The best hair clippers
Haircuts at home, sorted: for the man who keeps it short, dads doing the kids' cuts, and anyone tired of the barber's queue.
A decent pair of clippers pays for itself within a few months if you keep your hair short. The difference between a good set and a frustrating one comes down to power, sharp blades and combs that click on firmly, so the grade you chose is the grade you get.
All but one of our picks also run on the mains, so a flat battery never stops a haircut halfway; the VGRPRO makes up for it with a four-hour battery. If you're cutting several heads in one go, look at run time. If it's just yours, a quick charge matters more.
What matters
- Corded and cordless: a mains lead means a flat battery never stops a cut.
- Run time and charge time: some charge in an hour, some overnight.
- Combs: more lengths, clipped on firmly, give smoother fades.
- Easy cleaning: washable heads and removable blades make the tidy-up quick.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Philips Series 5000 Hair Clipper HC5630/13
£59.99 RRP
Twenty-eight lengths click in with a turn of the zoom wheel, in 1mm steps from 3mm to 28mm, so blending short sides into a longer top is easy to get right. It charges in an hour for 90 minutes of cutting, or runs on the lead.
What owners say: Owners find it cuts cleanly through thick and fine hair alike, like the choice of lengths and the comfortable grip, and get about three haircuts from a charge.
A closer look: Rinse the head under the tap after each cut, as it's fully washable, and let it dry before charging. The Turbo button speeds the motor up for thick or long hair, and taking the comb off gives a close 0.5mm trim for necklines and stubble. Philips offers up to a five-year guarantee on it.
- 28 lengths, 0.5–28mm
- 90 min cordless, 1-hour charge
- Corded or cordless
- Fully washable
- Self-sharpening blades
Best for: Precise fades at home
- Power
- Mains or cordless
- Cordless run time
- 90 min
- Charge time
- 1 hour
- Cutting lengths
- 28 settings, 0.5–28mm
- In the box
- 3 combs, pouch, cleaning brush
#2 of 5
Best premium
BaByliss Super Clipper XTP 7475DU
£90.00 RRP
A barber-grade clipper with Japanese steel blades that glide through thick, long hair without snagging. It runs 85 minutes on a two-hour charge, and a 30-minute top-up gives another half hour if it's flat before a cut.
What owners say: Owners say it's quiet and razor-sharp, gives professional-looking results and charges quickly, and many are still using it happily a couple of years on.
A closer look: The left and right ear taper guides make a clean line round the ears, the fiddliest part of a home cut. Brush the hair out of the blades and add a drop of the oil after use to keep it cutting smoothly. The five-year guarantee makes the price easier to justify.
- Japanese steel blades
- 85 min cordless, 2-hour charge
- 30-min quick charge
- Grades 1–8 plus ear tapers
- Hard storage case
Best for: Thick hair and regular cuts
- Power
- Mains or cordless
- Cordless run time
- 85 min
- Charge time
- 2 hours (30-min quick charge)
- Cutting lengths
- Grades 1–8 (3–25mm)
- In the box
- 10 comb guides, hard case, oil, brush
#3 of 5
Best for fades
VGRPRO Cordless Hair Clipper and Trimmer Set
£30–£50 Price range
A full barbering kit in one case: the clipper, a separate T-blade trimmer for edges and beards, 14 guide combs and a barber cape. The fade lever and a special fade comb make blending the sides much easier for beginners.
What owners say: Owners say it cuts brilliantly, arrives charged and ready to go, and feels solid for the money, with plenty of useful extras.
A closer look: The LED display shows how much battery is left and reminds you when the blades need oiling. There's a quieter 70dB mode for children who don't like the buzz, handy if the whole family queues for a trim. No plug is included, but any USB phone charger will do.
- Clipper and T-blade trimmer
- Up to 240 min battery
- USB-C charging
- Fade lever and fade comb
- Cape and storage case
Best for: Fades, beards and edges
- Power
- Cordless, USB-C charging
- Cordless run time
- Up to 240 min
- Charge time
- 4 hours
- Cutting lengths
- 9 combs (1.5–22mm), fade lever
- In the box
- T-blade trimmer, 14 combs, cape, case
#4 of 5
Easiest on yourself
Remington QuickCut Hair Clipper HC4250
£44.99 RRP
The curved blade follows the shape of your head, which is what makes it easier than most to use on yourself, round the back and sides included. It sits comfortably in one hand, and nine fixed combs cover 1.5mm to 15mm.
What owners say: Owners like how the curved blade follows the head for an even cut, find it comfortable to hold, and get through a haircut in a few minutes.
Heads up: It's made for short styles: the longest comb is 15mm, so for more than about half an inch on top you'll want scissors as well.
A closer look: Let the comb cut its way through rather than pushing it quickly, which Remington says gives the most even finish. If it's been left flat, a ten-minute quick charge gives enough power for a quick tidy-up.
- Curved CurveCut blade
- 9 combs, 1.5–15mm
- 40 min cordless
- 10-min quick charge
- Fully washable
Best for: Cutting your own hair
- Power
- Mains or cordless
- Cordless run time
- 40 min
- Charge time
- 4 hours (10-min quick charge)
- Cutting lengths
- 9 combs, 1.5–15mm
- In the box
- 9 combs, travel pouch, cleaning brush
#5 of 5
Best budget
Wahl Cord/Cordless Rechargeable Hair Clipper
£21.99 RRP
Everything for family haircuts comes in the box: 11 attachment combs, a barber comb and scissors. Wahl has made clippers since Leo J. Wahl patented an electromagnetic hair clipper in 1919, and it's still based in Sterling, Illinois.
What owners say: Owners like the huge choice of combs and the light, easy-to-handle clipper, and say it's very good value for home haircuts.
Heads up: A full charge takes 12 hours, so charge it overnight before the first cut, or just plug it in and cut on the mains.
A closer look: Take the blades off and rinse them after a cut, then brush and oil them regularly to keep them sharp and lined up, as Wahl recommends. The two ear taper combs help with a tidy finish round the ears.
- 11 attachment combs
- 60 min cordless
- Runs on the mains too
- Rinseable, detachable blades
- Scissors and barber comb
Best for: Family haircuts on a budget
- Power
- Mains or cordless
- Cordless run time
- 60 min
- Charge time
- 12 hours
- Cutting lengths
- 11 combs, up to 25mm
- In the box
- 11 combs, scissors, barber comb, oil, brush
How they compare
| Feature | #1Philips Series 5000 | #2BaByliss XTP | #3VGRPRO kit | #4Remington QuickCut | #5Wahl Cord/Cordless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best for fades | Easiest on yourself | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Price | £59.99 RRP | £90.00 RRP | £30–£50 Price range | £44.99 RRP | £21.99 RRP |
| Power | Mains or cordless | Mains or cordless | Cordless, USB-C charging | Mains or cordless | Mains or cordless |
| Cordless run time | 90 min | 85 min | Up to 240 min | 40 min | 60 min |
| Charge time | 1 hour | 2 hours (30-min quick charge) | 4 hours | 4 hours (10-min quick charge) | 12 hours |
| Cutting lengths | 28 settings, 0.5–28mm | Grades 1–8 (3–25mm) | 9 combs (1.5–22mm), fade lever | 9 combs, 1.5–15mm | 11 combs, up to 25mm |
| In the box | 3 combs, pouch, cleaning brush | 10 comb guides, hard case, oil, brush | T-blade trimmer, 14 combs, cape, case | 9 combs, travel pouch, cleaning brush | 11 combs, scissors, barber comb, oil, brush |
| Best for | Precise fades at home | Thick hair and regular cuts | Fades, beards and edges | Cutting your own hair | Family haircuts on a budget |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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