The actual range is quite wide, which often only adds to the complexity. In our profile catalog, using a convenient selection by parameters, you can sort hair clippers and narrow the search range.

What is a hair clipper for and what type is right for you?

The range of clippers can be divided into cutting and edging devices. The latter are usually referred to the trimmers. But the current model range is not limited to highly specialized models. So, with the help of certain attachments, the device can perform different functions, such as cutting, edging, and even shaving a beard or mustache. Hair cutting sets add even more confusion. This is where multiple devices come in one package — usually a clipper with a trimmer, razor or electric shaver.

It is clear that you need to choose the model that meets your needs. Let's look at specific examples:

  • If you have to cut the hair of a child or an adult who does not have a beard or moustache (or has a set of accessories for facial hair care), then you need a specialized clipper. It is distinguished by a wide blade that captures more hair in a one pass. There are no additional attachments at all or their list is limited to typical lengths (3, 6, 9, 12 mm).
  • Do you want not only a short haircut, but also more complex hair transitions, and beard and mustache grooming? Then you should consider purchasing multifunctional clippers. A rich set of attachments is offered here; there may be another blade (usually narrower) for working with sideburns and more. As an alternative to a universal model, you can consider a hair cutting set, but such a set usually takes up more space and is a little less convenient to transport.
For different tasks, it is possible to take not only a multifunctional clipper, but also a hair cutting set.
  • If you need to take care of facial stubble, remove unwanted hair in the nose or ears, etc., then it is wiser to choose a profile trimmer, for example, for a beard, eyebrows or the whole body. There is usually a specialized blade with fine teeth for point work.

When opting for a multi-functional device, it's crucial to consider the inclusion of essential blades and attachments in the set. For tasks like removing a significant amount of hair, prioritizing wide blades is essential to expedite the process. Conversely, for precision edging work (with a trimmer), a blade with a small remaining length (up to a few tenths of a millimeter) and minimal distance between teeth becomes crucial. Only such a blade will cut rather than squash short hairs.

Hair clippers

Which type of power supply should be chosen — mains or battery?

Modern devices can be mains-powered, battery-powered and combined. In addition, some trimmers are powered by batteries, which are replaced with new ones as needed. But this option is almost never found in clippers — they require more power (we'll talk about this in more detail).

Of course, the most convenient option is the combined models. They literally combine the advantages of both mains- and battery-powered devices. So, if you need more mobility just unplug from the mains. The battery is discharged just insert the plug into the socket and cut the hair further. For combined clippers, the main performance characteristics of the battery are not so critical, namely the battery life and the duration of the charging cycle.

For safety reasons, power and combined clippers must not be washed under water.

Corded models are powered from the mains. They are suitable for those cases when the model has to be used for a long time (including professional barbers and hairdressers). There is no need to look for a balance between power and the duration of battery life, so it is not uncommon for a mains-powered device to be equipped with a more powerful motor, although this is not necessary. The disadvantages are dependence on the availability of electricity, limited range of operation and some constraint in movements. The last two points are partially offset by long cables with a swivel connection to the body for free turning.

Mains-powered hair clippers

A cordless clipper is more mobile and can be used away from outlets. But it is important that these advantages are not overridden by the available battery.

Cordless hair clippers

What should be considered when buying a cordless hair clipper?

When choosing a battery-powered model, you need to take into account a little more factors than in the case of the mains counterpart. You should definitely pay attention to:

  • battery type. It is better to choose a model with Li-Ion, because this battery does not have a memory effect. A Ni-Mh battery can be a relatively relevant alternative, but it is still inferior in basic performance properties — it is prone to self-discharge, without a memory effect, which means it is better to recharge it when completely discharged;
  • battery life. Almost all current clippers run for 40 minutes or longer. In general, this is enough for one haircut at home. True, as the discharge, the power of the motor sometimes decreases, and where usually extra cuts are not needed, it is necessary to work longer. Models with a battery life of 1.5 hours or more are considered long-lasting. They will be obviously more convenient to use (including professionals, whose session can be longer than 60 minutes), and the price tag is not necessarily very high;
  • duration of the charging process. It used to take up to 8 hours to fully charge a battery to 100%, and this was considered normal. Today, many clippers charge much faster. Therefore, it is possible to strive for a battery life that is comparable to (or even exceeds it) the recharging time;
  • additional features. The convenience of using a clipper with a battery can be increased by a charge indicator, the ability to be powered by USB and/or the presence of a docking station in the package. But all of these accessories tend to be directly reflected in the price.
The most informative charge indicator is the display, but LEDs can also be very practical.

What motor and/or power should the clipper have?

Today, two types of motors are most commonly found in hair clippers and trimmers - vibration motors or rotary motors. In short, the former are cheaper and more compact, often with less power. This makes them a good choice for trimmers, where there are small blades and vibrations on the body during operation are practically not felt. Rotary motors are more powerful, quieter and do not vibrate. They are considered an excellent choice for both professional and home use.

True, manufacturers very rarely inform about the type of motor, so the advice: “take a rotary motor” is impractical. A little more often (but also not always), brands provide data on power. What values should you look for when purchasing? Here are the basic rules:

  • up to 10 W — enough power for most trimmers (but not for beards, because the stubble is usually coarse). But such a hair clipper can be used on children’s hair or the thinning hair of an adult (elderly) person;
  • from 10 to 15 W — a balanced option for everyday use and users with normal hair (not too coarse and thick);
  • from 15 W — such models are suitable even for cutting long and rather coarse hair;
  • from 20 W or more — a good choice for professional use, coping with any length, thickness and type of hair.

What to do if the manufacturer does not provide information about power? Look at the operating speeds of the motors and compare them with devices for which the power parameters are known. In general, a higher speed enhances cutting efficiency, reducing the risk of the clipper crimping, tearing, or slipping on the hair. For haircutting purposes, a speed of 7000 rpm or above can be deemed as high.

If possible, it is better to choose a more powerful device. And if you want to flexibly vary its operating parameters, then support for several speeds will come in handy. So, even if there are two modes, then the so-called turbo with a short-term increase in motor speed is a good option for cutting even the most unruly hair.

Clippers with multiple speeds

Whichhair clipper blades are better?

The main tool of the clipper is the blade. Many operational properties of the model depend on the material of its manufacture. Most often blades are made of stainless steel. Such an option is inexpensive, but very functional. However, if the metal is not coated with additional coatings, the blade can overheat and fail faster.

What kind of sputtering is used? Occasionally diamond, but a little more often — titanium. Such blades are not intimidated by complex tasks; they are stronger, more reliable and durable, but they are also more expensive.

Clippers with titanium coated blades

An alternative to metal knives is ceramics. This is a durable option that holds its sharpness well and is not subject to heat. Disadvantages: high cost and fragility (strong impacts or falls can cause breakage).

Clippers with ceramic coated blades

It is worth considering that blades gradually lose their sharpness and therefore require sharpening. If you want to do without such a procedure, then look for a clipper with self-sharpening blades. Usually their edge is positioned in such a way that the blades rub against each other during operation.

Clippers with self-sharpening blade

Two options are available — screw and quick-release. The former is generally more reliable, while the latter is more convenient for daily operation and maintenance, including cleaning.

A screwdriver will be required to remove the blade unit with screw lock.

What do you need to know about haircut length, adjustments, and attachments?

After finalizing your blade selection, it's essential to examine the length options they offer. For short haircuts, a model with a lower minimum length is preferable, often reaching as low as 0.2 or 0.3 mm. For intricate hairstyles or longer cuts, the maximum length setting becomes crucial. Typically, most devices offer the ability to leave around 2 cm of hair length, while some can accommodate 3+ cm.

A very wide range of adjustments is not necessary at home. However, in barbershops and hairdressing salons, the ability to set the shortest and longest lengths is certainly welcome.

In addition to the actual spread of the values, it is also necessary to consider how it is set. The clipper may include an adjustable blade and/or a similar attachment with a moving length limiter. Thanks to them, during operation you will not have to frequently rearrange the combs. In addition, the ability to change the length is often realized using different complete attachments. Professional barbers and hairdressers use them, which, for example, eliminates accidental switching of adjustable combs.

Among fixed-length attachments, there are often options for 1, 2 and 3 mm, as well as other values that are multiples of three (although there are exceptions to the rules).

Here is one of the ways to implement adjustable blade length.

What additional accessories may be included with the hair clipper? Here are some options:

  • combs for cutting behind the ears;
  • various trimmer attachments;
  • additional blades (for example, narrow ones);
  • foil razors;
  • thinning attachments;
  • additional accessories including scissors, combs, cleaning brushes, stand or storage case, etc.

Keep in mind that the cost of the model increases as the package increases. If you are primarily interested in cutting hair, a device with an adjustable blade and several fixed combs is more than sufficient.

Hair clippers with adjustable blade

What other points should be considered when choosing a hair clipper? Operation, ergonomics, maintenance

Ideally, a clipper should be easy to use, easy to operate and easy to maintain. This depends a lot on the body of the clipper, the available accessories and other features.

If we talk about ergonomics, then it is best to hold the device in your hand and make sure that it is comfortable and convenient. In general, the advantages here include the following:

  • balanced weight (for clippers, the middle point is around 300 g, i.e. models up to 450 – 500 g are not too heavy, and less than 200 g are quite light);
  • the previously mentioned long swivel cable (for mains-powered models);
  • loop for hanging;
  • tightness. Simply, the waterproof body is first and foremost about being ready for use in the bathroom and in wet hands, but the support for wet cleaning is a confirmation of the high level of tightness, which will also make it easier to maintain.
Vacuum models can cut and immediately collect hair.

To facilitate user interaction, it's essential to have straightforward controls easily accessible with one hand. Additionally, an enhanced user experience can be achieved with a The display, providing visibility of various indicators like battery charge level or selected haircut length.

Easy maintenance is ensured by the wet cleaning mentioned above and the included accessories (brushes). It's worth keeping in mind that during the cutting process, the hair ends up not only on the clipper, but everywhere in the room. Models with a built-in vacuum allow you to reduce the labor intensity of cleaning, although their range is small.

What about brands of hair clippers and other recommendations?

For beginners who are choosing their first hair clipper, there may not be very many familiar names of manufacturers, because there are many specialized brands represented here. If we talk about them, then Moser and Wahl, Remington and BaByliss, as well as Andis and Oster have a good reputation (but both of the latter are from a more expensive range). Almost all of them have lines of both professional devices and for home use.

Among the well-known brands aimed at a wide audience of buyers, it is worth noting Braun, Philips, Rowenta and Panasonic. The ubiquitous Xiaomi is gradually catching up with them.

It’s best to check the convenience of the hair clipper in practice by holding the model in your hand.

Here are some more tips for choosing:

  • heavy models tire the hands, but too light models are sometimes uncomfortable to hold in one position for spot operations. It is recommended to focus on devices with a weight of 200 to 450 grams;
  • some hair clippers are noisy, including those equipped with a vacuum. This factor should also be taken into account. But you will have to test them in the store, because manufacturers usually do not specify dB values;
  • rubberized inserts on the body actually protect the device from slipping out of the palm and increase the accuracy of movements. You shouldn’t forget about this little detail and it’s better to choose a model with it;
  • the need for dozens of length adjustments and an abundance of attachments is not justified for a hair clipper for home use. In practice, a few combs and/or a couple or three settings are used.

A few words about the price. It is necessary to consider cheap models from noname manufacturers very carefully: haircutting with them may turn out to be not only inconvenient, but also literally painful. The most expensive hair clippers are primarily focused on professional use. Is it worth buying them for home? If the budget allows, then why not? With proper maintenance, such a model will last longer than analogs of the home segment, and therefore will help you save money on trips to hairdressing salons (and especially to barbershops).