Wahl Senior Review

However, I’ll also compare the Wahl 5 star Senior vs Wahl Senior, and throw the ultimate Senior Reflections in the mix too.

Also, here are my own 5 star Seniors:

Comparison table between all Senior models

Power within: the V9000 motor roars

Let’s start with the basic Wahl 8500 Senior model.

What can you expect from one of the finest Wahl professional hair clippers? Only the best output. The standard Senior comes packed with a V9000 motor, Wahl’s most powerful one yet.

It outperforms other Wahl cutters running on the older V5000 motor. We’re talking about one of the industry’s highest performance achievers.

It isn’t just about speed, though. We’re talking about torque. It’s the powerful torque of the motor that will have you cutting through thick hair.

One thing that really slows a barber down is having to go over the same spot multiple times to get the hair cut evenly. This slow down eventually will start costing you money as it takes you longer to do a haircut.

The longer it takes to finish the fewer haircuts you can do per day. A weak clipper can end up costing you thousands of dollars per year.

The same praise can be said about the Wahl Senior blade. Sharp and precise as one would expect from Wahl, it performs close, precise and smooth cuts.

Many other clippers can pull your hair, but this is something you won’t see the #1005 Wahl Senior blade do. Your haircuts will get quicker, more accurate and hassle-free.

Weaker clippers will have the blades sometimes folding the hair. This is annoying for you and the customer. That literally has not happened to me once since I’ve owned the Senior.

You can also zero gap the steel blade, but be careful – it can become a tad too sharp. Beginners should just stick to the standard setup of the Wahl Senior 8500.

The 8500 Seniors come with clipper oil, blade guard, a brush, and 3 Wahl guards measuring from 1/16″ to 3/16″.

Check this quick showcase video to get a real feel of this monster:

Solid, tough & barber-grade: a Senior body

However, that isn’t its purpose. Instead, the design of this model focuses on sturdiness and durability.

Wahl clippers in general are workhorses and the Senior is chief among them for never failing to stand up when it’s time to be counted.

Mine had been dropped, banged and bruised and still keep ticking. The motor has never failed and they can run all day. Though, the one downside to using them as a primary clipper is that they can get hot, but we’ll talk more about that later.

Wahl Senior 8500’s lower half features ultra tough metal (chrome). The upper part is from high quality plastic colored in grey. The 5 star Senior switches the grey for an all-black coating:

A seemingly dull color combination? You’ll be surprised how appealing can both clippers look live. Sure, the appearance is more mundane and industrial.

At the same time, if you’re looking for a powerful barber clipper, you won’t care about looks. Wahl Senior clippers are a practical tool – they ensure you get the job done with 100% efficiency.

Wahl 5 star Senior vs Wahl Senior
vs Wahl Reflections Senior

The main difference between the 5 star Senior and the Senior is the blade. The standard Seniors have the #1005 blade (three holes), while the 5 star model comes with the special #2191 Wahl Fade blade (two holes.)

With its #0000 close-cutting fade blade, the Wahl 5 star Senior is better for both fades and closer cuts. It keeps the standard Senior’s V9000 motor and switches to black-coated top part, as I mentioned before.

The Reflections Senior on Amazon.com from the Sterling line also has a #2191 Wahl Fade blade. However, it improves on the previous model with accessories. You receive the whole set of 8 Wahl guards, instead of the 3 combs you get with the other two models.

This makes the Senior Sterling a great first clipper to get you started on your barber career. Anything that helps you save money and time to get your toolbox fitted out is always welcome.

And the best part is you already have a great primary clipper that you won’t need to upgrade as soon as you start making money. You can use this clipper for years to come before you will even think of replacing it.

In addition, the Reflections clipper relies on a fully chrome-color themed casing that is even more durable.

As for the Senior Vintage model on Amazon.com, I recommend it for true collectors. It combines the fade blade with additional “zero overlap” feature for even more precise cuts. The best thing about it is the design, however. Look at this beast, combining the exquisite chrome looks with red taper lever and switch.

The downside to this slick look, however, is that it does end up getting fingerprints all over it. You’ll find yourself wiping it down often to keep it looking sharp. It also gets scratched easily, unfortunately.

The not so great side of the Wahl Seniors

Issues with heating too much

Now let’s talk about the downside of this Wahl Senior Review. If you’ve ever cut your own hair with professional clippers, you’ll notice they tend to get hot. This is true for both Seniors’ main rivals – Andis Master and Oster classic 76. It’s also present in this model.

The Wahl Senior clippers will heat up when you work with them for a longer time. This is a combination of their powerful electromagnetic motor plus the fact that so much of their body is made of metal.

A good solution would be to just use some blade wash if you have to use them for longer periods of time. If you’re in for a quick haircut, the heat won’t be a severe issue for you.

Issues with heating too much

Now let’s talk about the downside of this Wahl Senior Review. If you’ve ever cut your own hair with professional clippers, you’ll notice they tend to get hot. This is true for both Seniors’ main rivals – Andis Master and Oster classic 76. It’s also present in this model.

The Wahl Senior clippers will heat up when you work with them for a longer time. This is a combination of their powerful electromagnetic motor plus the fact that so much of their body is made of metal.

A good solution would be to just use some blade wash if you have to use them for longer periods of time. If you’re in for a quick haircut, the heat won’t be a severe issue for you.

Vibrations & some design headaches

Owing to their powerful motors, many Wahl professional hair clippers vibrate significantly. Wahl Seniors join the bandwagon and will move in your hands more than what might be comfortable for some. Yet this is another very common problem among barber electric clippers.

Another factor affecting the vibrations is the metal case of the Wahl Senior 8500. As the material “transfers” the vibrations, they get more noticeable. This is the tradeoff for having an extra sturdy hair cutter body.

Final verdict

As you might have inferred from this Wahl Senior review, these are among the best Wahl professional hair clippers.

They live up to any expectations and contest higher priced rivals like Andis Master and Oster’s classic 76 hair clipper in terms of performance. While casual users can have a great time with them, the Wahl Seniors are more targeted at professionals.

Pick these if you’re looking for very powerful electric clippers that are tough, durable, and will cut your hair with an extreme precision. The Seniors are also a better fit for tighter budgets – for example, if you’re a barber just starting out.

If you can swallow their moderate heating problems and slight design shortcomings, you’re set.