Everything You Need to Know About the Best Clippers for Fades 2021

It’s a fact:

If you want the best fade haircuts, you have to use the best fading clippers.

Yes! It’s that simple.

Now:

When shopping for the best clippers for fades 2021, you should always ask yourself this question…

“Does the clipper’s features, functionalities, and merits guarantee a near-perfect fade?”

If not, you are better off spending your money on something else.

Basically, fades have been there for as long as I can remember.

And if you are wondering; why?

Well:

Aside from being simple and stylish, fades also look stunning on just about anyone regardless of their hair type and head shape.

That’s why, nowadays, you’ll see a large number of men (even women) rocking a fade.

Fun fact:

Fades can be done either by a professional barber or by you as a DIY at home. And the most important aspect of getting this type of haircut is often the clipper.

Finding the right clipper for fades not only simplifies your work but also improves the overall outcome of the haircut.

So, if you’ve been looking for the best clippers for fades 2021, congratulations, you are in the right place.

In this post:

I’ve compiled a list of the best fade clippers available today.

And that’s not all…

I will also look at a few tips for choosing the right fading clipper as well as how to do a fade haircut both professionally and at home.

So, without further ado, let’s get down to the interesting bits…

Quick Summary

The Top 10 Best Clippers for Fades 2021

The main question we are answering here is:

Which are the best clippers for fades?

Basically:

I’ve used clipper merits, features, functionality, and price to determine which of the fading clippers available on the market deserves a spot on our list.

Here’s what I came up with:

How?

Well, in short, it is very dependable, flexible, easy to use, and convenient.

So, what gives it all the qualities above?

For starters, it’s designed for professional clipping; from its shape to its weight.

Its impressive design makes it easy to grip and use over long periods.

Now:

Both the Wahl Magic Clip Cordless Black and Gold come with a powerful lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 90 minutes of service when fully charged. 

The fact that this clipper is cordless means that you get the flexibility you need to fade hair from any angle.

And even if the battery runs out before you complete your fade, you can connect this clipper to a wall socket using its power cord.

Convenient, right?

The Wahl Magic Clip Cordless Limited Edition isn’t just about flexibility and a long-lasting battery.

It also features a powerful motor and high-precision 2161 blades that make fading hair a walk in the park.

Arguably, the biggest setback to using the Wahl Professional 5-Star Magic Clip is its price. You should expect it to set you back at least $85 per unit.

So, what’s there to love about this clipper?

Any downsides?

But, I’ll let you decide on that.

Moving on…

Why?

Well, for starters, this awesome clipper is quite lightweight and does not heat up; not to mention the fact that it fits easily into your hands making it ideal for long fades.

The Fast Feed clipper is well known for its ergonomic design, powerful motor, durability, flexibility, and Cryogen-X blades; all tailored to make fading hair fast and easy.

Amazing, right?

That is also why it is regarded as one of the best clippers for military haircut.

Now:

An Oster Fast Feed fade is always easy to cut, convenient (for both the barber and the client due to minimal noise and vibrations), and always close-cut.

That makes it even easier to bring out the contrast in the fades.

What’s more?

It comes fitted with a smooth taper lever; allowing you to effortlessly make adjustments to the blades while clipping or fading hair.

In summary…

What’s there to love about this fading clipper?

Any downsides?

Any professional barber will tell you:

This clipper is indeed a “Master” at what it does.

Why?

For one, it is fitted with a powerful motor capable of delivering up to 14,000 strokes per minute with precision and efficiency.

Staggering, right?

And much like the Oster Fast Feed, this clipper is quiet, lightweight, impressively durable, and made using high-quality materials.

Not forgetting the fact that it comes with its own blade adjusting lever; making it ideal for all kinds of fades.

Basically, this clipper is tailored for heavy-duty work; which is why it’s often a barber’s top choice.

Sadly, it does have its shortcomings too.

For example:

It’s quite expensive (slightly more than the Wahl Professional 5-Star Magic clip) and you’ll never find Andis Master clippers with guards.

To summarize this…

What’s there to love about it?

Any downsides?

Now, you might be wondering; what makes it so special?

Well, for starters, it has a nice, ergonomic design that makes long term usage convenient and less tiresome.

What’s more?

It comes equipped with high-quality carbon steel blades that are easily adjustable thanks to its smooth taper lever.

That means that you won’t have to pause to fit guide combs or detach blades while fading hair.

Convenient, right?

Well, there’s more…

Andis Fade clippers boast of powerful single-speed, magnetic motors that cut through all kinds of hair (dry or wet) with ease and precision.

Also:

This clipper weighs just below average making it ideal for professionals and busy barbershops.

And unlike the Andis Fade Master above, you’ll get two guide combs (1/16″ and 1/8″) with the Andis Fade clipper among other cool accessories.

But:

Like most clippers, there are downsides; with the biggest one here being that the Andis Fade has an extremely fragile taper lever.

So, in summary…

What’s there to love about this clipper?

Any downsides?

However, its slightly lower price tag, elegant design, powerful motor, and high-precision blades definitely earn it a spot on the list of best clippers for fades and tapers.

In fact:

Its name – Taper – alone will tell you what this robust hair clipper is all about.

And while Professional 5-Star Magic Clippers may be the best cordless fade clippers on the market today, the Professional Super Taper II has proven to be a decent contender for the corded clippers throne.

So, what makes it so amazing?

The Super Taper is well-known for its professional precision thanks to its #1006 commercial-grade blades and powerful V5000 motor.

It cuts through all kinds of hair including thick, long hair effortlessly.

Also, the fact that it comes with numerous accessories (like eight color-coded guide combs, blade oil, cleaning brush, and a blade guard) makes it a complete Wahl clipper fade cut haircutting kit.

Other awesome features about the Super Taper II is that it is light, has an intuitive design – comfortable to grip – and a smooth taper lever.

Not forgetting its 8-feet long power cord that maximizes your flexibility during usage.

Plus, it’s quite easy to maintain.

So, to summarize this…

What’s there to love about it?

Any downsides?

Is it worth your money?

If not, then you are better off with the other clippers at the top of this list.

In fact, compared to other clippers, the Oster Classic 76 is the Bugatti Chiron of clippers; both expensive and high-performance.

Now:

What can I say about this amazing clipper?

For starters, it is built for durability. From the type of materials used to the quality of components fitted, everything about the Oster 76 spells “long lifespan.”

Awesome, right?

And yes:

If you are not a fan of the boring brown base color, you have the option to choose your favorite out of the remaining 10 different limited-edition colors and styles.

Who said Oster clippers must look boring?

And if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, maybe its detachable 000 size blade will. Actually, it is one of the best skin fade clippers on the market today.

That aside:

You will also relish the fact that it comes with a 9-foot long heavy-duty power cord that makes it easier for you to move your clipper with ease when trying to get the right fading angles.

Obviously, it doesn’t give you the same freedom and flexibility you’d get from cordless fade hair clippers; but as far as corded clippers go, the Oster Classic 76 is the best you’ll get.

And that’s not the best part…

You don’t need any training to know how to fade with Oster 76 because it’s quite easy to use.

Its ragged body makes it easy to grip and use for a long time.

And that’s why it’s regarded as one of the best hair clippers for fades today.

So, in summary…

What’s there to love about this fading clipper?

Any downsides?

And while cost and weight may be drawbacks, you’ll get to enjoy more perks with this amazing fading clipper.

Aside from being one of the best professional hair clippers for fades, this clipper is also one of the most affordable ones today.

Now:

In my Wahl fade pro review, I highlight several perks and features that make the Elite Pro a force to be reckoned with.

For example:

It comes fitted with robust, self-sharpening blades that are 40% faster than any other clipping blades available.

That means that you’ll always finish your fades in good time regardless of how complicated they are.

Cool, right?

And if that isn’t good enough, its heavy-duty motor offers up to 15% more power than standard clipper motors.

Therefore, you’ll be able to cut through even the toughest of hair without breaking a single sweat.

You’ll also enjoy an 8-foot long power cord and 10 high-quality guide combs.

Yes!

Despite its low price tag of around $40, the Elite Pro is a reliable, efficient, and value-packed fading clipper ideal for first-time barbers and those who prefer clipping their own hair.

You don’t need to know how to fade hair to use the Wahl Elite Pro.

So, in summary…

What’s there to love about it?

Any downsides?

Let’s face it…

And it’s mainly due to its affordability, ease of use, and features.

Note:

This is the only cordless clipper on this list that I can comfortably say gives the 5-Star Magic Clip a run for its money.

Why?

Well, for one, it only takes 90 minutes to fully charge its lithium-ion battery and delivers a whopping 120 minutes of run time after that.

Impressive, right?

You’ll also be surprised at how close it cuts since it comes with adjustable surgical fade blades (00000 to 000). That means that you get to enjoy more precision and ease when trying to cut a perfect fade.

Moreover, it’s lightweight and designed to fit perfectly into your hands providing an easy and comfortable grip.

And if that’s not good enough…

Unlike other Andis clippers, it also comes with 11 guide combs among other necessary accessories.

And the best part is that you can still use it as a corded clipper when the battery runs out of juice.

But:

You should also note that the Andis Cordless Fade Combo does not fall on the best price Andis clippers list. Mainly because it does not come cheap.

You should prepare to cough up at least $110 for this clipper set. However, in its packaging, you’ll also find an equally robust cordless hair trimmer.

In summary…

What’s there to love about this fading clipper?

Any Downsides

It is, however, expensive than all three of these fading clippers.

With all that in mind, you get to decide whether or not it is worth it.

Yes:

If you’ve been asking; what clippers do barbers use for fades?

The 5-Star Legend clipper is one solid example.

So, why is it so popular?

Well, for starters, it’s affordable; it will only cost you around $50 to $60 to own one of these bad boys.

And yes, it is costlier than the Elite Pro. However, there is some justification for that.

How?

The 5-Star Legend boasts of a powerful V9000 electromagnetic motor that makes it stronger and faster than standard clippers.

When you couple that with its sharp, adjustable fade/taper blades, you get a fading monster that will cut through any type of hair without difficulty.

To summarize this…

What’s there to love about this clipper?

Any downsides?

You may or may not have heard of it, but it’s a clipper worth your consideration.

Why?

Well, it’s very cheap. You can get it on Amazon for as little as $27.

I know what you’re thinking – cheap is an indicator of inferiority…? In this case, that is far from the truth.

From it’s elaborate and comfortable design to its lightweight qualities, this Liberex clipper was made for fading.

Note:

It’s not only easy to hold and handle but also very effective when it comes to making close-cut fades, trims, and blends.

This impressive clipper comes with T-shape, self-sharpening blades than deliver smooth and even cuts.

It’s simple and quite easy to use; plus, it has a power indicator to show you how much percentage you have at any given time.

And:

The best part is that it only takes an hour to fully charge while delivering up to 90 minutes of run time.

It’s, basically, the best option for anyone looking for a low budget cordless fading clipper today.

In summary…

What’s there to like about this clipper?

Any downsides?

However, if you are shopping on a really tight budget, this might be your best shot at getting a professional-grade fading clipper.

And that’s a wrap on the top ten best clippers for fades 2021…

Now, let’s look at a few useful shopping and usage tips.

5 Things to Consider When Shopping for the Best Fading Clippers

1. Ease of Use: The clipper has to be user-friendly. Note that there are no clippers that automatically fade. Therefore, most of the work will be done by you. And that’s why you need a clipper that will simplify your work.
2. Price: The price tag matters a lot. Ensure you go for clippers that offer you great value for your money. And remember that not all expensive clippers are of high-quality and vice-versa.
3. Motor Power: Strong motors provide the energy needed to cut through all kinds of hairs with ease.
4. Blades: good, quality blades offer you precision and a lot of conveniences. For example, self-sharpening blades don’t need a lot of maintenance.
5. Recharge and Run Times for Cordless Clippers: If you are more interested in buying a cordless clipper, then you need to make sure that you get as much run time as you can get with a very short recharging period; especially if you run a busy barbershop.

How To Fade Hair With Clippers

If you are new to the whole fade haircuts concept, here’s how to do a fade haircut with clippers step by step:

Step 1: Wash and comb the hair to remove tangles.

Step 2: Trim the top-side of the head to the desired length. It will make it easier for you to know how and where to cut your fade.

Step 3: Fit a high-number guide comb on your clipper e.g. #4 and the start trimming your way downwards – to the sides and back – away from the top of the head. The lower you move the lower the guide comb number should be e.g. #3 then #2.

Step 4: Once you’ve created the fade, carefully blend away layer lines to end up with an even, smooth, and continuous transition between each layer.

Step 5: Use a trimmer or a razor to do the finishing touches on the neckline and around the ears.

And just like that, you’ll have learned how to do a fade haircut step by step. It’s an easy guide on how to fade hair for beginners.

Once you master the process, fading hair will become even easier for you.

The same process applies when you want to learn how to do a fade haircut by yourself.

The only major difference is that you’ll need to find a good fading hair clipper, combs, a handheld mirror, and a razor/pair of scissors.

Also, for maximum traction, always cut against the direction of your hair’s growth.

And that’s just about everything you need to know about the best clippers for fades 2021. Remember that your ideal fading clipper will be highly dependent on your budget and preferences.

Do you have any questions?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Post them in the comments section below and I’ll help you find answers.