I’ve been awed by Wahl’s top of the line stainless steel body trimmer ever since I started using it – covering everything from beard grooming to hair lining in one device!
This trimmer in particular has created a huge fuss in the grooming community and for the price point, both home groomers and barbers have taken a keen interest in it.
In my Wahl 9864 review, you’ll learn all the things it can do and the complete kit that offers every grooming solution at a reasonable price.
So, buckle up and keep your beard ready – because this T-Blade is going to turn you into the most stylish man on earth from your very first trimjob with it!
“Wahl 9864 stainless steel beard trimmer is a one of a kind tool merging looks with performance. The zero-gapped T-Blade brings a joyful experience to mundane grooming, and the price point seals the deal for an all-in-one kit device!”
Unboxing the Wahl 9864 Stainless Steel Trimmer
Wahl 9864 stainless steel trimmer will arrive at your doorstep inside a robust cloth pouch that holds everything together inside.
I received mine in good condition, without any hint of damage or scratches, meaning the pouch does a great job at protecting everything.
Inside, there’s a separate pocket for the trimmer handle. In the larger compartment, there are tons of accessories to aid in your versatile grooming.
You can conveniently use the pouch as a storage solution and it does render traveling an effortless task – just throw it inside your luggage and you’d be good to go!
What’s Inside the Pouch: Wahl 9864 Stainless Steel Trimmer, 2 Adjustable Guard, 8 Fixed Length Guards, 1 Foil Head, 1 Precision Trimmer Head, 1 Nose Trimmer Head, Charging Adapter, Comb, Cleaning Brush, Lubricant.
Specifications: Wahl 9864 Stainless Steel Trimmer
Let’s learn a bit about the technical details concerning the Wahl 9864 stainless steel trimmer to give you a basic idea.
- Dimensions: 15.5 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm
- Weight: 7.3 ounces
- Color: Brushed Silver
- Accessories: 18
- Blade Type: T-blade
- Blade Gap: Zero
- Guide Combs: 8
- Housing Material: Stainless Steel
- Battery Runtime: Over 3.5 hours
Wahl 9864 Stainless Steel Trimmer : Standout Features
Let’s have a look at the features that must be discussed for the Wahl 9864 stainless steel trimmer. This individual breakdown should set your expectations straight!
Brushed Metal Aesthetics
Starting off with the handle, Wahl 9864 shows a very unique aesthetic principle using the brushed metal design concept.
The neck indents into the design in the shape of a rounded off shiny triangle, placed inside the triangular power button in a darker shade of gray.
As per the rest of the handle goes, the brushed silver design covers front to back, leaving the bottom ring in a similar shiny-silver manner as the neck.
Wahl 9864 has a removable blade matching the aesthetics of the housing and overall, there’s not much color variation in this minimalistic yet stylish trimmer!
Solid Grip
First of all, the grip levels for the Wahl 9864 are truly admirable and it has been ensured by the cylindrical shape along with the finish material.
Due to such a shape, I was skeptical at first thinking it might slip out of my hand (since my fingers sweat a lot).
But as soon as I started using it, I realized that the brushed finish functions as a gripping agent to keep the contact firm between your skin and the handle.
Also, as it’s quite thin, I was able to hold it like a pen for outlining purposes at many different angles – so that’s obviously a win for me!
Durable Build Quality
Beard trimmers made with stainless steel are usually robust in nature, and Wahl 9864 stainless steel is no different regardless of its compact size.
The durability level transcends past the outer shell to the inner components. From the motor unit to the battery – everything has been working perfectly for me.
Also, from other first-hand users, I learned that the blades tend to remain sharp for a long time even if you use it at a commercial front.
Unless you drop the trimmer at an awkward angle like blade-first, it’s going to absorb most of the shock and keep it operating as good as new.
Ideal Weight
Wahl has managed to keep the weight limited to 7.3 ounces for the 9864 trimmer even though everything in this tool is metallic.
This was ensured by its portable, handy size. If it were a full-blown hair clipper, the weight class would definitely have been higher.
For reference, tools like Norelco Multigroom 9000 or similar metal-bodies trimmers weigh around 7.6 ounces, Wahl stands slightly less than average for the cause.
Maneuvering this tool around has been effortless from my end, even the longer grooming sessions don’t seem to add fatigue to my fingers or wrist.
Zero-Gapped Stainless Steel T-Blade
Now we should discuss the most important element for the Wahl 9864 – its stainless steel zero-overlapped T-Blade.
The blade in general is flat up top and a very fine pair of teeth sit idly to perform your bidding. Blade edges are slightly rounded off so that you can safely operate directly against the skin.
As there’s little to almost no gap between the blade teeth, the trimming actions are very sharp and precise. Hair removal is very swift and you won’t be needing many additional passes.
From my experience, it’s a great tool for stubble trimming and fine tuning beard details. For long beard grooming, you might find this narrow blade to be lacking a little.
Sufficient Motor
I tried this Wahl 9864 stainless steel trimmer across a wide variety of beard textures and densities – I must say, it works like a lawn mower over thick grass!
The noise category is toward the sharper pitch and it can get loud when grooming over longer beard bodies.
However, the vibration is tolerable and even the ones with frail hands will be able to harness this trimmer at its fullest potential.
Wahl has not disclosed the motor power for this tool, but I can guess that it’s over 5,000 RPM for sure, that’s why the trimming progress is relentless.
Accessories Galore
There are tons of accessories included inside the pouch of the Wahl 9864 beard trimmer. The eight fixed guide combs aren’t actually that useful and quality is subpar.
On the other hand, the two adjustable beard guards are decent in quality, trims almost evenly at the set lengths and covers the ranges between 2mm and 21mm, with 10 stops each.
If you want to smooth out any short stubble patch, there’s a foil head attachment that can be swapped out with the T-Blade. Similarly, the precision blade and nose trimmer serve their own unique duties.
I believe these accessories are sufficient for home grooming to satisfy your versatile needs. Professionals don’t really need guards for zero-overlap trimmers as such in general.
Wireless Operations
From its title, you already know that this Wahl beard trimmer is endowed with a lithium-ion battery unit that offers a very long runtime.
On average, my Wahl 9864 lasts around 3.5 to 4 hours (including some heavy-duty trimming over a coarse and textured beard).
Otherwise, those with fine beard or simple outlining tasks, this trimmer will definitely give you over 5 hours of battery life – posting it as a prime cordless tool in the market.
The power button lights up an LED light underneath to share status regarding charging, full charge and low battery for your convenience.
What I Like
- Fine design with brushed metal, rendering a durable housing
- Zero-gap SS T-blade can chop through anything
- Lightweight, portable, easy to use and runs for prolonged duration
What Could be Better
- Fixed guide comb quality could be a little better
My Experience with the Wahl 9864 Stainless Steel Trimmer
Now comes an important discussion – how the Wahl 9864 stacks up against the odds of its technical values in real world grooming conditions!
Beard Trimming
Wahl 9864 trimmer is ideally suited for beard trimming because of the blade type and its compact housing size.
As I mentioned earlier, it caters mostly to stubble maintenance – things like bulk trims over shorter beards are part of its forte.
Additionally, you can replace your existing trimmer if you’re looking for something to take care of your mustache – the blade width in this Wahl tool is perfectly situated for that.
I’m a self-trimming man and using this tool to style up my beard in front of a mirror has been a very pleasant experience for me.
For long beard trimming, its capacity is better utilized for fine tuning as the blade isn’t made for catering to longer facial hair.
Hair Outlining
Wahl 9864 can also be adapted for hair maintenance, especially for creating those sharp lines at the hair fringes.
Other than that, you may create delicate designs that are very close to the skin, like those that are usually created on top of a faded side.
I feel the urge to inform you that this Wahl trimmer is a master when it comes to neck shaving – although it won’t generate that fine result that an electric razor is able to produce.
But the foil head can help out in this case, however, the grooming time gets pretty lengthy as this tool is mainly dedicated for smoothing out limited beard regions.
Comfort & Convenience
Now let’s talk about comfort. You know as well as I do that you’re going to use this Wahl beard trimmer mostly without any guards on.
And using such a sharp, zero-gap trimmer directly against your skin calls for some length of precaution.
Honestly speaking, if you press the blade too hard on the skin, it’s bound to leave you with redness and even accidental cuts at awkward angles.
Therefore, hold it gently and don’t grind excessively roughly. Being delicate and precise are what land me the cleanest yet safest results.
Speed of Trimming
Wahl 9864 is surprisingly fast when it comes to overall beard removal from your face, especially if the beard length is lower than an inch.
Using the guide comb may hinder your speed as there’s a need to clean out the chopped off hair stuck in there.
This has been achieved by the combination of blade sharpness and ecstatic motor power – the two complement each other better than a lot of devices on the market.
Despite such power and a stainless steel housing shell, the handle doesn’t heat up and can conveniently deliver relentless power for long grooming sessions.
Cleaning & Maintenance
As per cleaning goes, maintaining this Wahl 9864 trimmer has been a piece of cake for me – everything can be taken care of only within a couple of minutes!
Since it’s not a waterproof beard trimmer, you have to rely on dry cleaning methods to keep it up to speed.
For a thorough cleansing, you may want to remove the blade head, brush everything off and mop the blade teeth using alcohol pads.
Once you put everything back together, leave a couple drops of lubricants on the blades, run it for 10 seconds and you’re ready for storage!
How I Tested the Wahl 9864 Trimmer?
I ran a wide variety of tests using this Wahl beard trimmer. First and foremost, I grew out my beard to try out longer beard trimming and the 9864 has been one of those select few tools.
Once I trimmed down to short length, I realized its true potential and ever since it has become my regular companion for stubble maintenance.
Other than myself, I applied its prowess on a couple of my friends with different facial hair textures and skin types.
Lastly, I asked around from barbers I know (those who own and use the Wahl 9864) for opinions, and all of that information contributed to writing up this Wahl beard trimmer review.
What I Like
- All-round tool for stubble trimming
- Can be versatile and used professionally
- Convenient to use, easy to maintain
What Could be Better
- Too much pressure on skin leaves you prone to cuts
Who is the Wahl 9864 Trimmer For?
I’d recommend the Wahl 9864 trimmer for home groomers who are looking for a dedicated tool to take care of their beard and mustache.
This is very easy to use, intuitive and has a short learning curve if we’re disregarding design or precision trimming.
Outlining your hair or beard body might require some practice if you’re a newbie, otherwise you can simply unbox it and get straight down to trimming!
And another group of consumers who would be interested in this tool are the professional barbers. This can be your go-to trimmer for every cause, or one that remains as a finisher at your shop.
Wahl 9864 vs 9818: A Side by Side Review of Stainless Steel Trimmers
Many consumers ask around whether there’s any difference between the Wahl 9864 vs 9818 – and to answer that, I’d have to say that the variances are very miniscule.
The two versions are almost identical from head to the toe and the performances are somewhat similar. That said, there are three differences that set apart these two generations.
One, the T-Blade in the Wahl 9864 is slightly wider than the 9818. Meaning, the former trimmer is more efficient and covers a larger ground with each glide.
Two, Wahl 9864 offers a better battery life than the 9818 – about an hour more depending on the hair texture or density you’re trimming on.
Three, the older Wahl 9818 comes with one less trimmer head attachment than the Wahl 9864 – the foil shaver head.
Other than these, they are actually the same tools and if you already own the Wahl 9818, you shouldn’t worry about an upgrade.
And if you’re making a purchase without owning any of these, I’d recommend you to go for the Wahl 9864 since it’s slightly an improvement at around the same price point.
FAQ
Let me answer a few commonly asked questions about the Wahl 9864 trimmer. These answers should solidify your knowledge on this fancy-looking grooming device.
Q: Does the Wahl 9864 support quick charging?
Ans: As a matter of fact, Wahl 9864 does support quick charging. You can recharge it for 1-minute to squeeze out a 3 minute trimming action. But mind you, the motor won’t torque at its fullest power and a coarse beard might experience some tugs or snugs.
Q: Can I use the trimmer while it’s charging?
Ans: No. Wahl prevents you from using the 9864 beard trimmer while it’s connected to power. Although it’s not a waterproof tool, the brand has restricted this mode of functionality to ensure safety for the consumer.
Q: What voltage is the charger compatible with?
Ans: Wahl 9864 comes home with a dual-voltage (110-240V) charging adapter. It means you can recharge it on any power outlet in any part of the world. That’s one of the reasons I have recommended this trimmer for travel grooming.
Verdict
So, from the Wahl 9864 review, we were able to unfold tons of facts and experiences of using this unique trimming device.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call it cheap, but it’s definitely less pricier than a lot of other top-tier beard trimmers that share similar capabilities.
This tool has been a lifesaver for me on numerous occasions, giving me faster beard trimming actions while ensuring neat, crisp results.
From precision trimming to every sort of stubble grooming, the 9864 has the abilities as well as functionalities to satisfy a very wide group of consumers!
| Score | |
| Beard Trimming | 4.9 |
| Hair Outlining | 4.8 |
| Accessories | 4.7 |
| Motor Power | 4.8 |
| Battery Life | 4.9 |
| Overall Comfort | 4.7 |
| Overall | 4.8 |
| Verdict
Wahl 9864 is a fancy-looking beard and mustache trimmer that’s capable of trimming on versatile hair types and patterns. Its large library of accessories and easy to carry design pose it as a must-have, cost efficient tool for home groomers and barbers alike. |
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