Compared to many of today's household devices, hair clippers are decidedly low-tech. However, those components are worth evaluating separately.
Of the clippers we reviewed, the guide comb (a clip-on part that inserts into the lower blade to create distance between the blade and the head to create longer or shorter cuts) ended up being the biggest differentiator. This was a factor. Next to technique, it plays a major role in determining the outcome of a haircut, but it is often confusing for non-experts. Salon owner Benjamin Mohapi cautioned against models with flexible combs or too few combs. You will never get a clean result and may end up with scratches and gouges. ” We have found that it is very important to have a solid set of guide combs that are securely attached and well labeled.
If the plastic comb is too soft, it will bend when pressed against the scalp, creating grooves (like you see on farms).
There is no universal size for combs. They typically range from size 1 (equivalent to 1/8 inch of hair) to size 8 (equivalent to 1 inch) in 1/8 inch increments. However, some companies offer intermediate sub-increments and may even offer clips that allow you to use hair longer than 1 inch. (These lengths refer to the height of the hair left, not the amount cut off. For example, a size 1 comb leaves 1/8 inch of hair on your head.) Some companies , we're simply labeling the combs in quarters. Inches can be confusing and easily confused. Complicating matters, each brand of clippers has its own physical form (sometimes more than one), so you usually can't use the comb from one brand of clippers with another. (Some “universal” replacement sets are available, but as many customer reviews say, they are not truly universal.)
Combs are made of different types of plastic, and testing has shown that this is the main factor in their usefulness. If it's too hard or sharp, it can chip or break, and it can be uncomfortable to rub against your scalp. If it is too flexible, it will easily bend and bend when pressed against the scalp, resulting in different hair lengths or leaving grooves (like you see on farms). Some comb designs have too much play. It can catch and pull your hair, bend and break it, or cause it to come loose during a haircut. We found that combs made of hard ABS plastic performed best.
Among the clippers we tested, there were several variations in blade material. However, our experts agree that for most home users, even a low-cost blade will cut hair properly for years or even decades. All clippers have a pair of stainless steel or carbon steel (or ceramic on higher end products) blades with teeth. The lower blade is stationary, and the upper blade is directly connected to the motor and vibrates from side to side to cut hair. Carbon models are self-polishing when oiled, but they are prone to rust. Stainless steel is rust-resistant and can be self-polished. The length of hair that can be cut with the combless blades varies by clipper, but is often one-sixteenth of an inch. If your clippers have a tapered lever (more on this later), you can adjust its length.
The taper lever is an advanced feature, a little feature on the side of the clipper that allows you to increase or decrease the length of your hair more finely than switching combs or moving the bottom blades back and forth. Ideally, you can adjust the lever with your fingers when cutting hair, but it should not be so loose that it slips due to shock or vibration (otherwise you may end up with different lengths of hair) . I find that some taper levers are easy to accidentally move while cutting hair. But among technical professionals, the taper lever is an essential element for blending and fading hair of different lengths, especially on the sides of the head. However, for lovers of haircuts at home, its value is very subjective.
The Pro model comes with a thick, round, shielded power cord that is over 8 feet long. Non-professional models often have thin cords, like lamp wire, that can easily get tangled.
Clipper housings are most often plastic, but high-end models like the Andis Master may be made of metal. Apart from the material, the size of the clippers is also an important consideration. Larger models like the Wahl Color Pro Plus reach the upper limit of acceptable size in adult hands. Small, palm-sized models like the Remington Virtually Indestructible tend to be much easier to hold.
As hair clipper expert Ivan Zoot said, many non-professional clippers have many of the same parts as professional models, but non-professional models are stripped down to keep the price down. has been. The power cord is an easy place to cut. The Pro model comes with a thick, round, shielded power cord that is over 8 feet long. Non-professional models often have thin cords, similar to lamp wire, that tend to tangle and fray, and may be only about 5 feet long.
Based on advice from experts and owner reviews, we primarily looked for corded models for the simple reason that they provide reliable power while working without the need for charging. Haircuts can take a long time, and the added convenience isn't worth the risk of the battery dying and leaving you with a half-cut haircut. I decided to try out two cordless models that are convenient for outdoor use.
As with blades, when it comes to motors, most home users won't notice much difference between the types other than noise. The magnetic motors found in all of our products are the most common and produce a characteristic crackling noise when turned on. The other option is a pivot motor. It is slow and produces a pleasant hum. One of our experts suggested that advances in magnetic motors are effectively making pivot motors obsolete.
The models we chose to test were at a variety of price points and had good reviews from publications, owners, or both. All this means a high-quality razor, a powerful motor, a variety of included combs, a long and durable power cord that is tangle-free, user-friendly maintenance, and ergonomic considerations (weight, comfort, and ergonomic considerations) It met the hardware standards such as noise).