7 Best Hair Clippers for Fades to Up Your Style Game!

From the definition of fades, you know that a clipper must be equipped with the ability to trim at different lengths.

The wider this length variance is in a clipper, the more dynamic outcome you’re supposed to have with your fade cuts.

While it’s true that you have the liberty to attach guide combs to add a length variance, this slows down the process and smoothing out the blend proves to be much more difficult.

With an adjustable lever, sharp set of blades and powerful motor, you’ll find a clipper to be more agile in creating various fades and sadly, not all the clippers in the market are equipped in such a way.

Therefore, you need to know which of the clippers are capable of doing fades perfectly and are meant to last a long time!

Best Clippers For Fades in 2024

In this section, I’ll give you some ideas on 3 of the most accomplished hair clippers that can perform different types of fades with precision and ease!

Note: The star ratings for each clipper is solely for hair fading capability and doesn’t represent their overall status.

Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Magic Clip Cordless Hair Clipper

If I talk about best hair clippers for fades and don’t mention a couple of Wahl clippers then it would most certainly be a criminal act.

With a clipping range between 0.5 to 1.2 mm, Magic Clip is a magnificent beast when it comes down to creating some alluring fade cuts.

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Aside from creating smooth blends of fades, this hair clipper is also a top performer when it comes to bulk hair removal.

The plastic lever on the left hand side of the Magic Clip lets you alter between the blade gaps and you can easily perform that during mid-clip, while the clipper is turned on.

These traits are encouraged by the 8 attachment cutting guide combs of 1/8”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 7/8”, and 1”.

A good clipper isn’t worthy to be a top choice if it doesn’t have an iconic blade capable of doing your every bidding.

Thus, comes in the Stagger Tooth blade (#2161) fit to the Magic Clip. It derives the name from the staggered teeth that makes all the blends and smooth fades possible.

This blade is the result of the Crunch Blade Technology – granting you an auditory and tactile sensation while clipping through hair of any texture and density.

A precision-engineered rotary motor powers this beautiful Wahl clipper. Although it doesn’t scale up to beat the motor in Wahl Senior, it’s still a solidly built unit that runs relentlessly without falter.

I found Magic Clip to have a very non-slippery housing due to the smart design, perfect contours and a well-placed thumb rest.

Power button is well clear of full grip and there have been no accidental turn offs while I’m gliding it over a head being faded.

Magic Clip has the longest sustaining battery life that has run for over 80 minutes with a full charge during my use.

Constantly running it for over 10-15 minutes should heat up the housing, but it’s nothing intolerable and there is much worse heating in other clippers of such caliber.

For the amount you’re having to pay for this wireless Wahl clipper is a steal to be honest! Just a little over $100 gives you access to own a professional grade Wahl clipper is indeed surprising!

There’s no compromise with the build quality whatsoever. The housing material is robust and is designed to withstand rough-housing in demanding grooming parlors.

Color-wise, Magic Clip walks down the path of a traditional Wahl colorization – burgundy housing making room for the golden Magic Clip text and a silver thumb rest.

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With a weight of 10.2 ounces, simply imagine how effortless it would be to utilize on your own head or someone else’s throughout the entire day.

If I were you, I’d definitely pick it as a self-fading hair clipper if my priorities lied toward the longer gradients of hair fades!

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Andis 01690 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper

Let me begin my list with a banger of a hair clipper which was designed with the sole purpose of hair fading of different sorts and nothing more!

Like the name, Andis Fade Master is indeed the masterful device in the world of fading. All credit is due to the technical team for sketching out such a unique clipper!

The main differentiating factor here is the Precision Fade blades that contain thin and long teeth for almost every sort of fade.

Forget about bulk hair removal, it’s not meant for such tasks. Rather, indulge yourself into the fading dream with flexibility of gap adjustment using the incremented lever.

While Andis claims that the blade adjusts from 00000 to 000, I don’t think that’s true. It’s more like a 000 to 1 blade but it can be manually set to 00000 length.

I calibrated mine and boy did it turn this clipper into a monster! With the feeblest of touches, you get to remove side or nape hair to the precise length of your choice!

The most powerful motor in the lot – a 14,000 SPM magnetic motor keeps the blades running at the highest possible pace.

No tugs, pulls or hindrances of any sort were experienced while drawing fade cuts using this device, be that a high fade, low fade or seamless blending.

It’s louder than the Fade Master because of the motor power and it can be adjusted using the screw at the side of the device.

Make sure to get the voltage settings right because neither of the Andis clippers are dual voltage or ready for use at any part of the world without an adapter.

In terms of durability, the rock-solid aluminum housing never ceases to amaze me. If you have sweating issues, you might find it a little tricky to grab on to at times.

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But otherwise, Andis Fade Master is a one-hand hold design that invites your thumb to be rested on the chest while clipping.

If you’re looking for a full grip, I have bad news for you – the power slider and lever interfere much the same as Andis Master.

In my opinion, Fade Master requires some skills to get the best fades out of the clipper and new users may find it a little challenging to adjust in the beginning.

Of course, with practice you can become the maestro of fades yourself, you need to get used to the weight class in the process.

A couple of downsides do exist – the loud noise, slight heating up of the housing and the fragility of the fade blades.

The last concern requires care from your end. You can’t simply slam the clipper anywhere and hope the blades to absorb all of it. It’s a delicate blade made for precision and you have to respect that during usage.

Finally, Andis Fade Master is my favorite in the list based on my experience with it, despite the downsides and I’m sure you’ll share my perception once you get to use it first-hand.

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Andis 12470 Professional Master Corded/Cordless

Andis Master actually belongs to the masterclass tier of hair clippers for fades because the components come together very nicely for a precise job as such.

This clipper unit is a highly reliable device, well built using solid metal and houses some of the most durable components you could ever ask out of your fading clipper.

Starting off with the blade, Andis Master comes with an adjustable carbon steel T-blade (0000-1) that’s ideally designed for creating different types of fades.

The solid, metallic lever allows you to switch between 5 settings. I have mixed feelings about this lever – the good part is you get to know which precise length setting you’re clipping at.

But the downside is that you’re strictly limited to these 5 settings only, there’s no way of clipping in between.

It doesn’t however compromise the quality of fade, but I would’ve preferred a little bit more liberty while drawing smooth fades over the hair.

As I mentioned, the housing is made with solid metal and there’s no texture or grip to upgrade grip level.

Still, I’m happy with the size and shape that allows a firm hold of the clipper. But my concern isn’t with ergonomics.

The power button is a slider at the same side of the lever and it’s oddly placed, getting in the way of my grip and causing accidental turn offs every now and then.

I know Andis went with the philosophy of doing everything with one hand, your thumb in particular, but it’s just something I don’t like, call me biased if you like.

Also, I often failed to adjust the lever freely while grabbing on to the clipper as it collided with my finger and rendered a discomforting experience as a whole.

Quality-wise, there’s little competition with the Andis Master in the current market. The fades ranging from zero to neat blends are up to professional standard.

Motor unit is a very powerful one, a magnetic motor that runs at 14,000 RPM is better than ideal to accurately and efficiently bring any haircut to life.

Although it’s corded, the length of the cord is quite sizable and follows the standard of a barber shop – 2.4 meters long.

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One issue I’ve faced while running longer tasks is that the housing heats up since it’s made with metal and the motor is highly energetic.

Let me add another reason to classify Andis Master as one of the most revered barber clippers and it’s the flexibility of blade library.

Apart from the T-blade blade that comes inside the package, you can grab different types and textures of Andis blades, ready to craft haircuts or fades of your choice!

In short, there’s no hint of drag or pull using these blades, the clipper lets you get into accurate details whether it’s fading or outlining and overall, a great unit for heavy-duty use nonetheless.

Andis Master is 20 ounces, so it’s not the lightest clipper to maneuver around. It’d be fine for a home trim but can be tiresome for a long day at the salon.

Make sure that you get the voltage right – 120 V and 60 Hz should work just fine – otherwise you might require an adapter for ideal usage.

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Fadeking Professional Hair Clippers for Men

Fadeking is a US brand endowed with smart features and endless accessories meant for both home and professional use without costing you an arm and a leg.

It’s designed like the BaBylissPRO Gold trimmer and I think the aesthetics have some influence as well as the mode of operation.

Let me tell you the types of fades the Fadeking clipper is capable of and the top of the list would be seamless blends, high, medium and low fades.

Apart from that, hard or soft line fading is another area of expertise for the clipper. With default settings, Fadeking clipper cannot do skin fades, so that’s something you should keep in mind.

The blade is a 440C model built with stainless steel and quite honestly, it’s made to last! I was actually surprised to see a blade of Wahl quality coming on with such an affordable clipper!

These blades are self-sharpening with some proper care – regular cleaning and lubrication should do you the trick.

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The blade system is powered by a strong, 6,500 RPM rotary motor. It makes the case easier since such sharp blades are enabled to chop through any hair texture with ease – something a barber would always prefer.

Also, since most fade works are done on the sides of your head, you’ll spend a lot of time having the Fadeking clipper turned on beside your ear.

The good thing is, the sound level it produces is less than 60 dB – less noisy than a lot of premium clippers on the market.

As per the design, it’s a truly mesmerizing spectacle and I’m sure you’ll like the elegant golden tone and alluring styling aspects.

All of the housing is covered by durable zinc alloy, meaning, these colors won’t fade away anytime soon.

There’s sufficient textures on the handle to ensure superior ergonomics and room for thumb placement.

Your fading operations will be further liberated because of the portability – 2600 mAh li-ion battery running for around 60 minutes with a full charge.

The LCD numerics panel shows you exactly where you are in terms of battery life, so no risk of this clipper dying on you in the middle of a grooming session.

You get tons of accessories with the clipper – some useful guide combs, a barber-bit and a solid carry case to store everything inside.

Even though the Fadeking clipper only weighs 14 oz, the distribution isn’t something I enjoy. A head-heavy clipper can sometimes compromise your delicate operation if you’re not careful enough.

So that’s a downside we must concede considering the price point. Another thing worth mentioning is that manually zero gapping this clipper isn’t the easiest of tasks.

I’ll encourage you to do this only if you have proper tools and prior knowledge as well as experience on the matter.

Otherwise, you may end up ruining what feels like a great, durable fading hair clipper within the reach of our pockets!

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper

Oster Fast Feed is mostly infamous for its agile and long-lasting performance in barber shops, but the price point below $100 suggests that it can also be considered as your regular home grooming tool!

Although I’m focusing my article on the mentioned clippers’ fading capabilities, it’s worth mentioning that the Fast Feed is an all-round hair clipper with versatile capabilities!

Before we head on to the quality of fades Fast Feed can produce, let me tell you that this clipper has 10 different color options.

I’m an originalist, thus I picked out the classic red housed device. The nine other housing shades will cost you $10 extra, but from what I’ve seen, most of them are gorgeous!

So back to the fading quality – Oster Fast Feed is one of those clippers who can manage to create smooth fades with the least amount of input and expertise.

It’s true that you’ll require some prior knowledge on fading and the clipper itself. But other than that, you’ll be eligible to draw out your favorite fades in quick succession!

This even cut and fading prowess have been ensured by the adjustable steel blade with a range between 000 and 1 lengths.

The short, plastic lever lets you toggle the cutting lengths and the placement is appreciable considering the tiny size of the housing.

Oster Fast Feed is a miniature if compared against the Classic 76 – both in terms of size and weight class.

But let the size not fool you! Powered by the Whisper Quiet Pivot motor, Fast Feed can most certainly live up to the Oster reputation!

And as the motor name suggests, the clipper is indeed very quiet as opposed to many other clippers in my list.

The smooth burgundy housing, small black window at the top reading Fast Feed altogether deliver a firm grip – something I failed to find at clippers of size previously.

It’s also durable, similar to the Classic 76 and the people I know who own a Fast Feed have used this device for years up to this point.

Some even claim that their blades feel as sharp as day one even after a few years of use. Well, they did use it at home as a personal fading or hair trimming tool, the outcome may not be the same for professionals.

One thing I personally noticed is that bulk hair removal clogs the blades frequently and I had to brush off the stray.

But while fading, this hasn’t been the issue. I could sketch out bald fades, zero to one seamless blends, tapers and cuts like buzz or crew effortlessly with this clipper.

It’s wired, so you won’t have the absolute freedom of maneuvering like the Wahl cordless clippers, but the 2.4 meter cord gives you liberty enough to move it around.

Unlike Andis Master, there has been no accidental movements with the power slider and that’s something I’m highly grateful for toward Oster.

The weight is a little hefty considering its size, but the perfect balance will make the Fast Feed feel like moving around a plastic trimmer through air!

You get only 3 guide combs inside the package – pairing that up with the adjustable blade certainly opens up a lot of doors for various types of fades.

Overall, Fast Feed is a barber-grade hair clipper agile at fading due to the blade system and its price certainly encourages home groomers to get one for regular styling and experimentation!

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Senior Clipper

Wahl Senior is always my favorite suggestion for professional groomers because of its complete performance package adept at creating fabulous haircuts of all genres!

Whether you notice the suave design or adore the superlative performance, the Senior is an incredible hair clipper at any given task!

The superior performance begins at the zero gapped blade. Technically, it’s called the (#2191) adjustable 0000 blade or as many refer to as the Surgical Wahl blade.

Although its systems are different from the Wahl Balding clipper’s surgical unit as the blade teeth are a little longer toward the top, grabbing more hair with each glide.

Using the plastic lever, you have the flexibility of stretching the blade out between 0 to 1.2 mm – the widest range ever to exist on a zero-gapped blade.

Whether it’s traditional tapering, regular fading, precision fading or even bald fading, Wahl Senior is the most ideal cordless device you could pay your attention to.

Apart from that, every height of tapers are possible to craft with this clipper in particular – all thanks to the unique blade system!

A good fade is usually backed up by two particular aspects of a clipper – the blade type and motor power.

I’ve already discussed the former, and as per the latter, you’re in for a real treat! Because Wahl Senior hosts the most powerful rotary motor ever to exist in the Wahl line.

This magnificent beast runs up to 6,500 RPM, very unique for a cordless design to generate such a high degree of torque.

All of it together makes the hair clipping as well as a fading experience something to look forward to.

Let me tell you, I’ve never handled something more soothing and intuitive in my life when it comes to hair clipping, and my experience allowed me to utilize many of the top premium choices.

From the quality of cuts, noise level and the overall satisfaction Wahl Senior offers is something worth putting down the money for.

And as per the housing design, it’s a shiny black handle outlined with silver – a clipper seeming like a collector’s edition in the grooming industry.

The perfectly balanced housing allows a firm grip due to the right curves at ideal places. These boosted my confidence in creating neat fades, drawing outlines and delivering smooth blends.

Wahl Senior’s lever is very responsive yet it’s not finicky. It doesn’t climb up and down in increments, rather you have the liberty to settle down at any desired cutting length.

Battery life is highly efficient if you consider fading to be your sole purpose – 70 minutes runtime stored in the li-ion battery.

3 cutting guides lets you toy with different lengths, be that bulk removal at a certain length or a wide array of longer, blended fades that climb up to the crown of your head.

If fading is your only priority and you’re a home consumer, the price may feel overwhelming. But if you plan on doing other hair grooming tasks as well as fades, then it could be a worthwhile purchase.

Because of the durable housing, solid and sharp blades, the strongest motor ever built by Wahl and a great battery life – Wahl Senior won’t quit on you even after many years into the service!

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Cordless Legend Clipper

My final pick in the list comes as one of the best cordless clippers for fades is the iconic Wahl Legend – a legendary hair clipper indeed covered in a classic color pattern.

The reason for such colorization is something like a tribute to the older and classier variants of Wahl clippers that led to this day of modern day cordless units and their unmatched performance.

Legend specializes in blunt fade cuts because the clipper is equipped with a (#2228) Wedge Blade that has some very deep teeth as opposed to a lot of clippers I mentioned here.

Another name for the Wedge Blade is the complete fade blade since the adjustable range between 0.7 to 1.7 mm is the width required for propping up the most prominent fade cuts.

Apart from the bluntness, you get smooth blends (aka seamless blends), soft line fading and in general a longer blade range than most.

Did you know that the Wahl Legend excels at trimming through coarse hair? I have to give credit to the unique blade system for this ability!

The package contains 8 comb guides pushing the boundaries of possibilities further ahead as though the blade adjustment with the solid metal lever wasn’t enough!

This Wahl 5-Star clipper also utilizes a rotary motor that’s of course less powerful than the Wahl Senior but it’s said to rank above the cordless Magic Clip.

My tests have proven this claim by Wahl though and allowed me to use this clipper in many diverse manners.

I found this combination to be the perfect match for edging out different textures and at the same time taper around at a longer length.

If you want bald fades using this, then I’m afraid you’d have to manually zero gap the blades and compromise the furthest extent on the blade gap.

I would recommend against it because there are particular fade blades available to purchase on the market that fit ideally with the Wahl Legend.

If that’s not what you want, just pick another clipper with zero gapping capabilities instead of ruining the magnificence in fading that’s a hallmark for Wahl Legend.

As mentioned, the housing design is a classic one – vertically writing down the Legend alphabets on silver, surrounded by matte golden and textured burgundy.

Much like the lever, the power knob is also premium, built with durable metal and generates a solid clickiness upon flicking.

Grip levels are good, as it’s the case for almost all the Wahl 5-Star cordless clippers. Neat fades could be drawn out accurately because of the precise response due to the ergonomic prowess.

Battery runtime is around one hour, workable in a barbershop and most certainly over the required threshold for fading or general hair clipping at home.

It’s a durable and versatile hair clipper designed with the prior focus of wider fade lengths and as the price suggests, it caters more toward the professionals than the home consumers.

But nonetheless, I’ve said it before about the Senior and I’ll say it again – such quality clippers are usually a one-time purchase for a long time and judging by Legend’s build, it most certainly belongs to that category.

What I Like

What I Don’t Like 

Why Trust My Verdict?

Well, if you ask me what tests I did with these hair clippers and how I got my result, I’ll have to describe an elaborate process to you.

I’ve been reviewing grooming products for many years now and my recent exposures have granted me access to tons of devices for first hand use and experimentation.

Initially based on an online survey, user response and consultation with a couple of my barber friends, I purchased some of the best clippers in the market along with some of the budget winners.

From that point onward, I inspected each individually, broke down the blades, tested out charge capacity, attachment quality and whatnot.

My personal usage of hair clippers for fading have mostly been with my brother who has agreed to volunteer his hair for my project.

The rest of the notes about fading capability, quality and versatility have been noted off from one of my barber friends whom I lended the selected clippers to gain a professional insight.

Test Result for Best Fade Clippers

As I was almost overwhelmed with so much data, it was time for me to categorize them into specific and important sections to score each clipper on the given areas.

Finally, the total scores have been averaged so that I can give each a rating out of 5 stars that’s more comprehensive for readers in my opinion.

So without further ado, let’s see how each of the clippers perform in the 5 particular areas that are essential for the best hair clippers for fades!

Blade Type

Andis Fade Master’s carbon steel blade is one of the most agile units I’ve ever witnessed in a fading clipper!

Also, the blade’s quality is superb! It’s neat and the teeth have a sense of depth. It’s not exactly the greatest bulk hair remover, but in terms of fades, there’s no match for that!

Wahl Senior comes a little way behind the Fade Master and such a high rank vows to the zero gapped surgical blades attached to this clipper.

Andis Master and Oster Fast Feed are tied for third in the categorization of blade types. Both of these corded clippers host carbon steel blades, meant to endure harsh salon environments.

The Master’s sharp blades are more comforting, although Fast Feed blades retain sharpness for a longer duration.

The Stagger tooth and Wedge blades in Wahl Magic Clip and Legend are tied in score although their performance walks down different paths.

Out of the two, it’s really a matter of preference because there’s no right or wrong way of going about either of them.

Tied with the three, Fadeking’s blade system endorses a Fading tooth blade and it’s quite astonishing to see such a blade system with a highly affordable cordless clipper!

Adjustable Blade Gap

The widest adjustable gap in the lot is embedded in the Andis Fade Master from 00000 to 000 but you get that upon manual adjustment.

Next comes the Andis Master and its 000 to 1 length blade. It can go as close to 0.25 mm of your skin at the lowest setting and offers the most versatile fading tasks!

From my experience, the Wahl Senior blade can zero fade and push the gap up to 1.2 mm without any comb attachment – all you need to do is to push the lever!

Tied with Senior and Master is the Oster Fast Feed clipper with a 000 to 1 blade similar to Andis Master. Both of their zero settings might not go as close to Senior but they’re not very far off!

Wahl Magic Clip and Legend’s adjustable gaps are respectively 0.5 to 1.2 mm and 0.7 to 1.7 mm. This adjustment can be made using the lever alone and lets you create different types of fades with ease!

Lastly, Fadeking clipper offers the least amount of adjustable gap in the list. While it’s better than many other more expensive clippers, it just isn’t a match for the other five I mentioned here.

Motor Power

Raw motor power is equally important to sharp blades and their adjustable gap so that you can draw out the exact fade cut that you have been wishing for.

In this department, Wahl Senior is the second most powerful unit out of all seven clippers with its 6,500 RPM rotary motor, capable of doing your every bidding despite being a cordless unit.

The top performing motor however is the Andis Fade Master with its 14,000 SPM electromagnetic motor leaving its competition to eat dust in this department!

Andis Master and Oster Fast Feed are two highly powerful devices capable of running relentlessly, all thanks to their corded design.

Fadeking, Wahl Magic Clip and Legend show similar outcomes in raw performance although their motors sound different from one another.

All three endorse rotary motors that are usually ideal for a hair clipper to craft out specific types of fade cuts.

Accessories

Accessories are important when you want to add a little bit extra to your fade cuts and guide comb attachments can help you out in this regard.

The higher number of guides you have, the easier it’d be for you to smooth out the fades even with leaving the hair body longer than you would have.

Fadeking tops the list with 6 cutting guides, storage case and barber bib – all included in the package for general convenience.

It’s followed by Magic Clip and Legend as each of them offer 8 guide combs out of the box and these are quite durable in my opinion.

Fast Feed and Senior follow along as they bring home 4 and 3 guide combs with sturdy build quality.

Andis Master and Fade Master don’t come with any attachments as their lever adjustment alone is enough to offer versatility.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability depends on the weight class and ergonomics of the clipper and it’s also an essential factor to consider since it determines how accurately you’ll be able to draw the fades.

From my tests, Wahl Magic Clip and Legend seem like the top dogs for the game. Their weights are ideal and the ergonomics boost the confidence of a holder like no other hair clipper does!

Oster Fast Feed and Wahl Senior are a little way down the road, mostly because of their weight class. Senior’s grip is better than Fast Feed but the latter is smaller in size and easier to move around.

Finally, Andis Fade Master, Master and the Fadeking clippers are tied. The two Andis clippers have issues with button and lever clearing while Fadeking isn’t properly balanced for a comfortable experience.

Winner: Thus, as the average score suggests, Andis Fade Master is a clear winner and makes itself heard as the top hair clipper for fades as of this moment!

Value for Money

You can call a product overpriced in two ways – one, the price is absurdly high for what the product has to offer and two, the price is higher than your budget or estimation.

I’ll say, the latter isn’t a valid enough ground to claim something to be overpriced, that’s just not the right terminology here.

The reason behind saying this is, each of the products in my list offer great value for money, no matter how much they’re worth.

None of them felt overpriced to me, or their price point could be lower – nothing of that sort. Because the devices offer something substantial to make your money’s worth – at least they did for me!

Warranty

All the seven products I’ve been talking about through the article come with a limited 1-year warranty from their brand.

The only exception is Fadeking as they offer a 12 months free replacement warranty. It’s more or less the same as a limited warranty but better in one way.

If you manage to claim a successful warranty, you’ll get a completely new clipper as replacement.

Whereas other brands would try to fix your clipper first and give you a replacement if the repairing job somehow failed.

Buyer’s Guide for the Best Hair Clippers for Fades

Buyer’s guide means I’ll break down what each of the clippers are great at and who should consider which one in the market.

Well, if you already know your preference and don’t prefer an imposition of opinion, you can skip this section!

For the rest, let me tell you – the most luxurious, aesthetic and complete clipper with zero fading capabilities is the Wahl Senior. If your priority lies with cordless and zero gap, there’s no alternative at all.

The budget winner comes in two categories – corded and cordless. The cordless budget winner is of course Fadeking clipper. It’s good, don’t get me wrong! It just doesn’t outperform the top brands who are priced twice or even more so than this device.

The corded budget winner is the Oster Fast Feed. It’s really meant for barber shops because of the quality in build and quality of performance. So you can only imagine how it’d be like to own such a clipper for home use!

If you ask me to find you a well-balanced fading clipper that’s not overly expensive, then I’d suggest the Wahl Magic Clip. It has everything to be the best on the market and just outclassed by Senior due to the motor power and zero gap capability.

Winner of fading coarse hair is the Wahl Legend – the fades you’d get with this are unorthodox and no other clipper can mimic those outcomes especially against coarse, unruly hair!

The durability winner is the Andis Master. With an aluminum housing, you know it’s meant to last years, withstand rough use for days and days. And it can go the extra distance to perform clipping tasks other than fading.

Finally, the grand champion in my list is the Andis Fade Master! It’s not a surprise really. When you equip a clipper with precision fade blades, strongest motor and durable housing, it’s supposed to defeat any competition and the price would never be a matter of concern here!

What’s a Fade Haircut?

A fade haircut is generally described as the smooth transition of hair from slightly longer to shorter like a gradient from top to bottom, generally on the sides and around the back of your head.

Generally the longer length is a maximum of 1” while the shorter length can almost be blended in with the skin.

There are many different varieties of fades and the technique itself grants you the scope of exploring numerous captivating looks very easily!

Why Do You Need a Specific Hair Clipper for Fades?

Hair fading is one of the most versatile techniques ever to exist in the world of grooming. And trust me when I tell you – the best hair clipper for fades is essential to create the most perfect and neat cut!

By the best, I don’t mean you have to spend tons of money on one hair clipper. Of course good hair clippers aren’t always cheap, but it’s better to know which ones are worth the investment.

My article focuses on hair clippers that are undoubtedly at the top of their games when it comes to creating a wide array of fades.

Check them out, read how I feel about them and make up your mind if any of them seem to float your boat!

How to Create Fade Cuts with Good Clippers?

Let me teach you the most basic type of fade you can do at home, ideally with a good clipper unit. Of course it requires some practice, but you’ll need the knowledge with it to nail the outcome.

Step 1: Pick a Fade

It’s essential to know what you’re aiming at. Go to different stylists’ websites, Instagram pages or Pinterest for ideas. Once settled, see how the hair looks and the length of the fade gradient.

Step 2: Section Your Hair

With a design in mind, use a couple of combs to part your hair and fasten them with those combs. It keeps the unnecessary hair out of the way from your clipping tasks.

Step 3: Start Low with a Longer Setting

Set your clipper lever at a longer setting and start around the neck or ear region. If you require bulk hair removal, attach a guide comb to ease the process first.

Step 4: Pull Away as You Climb Up

Once your hair length is sizable, time for you to go raw with the blade and adjust the taper as you clip your way up.

Remember, shorter gap for lower hair and longer gap for hair at the top. In between, you have to smooth things out by altering the lever settings. Copy this at all three sides of your head.

Step 5: Fine Tune

Finally, check in the mirror for any deformities. Smooth out if things feel out of order. Outline the fade if you feel like it. If the fade belongs to a longer gradient, you can always taper around for additional style points.

And in these five steps, you can create almost any type of fade cut with proper equipment and experience!

FAQ

This section vows to answer some of the unanswered questions about fades and clippers that are frequently asked online!

Q: What do barbers use for fades?

Ans: Well, barber preferences of fading clippers can vary from general usage since they have to consider longevity, relentless performance and top-notch quality outcome. They mostly use clippers from brands like Wahl, Andis, Oster, BaByliss and so on.

Q: Can you do a fade with any clippers?

Ans: If you’re skilled enough with your clippers, you can do basic fades with almost any clipper. But that won’t always generate the outcome that you hoped for or be as smooth as hair fades done with great clippers.

Q: What size clippers work for skin fade?

Ans: Skin fades are usually performed using zero gapped clipper blades. While the most desirable choice of blades would be a 0000, you can still make do with a 000 blade. Paired with this blade, you’ll need a powerful motor to carry out your demand effectively.

Concluding Remarks

Although in terms of score, the best hair clipper for fade from my list is the Andis Fade Master clipper, I want to mention two others who can be equally as great as the victor.

One is the Wahl Senior cordless variant and many consumers know what I’m hinting at here. It’s zero gapped out of the box, looks great, feels superior to use and overall delivers a hair fade experience that you actually look forward to!

Another honorable mention is the Oster Fast Feed. Although it’s corded, it doesn’t compromise maneuverability at all! This clipper fades well, chops through any hair density easily and is meant to survive the perils of time.

So, which one are you picking for your fade cuts?