Philips Trimmer Body Shaver - BG1025/15

The Philips BG1025/15 is a battery-operated body groomer, and the feature that defines it is the skin protection system — a guard that sits between the blades and your skin. That is what makes it safe to use on underarms, the back of the shoulders and intimate areas, not just the easy flat expanses of chest and leg.

The trimmer cuts bidirectionally, which matters more on a body groomer than on a beard trimmer. Beard hair mostly grows one way; body hair does not. A trimmer that only cuts on the forward stroke leaves half the hair standing and doubles the number of passes. This one cuts whichever direction you move it.

It is 100% showerproof and fully washable, so you can groom wet or dry and rinse the whole unit under the tap when you are done. A shower cord is included for keeping it within reach rather than propped on a ledge, along with a cleaning comb and the 3 mm click-on guard for leaving a tidy trimmed length.

Power comes from three AA batteries, and they are in the box — so it works the moment you unpack it, with no waiting for a first charge. Philips rates a set at up to six months of normal use.

Be clear about the trade-off, because it cuts both ways. This is not rechargeable, so you buy batteries rather than plugging it in. In exchange there is no built-in cell to lose capacity over the years, and no chance of finding it flat when you need it — fit fresh AAs and it runs at full power again. For a tool you might use once a fortnight, that is often the better arrangement.