Imagine shaving your head effortlessly and fast without any irritation or nicks from razors.
If your style is buzz cuts or being bald with a bit of stubble, the right balding clippers can make the difference between looking forward to your grooming routine and having second thoughts about shaving due to irritation, cuts, and uneven patches.
If you prefer clean shaven over buzz cuts, you need clippers for trimming your hair before shaving it all off.
Join us as we review the best balding clippers and clear up the confusion between clippers and trimmers—are they the same?
What to Look for in Balding Hair Clippers
Ergonomic Design
When buying balding clippers, you need to find one that fits comfortably in your hand. Looking for one with a rubber grip is a good idea to help prevent slipping and give you better control when shaving. The weight on your hair clippers should also be evenly balanced, but it shouldn't be too heavy to reduce strain on your wrist.
Motor Power
Hair clippers must have powerful motors, or you'll end up pulling and snagging hairs, which is super uncomfortable. When choosing among the best balding clippers, look for one with higher strokes per minute. 5,000 to 6,000 strokes per minute is the minimum power you should look for.
More power means easier cutting through even the coarsest hair.
Sharp Blades
Sharp blades and powerful motors work together for a smooth, even, and pain-free shave. Choosing hair clippers with sharp blades ensures that you shave evenly, an important aspect when doing fades or undercuts on long hair.
Corded vs Cordless
Corded hair clippers give you more consistent power but can be limiting due to cord length. Shaving with a dangling cord can get pretty annoying.
Cordless clippers offer versatility and convenience and are a good choice for most people, especially frequent travelers.
Battery Life
If you prefer cordless clippers, look for one with a lithium-ion battery for long battery life. The standard runtime is 40 minutes; don't settle for anything lower.
A cordless clipper with a quick charging feature is practical when your shaver runs out of juice during a shave. A quick 5-minute charge on some models, like the Remington ShortCut Pro, can give you enough power to finish your shave.
Adjustable Taper Lever
Clippers with an adjustable taper lever are a good feature because they allow you to change the blades' cutting length without switching guard attachments.
A shaver with this feature will be helpful if you do fades or blends.
Maintenance Accessories
A good clipper will last long, but only with the proper maintenance. Clippers that come with cleaning brushes and oil help maintain the performance of your clippers in the long run.
Warranty and Customer Support
A clipper with a good warranty can give you peace of mind, knowing that if something goes wrong, the manufacturer has your back. Customer support is another aspect that's invaluable for head shavers. Knowing that you have reliable support when issues arise or have questions about your clippers is something customers will surely appreciate.
The Top 9 Best Clippers for Bald Heads
Freebird BeardSeries - Best Cordless/Overall Trimmer
The Freebird BeardSeries trimmer is an excellent addition to your shaving arsenal. It's a multitasker that functions as a head, body, and beard hair trimmer, so you don't have to buy a dedicated unit for each routine.
The BeardSeries boasts BeardSafe blades that cut through all types of beards without irritation. It's easy to grip, has adjustable settings, and has multiple guards, 60 minute run time, a travel lock, and a powerful 5,200 RPM motor.
It charges quickly and lasts for multiple shaves thanks to its 600mAh lithium-ion battery.
Freebird provides a lifetime warranty and excellent customer service.
The BeardSeries Kit costs $49.95.
Remington ShortCut Pro - Best for Quick Buzz Cuts
Blade size matters when it comes to hair clippers. This is where the Remington ShortCut Pro stands out.
It's one of the best balding clippers you can buy. It features extra-large stainless steel blades that are 50% larger than other clippers. This means faster shaving as you cover a larger area in one pass.
You can do buzz cuts in minutes.
The ShortCut Pro is waterproof, cordless, and provides 40 minutes of lithium ion power on a single charge. It also has a 5-minute quick charge feature and works corded.
With nine attachments, you can quickly buzz your hair in various lengths.
The Remington ShortCut Pro costs $59.99.
Wahl has been in the shaving business for over a century, so you'll know you're getting a good clipper from the brand.
Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper - Best Corded
The Wahl Professional 5-Star Balding Clipper is a familiar tool in barbershops and is our best corded balding clipper. Its powerful V5000 electromagnetic motor churns out 14,400 strokes per minute, making it the closest-cutting clipper you can buy. Without a guard it will cut from 0.1 to 0.2mm, leaving minimal stubble behind.
It's no surprise it gets good reviews and is well-loved in community forums.
The Wahl Professional 5 Star is meant for head shaving and is not the right tool for fades, lineups, shape ups, or beard and mustache trimming.
You better be careful with this beast as it's unique #2105 stainless steel blades can be too sharp and leave cuts if you lack the skill to shave your head with this clipper.
Don't rush when shaving your head to avoid accidental nicks and cuts.
The Wahl 5 Star is bulky, (weighs 1 pound and is 6.25 inches long) but you can grip it without straining or slipping. The 5 Star has a surprisingly quiet motor on this powerful clipper, which is not what Wahl clippers are usually known for.
In the box, you'll get clipper oil, cleaning brush, red blade guard, and two extra guards (sizes 1/16" and 3/16").
The Wahl 5-Star Balding Clipper costs $74.99.
Andis Master Adjustable Blade Clipper - Best Adjustable Clipper
The Andis Master Clipper boasts a powerful magnetic motor (14,000 strokes per minute), super sharp carbon steel blades, and it comes in a shiny and durable aluminum casing.
It's our recommendation for the best adjustable clipper because its taper lever allows you to adjust blades easily and has markings to give you a more precise cutting length.
Switching between blade sizes is quick; looking for and putting on the right guard is unnecessary. The box doesn't include guard combs, only a blade guard and clipper oil.
The Andis Master Clipper is on the heavy side, weighing 1.25 lbs., but it compensates with its 6-inch-long shaver body. It fits comfortably in your hands, and you won't notice the extra weight once you get used to it.
It also comes with an 8-foot-long power cord for added flexibility.
A word of caution: if you use it for 20 minutes straight, the aluminum housing can get really hot.
The Andis Master Hair Clipper costs $141.00.
Buy from their website.
Wahl Peanut Classic Corded Hair Clipper - Best for Traveling
The Wahl Peanut Classic is the best choice if you're looking for a compact yet powerful travel hair clipper from a reputable brand. For shavers who groom on the go, the Peanut ticks all the boxes on what to look for in a travel shaver.
With a four-inch body and a 4-ounce weight, you might think you've been scammed into buying a toy clipper from Wahl.
But don't let its size and weight fool you. The Wahl Peanut clipper has a powerful, quiet rotary motor that doesn't heat up too much.
It cuts closely with steel blades that match Wahl's professional line in performance.
The Peanut may be harder to handle if you have big hands than normal-sized clippers and trimmers.
The compact size of the Peanut makes it an ideal trimmer for precision cutting and shape ups around your beard and mustache.
In the box you'll get:
4 triming guides (1/8" to1/2")
Oil
A cleaning brush
Red blade guard
The Wahl Peanut Classic Corded Hair Clipper costs $64.99
BaByliss Pro Lithium FX Cord and Cordless Hair Clipper - Best for Black Men
Black men's hair is a bit different; it's coarser and curlier than other hair types. The BaByliss Pro Lithium FX Hair Clipper is our pick for the best hair clipper for black men.
Its sharp gold titanium blades can easily cut a black man's hair with precision. Powered by a 6,800 RPM long-life ball-bearing motor, you won't experience pulling and tugging while shaving.
The Lithium FX clipper is easy to hold and use and has excellent build quality.
It has a lithium-ion battery with 120 minutes of runtime, five detent taper controls, LED low battery life indicator, universal charging port, and eight comb attachments for various fade styles.
You also get a limited 2 year warranty with your purchase.
The BaBylissPro LithiumFX Clipper costs $159.99.
The Oster Classic 76 - Best Professional
If you're looking for the best professional balding clipper, the Oster Classic 76 fits the bill. As with most professional clippers, the Oster Classic 76 is heavy and bulky but is built to last. A few minor drops here and there won't affect its almost indestructible burgundy casing.
You'll either love or hate the design, but some say this is one of the best clippers available. Its ergonomic design fits perfectly in your hand. It boasts a heavy-duty motor with generous power and torque attached to a nine-foot power cord. There are no heating issues here, but you'll have to live with the noise and extra weight (1.52 lbs.).
The Oster Classic 76's Cryogen X blades are known for their durability, sharpness, and precision. Don't lose them while cleaning or traveling because replacing them costs $20 per piece.
In the box, you'll receive two detachable blades, cleaning brush, blade guard, cleaning oil, nine-foot power cord, and clipper grease. There are no guard combs and taper lever, but it's not a deal breaker.
The Oster Classic 76 costs $157.
Freebird FlexSeries Pro - Best Rotary Head Shaver
If you're like me, who occasionally switches from a clean-shaven head to a buzz cut, the FlexSeries Pro is the best rotary shaver for a clean and comfortable shave.
It's an upgraded version of the best-selling original FlexSeries, which has sold over a million units.
Freebird spent three years researching, developing, and listening to customer feedback to determine how to improve the original FlexSeries.
The FlexSeries Pro upgrades are:
An adaptive and quieter motor
An enhanced four-blade design with independent foils that shave close and smoother
A larger hair capture chamber
A longer 90-minute battery life
IPX7 waterproofing
A travel lock
A two-piece blade design for easier cleaning
A three-level LED battery life indicator
Anti-slip coating and rubber grips
Freebird lives up to its tradition of giving away $60 worth of freebies:
Upgraded Precision Clipper
3, 5, 7mm Safety Guards
Advanced Nose & Ear Trimmer
Micro Cleaning Brush
Buy for $69.95 on the website or $89.95 on Amazon.
If you're on a tight budget, the original FlexSeries is a more affordable option, but doesn't include all the perks of the FlexSeries Pro.
Braun Series 9 Pro with Power Case - Best Premium Foil Head Shaver
The Braun Series 9 Pro is the brand's flagship shaver and one of the best foil shavers in the market.
It's an expensive, high-end shaver that's built to last. Braun designed them to last up to 7 years. If you can afford it, it's worth the price.
The Series 9 Pro weighs 2.11 lbs, a little heavy for foil shavers.
It features a ProLift trimmer and titanium coated blades that can shave beards unshaven for seven days. It boasts of AutoSense technology that adjusts power based on beard hair density.
You can shave either wet or dry on 60 minutes of cordless power.
It has a SmartCare Center, which provides push-button convenience as it cleans, charges, lubricates, and dries your unit.
The Power Case is similar to a power bank for your smartphone. It provides 50% more battery life for up to six weeks on the road, making it a great companion for long trips. It can also double as a travel case, but it's rather bulky and heavy.
In the box you'll get:
Smart station
Power case
Cleaning cartridge
Cleaning brush
SmartPlug
The Braun Series 9 Pro costs around $320.
How Do I Shave My Head with Clippers?
Shaving your head with hair clippers can be a straightforward process if you follow these steps:
Prep Your Scalp: Wash your scalp with warm water to soften the hair. This helps reduce irritation and makes for an easier shave.
Exfoliate: Exfoliate with a gentle exfoliating scrub or brush to remove dead skin cells. This helps prevent ingrown hairs and promote a smoother shave.
Dry Thoroughly: Make sure your scalp is completely dry before shaving to prevent hair from sticking to your clipper blades.
Choose the Right Guard: If using adjustable clippers, select a guard length that suits your desired baldness. For a completely bald look, remove the guard entirely.
Test Different Lengths: If you're unsure on how short you want your cut, start with a longer guard and move to shorter lengths until you get your preferred look.
Start Shaving: Begin at the back of your head and work your way forward. Use smooth, even strokes, and don't rush! Take your time to ensure an even cut.
Go Against the Grain: For a closer shave, go against the direction of hair growth. This will help you achieve that ultra-smooth finish.
Be Careful of Sensitive Areas: Areas around the ears and neck can be more sensitive, apply light pressure around these areas.
Rinse and Moisturize: After shaving, rinse your scalp with cool water to remove loose hair. Pat it dry gently, and apply a good moisturizer.
Use Sunscreen: Without hair covering on your scalp, it will be more exposed to harmful UV rays. If you're always outdoors, applying sunscreen before going out is a must.
Clippers vs Trimmers: What's the Difference?
You may hear the term hair clippers and hair trimmers and think that they're the same. They may be interchangeable at times, but they're not the same.
Hair clippers have larger, thicker blades designed to cut longer and coarser hair on the head and face. The blades on clippers are spaced farther apart to cut through thick hair quickly. Hair clippers are also larger and heavier, with more powerful motors. They usually come with more attachments and guards for more versatility.
Hair trimmers have smaller, thinner blades designed for precision trimming and detailing. The blades on trimmers are closer together to cut closer to the skin. Trimmers are better suited for trimming facial hair, cleaning up edges, shape ups, and detailing hairlines.
The Bottom Line
Balding clippers are a great addition to your grooming toolbox, especially if buzz cuts are your preferred style. Choosing one that fits your budget and specific needs ensures a comfortable, irritation-free shave every time.
As you pick the right one for you, keep these tips in mind:
Prioritize blade quality and motor power
Look for ergonomic designs
Decide between corded or cordless options
Look for a good warranty and excellent customer service
FAQs
Can I Use Regular Hair Clippers to Shave My Head?
Yes, you can use regular hair clippers to shave your head, but they may not provide a close shave like balding clippers. Balding clippers, as their name implies, are designed with sharper blades and powerful motors that cut closely without pulling and tugging.
Balding clippers will give you better results if you're shooting for a bald look.
Are There Special Products I Should Use After Shaving My Head?
Yes, there are. After shaving, it's essential to care for your scalp to keep it healthy and irritation-free. A moisturizer, sunscreen, and aftershave are just some of the must-haves you should put on your head after a shave.
Read our article on what to put on your head after shaving to learn more.
How Do I Maintain My Hair Clippers?
Proper maintenance of your hair clippers is crucial for longevity and performance. Here are some tips:
Clean After Each Use: Remove hair clippings from the blades after every shave using a cleaning brush or by rinsing them under water (if they're waterproof).
Oil the Blades: Regularly oiling the blades keeps them sharp and reduces friction. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how often to apply oil.
Store Properly: To prevent damage, keep your clippers in a cool, dry place away from moisture or extreme temperatures.
