Best Trimmer for Balls: Safe, Comfortable Groin Trimmers Ranked

Last updated: February 2026 by Marcus Chen-Williams, Editor-in-Chief

Here is the thing nobody tells you when you search for the best trimmer for balls: most body groomers are not designed for that specific job. They are built for chest hair, arm hair, leg hair. Flat, firm surfaces where the skin stays put. The groin is a completely different situation, with thin, loose skin that standard trimmer blades can grab, pinch, and nick.

We tested eight groin-capable trimmers over four months across our editorial team. Each one was evaluated on the only three things that matter down there: safety (will it nick you), comfort (does it pull or irritate), and performance (does it actually cut cleanly). Some of these tools are genuinely engineered for sensitive areas. Others are regular body groomers with “groin safe” marketing slapped on the box.

This guide tells you which is which.

In a rush? The Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 is our top pick. The Meridian Trimmer is the best value. The full comparison table and detailed reviews are below.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

How We Tested

We tested eight groin-capable trimmers over four months. Each product was evaluated by at least two members of our editorial team with different hair types and densities. All products were purchased independently. No trimmer was provided by a brand.

We scored each trimmer on five criteria:

Safety carries the heaviest weight because a trimmer that nicks you even once in a sensitive area has fundamentally failed its job. Every other feature is secondary to not cutting you.

Detailed Reviews

1. Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0: Best Overall

Price: $70-90 | Blade: Ceramic | Battery: 90 min | Waterproof: Yes | Guards: 2 lengths
Rating: 4.7/5

Check price at Manscaped

Manscaped built their entire company around this problem, and it shows. The Lawn Mower 5.0 is the fifth generation of a trimmer designed from the ground up for below-the-belt grooming. The ceramic blade features SkinSafe technology: rounded blade tips that sit behind a protective guard, allowing hair to pass through to the cutting edge while keeping the sharp parts away from your skin.

What we liked:

• Zero nicks in testing. Across four months and dozens of uses with two different testers, the Lawn Mower 5.0 never nicked scrotal skin when used with a guard. Without a guard, it still performed safely as long as we used the pull-skin-taut technique.
• LED spotlight. It sounds gimmicky until you use it. Groin grooming often happens in bathrooms with overhead lighting that casts shadows in exactly the wrong places. The built-in LED illuminates the area you are trimming, which makes a real difference in avoiding missed spots and seeing skin folds.
• Ceramic blade stays cool. After five minutes of continuous use, the blade temperature was noticeably lower than steel-blade competitors. Heat buildup on sensitive skin is uncomfortable and can cause irritation.
• 90-minute battery. USB-C charging, full charge in about 60 minutes. Battery lasts roughly 12 to 15 grooming sessions.
• Quiet motor. The 7,000 RPM motor is powerful enough to cut coarse hair cleanly but does not sound like you are running a power tool in the bathroom.

What we did not like:

• Only two guard lengths. You get a 2mm and a 4mm guard. Competitors like the Philips Bodygroom include five or more. For groin use specifically, two guards are sufficient (most men stay between 2mm and 4mm), but it limits the trimmer’s versatility on other body zones.
• Blade replacement cost. Replacement blades are $20 to $25. Manscaped recommends replacing every three months, which adds about $80 to $100 per year in ongoing cost. That is steep compared to competitors.
• Brand markup. Part of what you are paying for is the Manscaped brand and marketing. The actual hardware is good, but the premium over competitors like the Meridian is partly brand tax.

Will it nick you? With a guard: no. In four months of testing, zero nicks. Without a guard: very unlikely, but possible if you rush over a loose skin fold without pulling it taut first. The SkinSafe blade design is legitimately effective.

Bottom line: The Lawn Mower 5.0 is the safest, most purpose-built groin trimmer available. If your primary concern is not getting nicked and you do not mind paying a premium for that peace of mind, this is the right choice.

2. Meridian Trimmer: Best Value

Price: $40-50 | Blade: Ceramic | Battery: 90 min | Waterproof: Yes | Guards: 2 lengths
Rating: 4.5/5

Check price at Meridian

The Meridian Trimmer is the product I recommend most often when someone asks me what to buy for groin grooming. It delivers about 85% of the Manscaped experience at roughly half the price, with ceramic blades, solid build quality, and genuine groin-safe design.

What we liked:

• Ceramic blade performs like the Manscaped. The cut quality and skin safety were virtually identical to the Lawn Mower 5.0 in side-by-side testing. Both use ceramic blades with rounded tips, and both produced zero nicks when used with guards.
• Better aesthetic design. This is subjective, but the Meridian’s matte finish in sage green, onyx, or clay feels more premium than its price suggests. It looks like a $100 product sitting on your bathroom counter.
• Same 90-minute battery. USB-C charging, long battery life. No complaints.
• More affordable blade replacements. Replacement blades are about $10 to $12, roughly half the cost of Manscaped replacements.

What we did not like:

• No LED light. You give up the built-in spotlight that the Manscaped offers. For some men this does not matter. For others, especially those grooming in bathrooms with poor lighting, it is a genuine loss.
• Motor feels slightly less powerful. On thick, dense groin hair, the Meridian occasionally needed a second pass where the Manscaped cut clean on the first pass. The difference is minor but noticeable on coarse hair types.
• Only two guard lengths. Same limitation as the Manscaped. 2mm and 4mm guards included.

Will it nick you? With a guard: no. Same zero-nick result as the Manscaped in our testing. Without a guard: very low risk, comparable to the Lawn Mower 5.0. The ceramic blade design is genuinely safe.

Bottom line: If the Manscaped is the premium choice, the Meridian is the smart choice. You get ceramic blades, waterproof construction, and genuine groin-safe design for $40 to $50. The things you give up (LED light, slightly less motor power) are real but minor. For most men, this is the trimmer to buy.

3. Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000: Best All-Body Groomer

Price: $50-70 | Blade: Stainless steel | Battery: 80 min | Waterproof: Yes | Guards: 5 lengths
Rating: 4.4/5

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The Bodygroom 7000 is not a dedicated groin trimmer. It is an all-body groomer that happens to handle groin duty competently. If you want one tool that covers everything from shoulders to ankles, including below the belt, this is the practical choice. If you want the safest possible tool specifically for balls, the Manscaped or Meridian are better.

What we liked:

• Dual-sided design is genuinely useful. One end is a trimmer with multiple guard lengths. The other end is a foil shaver for smooth finishing. You can trim bulk with one side and smooth specific areas with the other without switching tools. For the groin, the trimmer side with a guard is the safer option.
• Five guard lengths. More range than Manscaped or Meridian. Guards from 3mm to 11mm make this tool versatile across all body zones. If you are following our complete manscaping guide, this single tool handles every zone.
• Philips SkinProtect technology. The trimmer blade has rounded tips and a protective guard, similar in concept to Manscaped’s SkinSafe. It works. We had zero nicks with a guard attached.
• Best value per zone. At $50 to $70, you are getting a groin trimmer, chest trimmer, leg trimmer, and foil shaver in one package. Dollar for dollar, it covers the most ground.

What we did not like:

• Steel blade generates more heat. After three to four minutes of continuous groin trimming, the blade head was warmer than the ceramic-blade competitors. Not hot enough to burn, but warm enough to notice on sensitive skin. The workaround: take a short break every few minutes on longer sessions.
• Larger body is less maneuverable. The dual-sided design makes the handle thicker and longer than dedicated groin trimmers. In tight spaces, smaller tools like the Meridian are easier to navigate.
• Not specifically designed for groin. Philips markets this as a body groomer, not a ball trimmer. The groin safety features are good but secondary to the tool’s full-body design philosophy.

Will it nick you? With a guard: no. Zero nicks in testing. Without a guard: slightly higher risk than the ceramic-blade competitors, because the steel blade edge is marginally more exposed. I would not recommend using the Bodygroom 7000 without a guard on the scrotum.

Bottom line: Buy this if you want one tool for your entire body and groin is just one of several zones you groom. It handles everything competently. If the groin is your primary or only grooming zone, the Manscaped or Meridian are better specialized tools for that job.

4. Gillette Intimate i5 Trimmer: Best for Beginners

Price: $45-55 | Blade: Stainless steel | Battery: 60 min | Waterproof: Yes | Guards: 3 lengths (2mm, 4mm, 6mm)
Rating: 4.2/5

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Gillette entered the groin grooming market in 2023, and the Intimate i5 is their current offering. It benefits from Gillette’s decades of blade engineering, and the company clearly studied what Manscaped was doing. The result is a solid, if unspectacular, groin trimmer that prioritizes safety and simplicity.

What we liked:

• Anti-nick guard is effective. Gillette’s SkinFirst technology uses a rounded-tip blade with an integrated guard that physically prevents the blade from contacting flat skin. It works well. We had zero nicks with any guard attached.
• Three guard lengths. The 6mm guard is useful for men who want to trim but keep more length than the typical groin trimmer allows. A good option for beginners who want to start conservative.
• Ergonomic handle. The rubberized grip and slim profile make it comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Among the trimmers we tested, it felt the most natural in hand.
• Brand trust. Some men are more comfortable buying a grooming tool from a name they already know. Gillette’s reputation for blade quality carries legitimate weight here.

What we did not like:

• Steel blade heats up. Same issue as the Philips. After extended use, the blade head gets warm. Not dangerous, but noticeable.
• Shorter battery life. 60 minutes versus 90 for Manscaped and Meridian. Still more than enough for groin grooming (which takes 5 to 8 minutes), but it charges more frequently.
• Not as close a cut as Manscaped. Side by side, the Lawn Mower 5.0 cuts about 0.5mm closer at the same guard setting. For some men, this matters. For most, the difference is negligible.

Will it nick you? With a guard: no. Without a guard: moderate risk. The steel blade is more exposed without a guard than the ceramic competitors. I recommend always using a guard with this trimmer.

Bottom line: A safe, competent groin trimmer from a brand you know. Good for beginners who want the confidence of a name-brand product with effective safety features. Not quite as specialized or refined as the Manscaped or Meridian, but it gets the job done without any drama.

5. Panasonic ER-GK60: Best for Wet Use

Price: $55-70 | Blade: Stainless steel (hypoallergenic) | Battery: 50 min | Waterproof: Yes (IPX7) | Guards: 3 lengths
Rating: 4.1/5

Check price at Panasonic

The Panasonic ER-GK60 is a body groomer marketed for full-body use, but its design makes it particularly well-suited for shower grooming. If you strongly prefer trimming in the shower rather than dry, this is the best tool for that specific workflow.

What we liked:

• Best wet performance. Most waterproof trimmers work in the shower but perform better dry. The ER-GK60 is the exception. Its blade head is designed to maintain cutting performance on wet hair, with minimal clumping or pulling. Panasonic’s experience with wet/dry electric shavers clearly informed this design.
• Hypoallergenic steel blades. Panasonic’s blade coating reduces skin irritation compared to standard stainless steel. It is not as gentle as ceramic, but it is a step above most steel-blade competitors.
• Compact, lightweight design. At 5.8 ounces, it is the lightest trimmer we tested. Easy to maneuver and comfortable to hold with wet hands thanks to a textured grip.
• IPX7 waterproof rating. Fully submersible, not just splash-resistant. You can rinse it under the faucet or use it in the shower without concern.

What we did not like:

• Shortest battery life. 50 minutes is adequate but the lowest in our roundup. If you forget to charge it, you might run out mid-session.
• Not specifically designed for groin. Like the Philips, this is a body groomer that can handle groin use, not a purpose-built ball trimmer. The safety features are good but not as groin-focused as Manscaped or Meridian.
• Blade replacement availability. Panasonic replacement blades can be harder to find in stock than Manscaped or Philips replacements. Online ordering is reliable, but you probably will not find them at your local drugstore.

Will it nick you? With a guard: no. Without a guard: moderate risk, similar to the Gillette. The blade is more exposed than ceramic competitors. Use a guard for scrotal trimming.

Bottom line: The best choice if shower grooming is your strong preference. For dry use, the Manscaped and Meridian outperform it on comfort and safety. But if you want to knock out your grooming routine while you shower, the ER-GK60 handles wet hair better than anything else we tested.

6. Manscaped Lawn Mower 4.0: Budget Manscaped Option

Price: $50-65 | Blade: Ceramic | Battery: 90 min | Waterproof: Yes | Guards: 2 lengths
Rating: 4.0/5

Check price at Manscaped

The Lawn Mower 4.0 is the previous generation Manscaped trimmer, now available at a discount since the 5.0 launched. It shares the same ceramic SkinSafe blade technology but lacks the LED light and the refined ergonomics of the newer model.

What we liked:

• Same SkinSafe ceramic blade. The blade technology is identical to the 5.0. You get the same nick-prevention performance at a lower price.
• $20 to $25 cheaper than the 5.0. If the LED light and cosmetic upgrades do not matter to you, this is effectively the same trimmer for less money.
• Same 90-minute battery. No compromise on battery life.

What we did not like:

• No LED light. The most practical feature they removed. You are trimming in whatever lighting your bathroom provides.
• Older charging method. Micro-USB instead of USB-C. A minor annoyance if all your other devices have moved to USB-C.
• Availability is declining. As stock of the 4.0 runs out, it is being replaced by the 5.0 on most retailers. Pricing may increase as it becomes harder to find.

Will it nick you? Identical performance to the 5.0. Zero nicks with a guard. Very low risk without a guard.

Bottom line: If you can find the Lawn Mower 4.0 at a discount, it is an excellent value. The SkinSafe blade is the same. You lose the LED light and USB-C, which are meaningful but not essential. Check availability before deciding, as stock is becoming inconsistent.

Can You Use Regular Clippers on Your Balls? (Honest Answer)

This is the most common question we get, so let me be direct.

Can you? Physically, yes. Should you? No.

Here is why. Regular hair clippers, including the professional-grade clippers we recommend in our best clippers for fades and best clippers for Black men guides, are designed for one specific surface: the head. The scalp is firm, relatively flat, and covered with thick skin. The blades on clippers like the Wahl Senior or Andis Masters are exposed, powerful, and designed to cut through dense hair quickly.

The scrotum is the opposite of all of those things. The skin is thin, loose, wrinkled, and highly vascular. When you run a clipper blade over loose scrotal skin, the skin can fold into the blade gap and get pinched or cut. This is not a hypothetical risk. It happens frequently, and the resulting cuts bleed more than you expect because the area is rich with blood vessels.

Dedicated groin trimmers solve this problem with three engineering features that standard clippers lack:

1. Rounded blade tips that cannot grab loose skin folds
2. Protective guards or foils that create a physical barrier between the cutting edge and your skin
3. Lower blade speed that reduces the severity of any accidental contact

A dedicated groin trimmer costs $40 to $90. A trip to urgent care for a scrotal laceration costs significantly more. Buy the right tool.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Ball Trimmer

If none of our specific picks appeal to you, here are the features that matter when evaluating any groin trimmer.

Blade Material: Ceramic vs. Steel

Ceramic blades are the better choice for groin trimming. They stay sharper longer, generate less friction heat, and are hypoallergenic. The main downside is fragility. Drop a ceramic-blade trimmer on tile and you may chip the blade. Stainless steel is more durable but heats up faster and can irritate sensitive skin. Every dedicated groin trimmer in our top three uses ceramic blades, and that is not a coincidence.

Guard Design

A groin trimmer should come with at least two guard lengths. For most men, a 2mm guard provides a short, clean trim, while a 4mm guard leaves slightly more length. The guard itself should snap on securely and sit flush against the blade head. Loose guards that wobble or lift away from the blade defeat the purpose of the safety barrier.

Waterproof Rating

At minimum, look for IPX5 (splash-proof) so you can rinse the trimmer under a faucet after use. IPX7 (fully submersible) is ideal if you want to trim in the shower. Every trimmer in our roundup is at least IPX7.

Battery Life

A single groin grooming session takes five to eight minutes. Any trimmer with 50 or more minutes of battery life will last through multiple sessions on a single charge. The difference between 50 and 90 minutes is mainly how often you need to charge. USB-C charging is a quality-of-life feature that matters if you travel or prefer a single cable for all your devices.

Noise Level

Groin grooming happens in bathrooms, often early in the morning or late at night. A trimmer that sounds like a leaf blower is not ideal for shared living situations. The Manscaped and Meridian are the quietest in our roundup. The Philips is the loudest.

Replacement Blade Cost

This is the hidden cost that many buyers overlook. Trimmer blades need replacing every 3 to 12 months depending on use frequency and hair thickness. Here is what each brand charges:

The Meridian has the lowest ongoing cost. The Manscaped has the highest because they recommend quarterly replacements. Factor this into your budget.

How to Trim Your Balls Safely: Step-by-Step Technique

The right trimmer matters, but technique matters more. Here is the approach that produces the cleanest results with the lowest risk, regardless of which trimmer you use.

Before You Start

1. Charge your trimmer fully. A dying battery means a slower motor, which means more pulling and tugging.
2. Trim dry or towel-dried. Dry hair stands up and gets caught by the blades more easily. If you prefer wet trimming, use a trimmer rated for wet use.
3. Stand in front of a mirror or sit on the edge of the bathtub. You need visibility. Good lighting matters. If your trimmer has an LED light, use it.

The Trim

1. Start with the bikini line. Use a 3mm or 4mm guard. Trim the crease where your thigh meets your torso, moving the trimmer with the grain (downward strokes). This area is straightforward and builds your confidence before moving to more sensitive areas.
2. Move to the pubic area above. Same guard length. Trim with the grain. This is the easiest part of the process and where most of the visual difference happens.
3. Now the scrotum. Switch to a shorter guard (2mm) or no guard if your trimmer has a proven safety record. Pull the skin taut with your free hand. This is the single most important technique. Loose, wrinkled skin is how nicks happen. Stretch the skin flat, then move the trimmer slowly across the stretched surface.
4. Work in small sections. Do not try to cover the entire scrotum in long sweeping strokes. Small, controlled passes. Reposition your free hand to stretch each section flat before trimming.
5. Check for missed spots. Use a mirror. Rotate and check from multiple angles. Touch up as needed.

After the Trim

1. Shower. Warm water rinses away clippings, opens pores, and prepares the skin for aftercare.
2. Pat dry gently. Do not rub freshly trimmed skin.
3. Apply aftercare. Body powder like MANSCAPED Crop Preserver, or a cornstarch-based powder, reduces friction and absorbs moisture. If you are prone to ingrown hairs, use Tend Skin or an exfoliating body wash with salicylic acid like CeraVe SA Body Wash.

Total time: five to eight minutes once you have the technique down. The first session takes longer. By the third or fourth session, it becomes routine.

Aftercare: How to Prevent Irritation and Ingrown Hairs

Post-trim aftercare is where most men fail, and it is the number one reason men blame their trimmer for irritation that was actually caused by skipping this step.

Immediate Aftercare (Same Day)

• Warm shower to rinse clippings and open pores
• Gentle exfoliating wash on the trimmed area (salicylic acid-based)
• Pat dry, never rub
• Body powder or anti-chafing balm to reduce friction

Ongoing Aftercare (Between Sessions)

• Exfoliate 2 to 3 times per week. A salicylic acid body wash prevents dead skin from trapping regrowing hairs. This is the single most effective ingrown hair prevention habit.
• Moisturize daily. Hydrated skin is less prone to irritation when hair regrows. Any fragrance-free body lotion works. Our moisturizer guide has recommendations, and everything listed there works on body skin as well.
• Wear breathable underwear. Cotton or moisture-wicking athletic fabrics. Tight synthetic underwear traps heat and moisture, which increases irritation risk in the groin.

Men with coarse or curly body hair need to be especially consistent with exfoliation. Curly hair is more likely to grow back into the skin after trimming, and regular exfoliation keeps the path clear for regrowth. If this is you, our aftershave guide covers ingrown hair treatments that work on body skin as well as the face.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Final Verdict

The Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 is the best trimmer for balls if you want the safest, most purpose-built option and do not mind paying a premium. The Meridian Trimmer is the best value, delivering 85% of the Manscaped performance for roughly half the price. The Philips Norelco Bodygroom 7000 is the best choice if you want a single tool that handles your entire body, groin included.

All three produced zero nicks in our testing when used with a guard and proper technique. The technique part is important. Even the safest trimmer in the world cannot protect you if you rush through the job on loose skin without pulling it taut. Read the technique section above, follow the steps on your first few sessions, and the process becomes quick and routine within a month.

Do not use your regular clippers. Do not use a beard trimmer. Invest $40 to $90 in a tool designed for the job, follow the aftercare routine, and you will wonder why you waited so long to start.

For the complete body grooming playbook covering every zone from nose to legs, see our how to manscape guide.