One thing that says a lot about barbers are their clippers. Whether you’ve been one for years or are just starting out, You need to get yourself a pair of quality hair clippers.
Powerful, well made clippers are a necessity for cutting hair daily and they also show that you know what you’re doing as a barber.
I’ve often been asked the question “what’s the best clippers for barbers?” So, in response to that I’ve put together a list of some of the best barber clippers that will make you stand out as a professional and keep customers coming back for years to come.
In a rush? Click here to check out my top pick on Amazon.
Key Features to Look for in the Best Barber Clippers
Brand – Who makes it is one of the most important things to note when you’re looking for the best. Brands like Oster, Andis and Wahl make some of the best and most reliable hair clippers on the market that are built to last.
Blade – You’d be hard pressed to find anything but a good blade from the brands mentioned above, but wherever your search takes you, make sure the clipper you choose has a quality blade that preferably can be zero-gapped.
Some blades also have special technology built specifically by the brand. For example, check out the Wahl Magic Clip with crunch technology below!
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The Best Professional Hair Clippers Every Barber Should Have
Oster Model 10 Classic Professional Barber Clipper
The Oster Model 10 is like the popular Oster Classic 76 but has a much more vintage look which I personally think is awesome. It’s also smaller and lighter than the Classic 76 which makes it a top choice for professionals.
If you have a shop with vintage vibes and want a retro clipper with tons of power, then you’ll definitely want to check this out.
If you’re curious, click here to check out the Oster Classic 76 on Amazon.
Blade
It comes with #000 and #1 Classic 76 detachable blades. It is not an adjustable clipper, so you must use different blades if you want to cut at different lengths.
Motor
The heavy-duty universal motor has all the power you need to get through any thickness of hair.
What’s Included?
- blade oil
- cleaning brush
- blade guard
Customer Impressions
If you’ve been cutting hair professionally for years, you’ll be happy to know that the Model 10 is an absolute favorite of many barbers and stylists.
While it’s no secret that this clipper is super powerful, it’s also fantastic for fading. It’s even better than the Classic 76 due to its lighter weight and more compact design. This gives you more maneuverability and lets you hold on to it longer without tiring out your arms and hands.
They are built with a durable break-resistant housing and you can feel the quality that goes into them.
The downside with such a powerful unit is that it tends to be loud and heat up more than others. The loud motor is appealing to some people though. It all comes down to personal preference.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I Like About it
It’s obvious that this is a great clipper and there’s lots to love about it. What stands out to me is its retro look. There really isn’t anything else like it out there and I would recommend it just for that reason!
Pros
- Powerful
- Light & compact
- Great for fades
- Durable Housing
- Retro design
Cons
- Louder than standard clippers
- Runs hot with heavy use
Wahl Professional Senior Clipper #8500
The Wahl Senior is a very well known and well-loved clipper that has been the weapon of choice for seasoned barbers for years.
They are built for heavy-duty cutting and are also very versatile as you’ll also be able to use them for different techniques like fading and blending.
It is a corded clipper with a professional grade 8ft power cord.
Blade
It comes with a 1005 blade for sharp cuts that can handle thick hair but is also great for tapering and fading. It can be zero-gapped.
Motor
The v9000 motor is super powerful and runs cooler and faster than other clippers. It’s designed to be used for all day cutting at your barber shop.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- 3 attachment combs
- oil
- cleaning Brush
- red blade guard
Customer Impressions
As stated before, this is a popular clipper in the hair industry so it’s no surprise that people who use it have mostly nothing but good things to say about it.
One of the nicest things about it is they are made with a durable metal housing. You can tell they are well put together and high quality when you hold them in your hand.
In terms of power, it had no problem cutting through thicker, coarser hair like butter. It’s like having a hedge trimmer for your head. Your clients will appreciate when the clipper doesn’t pull their hair or leave any loose hairs behind.
They’re quiet for a heavy-duty unit and it doesn’t overheat when doing back to back cuts.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I Like About it
There are a lot of good clippers that are similar in the sense that they will do the job you need it do. But, you must love the senior for the fact that it’s Wahls oldest clipper that houses the original motor that was invented by them back in 1919. It’s a true classic!
Pros
- Very powerful motor
- Good for a variety of cutting techniques
- Strong housing
- Stays cool
- Most people found that it runs quiet
Cons
- Doesn’t come with guides for longer cuts
- Slightly heavier than other clippers
Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper
The Oster Fast Feeds are a staple in the professional clipper industry. If you cut hair for a living then you have surely heard about these, but if you haven’t then they are definitely a clipper that you will want to check out as they are one of the most popular ones out there.
This is a corded clipper that comes with an 8 foot power cord for easy maneuverability.
What is a Fast Feed Clipper?
The term “fast feed” is referring to this clipper’s ability to put out twice the amount of power than a clipper with a magnetic motor. That, in conjunction with it’s lower blade design, provides fast and precise cutting by easily “feeding” the hair through the blades.
Blade
It comes with a steel blade that is easily adjustable with a lever between 000 and 1. It can also be zero-gapped.
Motor
Whisper Quiet pivot motor designed to stay quiet during cuts.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- 4 guide combs (blending, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″)
- blade guard
- cleaning brush
- oil
Customer Impressions
The Oster Fast Feeds are the kind of clipper that you use and never go back to anything else. Users that have cut hair for years begin using them and immediately notice the difference compared to other brands and cordless options.
If you are cutting thicker and more coarse hair, you won’t have any problem. These clippers slide through wet or dry hair like butter.
People also put this on the top of their list even after using many higher end clippers. It’s one of the best clippers for fading and blending hair and the resistance from the adjustable lever is the perfect amount to hold the position you set it to.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I like about it
The size of the Oster Fast Feed clipper is great. It has an ergonomic design with a textured finish that’s easy to hold on to for all day cutting.
It’s a very durable clipper that is built to last and is the clipper of choice for many barbers.
Pros
- Powerful
- Lightweight
- Runs quiet
- Size feels nice in hand
Cons
- Can’t be completely zero-gapped
Wahl Professional 5-Star Cord/Cordless Magic Clip
Wahl has been in the hair clipper game for a long time, so it’s only natural that they would make some of the best clippers that barbers can buy. The Magic Clip is one of them and it’s racked up a fine reputation.
One of the main things to point out is that it is literally designed for professional use and it says that right in it’s name.
Blade
It comes with a high precision stagger-tooth 2161 blade with crunch technology.
What is crunch technology you ask?
The engineers at Wahl specifically designed the blade to make a crunch sound when cutting so barbers can perform perfect on-scalp cutting and blend cuts perfectly. And, when you run the clipper through hair at a faster pace, the blades teeth increase cutting so it gets through even the thickest hair.
Battery Life
The lithium-ion battery in the magic clip will last around 90 minutes per charge but many people say they have had it last closer to 2 hours. The beauty of it? It works with the cord plugged in too! So if you’re strapped for battery life, you can always revert to plugging it in.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- 8 attachment combs
- cleaning brush
- oil
- red blade guard
- recharging transformer
Customer Impressions
The Magic Clip is loved by a ton of barbers. With the battery lasting up to the 2 hour mark for some people, it never dies on you if you throw it on the charger between cuts. If you do need to plug it in, the power cord is 8 feet long and thicker than cords that come with other clippers.
The most popular feature is the stagger tooth blade that customers swear by for blending. It can also be zero gapped for an extremely close cut. They have a premium look and feel great in your hands.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I like about it
My go to features for the Wahl Magic Clip are the adjustable taper level and the stagger tooth blade that has become a staple in the barber industry. It’s great for fading and blending even on bald heads. This is a solid clipper widely used by many professionals.
Pros
- Cordless
- Powerful
- Sharp blades
- Can be zero-gapped
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some people found it to be more powerful while plugged in
Wahl Professional Cord/Cordless Sterling 4 Clipper
The original Wahl sterling 4 was a corded clipper but now due to popular demand, they’ve made one that is cordless!
This has a lot of similarities to the Magic Clip but in my opinion looks a lot nicer. Wahls professional series clippers are popular choices for barbers all across North America!
Blade
The Sterling 4 has a 1005 3-hole carbon steel blade that is designed for off-scalp cutting and blending. It can easily be adjusted with the built in lever.
Battery Life
It too has a lithium-ion battery with a 90+ minute run time and can also be used plugged in.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- 8 cutting guides ( 1/16″ – 1″)
- 3 color insert chips for personalization
- styling comb
- cleaning brush
- red blade guard
- recharge cord
Customer Impressions
Barbers that have been in the business for over a decade tried out the Sterling 4 and prefer it over their Wahl Senior clippers and Andis Masters. That’s saying quite a lot considering those are great clippers as well!
Other barbers said that it cuts just as good if not better than the corded version. It’s light weight, cuts smoothly and fits comfortably in your hand. Battery life is exceptional and charging is quick.
A cosmetologist reviewed it and after 3 years and cutting over 20 heads a day it’s still going strong. She even referred to it as her second husband! 🤣
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I like about it
I personally love the look of the Sterling 4. The all black and silver design looks modern and badass. Ultimately it’s a powerful professional clipper that comes with a ton of accessories. You can’t go wrong.
Pros
- Cordless
- Long lasting battery
- Lightweight
- Runs cool
Cons
- No warning light for low battery
- Some found it to be noisy
Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper #8110
This wouldn’t be a good list if it didn’t include something for the bald guys.
Whether you’re a barber that needs something for your clients that want the closest cut possible, or someone at home looking for a professional grade clipper to shave your head with, this balding clipper by Wahl is in high demand.
Blade
Wahl’s 2105 balding blade is designed to provide a “surgically-close” cut which makes it great for outlining hair or shaving heads right down to the skin.
It’s their shortest blade which is a 6×0 blade that cuts to a length of .2mm.
Motor
It comes with a powerful V5000+ electromagnetic motor that actually cuts twice as fast as a pivot motor. Electromagnetic motors cut at 14,400 strokes per minute.
What’s Included
- clipper
- 2 attachment combs
- oil
- cleaning brush
- red blade guard
Customer Impressions
This clipper does exactly what it’s supposed to do – shave your head as bald as possible. You’ll have to get out the razor and shaving cream to get any more of a close cut.
It provides a very smooth, even cut and its powerful motor prevents any hair getting snagged in the process.
The housing is made of plastic but that doesn’t stop it from feeling strong and well-made. It feels good in your hands and doesn’t get hot with excessive use even with its strong motor.
Keep in mind that some adjusting may need to be done to the blade before use as some people cut themselves. Making sure everything is aligned and the blades are oiled will prevent this from happening.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I Like About it
Being a bald guy myself, I know what it’s like to use a clipper that doesn’t cut as short as you want it to. The fact that Wahl designed a clipper for that exact problem is great. Because it cuts as short as it does, it also makes it perfect for cutting the shortest fades and edge ups.
Pros
- Powerful motor that cuts at 14,400 SPM
- Sharp close-cutting blades
- Doesn’t get hot
- Price
Cons
- Could cut scalp if not used correctly
Andis Professional Cordless Envy Lithium-Ion Clipper
The Andis Envy Li (lithium ion) is another popular clipper among many professional barbers. It has everything you’d need in a clipper and more.
Blade
It comes equipped with a high-speed carbon steel blade that adjusts from 000 – 1 and leaves hair 1/50″ – 3/32″ (0.5 – 2.4mm). It can be zero-gapped to give you an even closer shave and create finer lines in your cuts.
Battery Life
It boasts a 2 hour continuous run time, charges in 90 minutes or less and can also be used while plugged in.
Motor
Rotary motor that cuts at 5500 strokes per minute.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- charging plugs
- blade oil
- 9 attachment combs
- blade guard
- BeauWis blade brush
Customer Impressions
People who have used the cordless Envy clippers were really impressed by it’s performance after being under the impression that it wouldn’t do as well as a corded clipper. It also has European voltage and frequency capability which is huge plus for some.
It’s lightweight and the lithium ion battery has lasted some users over 2 hours while not losing any of it’s power until it’s completely dead.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I like about it
For $100 you’ll be getting a solid trimmer backed by a solid name and it has some of the longest battery life I’ve ever seen in a clipper. If you’re going to get a cordless hair clipper and cut hair for 8 or more hours a day, that’s a feature you definitely want to have.
Pros
- Cordless
- 2 hours of continuous cutting on one charge
- Can be zero-gapped
- Lightweight
Cons
- Plastic housing feels delicate
Andis Professional Barber Combo Adjustable Clipper with Trimmer – Best Clippers for Beginner Barbers
If you’re a beginner with cutting hair or a barber that’s just starting out, this clipper trimmer combo by Andis is a great option.
Starting out with a high quality clipper and trimmer is one of the best decisions you’ll make and you know that if it’s made by Andis that’s what you’re getting.
If you’re an established barber and you want a good clipper and trimmer for a good price, this might interest you too.
Blades
Clipper – comes with a carbon-steel blade that adjust from 000 -1 and leave hair 1/50″ – 3/32″ (0.5 – 2.4mm)
Trimmer – carbon-steel T-blade that stays sharp and is great for close cutting.
Motor
Powerful magnetic motor that cuts at 7200 strokes per minute.
What’s Included?
- clipper
- T-outliner trimmer
- oil
- 6 clipper attachments (1/8″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″)
- 4 trimmer attachments (1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″, 3/8″)
- blade guard
Customer Impressions
Both beginner barbers and veterans have bought this clipper trimmer combo and have nothing but good things to say about how it performs.
Both devices can be zero-gapped. Some people zero-gapped the T-outliner trimmer and found that it gives perfect cuts when outlining around hairlines and is easy to use in tight corners like around the ears. It’s also great for using on beard hair.
The heavy duty clipper is powerful and has no problem cutting through wet or dry hair. It’s made with a light housing and comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
There is the odd complaint about the clipper running hot but that is normal with any clipper when used heavily. It also does not come with a storage case.
Click here to see more Amazon customer reviews.
What I like about it
The best thing about this combo is that it comes with a very good clipper that will do everything you need and you get one of the more popular trimmers by Andis. You’re basically getting 2 for 1 considering this set is the same price as most clippers on their own.
If you’re interested in checking out more awesome trimmers, see my post on the best cordless trimmers for barbers.
Pros
- Comes with both a clipper and trimmer
- Trimmer can be zero-gapped
- Powerful
- Lightweight
- Price
Cons
- Some found that it runs hot
- Trimmer doesn’t come with blade guard
Wrapping it Up
At the end of the day, all of these clippers will do a great job when it comes to being heavily used throughout a typical day for a barber. They are all made by the most trusted names in the industry and are all highly rated.
A select few of these clippers have made a name for themselves by being tried and true to many barbers for years. That’s a good thing and it proves that they are definitely worth trying out!
