Hair Clipper Guide: Types, Sizes & Complete Buying Guide
A hair clipper is a motorized grooming tool using oscillating or rotating blades beneath protective guards to cut hair to uniform lengths, essential for buzz cuts, fades, and home haircuts. The best hair clippers combine powerful motors (4,500–8,000 RPM), sharp self-sharpening blades, adjustable taper levers, and complete guard sets (#1–#8) for versatile length control.
This comprehensive guide covers hair clipper types, guard sizes in mm, choosing by use case, maintenance, and achieving professional results.
What Is a Hair Clipper?
Basic Technology
Motorized Cutting System:
- Electric motor drives blades at high speed (4,500–8,000 RPM)
- Oscillating blades move side-to-side rapidly
- Protective guards determine cutting length
- Safe operation (blades don't touch skin directly)
For technical background on hair clipper development and mechanics, see comprehensive overview.
Components
- Motor: Powers blade movement (rotary, magnetic, or brushless)
- Blades: Cut hair (carbon steel, stainless, or titanium-coated)
- Taper lever: Adjusts blade position (0.5mm range)
- Guards/combs: Plastic attachments (#1–#8 standard)
- Power source: Corded (AC power) or cordless (rechargeable battery)
Hair Clipper Guard Sizes Chart
|
Guard Number |
Length (mm) |
Length (inches) |
Best For |
|
No guard (0) |
0.5–1mm |
~1/32" |
Skin fade, bald look |
|
#1 |
3mm |
1/8" |
Very short buzz cut, military |
|
#2 |
6mm |
1/4" |
Classic short buzz cut |
|
#3 |
9mm |
3/8" |
Medium short, good starter |
|
#4 |
12mm |
1/2" |
Longer, conservative |
|
#5 |
15mm |
5/8" |
Noticeably longer |
|
#6 |
18mm |
3/4" |
Longer styling |
|
#7 |
22mm |
7/8" |
Very long |
|
#8 |
25mm |
1" |
Longest standard guard |
Beginner Tip: Start with #4 (12mm) for first home cuts—you can always go shorter next time, but can't add length back.
Types of Hair Clippers
By Motor Type
Rotary Motors (Professional):
- 6,000–7,500 RPM (powerful, consistent)
- Heavy-duty (handles all hair types)
- Longer lifespan (5–10 years)
- Examples: Andis Master, Oster Classic 76, Wahl Senior
Magnetic Motors (Home Use):
- 4,500–6,000 RPM (adequate for most hair)
- Quieter than rotary
- Lighter weight
- Examples: Wahl Color Pro, Remington
Brushless Motors (High-End):
- 7,000–8,000+ RPM (most powerful)
- Longest lifespan (no brushes to wear)
- Most efficient (better battery cordless)
- Examples: Wahl Vapor, StyleCraft Rebel
By Power Source
Corded Clippers:
- Unlimited runtime (no charging)
- Consistent power (never weakens)
- Lighter weight (no battery)
- Best for: Professional high-volume, thick hair
Cordless Clippers:
- 60–180 minute runtime (rechargeable)
- Full mobility (no cord restrictions)
- Convenient (home use, self-cutting)
- Best for: Home users, mobile barbers, fades
By Intended Use
Professional Clippers:
- All-metal construction (durable)
- Powerful motors (6,000+ RPM)
- Extended warranties (2–5 years)
- Designed for: 10–20 cuts daily
Home Clippers:
- Plastic housing (lighter, affordable)
- Moderate motors (4,500–6,000 RPM)
- Complete kits (guards, scissors, cape)
- Designed for: 1–5 cuts weekly
Essential Features to Look For
Taper Lever
What It Does:
- Adjusts blade position without changing guards
- 0.5mm range (5 micro-positions typically)
- Essential for fades (seamless blending)
- Professional feature (not on all home models)
How to Use: Move lever to adjust cutting length between guard sizes for smooth transitions.
Guard Variety
Complete Sets Include:
- Standard guards: #1–#8 (3mm–25mm)
- Specialty guards: Left/right ear guides, fade guards
- Attachment combs: Additional length options
Why It Matters: More guards = more versatility for different styles and family members.
Self-Sharpening Blades
Benefits:
- Stays sharp longer (blades sharpen during use)
- Low maintenance (less frequent professional sharpening)
- Consistent performance
Materials: Stainless steel blades often self-sharpening; carbon steel requires manual sharpening but stays sharper longer.
Cordless Runtime
Minimum Standards:
- Home use: 60+ minutes (4–6 haircuts)
- Professional use: 90–180 minutes (all-day cutting)
- Lithium-ion batteries: Consistent power, no memory effect
Choosing Hair Clippers by Use Case
Home Haircuts
Best Features:
- Cordless (easy maneuvering)
- Color-coded guards (beginner-friendly)
- Complete kit (guards, oil, case)
- Quiet motor (kids tolerate better)
Top Models:
- Wahl Color Pro Cordless (color-coded, complete)
- Remington HC4250 (budget-friendly, reliable)
- Andis ReVite (step-up performance)
Professional Barbers
Best Features:
- Powerful motor (6,000+ RPM rotary/brushless)
- Adjustable taper lever (fade essential)
- All-metal housing (withstands daily drops)
- Cordless or corded (preference-based)
Top Models:
- Andis Master Cordless (7,200 RPM, 120 min)
- Wahl Senior (corded, legendary durability)
- BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ (premium, 7,200 RPM)
Self-Cutting
Best Features:
- Cordless (no cord tangling)
- Lightweight (less arm fatigue)
- Handheld mirror compatible
- Simple guard system
Special Option: Remington Shortcut Pro (palm-held design specifically for self-cutting)
Maintenance & Care
After Every Use (2 Minutes)
- Turn off and unplug (or disconnect battery)
- Brush out hair from blades and housing
- Apply 2–3 drops clipper oil across blade teeth
- Turn on 10 seconds (distributes oil)
- Wipe excess oil with cloth
Why Daily Oiling Matters: Extends blade life, prevents rust, maintains sharpness, reduces motor strain.
Weekly Deep Clean
- Remove blade (check manual for method)
- Brush all debris from blade and housing
- Rinse guards with soap and water
- Dry everything completely
- Oil blade before reassembling
Blade Replacement
Timeline:
- Home use (weekly): Sharpen 12 months, replace 18–24 months
- Professional (daily): Sharpen 3–6 months, replace 12–18 months
Signs Replacement Needed:
- Pulling or tugging hair
- Multiple passes required
- Uneven cutting lines
- Excessive heat buildup
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair clipper?
A hair clipper is a motorized grooming tool using oscillating blades beneath protective guards to cut hair to uniform lengths. Unlike scissors (manual, strand-by-strand cutting), clippers use electric motors (4,500–8,000 RPM) for fast, consistent bulk removal. Clippers excel at buzz cuts, fades, short tapers, and maintaining uniform length across entire head.
What are hair clipper guard sizes?
Hair clipper guards attach to clipper blades to control cutting length. Standard sizes are #1 (3mm), #2 (6mm), #3 (9mm), #4 (12mm), #5 (15mm), #6 (18mm), #7 (22mm), and #8 (25mm). Lower numbers = shorter cuts. Most complete sets include #1–#8; professional sets add specialty guards (ear guides, fade guards).
How do I choose hair clipper sizes in mm?
Choose based on desired hair length: 3mm (#1) for very short/military cuts, 6mm (#2) for classic short buzz, 9–12mm (#3–#4) for moderate short (good starter lengths), 15–25mm (#5–#8) for longer styles. For fades, use multiple guards (e.g., #1 bottom → #2 middle → #3 top) for gradual transitions.
What's the difference between professional and home clippers?
Professional clippers feature powerful motors (6,000–8,000 RPM rotary/brushless), all-metal construction, adjustable taper levers, and durability for 10–20 cuts daily over 5–10 years. Home clippers use magnetic motors (4,500–6,000 RPM), plastic housing, and are designed for 1–5 cuts weekly over 2–4 years. Professional models cost more but deliver superior performance and longevity.
Should I buy corded or cordless hair clippers?
Choose cordless for home use, self-cutting, and mobility (60–180 min runtime provides 4–8 cuts per charge). Choose corded for professional all-day use, unlimited power, and thick hair cutting. Modern high-quality cordless (Andis Master Cordless, Wahl Magic Clip) match corded power for most applications. Cordless offers convenience; corded offers unlimited operation.
How often should I oil hair clippers?
After every single use—apply 2–3 drops clipper oil across blade teeth, run 10 seconds to distribute, wipe excess. Daily oiling is the #1 factor in clipper lifespan, preventing rust, maintaining sharpness, and reducing motor strain. Skipping oiling causes blades to dull 3x faster and motors to overheat. Professional use demands religious oiling discipline.
Conclusion
Hair clippers deliver fast, uniform cutting through motorized blades and protective guards, essential for buzz cuts, fades, and home haircuts. Understanding guard sizes (#1–#8, 3mm–25mm), motor types (rotary, magnetic, brushless), and maintenance requirements helps you choose the right clippers for your needs and achieve professional-quality results.
Ready to start cutting at home? Explore hair clippers and complete cutting kits with powerful motors, full guard sets, and everything needed for salon-style haircuts.
