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Again, beard trimmers and clippers cannot be used interchangeably. Many beard trimmers sit too close to the head, leaving little room for “shortening,” explains barber Mike Sposito. That's where the clippers come in. The slightly longer guard reduces the risk of trimming. If you decide to only have one kit, some come with an add-on that allows you to use clippers. It can also be used as a beard trimmer.
Below, we spoke to Sposito and 13 other experts about their favorite hair clippers. I got the stand to test battery life and quality, and then enlisted the help of a guy who shaves regularly, as I don't have facial hair myself, to test the clippers over a few weeks. I did. However, regardless of your hair type, it's important to use clippers that have enough power to cut your hair consistently. According to barber Julian Howard (aka Vero Barber), trimmers and clippers from brands like Wahl, Andis, Philips Norelco, and Oster typically have motors (and blades) powerful enough to handle even the coarsest hair. is installed. That is why these brands are recommended many times below.
Updated October 3, 2024: We have updated prices and confirmed availability for all products.
Professional barbers often choose corded clippers over cordless clippers because they tend to have the most powerful and stable motors. Plus, it doesn't need to be charged and doesn't lose power even with just one more client. Cordless hair clippers are more convenient, so choose one that suits your lifestyle.
If you find cordless clippers more convenient than corded clippers, it's also important to find a trimmer with good battery life. Most product packaging will list the battery life in minutes after a full charge, but to save you some searching, we've listed this information below.
Blade guards of different sizes are like training wheels. These will help guide your hair without cutting it unevenly or cutting it too short. The guards come in different lengths and keep the actual blade part of the clippers at a certain distance from your head to cut each hair to that length. Sposito also offers two pieces of advice for aspiring barbers about using clippers. Before turning on the clippers, “slide” the guard you want to use through your hair and onto your scalp. Any hair that protrudes from the guard will need to be cut off. And while you may not be able to see everything you're doing, you can always hear the sound of the clipper, which is a great way to make sure you're doing it correctly. “The moment you stop hearing the sound of your hair being cut, that means your hairline is even,” he says.
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery life: 100 minutes | Guards and attachments: 8 guard attachments
I've recommended the Wahl Magic Clip many times, so it was no surprise that it took the top spot here. It's the most recommended product by barbers, who say it's strong enough to handle any type of hair. But Lester Rivera of Florida barbershop The Spot says it's also great for precision blending. Alejandro “AJ” Albano, creative director and barber at Taft New York City, has been using the cordless Magic Clip since 2015, and says it's “the lightest and easiest-to-wear haircut he's had in 20 years. I agree that it is a clipper that is difficult to apply. . My tester Andre Gil, who has bristly hair and sensitive skin, was also impressed. He appreciated how easy it was to trim the beard with clippers and told me that thanks to the different guards, “you can choose the length you want well.”
In fact, most of the models on this list are manufactured by Wahl (and several also appear on our list of expert-recommended beard trimmers). While reporting this article, I asked Barber Fellows founder Sam Buffa why this American manufacturer's name is so popular among his colleagues. He answered that there were two reasons: The quality of Wahl's blades makes the company's products “the best bang for your buck.” And those blades can often “stay sharper longer.”
Corded | Motor: Not Specified | Guards and Attachments: 13 guard attachments, plus 2 combs and 1 pair of scissors
For a more affordable option that will satisfy those looking for a quick cut, we present the inexpensive Wahl Color Pro. Although the clippers are one of the cheaper products in Wall's product line, David Kim, a barber at Electric Barbering Company in New Jersey, says he always gets a “professional product” from the brand. This hair clipper is no exception. According to Sposito, the Color Pro has an “excellent guard setup,” in the form of 13 guards (ranging from 1/16 inch to 1 inch) that are color-coded by length. This is the origin of the name “Color Pro”. The color-coded guards aren't the only thing that makes this clipper perfect for home cutters. It comes with two combs and a pair of scissors, or pretty much everything you need to cut men's hair at home. Barber Ronal Lee King also loves the Color Pro (which he says was the first clipper he ever used), saying it allows him to get “almost professional cuts without the professional price” for home use. .
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery life: 60 minutes | Guards and attachments: 3 haircut guards and 7 beard and shaving attachments
Philips Norelco is another favorite brand of mine. You can find many of their products in my grooming roundup. However, its multipurpose trimmer is especially useful because it's one of those devices that can be used both as a clipper and as a beard trimmer (see my beard trimmer guide for more information). Cookbook author and recipe developer Andy Baragani shared his quarantine haircut on Instagram. Baragani, who usually keeps her hair short, said she has been using the trimmer for both cutting and styling for “about eight years now,” praising its ability to “get the job done as quickly as possible” even while trimming. Hair, sideburns, or beard. The clipper comes with 3 beard trimming guards, 1 stubble trimming guard, and 3 haircutting guards (3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 5/8 inch).
Cordless | Motor: Pivot | Battery life: 5 hours | Guards and attachments: 8 guard attachments
For men who don't do regular maintenance, this clipper (made for cutting scalp hair) is perfect for those whose hair grows a little too long. Lisa Corcillo, a senior writer at The Strategist, has been using it for several years to tame her husband's “fast-growing curly hair.” “I like it because it’s cordless, charges with a USB cable, and has a lot of protection,” she says. The latter detail is especially important for beginners who want to tolerate large margins of error. . (The clipper comes with eight guards and a lever that adjusts their position to provide a cutting range from just under 1/16 inch to just over 3/4 inch.) Corsillo says the clipper “ It’s very accurate and has a lever,” he adds. Now I can blend it well every time. ” It is also made of sturdy materials. “In the photo, it looks like plastic with chrome plating, but it’s actually all steel,” she points out.
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery life: Not specified. Rechargeable battery and charger included |Guards and attachments: 4 guard attachments
For those looking to get a buzz cut, two of the barbers I spoke to recommend the lightweight Wahl Peanut (one of my favorite beard trimmers) as the best clipper to achieve that short style. (also recommended). Mark Miguez, a barber and co-owner of Friends of a Barber in New York City, has used peanuts to cut his own hair at home, but other Wahl clippers on this list Although there are fewer guards compared to , he says that what is included is included. That's all you need “for a basic buzz cut” (the four included guards range from 1/8″ to 1/2″). Sposito also recommends the Peanut to aspiring buzz cutters, saying its modest size and weight is “suitable for home cutters, but strong enough for professionals.” Also available in corded version. Before we wrap everything up, here's some advice from hairstylist and owner of Carriage House Salon, Dylan Mistry. Before using the clippers, use the clippers or they can get caught and become very painful. ”
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery Life: 210 minutes | Guards and Attachments: 10 Guard Attachments
To stay on top of your newly buzzing head, you need something close and accurate, like this steel-lithium device from Wahl. “This box has a lot of different guards, blade oils, and scissors,” Mistry says. “If you're shaving it all, it doesn't matter if you start from the front or the back.” However, he doesn't recommend trying a fade. “That's very difficult to do, even for professionals.” He recommends paying close attention to the ears, hairline and neckline, and re-clipping the area to tame fuzz. Long battery life gives you enough time to do spot checks.
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery life: 120 minutes | Guards and attachments: 4 guard attachments
In my beard trimmer story, I wrote about the Andis Slimline Pro, which is a multi-purpose beard trimmer and clipper. Whether it's hairline or beardline, experts like Albano, Miguez, and Rivera rely on the Slimline Pro for its “wand-like maneuverability” for shaping edges. If you're concerned about the care around your hair, it's a tool to consider. Hairline rather than the whole head. “It's an easy way to trim hard-to-reach neck hair,” says Wood-Smith.
Cordless | Motor: Rotary | Battery life: 30 minutes | Guards and attachments: 4 pivot heads, no guards
“Instead of a trimmer, bald people should look for electric razors that can be easily maneuvered over the curves of the skull and won't shed hair,” says Brittany Raposo, a barber at Paul Labrecque Salon. Steve Waldman, artistic and technical director of Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, adds that the key is to find one with a rotating, adjustable blade that can “get over the bumps in your head.” I am. Both believe that this skull shaver electric razor with its ergonomic design and rotating blades fits their requirements. Raposo says the blade cuts close but doesn't jump over the bumps of the scalp and irritate the skin. For the best shave experience, Waldman recommends shaving with gentle pressure and maintaining even contact.
• Alejandro “AJ” Albano, Taft NYC Creative Director and Barber
• Sam Buff, Founder, Fellow Barber
• Lisa Corcillo, Strategist Senior Writer
• Andre Gil, Strategist Grooming Tester
• Julian Howard, Master Barber
• David Kim, Barber at Filthy Rich Barbershop
• Ronal Lee King, Barber
• Mark Miguez, co-owner and barber at Friend of a Barber in New York City.
• Dylan Mistry, hairstylist and owner of Carriage House salon
• Brittany Raposo, Barber at Paul Labrecque Salon
• Mike Sposito, Barber
• Lester Rivera, Barber at The Spot Barber Shop in Florida
• Steve Waldman, Hair Cuttery Family of Brands Artistic and Technical Director
• Miles Wood Smith, head barber at Murdoch London.
• Andy Baragani, cookbook author and former senior food editor at Bon Appétit
• Brittany Raposo, Barber and Educator
Additional reporting by Liza Corsillo.
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