Andis Master sets the baseline for professional grooming with the implementation of robust parts and materials into the clipper elements.
It’s really one of the most common clippers you’d find in the superior barber shops due to its unmatched performance and refined outcomes each time!
While you may have seen the Andis Master being used upon you for grooming, did you ever wonder what are the traits of this clipper that enables it to go the distance?
That’s what I’m going to answer in-depth today. My Andis Master review article dedicates itself toward unveiling the secrets of this extraordinary hair clipper and present all the facts before the grooming enthusiasts!
“Andis Master delivers strokes of masterclass using its ultra-sharp and durable blades housed in a solid metal case and powered relentlessly through a professional-grade power cord, making it the ‘clipper to have’ inside every barber shop!”
Contents
- 1 Unboxing Andis Master
Unboxing Andis Master
The new generation of Andis clippers arrive inside similar boxes that open up at the top and manage to absorb shock to keep the device safe inside.
Once you slide out the tray that holds the Andis Master, you’ll see that the package doesn’t contain much except for the device.
The few other things you’ll receive is a blade guard attached to the blade unit, a lubricating agent and the user manuals.
Since it’s a clipper made particularly for professionals, the accessories of the highest order are demanded to be purchased separately.
What’s Inside the Box: Andis Master Clipper, One Blade Guard, One Lubricating Agent, User Manual.
Specifications: Andis Master
Let’s take a look at the technical aspects of Andis Master to inform ourselves about its blade unit, motor power, cutting speed and so on.
- Dimensions: 15 x 5.5 x 3.8 cm
- Weight: 23.2 ounces (with cord)
- Color: Shiny Silver
- Accessories: Lubricant, Blade Guard
- Cord Length: 2.4 meter
- Adjustment Lever: Yes
- Blade: 000-1 Carbon-Steel Blade
- Motor Type: Magnetic
- Clipper Blade Speed: 14,000 SPM
- Voltage: 120V/60Hz
- Andis Master: Standout Features
In this section, I’ll be breaking down the features of Andis Master that stand out over the rest of the aspects, including the design elements and important qualities.
Trademark Design
Andis Master has been designed after the brand’s renewed trademark style. While there are hints of the older generation’s handle, this upgraded tool looks far more refined and sleek!
Metallic Aesthetics
Like all the other new Andis devices, Andis Master comes home in a shiny silver outlook that oozes professional from the word go.
Most of the housing is shiny, only the top part of the chest is slightly matte in order to draw a contrast.
At the middle, the ‘MASTER’ text tells you its name and toward the foot, the Andis logo is placed for branding. Overall, quite minimal in terms of design elements.
There are two screws that hold together this top plate and the power slider is situated toward the left hand side, right beneath the adjustment lever.
Surprisingly Good Grip
I initially thought that such a smooth and to some extent slippery finish without any ergonomic curves may compromise the degree of grip in Andis Master.
Surprisingly enough, the device sticks to the hand pretty well! I reckon credit is due to the semi-sharp edges and the change in width from top to the bottom.
Also, the back part narrows down toward the bottom half which naturally fits the grip pattern of regular hand sizes.
If you didn’t know, Andis Master is designed as a one-hand grip clipper, therefore the tiny size, reachable power slider and adjustment levers can be accessed by one (right) hand.
It’s a double-edged sword to be honest since I used to find it a little tricky not to turn off the clipper in the middle of the grooming session. With some familiarity, this issue doesn’t seem to bother much.
What I Like
- Sleek handle with little curve
- Minimalistic design
- Surprisingly good grip levels due to smart ergonomics
What Could be Better
- Takes time maneuvering around one-handed design’s power knob placement
Vigorous Build Quality
Now comes an important aspect of Andis Master and it’s the build quality. From the full-metal handle, you can already understand how robust this hair clipper can be!
The handle is covered by a sheet of aluminum, making the tool almost indestructible and even becoming a weapon in the wrong hands.
In the blade department, the teeth are thick at the depth despite the narrow design for better hair blending.
As per the motor, it’s Andis’ top of the line unit which never really gets tired of running and can last for many years with proper care!
All in all, the durability suggests Andis Master is meant to be used in a busy barber shop environment and withstands damage in many possible ways.
What I Like
- Aluminum housing resists damage
- Meant for professional space usage
- Blades & motors are robust, made with premium material
What Could be Better
- Power knob could have been less finicky
Andis Master : Additional Features
We can now shift our focus toward the additional features which complete Andis Master to rank it among the finest hair grooming tools!
Hefty Weight
Andis Master is one of the heaviest hair clippers I’ve ever encountered, weighing in at 23.2 ounces, almost matching the weight class of Oster Classic 76.
With such a compact design, you can understand how concentrated the elements inside this clipper are and the quality of build speaks for itself.
Yes, it can get tiring to move around this clipper for longer durations throughout the day, but a professional generally gets used to it.
Since most of the barber-grade hair clippers are heavier in general, and in my opinion, Andis Master isn’t something to be discarded solely because of its weight!
Professional-Grade Sharp Blades
The blade unit in Andis Master is a #000 to #1 blade, made with carbon-steel with an arc toward the final half an inch of the blade.
This sudden curve helps you pick out the hair from the precise cutting length set by the lever and enables different gradients of looks.
One of the strongest suits for such blade elements is to carve out buzz cuts or similar trendy looks adored by men.
Andis has the self-sharpening technology implemented in their blade, therefore the need to replace it becomes far less recurrent with regular care.
Lasting, Agile Motor
Andis Master features a magnetic motor which is capable of performing up to 14,000 spins per minute or SPM.
As it backs up the thick yet agile blades of the device, no degree of hair stands in the way of this lethal duo.
Therefore, this hair clipper becomes a brute force when it comes to bulk hair removal, be that fine hair or coarse, coily black men’s.
While the motor is quite loud due to higher torque, it tends to heat up the housing because of the metal sheet, so giving it a break after every few minutes is a consideration for many.
Corded Grooming
Due to Andis Master being a professional grooming tool, it’s supposed to be corded as battery life tends to be limited or pulling toward the end.
Andis here has blessed this device with a thick, 2.4 meter cord which is the industry standard to allow maneuvering freely.
Mind you, the voltage output must meet with the clipper you order, otherwise it won’t run perfectly. In the USA, Andis Master demands 120 volts and 60 hertz, so make sure your power outlet meets the demand.
If this cord feels confining, you could always opt for a cordless hair clipper, but the convenience of portability may lead to some compromise in performance.
Precise Adjustment Lever
One of the finer aspects of Andis Master is its metallic adjustment lever. No, it’s not only good due to the solid build quality but also there’s more to it.
This adjustment lever has 5 increment points. It means, the lever won’t fiddle around and give you a seamless, even cut at each given length.
Such control over the cutting length is very important for a professional-looking outcome. It’s going to help you land the most perfect fades every time you try it!
Also, the lever can be handled with just one hand, the one you’d use to grab the clipper. It cuts down on grooming time since all the mini time-saves add up in the long run.
What I Like
- Professional blades produce uncanny and even results
- Motor unit is powerful and durable
- Precise adjustment allows precision
What Could be Better
- Housing can heat up
My Experience with Andis Master
I’m no professional, but still I decided to gear up with my new Andis Master to check out what the home groomers myself are missing out on!
Clipping Closeness
Let me break it to you, since the 000 carbon-steel blades in Andis Master are not precisely zero-gapped, there’s going to be a slight degree of hair after getting done with a haircut.
Andis Master clips down to the minimum length of 0.5 mm with the lowest setting at the adjustment lever.
There are tons of other closer hair clippers that can line up your hair or grant that almost shaved-like result, but Master is not meant for these purposes.
Instead, you’d be better off trying out different haircut numbers that aren’t sized down to 00000 length and that should satisfy your expectations.
Scalp-Comfort
Andis Master being a professional-grade hair clipper has its own drawbacks, one of which is the sense of vibration you can sense due to the powerful motor.
I wouldn’t call the experience of being groomed with this hair clipper unpleasant, but the contact of the thick, agile blades directly on the scalp isn’t something soothing as well.
The experience improves if there’s a premium guide comb attached to the blade. That usually happens with different buzz cut lengths or longer haircuts than that.
Otherwise, for something like a balding look, you should prepare yourself mentally a little and inform your barber if your scalp is sensitive to blade contact.
Efficiency of Haircuts
I think Andis Master is one of the most efficient grooming tools out there in the market and at times, the device seems to out-perform even the top Wahl clippers!
When I tried out bulk removal, Andis Master chopped through my brother’s hair like a hot knife through butter!
No sense of tug or pull was there as the clipper glided over every corner. For a bulk removal at a precise length, it took me approximately 5 minutes, not more than that.
When I tried to pull off a fade cut, it consumed slightly more time since I had to pause every 2-3 minutes to let the clipper cool down.
Still, the overall duration is much faster than I had anticipated, and therefore earns a solid score in the efficiency department.
Haircut Types
So let’s see what are the types of haircuts Andis Master excels at pulling off perfectly! First off, it’s definitely a good hair clipper for bulk removal at a precise length.
Secondly, all sorts of fades except for bald fades belong to its resume. Buzz cuts, blends like smooth or textured, tapers – Master is a masterclass of all these hairdos!
It’s safe to say that Andis Master isn’t the most ideal device for balding heads due to the 0.5 mm minimum cutting length.
You may even perform some beard grooming with it, but mind you, these sharp blades can leave you in pain, so be very careful with your operation.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Much like most other premium-grade electric clippers, Andis Master’s maintenance routine isn’t that hectic, but needs to be repeated as many times as you perform a grooming session.
Mostly, a cleaning session with a brush should suffice from one haircut to another, considering it’s a barber shop.
At the end of the day, you should remove the blades, perform a thorough cleaning, put it back together and lubricate before safe storage.
As per home use, cleaning with brush and lubrication would do. Because blade removal and realignment requires some skill and novices shouldn’t try doing that without properly learning.
How I Tested the Andis Master?
You might have picked up already, my brother has been the guinea pig upon whom I applied my blading skills of this Andis Master.
While he’s the guy to keep very short hair, I couldn’t try out many styles instead for a bulk removal, a fade gradient and then turning it into a buzz cut.
Additionally, I checked how long the device runs until the handle gets too hot to hold on. My assessment measured the safety of the power cord, precision of the adjustment lever and overall quality control a hair clipper should go through.
You’d be happy to learn that the handle is indeed damage-proof and the aluminum plate does work perfectly to protect the inner parts at all times!
What I Like
- Clips close enough for a wide array of haircuts
- Highly efficient due to the sharp blades and fast motor
- Easy to clean and maintain, even for a barber shop
What Could be Better
- Not highly comfortable skin to blade contact on scalp
Who is Andis Master For?
Based on all of the evidence and performance, I can easily claim that Andis Master is particularly targeted for professional groomers.
The price point is slightly higher than average and that’s because of the quality of parts installed into the device.
This tool produces the most neat and tidy hairdos and saves your time so that you can serve every customer swiftly.
Another group of consumers could be black men since their coarse hair cannot be trimmed painlessly with a lot of hair clippers. Andis Master however doesn’t see it as a problem and manages to offer different haircuts to such coily hair with utmost comfort!
Andis Master vs Fade Master: Which One to Pick in 2024?
| Feature/Quality | Andis Master | Andis Fade Master |
|---|---|---|
| Serial | 01815 | 01820 |
| Weight | 23.5 oz | 22.9 oz |
| Blades | 000-1 Master Blade 28-Tooth | 00000-000 Master Fade Blade |
| Blade Material | Carbon-Steel | Carbon-Steel |
| Motor | Magnetic | Magnetic |
| SPM | 14,000 | 7,200 – 14,000 SPM |
| Voltage | 120V/60Hz | 115V/60Hz |
| Cutting Lengths | 0.5mm-2.4mm | 0.2mm-0.5mm |
| Price | See On Amazon | See On Amazon |
Between Andis Master vs Fade Master from the same brand, there seems to be very little difference in hindsight.
But then, why would Andis launch a separate hair clipper just for fading when Master could do similar grooming before?
To answer that, we’ll have to place Andis Master and Andis Fade Master side by side to see how they vary from one another and that should satisfy our common query.
Cutting Length
Andis Master’s blade is a 000-1 unit with the cutting range of 0.5 mm to 2.4 mm. This suggests that the clipper can perform haircuts with longer gradients.
But where it comes short is at the much shorter haircuts. Andis Fade Master takes precedence at this precise range with its 00000-000 blade capable of the 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm cutting range.
It means, Fade Master’s excellence begins right past Andis Master’s limitations. Therefore, Fade Master draws out refined, shorter and tighter hairdos better than the Master.
Motor Power
As both the Andis Master and Fade Master are powered by similar magnetic motors, the former has the SPM of 14,000 whereas the latter ranges between 7,200 to 14,000 SPM.
Don’t misinterpret, Andis Fade Master is still a single-speed hair clipper like the Master, yet the range is provided to understand how it should perform across different hair textures or volumes.
So, the conclusion can be drawn from here is that Andis Master is better at bulk removal while Andis Fade Master should feel slightly more comfortable in terms of direct skin to blade contact due to lower torque.
Voltage
Other aspects like ergonomics, weight or cord length between Andis Fade Master and Master are almost uncannily the same.
But the voltage requirements between the two are slightly different. Andis Master requires 120 volts of power, on the other hand, Fade Master demands 115 volts.
So make sure you have a power outlet capable of providing such voltages, although this miniscule margin rarely causes any major issue in performance.
Haircut Types
This is the major discussion to set the two hair clippers in question apart. Andis Master is generally used for bulk removal, thick textured hair, longer blends and fades as these are its major strong suit.
Andis Fade Master on the other hand is meant for zero fades, balding looks, refined designs, outlining hair regions and so on.
So you can see, these two are meant for completely different objectives and thus chosen according to specific needs.
A footnote here, Andis Fade Master is more comfortable on skin than the Master, so remember this should it help you in your decision making.
Verdict: There’s no head to head winner in this Andis Master vs Fade Master battle. Pick Master if your preferred haircuts are longer in length and you are seeking a smoother gradient or blend.
Otherwise, for very short and refined cuts like buzz or crew or tighter fades, Fade Master would be your ideal pick!
Andis Master Cordless Edition : A More Complete Hair Clipper?
In the current market, Andis Master Cordless edition has emerged to bridge the best of both worlds – a robust professional hair clipper that’s not connected to a power cord.
There’s a dip in the quality of the material used in the handle for reducing weight down to 13.2 ounces, still it feels solid to hold on to.
Most of the other features are almost identical, including the blade unit, adjustment lever, haircut types and design.
But with a rotary motor that clocks at 6,500 RPM, you can’t expect that bulldozer performance like its corded sister.
The battery unit is a lithium-ion, able to perform for up to 80 minutes effortlessly. There’s a charging dock you could use in-between each haircut and the device does look premium!
So, is it worth the price Andis has set for it? I can’t say it is if I solely look at the performance, since there are other clippers like Wahl Senior capable of similar performance at much less price.
Who is it for? I’d say to a groomer who’s dedicated to the Andis brand or looking forward to completing the set, they can consider buying this device.
It’s not a bad hair clipper in my opinion, but the price point is significantly high due to the brand’s reputation and technology.
FAQ
There are some unanswered questions regarding Andis Master and this frequently asked questions section is going to address those for you.
Q: Can I use the Andis Master for home use?
Ans: While you can use the Andis Master for home use, know that it’s a professional-grade hair clipper for a reason. To maneuver it around safely and effectively, you must have some degree of prowess with an electric hair clipper. Otherwise, it’s going to take some time learning your way up. Instead, you could just start with a beginner-friendly device if it’s your first clipper.
Q: Can the Andis Master be zero-gapped?
Ans: Yes, the Andis Master can be manually zero gapped with proper knowledge and tools. But it does compromise the cutting range that’s one of the charming factors about this device. If you must, you should have prior knowledge of manually zero-gapping, otherwise a misaligned hair clipper can cause all sorts of trouble and pain.
Q: How frequently do I replace the blade in my Andis Master?
Ans: It actually depends on how frequently you use the Andis Master. Home groomers can make their blades last for up to two years without replacement. Professionals may have to replace the blade every 3-6 months. Otherwise it can tug or pull in the middle of a haircut!
Final Thoughts
My Andis Master review has reached its concluding point after touching down on every important and less important aspect of this remarkable hair clipper.
The professional-grade build and performance indeed sets a high benchmark for other grooming tools to reach and that’s healthy competition in the market in my opinion.
Andis Master exists in almost every good barber shop because of how great it is to use and the refined outcomes the tool manages to craft.
For the price, I’d say it’s a really great deal and there are very few who manage to meet the level of grooming mastery like the big-boss Andis Master itself!
| Score | |
| Performance | 4.8 |
| Zero Gap Adjustment | 4.6 |
| Blade Sharpness | 4.8 |
| Ergonomics | 4.6 |
| Ease of Cleaning | 4.7 |
| Versatility | 4.7 |
| Overall | 4.7 |
| Verdict
Andis Master is one of the most agile and versatile hair clippers with a cutting range of #000 to #1, powered by a 14,000 SPM magnetic motor and housed in solid aluminum – making it the ideal professional hair clipper a great barber feels obligated to own. |
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