Best Clippers for Black Men
When first reading the title of this article, you might be wondering why an African American man would need a special kind of clipper? If you are a barber, hairstylist or just a shaving enthusiast of color, you might be tempted to get just an ordinary clipper that will “do the job”.
But the thing with black people is that they have thicker hair which sometimes is also curly or ingrown. So a basic clipper will definitely not do the job, thus you would need a stronger one.
In this article we’ll have a look at some of the best clippers for black men, then see a detailed buying guide and least but not last, answer to some common questions. Let’s begin!
1. The Wahl Cordless Magic Clip 5-Star 8148
Wahl is the oldest, and one of the most reputable producers of clippers in the world, so you can be sure their products work great for all types of hair. This model is suited for both home use or professional use at the saloon, and it works both corded and cordless.
Its Lithium-Ion battery can provide a cordless use of up to 90 minutes. Then you can plug it in and be able to use it for more hours if you’re a professional. It features an electromagnetic motor, that makes it very quiet yet still powerful enough for thick hair.
It also includes a taper lever on the side, for quality fading and blending effects.
The blades are strong and efficient with zero overlaps, cutting easily through any type of hair. But it also has blade guards in place to protect your skin for accidental injuries. It is a light device, which can easily be used for hours on end by a pro. It’s not cheap, but it’s definitely worth the price.
2. The Panasonic ER 1611 Professional Cordless Clipper
Panasonic is another reputable company and this device is made in Japan. It has a powerful motor with a speed of 10,000 rpm, easily cutting through any type of hair. And for such a motor, the noise it makes is quite low.
The blades edged at a 45-degree angle, which provides precise cuts each and every time, and the blade shape allows for a larger cutting surface area than other models.
You can adjust the cutting length in two ways: either by using the comb accessories with various lengths from 3 mm to 15 mm, or without using the attachments, from 0.8 mm up to 2 mm.
When fully charged, it can last for up to 50 minutes of cordless use, and it requires about 60 minutes of charging.
3. The Philips Norelco Multigroom Series 7000
Philips is known for the quality of its electronic devices, including high-quality clippers. This kit comes with all the tools and accessories you might need and unlike other products that only work for 1 hour when not plugged in, this one can run for an incredible 5 hours.
5 hours are just 5 hours when it comes to professional daily users, but for someone using this product occasionally at home for just about 10 minutes at a time, it means that it can last for months with just one charge.
The kit comes with a total of 23 pieces, which include shaving and trimming tools, bodyguards, fading hair combs, hair guards and beard & stubble guards.
So you can easily use it for the hair on your head, face or body. The motor and blades are high quality, making this the only device you need to buy for many years to come.
4. The Andis Master Hair Clipper 01557
This is a quality device from a renowned company, and it offers good features at an affordable price. It has a compact, stylish and light design made of aluminum, and it features an adjustable blade clipper for cutting wet or dry hair. It is contoured to fit your hand and it works great on both thick and thin hair.
It comes with a magnetic motor that offers power and efficiency without making too much noise. It delivers 14,000 strokes per minute which means that you can cut more hair in less time.
A useful tip would be to use oil on the blades in order to ensure proper lubrication when shaving or trimming, especially the thick hair of black people.
It features 5 blade adjustments and comes with 9 attachment combs for a wide variety of cutting lengths.
5. The Remington Quick Cut Clipper Model HC4250
What really sets this clipper apart from others it’s the unusual shape and small size. It fits right in the palm of your hand and it makes the trimming experience much more interesting. Thanks to this shape you can easily reach the back of your head, neckline and around the ears.
The blades are powerful and can cut through thick hair with no pulling or tugging. It’s easy to hold and to use, even for those with no previous experience.
The battery only lasts for about 40 minutes when using it cordless, but this should be fine for occasional home users.
It comes with nine combs of various sizes and has a much more accessible price than the previously mentioned clippers.
6. The Andis T-Outliner
Yet another quality device from the Andis company, this is a trimmer and shaver perfect for outlining, dry shaving and fading. The design is sleek and elegant and provides a close cut regardless of the hair type.
The blades are made of carbon steel, making them last even longer than stainless steel ones. You can use it for trimming the hair on the neck, beard, mustache or around the ears and it has a powerful motor that will last for years.
7. The Oster 606 Pro Power Clipper
This is a quality device made to withstand the high demands of professionals. It features a powerful yet silent motor that cuts both wet and dry hair, and a touch lever to adjust the blade from 0.1 mm to 3 mm. It is also quite comfortable and easy to use.
The package comes with the clipper, an adjustable blade, 4 comb attachments, 1 cleaning brush, 1 lubricating oil and the user manual.
8. The Wahl Clipper Elite Model 79602
Yet another high quality clipper from Wahl, it comes with precision blades that are self-sharpening. It comes with an adjustable taper lever which makes it easy to fade and blend, and also secure fit premium guards.
The motor is powerful and durable, yet produces a low noise compared to other models. The kit comes with a wide variety of accessories, including a styling comb, a cleaning brush, oil for the blades, blade guards, a pair of scissors and a storage case for easy transport.
9. The Oster 97 Heavy Duty Motor Clipper
This is a high quality device made in the USA, and it is built for continuous professional use in a busy barbershop. It has a powerful yet quiet rotary motor and even has a hang-ring for convenience.
The package comes with a detachable shaving blade, and lots of blades of various sizes are available optionally.
The set includes some lubricating oil, clipper grease, a blade guard and a cleaning brush. The housing is strong and resistant, meaning that you will be able to use it for many years to come, even if you occasionally drop it on the floor.
10. The Philips Do It Yourself 180 Degree Rotating Head Clipper
What makes this device truly unique is its 180 degrees rotating head, which makes it easy to reach even the most difficult spots. So it’s mostly designed for home users, allowing you to give yourself a perfect and precise haircut each and every time.
The blades are made of stainless steel and are also self-sharpening for long-time performance. It has an integrated zoom knob which allows you to set the desired length, from 0.5 mm to 15 mm.
It comes with a precision comb, and it’s also a cordless device that has 60 minutes of run time, with a charging that takes just as long.
And it’s even waterproof, meaning that you can easily wash it under the tap.
Best Clippers for Black Men Buying Guide
As you can see, there are plenty of high-quality Wahl clippers out there, with a wide variety of features and prices for all budgets. Here are a few things you should take into consideration before buying one:
- Motor Power – in order to be able to easily cut through thick hair, you will need a powerful motor with a high RPM count. Whether you plan on using it at home or at work for multiple hours a day, you also need to make sure it is not too loud
- Solid Blades – in order to cut through the thick hair of African American people, the blades need to be sharp and have the perfect angle
- Corded or cordless – this depends on personal preferences, and you need to decide which option you will go for before searching for a model. In case you go for the cordless version, make sure to choose a device that lasts for a longer period of time. The best option is to pick a model that works both corded and cordless
- Accessories – if you are a professional that is dealing with lots of types of hair each and every day, then you definitely need a wide variety of tools and accessories. People with curly, ingrown or coarse hair will need combs of different sizes. Another important accessory to take in consideration is the cleaning brush
- Protection – the skin of black people is a bit more sensitive than that of Caucasian people, and some blades can cause irritations and other reactions. So make sure to get a device that has coated blades with guards
- Manufacturer – there are hundreds of companies out there that are producing clippers and trimmers, but not all of them are the same. Some of the most reputable and reliable producers in this niche are Wahl, Panasonic, Philips, Oster, Andis and Remington. So as long as you choose a product made by one of these companies, you can be sure of the high quality in design, features and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the package?
Each model comes with its own unique combination of tools and accessories. Some include multiple comb attachments, a cleaning brush, scissors and a comb, and even lubricating oils. Others don’t have so many accessories, but it really depends on what you need and if you are a home or a professional user.
Do I have to oil or to sharpen the blades?
This also depends on the model you have. Some of them are self-sharpening, meaning that you will never have to sharpen them manually. For a better long-term use, it is recommended to oil the blades, and most clippers also include oil in the package.
Is my clipper water resistant?
This usually depends on the model: some are resistant to water, while others are not. Make sure to read the instructions guide carefully in order to find out if your clipper is or is not water resistant. If you don’t see this mentioned anywhere, then most probably it’s not, so make sure to keep it away from water.
What is the length of the power cable?
This highly depends on the model you are choosing. But if you want to make sure that the length of the cable will not be an issue, you can just buy a cordless clipper.
