- in Grooming by Jason Hall
5 Best Hair Clippers Reviews for Home Use (2017)
Tired of spending time and money on getting a haircut or fade at the barber when you can do it yourself at home?
I hear you. With the right hair clipper and a bit of practice, you can master the art of the simple hair cut.
Elaborate styles are best left to professionals, but you can do basic upkeep at home by using one of the best hair clippers on the market.
The best pair of clippers for you will depend on the style and performance you’re searching for. Below, we’ll outline what makes particular clippers stand out from their competition and review a few of the top products available so that you’re fully-equipped to make an educated decision.
Quick Review - Our Top 3 Picks
Here's our 3 best hair clippers for those who can't wait:
1. Oster Classic 76 Universal Motor Clipper
2. Wahl Color Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit
3. OSTER Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper
What is a Hair Clipper?
A hair clipper is a specialized grooming instrument used to cut head hair, you (or your stylist) use a hair clipper to cut long or medium-length hair.
Hair clippers usually come with attachments that adjust to hair length.
A hair clipper differs from a beard trimmer or body groomer because its design specifically concentrates on cutting head hair.
Some hair clippers come with attachments and different blades so you can use them for some tasks beside clipping hair on your head.
Trimmers may cut hair closely and attend to finer details and lack the ability to cut thick hair. A trimmer works close to the skin, but not as close as an electric shaver. You can trim a mustache or edge a beard with a beard trimmer.
Use a body groomer to remove hair on your back, chest, groin area, abdomen, underarms or other body parts. Body groomers combine the edging aspects of a trimmer with a shaver.A fine foil usually traps the hairs, so the shaver itself won't irritate or nick sensitive skin.
It may be impractical or expensive to buy three different hair cutting implements to edge beards, groom body hair and cut head hair. Some hair clippers have attachments and blades that turn them into body groomers or beard trimmers.
Why Do You Need a Hair Clipper?
A hair clipper offers the easiest way to get today's most popular hairstyles, including fades, buzzcuts and a clean-shaven bald head. Scissors trims long hair, but if you want a close to the scalp cut, you need to use hair clippers.
Consider buying a hair clipper If you want one of the following looks:
Use scissors if you like to keep your hair long or medium length. For buzzcuts or other
short styles, get yourself a hair clipper.
The Best Hair Clipper Brands
The top three hair clipper brands make hundreds of different clippers, blades and accessories to give you the perfect haircut. Here's a brief overview of what to expect from each brand.
Andis
Barbers often use Andis, a grooming brand with over 90 years in the business. The company's barber and stylist offerings include adjustable and detachable blade clippers and cordless and corded trimmers. At-home products include corded and corded clippers, trimmers and styling products.
Wahl
Wahl offers hair clippers for personal and professional use. Products include stainless steel grooming kits, combo hair cutting kits, and corded clipper/trimmers. The company was founded in 1919 in Sterling, Illinois and still maintains its headquarters there.
Oster
Oster Professional Products has been in business for over 100 years. The company offers a wide selection of clippers, trimmers, blades, and accessories for professional and home use. Oster offers pivot motor clippers, clipper/trimmer combos, and corded/cordless clippers.
Wahl and Andis specialize in grooming products. All businesses produce clippers that are used and highly regarded by professionals. Price-wise, you can find bargains on all three brands if you order at the right time.
Home Clippers Vs. Professional Clippers
Professional clippers tend to be more expensive than clippers for at-home use. Units made for pro use can be heavier and stronger than home models, so you might want to wait til you "break in" a DIY at-home clipper before graduating to pro clippers.
Home hair clippers have user-friendly attachments like different-sized or color-coded combs. Usually lightweight, with ergonomic designs, hair clippers for the home market offer ease without sacrificing power or precision.
Buy a home clipper if you want to learn how to do your fades or buzzcuts. After you feel comfortable with a lightweight home model, buy a pro model. Users who only take out hair clippers once in awhile will find home models to be more cost-effective.
What to Look for When Buying a Hair Clipper
Consider the following features when looking for a hair clipper.
Corded / Cordless Hair Clipper
Decide whether you want a corded or cordless model. Will it take a long time to charge it, and how long will it hold the charge? How long is the cord if you prefer a plug-in model. Will it be long enough for you to use comfortably? You should be able to maneuver the clippers with ease.
Motor Type
How powerful is the motor? Is it a rotary, pivot motor or electromagnetic motor? Do you need a lot of power for constant use or close cuts, or will you be satisfied with a quieter, more subdued motor? The motor can affect the overall performance of the clippers, so you’ll want something powerful if you’re looking for reliability.
The motor type you choose depends on the cutting and styling you wish to achieve.
Let's go over the types of motors different clippers have.
Rotary Motors - High Power & High Blade Speed
Rotary motors are strong motors that provide equal power and blade speed. These motors suits those who look for versatility. Rotary motors have great balance between power, speed and weight. They are great for heavy duty cutting and will deal with anything (including pets).
Pivot Motors - High Power & Low Blade Speed
Pivot motors are less powerful then rotary motors, but more powerful than magnetic motors. They are quiet, long lasting and cool. Pivot motors are ideal for thick and heavy hair.
Magnetic Motors - Reliable Power & High Blade Speed
Magnetic motors are the most common motors in clippers. They are less powerful then rotary and pivot motors. This motors run in high speeds and are great for overall cutting, but light hair is best for this motor. Magnetic motors don't have many moving parts which makes them reliable and long lasting.
Ease of Use
Choose a hair clipper that matches your skill level. A small, lightweight model may not look like something your stylist uses, but it will clip your hair and will be very comfortable to hold and use.
Think about the noise and vibration, too. Will it bother others in your household if you use the device at night or for more than a few minutes at a time?
Will it be easy to clean? and does it come with a cleaning brush and lubricating oil?
Accessories
Does the clipper come with extra blades, combs, a carrying case or cleaning kit? At-home users may want to find a good clipper with lots of attachments to make the learning curve easier.
Additional Features
Does the clipper come with additional features, like a nose trimmer, beard trimmer or body grooming tools? Will you need these features? The cost may be worth the investment if you’re planning on utilizing add-ons.
Style Capabilities
Can the hair clipper do smooth balding, or does it primarily cut hair? Purchase a clipper that can give you a favorite hairstyle with ease.
Quality and Reliability
Choose a brand you trust, and always read verified reviews to get an idea of the reliability of the products. Look for a warranty of more than a year, if possible.
5 Best Hair Clippers Reviews
Let's start with the reviews.
Rating
PROS
CONS
General Overview
The Oster Classic 76 Universal Motor Clipper, a popular and well-reviewed hair clipper, receives accolades for its heavy-duty single speed motor, sturdy housing and ultra-long nine-foot power cord.
An all-around hair clipper for keeping military haircuts and buzz cuts neat, or just trimming longer hair, the Oster Classic 76 easily clips even the coarsest hair. The quiet motor stays cool even when you use it for awhile. You can change the high-quality blades with ease.
Accessories include a blade guard, clipper grease, lubricating oil and cleaning brush. The durable blades in the kit are size 000 and 1. You’ll need to buy clip-on guards to adjust the length at which the clipper cuts, since the clipper lacks an adjustable guard.
One of the best hair clippers favored by barbers, this quiet hair trimmer hums along, but be sure to clean clipper blades and use lubricating oil before use.
The Oster Classic 76 has a vintage design and robust body made of Valox material. You can use it a few times a week or every day without worry about wear or tear and it comes with a 1-year warranty.
Usage
The Classic 76 can be used at home or in a salon. You can it for fades, over-combs and any hairstyle that requires close trims. The clipper is a bit bulky at 1.7 pounds with a seven-inch body, so it’s designed for use by barbers and men with a good grip.
Who Is It Best For?
The Oster Classic 76 is a favorite hair clipper for the pros, but is also great for home use. This hair clipper motors along without glitches if you need to trim a lot of hair at once.
Barbers and home users who want a powerful clipper will like the Classic 76. New users or people who like a light, quiet clipper may want to consider other models.
Verdict
The Oster Classic 76 Motor Clipper is easy to use, but it does require regular cleaning and maintenance. This clipper can get a little hot and noisy, but if you’re used to using hair clippers, that won’t faze you.
Users looking for a high-quality, durable hair clipper for regular use will get many years of regular buzzcuts and fades out of this high-powered unit.
Rating
PROS
CONS
General Overview
The Wahl Pro has an affordable price tag and comes with a color-coded guide to let you know which comb to use with each setting.
The box includes the clipper, a barber comb and styling comb, scissors, a set of 11 color-coded guide combs, ear trim comb, and left and right ear tapers.
Usage
The color-coded system helps you taper each haircut to different family members. (Use orange or red combs regular hair cuts; red or purple for buzzcuts.)
The clippers are easy to handle, but they’re a bit noisy and prone to vibrate. The Wahl Pro lacks a battery but has a six-inch power cord, more than enough for most users.
Who Is It Best For?
Anyone looking for a simple & cheap hair clipper with most attachments included in the box will love the Wahl Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit. The color-coded guide combs make it easy for beginners to trim hair, shave your head or beard, or use the clipper on body hair.
You can use the Wahl Pro color-coded system for all your hair trimming needs even if you’re a total novice. The clipper has self-sharpening blades that last longer than other blades. Put a few drops of oil on the blades after each use to keep them in top shape.
Verdict
A low-cost choice for a family clipper, the Wahl Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit contains enough combs and accessories for all your hair grooming needs. You can use this clipper for several different functions, even body grooming, and the combs help you through the process.
If you need a clipper for the whole family, or want a no-fuss hair trimmer, the Wahl Color Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit will work for you. Take into consideration that you'll sacrifice quality for the cheap price of this clipper.
Rating
PROS
CONS
General Overview
The Oster Fast Feed has a 12-amp pivot motor for quiet but steady power. The Fast Feed offers enough strength to trim wet or dry hair – and even thick hair – with one try. The pivot motor is considered one of the strongest on the market, so you can work non-stop without worrying about losing power.
The Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper comes with:
- Four Guide Combs (¼”, 3/8”, ½”, blending)
- Blade Guard
- Lubricating Oil
- Cleaning Brush
- Eight-foot Power Cord
- Adjustable Cryogen-x Blade
Usage
The lightweight, ergonomic design makes gripping the Fast Feed easier, preventing slip-ups and stalling. The unit comes with an adjustable blade lever so you can change from a medium length setting to a close shave setting without delay.
Blade sizes adjust from 000 to 1.
This trimmer works best for cutting hair on your head, but you can use it for hair on your neck or body. (The metal blades might cut a little too close to body skin for some users.)
You save time by using the adjustable blade. The Fast Feed saves money, too, by eliminating the need to order extra blades.
For better performance, brush off and oil the blade after each use.
Who Is It Best For?
The Fast Feed offers an excellent option for home hair and beard trimming. This unit cuts as smooth and close as barber clippers.
This adjustable blade clipper works best for professionals and at-home users who have some experience. Beginners can use it, too, but there are more novice-friendly models out there.
Verdict
Anyone looking for a moderately priced hair clipper for home or professional use should check out the Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper. The Fast Feed offers the dependability of the Oster brand name, a powerful motor, and several interchangeable combs to modify the clipper for different hair cutting needs.
Rating
PROS
CONS
General Overview
Praised as being the closest cutting clipper for balding, the Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper has a sturdy burgundy and black body and weighs one pound. The 6.25-inch clipper offers an ergonomic grip to minimize strain and slippage.
Although the Wahl 5-Star has a sturdy casing and great motor, the #000000 blade single position blade shines as the real star of this clipper. The quality blade, made by Wahl specifically for this model, cuts to 0.1 to 0.2mm and leaves a minimum of stubble.
Accessories included:
• Two attachment combs
• Cleaning brush
• Oil
• Red blade guard
Usage
This clipper should only be used for balding. Using it for fades or beard/mustache grooming will cause injuries. Manufactured with barbers in mind, you should use the Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper with care at home.
Put only a light amount of pressure on the clipper, and make sure you hold it correctly, and tilt it to the right angle. You'll also need to align the blade before use. You run the risk of severe cuts and scrapes if you use this clipper without following the safety precautions.
The magnetic motor provides power without excessive noise. The clipper body stays cool despite having an above average motor.
Who Is It Best For?
The Wahl 5-Star will give you a smooth, clean bald head. You risk nicking your scalp if you lack experience using a professional hair clipper for balding. Be patient and learn how to safely use the Wahl Balding clipper, or leave it to professional stylists and barbers.
Consider this professional clipper if a clean-shaven head is your hairstyle of choice. Anyone looking for a multi-use clipper for cutting any length hair and trimming beards should check out a less expensive alternative like the Wahl Color Pro Complete Hair Cutting Kit
Verdict
One of the best, if not the best, balding clipper, the Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper offers precision cutting. Choose the Wahl 5-Star if you want a clean-shaven head and have the patience and skill to use the machine safely. The reason I gave it 3 stars
is because it's exceptionally good for balding but not so much for other things.
If you're looking for a balding clipper this one is for you.
Rating
PROS
CONS
General Overview
A cordless hair clipper with a detachable blade, the black Andis Professional Ceramic Hair Clipper weighs just 0.90 pounds with a body made of lightweight polymer. The unit's low weight and ergonomic design make it easier to use for extended periods of time of time. You can maneuver the clipper without getting tired.
The ceramic, detachable blades stay cooler than stainless steel blades.
Accessories included:
• Battery Pack
• Durable Storage Case
• #000 CeramicEdge Blade
• Clipper Oil
• Charging Unit
• Seven Attachment Combs (1/16", 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1")
Usage
The cordless Andis Professional Ceramic Hair Clipper holds a charge for one hour, enough time to get a hair cut on the road without worrying about running out of power. The unit's high-power rotary motor provides 2900 strokes per minute for faster, easier haircutting.
A versatile cutter that operates quietly despite its fast-paced rotary motor, the Andis Professional efficiently clips thick hair, trims beards and facilitates buzzcuts. The included blade offers a sharp cutting edge, but you’ll need to buy additional blades to do balding, fades and other close to the scalp cuts.
Who Is It Best For?
Made for professional barbers, the cordless black Andis Ceramic Hair Clipper handles a variety of light, DIY hair cutting tasks for the amateur as well. The ceramic blades stay cool after prolonged use, so if you need to use a hair clipper for repeated cuts in a short time, this is the model for you.
Verdict
A cordless clipper that lasts an hour on one charge, this Andis Professional model makes a perfect hair cutter for people on the go. If you want something lightweight that won’t overheat, the CeramicEdge blade and ergonomic design of the Andis Professional Ceramic Hair Clipper will fit your lifestyle.
Maintaining Your Hair Clipper
Like any other appliance, your hair clipper needs to be cleaned and maintained to work efficiently.
Increase the shelf life of your clipper and keep it in tip top mechanical condition by following these maintenance tips.
Clean the Clipper Blades
Use the cleaning brush included with your clipper accessories to brush the hair off the blades after each use. You can buy a brush separately if you lose the one that came with your kit, or use an old toothbrush.
Brush away all hair and debris from the blades. You can take a deep breath and blow away excess debris or hair if the brush doesn't dislodge everything. Forgetting to clean the blades results in poor performance or a dull blade.
Oil the Clipper Blade
Oil keeps the blade smooth and functional. Most hair clipper kits come with a bottle of oil.
Apply a few drops of oil to a hair clipper blade before using your clipper. You'll also apply oil on blade teeth in the middle of the blade. Turn the machine on and wait until the oil spreads evenly on the moving blade. Wipe off the excess.
Use your hair clipper as normal after oiling it.
Wash the Adjuster Clips
Snap-on clips that let you adjust the length of hair to be cut, adjuster clips become dirty after many uses. Take the adjuster clips out of your machine and wash them with a cloth dipped in soapy water. Rinse in warm water and let them air dry on a clean towel.
Align the Clipper Blade
Check blade alignment by holding the hair clipper sideways and inspecting the length. It should be straight, without protruding teeth. Crooked or loose blades cause cuts and nicks.
Use a small screwdriver to loosen a crooked blade. Wiggle it until it fits back into alignment on the head of the clipper.
Change the Blade
Keep a spare blade on hand if you use your clipper often, or in case you drop the machine. You may also want to change the blade to perform different haircuts. (Clipper sizes range from 0000 to 3.75, depending on the clipper and manufacturer.)
Conclusion
Buying your own hair clipper gives you the freedom to cut your hair when and where you want. The choices can be confusing to a first-time user, but most clipper kits designed for home care have plenty of accessories and detailed instruction booklets to make your first DIY cut easier.
If you don't like sitting or waiting for your barber or stylist or spending money at trendy hair cutting emporiums. Learn how to use a hair clipper and get the buzz cut you want when you want it.
