fully clean-shaven.

However, when I tried trimming down longer facial hair, I noticed it wasn’t quite as comfortable. The blades occasionally pulled and snagged, especially when I was trimming denser areas like my chin and upper neck.

Using it to sculpt around my mouth and jawline was fairly easy, though. The trimmer is lightweight and manoeuvrable, so I could get precise lines without much trouble. The rubberised grip helps maintain control, even when using it in the shower, although I personally prefer shaving over a sink.

I did find that, for longer beard styles, it didn’t glide as smoothly as I’d like. Even with the included guide combs, it struggled a little to cut evenly without needing multiple passes, which isn’t ideal if you’re in a rush.

Comfort-wise, the Aqua Blade is best suited to short to mid-length beards rather than big, bushy styles, where an electric shaver might be more appropriate.

After trimming, my skin felt a little sensitive, though not irritated, and it didn’t cause any noticeable redness, but I wouldn’t call it the gentlest trimmer I’ve used. In terms of noise, it’s also not the quietest, but it’s not excessively loud either – about what I’d expect from a powerful lithium-ion trimmer.

The motor feels strong, which is great for a close cut, but it’s definitely not as smooth as some premium competitors like the Philips Series 7000.

I also tested it while traveling, and while the travel lock is a handy feature, the bulky-ish charger was a bit inconvenient. It’s not the biggest trimmer out there, but I would have preferred a USB charging option.

The trimmer is maybe on the louder side, but nothing that is too noticeable.

The blades have held up well so far, and Wahl’s lifetime blade guarantee is reassuring. Having to oil the blades frequently might put some people off.

Wahl Aqua Blade review: verdict

In my testing, I found the Wahl Aqua Blade to be a solid trimmer with some impressive features, particularly its ultra-close cutting blade and long battery life.

For stubble maintenance and short beards, it does a great job, offering sharp, precise trimming and enough power to get through a full grooming session without stopping. The fully waterproof design is also a big plus.

However, for longer, thicker beards, it’s not the most comfortable option: the blades can snag and pull, and the multiple guide combs feel a bit clunky compared to adjustable-length trimmers.

When compared to competitors like the Philips BT9000 Prestige, the Aqua Blade delivers good value for its price, but it doesn’t feel quite as premium or smooth in operation.

If you want a close trim, versatility for wet and dry use, and a strong battery, it’s a great pick. But if you have a longer beard or prefer an ultra-smooth trimming experience, you might be better off with a model designed specifically for heavier facial hair.

Wahl Aqua Blade review: Alternatives to consider

If the Wahl Aqua Blade doesn't quite hit the spot, the Philips BT9000 Prestige is a premium choice with a sleek steel design, adjustable rotary dial, and smooth, precise trimming.

The BT9000 offers a comfortable shave with minimal irritation, making it ideal for those who want a high-end, durable trimmer with settings ranging from 0.4mm to 10mm. While it comes at a higher price, its build quality and ease of use make it a strong competition.

For a more affordable and versatile option, the Braun Beard Trimmer 7 offers reliable performance with a lightweight design and varied attachments for different beard lengths. It’s a solid choice for those looking for a well-rounded trimmer, but some may find its attachments less premium and the two-pin charger slightly inconvenient.