The 9 Best Hair Clippers for DIY Buzz Cuts, Bald Men, and Shape-Ups

The motor isn’t as powerful as professional trimmers from Wahl, BaByBlissPRO, or Bevel, but nothing comes close to matching the versatility. (There’s a reason it’s landed in our guides to the best beard trimmers, electric razors, and now hair clippers.) Plus, while most trimmers max out at 0.8” to 1” cutting lengths, the MultiShape goes all the way up to about 1.2”, making it the best hair clipper for long hair. Still, I think short-haired guys will love it, too.

Shengmao are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

This multitasking device can mow down everything to a stubble (if you so please), and then allows you to swap on that wide-set foil shaver, to take things down to a smooth finish. One device for buzz cuts, long hair, and bald guys—perfection.

Best Men's Hair Trimmer for Lineups: Andis Slimline Pro Trimmer

Andis

Slimline Pro Trimmer

Why we love it: This is technically a trimmer, not a clipper, but it belongs on this roundup because of its superb ability to draw clean lines everywhere. It’s a barber favorite for those line ups, neckline cleanups, and its natural ability to trim at zero-gap length with minimal skin risk compared to other zero-gapping devices. If you regularly line yourself up at home, or if you want to draw clean cheek lines, necklines, sideburns, and beyond—then absolutely invest in the Andis’ Slimline Pro.

Best Men's Hair Clippers for Traveling: Wahl Peanut

Why we love it: While I’m the proud owner of a regular corded Wahl Peanut, I need to also call out the newly updated cordless option, the Peanut Li. Normally, a product loses motor power when it goes cordless, but the new version actually has a stronger 7,000rpm motor. Either of these devices are perfect for traveling, given how petite the Peanut is (just 4 inches!). And I’d argue that the corded option (mine pictured here) is even better for the guy who forgets to charge up his devices since it’ll always have power. As much as I love going cordless, the regular Peanut has earned a cult following as a pro-level clipper for home use, it’s pretty cute too.

Best for Bald Cuts + Fades: Wahl 5 Star Vapor Clipper

Wahl Professional

5 Star Vapor Clipper

Why we love it: Wahls been on a tear lately, releasing the cordless Peanut Li and the 5 Star Vapor. If you’re looking for a true zero-gap trimmer with the most powerful-possible motor, then this is the device you want. It’s so powerful my partner complained about the racket it made, and the 8,000rpm motor slices through even the thickest hair. Wahl calls this the first “adjustable balding blade,” and it was made for barbers working on bald cuts and fades. It has extra-sharp blades, a comfy ergonomic feel in your hand, and makes it easy to blend bald fades (at least, for professionals—YMMV). The blade looks razor sharp, and for bald cuts, it includes dozens of fine ball-pointed teeth to reduce nicks and snags as it moves across your skin. In short, it’s another true barber-quality clipper from Wahl you can also use at home.

More Hair Clippers We Love

Bevel

Professional Hair Clippers & Beard Trimmer

Is this a bit of a splurge? Definitely—but if you're looking for barbershop quality in a compact, cordless package, this is a good option. Its four-hour rechargeable battery means you won't have to worry about it dying mid-cut, and the sleek design looks great on a shelf.

BaBylissPRO

FXONE LO-PROFX High Performance Clipper

With a powerful brushless motor and a built-in oil reservoir for constant lubrication, the FXONE LO-PROFX Hair Clipper is a great choice for barbers and DIY buzz-cutters alike. It comes with eight comb attachments and sports a two-year limited warranty, to boot.

Andis

Professional Master Adjustable Blade Hair Trimmer

Designed for “years of heavy use by barbers and stylists,” the Andis Master boasts adjustable, extra-sharp, carbon-steel blades along with a sleek, “indestructible” (their words) aluminum casing. Included is a blade guard and blade oil.

Remington

HC Virtually Indestructible Haircut Kit & Beard Trimmer

This uber-affordable tool is ideal if you're looking for a no-frills clipper that can double as a beard trimmer in a pinch. It's easy to clean, it's powerful, and it comes with a beard brush and styling comb—a nice touch.

What to Look for in Hair Clippers

What you need from men’s hair clippers at home is much different from what barbers need in professional hair clippers. So I think the best place to start is to differentiate between the qualities that are important for the DIY hair cutter, as opposed to the barber clippers. For that advice, I got an assist from barber and STMNT Grooming Goods ambassador Jovan Figueroa. Here is his very excellent two cents on the most important qualities in a DIY hair cutter.

• Power: “Power is by far the most important, in my opinion, because the higher the power, the more it will cut through any type of hair,” Figueroa says. While pros typically opt for clippers with 10,000 or higher RPM (revolutions per minute), most average users only need something with 6,000 RPM. Opting for something with higher RPM ensures that you're using something that's powerful enough to take on your hair as opposed to a beard trimmer, which tends to have lower RPM since facial hair is uniformly less dense.
• Sturdy Guards: “This is something that cannot be overlooked as cheap guards can and will produce cheap results,” says Figueroa. If they bend and warp as you move the product over your hair, then you’ll have an uneven buzz at the end. “Most professional clippers will come with regular guards, but I would highly recommend purchasing premium guards,” he adds.
• Cordlessness: This isn’t a must, but there’s a reason all but a couple of our picks above are cordless. “It's a plus to be able to move freely without any restrictions, getting tangled in cords, or having to adjust based on where my outlets are,” Figueroa says.
• Battery Life: If you have a cordless device, then battery life is also important. (Personally, I think it’s easy to charge up the device after every one to three uses since this isn’t likely something you’re using more than once a week.) Most professional-grade cordless clippers will also run while plugged in.
• Vast Range of Trimming Lengths: “This is optimal because you’ll have a variety of lengths to work with for any situation,” says Figueroa. And while it might feel silly to need more than four or five different cutting lengths—there’s always a chance you’ll want to customize something just so and need that random clipper guard that otherwise sits still forever. Better yet, find a device that has an angled clipper guard for sideburn clipping and fading, like our top pick on this list.

And then there are a few less important qualities for at-home hair clippers. These factors aren’t as important for your at-home search, though they're still good things to consider.

• Zero Gap: Zero gapping is what the pros use to get you the tightest skin fade of your life. It involves realigning the blades so that the teeth have no real buffer between you and the skin. “Most users can generally ignore the zero-gap adjustable’ feature,” says Figueroa. “However, if you notice that you’re not getting as close of a shave or line-up, you should look into clippers that have a zero-gap option [like the BabylissPRO clippers or the Andis Slimline Pro trimmer on this list]). These give you the ability to adjust the blades closer and cut closer to the skin.”
• Warranty: “This might be low on the list, but should not be overlooked because most clippers are unfortunately not created equal,” Figueroa says. “I always recommend going for higher-end clippers, so naturally, these tools would be an investment, so it’s great to take note of the warranty.” Still, the warranty will only protect you from factory issues, as opposed to dropping and breaking the device yourself (not covered by the brand—perhaps that type of coverage is covered by the retailer for a few months, though).
• Waterproof/Water-resistant: “This is not really something I think about or recommend for clippers or trimmers because we should really be using these tools on dry hair,” Figueroa says.
• Multifunctionality: While it makes sense that some guys want a singular device to mow through their head hair, beard hair, body hair, and beyond, it’s not necessarily something to prioritize, says Figueroa. “In my professional opinion, using a beard trimmer as a hair clipper is like using body wash as shampoo. Can you do it? Sure. But is it recommended and optimal? No.” That said, we have a couple of products on our list that are beard trimmer-forward but offer decent results as hair clippers—for the guys who might only need to reach for them once in a blue moon, as opposed to investing in a dedicated hair clipper.

How We Tested

After more than a decade on the men’s grooming beat, I’ve spoken with dozens of barbers, stylists, and professional groomers about their go-to hair clippers and have tested countless products myself. Long before I started this venture in grooming journalism, I was the frugal shopper who wanted a device that allowed for consistent, easy buzzcuts. Would it shock you that, no matter how many devices I test, my favorite always remains the Wahl Color Pro? (My own mother used it on my brothers and me as a kid.) I remain open-minded to any device that comes along to dethrone it, but for now—in terms of what at-home consumers need from the best hair clippers—I compare everything against that intuitive, durable device.

Hair Clipper FAQ

What is the best hair clipper for men, according to GQ?

The best men’s hair clipper for most people is Wahl’s Color Pro Cordless for its intuitive use and low cost. As we say at GQ, most people shouldn’t be giving themselves a fancy haircut. So if you require more than a simple buzz, visit the pros.

Beard trimmer vs. hair clippers: What’s the difference?

While many devices can be used as both beard trimmers and hair clippers, these devices differ in their approach to hair cutting: Beard trimmers typically require less power (since facial hair tends to be less dense) but also more precision on the average device. Meanwhile, hair clippers require more muscle to mow through thicker patches of hair, and the pros will use additional detailing devices for any fancy edgework. Also, beard trimmers are often waterproof, while hair clippers are less likely to be so.

What does zero gap mean with hair clippers?

Think of zero gapping as the ability to get an actual skin-tight clip from your hair clippers. This is done by a slight realignment of the blades so that the hairs can reach right up to those teeth. It’s usually only found on professional clippers and should be left to the pros, given the risks of cutting your skin so close to the blade. (We repeat: Proceed with caution.)

How do you fade your own hair?

It’s best to let a professional barber or stylist fade your hair, however the general logic behind fading is to steadily decrease the clipper length (starting with a low trim or bare shave at the perimeter). If you insist on doing this yourself, then read GQ’s guide to fading your own hair.

Are hair clippers allowed on airplanes?

Yes, your hair clippers are allowed on the airplane, but only in your carry-on hand baggage. Nothing with fixed batteries can be checked in the cargo.

For more Clipping Machineinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

About the Experts

Jovan Figueroa is a barber and hair stylist and serves as a brand ambassador for STMNT Grooming Goods.

JoAnn Noriega is a San Francisco-based barber at Headprint Studio.

Guide to Personal Grooming Tools

Should you use a clipper on your beard hair? Or a shaver on your head? When do you use a trimmer or a detail trimmer? Today, there is a multitude of products to use on the hair all over our bodies. But how do you know which product does what job?

Don’t worry, we have you covered. We created a quick and easy guide of the differences in the products to guide you through the process of total grooming.

Hair Clippers and Trimmers

What is a hair clipper?

Hair clippers are designed to cut longer hair (usually hair on the head) and they do not cut as close to the skin as trimmers or shavers.

The original version of hair clippers were operated manually until Leo J. Wahl invented the electromagnetic hair clipper in . Manual hair clippers included a pair of handles that when squeezed together would cut hair. The electromagnetic hair clipper utilizes a motor to power the blades to cut.

Since then, hair clippers have become more advanced. Some now include rechargeable lithium-Ion batteries that are used to make hair clippers cordless. A corded clipper needs to be plugged into an outlet to operate while a cordless clipper can be charged and operated without a cord for more haircutting freedom.

What about the accessories?

Hair clippers usually come with a few guide combs to help you achieve your desired length. The attachments can range from 1/16” to 1”, so you can change your look easily. Our best piece of advice is to choose a longer guide comb to start and follow up with shorter ones as you become more comfortable.

While clippers are primarily for the hair on the head, you can use a clipper on longer and thicker beard hair. For shorter beard hair, we recommend using a trimmer.

Recommended for use on: Head and face.

What is a trimmer?

A beard trimmer is designed to cut (or trim) shorter or finer hairs, like facial and body hair, because of the blade and tooth size. Trimmers cut closer to the skin and are made to work on the finer details of the beard, face and body.

Trimmers can also be used for detailing and for trimming hair on the face ( like sideburns ) aside from just the beard. Trimmers can also be used on body hair as needed.

Trimmers come with a variety of attachments and guards that work like those that come with your clipper, but are sized differently. We recommend referencing the instruction manual included with your trimmer for proper use.

Recommended for use on: Face, neck, chest, stomach, back, legs and arms

What is a detail trimmer?

Detail trimmers, also known as personal trimmers, can be used on the ears, nose and eyebrows . Most detail trimmers will include a variety of attachments, or heads, like a precision detailer head for eyebrows and sideburns, a rotary head for nose hair, and a reciprocating head for details, edging and ears.

When deciding to trim these areas, reference your instruction manual to understand the use of each piece. No matter which area you’ve decided to trim, always be careful and take your time as your face is a sensitive place. For information on how to use a personal trimmer, check out our grooming advice everyone needs to know .

Recommended for use on: Face, ears, nose and eyebrows.

Electric Shavers and Razors

What is a shaver?

A shaver is an electric device that is used to achieve a clean-shaven look. Shavers fall into two categories: foil and rotary.

Use a foil shaver when looking for a close-to-the-skin shave. Rotary shavers are better for longer and thicker facial hairs.

Shavers can be waterproof (totally submerged in water), water-resistant (used in shower), or dry (not to be used with water). Check out our guide to help you decide what kind of shaver you should use . Your shaver may not be water-resistant, but dependent on the shaver, you may need to rinse the head with water to clean it. Reference the included instruction manual for proper usage in and near water.

Recommended for use on: Face.

What is a razor?

Razors are often used on shorter hair, anything longer requires a quick trim with your trimmer followed by a closer shave with your razor.

Razors are typically used to shave the face, legs or body. Unlike a shaver, a razor is not electric and requires manual movement across the face or body.

Razors come in various styles and include different numbers of blades. Over time, you will need to replace the blades as they dull with use. Razors often require shaving cream or gel and should only be used when wet.

Deciding between a shaver and a razor might come down to personal preference, but most high-quality shavers can give you almost as close of a shave as a manual razor.

Recommended for use on: Face, chest, stomach, legs.

The Bottom Line

Each grooming tool has a primary function, but at times can be used interchangeably. Taking the time to research the product and understand your own hair needs is crucial in choosing the right product for the job.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of heavy duty meat grinder. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.