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Andis Envy Li Review: What Makes Envy-Li Stand Out?

Andis Envy Li tends to be such a hair clipper which requires some definitive answers on its purpose and consumer-base.

Because in hindsight, Envy Li feels like a home-grooming tool, but looking at the price – the range feels somewhat around professional-grade clippers.

In order to find out its true worth and usage, it has become necessary to go through an Andis Envy Li review to examine its perks and downsides.

Therefore, today I will be talking about this exquisite cordless hair clipper based on my understanding and experience to investigate at its very depths!

“Andis Envy Li is a portable and almost weightless hair clipper paired with an adjustable carbon-steel blade as well as a quiet motor to enhance the experience of grooming to ensure maximum comfort and convenience.”

Unboxing the Andis Envy Li

Andis Envy Li inside Box

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Andis Envy Li comes packed inside the traditional Andis package which opens up at the top and slides out the tray that holds everything together.

Inside the tray, the Envy Li is stored inside a plastic cover with a blade guard keeping everything safe during transportation.

Additionally, you’ll receive a unit of blade oil, charging cable with an adapter permanently attached and very much unlike Andis, a set of guide combs.

These guide combs come in 11 sizes of 1/16″, 3/32″, 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″, 7/8″ and 1″ – making aftermarket purchase redundant for the device!

What’s Inside the Box: Andis Envy Li Clipper, One Blade Guard, One Blade Oil, One Charger, 11 Guide Combs.

Specifications: Andis Envy Li Review

In this part, I’ll briefly highlight the technical specifications for the Andis Envy Li so that we can understand the potential of its outcome while elaborating further.

  • Dimensions: 17.8 x 5.7 x 4.8 cm
  • Weight: 9.9 ounces
  • Color: Space Gray
  • Accessories: 14
  • Blade: 000-1 Carbon-Steel Blade
  • Motor Type: Rotary
  • Motor Power: 5,500 SPM
  • Adjustment Lever: Yes
  • Battery Indicator: Yes
  • Battery Runtime: 90 Minutes

Andis Envy Li : Standout Features

To begin with, I’m going to dissect the most standout features in the Andis Envy Li to let you know how good it really is in the hands of a groomer!

Suave Design

Everyone will probably agree with me that Andis Envy Li features some of the most alluring aspects one looks for into a hair clipper, and it starts with the captivating design elements!

Pleasant Aesthetics

Envy Li’s aesthetics are out of this world from the word go. You could literally stare at the space gray colorization and wonder if it’s a tech borrowed from the aliens.

Andis Envy Li Housing 1

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Everything is so uniform that looking at the device arouses some sort of soothing sensation. Aside from the space gray tone, the silver blades and black accents are the only two color elements in the handle.

The back plate is completely draped in black as well as the adjustment lever. There’s a handle at the bottom to hang this cordless hair clipper comfortably.

I’m so in love with the power notch as it’s situated on the side and it’s quite easy to engage or disengage without having it interfering with your grip!

Convenient Grip

Andis Envy Li has been designed in a particular way to cater to hands that are between small to medium in size.

Andis Envy Li Grip

Due to the wider top half and narrower bottom half, the significant alteration in width allows groomers to reach for a refined degree of grip at any given moment.

Also, the material in the construction helps out in this regard as well because of the slip-proof design.

There’s a curved arc at the face of the handle which is meant to be a design element but ensures some tactile grip at the same time – some smart designing by team Andis!

What I Like

  • Captivating housing design
  • Grip levels remain optimum at all times
  • Minimal design contributes to higher grip

What Could be Better

  • None that I can think of

Build Quality

Andis Envy Li Housing 2

When it comes to the build material, Andis Envy Li never feels extravagant if you compare it with something like a premium Wahl clipper.

Yet, the price point is quite high and you can understand by now it has little to do with housing material or the construction of the device.

It doesn’t mean Envy Li is going to break open very easily or die out sooner than expected, that’s not the case.

The motor, blades, battery or the handle itself will last a long time if handled with care, but the price point isn’t reflected on the first impressions of the exteriors.

What I Like

  • Will last for years
  • Motor is built upon pioneering Andis tech
  • Blades remain sharp for a long time

What Could be Better

  • Doesn’t feel as robust as other Andis clippers

Andis Envy Li : Additional Features

I’m going to dive a little deeper into the features of this Andis Envy Li to learn where we would be investing our money and what we’d be getting in return!

Light Weight

For a premium, cordless hair clipper, Andis Envy Li is surprisingly light weight with its almost 10 ounces for general convenience.

Andis Envy Li Weight

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Imagine a cordless clipper at this weight and how many doors of maneuverability and portability it can open!

Based on my time spent with Andis Envy Li, it’s been very easy to move it around and hold it at any given angle.

Even prolonged grooming sessions didn’t exhaust my arms or fingers, so that’s definitely a great takeaway considering this clipper belongs to a brand that makes A-grade hair clippers!

Sharp Carbon-Steel Blades

Andis Envy Li is blessed with a carbon-steel blade unit which is agile to say the least. It has a cutting range of 000 to 1, which in numbers is between 0.5 mm to 2.4 mm.

Andis Envy Li Blades 1

This blade is quite thick and robust, nothing like those cheap blades you’d see on a budget level hair clipper.

Such robustness translates into longevity and also the quality of cuts you’re going to end up with – be that in a barbershop or at your home.

It’s fastened with two screws, so the blade unit cannot be immediately removed for cleaning the way you could with an Oster Classic 76.

Very Quiet Motor

This is the area I’m quite skeptical about and  you should be fully aware before making your purchase of the Andis Envy Li.

Envy Li is NOT a hair clipper for bulk removal because of the limited motor power. The unit installed is a rotary one and it offers only 5,500 SPM or strokes per minute.

It’s much lower than the more agile Andis Master that offers 14,000 SPM, so you can understand how Andis manages to quiet the Envy Li down.

However, such motor power is completely capable of performing shorter hairdos and refining a look, I’ll discuss more on that later.

Handy Adjustment Lever

The adjustment lever on Andis Envy Li is made with plastic and it offers a smooth travel between the shortest cutting length of #000 to the longest of #1.

Andis Envy Li Adjustment Lever

Unlike Andis Fade Master, Envy Li doesn’t feature particular cutting lengths which are often needed for bulk removal at a particular length.

Rather, you’d have to adjust the lever based on a generic understanding and a lack of experience can jeopardize your operation by depriving you of that seamless cut all over.

In terms of lever design, it’s one you’re going to love ergonomically. The lever is durable and the textures on this tend to offer a higher degree of grip while adjusting it around.

Wireless Operations

Now comes the important part, why is the device called Envy Li? The Li stands as a reminder of the lithium-ion battery of this unit.

Andis Envy Li LED Light

Because there’s an alternative corded version of Andis Envy which is quite similar in terms of performance but not as portable.

Envy Li’s battery life is ecstatic! Almost 90 minutes of usable performance with a full charge and takes only a couple of hours to charge it back.

Also, you can use the device while having the charging cable plugged in, meaning there’s zero downtime and it indeed marks Envy Li having the potential to be a professional clipper!

What I Like

  • Adjustable, robust carbon-steel blades
  • Quiet motor meant for refined cuts
  • Grippy lever and great battery life

What Could be Better

  • Motor doesn’t allow bulk removal

My Experience with Andis Envy Li : The Goods & the Bads

From my time spent with the Andis Envy Li, I managed to figure out some of its strongest suits along with the shortcomings. Let me discuss these thoroughly in this section!

Clipping Closeness

Andis Envy Li is not a zero-gapped hair clipper. As you know, the lowest cutting length is 0.5 mm, which is standard in my opinion.

Andis Envy Li Blades 2

There’s room to manually zero gap this blade unit but I won’t recommend it, because this maneuver tends to disrupt the natural harmony of the device aside from the difficulty of the procedure itself.

Such a degree of closeness is good enough for different types of fades or blends. The credit is due to the adjustable blade system along with a good lever.

I won’t recommend Envy Li for balding hair as there are more specialized tools that get even closer in cutting length. But overall, the quality of cuts are up to the mark and can be seamless.

Comfort on Scalp

Is Envy Li really comfortable on the scalp? Based on the carbon-steel blade and thicker depth, I can certify that this device is highly comfortable!

Andis Envy Li in Motion

It’s also because of the lower torque in the motor that doesn’t run the blades rapidly while in direct contact with skin.

And at the same time, the SPM is good enough to remove hair without any tug or pull, particularly during stylistic cuts like buzz or tapers.

But if you’re looking forward to removing hair in bulks for black men, then Envy Li is probably not the ideal device for you due to its shortcomings.

Cutting Efficiency

There are debates about the efficiency of Andis Envy Li. While it’s fast enough for different buzz cut lengths over shorter hair, it may struggle to perform a complete grooming over thick, coarse hair.

Andis Envy Li Housing 3

I tried bulk removal on my brother’s hair and it did okay over his fine hair. But when it comes down to curly hair or ones with more density, the motor seems to come short in efficiency.

So the question is: will Envy Li perform fast enough for refined haircuts, be that in a professional space or at your home?

The short answer is, yes, as long as you’re working on a length that’s already short or use a separate clipper to trim things down at a functional level.

Versatility

So, how versatile is the Andis Envy Li? Is it only meant for a limited amount of haircuts, or can it perform the overall diligences an electric clipper is supposed to perform?

Well, you know already that this clipper can craft buzz cuts, fades, blends, tapers or even numbered cuts over fine hair.

On top of that, this device can be used to groom your facial hair since the blades are so comfortable even without guards!

Additionally, Envy Li can be used as a line up device if you can manage to zero gap the blades, but this requires some skill and knowledge from your end to pull off perfectly!

Accessories

For start up barber shops, Envy Li could be the perfect, cordless professional clipper and one of the reasons is its complete set!

Andis Envy Li Accessories

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As there are 11 high quality guide combs the package has to offer, you won’t need to purchase any aftermarket guides for every length of haircut.

These guides are made with robust material and the cutting lengths remain even and seamless across every portion of your head.

It’s a little too pricey for home use, but then again, if you’re thinking about a one-time investment, Envy Li could indeed be your next device!

Cleaning & Maintenance

In terms of maintenance, Envy Li is very straightforward in this regard. Yes, you’ll have to remove the blades for thorough cleaning, but that’s once a month for professionals.

Andis Envy Li Cleaning

Otherwise, home groomers can do a thorough clean up once every 3 months and get away with generic cleaning at every occasion.

Simply use your cleaning brush to swipe away all the stray hair. Then, apply a couple drops of clipper oil on the blades, run it for a few seconds and turn it off.

Don’t forget to wipe the extra oil out using a rag. Do it every time after getting a grooming session done and before storing the device away for the time being.

How I Tested the Andis Envy Li?

I was more curious about the durability test for the Envy Li since it’s priced so high up, so I had to make sure it’d last enough time to be worth the investment.

Well, the blades, motor and housing are indeed solid by Andis and the sharpness of the blade lasts similar to the other expensive hair clippers.

As per drop tests, anything would suffice except for dropping straight on the blades. I’d still recommend not dropping the device at all.

Finally, I put the device to the test by trying out some haircuts first-hand. Envy Li did deliver some premium-looking cuts at the hands of a non-barber like myself, so home groomers can definitely consider buying it!

What I Like

  • Closeness is good enough for a wide type of haircuts
  • Scalp comfort is supreme with a toned down motor
  • Comes with every guide comb sizes

What Could be Better

  • Struggles with thick, coarse hair in terms of bulk removal

Who is Andis Envy Li For?

Now we’re going to address the cat in the bag – who is Andis Envy Li going to cater to? Because it clearly has some positives and negatives, not to mention the price range.

In my opinion, based on the neat outcomes and where it’s priced at, Envy Li will mostly cater to professionals, particularly who are looking forward to buying a complete device.

Otherwise, groomers with more experience can use it as a secondary portable tool as well since it has a gigantic battery life and the performance fit enough for particular scenarios.

As per home groomers, it’s a little too expensive for most of the consumers. But seeing its prowess of different cuts and versatile performance even on beards, this can certainly take place at your home for regular usage!

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip: Which One is the Better Cordless Clipper?

Feature/QualityAndis Envy LiWahl Magic Clip
Adjustment LeverYesYes
Weight9.9 oz10.2 oz
Blades#000-#1 BladeStagger Tooth blade (#2161)
Blade MaterialCarbon-SteelStainless Steel
MotorRotaryPrecision-Engineered V5000 Rotary
RPM/SPM5,500 SPMN/A
Guide Combs118
Battery Life90 Minutes80 Minutes
Price See On Amazon See On Amazon

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip Featured

Since Andis Envy Li and Wahl Magic Clip are two similarly priced devices with resemblances as well as dissimilarities, we should put them side by side to see which one comes out on top.

Therefore, this Wahl Magic Clip vs Andis Envy Li discussion is put forth in this section to help you make a purchase that’s suitable for your needs!

Blade Type

Out of the two blade units, Andis Envy Li features a generic blade system made with carbon-steel.

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip Blades

On the other hand, Wahl Magic Clip hosts a stainless steel Stagger Tooth blade based upon the crunch blade technology.

The former clipper blade is more comfortable on the scalp and can be versatile due to its cutting range of #000 to #1.

The latter here has a deeper set of teeth, therefore the blends carry more gradient while the fades seem neater.

Out of the two, barbers generally prefer the Stagger Tooth blade in Wahl Magic Clip because of the crunching sound it makes that offers a tactile sensation during haircuts, giving you feedback on the progress.

Motor Unit

To cut down on noise levels, Andis Envy Li comes with a slower motor unit which is generally kinder on skin but struggles with higher density or curliness.

Magic Clip’s motor is a precision-engineered rotary unit, one of the fastest from Wahl, excels at almost every sort of challenge thrown in its path.

If compared side by side, Magic Clip is the more efficient one if working over a larger hair volume.

For refined haircuts on short hair, both of these devices are somewhat similar, but I’d still give the edge to Wahl Magic Clip here.

Maneuverability

The weight levels between Wahl Magic Clip and Andis Envy Li are quite similar, both ranging around 10 ounces.

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip Weight

But there is much to consider including the ergonomics of the two devices. Envy Li offers grip with its symmetrical design of a wider top half and a narrower bottom half.

Magic Clip on the other hand is built with more robust material, therefore the grip levels are automatically better in contrast.

To push that further, there are crevices at particular spots to allow for a comfortable and slip-free grip, posing Magic Clip to be the more maneuverable and ergonomic device of the two!

Haircut Types

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip Housing

Andis Envy Li and Wahl Magic Clip are two different horses of different races. While Envy Li is a more all-round and overall hair clipper, Magic Clip is somewhat a specialist.

Magic Clip excels at intricate blends and a wide array of fades, all credit is due to the Stagger Tooth blade and its depth.

In terms of Envy Li, it can generate blends or fades, but the looks fail to match the premium quality and the finish just comes a bit short.

However, Envy Li can perform tons of haircuts in the general sense which Magic Clip can match, but for the precise cuts I just mentioned, Magic Clip works on a whole other level.

Battery Life

Finally, the battery lives of both Envy Li and Magic Clip are quite similar with a unit that delivers around 80-90 minutes of usable runtime.

Andis Envy Li Vs Wahl Magic Clip LED

It’s for understanding that both of these hair clippers have sufficient energy to last long hours in a barber shop.

Therefore, the verdict will not be based on which one is the better hair clipper for barbers, as they each can earn their places on their own accord!

Verdict: The verdict is simple. Magic Clip is the masterclass for fades and blends, so pick it if this is your primary requirement other than remaining generic clipping duties.

If not, Andis Envy Li will offer you a more general hair clipper which isn’t the master of a particular hairdo, but is able to craft a diverse array in a larger sum than Magic Clip!

FAQ

Let’s answer some commonly asked questions that’ll provide us with further insight into today’s Andis Envy Li review.

Q: How long does it take to fully charge the Andis Envy Li?

Ans: It takes around 90 to 120 minutes for the device to fully charge up from zero. The LED light at the bottom should tell you when it’s fully charged or give you warnings at low battery level.

Q: What is the warranty on the Andis Envy Li?

Ans: In general, Andis offers a 1-year warranty with their products and Envy Li is no different. However, the warranty period can vary based on the vendor you’re purchasing from and some even offer additional warranty period purchase with the device.

Q: Can the Andis Envy Li be used on wet hair?

Ans: It’s commonly not a good idea to apply a hair clipper on damp hair because it tends to damage the blades or the motor unit. As per Andis Envy Li goes, you CAN use it on wet hair but I’d advise you not to for a couple of reasons. One, the device is not waterproof and two, it might indeed harm the integrity of this hair clipper in the long run.

Q: Does the clipper heat up during use?

Ans: Andis Envy Li features a low-torque and minimum noise motor unit. That said, if you keep it running for a prolonged duration, the device can heat up but it’s never unbearable due to the material used in the housing construction.

Final Thoughts

So to sum up today’s Andis Envy Li review article, let me get a few things straight. Envy Li is indeed a lightweight and ergonomically sound device meant for cordless hair clipping.

It can both be the primary tool in a small barbershop or a secondary tool at a high end professional space.

Home groomers can consider buying it because of the longevity and versatility it’s going to give you with a one-time purchase.

In the case of value for money, I believe Envy Li could’ve been slightly lower in price. But the performance, battery level and overall outcome somewhat makes up for that and poses it as a professional-grade cordless clipper!

Score
Performance 4.7
Zero Gap Adjustment 4.6
Blade Sharpness 4.7
Ergonomics 4.7
Ease of Cleaning 4.7
Versatility 4.7
Overall 4.68
Verdict

Andis Envy Li is an all-round hair clipper with the potential to reside in a barbershop to deliver smooth cuts like fade, buzz, blends and so on within a limited amount of time. The blades are agile and the motor unit is quiet, granting you a highly comfortable experience no matter which purpose you put it to use.

 

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