Home users looking to save money with a DIY haircut. Barbers starting their profession in pursuit of mastering their art and bringing smiles to their clients.
What unites these two groups are hair clippers. Learning to cut your own hair – or shaping another person’s locks, is a skill.
And new skills mean self-improvement. Other people respecting you more. Satisfaction.
We won’t blast you with a cliche list of half-assed clipper recommendations. We’ve tried numerous models, and we know what just works.
If you want something professional: you’ll love the adjustable Andis Master, or the detachable blade wonder Oster 76.
If you’re more about convenience & home use: the compact Remington HC4250 or a a full kit like Wahl Elite Pro Kit will suit you well.
Here’s my current home setup. A neat HC4250, a heavier duty Wahl clipper, and my favorite hair trimmer – Andis T-Outliner.
Alright!
Time for what you’re here for. A concise comparison + reviews of the best clippers in 2024:
Our Recommendations for The Best Hair Clippers of 2024
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Best for Home  | Oster Classic 76
| Check Price on Amazon.com | |
Most Convenient  | Remington HC4250
| Check Price on Amazon.com | |
Home Kit  | Wahl Elite Pro
| Check Price on Amazon.com | |
Recommended  | Oster Professional Salon-Pro
| Check Price on Amazon.com | |
All-in-1 (Men)  | Andis Master
| Check Price on Amazon.com | |
Budget (Men)  | Wahl 5 Star Balding
| Check Price on Amazon.com |
After reading this buyer’s guide, you can expect to find your own hair cutting clippers that will:
Fit both your preferences and hands
Treat your or your clients’ hair properly
Suit the style and looks you want to achieve
Deliver the awesome skill of cutting hair!
The 8 best clippers for men
Best Oster clippers for men Oster Classic 76
Includes outstanding quality and premium detachable blades
Size and weight: Heavy & bulky, but it’s really worth it.
Oster Classic 76 is the heavy artillery of Oster professional hair clippers. Manly. Powerful. Akin to a Harley Davidson, but on the hair clipper for men market.
This is a heavy-duty barber clipper with vintage looks, outstanding quality and premium detachable blades.
The Classic 76 comes with a single speed universal motor. It’s more than a worthy competitor of Andis Master’s ultra powerful motor and guarantees immense cutting action.
This is an Oster detachable hair clipper for men. This means that you need to swap the blades if you want to achieve different cut lengths. You can still use guards too, but the interchangeable blades are what makes the 76 the treasure it is.
Speaking of blades, Oster 76 blades are without a doubt the best clipper blades on the market. Tested in freezing conditions, they not only cut through any hair type or volume, but are also insanely durable.
The clipper will come to you with the stock #000 (1/50″) and #1 (3/32″) blade.
What can you expect of the best Oster clipper’s life expectancy?
Here’s the thing: once you buy an 76, it’ll be around for quite a few years. Its break-resistant valox housing makes it a champion in terms of durability.
That said, the Oster Classic 76 clippers have a learning curve. In case you have specific needs, you need to purchase blades separately and blade changing is not that appealing to some. In addition, this hair cutter is rather bulky and tends to get noisy.
This is a small price to pay for the best Oster hair clippers out there, though. And, as we mention in our Oster 76 review, you can also get the Oster Model 10 if you prefer a true barber clipper that’s slightly smaller.
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Includes outstanding quality and premium detachable blades
Best convenient men’s clippers Remington HC4250 Shortcut Pro
Size and weight: Extremely compact and quite lightweight.
Flexibility, innovation and compactness. The cordless Remington HC4250 gets our pick as the best Remington hair clipper and the best compact clipper for men to use at home.
A big game changer with the Shortcut Pro is not only its cordless mode, but also its waterproof feature.
You can simply wash its parts instead of the lengthier and all-around irritating process of cleaning the clipper the standard way. HC4250 scores ridiculously high on our easy maintenance scale.
This outstanding innovative hair cutter for men also comes with a very specific stainless steel blade!
Shaped in a curved form, it follows your head’s shape when you do your haircut. This, combined with the wider design of the blade, make for quicker, easier cuts at home.
With the cordless function, you get up to 40 minutes of Lithium-Ion battery life on a 4 hour charge. Somewhat of a standard for the niche, the battery will last you for a few haircuts without any issue.
Another perk you get here are a whole lot of 9 Remington combs from 1/16″ to 5/8″, with a travel pouch, clipper oil and a cleaning brush.
This is one of the best electric clippers for travelling people – washable, compact, and coming with its own accessories kit.
That said, in terms of power output, you won’t get something as powerful as a true professional haircut machine. Don’t expect the Remington HC4250 to perform barber-grade wonders.
And you know what? Considering its design and convenience, there’s no way it could anyway. Head to our HC4250 review if you want to learn more.
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You get a cordless clipper, and its waterproof.
Best all-around hair clipper for men: Andis Master
Size and weight: Slightly heavy & bulky.
Andis are one of the 3 most loved hair clipper brands among barbers all over the globe. Andis Master? One of the reasons for that.
The Master clippers are one of the most durable hair clippers for men with their chrome-colored body made of aluminum. A beastly electromagnetic motor cutting at 14 000 strokes per minute delivers powerful, professional-grade performance.
The blades of Andis’ best hair clippers are made of carbon-coated steel for additional sharpness and long-lasting quality. No compromise.
Its really appealing point, though? The Master’s outstanding taper lever which is the reason we choose it as the best fade clipper on the market. You have more freedom to adjust the blade length here than you would with any other adjustable hair clippers.
Have no doubt, though – you can use this hair buzzer for anything from taper haircuts, to fades, to general buzz cuts or longer hairstyles. A versatile beast of a barber clipper for sure.
As any heavy-duty electric hair clippers, the Master tends to run hot and might feel a bit heavy.
You also need to keep in mind that these Andis hair clippers will require some exercise to be mastered completely. In return, you get grade A barber cutter action.
Our Andis Master review can offer you more information on Andis’ best clipper out there.
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It delivers powerful, professional-grade performance
Best balding hair cutter Wahl 5 Star Balding
Size and weight: Average.
Balding or already bald guys – look this way! This Wahl 5 Star is the best balder out there and its exceptionally high reception among smooth-shaven men speaks volumes.
Other hair clippers for men might cut close, but no model cuts as close as this burgundy-colored beast. Fueled by a strong V5000 electromagnetic motor, the steel blades will leave your hair at around 0.1 mm.
That’s the closest you can go without grabbing the razor!
Sporting a traditional Wahl clipper body, the 5 Star Balding men’s clipper yields a great grip. For some it might feel a big sizable, but its 6.25″ are pretty standard. A 1 pound body won’t tire your hands in any way either while you’re shaping your smooth bald cut.
If you decide to leave a little bit of a stubble, I’ve got some good news!
The best hair clipper for bald men comes with two guards – sizes 1/16″ and 3/16″. You also grab a small bottle of blade oil and a blade guard.
However, a word of caution: the blades can get really, really sharp. If you’re used to other electric hair clippers, you should start slowly with this one.
We’ve seen quite a few people nicking their skin because they weren’t careful – read some instructions in our full Wahl 5 star Balding clipper review.
The Wahl clippers that cut bald might also require some time for you to master it properly. At the same time, it’s your best option if you’re looking to nail the smooth bald look!
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The steel blades will leave your hair at around 0.1 mm.
Semi-professional affordable pick: Oster Professional Salon-Pro
Size and weight: Lighter than average weight and average size.
We introduced the Oster Classic 76 beforehand, but the brand also keeps more casual users in mind. The Oster Professional Salon-Pro clippers are a tribute to hair cutters for men being “in the middle”.
Professional, yet comfortable enough for you to use them without any knowledge or skills needed.
Don’t think the Oster Professional Salon-Pro clippers aren’t packing a punch, though. Beneath this lightweight body with classic barber looks lies a roaring pivot motor.
Combine it with once again tested in harsh conditions sharp stainless steel blades and you’ve got a winning formula.
What differentiates this model is its lightweight body and quiet, cool operation. Usually, professional clippers tend to overheat and be rather bigger in their design. Not the Oster Professional Salon-Pro hair cutter.
As we mentioned, this is the best affordable hair clipper from the Oster line. It’s perfect for beginners, as well as barbers starting out. An adjustable clipper, it can get its blades moved between #000 and #1 with a simple flick of the side lever.
You’ll get a few accessories too: two guides (1/4″ and 1/2″), as well as a convenient blending comb. Clipper oil and blade guards are also included in the mix, as always.
The model’s biggest issue are the plastic combs indeed.
We’ve already elaborated on what you might want to do with your Oster Professional Salon-Pro guards. This will improve the affordable Oster hair cutter’s potential tremendously.
Affordable hair clipper and perfect for beginners, as well as barbers starting out.
Philips Norelco Hair and Beard Trimmer BT7215/49
Any one of them could make a best of list, but I have singled out this BT7215 model as it does it all and can even do the cleanup. Though, note that this is a clipper meant for beards, it can do double duty on your head as long as you’re giving yourself a buzzcut.
The integrated vacuum system of this trimmer is what sets it apart from most other men’s hair trimmers on the market today. It will suck up about 90% of cut hairs. It’s run with a high-velocity motor and fan system. This creates a powerful suction system that will lift up and suck in hairs as you trim.
A sleeker look than the previous models, but it still gives a solid grip which is necessary for trimming thicker beards. It has a slightly more sophisticated design with a nice high-tech, satin chrome finish and that ‘I get the job done’ look. It comes with a convenient pouch to store the combs and second trimmer blade.
The lift & trim technology that guides the cutting process actually lifts and guides hairs for a more efficient cut. The self-sharpening steel blades are perfectly positioned to cut each hair effectively which prevents skin irritation from tugging. This same technology also ensures a more uniform trim because it guides more hairs per pass.
The blades are double-sharpened which means they can cut more hairs per individual pass than other blades. This makes for faster trimming as you only need one pass over that iron chin of yours. This is very good news if you have sensitive skin. Most times guys get irritation because you need to keep going over the same spot to get everything cut evenly.
With a choice of 20 different trimming lengths, this vacuum beard trimmer is excellent for men who want to experiment with different styles. Just press the dial on the right-hand side of the trimmer and you’ll the length will go up by 0.5mm all the way to 10mm. This is roughly half an inch so if your hair is going to be left longer than that you will need to freehand or use a clipper over comb system to trim.
As far as battery goes, after about an hour of charging you’ll get 80 minutes of runtime before it needs to charge again.
It’s a Lithium Ion battery so it will last quite a while, but to make sure it can keep a charge for the longest amount of time possible, I recommend waiting until it is just about dead before you charge it. If the batteries does run out you can also use it with the cord. Just not in the shower!
On that note, it can get wet but shouldn’t be used in the shower. This simply means that to clean it you can run the blade under the tap to rinse hair away but you can’t actually use it wet.
Verdict
This is one of the best models of trimmers with or without the vacuum. But since the vacuum adds so much to the convenience factor, it is a win win.
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A clipper meant for beards, it can do double duty on your head.
Best ceramic clippers Andis Ceramic BGRc
Size & weight: More compact and lightweight than usual hair clippers for men.
There’s a reason we listed this one as a luxury choice. Andis BGRc will tickle your fancy with a set of features that comprise an ergonomic, easy to maintain and barber-grade men’s hair clipper.
The BGR+ is the cordless version of the BGRc clipper – you can differentiate it by its black-colored body.
Beneath a sturdy, stylish body weighing only 0.90 lbs you’ll find a rotary motor. Rotary motors are pretty exquisite as they score higher both in terms of cutting power and blade speed. They also tend to last longer.
But the real beauty of Andis BGRc is its ceramic blades. Ceramic stays cooler (up to 70%) and sharper for much longer periods of time than usual stainless steel blades.
Andis ceramic blades are very precise, won’t overheat on you and are a total pleasure to cut with.
This is an Andis detachable clipper with a #000 CeramicEdge blade included. If you decide to opt in for the cordless BGR+, you’ll enjoy a battery life of up to an hour. The recharge time is also around this timeframe, despite the older NiCD technology.
The best ceramic clippers indeed, the BGRc is highly ergonomic, quiet and ready to serve barbers and casual users alike. There’s a reason why we praise it so much in our full Andis BGRc review.
Bearing this mind, the BGRc gets a bit pricy. There’s also no side lever for you to adjust the blade, so you can’t go shorter on the go with them. Once again, you have to swap blades, and ceramic blades can get expensive.
Also, be careful with dropping them – they tend to shatter easily, compared to steel blades!
If you go with this Andis professional clipper for men, though, you’ll shape the most luxurious haircuts ever.
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Highly ergonomic, quiet and ready to serve barbers and casual users alike
Best kit to use at home Wahl Elite Pro
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Comes with a more powerful motor and quality self-sharpening blades
Picking the right electric clipper motor
The Pivot motor
Hair cutters powered by pivot motors are suitable for everyday cutting and are enjoyed by casual users and professionals alike. Their distinctive feature is high cutting power paired with low blade speed.
What does that mean for me?
Summed up, this means you simply get things done quicker. A pivot motor’s blades get pulled in both directions, so your clipper produces twice the number of blade strokes. This leads to pivot motors being twice as fast as the usual magnetic-powered hair clippers. Andis – a leading brand putting one of the best professional hair clippers out there mention their pivot motors are 4x the speed of an average magnetic motor.
Do I need to know anything else?
Well, we could tell you that a pivot motor has no spring, but comes packed with a total of two electromagnets. But you don’t really (and shouldn’t) care about this fact. What matters is that hair clippers running on a pivot motor come with removable plastic guards/combs. Swap one out, put the other. It’s that easy and effective.
You’ll also see a lever on the side of pivot powered clippers. It adjusts the blade, bringing it closer – perfect for fades, if you’re into that.
Oh, and a final note – pivot motors are pretty good at cutting thick, heavy or damp/wet hair.
Most popular example: Oster Fast Feed clippers.
The magnetic motor
If a pivot motor’s blade is slow, any magnetic motor will make you feel dizzy. These guys blaze through everything, sometimes going at up 7200 blade strokes/minute. As a tradeoff, they cut down in the power department.
Magnetic motor powered hair clippers are perfect for longer haircuts. You might also notice that they run a bit cooler than pivot-based hair cutting machines.
What’s in for me here?
In case you’re looking for a relaxed, casual way to cut your hair, you’d be pleased with this type of motor. They require no complicated maintenance whatsoever. Even if you forget to oil things a bit, they will forgive you and still run well. Don’t go overboard, though!
Magnetic clippers also tend to come with a lever, making things a bit easier for you. People with fine to medium hair will be especially delighted by possessing a set of such hair clippers.
Do I need to know anything else?
Of your direct benefit – no, not really. However, if you’re curious…Magnetic motors do have a spring, unlike the pivot ones. The spring mechanism retracts the blade back after the motor has pulled the blade. While pivot motor blades’ get pulled in two directions, magnetic clippers limit themselves to only one.
The rotary motor
We’re venturing into professional hair clippers territory here. Rotary motors are the real deal and combine durability with respectable power. Unfortunately, though, hair cutters that run on them tend to be pretty expensive.
Rotary motors score very high both in terms of blade speed and cutting power. They bring forth impressive versatilityand possibilities if you decide to experiment with your haircuts.
Where’s the deal, then?
“Deal” is a very good word here. While rotary motor powered professional hair clippers might break the bank, they make up for it. First, they are way lighter than other clippers. They are also pretty quiet, humming instead of risking to wake anybody around you during that brisk morning haircut. To top it off, they will last for eternity given you take proper care of them.
Do I need to know anything else?
Yes. Rotary motors are paired up with detachable clipper blades. This means you need to switch blades if you decide to play around with your haircutting habits. A bit more demanding and expensive, we know. However, between plastic combs (pivot and magnetic motors) and a sturdy, high quality blade…Guess which one is way classier and will last in time?
Usually, you’ll see rotary motors in barber clippers designed to last a long time during the busy day of a professional. If you want to go the hardcore clipper route, this motor type is for you.
What you need to know about clipper blades
Let’s first look at how clipper blades are structured. Usually, a hair clipper blade consists of five pieces (seven if you include the two screws). You’ve got the comb and the cutter blade, the blade socket, the spring, and a plastic blade guide.
The blade’s material is where differences arise. Assuming your blade is in optimal condition (in other words, sharpened and taken care of), the harder the metal, the better.
The current hair clippers blade standard is rust-resistant stainless steel. Notice it’s rust-resistant. You still need to watch out for any blade rusting.
From time to time you’ll come across clipper blades that are titanium-coated or even carbon-coated. This is even better, though many models lack such reinforced coating.
Then, at the top of the blade pyramid, you’ll find the ceramic blades. Ceramic tends to last longer is way sharper than your run of the mill steel cutters.
You’ll notice hair clippers with ceramic blades don’t heat that much – the material is poor heat conductor. On the flipside, though, ceramic blades are a) prone to breaking (brittle) and b) a tad expensive compared to stainless steel blades.
What do you recommend for me?
To be honest, quality hair clippers brands all have good quality blades. If you’re looking for low to medium budget clippers, you’ll fetch stainless steel blades. If you venture into professional barber clipper territory, like Andis BGRc, you’ll witness what ceramic blades can do.
Also, if you’re feeling lost to hair clipper sizes, including clipper blades and guard charts, we have written a full guide on the leading clipper brands’ sizes.
Cordless clippers or corded ones?
This question always sparks heated debates, even between us, the founders of this place. The hard truth is: there’s no definite answer. It all depends on how you plan to use your clippers.
Is your hair rather short? Are you looking for quick, non-complicated haircuts? – Cordless hair clippers will do a fine job with their added flexibility and mobility.
Are you rocking high hair volumes? Do you enjoy thoroughly styling your hair? – Corded hair clippers are better as cordless hair cutters might get their battery depleted fast.
Going the wireless hair clippers route or staying “wired” is also connected with your mobility. If you’re on the go and travel a lot, cordless might fit your lifestyle better. Cords usually measure 6 feet and above, so they can get a pain to drag around with you.
Usually, people would say that cordless clippers also lack the power output of corded ones. We agree, but to some extent. For example, the Wahl 5 star Magic clip has 90 minutes of battery time which is plenty.
Heads up: Check our list of the best cordless hair clippers if you want additional flexibility from your hair cutter.
I’m an outdoor enthusiast and have sported a full beard since I was in my early 20’s. Originally, growing a beard was a way to save time when getting ready each day, but I quickly realized that keeping a neatly trimmed beard takes work and some forethought. That’s where this site comes in.
You get to benefit from my years of experience. I’ve reviewed many of the top hair clippers on the market today and also included some information on what works best for me. A great beard will turn lots of heads in your direction.
Since I never know when I’m going to find myself being photographed, whether it’s climbing in Yosemite, or playing volleyball on the beach, it’s important to me to always look my very best. Maintaining my beard is part of my daily routine and I hope you’ll find some useful tips and information on this site to help you on your journey.
i see youve got the super taper clipper on the photo but its not on the list. do you recommend it as good wahl clipper or not??
Hello Marque,
You have a sharp eye! Indeed, this is the Wahl Super Taper model. But, to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it compared with similar budget clippers. I’m just experimenting with it.
For the same money, you can either get a corded Magic Clip if you’re a barber (stronger V9000 motor, special fade blade)…or just pick the Wahl Elite Pro we have listed above for home users. The stainless steel guards of the Elite Pro really make a difference.
Hope I helped out a bit and don’t hesitate to ask us any other questions!
Alex
What do you think about the wahl color pro 21 piece clippers for $30?
Hi Brennan,
Honestly, for the ~$10 or so more you’d shell out for the Elite Pro, it’s a way better choice. Color Pros aren’t THAT bad, depending on your needs.
But grabbing a more substantial clipper for “half” a haircut more (assuming it’s $20-25 in your city) is a better investment imho.
Cheers & have a nice day!
Alex
Awesome site! I started buzzing my hair about 6 months ago and I also touch up my two boys haircuts. The clippers I have used are the cheap Wahl Chrome Pro’s. My buzz is a simple 2 guard all around; maybe a fade to a 1/2 guard in the back if I’m bored.
What would suit the bill for me as a next level set of clippers? The motor in the Chrome Pro feels uber weak to me. It takes multiple passes to effectively get my buzz done.
Thanks for the kind words, Pete — we try to make a difference from a lot of other sites that write…questionable stuff :))
You’re right: the Chrome Pro is basically a starter Wahl clipper. You have quite a few choices, but my 2 main recommendations would be:
1) The Elite Pro I mentioned here as an accessories pick if you dig that (the cape, stainless steel guards and whatnot.) More decent motor, but not barber grade yet.
2) Wahl’s Magic Clip – the corded one is just a few bucks more expensive than the Elite Pro. This one is a barber-grade machine. If you’re from the US, it should come with Wahl’s strongest V9000 motor (that thing ROARS!), plus you get their ‘Fade’ blade which performs more precise cuts.
There’s also a cordless version of the Magic Clip. A bit more expensive, but very lightweight and good battery life. It’s all the rage among barbers at the moment. But for simple buzzcuts I’m not sure if you need to shell out that much cash.
Let me know if you have any questions! And I suggest also reading a few consumer reviews on these too – always great to have several perspectives!
Alex
I’m trying to decide between the Oster Octane and the Andis Supra ZR. It will be used to cut my own hair. I keep it as low as possible without haveing to shave it. I cut it several times a week in my shower prior to showering. I understand there are cheaper models. I currently have the Wahl Sterling Coordless 4 and am not satifisied with its results. I have to take many passes to get the result I’m looking for.
Jack, hello!
Hmm…that’s strange, the cordless Sterling usually performs well. It comes with the stock Wahl blade, though, which might be a bit bland sometimes.
You said you understand there are cheaper models: so you’ve ditched them as a possible choice? Wahl’s cordless Magic Clip is a very good pick too and it has a sharp crunch blade that performs way more better than the standard ones. It’s also 2-3 times cheaper than the Octane or Supra ZR.
Reason I’m saying this is, both the Oster and Andis target barbers who do various stuff (from bald fades to bulk cuts and whatnot.)
If it’s between those two, my personal preference would be Andis Supra ZR. Octane’s strongest point is the ability to charge one battery while you’re operating with it. This is perfect for busy barbershops where there are cuts after cuts after cuts…but not really that important for home use, I feel.
I assume you do a no guard buzz?
Best,
Alex
Alex,
Thank you advise. And yes I’m doing a no guard buzz. I just started a couple of months ago. I’ve always keep the sides tight but the top has thinned considerably so decided to stop fighting it. I was looking at the detachable blades that way over winter if I wanted a little longer hair I could just change the blad and not worry with plastic guards. I will do some more research on the Wahl Magic Clips. Besides I’m saving $20 every three weeks doing it myself!! I have learned a lot on this site and really appreciate the feedback. Jack
Best of luck, Jack! And thanks for the kind words, it’s really heartwarming to see we’re helping (even if it’s a little!)
I understand you fully – I fought the thinning top for a while, but ultimately decided I have to take things in my own hands. I’ve grown to love it eventually! Doing a naked blade buzz at the moment every 2 days or so.
If you have any questions, always feel free to contact us. Re: the Magic Clip (cordless), some people like to upgrade it with Wahl’s stainless steel guards. They’re not as flimsy as the usual plastics, I recommend them. Great feel!
Weekend’s just around the corner, have a nice one!
Alex
I’m a new hairstylist and I am trying to get feedback on the best professional use clipper. I have the Wahl 2000 and it’s fine, just feel like the adjustments are a little rough. Had to get additional guards to ensure good lengths. I would like to know which clipper to invest in. Thank You.
Hey Chrys,
I don’t have experience with the Taper 2000, but from the looks of it, it’s veeery similar to my Super Taper I use at home. So it came with only a few guards, or?
Looking at the 2000 and knowing my Super Taper, I’d recommend getting a Wahl Magic Clip, for example. Are you in the US? The Magic Clip comes with the strongest V9000 motor in the US, but it’s with a V5000 motor (same as the Super Taper) in other parts of the world, it seems.
Regardless, the Magic Clip has Wahl’s special “Fade blade”. It delivers crisper, more precise and sharp cuts compared to the #1045 standard blade the Tapers have. It’s not that expensive either.
It should come with the #1-#8 guides too, but you can reuse yours.
Additional good choices can be Wahl Legend, Oster Fast Feed (usually comes with only 4 guards however) or the Wahl Icon if you want something strictly for tapers and bulk haircuts.
Cheers!
Alex
I have 3 young boys. What would be the best set of clippers that would last awhile?
Hi!
I’d say the Elite Pros we recommended here are a fair choice, Sarag (or Sarah?) They are quite sturdy and the amount of accessories are perfect for bigger families.
Wahl’s Color Pro Cordless is a good children-friendly choice, usually. However, with 3 heads of hair to take care of, its battery just won’t cope with the load…
Keep in mind that the Elite Pros are a little bit heavier – but not as much as pro barber tools. Make sure you get a rest between the cuts if your hand gets tired!
You can also consider the CORDED Color Pro as it’s a staple for family cuts. However, I’m not a fan – blades don’t cut that well and snag hair from time to time.
Hope that helped! Let me know if you need more info!
Best,
Alex
Hey Alex
I’m a new hairstylist and most of my clientele are Latinos/Hispanics , I do a lots of male haircuts, the texture of their hair is super thick and coarse, what type of clippers and trimer would you you recommend for this type of hair texture. I will. Love to have something that last and for good blending.
Thanks
Hey Marisela!
It isn’t listed here, but a lot of barbers like the Wahl 5 star Cordless Magic Clip. It comes with a specific crunch-type blade. Great for fades and ethnic, coarse hair. We have a review here: https://www.hairclippersclub.com/wahl-5-star-magic-clip-cordless-clipper-review/
We’ve really had an OVERWHELMING positive response to how it performs. It has a long-lasting battery and as an added bonus, is quite lightweight. You won’t experience much hand fatigue during your working hours.
As for trimmers, Andis GTX is quite good for thicker hair. Most of Andis’ trimmers work especially great on thicker hair – including the standard T Outliner. Do note that they get hotter, though.
An alternative could be Wahl’s 5 star Detailer…but for coarse hair, I feel the GTX takes the cake. Amazing for fades/blending too.
Let me know if you need anything else – this has been our personal experience so far!
Best,
Alex
Hey Alex, love the site! I feel like I’ve read at least half of all your reviews by now. So informative, thank you!
I just placed an order for the Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless and am super excited! I noticed it has a higher final rating of 8.7 than most of your picks here, but it’s not on your Top Clippers 2017 list. Just wondering why it didn’t make the cut? (haha, pun intended)
Also, would you recommend purchasing the entire Elite Pro kit instead of buying the metal/plastic guards separately?
Thanks so much!
FJ, happy new year and thanks for the kind words!
Haha, me and Ryan talked a lot about that. Honestly, it was the Magic Clip or the Andis ceramic BGR as we wanted to include a higher end, barber-grade cordless clipper. But we’ve written about the Magic Clip (cordless) in almost all of our other ‘best of’ guides, so we thought it would monopolize everything. 😀
Good choice, though – the cordless Clip is the top value for price barber clipper in the wireless department ATM! You’ll have a good time.
Re: the metal guards…Not worth it to buy the whole Elite Pro set, imo. A lot of people swap the stock plastic on the cordless Clip for the metal guards as this the cutting experience even better. I’d say test the plastics first, though – who knows, you might actually like them. Barbers can be a fickle crowd to please 😛
Cheers and have a nice weekend!
Alex
Appreciate you taking the time to answer, Alex, thank you!
Great advice, will try out the plastic guards that come with the Magic Clip. I asked because here in Canada, purchasing the entire metal guard kit plus the additional 1/2 and 1 1/2 on Amazon.ca actually ends up costing more than buying the Elite Pro kit. The only difference I could find is the separate ones are black but the Elite Pro kit comes in grey… and of course you get the backup clipper.
Thanks again!
Hi Great site, well done! Some of these clippers I would love to own but don’t want to overdo it for home use. I’m balding but where I still have hair it continues to grow! I need to cut once every week all over one length. Which clipper would you recommend that combines quality, style and convenience for home use? Thanx!
Dave, hi!
How close to you want to cut your hair? I’ve switched to a foil shaver recently, but when I kept things to a size #1 or #2 buzzcut, I used the Remington HC4250 we mention here.
It scores high on the convenience + style scale, but something like the Oster Fast Feed will deliver better quality (better, sharper blades) on a somewhat similar price.
I’d say these two models should be pretty fine in your case. Remember that the Remington is cordless too! Some people complain about its battery, but I haven’t had issues with it.
Cheers!
Alex
I just bought an inexpensive Wahl clipper with the yellow and black handle that also includes the battery powered trimmer and plenty of guide combs. Can I use 3 n 1 oil on the blades? Thanks, by the way, for all the great information!
Hello Phillip!
It IS possible, but I’d recommend sticking to dedicated clipper oil. Clipper oil is a little bit thinner compared to 3-n-1 and other heavier oils.
Most of the clipper oil – according to the documentation I’m familiar with, leans more towards mineral oil.
Hope that helped!
Alex
I’m a hairstylist I do about four men’s cuts and hour. My clippers/trimmers are six years old but I love them clipper are Andi but not sure model their silver trimmer are T outliner and I love how close they shave, their just started to get hot quickly. I do bald fades to all different guard size cuts. I was consider going cordless but from what I read I don’t think the charge will last as long as I need it. I may just buy the same as what I have I’m scared to try something new and not like it. What would you recommend.
Any clipper that still needs oil should not be recommended for home use, nor should a clipper that is not cordless. If a professional stylist wants to deal with those antiquated features, that’s up to them, but the average person doesn’t need a cord getting in their way, or messy oil that is nearly guaranteed to leak all over your belongings when traveling, and that’s if you don’t lose the bottle in the first place. Again, NO CORD and NO OIL.
Hi Alex,
Thanks a lot for your article on “8 best hair clippers in 2018: as we tested them”. I am really appreciating you for your choice and you tested all the hair clippers after a market research.
Obviously, you spend a lot more time doing this. But the outcome is very tasteful for the consumer’s as well as clipper users.
Your selection like- Oster Classic 76, Andis Master, Remington HC6550, Wahl 5 Star Balding clippers is really the best selection for any other choice.
This article helps to take decision easily for a newbie.
Hi
I have purchased many good mens clippers but always find that the plastic guards either wear out or break and replacements are impossible to find. Can you recommend a set that have no guard to break? My hair is always 1.5 to 2mm all over.
Thanks Ade
It depends on what brand of clipper you use, but if you have an Andis, the best ones are the magnetic kind like the Nano. Those are solidly made, will last years and they stay on tightly and securely. I also used the ones from Wahl and those lasted 10 years without wearing out. I only gave them away because I got some new ones as a gift.
Hi Alex,
I’m looking to buy my first set of clippers mainly to start cutting my son’s hair (2 years old), though I would also use it on my hair as well. I was wondering if you have any reviews/recommendations for the best children’s clippers? My research online seems to show that most clippers marketed specifically towards young children seem to be rather cheap in terms of quality. I was just wondering if you can provide any guidance towards my purchase? I’m leaning towards the Wahl Elite Pro since it seems to be a great value, and I like that it comes as a kit. That being said, I’m willing to pay more to get more since I would like to use this for many years. I’m not sure if the Elite Pro would be great for young children considering it’s size/cord/etc. Perhaps I should buy a clipper marketed towards children and just plan on “upgrading” when he gets older?
Thanks in advance for your time!
Jake
Hi Jake! You’re right that home hair clippers that are marketed towards kids are cheap. Most home hair clippers in general are. I think the Wahl Elite Pro is a good clipper and you would be happy with the results. The only thing to consider is that a child at that age generally gets afraid of clippers because they are loud. I would go with a quieter clipper like the Oster Fast Feed. As long as your own hair is not something too difficult to cut as it isn’t super powerful. Another clipper to consider are the cordless Andis Ultra clippers. Going cordless makes it really easy to cut kids hair and they are very quiet too, just on the pricey side. Let us know what you end up with and how it worked out!
Hello, appreciate all the helpful info you provide. I just got back into cutting my own hair and also have been practicing more on fades hopefully to get into the barber business. I never really researched clippers before kinda just went and bought what seemed right actually went through a couple of them but at the end I was using some wahl seniors and a nice andis also don’t remember the model. This time I actually have taken the time and did some research but still a little hesitant on which to invest in, my choices actually are between the oster fast feed and the andis pro, the only thing I have an issue with on the andis is the overheating, that’s the problem I had with a few before that I couldn’t finish the bald fade because the blade would be too hot. What would you recommend for someone like me, I have always had a small fade I do a 1 or 2 on top and fade the sides, but also want to improve on my hair cutting skills to make myself barbershop worthy. Appreciate your time and response, thank you.
Teo G
Hi Teo
Overheating is very common with Andis, unless you go for the rotary systems like the BGR line. Those are really expensive, though, and probably overkill for what you want to do at home. Since you say you are doing bald fades, the Wahl Balding clippers should be a good choice, and I think the Wahl Senior is always a good move for the versatility. The Fast Feed I think is good too as it has its place, especially for at home cuts, but I think the Senior beats it in many ways. It’s hard to make a specific recommendation as I don’t know how many haircuts you plan to do. In other words, are you only wanting to cut your own hair to practice or will you be cutting others? If you are looking for a clipper that you can bring into a professional environment, that also depends on the type of cuts you are going to do predominantly. Give me some more details and I will give you some more specific advice. You definitely don’t want to get something that you later won’t be able to use professionally if you do make it as a barber.
Thank you for the help appreciate it.
Well, I would like to get something good enough to get me started and help me build up my fading skills and maybe once I’ve reached that level then I would like to get another clipper that would benefit me more, doesn’t hurt to have 2. I would think most of my cuts would be fades since that’s what everyone likes to get now including myself and close people to me, but also get into men’s regular cuts which shouldn’t be hard, but my skills I would like to be more towards the expertise of fading. At the moment I cut my hair and my nephews maybe a buddy of mine, but I hope to practice more on myself and nephews for some time and hopefully expand to friends while I see if this works out for me.
Also, besides the overheating of the clippers, my other problem is with regards to the blades, I’ve had a problem with them digging into my skin when fading and have been with the wahl clippers and one andis, so when i started my search my first looks was at the shape of the teeth and decided for myself if they might do this or not. So as you can see I’m probably the hardest person to help decide lol. I’m still leaning towards the fast feed because of the reasons stated but maybe there’s something you can recommend, I know you said the seniors but looking at those teeth and just having the same problem on overheating on the blades with wahl I would like to try something different but if you still recommend some wahl clippers then I will have to give them a second chance.
Thank you for your response
For what you describe, essentially a good starter clipper that can be used while you evolve as a barber to then use as a backup, I say get the Wahl Senior. I used it for a couple of years in the shop and it was more than capable for fades. If you think you’re going to do a lot of skin fades then you can 0 gap the blade and get right down to razor level. The Fast Feed can also be 0 gapped and I really like the rotary motor as opposed to the electromagnetic one of the Senior, but for versatility, I think the edge goes to the Wahl Senior. Once you’re making money in the shop and think you’re ready to upgrade then your clipper needs will change and we’ll have to talk again to see what it is that you are looking for at that point. I don’t think you can go wrong with either the FF or the Senior, but I can only tell you about my experience with both and if I had to choose would go Senior.
Hello,
I would love to start cutting my own hair. I am a black female with alopecia and I think I can buzz cut my own hair even all over. I don’t want a bald head, I just want a little hair. I think I get cut at a 1??? I’m new to all of this. I am overwhelmed by all the clipper choices. Can you help?
Thanks!
Hope
Yes, a number 1 would be perfect as it will leave a little bit of hair to where you will hardly notice the bald patches but still have something there.
I’m (male in his 30s) in the market for a good hair clipper . I’m looking for something that will cut my thick hair effectively and will serve me well for at least 6-8 years (which my previous Panasonic ER1510 clipper did). I need something with a good combs attachment selection available as I like to clip the top part of my hair with 20-25mm comb attachments (I clip the sides to around 1mm). It seems that a Wahl would be the best choice, especially with their premium comb attachments (Panasonic did not have a good comb attachment selection as their max was 15mm). I’m seeing that Wahl Pro Elite would be a good, cost-effective option. However, I’m a bit unsure if it’s good enough on the long run. Then there’s the cordless versions of Magic Clip and Senior. Unfortunately, especially with the comb attachment set that has to be bought seperately, they’d cost me 3x more then Pro Elite. I’m prepared to pay that much but I’m not sure if it’s an overkill for someone who will only clip his own hair. As for Magic Clip vs. Senior… It seems Magic Clip is more popular but I kinda get the feeling that Senior might have more value (the cordless Magic Clip seems to have a bunch of bad reviews concerning durability and holding a charge). Thoughts?
Hi there,
I’m looking to do a simple buzz cut on myself but using more higher guards on top so I don’t need to go to the barbers often.
Which Wahl would you recommend? I was looking at magic cordless but I don’t think I need the staggered blade for my needs? Or am I wrong?
Hi … I like to trim the side(s) of my hair around each ear in-between haircuts. When my hair grows, it tends to stick out and a trim would be perfect. What would you recommend?
Thanks.
I read with great interest your help offered,thank you for this.
Like many at the moment are probably turning to a do it yourself job as my barber closed down.
I managed, but my clipper died a few times due to battery running out.
So first preferences will be corded with possibly a good battery.
My question please 🙏. What should I buy once a month is what I would use it.
I rather buy something and pay a little more for a good motor good blades, in my mind the Wahl seems to be a good buy , but which one should I look at please.
Thank you in advance
Alfred
Hello. First, I should express my appreciation the elucidate information you have been giving which is really hard to be found elsewhere.
I intend to buy a hair clipper (as a home user) that;
– Is a budget friendly one (not to exceed 50-60 $)
– Is Cordless but able to be used by electricity when charging (i.e. not obliging to be charged when to use)
– Is Ideal for short hair cutting (but not necessarily balding), nape shaving and sideburn shortening.
– Has accessories for ears&nose preferably but not obligational.
So far the brands I have noticed are mostly wahl (5 star, groomsman, magic, hero), moser (1901), remington (pg6045, hc6550, hc4250 [not so in favor of that due to physical shape but remarkable characteristics]), braun (mgk 5060) and philips (hc3520/15). But I got lost in so many various types.
I would be more than happy if you could provide me some recommendations that will help me decide.
(Regarding the other brands such as Aster, it is not so common in Turkey and hard to find]
Hi. I’m wondering what you’d say about the Babyliss Pro Volare X2 clipper. Is for all hair types, or only stiff, coarse hair? would it be a good investment for proffesionals, or even for home use? I also see it being used for fades, but how are the guide combs? What other pros/cons? Thanks!
I have a Wahl Super Taper, but the maximum comb/guard available is only #4 that cuts 13 mm. Can I buy higher numbered guards say #8 separately and attach it to this clipper or is the blade cutting length limited to 13mm?
I have cut my own hair for 20 years. My most recent clipper was a Remmington with a ceramic blade. Getting bald on top with very fine wispy hair so I went from cutting at 1/4 inch (6.35mm) to 1/8 inch (3.17mm) just so the clipper could cut evenly. Time for a new clipper. I am looking for a clipper that can cut the fine hair to 1/4 or 1/8 inch without a dozen passes. I don’t do fades but it would be a bonus if the clipper could do neck clean up without changing blades. Otherwise I will also be buying a trimmer. Corded is my preference and long lasting is a must, not price sensitive.