The Oster 76 and the Andis Master are two clippers that just about everyone in the hair industry has heard of. Both have proven themselves to be titans when it comes to cutting hair in a variety of ways, but, even with their history and stellar reputation, it’s not uncommon that the question of which one is better arises.
Right off the hop, it’s important to know that neither one is better than the other per say. It will really come down to personal opinion and what you’re looking to get out of your clippers.
With that being said, I wanted to lay everything about these out on the table so you can easily see what suits you best and make the right purchase decision.
After all, a new clipper is just like a nice pair of hair cutting shears or other tool – they’re an investment and you want to make sure you have the right one for the job.
When we compare the Oster 76 vs Andis Master, we will cover pros and cons of both clippers, what features they have, what customers are saying about them and other valuable info.
If you’re strapped for time and want to get right to it, click here to see my favorite between the two on Amazon.
Oster Classic 76 – Heavy Duty Cutting with Ease
Oster has proven themselves in the clipper industry with many sought after clippers, one of the most popular being the Classic 76.
It’s been around for many years and hasn’t changed much during that time, if at all. Outside of the originals, Oster has come out with special edition versions with the only difference being it’s look.
Not changing it over the years is for good reason. It’s proven to be one of the best for its durability and heavy-duty performance and Oster knows that. It will surely not disappoint.
Design
Some might say the design of the Classic 76 looks old fashioned. I personally think its original look makes it stand out from the rest and is easily recognizable to anyone in the industry.
The OG design is a narrow, cylindrical shape with a base color that reminds me of old wood. It’s simple yet it’s the unique design barbers and stylists have grown to love.
If you aren’t into the original look, there are 14 different colors to choose from, some of which have a unique twist other than just a change in color.
Blade
The Oster 76 blades are handcrafted and made from high-carbon steel hardened to Rockwell scale C. To make them even harder, they then get a cryogenic treatment.
Cryogenic means they are treated at temperatures below -310 °F or -190 °C which improves wear and corrosion resistance.
Changing the blades is super easy and you don’t have to sharpen them. When you’re in need of replacements, they are easy to order and can be found in many different sizes. The standard blades are #000 and #1.
Corded Operation
Any classic clipper usually comes with a cord. While there are many very good cordless hair clippers out there, some of the most powerful ones have a cord.
Cordless is convenient, but the 9-foot cord on the Oster Classic 76 provides lots of maneuverability and allows for virtually endless use without the loss of performance.
Motor
The Oster 76 comes with a single speed, universal motor that doesn’t get bogged down in any situation. Any hair type, thick or thin, this clipper will get through it thanks to the power this motor brings to the table.
It is quite a bit louder than the Andis Master but for the heavy-duty cutting it’s meant for, it shouldn’t be whisper-quiet, anyway.
What do you get When you buy the Oster Classic 76?
Nothing fancy, just the essentials:
- Clipper
- Detachable blades (#000, #1)
- Blade guard
- Lubricating oil
- Clipper grease
- Cleaning brush
What Customers Have to say
If you know anything about hair clippers, you know that the Oster Classic 76 is one that most pros will rave about.
But it’s not just the pro’s that have something to say about it. Barbers, stylists and even people that use it at home all tend to agree on the same things when it comes to this clipper:
- Easily cuts through all hair types
- Powerful motor for prolonged use on any type of cut
- Blades are great for close cuts and don’t pull causing in-grown hairs and rough spots on the skin
A notable downside is that it is quite a heavy clipper weighing about 2lbs so make sure you have a strong arm on you.
Check out more Amazon customer reviews here if you want to see what else people are saying.
Is it for you?
The Oster Classic 76 is a fantastic unit but it may not tailor to everyone. It should be a no-brainer if you’re looking for a long-lasting clipper with power that can cut through any head of hair that comes your way.
Oster Classic 76
Pros
- Excellent for heavy-duty cutting
- Won’t get bogged down
- Very durable resulting in many years of use
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Not adjustable like the Andis Master requiring multiple blades
- Heavy in weight at 2 lbs
- Louder than the Andis Master
Andis Master – Professional Styling and Tapering
Andis is another extremely reputable brand when it comes to hair clippers having been around for almost 100 years. Between Andis and Oster, you could say they’re like the Marvel vs DC of clipper brands.
In comparison to Oster’s Classic 76, there is the also highly respected Andis Master. It is more or less a culmination of all Andis’ knowledge wrapped up into one reliable, trustworthy, dependable package with a few notable differences.
Design
The Master takes on a more traditional design with a wider, more curvy body compared to the Oster Classic 76.
It is cased in a beautiful silver aluminum with a stamped Andis Master badge on the front. It is a more modern design and definitely has no problem making a statement.
If you want something extra fancy, Andis also makes a limited edition black master clipper available on Amazon. Damn is it nice.
Blade
The Andis Master comes with carbon-steel blades that are long lasting and will not lose their sharpness.
Because the clipper is adjustable using the built-in lever on its side, it comes with only one blade that can be adjusted from sizes #000 and #1. It can also be zero-gapped to get the closest cut possible.
Having the ability to adjust the length quickly to your liking makes it ideal for things like fading where cutting with multiple lengths is needed.
The blades also have long teeth which are great for cleaning up fades.
Corded Operation
The Master is also a corded clipper and comes with an 8-foot cord as opposed to the 9-foot cord on the Oster Classic 76. Despite the 1-foot difference, there is still plenty of cord to maneuver around freely without any issues.
Motor
The Andis Master has a very fast and powerful magnetic motor that cuts at an impressive 14,000 strokes per minute.
It runs quite a bit quieter than the Oster Classic 76 but that can be justified considering its main use should be for styling and fading. This clipper tends to get bogged down in thick hair where the Classic 76 does not.
What do you get When you buy the Andis Master?
You get the bare essentials not including the brush and clipper grease provided with the Classic 76:
- Clipper
- Adjustable Blade
- Blade Guard
- Lubricating Oil
What Customers are Saying
The Andis Master is a super stylish clipper compared to most of today’s most popular models. They are a clipper that any modern-day barber or stylist will love.
Being able to make micro-adjustments with the built-in side lever makes custom fading and tapering a breeze.
Users found that it is surprisingly quiet for the speed of the motor and has minimal vibrations making it comfortable to hang on to for extended periods.
It does a good job of staying cool so there shouldn’t be any issues with over-heating.
Check out more Amazon customer Reviews for the Andis Master.
Is it for you?
The Andis Master is a tried and true clipper that has made a name for itself when it comes to fading, edge-ups and tapering.
Although it won’t get through the more heavy-duty cutting quite like the Oster Classic, it’s lightweight at 1.25 pounds and it still has more than enough power to coast through your average haircut.
If you are looking for something that’s versatile and prefer a clipper you can really style with, this is the one for you. It’s modern design and unbreakable aluminum housing provides a clipper that you will enjoy for years.
Andis Master
Pros
- Adjustable blade
- Great for fades and more intricate styling
- Relatively quiet compared to the Oster Classic 76
- Lightweight at 1.25 lbs
- Unbreakable aluminum housing
- Modern design
Cons
- Struggles to cut through thick hair compared to the Oster Classic 76
Verdict & Side-by-side Comparison
| Andis Master | Oster Classic 76 | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Magnetic - 14,000 Strokes per minute | Single speed |
| Weight | 1.25 lbs. | 2 lbs. |
| Blade Type | Adjustable single blade | Non-adjustable. Comes with #000 and #1 |
| Ideal Usage | Fading & Tapering | Heavy-duty cutting on thicker heads of hair |
| See it on Amazon | See it on Amazon!See it on Amazon! |
The real winner ultimately comes down to what you’re looking to do with your clippers, but, in terms of overall cutting ability and features, the Andis Master has something for just about anyone.
The main difference is that it can’t take on the heavy duty, thick hair cutting that the Oster Classic can. With that being said, moderately thick hair shouldn’t be a problem.
Additionally, being able to make easy adjustments with the side lever without having to swap out blades is a huge time saver.
Aside from that, it’s quieter, lighter and more precise than the Oster Classic 76. At the end of the day, choose the one that best suits your needs. Both will last many years and are sure to be a signature addition to any shop.
