Hair Clippers: specifications, types

— Clipper. The clipper is designed for cutting and modeling hair on the head. Usually, they have a fairly wide blade, which allows them to capture a large amount of hair at a time. It is usually equipped with a wide range of nozzles, as well as additional hairdressing accessories and service materials.

— Multifunctional clipper. Multifunctional devices come with an extensive assortment of attachments, allowing you to perform tasks like hair cutting, beard and mustache trimming, as well as nose and ear hair removal. These devices cater to comprehensive grooming needs for the head, face, and neck. Typically featuring a powerful motor, a multifunctional device excels at various hair care tasks. Many times, it's accompanied by a case or a comprehensive docking station.

— Set clipper + trimmer. The set consists of two separate devices, a hair clipper and a trimmer. The hair clipper allows you to cut and model the hairline on the head. The trimmer is also used to care for the beard and mustache. The sets are good because they allow you to comprehensively approach the care of hair on the head and face. Thanks to the division of devices into a clipper and a trimmer, the set acquires higher reliability and durability than in universal models with many attachments.

— Beard trimmer. Devices created for trimming and sculpting beards, mustaches, and sideb...urns have distinctive features. They set themselves apart from hair clippers through their narrower blades and smaller teeth, ensuring precise and accurate results.

— Beard and nose trimmer. The beard and nose trimmers belong to the universal category. For the care of beards and mustaches, classic serrated knives with a width of 10 to 40 mm are used. To shave hairs in the ears and nose, blades in the form of a tubular nozzle are used.

— Trimmer for beard, nose and eyebrows. The trimmer for a beard, a nose and eyebrows is completed with an expanded range of nozzles. For eyebrows, narrow serrated blades are used, and for beards and mustaches, nozzles with a wider cutting edge are used. To care for the hair in the canals of the nose and ears, special tubular blades are used that easily shave off the hairs in the most inaccessible places.

— Nose and ear trimmer. Nose and ear trimmers come with a cylindrical attachment designed to navigate easily within nasal and ear passages. This specialized attachment effectively and painlessly manages hair removal from hard-to-reach areas. The majority of nose and ear trimmers rely on replaceable battery packs for power.

— Body trimmer. A body trimmer combines the features of an electric shaver and a conventional trimmer. It facilitates both hair cutting and precise shaving for a smooth appearance. The body trimmer is effective in removing hair from areas like the neck, chest, abdomen, and back. Numerous models are battery-operated and feature a waterproof casing, enabling their use directly in the shower.

— Eyebrow trimmer. A dedicated trimmer designed for refining eyebrow contours. It features an elongated nozzle with a slender blade at the tip as its cutting head. On the opposite side of the blade, there might be an additional comb-like blade with a fixed height. This comb aids in shortening the length of eyebrow hair across the entire area without risking complete removal. Eyebrow trimmers are often equipped with attachments for nose and ear hair care.

— Trimmer for body and eyebrows. Using a body trimmer is practical for removing excess hair on the torso, legs, and arms. These trimmers are often accompanied by attachments for eyebrow, nose, and ear hair care. The body trimmer's cutting head can feature a regular blade or a mesh-covered blade. With the former, hair is cut at the root, leaving stubble behind. Conversely, a combined head (blade + mesh) ensures hair is fully removed, leaving no stubble.

— Set trimmer + electric shaver. The kit includes two separate devices. With the help of a trimmer, you can take care of your beard and mustache. The electric razor is designed for smooth shaving of stubble with small and medium length hair. The use of separate devices has a positive effect on the reliability and durability of the kit.

— Trimmer + razor set. The set contains a full-fledged trimmer and a clipper with classic blades for a smooth shave, with foam application. In advanced sets, the clipper can be used both separately and in tandem with a trimmer. Most often, the razor included in the trimmer kit has a head for replaceable blades.

— Animal clippers. Clippers, which are positioned by the manufacturer as devices for animals. They have solid power, which contributes to comfortable work with thick, coarse hair.

— Blade for cutting. The device is equipped with a classic hair clipper. Hair clippers usually have a fairly wide blade, allowing you to capture a large amount of hair at one time. In beard trimmers, the blade width is slightly smaller, but still allows you to fully care for a certain area of the face.

— Additional blade for cutting. An extra blade can serve as either a backup or a supplementary tool. While spare blades usually match the width of the main blade, auxiliary ones are typically narrower. A narrower optional blade is primarily used for precise detailing and cutting intricate designs. Conversely, a spare blade can come in handy when the main blade is entirely dull.

— Trimmer for goatee. The goatee trimmer is a special nozzle with a narrow blade, with which it is convenient to shape the contours of the goatee and easily care for this type of beard. A characteristic feature of this nozzle is a blade about 20 mm wide. The goatee trimmer can be represented as a replaceable nozzle or an additional blade built into the clipper.

— Trimmer for ears and nose. The clipper is equipped with a special nozzle that allows you to effectively and safely cut hair in the nose and ears. The ear and nose trimmer is usually a small cylindrical blade, the diameter of the cutting head is usually 5-7mm, and the length can be up to 30-40mm. The pres...ence of a trimmer for ears and nose allows the machine to take a more comprehensive approach to hygiene and hair care.

— Eyebrow trimmer. Eyebrow trimmer — a special attachment in the form of an oblong cutting head that allows you to care for eyebrows, correct their shape, and also shorten thick and unruly hairline. The eyebrow attachment is often double-sided. On the one hand, the trimmer can be equipped with a 3-4 mm high comb, which allows you to protect the eyebrows from excessively short cutting, and the other side is usually represented by a bare blade, which makes it possible to cut off excess hairs on the eyebrow line under the root.

— Foil razor. The foil razor head is tailored for trimming short stubble. The mesh effectively and delicately cuts through three-day growth, leaving behind a smooth complexion without discomfort. Numerous clippers featuring foil razors enable shaving without the need for foam, commonly referred to as a "dry shave".

— Body trimmer. The body trimmer is an accessory designed for removing hair from the torso and sensitive areas. The shaving head for body grooming usually features a dual structure. The primary component is a conventional blade that effectively handles coarse hair. Positioned behind the blade is a shaving foil that ensures a clean shave for any remaining stubble. Additionally, the body trimmer often includes a detachable 3 mm comb. When dealing with dense hair growth on the initial pass, using the fixed comb is recommended as the foil shaver might not be as effective.

— Universal comb. The adjustable-height comb provides seamless hair cutting transitions without the need to change attachments. Altering the comb's height is easily achieved on-the-fly by pressing the latch and shifting the comb. These combs offer convenience as they enable cutting with a single attachment, maintaining workspace organization. However, due to their intricate design, the reliability of such attachments may be compromised. The adjustable comb attachment is versatile, with typical models allowing you to select any height between 1 to 20 mm.

— Comb for cutting behind the ears. Comb attachment for precise work behind the ears. Allows you to perform a smooth edging along the lower border of the scalp in the area behind the ears.

Clippers and trimmers are often equipped with fixed-height removable combs. The more combs in the kit, the smoother transitions the device can make. The standard set usually includes 3-5 combs, more advanced models may have 7-10 combs of a fixed height in a set.

The total number of nozzles included with the clipper. The kit may include one nozzle with a variable cutting length or several with a fixed length, as well as special nozzles (for example, thinning).

The cutting height is influenced by the type of cutting element and the inclusion of detachable combs. Toothed blades can trim hair as short as 1 mm. By coupling a toothed blade with a detachable comb, the cutting height can range from 2-3 to 20, and even 30 mm – the precise height hinges on the provided comb attachments. There are defined minimum and maximum cutting heights. The minimum pertains to the blade's inherent capabilities, devoid of attachments. The maximum cutting height is determined by the detachable comb type.

The minimum length of hair after cutting with a clipper. This parameter is of particular importance if the clipper is planned to be used for haircuts "bald", as well as in devices designed for mustaches and beards (where the machine actually plays the role of a razor).

The clipper's maximum hair length after cutting is a crucial factor to consider, dependent on your desired haircut style. For short haircuts, a maximum length of 10 mm suffices, while longer, model-like cuts may require up to 40 mm. Generally, a higher maximum hair length offers greater versatility in a clipper, which holds particular significance for professional hairdressers.

The number of haircut length options provided in the design of the clipper or the design of the nozzle. The more such options, the more versatile the clipper and the more cutting options it provides.

Adjusting the length of the blade allows you to change the cutting length of the cutting unit. Accordingly, this parameter affects both the trimming length and a more accurate haircut using attachments.

The width of the operating tool (blade) of the clipper. A wide blade is important for head hair trimmers, as it allows you to capture more hair in one pass and cuts faster. In turn, beard and mustache clippers use narrower knives, which is useful for fine work to give facial hair the desired shape.

By the width of the additional blade, you can determine its intended purpose. A 30-40 mm wide blade is usually used for cutting head hair, a 20-30 mm wide blade is most often used for beard and mustache trimming. Approximately the same width is needed for a blade for cutting body hair.

The performance of the tool, the maximum rotation speed of the motor and how well the device handles with thick and coarse hair depends on the power of the electric motor. So, for cutting thick head hair, you need a clipper with a power of at least 15 W, the performance of such a device is usually enough to ensure a motor rotation speed of 10,000 rpm. But there are also more powerful clippers(from 20 W). Trimmers for beards and mustaches usually need 5 W of power. Such models most often have a performance of 3,000 – 5,000 rpm.

The speed of rotation of the motor of the clipper. The speed of movement of the blades directly depends on this parameter, and the quality of the haircut, in turn, depends on it: the faster the blades move, the faster and more accurately the clipper cuts.

The device's range of adjustable speeds is noteworthy. While most clippers typically operate at a single standard speed, there are models with dual speeds, often referred to as turbo. More advanced variations have been developed by certain manufacturers, featuring 3, 4, or even more speeds. Clippers equipped with variable speeds are designed to effectively manage denser hair by increasing the motor's revolutions.

— Stainless steel. The standout feature of stainless steel is its exceptional resistance to rusting. When the clipper or trimmer boasts a sealed casing, the stainless steel cutting head can be conveniently cleaned using water pressure. While stainless steel is common in lower-tier devices and its blades can endure high temperatures, they tend to lose sharpness relatively swiftly.

— Titanium. Titanium alloys showcase impressive durability against substantial mechanical strain. The titanium cutting edge adeptly manages hair of various thicknesses and densities, retaining its sharpness admirably. Tools equipped with a titanium blade are reliable for frequent usage, notably in beauty salons. However, the drawback lies in their notably steep expense.

— Ceramic. Ceramic offers remarkable strength; its blades remain cool and sharp over time. Machines or trimmers featuring ceramic blades effortlessly handle even the thickest hair, allowing for frequent and prolonged use. Interestingly, models with ceramic blades often come at a more affordable price compared to those with titanium blades. Nonetheless, fragility is a significant drawback of ceramics; these blades are susceptible to damage from impacts and falls. Clippers and trimmers that are equipped with a ceramic cutting part must be handled with extreme delicacy.

— Titanium ceramics.... Blades made of ceramic with a high titanium content. Ceramic in the context of the material used improves cutting performance, reduces friction and maintains a sharpness for a long time, and the titanium coating gives the blades strength, provides resistance to wear and corrosion. Titanium-ceramic blades are good for cutting coarse, thick hair, but they are quite expensive.

— Diamond. Diamond-coated blades have increased edge strength. Typically, these blades are based on steel, most often stainless, but thanks to diamond coating, the knife acquires higher reliability and durability. Of course, the presence of diamond coating on the blade significantly increases the cost of the device.

— Steel. Steel blades are the budget-friendly option. Steel performs effectively in devices used sporadically, mainly for home purposes. Although steel edges tend to lose sharpness relatively swiftly, their durability can be enhanced through the application of protective coatings like diamond, ceramic, or titanium. Clippers or trimmers with uncoated steel blades typically fall into the low-cost category.

— Graphite. Graphite coating is typical for stainless steel blades, it allows the blade to glide more easily through hair and skin and generally increases the efficiency and convenience of working with such a device. Most often, detachable trimmer blades are equipped with graphite coating.

— Self- sharpening blades. Blades made using a special technology, thanks to which they sharpen themselves, due to friction against each other in the process. Thus, the blades remain sharp at all times, and their maintenance is limited to the replacement of worn blades.

— Function of thinning. Thinning in hairdressing is called cutting the ends of the hair at different levels — as a result, after the haircut, the hairstyle looks more natural and magnificent. In machines, special thinning nozzles are usually used for this.

— Wet cleaning. The clipper's capacity for wet cleaning of its attachments, allowing them to be rinsed under flowing water, is a notable feature. It's important to clarify that this pertains exclusively to the attachments – not all models with wet cleaning have waterproof casings (see below). Nevertheless, even without a waterproof casing, it might still be feasible to clean the attachments without detaching them from the device. In general, wet cleaning is frequently more efficient, quicker, and precise compared to dry cleaning.

— Waterproof body.In this context, a sealed enclosure is indicated, enabling the machine to withstand water exposure without adverse effects. The extent of protection can vary; certain models tolerate brief water immersion, while others can operate even when submerged. These specifics should be detai...led in the accompanying instructions. Nevertheless, for clippers used in environments with elevated humidity (like bathrooms or wet areas), having such a water-resistant enclosure is greatly preferred, and sometimes obligatory.

— Built-in vacuum cleaner. The clipper is equipped with a vacuum cleaner, which greatly facilitates cleaning after cutting. The suction hole located under the blades sucks most of the cut hair into a separate reservoir. Of course, there will not be a 100% return, but there will be much less hair scattered on the floor. However, when cutting a beard, a vacuum cleaner will do just fine.

— Laser pointer. The presence in the electric razor of a laser in the form of a straight line. With its help, you can easily, and most importantly, evenly and symmetrically trim the desired areas.

— Mains. The clipper is powered by a 230 V electrical network. The benefit of this power source is the unrestricted operational duration (no need for periodic battery recharging). However, drawbacks include the necessity of an available electrical outlet and the limitation imposed by a power cord, which can impede movement and cause operational inconvenience.

— Battery. The clipper is powered by its own built-in battery. On the one hand, this gives maximum freedom of movement (since there is no power cord) and battery life — such devices can be used even where there is no electrical network. On the other hand, the battery life is limited, it must be constantly recharged — otherwise there is a risk that the charge is exhausted at the most inopportune moment (for example, during the haircut).

— Batteries. The clipper is powered by interchangeable batteries. In terms of its primary pros and cons, this power source resembles battery power (as mentioned earlier). However, in contrast to built-in batteries, replaceable batteries offer less capacity, making them suitable for low-power devices like nose trimmers (see Type) that don't demand prolonged usage. On the positive side, replaceable batteries allow for swift replacement when depleted, whereas a built-in battery would necessitate a lengthier recharging process in such instances.

— Li-Ion. Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries currently dominate the market due to their high energy density, compact size, and light weight. On average, Li-Ion batteries last for approximately 400 charge-discharge cycles. They exhibit minimal self-discharge and lack a prominent "memory effect" (capacity decrease when charging a partially discharged battery). However, these batteries are sensitive to cold temperatures and require precise charging current conditions.

— Li-pol. Lithium-polymer (Li-Pol) batteries maintain stable output voltage even during significant discharge. On average, Li-Pol batteries offer a lifespan of around 800 charge-discharge cycles. These batteries don't exhibit the memory effect and remain stable across a broad temperature range, from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius. Their drawbacks primarily involve vulnerability to deep discharge and overcharging. This highlights the necessity for specialized chargers that employ optimal power delivery methods tailored to the lithium polymer context.

— Ni-Cd. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries are engineered to handle substantial charge and discharge rates. They can be stored either charged or discharged without issue. These batteries aren't impacted by heat and maintain their capacity in cold conditions. However, the primary drawback is the "memory effect," which emerges when the battery is prematurel...y charged with residual capacity. Despite being outdated, Ni-Cd batteries are occasionally employed in clippers.

— Ni-Mh. Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries excel at managing substantial charge and discharge rates, making them suitable for demanding electric motors and facilitating quick charging. Contemporary Ni-MH batteries offer a prolonged lifespan of up to 1000-1500 charge-discharge cycles, while being environmentally friendly. In comparison to Li-Ion batteries, they appear bulkier and add weight to the device, yet they come at a more affordable cost. This battery type has replaced the previously mentioned nickel-cadmium technology.

— LiCo. Lithium-cobalt (Li-Co) batteries are renowned for their impressive energy storage within a small and lightweight structure. These batteries exhibit minimal self-discharge and lack the "memory effect". They maintain voltage stability almost until complete discharge. However, Li-Co batteries aren't engineered to handle substantial charge and discharge rates.

The typical duration of uninterrupted operation for a clipper powered by a self-contained source (battery or rechargeable batteries, refer to Power Source) without requiring a recharge or battery replacement. Extended continuous operation time becomes particularly crucial when intending to use the clipper in locations where recharging or battery changes are unavailable, such as during long trips.

Time to fully (from 0 to 100%) charge the battery of the clipper. For rare cases of using the model, charging time is not so relevant, but for everyday use it is better to choose fast charging clippers.

The clipper offers the capability to adjust its operating voltage, typically ranging between 110 and 230 V. Given the varying electrical network voltages across different regions (e.g., 230 V in the CIS and Europe, 110 V in North America), this feature proves advantageous when using the clipper abroad. Some devices possess an automated voltage adjustment feature, requiring no user intervention, while others necessitate manual adjustment. It's important to emphasize this aspect before commencing clipper operation, and in cases of manual adjustment, it's crucial to verify the correct setting on the switch.

The charge level indicator allows you to know the status of the battery, its degree of charge. Achieved using the built-in display or LEDs.

The ability to charge the battery of the clipper from the USB port of the computer. This function is not particularly significant when using the machine at home, but for travel it can be useful: if necessary, the battery can be recharged from the USB port of a portable computer (laptop or tablet). In this case, the connector in the device itself can be microUSB, USB-C or branded, which will require an appropriate cable.

— Scissors. The inclusion of a set of scissors with the hair clipper enhances its value, catering to both experienced enthusiasts and professional hairdressers. This bundled option provides a comprehensive haircutting package, and the scissors serve as a valuable tool for addressing finer details that the clipper may not handle alone.

— Comb. Availability in a set of delivery of the clipper of a comb. A comb is one of the most necessary tools for a hairdresser, so when purchasing it together with a typewriter, the user gets rid of the need for a separate purchase.

— Charging stand. The stand serves a dual purpose as a charger and storage unit for the machine. It facilitates convenient recharging during quick intervals between cutting sessions, making it ideal for hairdressers to keep the machine on the stand while using scissors or other tools. Additionally, it can double as an accessory stand (see Stand for accessories).

— Stand for accessories.The stand is designed to store clipper accessories such as detachable nozzles, cleaning brushes, and oilers. Using this dedicated stand reduces the chances of losing any of these accessories. In cordless clippers, this role is frequently fulfilled by the charging stand, which also serves as a storage solution (refer to Charging Stand).

— Case. Cases include all kinds of rigid structures for storing the clipper. Cases in the form of handbags made of thick fabric also fall into this category. In addition to reliable storage of the device, they also elevate the model to the highest class. In low-cost clippers, a much more primitive fabric cover is included in the package.

The clipper has its own small screen. Such a screen makes the control more visible, it can display various data — for example, the set cutting length, battery charge level, etc.

— Metal. High-end clippers/trimmers use a metal body. Typically found in professional models, and occasionally in semi-professional ones, a metal casing ensures remarkable durability and resistance to heavy use. However, this design substantially elevates the device's weight and cost.

— Plastic. Mostly low-cost clippers/trimmers are equipped with a plastic case. The plastic case is lightweight and easy to care for. Among the shortcomings of plastic, only low strength can be noted. If you intensively use a trimmer/clipper with a plastic case, then the working surface of the device will quickly become covered with scratches and scuffs.

— Metal/plastic. Semi-professional clippers/trimmers commonly feature a combination of metal and plastic casing. These models incorporate metal with plastic inserts. This approach maintains a high level of reliability while using plastic inserts to lower device costs and enhance user-friendliness. Clippers with combined casings are versatile for both home and salon use.

A special loop that allows you to hang the clipper on hooks, nails, etc. This feature can be used both for long-term storage of the device and for breaks in work — a kind of cheaper, but less convenient alternative to the stand.

The length of the cable determines how far the user can move with the device from the outlet. On average, the length of the current-carrying wiring of the clipper / trimmer is about 2 metres. This parameter is relevant only for networked (230 V) and hybrid (network + battery) models.

The weight of the clipper/trimmer is especially important when the device is planned to be used often and for a long time. The less the clipper/trimmer weighs, the less the user's hand will get tired. Of course, there is a direct relationship between the mass of the device and its performance. Powerful clippers/trimmers use a larger and heavier motor. Additionally, the weight of the device increases due to the presence of a battery pack.