Customer Reviews

Wahl 5537-500 Performer Battery Operated Beard and Mustache Trimmer

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I got this model free with a full trimmer set, it's silver when included with a set. I had the original silver one for about two years before it finally died after extensive use - not a bad lifespan for a free item. The battery cover is held in place by a flimsy plastic tab and if you drop it on the floor it can break. I had this issue, which I solved by taping the cover in place and it didn't bother me at all. This black unit comes with accesories which the free ones do not include - 3 length adjusters, a brush, comb and some oil. The thing I like about this model is that you can use just the clipper part right up against your skin and it will not pinch you unless you are careless. I bought a Remington model and it will cut without a spacer. The attachements are only needed on the Wahl for length variations. Despite it's slight cheapness, it's price and performance make it worth it; the best trimmer I have ever used by far.

The Good:

Appears to trim just fine. I bought this primarily for a mustache trimmer and it seems to work just fine (only used it once).

The Bad:

When I initially turned it on (with brand new batteries), it ran really fast (and a bit loud - no big deal). However, after about ten seconds, the speed dropped down significantly, but then seemed to hold steady at the lower speed. The metal blades also became quite warm to the touch. What I figured out was it needed oiling! A drop of the supplied oil and the speed went back up and the "warmth" went away too. My guess is this unit was packaged quite awhile ago (it is an older model, isn't it?) and the pre-applied oil must have dried out a bit? It might have been helpful in the instructions to indicate a drop of oil may be necessary prior to first use.

The Confusing:

The unit takes two AA batteries. One (the left one) sits snugly in the bottom of the compartment. The other sits just to the right and on top of the other battery, raised up so the two batteries are diagonal from each another. I initially thought the plastic battery guide on the one end forcing the second battery into this position was misaligned. But it seems to work fine in this diagonal alignment. A simple note in the instructions of the diagonal battery alignment would have been nice.

I like this cutter. I can use it by itself or with its accessaries. Even when the batteries are low I can still nip those little overnight hairs. Works for me!!

I read the reviews about the trimmer slowing down after about a minute when first turned on. It appears that the blades are shipped very dry and need oil before running. I put 3 drops on the blades initially and let it run for about 10 seconds to let it spread out and then wiped off the excess. It's been running great for about 2 months now. (Be sure to keep the blade tips pointing down so the oil doesn't run into the unit)

I like that the trimmer guide stays at it's setting after you remove it from the trimmer. I didn't realize what a nice feature this could be. The battery installation is a bit strange (they don't sit side by side, but offset to each other) but once in, they work OK. If they are not seated properly, the cover keeps popping off.

Now that I have worked out the batteries and the dry blade issue, I don't think you can beat this trimmer for the price paid.

I don't have a beard or a mustache, but use this only for trimming sideburns, back of the neck and ears. This works just great for that when you use it without any attachements. This is the right price for something that you use only occasionally.

i bought this to replace a norelco trimmer that worked faithfully for many, many years. i wanted something that didn't require a cord (check), had an adjustable trimmer, (check), cut beard and mustache comfortably (check), wasn't overpriced (check) and was quiet (well, four out of five isn't bad).

the instructions, however, are so poorly written that they get two stars; the cutting ability gets five; the value (for the unit) gets five; the design gets three; and the frustrating packaging (blister pack) gets one.

if you decide to get it, here are a few things you should know.

first, as other reviewers have said, **OIL THE UNIT FIRST.** i read that, and blithely (and generously) coated the very sharp carbon steel cutting head with the supplied oil. oops. ==>one drop is adequate<==. i took the cutting blades off to remove the excess before it got into the motor, gumming it up, but the directions *didn't* talk about blade replacement. this is easy *if you know how.* the instructions should explain both removal (obvious: remove the screws) AND how to replace the two spring "feelers" on the blade. hint: the "feelers" go into the holes on the bottom of the moving blade, *not* on either side, which is what i did first.

next, the instructions *don't* show how to attach (or more importantly, how to *detach*) the adjustable head. it provides a good range of lengths from 5 to ~17 mm, but how it works isn't covered. it can be puzzled out, but should have been specified. getting it onto the cutting blades is pretty obvious, but taking it off isn't. i found that by extending the adjustable plastic head to the longest position, and then rocking it sideways while pulling (and pushing with the opposite hand) the head popped off easily. it's not as neat and easy as my old norelco, but given that i need to use the unit once a week, not a deal breaker.

last, a plus: the wahl, surprisingly, is better on the delicate skin of the ears than was the norelco. it's a medical fact that as men age, the hair from the top of the head migrates to the ears and nose. (visualize appended smiley). the norelco often "bit" the ear when trying to remove that hair - the wahl was completely painless and effective, even in the curves and recesses of the pinna.

overall, i think this unit is a bargain. the noise, packaging and the very poorly written instructions are my main complaints. otherwise, it would have gotten a 5 star rating.

I dropped my husband's old Wahl beard trimmer; it is currently being held together by tape. Sometimes it won't stay on, but it is still better than this product. The Wahl 5537-500 is very light-weight; it's very loud, making one think it has a lot of power. It does not. It would not go through his beard. It sounded as if it were getting bogged down. The guides were difficult to attach and remove; I couldn't find one short enough
to give him a nice, closely groomed beard. I tried shaving his neck without a guide; it didn't do a good job there as well. I finished the job with his old trimmer. Hopefully, I will be able to replace that model. I absolutely do not recommend this product.

Wife got me this trimmer many years ago. It finally died. She bought me two more. I won't use another trimmer. Keeps beard nice and neat and tight against my face.

I really like this product. It is a little noisy, but it cut well and the attachments are great. I get a nice cut every use.

I agree with other reviews who say this is too loud. It is nice that it runs on batteries so you don't have to mess with charging it, and does just an OK job trimming, but this noise is too much for me. Can't complain too much for the price I guess.