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Best Overall Hair Clippers
Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Senior
ProsStrong, durable buildTrusted performanceLong battery lifeConsMay be too powerful for beginnersWe’ve tested many Wahl clippers and understand why barbers rely heavily on them to get the job done. The brand’s classic Professional 5 Star Series Senior Clipper makes at-home grooming much easier with minimal maintenance and three attachment comb-cutting guides. Eric Becker of Blind Barber says, regardless of whether you choose either corded or cordless clippers, it is the best all-around clipper for taking care of your hair or beard.
Celebrity barber Vernon Scott has been using the Wahl Senior clipper for over 25 years and credits its efficiency, accuracy, and weight as major winning factors behind his loyalty. This one checks all the right boxes, and the newer cordless hair clipper version is a game-changer. Whether it’s for on-scalp tapering and fading, it brings precision and speed to the table. With blades that are adjustable and zero-gap, let’s just say for close trims, this clipper doesn’t miss.
You really can’t go wrong with these for a professional-level cut, but they’re best in the hands of people who have used clippers before (they’re that powerful), so unless you’ve been cutting your own hair for years, you may want to opt for something a little more beginner-friendly or have someone show you how to use them safely.
MotorMagneticBladesStainless steelCordless?NoAttachments3 comb cutting guides, styling combBattery Life80 minutesBest Professional Hair Clippers
Andis Master Cordless Hair Clipper
Now 39% Off
Credit: eli schmidtProsIndustry standard for hair clippersEasily clips hair without nickingDurable and lightweight buildPowerful motor with high speedConsDoes not include length guardsWe’ve been using this product since 2017 and found the most valuable feature is the blades. They’re overlap blades, which means they’ll bring precision and detail to your lines and edges. They’re also adjustable, from fine to coarse (or size 000 to 1) making them more versatile than ever.
“Some consider the Andis Master the greatest hair clipper ever,” says barber Pedro Rosario. He adds that they’re powerful, durable, and with proper maintenance (cleaning and oiling after every use), they can last a lifetime. Rosario also loves that these clippers are cordless. From its high-speed rotary motor and quality blades to its timeless metallic look, these clippers rank first in their class and are treasured by a generation of barbers.
The battery lasts 90 minutes from a one-hour charge, though the motor may still weaken around the 80 to 85 minute mark. Still, it’s lightweight to hold considering its high-powered motor. The only downside to the motor is that this clipper is quite loud, which can be distracting during the cutting process.
MotorRotary, 7,200 spm (strokes per minute)BladesCarbon steelCordless?YesAttachmentsNoneBattery LifeUp to 90 minutesAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Most Versatile Hair Clippers
Wahl Professional 5 Star Cordless Magic Clip
ProsGreat at beard trimming tooLong lifespanWill cut through most hair typesConsMay be too powerful for beginnersMaxime Bellemar, barber and founder of KRWN Barbershops in Montreal, Canada, loves this sharp and easy-to-use clipper because it’s a heavy-duty clipper, and cuts so cleanly that it can pull double-duty as a detailer for crisp lineups and razor-sharp beard lines.
Featuring crunch technology, a convenient taper lever, superior speed, and a rechargeable battery, this clipper has all of the professional-grade features of its corded predecessor above, but in a sleekly designed, more modern cordless package. In addition, it’s versatile enough for different hair textures and haircuts, whether you’re aiming for line fading or removing your hair in bulk. In other words, the magic is truly in the blades.
Like the corded version, keep in mind that this is still a professional strength tool, though, so if you’re new to clippers, there is going to be a learning curve in order to use them well (and safely). The motor is powerful and the blades are sharp, so be careful.
Read More: Wahl Professional 5 Star Magic Clip Review
MotorRotaryBladesStainless steelCordless?YesAttachments8 comb cutting guidesBattery LifeUp to 100 minutesBest Hair Clippers for Travel
Andis Slimline 2 T-Blade Trimmer
ProsIncredibly durableCan cut virtually any hair type thanks to efficient motorPortable and travel-friendlyConsMotor takes 1-2 seconds to get to full speedNot as powerful as the Andis Master ClipperThis Andis model works wonders for every purpose: beards, mustaches, necklines, and edging around the ears. Its sleek, ergonomic design makes it effortless to maneuver in your hand and fit into your travel kit for the next excursion.
“The battery life is amazing—I can legit cut 10 clients on one charge,” says Scott, which translates to less charging time at home. The hair clipper and blade never get hot, he says, thanks to the efficient motors that don’t transfer heat and allow this trimmer to cut any hair type. But most important is the consistent precision cutting of the blades, whose fine teeth are designed for close cutting.
Keep in mind that this is a detailer, which is totally fine if what you’re usually using clippers for is to shape facial hair, clean up your lines between cuts, and general detail work. One Men’s Health editor uses this every day to keep his mustache shape crisp, for instance. While the included guide combs are great for things like beards and touching up your fade, because it’s so small, it’s not ideal for a full haircut.
MotorRotaryBladesStainless stealCordless?YesAttachments9 comb cutting guidesBattery LifeUp to 2 hoursAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best Designed Hair Clippers
BaBylissPRO Barberology SilverFX
ProsSleek design that’s easy to holdQuality performance on all hair typesLong battery life5-detent taper control featureConsMore expensive than other similar professional clippers All-metal casing makes it heavier than similar clippersThe BaBylissPRO SilverFX Clipper has the ultimate trifecta of power, design, and cutting performance. It may be on the pricey side, but you get a bang for your buck. Not only does it arrive with a high-carbon stainless steel blade and brushless motor, but it takes care of all hair textures.
The versatility of this cordless hair trimmer makes it a favorite of hairstylist Vaughn Acord. “The performance—namely the speed and sharpness—is unparalleled,” he says. Since he moves around a lot, the fact that it’s a cordless hair clipper is a huge plus for him and a bonus for anyone using it at home. If you’re trimming or cutting at home, it allows you to move without limitation, which is imperative for getting an even cut, he says.
Whether you’re a barber or new to using clippers, it is the perfect addition to your stash of grooming tools. Just think—it features a 5-detent taper control, Ferrari-designed engine, and multiple comb attachments.
MotorLinear, 9,800 cpm (cuts per minute)BladesStainless steelCordless?YesAttachments8 combsBattery LifeUp to 4 hoursBest Hair Clippers for Beginners
Panasonic ER-SB40-K Cordless Hair Trimmer
ProsAll-in-one packageCan be used on any part of your bodyQuick-adjust dial makes head-to-toe grooming easyConsBattery life not as long as some might preferExpensive for not being professional gradeWe’d love these clippers just for their prowess as a beard trimmer, but they bring the same power and ease of use to cut the hair on top of your head, too. It’s not the kind your barber uses, but if you’re looking for a clipper that can cut literally head to toe, you can’t go wrong with this one.
The quick-adjust dial gives you 19-length options without switching guards, and the powerful 9,800 cuts-per-minute motors can chop through even the thickest of hair with ease. You even have the option to use it with the cord or without, depending on your preference.
We’ve been using the ER-SB40-K since 2021, and it still cuts closer and faster than some of the newest hair clippers on the market. That’s thanks to its powerful yet quiet motor that plows through even the thickest hair to get the exact look you want. You really can’t argue with the convenience of having a trimmer that can easily (and safely) trim everywhere on your body.
Keep in mind, though, that what you sacrifice in the name of convenience is that, while this is powerful for an at-home trimmer, it’s not as powerful as a professional-grade trimmer. That’s probably okay (because you’re not cutting your own hair multiple times every day), but if you have especially thick or coarse hair on your head, it’s something to keep in mind.
Read More: Best Beard Products for Men
MotorLinear, 9,800 cpm (cuts per minute)BladesStainless steelCordless?Yes (and corded)Attachments1 (rotary dial gives 19 length options)Battery LifeUp to 60 minutesAdvertisement – Continue Reading Below
Best Hair Clippers for Fades
Bevel Pro All-in-One Clipper and Trimmer
ProsDesigned by pro barbersEasy to change guards and blades4 hours of run timeGood for cutting through coarse hairConsMay be too advanced for beginnersExpensive compared to similar professional grade clippersThis clipper and trimmer from Bevel was designed with the help of professional barbers who packed it with all the most advanced features possible. Unlike the previous Bevel trimmer, this one comes with four different magnetic length guards to help you achieve the perfect fade. You can also adjust the blade gap with a touch of a button and purchase a T-blade separately for the crispest lineups. One charge gives it a whopping four hours of run time, too, so you never have to worry about running out of juice mid-cut.
The Bevel Pro is beloved by many expert groomers, including celebrity barber Marcus Harvey, who has been putting the clippers to work for roughly two years now. After testing them out, he found that there is a learning curve to using one tool instead of multiple. “However, once you get past that challenge, you’ll get the hang of it and know your settings,” he says.
One of the draws of this clipper is the sleek, modern design, and luckily, that newfangled look doesn’t take away any of the cutting power or the features that you actually need to effectively cut hair. The shape is different from other clippers (it’s more bulbous), so it may take a bit of getting used to if you’ve been using an older style clipper before. That said, it’s an easy upgrade to both your bathroom counter and your haircut.
MotorRotary, 6,000 rpmBladesStainless steelCordless?YesAttachments4 combsBattery LifeUp to 4 hours
Hair Clippers vs. Beard TrimmersWhen cutting your hair at home, actual hair clippers—like the professional kind a barber uses—should be used instead of trying to take your beard trimmer upstairs. Typically, hair clippers are more powerful than beard trimmers and are better for trimming all different kinds of hair types easily (though some trimmers are specifically designed for both). Investing in the best hair clippers if you’re going to do some at-home upkeep is essential if you want a haircut that looks good rather than homespun.
Additionally, hair clippers are designed to be used on longer, thicker hair, whereas beard trimmers are meant for shorter, thinner trims. This is why you can certainly put hair clippers to work on your jaw or chin, the same can’t be said otherwise. It all depends on the length and thickness of the hair.
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How to Maintain Hair Clippers at Home?Hair clipper oil—which probably already comes in the hair clipper set—is vital for upkeeping the blades. Oiling them can curb friction, which might corrode the blades, prevent them from overheating, and ensure that they’ll last longer. To use hair clipper oil, simply wipe the blades, then apply the oil directly onto the blade, and turn on the motor for a few seconds.
Read More: How to Maintain Your Beard Trimmer
How to Cut Your Own Hair with Hair ClippersIf you want to cut your own hair at home, there are some things you need to know.
1. Decide on what style you want. Buzz cuts are a general style and have a ton of variations, so before firing up the clippers, consider the final outcome you’re hoping for.
2. Buy a hand mirror or create a dual-mirror setup. This is especially important if you’re doing this on your own because you’ll need to be able to see the back of your head.
3. Use your bathroom as a barbershop. Make sure it’s well-lit and you’re comfortable in front of the mirror. Go shirtless (or nude). It will make cleanup easier when you’re done.
4. Go slow and start with the longest guard. Gradually work with lower and lower guards till you get the length you want. Don’t rush and look at your head carefully as you go, so you don’t miss any spots.
5. If you’re doing this yourself, stand up. You’ll need to be comfortable, but also be able to lean into the mirror to inspect the details. Don’t try to do this while sitting in a chair.
6. Be prepared for upkeep. Just because you’re doing your cut yourself doesn’t mean you get a free pass on maintenance. Be prepared for touch-ups at least every two weeks and possibly more, depending on how fast your hair grows.
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Meet the ExpertsVernon Scott, celebrity barberEric Becker, barber at Blind Barber in New York CityMaxime Bellemar, Montreal-based barber and founder of KRWNVaughn Acord, New York-based hairstylist and founder of V76Marcus Harvey, celebrity barber in Atlanta, GeorgiaDarrius Peace, barber, hairstylist and beauty instructorPedro Rosario, master barber for AXE HairGregory Patterson, celebrity hairstylistLauren Owens, celebrity barber
Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming. He’s written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.
Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean’s not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
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