High-quality professional hair clippers are different from consumer hair clippers in the same way that high-performance sports cars are different from low-profile city hatchbacks.
You get more power and better performance, but you also pay more and need more skill to do justice to the sports car or the professional hair clipper. A skillful user can even get more versatility and mileage out of a professional hair clipper.
To do this, though, you need to know your device inside out. You need to know its strengths and its weaknesses. Moreover, you need to know how to take care of it. In this guide, we’ll help you be that expert.
We’ll not only analyze the best professional hair clippers for your benefit on this page but also arm you with everything you need to know to choose the right device. Here’s everything you’ll find in this guide.
Budget |
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Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110 |
4.5/5.0 |
Product Weight: 0.6 pounds |
Accompaniments: 6 |
Designed specifically for extremely close cuts, this hair clipper can become truly multipurpose if you have your own set of attachments and combs. |
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Best Value |
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Wahl Professional 5-Star Series Senior Clippers #8545 |
4.5/5.0 |
Product Weight: 2.2 pounds |
Accompaniments: 8 |
Built specifically for the commercial setup, this hair clipper from Wahl takes into account every requirement a professional can have and has a built-in taper control. |
Check Amazon |
Top Pick |
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OSTER Classic 76 Universal Motor Clipper 76076010 |
475/5.0 |
Product Weight: 2 pounds |
Accompaniments: 4 |
Easily the best professional hair clipper out there, this one boasts of everything that you’ll ever need from your device for decades if not generations and kit contains four pieces. |
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- What to Consider While Buying Professional Hair Clippers?
- Top 10 Professional Hair Clippers Comparison Table
- Top 3 Premium Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 4 Value Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Budget Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
What to Consider While Buying Professional Hair Clippers?
Most professional hair clippers are designed to be very durable. This means that they aren’t only designed to last a very long time, but also to handle a lot of work. Therefore, buying a professional hair clipper is a long-term investment.
Since it isn’t one of those devices you can buy and replace in the next few months, you need to be committed to your choice. This means analyzing every aspect of the professional hair clipper very carefully. As to which aspects you should be analyzing, consider the following.
The Motor
The heart of any professional hair clipper is its motor. Most of the load of cutting hair falls on the motor of a hair clipper since it drives the blades. As a result, when the motor breaks down, the hair clipper turns into a very expensive paperweight.
This is why you have to pay close attention to the motor of hair clippers when deciding which one to buy. Here are your options.
Pivot
Pivot motors use two electromagnets to make the blades vibrate. This vibration of the blades allows them to cut hair. Pivot motors generate a very powerful cutting action even though they operate at lower speeds. They also happen to be quite expensive, which is why you won’t find many hair clippers built around them.
Unless you have a thriving barbershop or hairstyling business and handle hundreds of clients every day, you won’t need your professional hair clippers to be built around pivot motors.
Electromagnetic
Electromagnetic motors are like pivot motors with one difference. While pivot motors use two electromagnets, electromagnetic motors use a spring in place of one of the electromagnets to make the blades vibrate.
Electromagnetic motors operate at twice the speeds of pivot motors but offer half as much power. However, this is only true when the power output of the two types of motors is identical.
Most Wahl hair clippers are based around electromagnetic motors with very highpoweroutput ratings. In fact, most professional hair clippers use electromagnetic motors because they have a simple design and don’t break down easily.
Rotary
Rotary motors are the most powerful motors in the industry. They’re used exclusively in industrial strength clippers and are harder to find in the consumer market. In fact, they’re typically used in bulk hair removal setups.
You won’t need hair clippers with rotary motors unless you plan on giving cuts to animals like incredibly hairy dogs and horses.
While you have to pay attention to the type of motor used in the hair clipper, you should also check the power output of that motor. The motor with a higher power output will offer significantly more cutting power.
The Blades
It is important to buy a hair clipper with a powerful motor, but you also need a clipper with blades that can support that power output. If the blades aren’t made of the right material or get blunt too quickly, then even a powerful motor cannot deliver a good cut.
Look for clippers that have stainless steel blades as they’re not prone to rust. You should also favor self-sharpening technology because it prevents the blades from becoming blunt.
Blunt blades not only result in nicks and cuts, but they also cause shoddy haircuts. Further, since the self-sharpening technology will ensure that the blades remain sharp, you won’t have to worry about the cost of replacement blades.
The Usability
The usability of a hair clipper is a fairly subjective topic. Every individual has different requirements so everyone will look for different usability-focused features.
While you will have to make up your mind whether a device will fit your needs, here are a few features we suggest you look at.
- Corded or cordless: Cordless devices are less powerful than corded ones. However, corded devices will limit your movement by the length of their cords.
- Cord length: If you do go for corded devices, consider the cord length carefully. You don’t want to end up with a device with a cord that forces you to have a new socket installed.
- Dimensions: Smaller clippers are better if you have smaller hands and primarily cut kids’ hair. Larger clippers, obviously, offer more power but are also very wieldy.
- Weight: If you think you’ll be using your hair clipper on more than a single person daily, you’ll want to pay attention to how heavy it is. Half a pound doesn’t seem a lot unless you’re managing the device for hours without a break. Lighter clippers are more travel-friendly too.
- Versatility: If you want versatility, then you need to look at two things. The first is the number of guides and attachments that come with the device and the other is whether the clipper has an adjustable taper lever.
Top 10 Professional Hair Clippers Comparison Table
Top 3 Premium Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
1. OSTER Classic 76 Universal Motor Clipper 76076010 (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
Oster has been serving the barber and hairstyling industry for more than a century now. Its hair clippers are well-known for their suitability to heavy-duty use in a commercial outlet and this particular model is no different.
Although this clipper only has a single speed setting, it is capable of handling all hair types and cuts. More importantly, it is capable of handling the heavy-duty requirements of a busy salon or barbershop. It can do this because it is built around a very powerful motor. The powerful motor, unfortunately, means that this device is quite noisy.
The housing around the motor and other components is incredibly durable and strong. It is so strong, in fact, that this device will last for decades if not generations.
However, all that durability means that this is one of the heaviest and bulkiest clippers you’ll find in the market. If you have small hands or don’t have the right muscle build, you probably can’t handle this device.
This clipper comes with detachable blades of two different sizes – 000 and 1. While these can’t cover the full gamut of requirements of a professional hairstylist, it isn’t that big a problem because most professionals have their own set of blades, guides, and attachments.
If you don’t have an independent set of blades and guides, then you can always get it separately. Oster provides both, metal and plastic attachments separately. While the metal set is quite expensive, it is also very long-lasting.
The fact that this clipper doesn’t have adjustable taper settings could be a problem, though. If you want to fade and blend, then you’ll probably have to use another device to supplement this one.
The blades, themselves, are very easy to change. Further, the fact that they’re detachable makes this device very easy to clean. When taken off, they reveal all the areas of the device where hair can get stuck. More importantly, these areas become very accessible and very easy to clean.
Even though this device is intended for professionals, it still offers multiple convenience-focused features. Consider the fact that it has a nine-feet long power cord. A cord this long increases the reach of the device and even makes it possible for multiple people to share it without changing the sockets.
The housing of this clipper isn’t just incredibly durable and long-lasting. It is also textured making it very easy to grip and maneuver. Further, the clipper has a metal, loop at the bottom so that you can hang it within easy reach. Additionally, this device comes with important accessories like a cleaning brush, clipper grease, lubricating oil, and a blade guard.
You use the cleaning brush to brush away hair on the blades and the lubricating oil to prevent rust. The blade guard should be put on when the clipper is not in use to prevent dust from ruining the blades while the clipper grease is to keep the motor in good shape.
Oster has even made sure that this hair clipper conforms to your sense of esthetics. It doesn’t matter which color you prefer because it is highly likely that you can get this device in that color.You’ll have 14 color options to pick from.
They include single tone options like gold, brown, green, pink, hot pink, purple, silver, yellow, orange, and aqua blue along with multicolored or textured finishes like rasta, snake skin, wooden, and vibrant.
This clipper is built to last decades and its price reflects that fact. While initially, you’ll find it very expensive, once you realize that you’ll never have to buy another, the price becomes quite acceptable.
Who’s it for: If you want the most long-lasting, most professional-friendly hair clipper, get this one from Oster.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 7.5 inches |
Product weight: 2 pounds |
Accompaniments: 4 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful, heavy-duty motor |
Kit contains four pieces |
Built with very durable metal |
Comes with two detachable, metal blades |
Blades are very easy to change |
Very easy to clean |
Textured housing makes gripping very easy |
The hanging loop makes storage convenient |
Boasts of a nine-feet cord |
Comes in 14 different colors |
Quite a compact device |
The Cons |
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Very heavy device |
Fairly loud |
Doesn’t come with enough attachments |
Doesn’t have adjustable taper settings |
Very expensive device |
2. Andis Master 15-Watt Adjustable Blade Hair Clipper (01557)
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
The Andis Master is built to be used in a professional setting. It has enormous amounts of power and can handle virtually all types of hair, regardless of how thick or coarse they are. However, this device isn’t just about power. It exhibits excellent precision too.
It is based around a magnetic motor that generates 14,000 cutting strokes every 60 seconds. Even with all that power, this device doesn’t make a lot of noise and is fairly quiet. It does vibrate heavily, though, and its vibrations could become annoying over an extended period of time.
The motor provides power to precision blades that can be adjusted between 000 and 1 sizes. In case these sizes aren’t sufficient for your requirements, other sizes are available too. This clipper even comes with maintenance accessories such as lubricating oil and a blade guard.
More importantly, the blade configuration can be made “zero overlap”. “Zero overlap” blade setting is used for delivering extremely close cuts, which makes this clipper ideal if your client wants to go bald.
The “zero overlap” setting requires the stationary and moving blades to be arranged from edge to edge without any gap between them. Clippers without the “zero overlap” capability have blades that overlap. This means that their cut isn’t close and that there is a risk of hair being pulled.
The body of this clipper is made up of aluminum which makes it strong and light at the same time. This device is fairly compact too. Further, its design puts the on-off switch on the side making it convenient to flip with the thumb.
The biggest flaw with this device is that it doesn’t come with any blade attachments. However, professionals shouldn’t find this too troublesome as they’ll have their own standard set of attachments and guides.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a powerful professional hair clipper with zero overlap capabilities, get this device.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 2 x 1.8 x 6 inches |
Product weight: 1.25 pounds |
Accompaniments: 3 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful, heavy-duty motor |
Kit contains three pieces |
Built with very durable metal |
Comes with an adjustable blade |
Zero overlap blades allow extremely close cuts |
Fairly quiet device |
Quite a compact device |
The Cons |
---|
Doesn’t come with enough attachments |
Vibrates a bit too much |
Expensive device |
3. Wahl Professional Vacuum Clipper #8566
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Wahl is one of the biggest names when it comes to hair cutting and styling tools. Their clippers are known to be not only dependable and reliable but also very versatile and powerful.
This particular model, however, is known for its vacuum capability. This doesn’t mean that the Wahl #8566 doesn’t boast of all the usual qualities that Wahl clippers are known for. It just means that its vacuum capability stands out more.
This model comes prepped for vacuum suction, but you can’t use its vacuum functionality unless you attach a vacuum cleaner to it. Wahl has provided a hose and a dual vacuum adapter with this clipper.
You’ll have to use to connect them to your vacuum cleaner to give your device the vacuuming capability. One end of the hose connects to the bottom of the clipper while the other connects with the cleaner.
The effect of this conversion is beautiful. As the clipper cuts hair, it gets sucked into the vacuum cleaner, leaving the area around your super clean. The hose, however, could’ve been better. It is a bit too short and also a little flimsy. It is quite prone to kinking and collapsing in on itself.
This device is excellent even if you disregard its vacuum capability. It boasts of a V9000 electromagnetic motor that delivers all the power you will ever need for any hair type or cutting assignment.
Its power is backed by stainless-steel blades with a self-sharpening design. There’s even a built-in adjustable taper lever which makes tapering a breeze with this device.
To further enhance its versatility, this device comes with six attachment combs. While the provided attachments are very useful, they’re not enough if you want to tap into the full potential of this device. You’ll need separate comb attachments and guides to do that.
This device is completely metal which gives it great staying power and durability. However, it’s metal housing also makes this device a bit too heavy for casual users. Its ergonomic grip, luckily, neutralizes its weight to a certain extent.
Another great quality of this clipper is that you can use it corded or cordless. The provided cord is about 7.5 feet long which should be enough for most setups.
Like all heavy-duty, high-quality, professional hair clippers, this one is slightly on the expensive side. However, its durability and functionality more than justify the cost.
Who’s it for: If cleaning up after a session is a problem for you or you want cordless functionality, get this vacuum, cordless hair clipper.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 3.8 x 10 inches |
Product weight: 2 pounds |
Accompaniments: 10 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful V9000 electromagnetic motor |
Stainless-steel blades with a self-sharpening design |
Kit contains ten pieces |
Can be used corded or cordless |
Has a built-in taper control |
Comes pre-prepped for vacuum integration |
Built with very durable metal |
Ergonomically designed |
The Cons |
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Fairly loud |
The provided hose for vacuum integration is too flimsy and too short |
May need to buy extra guides for maximum versatility |
Expensive device |
Very heavy device |
Top 4 Value Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
4. Andis Professional Barber Combo – CL-66325
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
When it comes to value for money in the short term, no other device can beat this combo from Andis. This combo contains a hair clipper and a hair trimmer, both of which are crucial for any professional setup.
While the cost of this combo puts it in the mid-level price bracket, the fact that you get two devices for the price of one makes it amazingly affordable and economical. The value you get from this combo is its biggest quality.
Apart from the two devices, your package will also contain six clipper combs and four trimmer combs along with a clipper blade guard and lubricating oil. Between the two devices and their total ten attachments, this combo is capable of handling all cutting and trimming requirements.
The build quality of the guards for both devices is suspect, however. They tend to bend and break too easily. In fact, even the build quality of the devices is not all that great. There are lots of complaints from the users of the devices breaking down. The trimmer seems to be particularly fragile.
Both the devices are sleek and sit well in hand, even though they’re a bit on the heavier side. The clipper even boasts of a taper adjustment lever that goes from size 000 to size 1. The clipper also has a hanger loop if you prefer to hang your devices.
The motor on the clipper is not as loud as many of its competitors, but that could be because it isn’t as powerful as the truly heavy-duty professional options. It still manages to heat up the housing, however. In fact, the clipper is prone to overheating, as per user reports.
Who’s it for: If you need a trimmer along with your hair clipper and don’t want to spend too much, get this Andis combo.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 2.6 inches |
Product weight: 2.9 pounds |
Accompaniments: 14 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful motor |
Kit contains 14 pieces including a separate trimmer |
Has a built-in taper control |
The hanging loop makes storage convenient |
Affordably priced |
The Cons |
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Can get hot |
The low build quality of the guards and the machines |
A little on the heavier side |
5. Wahl Professional 5-Star Series Senior Clippers #8545 (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
“Zero overlap” hair clippers aren’t very common. This is the second one we’re reviewing in this guide. The first one was from Andis and this one is its direct competitor from Wahl. This one, however, is significantly cheaper. In fact, it falls in the mid-level or value price bracket.
Because of the way it is priced, the Wahl #8545 is very much a steal. It offers excellent functionality along with superb durability. While the “zero overlap” turns this device into an elite clipper, its functionality is also boosted by the presence of an adjustable taper lever and three guides.
You don’t have to worry if the provided guides aren’t enough for your requirements because this clipper supports the standard attachments that most professionals keep anyway.
In fact, we do recommend using your own guides because the ones that have been provided aren’t built all that well. If you plan on using this device at home, you can always get an attachment set separately. They aren’t very expensive.
This clipper does require a certain amount of skill from its user. The main reason for this is the sharpness of the clippers. “Zero overlap” devices work very close to the skin and even the slightest of a slip in technique can cause cuts and nicks.
Also, like all professional hair clippers, this one is a bit on the heavier side. The weight may cause you to tire quicker, which will, in turn, lead to that slip. We suggest going slow with this one, at least in the initial stages, until you’ve figured it out.
This clipper is heavy because of the quality of its housing and its components. It lasts a really long time owing to its incredibly reliable aluminum housing. Inside the housing, the heart of this device is a V9000 electromagnetic motor that creates an insane amount of cutting power.
At the same time, it is also very noisy and vibrates a lot. Further, the powerful motor and metal housing combine to make this device very hot. Even so, it doesn’t get too hot to handle.
If you decide to order this clipper, you can expect to see a styling comb, lubricating oil, a cleaning brush, and a red blade guard apart from the previously mentioned guides in your package.
Who’s it for: If you want a professional hair clipper with all the bells and whistles possible, get this one.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 3 x 6 x 5 inches |
Product weight: 2.2 pounds |
Accompaniments: 8 |
The Pros |
---|
Kit contains eight pieces |
Quite a compact device |
Powerful V9000 electromagnetic motor |
Built with very durable metal |
Zero overlap blades allow extremely close cuts |
Has a built-in taper control |
The Cons |
---|
Metal housing can get hot |
Provided guides of low build quality |
A fairly loud and noisy device |
Very heavy device |
Requires skill to be useful |
6. Wahl Professional 5-Star Cord/Cordless Magic Clip #8148
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
If versatility and adaptability are what you’re after, then the Wahl #8148 will make your day. It is not only perfect for the traveling professional, but also an excellent option for personal users.
This is mainly for two reasons. The first is that this is an incredibly lightweight device. In fact, it is easily the lightest professional hair clipper out there, making it very easy to maneuver when in use and pack when it is not. It is light, even though it has a metal housing.
The metal, however, could’ve been of better quality. As it is, there are lots of complaints of the metal rusting, if the device isn’t maintained well. Moreover, when used over an extended period of time, its housing gets a bit too hot.
The other reason why this clipper is so travel-friendly is that it can be used cordlessly or while attached to a cord.While you lose some of its power while operating it on battery, it can still manage most requirements for more than 90 minutes.
Further, the fact that it achieves full charge in about 20-30 minutes means that you can actually use it on the road or while camping. Also, this is a dual voltage clipper, which means that you can take it anywhere in the world.
This clipper is good at what it does too. For instance, it boasts of the “zero overlap” capability. This means that you can use it for all types of cuts and styles including the balding look.
Its usefulness is augmented by its adjustable taper lever since it makes fading and blending possible. This clipper is accompanied by a red blade guard, a cleaning brush, lubricating oil, and eight attachment combs. It is even available in two colors – red and black & gold.
Who’s it for: If you want a travel-friendly, professional hair clipper, get the Magic Clip #8148 from Wahl.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 6.25 x 1 x 1 inches |
Product weight: 0.62 pounds |
Accompaniments: 13 |
The Pros |
---|
More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Super light device |
Kit contains 13 pieces |
Can be used corded or cordless |
Can run for 90+ minutes on battery |
Charges super-fast |
Excellent for fading and blending |
Has a built-in taper control |
Available in two colors |
Metal housing |
Zero overlap blades allow extremely close cuts |
Dual voltage device |
The Cons |
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Lacks power when used cordlessly |
Metal housing can get hot |
Prone to rusting |
7. Wahl Professional Senior Clipper #8500
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
This is the classic hair clipper used by barber and hairstyling professionals. However, it is so useful and effective that it remains relevant even today.
Built around a V9000 electromagnetic motor, this hair clipper’s power output is incomparable and unparalleled. However, you don’t always have to use it on full power. You get the option to manipulate its power output just like old-school barbers used to do.
There is a screw on this clipper responsible for its power output. You can tighten or loosen it with the help of a Philips screwdriver to manipulate the clipper’s power output.
However, be prepared for a lot of noise if you’re about to turn it up to the maximum. More than the noise, though, you’ll have to make peace with the vibration.
Like all powerful motors, this one vibrates strongly and the metal housing conducts that vibration well. Furthermore, the metal housing also tends to conduct heat and the device gets a bit too hot when left running for too long.
The clipper is made up of extremely rugged and durable metal. Further, its design is such that it can handle rough use. At the same time, this device is designed to be ergonomically perfect. It is compact and surprisingly light for its sturdy build.
It is also as versatile a device as they come, provided you have the right attachments and guides. As it is, you’ll get three attachment combs which increase the versatility of this clipper significantly.
Moreover, the clipper sports an adjustable taper level which adds to its versatility. Apart from the combs, you’ll get lubricating oil, a cleaning brush, and a red blade guard with this clipper.
Who’s it for: If you want a classic hair clipper typically used by old-school hairstyling experts, get this device.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 2.5 x 2 x 7 inches |
Product weight: 1.3 pounds |
Accompaniments: 7 |
The Pros |
---|
More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful V9000 electromagnetic motor |
Power output can be managed via a screw |
Kit contains seven pieces |
Has a built-in taper control |
Built with very durable metal |
Boasts of an eight-feet, industrial heavy-duty cord |
Quite a compact device |
Very lightweight device |
The Cons |
---|
Fairly loud |
Vibrates a bit too much |
Metal housing can get hot |
May need to buy extra guides for maximum versatility |
Expensive device |
Top 3 Budget Professional Hair Clippers: Detailed Reviews
8. OSTER Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper 76023-510
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
The vast majority of professional hair clippers are noisy because they need to have powerful motors to be able to serve their purpose. The more powerful a motor, the more noise it will make. This is why these clippers are so loud.
While it is impossible to get power without the noise, it is still possible to find a happy balance between the two where you compromise on some of the power to get a quieter hair clipper. The Oster Fast Feed 76023-510 is that device.
It boasts of a whisper-quiet pivot motor which doesn’t make a lot of noise. Pivot motors are slower,but they’re also more powerful than electromagnetic motors of the same power rating.
This pivot motor may not be comparable to truly professional grade electromagnetic motors, but you don’t need a lawnmower to handle everyday haircuts anyway. Even with the pivot motor, this clipper can handle all hair types and cuts.
Another pivot motor benefit is that it is lighter than other varieties. As a result, this hair clipper is also lighter than most of its competitors. This clipper’s light weight makes it very easy to maneuver around the head, especially if you’re cutting your own hair. Maneuverability is further boosted by this device’s eight-feet long power cord.
However, just because this is a lightweight device doesn’t mean that it isn’t durable. It has an ultra-durable metal housing that will last you a very long time. Unfortunately, the metal housing also means that this device gets very hot, very quickly when in use.
It is also designed ergonomically and has a textured grip on the housing that makes it incredibly easy to grip and use. Moreover, it also has a metal hanging hook which makes it easy to store.
This hair clipper has a steel blade which can be adjusted to any size between 000 and 1 with the help of the provided adjustment arm. The arm, though, tends to break because of its low build quality.
It comes with four guide combs that make it even more versatile and useful. Other accessories you can expect to see in the box include a cleaning brush, lubricating oil, and a blade guard. You can get this hair clipper in six different colors too. Options include light blue, dark blue, burgundy, purple, silver, and vibrant.
People looking for budget-level hair clippers may find this one slightly beyond their range. At the same time, though, this hair clipper is fairly unique in how quiet it is. So, if you’re allergic to noise, then this clipper’s cost may not seem all that unfeasible.
Who’s it for: If you want your professional hair clipper to be quiet and light too, then get this model.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 10.5 inches |
Product weight: 1 pound |
Accompaniments: 8 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Super-quiet but powerful motor |
Very light device |
Very light device |
Built with very durable metal |
Has an adjustable steel blade |
Textured housing makes gripping very easy |
Available in six colors |
The metal hanging loop makes storage convenient |
Boasts of an eight-feet cord |
The Cons |
---|
Metal housing can get hot |
Lacks power and cutting speed |
Low build quality |
Adjustment arm breaks too soon |
A little pricey for a budget product |
9. Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110 (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Every hair clipper can’t cut hair so close that the person almost looks bald. Professional hair clippers with “zero overlap” capability can achieve that look but the others cannot.
However, it is very unlikely that you’ll find the “zero overlap” feature in the budget price segment. What you will find, however, are hair clippers designed specifically for balding cuts. Wahl #8110 is the best of those devices.
It offers what the company calls a “surgically-close cut”. The close cut is great for people who want the bald look, but it is also excellent for producing fades. It gives these cuts because of its German-milled titanium blades that have a self-sharpening design.
A hair clipper that claims to deliver such close cuts need to be very precise or it will end up pulling, cutting, and nicking the skin. None of those problems occur with this hair clipper.
Its blades are very well aligned and don’t cause any problems unless you don’t know how to use such clippers. Without the right technique, though, this hair clipper has the potential to cut and nick skin.
While it is a balding hair clipper, it isn’t only that. It comes with two attachment combs and supports the standard combs if you have a separate set. With the combs, this hair clipper can handle more than only balding cuts and fades.
Apart from the two attachment combs, it also comes with a cleaning brush, lubricating oil, and a red blade guard. In case you don’t want these accessories and save money at the same time, you can order the clipper without them too.
This clipper is built around a powerful V5000+ electromagnetic motor. While this isn’t the most powerful motor in Wahl’s arsenal, it still has sufficient power to handle short to medium length hair.
This is a very user-friendly device too. For instance, it is extremely compact and super-light. This means that it is not only easy to maneuver, but also very easy to transport if required. Further, it has an eight-feet long, professional grade chord that is resistant to the usual chemicals you see in professional setups.
The best part is its cost, though. It offers all these qualities, features, and benefits at an amazing and unmatched price. Unfortunately, this clipper’s build quality reflects its cost, i.e. it is low. The cheap plastic material can make the clipper feel flimsy. However, it still manages to stay reliable, if taken care of.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a hair clipper capable of delivering very close cuts and balding fades within a budget, then this hair clipper is perfect or you.
Tech Specs |
---|
Product Dimensions: 1.8 x 1.8 x 5 inches |
Product weight: 0.6 pounds |
Accompaniments: 6 |
The Pros |
---|
Specifically designed for extremely close cuts |
Powerful V5000 electromagnetic motor |
German-milled titanium blades with a self-sharpening design |
Kit contains six pieces |
Boasts of an eight-feet, industrial heavy-duty cord |
Available in two variants |
Very compact device |
Very lightweight device |
Amazingly affordable |
The Cons |
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Very low build quality |
Requires skill to be useful |
10. Wahl Clipper Elite Pro High Performance Haircut Kit #79602
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
If you’re looking for professional hair clippers that can be used at home, then the Wahl #79602 is the one you want. It is specifically designed for home users looking for professional level features and capabilities.
All the professional capabilities are there in this device, albeit in a slightly reduced form. For instance, while this device doesn’t have Wahl’s commercial grade motor, its consumer motor is still far more powerful than most consumer hair clippers.
That power, however, also means that this clipper is louder than most of its competitors. Around the motor, you’ll find a fairly sturdy metal body. The body, though, isn’t as durable as it could’ve been. There are far too many complaints about the metal body rusting fairly early in this clipper’s life.
This clipper’s metal housing also makes it very heavy. In fact, it is so heavy that your wrists and arm muscles will start complaining within a few minutes of using it. It is not even like this clipper is very compact. On the contrary, it is bulky which makes it even more difficult to maneuver.
Moreover, since metal is a great conductor of heat, this clipper’s metal body conducts the heat generated by its motor a bit too well. As a result, this device tends to get very hot while in use.
Apart from these minor inconveniences, this clipper is incredibly versatile. In fact, it isn’t just a clipper. It’s a whole 21-piece kit. The highlight of the kit is its guide combs. It comes with ten “secure-fit” guards with stainless clips.
Other items you’ll find in this kit include a drawstring pouch to hold the guards, a blade guard, a cord wrap, a hard storage case with a handle, a cleaning brush, lubricating blade oil, a small cape, a styling comb, and a pair of scissors. The clipper even boasts of an adjustable taper lever.
Further, this clipper also has an eight-feet long industrial heavy-duty cord and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The best part, though, is that you get all these qualities for anunbelievable price.
Considering how elaborate this kit is, it could’ve been priced in the mid-level segment. Instead, it is on the lower side of even the budget segment. As a result, it typifies the concept of value for money.
Who’s it for: If you want home-use hair clippers with professional level features and qualities, then this is the device you should choose.
Tech Specs |
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Product Dimensions: 3 x 9 x 10 inches |
Product weight: 2.5 pounds |
Accompaniments: 21 |
The Pros |
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More than capable of handling all types of hair |
Powerful consumer motor |
Kit contains 21 pieces |
Has a metal body |
Boasts of an eight-feet industrial cord |
Has a built-in taper control |
Amazingly priced |
The Cons |
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Very heavy device |
Fairly loud |
A little on the bulky side |
Heats up too fast |
Metal body can rust easily |