Best Dog Clippers + [Ultimate Buying Guide]

Our top-contender in the corded clipper race - we found these to be the quietest and coolest set (literally and figuratively) out of everything we tested. So if your dog is sensitive to noise, or you need a pair that doesn't get hot while cutting through thick coats (without breaking the bank) - this is the clipper you've been looking for.

They have an adjustable 2-speed SPM (strokes per minute) of 2700, but strong torque, meaning they cut through any coat but stay cool.

I felt the build left something to be desired. Although the grip isn't bad, when you're handling clippers for a few hours it would be nice if they were slightly more comfortable. Also, they're heavier than most other sets we tested, which may be bothersome after some time.

The extra comb attachments it came with weren't great and broke easily, I don't typically use these when grooming in my shop, but it would be nice if they included higher quality accessories.

But these are just minor issues, what we really care about is how it grooms, and it's amazing. The AGC stands up against any coat, whether it's a matted Poodle or a wire haired Yorkie. I've been using my set in a busy grooming shop for 3+ years without any problems.

This was my second place pick, and is a reboot of the classic A5 (an old favorite among many veteran groomers). The much needed update added a nice looking and comfortable grip, reduced overall weight, and reduced noise.

What's really nice is the 3-speed option, allowing you to alter the SPM (strokes per minute) for cutting through thick coats without getting stuck or creating too much heat. The SPM can be altered from Low (3,100), Medium (3,600), and High (4,400). 

Also, the Oster A6 is much, much lighter and easier to handle, and when you're grooming all day that makes a huge difference.

This is our second choice only due to the clippers running slightly hotter and making more noise than our first pick - the AGC ProClip 2-speed. While the A6's are more comfortable to handle and carry less weight - the extra heat and sound are deal breakers, and that's why this comes in a very close 2nd place.

The KM10 is just the upgraded version of the KM5, the only real difference is it's torque. Meaning it can cut through anything you throw at it, perfect for a commercial setting or pro-groomer.

This comes with an increase of cost however, that we're not completely sure is worth it for the average home groomer. But If you're a grooming professional, or you're dealing with some extremely thick coats, then this might be the way to go.

Some customers have complained these motors also die out after a year if use, so make sure you keep that warranty handy.

A classic that many veteran groomers still love, which was first available 30 years ago. While still a reliable set, we found that it hasn't aged well in comparison to it's newer counterparts. The Oster A5 is very noisy, and the high SPM means it gets hot.

Also this set is still housed in it's classic design, which isn't comfortable to hold for more than about 20 minutes. However the A5 never lost it's power, and can still cut like butter through just about any coat.

I'll be honest... I wasn't expecting this set to perform well. But, I was pleasantly surprised. They worked great on light coated dogs and even made short work of some mats. The real hang-ups with the U-Clip become apparent with thick coats and densely matted dogs, I had to run through their coat several times and still had difficulty. They just didn't have the power needed for those dense spots.

Also, this set gets hot! A few times I found I had to let them cool down after an hour of use.

If you have a dog with light hair, or even a cat that needs a trim, there's no doubt these clippers will be good for you and your wallet. However, you might need something with a little more power for those thick coats.

As far as cordless clippers go, the Oster Volt is a heavy-duty beast. They have the same power as a corded set (which is unheard of) but still maintains long battery life. I can say hands down this is the best set of cordless clippers I've used - so why isn't this my top choice? At the time I'm writing this review the price is quite steep. Unless you're a professional groomer the price may be hard to justify.

It's important to note the Volt doesn't use a standard 5-in-1 blade that most cordless sets come equipped with, but rather individual blades for each cutting length. This is a really nice change as I'm not stuck with 5 predetermined cutting lengths, and I have that extra flexibility in blade lengths.

These also boast a low SPM but high torque, so it can cut through dense coat but the blades remain cool. The Volt more closely resemble a corded clipper with it's ability to change blades and work through tough mats.

In comparison to other sets the Volt has some weight to it, and probably due to the battery size. However they are comfortable to use and feel very well built and durable. They are also moderately noisy, but generally not enough to scare the dogs.

The volt is an amazing tool with a steep price, if you're looking for top-of-the-line then here it is.

The Bravura is an impressive cordless clipper that holds a decent amount of power. It's surprisingly quiet and takes a while to heat up. That being said it just doesn't have enough power for really thick hair and mats. Where the Bravura's really shine is with finishing paws, face, and feet, or dealing with light coated dogs.

If you have a Shih Tzu at home that needs grooming this may well be the last set you ever need to buy, but a thick-haired Labradoodle may be too much for the Bruvura to handle.

The grip is comfortable and it's extremely lightweight, but what's concerning is the build feels hollow and thin. Although I never "drop tested" them, I'm not so sure how well it would survive the impact.

I personally use this set for light-duty use everyday (and rely on my corded set for heavy use). The Bravura has good power, stays cool and quiet, has a long lasting battery (2 hours), and won't break the bank.

Probably the most disappointing result out of everything we tested. At first the Arco SE appeared to be a solid set, but where things took a turn for the worse was the battery life. It simply could not clip at a consistent rate for more than 30 minutes. Upon closer investigation we discovered it doesn't use a Lithium battery, so the power will continuously drop over time. Furthermore, these batteries take over an hour to fully charge.

The set themselves are light, quiet, and as far as I could tell they stay cool for the time being used. The housing feels cheap and hollow, and probably wouldn't survive being dropped too often.

Based on the battery life alone, I cannot recommend the Arco SE unless you have a small dog or cat.