Corded vs cordless clipper
One important decision you need to make before making any purchases is whether you want a corded or cordless clipper. The one you pick is a matter of preference because there are pros and cons associated with each type.
Shaving can be a time consuming affair. Some users feel cords are restrictive. If you do decide to go this route, then at least make sure the cord is long enough to allow for easier handling of the clipper. A good example is the Oster clipper which comes with an 8ft cord.
On the other hand, cordless clippers are battery operated. This becomes a problem if the clipper can’t hold a charge. You may spend more time than necessary shaving your facial hair if it runs out of battery and needs a recharge. Make sure you pick one with a long battery life.
Also, some users feel that cordless clippers don’t supply as much power, which can make the shaving process frustrating.
Our advice: pick one that can operate with or without a cord such as the Ritter clipper. This way you have the ability to pick and choose your operating preference on any given day.
Why use clipper and its benefits
When it comes to shaving your hair, it’s safe to say there are different tools you can use. You can decide to pick between a straight razor, shaving soap or cream. Some people even use scissors. So why are we singling out the clipper? We highly recommend that you use a clipper because:
- It’s much easier to use compared to the other types especially when you want to cut fairly long hair.
- Unless you’re planning on shaving off all your hair, then picking a hair clipper is your best option. Thanks to its design, it doesn’t cut close to your skin. This means it’ll leave you with short hair. Also, this significantly reduces the risk of accidental skin cuts, making it a safer option.
- Most hair clippers are versatile and come with various attachments depending on your needs.
- Also, having a clipper will save you a trip to the barber. By buying a clipper you can give yourself a shave in the comfort of your own home.
Features to consider while buying the best clippers for black men
Let’s discuss a few features that you must pay attention to before buying a clipper. These will determine many factors including performance, durability and convenience. The following features can actually make the difference between a pleasant and non-pleasant shaving experience.
Power source and runtime
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to determine the power source of the clipper because this affects runtime and duration of the shaving process. Is it battery-operated or electric?
With battery operated clippers you need to consider how long the device can hold a single charge. The longer the run time, the better. This way you can finish the process without necessarily recharging the clipper. The Philips clipper is an example of a battery-operated device.
Alternatively, you can pick one that can be plugged directly to a power socket. As you can imagine, cutting your shaving process short is something you don’t have to worry about with an electric cutter. It’ll operate for as long as it’s plugged into the power source.
Waterproof
We’re guessing most of your hair grooming activities will take place in the bathroom. This means that you’ll possibly be near water and you can’t rule out accidental splashes. The last thing you need is a clipper that’ll stop operating if it happens to come into contact with a few drops of water.
Pick one that‘s waterproof to avoid the above mentioned scenario. Buying a waterproof clipper means you can also run it through the water after use, for easy cleaning. But just be sure not to immerse the device under water for too long, as this may damage the unit. Most models reviewed on our list, such as the Oster, are waterproof.
Attachments and extras
What attachments and extras will your clipper come with? The device you pick must allow you to trim your hair depending on your preferred style. Do you want it trimmed very short or not?
Pick a clipper that has attachments that can cut down your hair into different lengths.
Also, over time blades become dull. In some cases they can break. The only way you can safeguard yourself against such eventualities is if you pick a clipper that comes with spare blades. This will certainly save you a lot of money as opposed to purchasing new ones altogether.
Other extras you want to look out for include guards to keep you from cutting yourself during shaving.
Some manufacturers even go as far as including neck dusters, hair combs and scissors for your convenience.
Length settings
Opt for clippers that offer varying lengths depending on the cut you want to achieve. This means picking blades that are adjustable so you can customize the settings according to your preference.
Grip
Shaving your facial hair can seem like a pretty straightforward process. But if you’re not careful you may end up sustaining a few cuts and bruises. Using a clipper with a comfortable grip is a good start. Pick one with an ergonomical design that allows for comfortable handling such as the Oster.
Also, pay attention to the material on the grip section. Rubber offers a solid grip to keep your hand steady as you shave. Plastic material? Not so much. It’s likely to make your hands slip which can cause cuts.
Noise level
Shaving doesn’t have to be a noisy affair. If you don’t want to wake up your family as you shave during the early hours of the morning, pick a quiet clipper such as the Ritter. Determine the noise levels of the clipper before making your final purchase.
Dimensions
How big or small the clipper is will also affect overall handling of the clipper. Picking one that’s too bulky can make for a very cumbersome shaving process. Opt for one that’s compact and portable enough to allow for easy handling, such as the Philips or Remington clippers. Besides, smaller clippers are much easier to store.
Weight
Closely related to the product’s dimensions is the weight. Opt for a lightweight clipper for an effortless shaving process. A heavy clipper such as the Wahl 79300-400 might be too difficult to use and not as comfortable as its lightweight counterparts.
Blades
Inspect the blades of the clippers you’re going to purchase. Make sure that the blades on your clippers have self-sharpening abilities such as those found on the Philips. This way you’re guaranteed an effortless shave all the time with zero possibilities of razor bumps occurring.
You want to purchase clippers that feature high quality blades. Such blades are usually rust resistant and will consequently last longer.
The blade quality will also determine how sturdy they are. You want a blade that can easily trim thick hair without breaking unnecessarily.
Motor
The performance of a clipper is dependent on the quality of the motor. You can expect exceptional performance from a clipper with a powerful motor. And a powerful motor will definitely come in handy when you’re dealing with thick and curly hair. In addition, a powerful motor won’t generate as much heat which is necessary to avoid premature damaging of the unit.
The type of motor on the clippers will also determine if they’ll operate quietly or not.
By picking a clipper with a mediocre motor, there’s a risk of your clipper stopping mid way during your shave, which we’re certain you won’t appreciate.
Easy Cleaning
After all is said and done, you want a clipper that’s easy to clean. Shaving is a hard enough chore. Cleaning up afterwards doesn’t have to be. But this can only be possible if you pick a clipper that has fewer gaps between the blades. Also, make sure the device has many guards that are designed to prevent hair from getting inside the housing.
Warranty
Does the clipper come with a warranty? A product’s warranty basically proves how confident the manufacturer is in the item. Given the electric nature of a clipper, it’s not uncommon for malfunctions to occur. When this happens you want a clipper that can be fixed or replaced when need be, by the manufacturers themselves. So pay attention to the duration of the warranty.
Price
These devices are available with different price tags. Don’t necessarily settle for the cheapest clipper you come across. In most cases, the quality of the product is reflected in the price. Cheaper clippers may be compromised when it comes to performance and durability.
However, don’t buy the most expensive clipper either. You may end up paying for one that has features that you don’t actually need and won’t use.
Extra features
Some manufacturers include a few extra features with your clippers that are worth considering. If your clippers happen to come with a lot of extras then we’re sure you’ll appreciate if the manufacturer includes a storage pouch. This way you can keep all your items safely in one place.
For a few extra dollars you can buy a clipper which features an integrated vacuum system. Because this system is going to catch approximately 90% of the cut hair, it means less clean up for you.
How to maintain clipper
How long your clipper lasts to a large extent depends on how you maintain it, so, keep the following tips in mind.
You’ll need a few tools such as a flat head screwdriver, old tooth brush, rag, blade oil or cleaner, honing stone as well as a rotary tool.
Once you’ve gathered the above mentioned tools, you can follow these steps:
- First you need to unscrew the two screws that are holding your blades in place, using your screwdriver.
- Once the blades are removed, thoroughly but gently brush the hair off the blades using your old toothbrush or rotary tool.
- Wipe off the hair using the old rag. We recommend that you use a dry rag especially if your clipper isn’t waterproof. If you do however use a wet rag make sure that water doesn’t enter inside the clipper housing.
- After you’re satisfied that the blades are clean, inspect them for dullness. Remember you want them to be as sharp as possible at all times.
- If you notice that they’re getting a little dull, you can sharpen them using a honing stone or sand grits.
- Once you’re done sharpening, the next step is to lubricate the blades using the oil. Apply it on to the blades and wipe off excess oil.
If however the blades are too dull, then replacing them is your only option. To do this you can follow these simple steps:
- Align the small cutter blade and large stationary blade by ensuring that they’re parallel.
- Make sure you line up the hole in the cutter blade to fasten into the clipper’s armature.
- The holes must be lined up on the back of the blade with the screw holes.
- Once the holes are in alignment you can insert the screws.
- Tighten the screws but be sure not to fasten them all the way. If they’re too tight, this may make it difficult to re-align the blades where necessary.
- Check the alignment of the blades after tightening and adjust if necessary.
- Once you’re satisfied with the alignment you can tighten the screws all the way.
