Dog clippers are an essential tool if you want to groom your pet at home. Unfortunately, not all clippers are up to the job!
It’s vital to use clippers that are durable, efficient, and not too noisy. They must also be suitable for the dog breed (or breeds) you’ll be grooming. So, to help you make the right choice, we’ve put together a list of the best dog clippers on the market.
Our favorite clippers are the Andis UltraEdge 23275. This two-speed model provides excellent performance on a variety of coat types, while also being quiet and easy to use.
Our Top Recommendations
- Best Clippers: Andis UltraEdge AGC 2-Speed 23275
- Runner-Up Pick: Andis ProClip 2-Speed 22340
- Best Cordless Clippers: Wahl Professional Animal Arco Cordless
- Best Dog Trimmer: Ruri’s Cordless Pet Trimmer
- Best Budget Clippers: Wahl Deluxe Pro Series
Contents
5 Best Dog Clippers for Home Use
Listed below are our top picks for dog clippers. We’ve included a lower-budget option, but most of these clippers are professional-standard to ensure your dog gets a safe and efficient cut.
Our top pick for a dog clipper is the Andis UltraEdge AGC 23275. It’s a two-speed model with settings for 3400 and 4400 SPM. It also comes with a detachable blade for easy changing, a 14’ heavy-duty cord, and a locking switch to avoid accidentally turning it off.
To kick things off, the 23275 is a powerful clipper. The highest setting boasts an impressive 4400 SPM, which we found is great for tackling large areas and cutting thick hair. There’s also a 3400 option for precision grooming or for dogs that need a quieter mode.
As you would expect from a professional clipper, the Andis can handle any type of fur and coat. You might need to invest in additional blades or a kit, such as the #7FC if you want to shave your dog, but the motor itself can handle any breed (including everything from German Shepherds to Poodles to Shih Tzus).
It’s also compatible with all CeramicEdge, UltraEdge and ShowEdge blades – and even works with Oster’s A-5 blades. If you combine it with the included #10 blade, it’s great at getting rid of matted fur.
One of our favorite features of the Andis 23275 is how quiet it is when in operation. It’s not silent, but we found it to be quieter than you would expect from a clipper with such a powerful motor. This makes it suitable for dogs that are wary of loud noises.
There are a few downsides to this model though. It’s heavier than the SMC range produced by Andis, which is something to keep in mind if you want to use it for extended grooming sessions (read our Andis dog clippers page for more information).
The 23275 is designed to keep cool even during prolonged operation. Instead of vents and fans, which can become clogged, the Andis has a “smart” design so it doesn’t get too hot. This is despite the powerful motor that can quickly cut thick hair, including coats such as those found on poodles or spaniels.
Even with this design, we found that the blade gets hot when in operation though. This is unavoidable with powerful clippers, but means you’ll need to have some cold water or cooling spray on hand to occasionally cool the blade. Fortunately, the detachable blade design makes this quick and easy.
Despite these minor drawbacks, we think the Andis 23275 is an excellent choice for grooming almost any breed. It’s powerful, easy to use, and relatively quiet when in use. If you want a professional-standard animal clipper for shaving or grooming almost any dog, it’s a great option.
Note: A bonus is that this model is available in several colors. These include blue, burgundy, green, orange, pink and purple.
The Andis 23275 is our top pick for a pro clipper. This is a powerful model that’s comfortable to use and relatively quiet. It’s not perfect – the blade still gets hot despite the smart design – but is great for almost any coat.
- Type: Corded
- Speeds: 3400 SPM & 4400 SPM
- Price Range: $$$$
- Powerful motor that’s suitable for any coat
- Relatively quiet
- Two speed settings
- Blade gets hot during extended grooming
- Pricey
The Andis 22340 has many of the same features as the 23275. These include the corded design, cool-running casing, and a 2-speed rotary motor.
There are a few differences though. The biggest is that the 22340 has modes for 2700 and 3400 strokes per minute. These are less powerful than the 23275, so the clipper might not cut thick hair as smoothly (although we still think it does a great job).
With that said, the Andis 22340 is cheaper than its more powerful cousin, and still makes quick work of most coats. It also has several useful features, such as break-resistant casing, relatively quiet operation, and a detachable blade.
There’s also an advantage to a lower-powered motor: reduced heat generation. The 22340 will still get hot, but we found you often won’t need to cool it as quickly. Still, you’ll need cooling spray or a replacement blade if you want to groom continuously without waiting for the blade to cool though.
We also found that the 22340 is quieter than models like the Oster A5. This is mainly because it’s less powerful, but it could make it a better choice if your dog gets scared of noisy clippers.
Overall, we think the Andis 22340 is an excellent choice if you like the quiet operation of the Andis AGC range but don’t want to pay extra for the 23275. It’s less powerful, but makes up for this with a sturdy design and quiet operation.
If the 23275 is too expensive but you want an Andis clipper, the 22340 is our second recommendation. It’s a reasonably quiet model and is highly durable, so it’ll last a long time.
- Type: Corded
- Speeds: 2700 SPM & 3400 SPM
- Price Range: $$$
- Cheaper than the Andis 23275
- Two speed settings
- Strong performance despite the weaker motor
- Less powerful than the other Andis on this list
If you like the idea of a cordless dog clipper for improved mobility, then the Wahl Professional Animal Arco is our top recommendation.
This is a lightweight model that’s easy to use. It comes with five trimming lengths (#9, 10, 15, 30, 40), making it a versatile clipper that’s suitable for trimming delicate areas. We also like that it comes with four guide combs.
One of the best features of the Arco is how easy it is to maneuver around your dog. If your pet is nervous about cords, or you often struggle to cut awkward areas, then we’ve found this Wahl cordless is a great choice.
The Wahl also comes with two NiMH batteries that can last up to 80 minutes each. As each battery has a recharge time of 75 minutes, this means you can effectively have unlimited run-time by swapping the battery.
Most importantly, despite being a cordless clipper, we found it can smoothly cut through light or medium coats. It’s probably not the most effective choice for dogs with thick fur or heavily matted coats though – we recommend taking your pet to a professional groomer in this situation. It also only has one speed, which is another reason why we don’t recommend it for thick coats.
The Wahl Arco is our top pick for a cordless dog clipper. It has two batteries that effectively provide unlimited run-time, which eliminates one of the downsides of cordless clippers. It’s also great for cutting medium coats and has five trimming lengths.
- Type: Cordless
- Speeds: Single Speed
- Price Range: $$$
- Two batteries each with 80 minute run-time
- Five trimming lengths
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Only one speed setting
- Expensive
- Not the best choice for thick coats
For quickly trimming your dog’s ears, eyes, and paw hair, we think the Ruri’s Cordless Pet Trimmer is a great tool to have in the house. The combination of a narrow head, stainless steel blade, and ergonomic design meant that we found it to be a great option for delicate areas.
The Ruri is a basic trimmer that’s powered by an AA battery, but we found it to be perfect for tidying up your dog’s coat between full grooming sessions. It’s comfortable to hold and very easy to use – plus we were surprised by how effective it is considering the low price.
Of course, this trimmer isn’t designed for cutting thick hair or large areas. It also has a noticeable vibration when in use, which is something to keep in mind if your dog is nervous. However, for trimming delicate and awkward areas on your dog’s coat, we think it’s an excellent choice.
The Ruri’s Cordless Electric Pet Trimmer is a brilliant trimmer that’s available for an affordable price. It’s our top recommendation if you need a small, convenient trimmer for maintaining delicate areas between full grooming sessions.
- Type: Cordless (AA Battery)
- Speeds: Single Speed
- Price Range: $
- Convenient trimmer for delicate areas
- Quiet and comfortable to hold
- Great value for money
- Noticeable vibration
- Doesn’t come with the required AA battery
When it comes to a full kit for grooming your dog at home, it’s hard to beat the value of the Wahl Deluxe Pro Series. This kit comes with everything you need for home grooming, including self-sharpening blades, adjustable cutting length, and four guide combs giving a length range of 0.8-13mm.
The Wahl is a cordless model with a maximum run-time of 120 minutes. Unlike the pricier Wahl Arco, there’s only a single battery, so once you’ve run out you’ll need to wait for it to recharge.
We like that Wahl has included a 10-minute “quick charge” function for a fast trim, but to fully recharge it takes up to 5 hours. That’s a long time to wait if you’re half-way through a grooming session! On the plus side, we found the Wahl to be comfortable to hold, and it doesn’t get too hot during use.
Despite the great value for money these clippers provide, we don’t recommend the Wahl Deluxe Pro for dogs with thick fur. We found that it’s great for cutting through light hair, but the motor isn’t strong enough for the toughest coats. It also only has one speed setting, which makes it less versatile.
If you only need clippers for an occasional grooming session – and your dog has a light coat – then the Wahl Deluxe Pro Series Kit is a great choice. It has everything you need to groom your dog, although it’s not powerful enough for thick coats.
- Type: Cordless
- Speeds: Single Speed
- Price Range: $$
- Great value for money
- Effective for cutting thin hair
- Easy to use and comfortable to hold
- Only a single speed
- Not powerful enough for thick coats
How We Chose Our Favorite Clippers
With hundreds of clippers on the market, we needed to narrow down our options to the top models. We looked for the following features during this process:
- Versatility and power. Are the clippers powerful enough to groom a variety of coat types? This might not be important if you’re only going to be occasionally grooming a small poodle, but is essential for grooming multiple dogs or breeds with thick fur.
- Durability and longevity. As dog owners, we’ve had bad experiences with weak or poorly made clippers in the past. That’s why we prioritized clippers that had been around for a long time, showing that they are durable and built to last.
- Comfortable to hold. Grooming isn’t always quick, so it’s important that clippers are comfortable and ergonomic. We also looked for clippers that were quiet (which helps anxious dogs) and don’t get too hot.
- Value for money. Not everyone needs professional-standard clippers. For thin coats or occasional grooming, a cheaper option may be perfectly adequate. That’s why we’ve selected clippers in a range of price brackets.
How to Choose Dog Grooming Clippers
Now that you’ve seen our top picks, it’s important to point out that there’s a huge difference in quality between the best and worst dog clippers.
Avoid cheap clippers from unknown brands – even if the low price is tempting. These models are likely to be flimsy, will struggle to cut hair, and quickly overheat.
What makes great clippers for your pup though? The key is to choose the right clippers for your dog’s temperament, breed, and coat type. Here’s a quick overview of the factors to consider.
Type
There are several different types of dog clipper on the market. The right option depends on the type of grooming you want to perform.
- Dog Trimmers (great for small dogs with fine fur, trimming delicate areas, or coat tidying between visiting a groomer). Trimmers are lightweight and quiet models. They are typically cordless and are designed for tidying up your dog’s coat between full grooming sessions. Some of the best timmers can even perform a full body clip on a smaller breed, but only if they have easy-to-cut coats.
- Medium Duty A5 Dog Clippers (the most popular option for full-body clipping). Medium duty clippers can use a variety of comb guides and blades, making them suitable for a range of coats. While there are different types of clippers, A5 clippers are used by most groomers. These have snap-on A5 blades that can be sharpened for long-term use.
- D-style Clippers (a versatile choice for home grooming). D-style clippers aren’t as common as other types, but are combine the lightweight design of trimmers with the versatility of an A5. They typically aren’t as powerful or durable as A5 clippers though.
For grooming multiple dogs, a big breed, or a dog with big fur, we recommend A5 clippers. These are versatile clippers that provide excellent value for money.
However, if you just want to keep your dog’s fur tidy between trips to the groomer, then a trimmer could be a cheaper alternative. And if you have a small dog that only needs an occasional groom, then a D-style clipper is an option to consider.
Motor Power and Speed (SPM)
The primary function of clippers is to cut pet hair quickly and efficiently. The more powerful a motor is, the higher the strokes-per-minute and the smoother the machine can cut a dog’s thick coat.
Unfortunately, higher powers also mean more noise, vibrations and heat, so you need to balance cutting efficiency with these other factors.
For most people, we recommend variable-speed clippers – particularly if you have a big dog or a pet with thick fur. These clippers allow you to reduce or increase the SPM, depending on the amount of noise and vibrations the dog is comfortable with. Lower speeds are also useful for precision work, while large areas or thick fur can be cut at higher SPMs.
On the other hand, single-speed clippers can be good enough for smaller dogs with fine hair. They are often cheaper, making them a frugal choice for single-dog households.
Noise, Heat and Vibrations
All electric clippers are powered by a small internal motor. As with any motor, this generates heat and vibrations. The more powerful the motor, the more heat is generated, which can be uncomfortable for a dog. The longer clippers are running, the hotter they are likely to get.
The clipper’s motor can be relatively noisy. Some dogs don’t mind this, but others get scared by the noise which can make grooming difficult. If you have a nervous dog, look for a quiet option.
Ergonomic Design and Weight
Several factors affect how easy clippers are to use. These include the length of the cord, grip comfort, and weight of the machine.
A lightweight design is particularly important if you have a bigger breed or are going to groom multiple dogs. Lighter clippers are also more convenient for grooming delicate areas. Lightweight options can sometimes be less durable though, so you often need to balance longevity against weight.
The ease of switching blades is also something to consider, although this is more important for professional groomers who need to switch blades regularly.
Corded or Cordless
There are pros and cons to both types of clippers, so this really comes down to personal preference.
Cordless clippers make it easier to cut awkward areas of hair. The lack of a cord also makes it easier to move around your dog without causing them to move, especially if they are an anxious dog. There are a few downsides though, including limited battery life and reduced cutting speed.
Corded clippers have unlimited run-time and often have a more powerful motor. So, if you’re going to cut thick coats or multiple dogs, we recommend choosing a corded model.
Tip: If you decide to buy cordless dog clippers, make sure you check the battery life and recharging time. The latter is often overlooked!
Blade Material
The clipper blades you use make a huge difference to the quality of cut, so it’s important to choose the right type.
There are a variety of different blade materials, so it’s important to choose clippers that come with durable blades. Stainless steel blades are durable and affordable, making them a great choice for home grooming.
However, ceramic blades are the best option if you can afford them, as they conduct up to 75% less heat. They probably aren’t required if you only need dog clippers for quick touch-ups though.
Included Attachment Combs
Some clippers come with several attachment combs for different length hair. These can be useful for different areas of the body, although for home use you’ll probably only use a few comb lengths.
Other models don’t include an attachment comb clipper kit, so you’ll need to buy them separately. If you need to buy separate attachment combs, make sure you check which brands are compatible with your dog clippers.
Other Considerations When Choosing Dog Clippers
- Durability. A high-quality clipper set can cost a lot. You certainly don’t want to be replacing it after a few months. The best models have a strong casing and reliable motor, so they should last a long time.
- Brand. There are three heavyweight brands of the dog clipper world: Andis, Wahl, and Oster. Every groomer has their “favorite,” so you’ll often hear passionate arguments over which is better. The reality is they all produce fantastic clippers, so the right choice depends on your requirements. It’s best to avoid other brands that don’t have a proven track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dog clippers are designed specifically for canines, so you should only use these on your dog and not human hair clippers. Dog clippers tend to have lower vibrations, heat output, and noise output, making them safer and more comfortable for our canine companions.
The blades of dog clippers need to be regularly oiled and sharpened. This ensures that they cut hair through effectively, rather than pull it (which can be painful!) It’s also important to clean and oil the blades after each use (follow the manufacturer’s instructions for this.)
While there are many brands that produce dog clippers, most professionals would agree that Andis, Oster and Wahl three of the best options. All of these companies produce high-quality clippers and have many years of experience.
Clippers need strong motors that rotate thousands of times each minute. Over time, this causes the motor, blade, and clippers to heat up. There’s no way to avoid clippers getting hot, so you should be careful to avoid burning your dog’s skin. Shorter grooming sessions, ceramic blades, and high-quality clippers that dissipate heat more effectively can reduce the problem.
Yes, oils are important for maintaining the efficiency of your clippers. Blades that aren’t oiled will lose their edge faster and won’t cut as smoothly. This can make grooming uncomfortable for the dog and frustrating for you. Make sure you follow your clipper’s instruction manual when it comes to oiling the blades though. Each model has its individual requirements.
Summary
When it comes to the best dog clippers, it’s vital to go for quality over price. There are some excellent budget options on the market, but for thick coats it’s better to pay more to get one of the top models from brands such as Andis or Wahl.
With this in mind, my top pick for dog clippers is the excellent Andis UltraEdge AGC 2-Speed 23275. It’s a powerful model that’s relatively quiet, has two speeds, and detachable blades. The motor can handle any coat – although you might need to buy a different blade for long hair.
Do you have any questions about choosing the best dog clippers for home use? Or do you have any feedback on the clippers listed in this article? Let me know in the comments section!
