9 Best Hair Clippers in 2025: Tested by GQ Editors

There's no shame in the DIY hair-cutting game, and the best hair clippers will serve you well, whether you're trying to cut corners and save cash on those barbershop visits (parents, I see you!) or don’t need anything fancy beyond a half-inch DIY buzz cut. Heck, some of us simply get sick of having long hair and want to do the ceremonial mowing down at home. I’ve been there a few times and relish in those memories.

No matter how frequently you reach for them, the best hair clippers get the job done for you. But before I get into our picks, if you're looking for clipper inspiration, check out our at-home buzz cut guide, the best celebrity buzz cuts, as well as the imperative beard-to-hair ratio rules—so that you feel confident when it's time to take things into your own hand.

And now, here are the best hair clippers for DIY use, plus a couple of professional picks and some pro advice on what to look for when buying hair clippers.

The Best Hair Clippers for Men, at a Glance

• Best Clippers Overall: Wahl Color Pro Cordless Hair Clipper, $40 $35
• Best Professional Hair Clippers: BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ All-Metal Cordless Clipper, $230
• Best Zero-Gap Clipper: Bevel Pro Clippers, $308
• Most Versatile Hair Clippers: Panasonic Multishape, $120
• Best Hair + Beard Trimmer: Philips NorelcoMultigroom 9000 Series, $90
• Best Mid-Range Clipper: Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Professional, $140
• Best Men's Hair Trimmer for Lineups: Andis Slimline Pro Trimmer, $75 $61
• Best Men's Hair Clippers for Traveling: Wahl Peanut, $65
• Best for Bald Cuts + Fades: Wahl 5 Star Vapor, $200

The Best Hair Clippers Overall: Wahl Color Pro Cordless Hair Clipper

Why we love it: This tool makes things easy, gives the best DIY results, and costs much less than its competition. When it comes to at-home haircuts, I urge you to keep things simple. You do not need a lot of complexity from a device. If you're looking to do something wild—and I can't stress this enough—go to a barber. Otherwise, Wahl has got you. Its color-coded guard system helps you gauge how much you're taking off and what you'll wind up with.

The bare-guard clip has an adjustable lever to give you slight variance in your base, which also makes it easy to do some fancy tapering at the perimeter (I know my mother would have loved that back in the day while buzzing her three boys). Between its 1/16” light green clip and the light blue, one-inch clip, the device has a terrific range of length options, with especially sturdy guards that do not have any “give,” meaning you always get consistent results.

This newest model has a lithium-ion battery that holds for twice as long as the previous option (two hours versus one) and will keep its juice for nine months idly without draining. This trimmer is imperative to own for any parents who want to buzz their kids’ hair and save a fortune on frequent haircuts—especially since the kids can opt into so many different hair-cutting lengths and since it’s much easier to remember the length you used based on the color-coded system here. (“Dad always buzzes my hair on bright red,” for example.)

Best Professional Hair Clippers: BaBylissPRO MetalFX Cordless Clipper

Why we love it: I feel like I’m holding an Oscar whenever I handle my gold BaBylissPRO and a high-powered motorized Oscar, at that. I got switched on to its awesomeness from a barber friend of mine—JoAnn Noriega, who cuts at Headprint Studio in San Francisco. Since this is my pick for the best pro device, I’ll leave it to her professional opinion as to why: “This device has exceptional cutting performance, providing precise and effortless trims,” she says. “I can tackle any hair type or style, plus its long-lasting battery is a game changer in my busy day.”

I’m not the only one who likes that trophy-esque plating, either: “Its sleek gold finish adds a touch of luxury to my toolkit, providing me both quality and style,” says Noriega. “All of my clients comment on how they want to get cut with my gold clippers.”

The Best Zero-Gap Clippers: Bevel Pro Clippers

Why we love it: As much as we love the best Wahl hair trimmers, they don’t have much cool factor. On the other hand, the Bevel Pro clippers definitely pass the vibes test. (They nabbed a GQ Grooming Award in 2022.) These famous clippers have a sculptural, geometric body, an LED smart display, a sharp zero-gap blade, and an extra-powerful motor that’s strong enough for the barbershop. I’d even go so far as to call these clippers sexy. While they’re made specifically for textured hair, the zero-gap blade is also suitable for bald, coily, and short-haired guys. You can use it to trim your beard, too. Yes, it’s pricey, but there’s nothing else like it in the grooming world.

Normally, when you want to adjust a zero-gap clipper, you have to pop off the blade and manually adjust it with a tiny dial. Not so here—when you press one of the two buttons on the Bevel Pro, a second internal motor automatically opens/closes the graphite-coated stainless steel blade in 0.1mm increments. It’s so subtle you’ll have to look closely to see the difference, but every millimeter matters if you want clean lines and fades. With the included comb guards, you can trim hair from 0.0mm to 10mm. Not only are the guards sturdier than most, but they also pop on magnetically with a satisfying click. The Pro even comes with an extra-slim blade for touchups.

Best Hair Trimmer + Beard Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 Series

Why we love it: So, you want a trimmer and hair clipper, but you don’t want to drop $250 on a salon-quality tool. Enter the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000, which has been our pick for the best beard trimmer for three years running. This waterproof grooming tool has incredible muscle and endurance—more than enough to mow through thick patches of head hair. Its self-sharpening blades eliminate the need for blade oil. The Multigroom 9000 is one of the only multitasking beard trimmer and hair clipper devices I’ll recommend, and it’s the right choice if you only occasionally need to touch up your hair at home. The same goes for guys who trim their beard more often than their dome.

The Best Mid-Range Hair Trimmer: Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip

Why we love it: You’ll notice this guide to the best hair trimmers for men is dominated by a single brand: Wahl. Hair trimming is very much Wahl’s turf, and they make the best hair clippers for barbers and home touch-ups alike. And according to Wahl, this is the best-selling professional hair clipper in the world (and we believe them). The Magic Clip is part of Wahl’s 5 Star professional line of products for barbers, and I love the retro-tech vibes. I also love the powerful pro-level motor, which provides even trimming so you don’t have to do multiple passes on every patch of hair.

The ubiquitous Wahl Color Pro trimmer I praised earlier is a smart choice for your first clipper (it was mine). But when you’re ready for something a bit more powerful, skip right past Wahl’s $50-$100 trimmers and pick up this tool instead. I’ve tried most of Wahl’s clippers made for home use, but the Color Pro is the only one I can really recommend. Sure, the Magic Clip is moderately pricey, but with an under-$200 price tag, it’s more affordable than other pro options from brands like Bevel. The Magic Clip comes with sturdy titanium-coated high-carbon steel blades, plus all the standard comb guards you’d find at your local barbershop.

Best Hair Clipper + Head Shaver: Panasonic Multishape

Why we love it: Back in 2021, GQ called this versatile device a God-tier groomer, and it’s only gotten better since then. The MultiShape comes with a cordless handle and swappable wet/dry heads and accessories, and you can use it as a beard trimmer, electric shaver, body groomer, hair clipper, electric toothbrush, nose hair trimmer, and facial brush. You can buy some limited sets at Amazon, but I recommend going to Panasonic and customizing your MultiShape to get all the attachments you need.

The motor isn’t as powerful as professional trimmers from Wahl, BaByBlissPRO, or Bevel, but nothing comes close to matching the versatility. (There’s a reason it’s landed in our guides to the best beard trimmers, electric razors, and now hair clippers.) Plus, while most trimmers max out at 0.8” to 1” cutting lengths, the MultiShape goes all the way up to about 1.2”, making it the best hair clipper for long hair. Still, I think short-haired guys will love it, too.

This multitasking device can mow down everything to a stubble (if you so please), and then allows you to swap on that wide-set foil shaver, to take things down to a smooth finish. One device for buzz cuts, long hair, and bald guys—perfection.

Best Men's Hair Trimmer for Lineups: Andis Slimline Pro Trimmer

Andis

Slimline Pro Trimmer

$75 $60

Amazon

Why we love it: This is technically a trimmer, not a clipper, but it belongs on this roundup because of its superb ability to draw clean lines everywhere. It’s a barber favorite for those line ups, neckline cleanups, and its natural ability to trim at zero-gap length with minimal skin risk compared to other zero-gapping devices. If you regularly line yourself up at home, or if you want to draw clean cheek lines, necklines, sideburns, and beyond—then absolutely invest in the Andis’ Slimline Pro.

Best Men's Hair Clippers for Traveling: Wahl Peanut

Why we love it: While I’m the proud owner of a regular corded Wahl Peanut, I need to also call out the newly updated cordless option, the Peanut Li. Normally, a product loses motor power when it goes cordless, but the new version actually has a stronger 7,000rpm motor. Either of these devices are perfect for traveling, given how petite the Peanut is (just 4 inches!). And I’d argue that the corded option (mine pictured here) is even better for the guy who forgets to charge up his devices since it’ll always have power. As much as I love going cordless, the regular Peanut has earned a cult following as a pro-level clipper for home use, it’s pretty cute too.

Best for Bald Cuts + Fades: Wahl 5 Star Vapor Clipper

Why we love it: Wahls been on a tear lately, releasing the cordless Peanut Li and the 5 Star Vapor. If you’re looking for a true zero-gap trimmer with the most powerful-possible motor, then this is the device you want. It’s so powerful my partner complained about the racket it made, and the 8,000rpm motor slices through even the thickest hair. Wahl calls this the first “adjustable balding blade,” and it was made for barbers working on bald cuts and fades. It has extra-sharp blades, a comfy ergonomic feel in your hand, and makes it easy to blend bald fades (at least, for professionals—YMMV). The blade looks razor sharp, and for bald cuts, it includes dozens of fine ball-pointed teeth to reduce nicks and snags as it moves across your skin. In short, it’s another true barber-quality clipper from Wahl you can also use at home.

More Hair Clippers We Love

Is this a bit of a splurge? Definitely—but if you're looking for barbershop quality in a compact, cordless package, this is a good option. Its four-hour rechargeable battery means you won't have to worry about it dying mid-cut, and the sleek design looks great on a shelf.\n","productBrand":"Bevel","dangerousHed":"Professional Hair Clippers & Beard Trimmer","embedSize":null,"isFirstProduct":false,"isSponsored":false,"offerRetailer":"Amazon","offerUrl":"https://www.amazon.com/Bevel-Professional-Clippers-Supplies-Rechargeable/dp/B09TVC6PH8/","contentType":"product","productId":"67fe917efb325e50bd43cceb","productOfferVariation":"PriceOutsideCenter","showOfferUrl":false,"showPriceOnButton":true,"showAffiliateDisclaimerOnFirstProduct":false,"dangerousCredit":null,"showLocalisedOffers":true,"isUpcEnabled":true,"showClampedProductDescription":true,"productDescriptionLineLength":3,"hasReadMoreFeature":true,"index":9,"hasAffiliateLinkDisabled":false,"isMobileView":false,"hasMultipleImageSupport":true,"showImageCreditText":true,"showMultipleImageCount":4,"hasProsConsFeature":false,"hasRatingFeature":false,"pros":[],"cons":[],"rating":"","isPrimeExclusive":false,"shouldUseAmazonPrimeDayLiveAPIData":true,"id":"67fe917efb325e50bd43cceb","brand":{"name":"Bevel"},"offers":[{"offerUrl":"https://www.amazon.com/Bevel-Professional-Clippers-Supplies-Rechargeable/dp/B09TVC6PH8/","price":"$308","currency":"USD","purchaseUri":"https://cna.st/p/6AeCGcpfTzQfzfmrJ7Ariz2vMj8Ex1Wc95NWXCADfVRUoV5BY9DkCra6vFFWJMJyDyptxBht7hqBqoSMrM9PJUsF5bRhEqLwyKFPeKnJaTorCdjkYXL1o97Ab6XNL6rmEKp11uzRxGgZdLSUi1C26zyh4u3VKELf2QXcnRXCKQk8vBxDvQp5bSGfXdsKbTvTjg2LLgJVvwELRP3KawVpXJGxQ5CiuzFocr7FG4HxJyH7khgK8dstKXAc3mL5HpfEVFDDbc361rGhR7un8Bm6uUf7RxSWdJdn4tqT3rn1J43EcE","sellerName":"Amazon","countryCode":"US","reducedPrice":""}],"component":"unified_product_card","hasMultipleImage":false,"componentType":true,"showProsConsData":false,"showBadge":false,"cneIds":[]}">

Bevel

Professional Hair Clippers & Beard Trimmer

$308

Amazon

Is this a bit of a splurge? Definitely—but if you're looking for barbershop quality in a compact, cordless package, this is a good option. Its four-hour rechargeable battery means you won't have to worry about it dying mid-cut, and the sleek design looks great on a shelf.

BaBylissPRO

FXONE LO-PROFX High Performance Clipper

$210

Amazon

With a powerful brushless motor and a built-in oil reservoir for constant lubrication, the FXONE LO-PROFX Hair Clipper is a great choice for barbers and DIY buzz-cutters alike. It comes with eight comb attachments and sports a two-year limited warranty, to boot.

Andis

01815 Professional Master Adjustable Blade Hair Trimmer

$120 $110

Amazon

Designed for “years of heavy use by barbers and stylists,” the Andis Master boasts adjustable, extra-sharp, carbon-steel blades along with a sleek, “indestructible” (their words) aluminum casing. Included is a blade guard and blade oil.

This uber-affordable tool is ideal if you're looking for a no-frills clipper that can double as a beard trimmer in a pinch. It's easy to clean, it's powerful, and it comes with a beard brush and styling comb—a nice touch.\n","productBrand":"Remington","dangerousHed":"HC5855 Virtually Indestructible Haircut Kit & Beard Trimmer","embedSize":null,"isFirstProduct":false,"isSponsored":false,"offerRetailer":"Amazon","offerUrl":"https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Virtually-Indestructible-Haircut-Clippers/dp/B01AWM98IA/","contentType":"product","productId":"67fe91849846c3fc44ed7f99","productOfferVariation":"PriceOutsideCenter","showOfferUrl":false,"showPriceOnButton":true,"showAffiliateDisclaimerOnFirstProduct":false,"dangerousCredit":null,"showLocalisedOffers":true,"isUpcEnabled":true,"showClampedProductDescription":true,"productDescriptionLineLength":3,"hasReadMoreFeature":true,"index":12,"hasAffiliateLinkDisabled":false,"isMobileView":false,"hasMultipleImageSupport":true,"showImageCreditText":true,"showMultipleImageCount":4,"hasProsConsFeature":false,"hasRatingFeature":false,"pros":[],"cons":[],"rating":"","isPrimeExclusive":false,"shouldUseAmazonPrimeDayLiveAPIData":true,"id":"67fe91849846c3fc44ed7f99","brand":{"name":"Remington"},"offers":[{"offerUrl":"https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Virtually-Indestructible-Haircut-Clippers/dp/B01AWM98IA/","price":"$39","currency":"USD","purchaseUri":"https://cna.st/p/2jeUyzVq98BcF5rS8Jt2d5XGUR8HAFm9mZubkfCKq625xxiiXzzzjryxW1xxcq1VhA1EDrZkk462zu2N7Xjxvw3zwpM8NpK5PRM6fhftetgGkQ6WudHTRNmXP7aVJJVu62A6dah51i9JA1tWvKZKXKW5ywuxa6Uyb2gZZNVv8siigST3QakUtzYUxPnjzPdd4QTyKWwZpsVh7QpBtGztrhqUaPsahGgABd4WkDHRftadsMEtkiRYWMUekUyoxD8f9qXMPaeS9uedheAfBMaRX4azMD5o71E2PWXxXgS5yFaFLXt2i","sellerName":"Amazon","countryCode":"US","reducedPrice":""}],"component":"unified_product_card","hasMultipleImage":false,"componentType":true,"showProsConsData":false,"showBadge":false,"cneIds":[]}">

Remington

HC5855 Virtually Indestructible Haircut Kit & Beard Trimmer

$39

Amazon

This uber-affordable tool is ideal if you're looking for a no-frills clipper that can double as a beard trimmer in a pinch. It's easy to clean, it's powerful, and it comes with a beard brush and styling comb—a nice touch.

What you need from men’s hair clippers at home is much different from what barbers need in professional hair clippers. So I think the best place to start is to differentiate between the qualities that are important for the DIY hair cutter, as opposed to the barber clippers. For that advice, I got an assist from barber and STMNT Grooming Goods ambassador Jovan Figueroa. Here is his very excellent two cents on the most important qualities in a DIY hair cutter.

• Power: “Power is by far the most important, in my opinion, because the higher the power, the more it will cut through any type of hair,” Figueroa says. While pros typically opt for clippers with 10,000 or higher RPM (revolutions per minute), most average users only need something with 6,000 RPM. Opting for something with higher RPM ensures that you're using something that's powerful enough to take on your hair as opposed to a beard trimmer, which tends to have lower RPM since facial hair is uniformly less dense.
• Sturdy Guards: “This is something that cannot be overlooked as cheap guards can and will produce cheap results,” says Figueroa. If they bend and warp as you move the product over your hair, then you’ll have an uneven buzz at the end. “Most professional clippers will come with regular guards, but I would highly recommend purchasing premium guards,” he adds.
• Cordlessness: This isn’t a must, but there’s a reason all but a couple of our picks above are cordless. “It's a plus to be able to move freely without any restrictions, getting tangled in cords, or having to adjust based on where my outlets are,” Figueroa says.
• Battery Life: If you have a cordless device, then battery life is also important. (Personally, I think it’s easy to charge up the device after every one to three uses since this isn’t likely something you’re using more than once a week.) Most professional-grade cordless clippers will also run while plugged in.
• Vast Range of Trimming Lengths: “This is optimal because you’ll have a variety of lengths to work with for any situation,” says Figueroa. And while it might feel silly to need more than four or five different cutting lengths—there’s always a chance you’ll want to customize something just so and need that random clipper guard that otherwise sits still forever. Better yet, find a device that has an angled clipper guard for sideburn clipping and fading, like our top pick on this list.

• Zero Gap: Zero gapping is what the pros use to get you the tightest skin fade of your life. It involves realigning the blades so that the teeth have no real buffer between you and the skin. “Most users can generally ignore the zero-gap adjustable’ feature,” says Figueroa. “However, if you notice that you’re not getting as close of a shave or line-up, you should look into clippers that have a zero-gap option [like the BabylissPRO clippers or the Andis Slimline Pro trimmer on this list]). These give you the ability to adjust the blades closer and cut closer to the skin.”
• Warranty: “This might be low on the list, but should not be overlooked because most clippers are unfortunately not created equal,” Figueroa says. “I always recommend going for higher-end clippers, so naturally, these tools would be an investment, so it’s great to take note of the warranty.” Still, the warranty will only protect you from factory issues, as opposed to dropping and breaking the device yourself (not covered by the brand—perhaps that type of coverage is covered by the retailer for a few months, though).
• Waterproof/Water-resistant: “This is not really something I think about or recommend for clippers or trimmers because we should really be using these tools on dry hair,” Figueroa says.
• Multifunctionality: While it makes sense that some guys want a singular device to mow through their head hair, beard hair, body hair, and beyond, it’s not necessarily something to prioritize, says Figueroa. “In my professional opinion, using a beard trimmer as a hair clipper is like using body wash as shampoo. Can you do it? Sure. But is it recommended and optimal? No.” That said, we have a couple of products on our list that are beard trimmer-forward but offer decent results as hair clippers—for the guys who might only need to reach for them once in a blue moon, as opposed to investing in a dedicated hair clipper.

After more than a decade on the men’s grooming beat, I’ve spoken with dozens of barbers, stylists, and professional groomers about their go-to hair clippers and have tested countless products myself. Long before I started this venture in grooming journalism, I was the frugal shopper who wanted a device that allowed for consistent, easy buzzcuts. Would it shock you that, no matter how many devices I test, my favorite always remains the Wahl Color Pro? (My own mother used it on my brothers and me as a kid.) I remain open-minded to any device that comes along to dethrone it, but for now—in terms of what at-home consumers need from the best hair clippers—I compare everything against that intuitive, durable device.

Jovan Figueroa is a barber and hair stylist and serves as a brand ambassador for STMNT Grooming Goods.

JoAnn Noriega is a San Francisco-based barber at Headprint Studio.