If you aren’t taking your dog for regular groomer visits, you most likely find yourself facing DIY dog grooming periodically. But when buying dog grooming clippers, does expensive necessarily mean it’s good quality? What about corded and cordless brands?
To slim down these daunting questions for newcomers, we tested a range of products and selected a range of recommended dog grooming clippers. Grooming should be viewed as a valuable opportunity to bond with your dog rather than a messy chore.
Finding the right set of clippers depends on a few key aspects, including the size and fur type of the dog, your budget, and the quality of the trimmer itself. So, what are the best dog trimmers?
Based on our testing, here are the top 5 models suitable for different dogs and their needs (and 5 honorable mentions!).
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Oneisall Dog Clippers |
Let’s “cut” to the chase with these clippers. We highly recommend this model due to its affordability, quiet design, and adjustability. Great for your dog that needs frequent trims on a budget! | Check Price |
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Best For Small Dogs: Sminiker Rechargeable Pet Clippers | In need of beautifying your smaller, skittish friend? This single-speed clipper can offer just the right cut. However, it’s a runner-up to our Best Overall due to its limited ability to groom smaller dogs. | Check Price |
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Best For Larger Dogs: Hansprou Dog Clippers | With a run-time of up to 8 hours, you could effortlessly groom a family of dogs with this trimmer! Larger pups with thick coats will be grateful you made this purchase. | Check Price |
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Runner-Up Corded Clipper: Andis ProClip Dog Clippers | The benefit of a corded model is increased power and changeable speeds. This efficient grooming tool will make quick work of shaggy hair. | Check Price |
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Runner-Up For Small Dogs: Wahl Arco Professional Clipper | We found this Wahl product very easy for beginners, with its five-in-one adjustable clipper. The lightweight design works well with your lightweight pooch. | Check Price |
How We Narrowed Down the Best Dog Grooming Clippers
We weren’t surprised by the number of factors involved in choosing the right clippers. With so many dog breeds and differing coats, there were just as many tools to get the job done! So, what did we look for?
One of the recommended manufacturers, Wahl, has years of experience selling grooming equipment and providing educational content for animal care. They feature an in-depth breakdown of professional versus standard trimmers.
We formed a set of “attributes” to look for when testing products based on their expertise. These include:
- Affordability: What you pay for vs. what you get in quality
- Charge Duration: Need to constantly plugin
- Design: Ease of holding compared to weight and build
- Included accessories: Bare essentials or additional items
- Vibration/Noise: Is it pet-friendly, especially for skittish types
Taking this list of standards, we researched grooming sites and selected 20 well-rated tools of the trade. Each product was tested thoroughly, and 10 made our list easily accessible from sellers like Amazon, Walmart, or Chewy.
Looking for other grooming tools to get your pup in perfect condition? Check out our guide to the Best Dog Grooming Tools. This in-depth guide reviews the handiest tools for grooming your dog at home.
Best Dog Grooming Clippers
1. Best Overall: Oneisall Dog Grooming Clippers
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Charge Duration | 3.5/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Included Accessories | 4.5/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 4.5/5 |
Dogs Size: Sm/Med/Lg | Weight: 1.23lbs. | Brand: Oneisall | Running Speed: 1-speed | Cordless: Yes
What We Liked
- Easy for first-time groomers to use
- Performs well on most dog breeds/hair type
- Bundled with quality accessories
What We Didn’t Like
- Limited battery life
- Frequent blade cleaning
We were ecstatic to get our hands on this highly rated, affordable clipper. With a quick unboxing, it was easy to see the extra accessories and admire the quality of the device. So, what set this brand at the top of the leaderboard?
Compatible Hair Types
Whether it’s a full-sized Doodle, tiny Terrier, or an adventurous Lhasa Apso, these trimmers performed solidly. The stainless steel and ceramic blade combo effortlessly cleared away stubborn and matted fur.
Important note from the manufacturer: Pets with long and thick hair should be trimmed down first using the provided scissors to avoid frequent changes of the blade guard.
If you have a dog with long and thick fur and are worried about removing shed, check out our FURminator Grooming Tool Review. We discuss everything you need to know about deshedding dogs.
Build Quality
Our research left us wondering if relatively affordable trimmers diminished the product’s strength and robust “feel” in favor of cost. When holding the Oneisall, you feel that it’s light and comfortably rounded.
It’s constructed with a mixture of rubber and plastic, so it may have a bit of a cheaper feel, but we didn’t feel as much hand fatigue during grooming. However, the ceramic and stainless steel blade makes up for its lack of weight in this department.
Limitations
Besides the build material, we had trouble adjusting the comb guides on the clippers. Several users reported the same issue in their reviews as well.
However, the drawbacks did not deter us from using it, and it’s our favorite of all the ones we tried. For new groomers getting into DIY grooming, we highly recommend the Oneisall.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON2. Best for Small Dogs: Sminiker Rechargeable Pet Clippers
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Charge Duration | 4.5/5 |
| Design | 4.5/5 |
| Included Accessories | 4.5/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 4.5/5 |
Dogs Size: Sm/Med | Weight: 1.43lbs | Brand: Sminiker Professional | Running Speed: 1-speed | Cordless: Yes
What We Liked
- Durable, titanium blade
- Complete grooming kit (additional nail clipper/filer compared to Oneisall)
- Guide combs included for multiple styles
What We Didn’t Like
- Noise level not quite “ultra-quiet”
- Voluminous hair slows the blade
It was a true toss-up at first between the Sminiker and Oneisall because both are affordable and highly recommended by professional grooming sites. However, our testing provided the key to their differences.
Compatible Hair Types
Generously matted or fluffy coats proved difficult for this trimmer to cut through. The blade guard would clog and slow the process down. On the flip side, small pups will benefit from this flexible and efficient model.
Build Quality
The clippers themselves are lightweight and versatile, so it was easy to maneuver them around hard-to-reach areas. It is built with a plastic and rubber body, so while it might feel “cheap,” it still gets the job done. This is with the help of the titanium blade, which was durable and sharp to the touch.
Limitations
Like the other affordable models, the Sminiker is one-speed with variable guide combs. Besides that, we truly appreciated the grooming kit and quality for our small friends!
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON3. Best for Larger Breeds: Hansprou Dog Clippers
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Charge Duration | 5/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Included Accessories | 3.5/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 4.5/5 |
Dogs Size: Sm/Med/Lg | Weight: 1.1lbs | Brand: Hansprou | Running Speed: 1-speed | Cordless: Yes
What We Liked
- Excellent for small and medium-sized dogs
- Bundled with useful accessories
- Has additional batteries for continuous charge
What We Didn’t Like
- Included combs were low quality
- Reasonably noisy
If you’re an experienced groomer looking for something with power and versatility behind it, the Hansprou is a great pick.
Compatible Hair Types
Shaggy pups of all sizes were trimmed well with the blades. The motor runs up to 7000 RPM and makes it easy to cut hair without multiple passes. Thick coats, long wispy hair, or matted fur, this beauty buzzed through them all!
Build Quality
Don’t be thrown by the pink hue of this clipper. It was comfortable to hold, and our confidence was bolstered by the aluminum alloy body. We discovered that it was surprisingly quiet for the power it packed during clipping.
Limitations
One of the drawbacks to this model was the included blade guards. When attached, some did not pick up loose hairs, and we had to remove the guard for a closer shave, especially on thick-coated breeds.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON4. Runner-up Corded Clipper: Andis ProClip Dog Grooming Clippers
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3.5/5 |
| Charge Duration | n/a |
| Design | 5/5 |
| Inc. Accessories | 2/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 4/5 |
Dogs Size: Sm/Med/Lg | Weight: 1.11lbs. | Brand: Andis | Running Speed: 2-speed | Cordless: No (14-ft)
What We Liked
- Excellent for small and medium-sized dogs
- Bundled with useful accessories
- Has additional batteries for continuous charge
What We Didn’t Like
- Included combs were low quality
- Reasonably noisy
We are all about 2-speed clippers for versatility and ease when trimming various animal coats. Therefore, the Andis Proclip was one of the less-expensive clippers that we liked.
Compatible Hair Types
We tested this on dogs that had both coarse and fine hair. The dual-speed model got great action and effortlessly shaved through challenging fur. If you’re worried that less-expensive models won’t get the job done, this Andis will put your fears at rest.
Build Quality
By far, these trimmers met our definition of sturdy. The blade didn’t get clogged in thick fur, and it remained quiet even when we increased the clipping speed.
Limitations
The major constraint of the Andis was the lack of included accessories. While inexpensive and effective attachments work well with the model, it was a let-down to unbox just blade oil and the clipper itself.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON5. Runner-up for Small Breeds: Wahl Arco Professional Clipper
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Charge Duration | 3.5/5 |
| Design | 4/5 |
| Included Accessories | 4/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 4/5 |
Dogs Size: Sm/Med | Weight: 2.15lbs | Brand: Wahl | Running Speed: 1-speed | Cordless: Yes
What We Liked
- Excellent for small and medium-sized dogs
- Bundled with useful accessories
- Has additional batteries for continuous charge
What We Didn’t Like
- Included combs were low quality
- Reasonably noisy
We like the hot-pink Wahl Arco with its high-quality accessories and a fun charging stand. The 5-in-1 blade proved quite effective for our smaller pups.
Compatible Hair Types
We enjoyed taking the trimmer to work, whether it was a curly poodle or wispy Shih Tzu in the beauty chair. While it was noisier than some others we tested, our team found that the quiet buzz was okay with even the most skittish of our clients.
Build Quality
The Wahl is slim and lightweight, making it easy to maneuver without fatigue setting in. We appreciated the quick charge and durability of this professional-grade model as well.
Limitations
Our main critique is that you can find less expensive clippers meant for smaller breeds. And while having additional batteries is a great plus, we expected longer battery life on this model for the price point.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON SEE PRICE ON CHEWYComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Best For Small Dogs | Best for Large Dogs | Best CordedModel | Best for Small Dogs |
| Overall Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Charge Duration | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | n/a | 4/5 |
| Design | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Inc. Accessories | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Vibration/Noise | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
Overall, we loved the Oneisall Dog Grooming Clippers. This clipper was amazing for dogs of all sizes, offered excellent accessories, was affordable, and was effective for first-time DIY groomers.
How to Choose the Best Dog Grooming Clippers
What Kind of Grooming Are You Planning?
Trimming your furry friend requires some research and planning to make the right purchase. An important factor is whether you’re going for something simple or maintaining style and swag. If it’s the former, we recommend choosing an inexpensive clipper.
Find Products Befitting for the Breed and Coat Type
In our review, we tried to cover a breadth of models to cover most fur types and dog sizes. We recommend purchasing blades and guide combs that match your “breed standard.” This explains why some of our pre-packaged guards did not do the furry friend justice!
For more information, check out this quick guide to choosing clippers: How to Choose the Best Dog Clippers for Your Pet.
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 5 options that didn’t quite make our top-clippers list:
1. Oster Dog Clippers – Considered for a Great 2-Speed Model
Oster is a highly reputable brand, and this 2-speed model is a relatively affordable purchase. It’s corded and comes with useful accessories, plus you can choose between three unique series that fit the type of coat you may be looking for.
In our review, however, the clippers that came with as many accessories and still got the job done were the Oneisall brand. While not 2-speed, it was one of the most purchased models from other sites.
2. Ruri’s Store Dog Grooming Clippers – Considered for Trimming Delicate Areas
These are more of an additional accessory than an outright competitor to the other brands mentioned. The slim toothbrush-like handle makes it very easy to maneuver around the ears, paws, and backsides of pups. Be warned, the batteries aren’t included!
While this delicate shaver was unique in our set, it made more sense to go with the Sminiker clippers instead.
3. Wahl Bravura Professional Dog Clippers – Considered for Versatility
If you’ve read through the entire guide, you’ll see we’ve also recommended the Wahl Arco product line. Wahl has been designing trimmers for over 100 years and builds quality products.
The Bravura model is pretty expensive, which is why the Hansprou Clippers made our list in its place.
4. Andis Excel Pro-Animal Clippers – Considered for Great Handling, 5-speed Model
Another Andis product that we have praise for is the Andis 5-speed. The ability to change speeds based on your dog’s fur and sensitive areas is a great touch.
With this luxury comes a not-as-affordable price tag, which is why we went with the relatively affordable Wahl Professional for matching quality.
5. Oster Clipmaster Dog Grooming Clippers – Considered for Large Dogs
Last but not least is the Oster Clipmaster. These clippers boast a “cryogen-x” style blade that gives a clean cut. We found this statement true during testing, and the interesting design helped prevent clogging on larger breeds.
This model certainly packed a punch to the fur and our wallet, so we went with the more affordable Andis ProClip.
