Choosing the best hair clipper for black men is a highly essential task for ones with afro hair, because not all of the grooming tools out there can serve in the best possible manner.
Afro hair tends to be kinky, coily and coarse, therefore you’d be running the risk of discomfort or ruining the natural properties of your hair should you pick the wrong clipper.
Hair clippers dedicated to afro hair grooming tend to be robust and come with a sharp set of blades.
How to know which black men clipper is perfect for you? Well, what am I here for! Simply follow along this article and you’ll know all about it by the end!
Contents
Best Hair Clippers for Afro Hair: 5 Sharp Tools in 2024
Here are my top 5 choices of afro hair clippers that you can purchase without any second thoughts!
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Andis Master | Best Overall |
| Oster Classic 76 | Best for Bulk Removal |
| Wahl Magic Clip | Best Portable Clipper |
| Fadeking Hair Clipper | Best for Budget |
| Oster Fast Feed | Best for Refined Styling |
Note: The star ratings for each clipper is solely for afro hair trimming on black men capability and doesn’t represent their overall status.
Andis Master 01815
We’re kicking off our list with the clipper that’s a very familiar face in a barber shop – the Andis Master 01815 getting included here with its masterful stroking capability over afro hair.
There are many reasons behind calling it the best hair clipper for afro hair, one of them being its all-round performance and in my opinion the finest overall in this category.
It’s a heavy-duty hair clipper capable of delivering relentless performance and all of it is comfortable because of the sophisticated blade system.
Andis Master utilizes the 000-1 carbon steel blade and the functionality of this unit caters to professional usage all across the globe.
What I like about this blade is the fact that it has no antagonism toward afro hair. Instead of brutally trimming off such kinky hair, the outcomes are rather refined with softer hair ends.
From the housing department, you’ll find the Andis clipper aesthetics taking precedence with a metal handle coming home in a shiny finish.
Although it’s metallic, it doesn’t mean the housing is invulnerable. I’d still advise against dropping it every now and then, otherwise the whole thing is very much durable.
With the power cord permanently connected, Andis Master is able to conjure up 14,000 cutting strokes per minute with its magnetic motor running inside.
Also, I quite like the adjustment lever on this since it alters in a total of five increments between the lengths of 000 to 1 and allows you to clip at precise cutting lengths.
There is a wide array of things you can achieve with this premium black men clipper, starting from all sorts of fades to contemporary cuts.
As the clipper is connected to a 2.4 meter cable, you should note that the voltage setting must be at 120V / 60 Hz if you’re ordering from the US market.
Andis Master is a one-hand design tool and you can turn it off or on without having to use the other hand – it’s handy if you put some practice into it.
The clipper makes a high pitch noise – it’s not too loud for discomfort – but the metal housing tends to heat up after 10 minutes of use, so give it a 30 seconds interval each time.
So, black men with afro hair should find Andis Master to be well-priced since it’s a long-lasting device with dynamic capabilities, and definitely one of the most complete clippers from Andis themselves!
What I Like
- Diverse & wide blade system
- Easy to use with a learning curve
- Complete clipper with wide haircut possibilities
What Could be Better
- Heats up after 10 minutes
Oster Classic 76
Oster Classic 76 is one of the most robust hair clippers to ever exist and there are many reasons it’s professional-graded, one of which being its prowess over afro hair clipping.
Primarily, the decisive factor for regarding Classic 76 as the best hair clipper for black men is its rock-solid blade departmend and the huge library of aftermarket purchase.
Out of the box, you’ll be getting two of the most decorated blade units from Oster – #000 and #1 – one ideal for generic bulk removal while the other excels at balding hair clipping.
If you pay a close look at these blades, the thickness alone should tell you how durable these blades are and the sharpness at the fringes are actually scary at times.
To be able to fully function such blades, you need a powerhouse and that’s exactly the path Oster has taken.
It’s a single speed pivot motor installed inside the Classic 76 and the RPM count is still unknown to us.
However, what I can tell you is that this motor unit sounds almost like a jet engine, taken care with the carbon-brushes on each side and vents exhaust hot hair to keep things cool.
The handle is very solid and large, something you could convert into a weapon (although I’d advise you not to).
There are vertical extrusions on the handle to allow solid grips, because anything less than a firm hold over this strong clipper could end in catastrophe.
Since it’s a corded clipper, the cable length is 2.4 meters – a standard length in my opinion. Also, there’s no adjustment lever, however it’s compensated by the hot-swappable blade mechanism.
Instead of unscrewing the blades, you can easily pull off the hinge and alter blades in a matter of seconds, therefore you can perform the most diverse haircuts efficiently.
These things contribute to afro hair clipping for black men as the thick and agile blades run by a strong motor makes it seem effortless for hair removal or hair styling.
No matter how coarse, kinky or coily your hair may be, it’s never a challenge for the Classic 76 from Oster.
There are a couple of downsides to this seemingly average-priced clipper. One, the housing heats up and the loud motor’s relentless performance is the reason behind it.
Secondly, it’s quite heavy, 19.8 ounces (without cable) and the diameter would require a hand with longer fingers to properly wrap around the handle.
With these negligible factors out of the way, Classic 76 in my opinion is one of the best hair clippers for afro hair with endless possibilities at your disposal!
What I Like
- Robust in every department
- Extraordinarily sharp blades are durable
- Powerful enough for any type or texture of hair
What Could be Better
- Loud & heats up
Wahl Magic Clip
Wahl Magic Clip is apparently the finest you could ever find in the form of a portable clipper when it comes down to trimming black men.
From the design elements to the embedded motor unit or battery, it makes trimming afro hair feel like running a knife through butter.
We all know that Magic Clip is a top-tier clipper from Wahl and I can’t give enough credit to its unique Stagger Tooth blade (#2161).
The primary reason behind calling it black men hair friendly is its sharpness and the cutting precision driven by the Crunch Blade technology.
With this, you’d be able to sense afro hair being chopped off through the tactile feeling and it grants you a form of satisfaction that’s unmatched by any other black men clipper.
Such an agile blade needs to be powered by something robust and that’s what Wahl did by implementing a precision-engineered rotary motor which clocks around 5-6,000 RPM.
The combination of this motor-blade lets you remove afro hair in bulks even though the clipper is a portable one and you’d be able to achieve precise looks without the hassle of cable adjustment.
Magic Clip comes with a burgundy housing and weighs only 10.2 ounces – quite light considering it’s a heavy-duty hair clipper.
There are certain crevices around the premium handle confirming the most comfortable grip and a dedicated thumb rest spot allows you to put as much pressure into your grip as you like!
Also, it’s a hair clipper with an adjustment lever which toggles between 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm cutting lengths on the fly.
Additionally, you’ll be receiving 8 quality cutting guides from Wahl at the lengths of 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 7/8”, and 1” – a complete set for every hair cut lengths.
Also, another great thing about this portable black men clipper is its battery life. You’ll be getting something around 90 minutes of runtime, so that’s a bonus if you prefer portability while grooming.
Blends, fades, tapers, edge ups – everything is possible with Magic Clip. All of the factors like the blade system, motor unit, ergonomics and cutting guides come together in the play for versatility in haircuts.
A clipper that’s so capable and doesn’t tug or pull on afro hair, you’d find the pricing to be quite accurate in my opinion.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not cheap, but the price tag is justified in the sense that Magic Clip is a complete portable clipper for black men and no other device can do the crafty things it does on a regular basis!
What I Like
- Portable companion for comfortable afro hair clipping
- Powerful motor never disappoints
- Sharp & advanced blades are precise and fast
What Could be Better
- A little pricey
FADEKING Professional Hair Clipper
Now comes the hair clipper which most people adore because of its looks as well as affordability – the budget killer Fadeking Professional Hair Clipper at your service!
It’s really intriguing to look at the housing design and that’s where I’ll begin my discussion. The golden housing with its ergonomic textures brings chic elements into your house.
These textures over the cylindrical handle are very convenient to hold on to and utilize around the tricky bits of afro hair.
But something I must mention is its weight distribution. This black men clipper is quite head-heavy and the imbalanced handle requires some getting used to over time.
In the blade department, you’d be getting Fading Tooth Top (#440C) blade – top of the line from the brand itself.
The blade is sharp and durable but not zero gapped. With the adjustment lever, the cutting lengths can be adjusted and crafted out some seamless blends or even textured fades.
One thing the Fadeking clipper excels at is doing buzz cuts. On your afro hair, you can literally pick out any buzz cut number and the tool will oblige with utmost precision.
It has a motor unit that’s capable of trimming through afro hair at ease. As the device clocks at 6,500 RPM, it shouldn’t find any texture or density of hair to be obstructive.
When it comes to weight, Fadeking clipper is a 14 ounces device and ranks toward average-weighted electric clipper.
With the purchase, you’d be receiving the complete Fadeking set – starting from the storage box, 6 guide combs, a barber-cape and whatnot.
Also, this black men clipper hosts a USB Type-C port for easy charging and the charge level indicator is a numeric one in LED, telling you precise better levels at all times.
Since the handle is made out of metal, some degree of heating up should be experienced but it’s nothing unnerving in my opinion.
The handle metal is coated with zinc alloy and it prevents corrosion of any sort, marking it a durable purchase in the long run.
If you must, the clipper can be manually zero gapped but I wouldn’t recommend it as it jeopardizes some specific haircuts which the out-of-the-box blade could’ve sketched out.
Another benefit of this clipper is that it can trim your beard or mustache as the blade is kind on skin, presenting it to be one of those revered portable clippers of the present time.
All in all, you’d be getting a lot more than what you’re paying and the price isn’t that high considering the quality it brings to the table of afro hair grooming!
What I Like
- Blades that can fade, blend or craft buzz cuts
- Modern design with superior grip
- USB Type-C makes it easy to charge out of home
What Could be Better
- Overall weight balance could be better
Oster Fast Feed
My concluding product for the best hair clippers for black men identifies Oster Fast Feed as a valid candidate to be safely and efficiently operated over afro hair and its styling.
It’s another clipper in my list that’s priced under $100 – I won’t call it cheap but it’s great value for money if you consider all the things it can unveil before you in terms of grooming prowess.
Fast Feed derives its name from the faster haircuts on any given hair type, therefore minimizing the grooming time with afro hair down.
The blade system in this black men clipper has no particular name, rather it’s identified as an adjustable steel blade between 000 and 1 lengths.
One great thing about the device is the Whisper Quiet Pivot motor. It doesn’t make much noise but is powerful nonetheless.
I’d call Fast Feed a small scale version of the Classic 76 as there are resemblances in performance and power output, although the latter is much gentler on black men scalp.
The variant I obtained is colored in the classic Oster fashion – burgundy finish, compact shape and textured lines on either side.
There are 10 color choices in the market you can pick from and each of them cost around $10 extra, depending on where you’re purchasing from.
You’ll receive a plastic adjustment lever built into this clipper and lets you alter the cutting lengths for performing different haircuts.
I wouldn’t recommend it for bulk removal, so those of you who groom only on longer hair shouldn’t consider this device.
On the other hand, Fast Feed is the master of fades like bald, high or low. It even goes on to craft tapers or seamless blends which are often popular among black men due to their unique hair texture.
Since it’s corded, you’ll have to work around the 2.4 meter long cable which isn’t very tricky to do.
The power knob is situated at the side but it doesn’t get into the way of your clipping tasks – something I truly appreciate in this Oster design.
It’s not heavy like the Classic 76 and the balance of this entire housing couldn’t be any better! There are 3 guide combs included in the package with the option for additional purchase.
Honestly, Fast Feed is meant for professionals so you can imagine the refined hairdos you’d be able to create over your afro hair and it’s going to remain functional in your arsenal for many years ahead!
What I Like
- Blades are designed to perform sophisticated tasks
- Motor is quiet
- Perfect weight balance
What Could be Better
- Not ideal for bulk afro hair removal
Why Trust My Verdict?
Well, this article has been quite challenging to craft out really, considering it’s catering toward afro hair and the unique prerequisites for grooming convenience.
I had to reach out to afro hair specialists and groomers to discuss the important aspects for the best hair clippers for black men.
With their insight and my personal experience with a large number of specialized hair clippers, I was able to sort out some of the tools which would come handy in this regard.
Finally, I cross-examined these select few tools with their real life application over afro hair and from that point onward, succeeded in generating the top 5 list that’s presented before you.
Test Results: Best Hair Clipper for Afro Hair
It’s time for me to disclose the test results on each of the black men clippers holding five crucial criteria as the guiding factors for the assessment.
Blade Sharpness
Sharpness is always an essential quality for an afro hair clipper. From my top 5, I found the Oster Classic 76 to contain the sharpest pair of blades that cut effortlessly!
However, it comes at the cost of certain discomfort over the scalp if you’re not careful enough. It’s followed by the duo of Andis Master and Oster Fast Feed in the sharpness department.
Wahl Magic Clip’s Stagger Tooth blade is sharp indeed, but since it’s a portable clipper, the brand decided not to go over their heads here, otherwise the battery could struggle with a heavier blade system.
The same goes for Fadeking as it’s placed last in this list. It’s sharp but not something that could cut your skin accidentally.
Ergonomics
In the ergonomic discussion, you might think that Oster Classic 76 is supposed to top the chart, but surprisingly you’ll find it in third spot tied with Fadeking clipper. Why so?
It has to do with the shape and weight class of the thing. Otherwise, it would most certainly have made it to the top!
On that note, Wahl Magic Clip is ergonomically the most soothing and convenient black men clipper and the maneuverability is out of the world in my opinion.
Fast Feed is a close second and it’s due to the higher weight class as well. Andis Master is placed at last because it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The housing is heavy, the power button can interfere and sweat could see it slipping around – so all you would need is some good practice to work around these.
Motor Power
I reckon it’s not shocking to find out Oster Classic 76 at the top this time. The afro hair clipper is equipped with one of the most powerful motor units I’ve ever witnessed in a tool as such.
You’ll realize its true potential the moment you turn it on and get it to work. Second spot is a tie between Andis Master and Oster Fast Feed – all of the corded clippers taking away the glory from cordless ones.
This is understandable since these corded clippers are powered relentlessly without the worry of a sustaining battery life. Therefore, Wahl Magic Clip is ranked third which is followed by Fadeking clipper.
Maintenance
How easy it is to maintain a black men clipper should be a prime concern before the purchase. In this criteria, Oster Fast Feed is the highest ranked tool with the least amount of required maintenance.
Andis Master and Wahl Magic Clip are second in line. Although, if you use Master in a professional environment, your maintenance routine is likely to be slightly more hectic.
Fadeking clipper is placed third in maintenance, scoring slightly less due to the durability of its blade system and the frequency of replacing that.
Finally, Oster Classic 76 is the most demanding afro hair clipper here. You’d need to use separate solutions to lube the blades and grease the motor. Additionally, you’ll have to replace the carbon brushes once they wear off.
Versatility
Of all the five black men clippers, Wahl Magic Clip is by far the most versatile of them all! It can perform a wide array of haircuts and can even trim your beard without causing any discomfort.
Second in line is the Andis Master as it can craft out looks like buzz cuts or fades or blends of different sorts, therefore a favorite for professional groomers.
Oster Classic 76 and Fadeking are third in the list. Classic 76 is ranked in between because of the huge library but all of these are separate purchases.
Oster Fast Feed is the final candidate here since it’s specifically meant for styling and not for bulk removal, therefore restricting versatility to a somewhat linear aspect.
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Hair Clipper for Black Men
Which of these 5 black men clippers is ideal for your afro hair? If you want a professional-grade, all-round hair clipper that can do almost anything, Andis Master would be the perfect choice.
Yes, it’s going to need some getting used to. But once you’ve reached that phase, all you’ll have is endless styling possibilities!
Out of the box, Oster Classic 76 is ideal for bulk removal at a specific length. But if you lay your hands on some of the aftermarket blades, its potentials are drastically increased!
If portability is your prime concern, there are very few devices as good as Wahl Magic Clip, which in my opinion ranks among the finest of all hair clippers!
Fadeking Hair Clipper is ecstatic from looks to performance. It’s astounding how affordable this device is and those of who are on a tight budget can definitely pick this one out!
Finally, if you want to craft some sophisticated and refined styles over your afro hair, Oster Fast Feed would be your best possible choice in this regard.
Tips for Using Hair Clippers for Black Men
Here are a few tips you can apply with your new afro hair clipper to squeeze the best possible performance out of your tool!
Preparing Your Hair: It’s important to know that coily hair tends to frizz up a lot and there could be build ups blocking the path of clipper blades. Therefore, you must wash your hair with shampoo and dry it properly before getting a hair job done.
Using the Right Techniques: There are different types of techniques with a hair clipper and that becomes even more complex when you’re dealing with kinky hair.
Basic techniques for beginners would be learning to bulk clip, holding the clipper blade flat against the skin or adapting to the adjustment lever for creating gradients.
More advanced techniques you could eventually learn are pull away fades, tapering around, lining up the hair or things like designers’ cuts.
Maintaining Your Clippers: Hair clipper maintenance is often divided into three parts: cleaning after each grooming session with a dry rag, lubricating the blades as well as the motor and replacing blades whenever it starts getting dull.
Additionally, if you’re using a portable clipper, you must charge the device regularly and never let it drain down to zero to extend battery durability.
Also, safe storage can prevent cosmetic damage and even prevent corrosion if your shaver is built with cheaper metals.
With these tips, I hope you’d be able to prolong the lifespan of your black men clipper and allow it to last for years into the future!
FAQ
Before reaching the end, let’s discuss some of the FAQs regarding afro hair clippers to learn at greater depths about these instruments!
Q: What type of motor is best for thick, coarse hair?
A: Any clipper that has a powerful motor (at least over 5,000 RPM) should be good enough for thick or coarse hair. Particularly, pivot or rotary motors are better in this case but it’s worth noting that such a motor would require a sharp set of blades as well to work properly.
Q: How do I prevent clipper blades from pulling hair?
A: There could be quite a few possibilities for your black men clipper to pull on your hair. First of all, make sure you’ve washed and dried your hair. Secondly, your blade could be misaligned, so you can properly re-align following any YouTube video. Lastly, check whether your blade has gone dull. If so, replace it as soon as possible!
Q: Are self-sharpening blades worth it?
A: Yes! Self-sharpening blades tend to remain functional longer than regular blades. That’s why most of the clippers these days (and the afro hair clippers) on my list contain self-sharpening blades to cut down on the replacement cost!
Concluding Remarks
So, I hope I was able to satisfy you with sufficient information about the best hair clippers for afro hair and black men.
In this article, I’ve gone to great extent to break down which of the aspects are absolutely necessary for picking the right black men clipper.
Also, it’s not easy to maintain frizzy, coily hair due to the natural traits, so I’d urge you all to do your best to keep things convenient, under control and beautiful at the same time.
This I can guarantee that picking any of the devices from my top 5 would grant you that opportunity of modern styling and confirmed modish haircuts!