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Rating: 8.5/10
Pros & Cons of the Wahl Elite Pro Hair Clipper Kit
Pros
- All-in-one clipper with all the accessories you need for home use
- Good quality, self-sharpening blade
- Powerful, reliable motor
- Excellent value
- Lifetime guarantee (5 Years on the blades)
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not designed for constant use, such as for a salon or barbers
- Slightly on the heavy side
- Only corded model available
Verdict:
| For a corded, lower to mid-budget hair clipper, the Wahl Elite Pro High-Performance Haircut kit is an absolute triumph of a product.
From the smart, hard plastic storage case, to the chunky high-spec clipper, to the numerous haircutting accessories that come as standard – it’s a winner. The whole setup is really well designed using quality materials. Not only that, it’s the only hair clipper on the market that comes with a lifetime guarantee! How’s that for confidence in your product? Honestly, I’m not normally a fan of ‘all-in-one’ haircutting kits. They tend to be cheap, plastic products, bundled together to give a high perceived value. However, with the Elite Pro, Wahl has found the right balance of quality and affordability for the average home user. I’ve used mine many times to cut my own hair and there’s very little not to like about them. Check out my review for a more in-depth look at what you get and how it performs. |
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Purchase the Wahl Elite Pro now from Amazon.
- Finest Precision Blades - Self sharpening, stay sharp longer to cut all hair types. Adjustable taper lever makes it easy to fade and blend
- Secure-Fit Premium Guards W/ Stainless Steel Clips - Guide combs make haircutting at home safe, smooth and easy
- Powerful & Durable Motor - Quiet, low noise superior performance haircut machine
- Premium Accessories – Shears / scissors, styling comb, cape / bib, blade oil, cleaning brush, handled storage case, drawstring pouch for guards, cord wrap, blade guard
- Limited Lifetime Warranty - For home use only.
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
In This Guide..
Features
The 2 most important aspects of a good quality clipper are the cutting blade as well as the power and reliability of the motor.
Self Sharpening Blades
These clippers are unique.
They have stainless steel, self-sharpening blades.
The cutting blade is actually 2 identical opposing blades.
When the clipper is turned on, the blades rub against each other.
This process means the blades are continuously sharpened.
This is perfect for home use as it saves you the job of sharpening or replacing them.
Wahl claims that by keeping the blade sharper for longer, your hair gets cut 40% faster.
I’m not convinced by that percentage, but it certainly makes sense that the cutting blade will be more efficient at slicing through the hair by keeping it as sharp as possible.
For peace of mind, the blades come with a whopping 5-year warranty.
If you manage to drop and break them, you can get a universal Wahl replacement blade –
Although not the Premium Smooth blade that comes with the Wahl Elite Pro, it is the only replacement blade I could find on the internet.
For some reason, Wahl doesn’t sell an exact replacement blade, like the one that comes with your clipper.
Taper Lever
Just as professional hair clippers have a taper lever, so does the Wahl Elite Pro.
The taper lever allows you to adjust the cutting length without having to change guards.
This makes it easier to cut hair more precisely, and easier to blend and fade.
For a simple home use clipper, this feature gives it another plus point.
Motor
The motor drives the blade, and without good speed, the blade will not cut your hair as well.
Wahl has installed its best electromagnetic motor into this clipper.
Although Wahl doesn’t say what the motor model is, (and it’s not recorded on the motor itself) I believe it’s the V9000, which isn’t far off the power of some professional clipper motors.
Magnetic motors drive the cutting blade faster than rotary motors.
Whilst not as powerful as rotary motors, it doesn’t need to be because it’s powered by a mains connection.
Here’s what a recent review had to say about the motor:
“Its motor seems much stronger than other models, it cuts through my hair with little effort and no snagging.”
Guide Combs
It comes with a complete set of Secure-Fit guide combs with stainless steel attachment clips.
The guide combs are extremely hard-wearing – apparently, the material is 70% stronger vs. existing Wahl guide combs.
They really do feel strong and sturdy.
The stainless steel attachment clips mean that when they clip-on, they are fixed nice and firm.
No annoying vibration during use.
You get the full range of guide combs:
- No. 1/2 – 1/16″ (1.5mm)
- No. 1 – 1/8″ (3mm)
- No. 1 1/2 – 3/16″ (4.5mm)
- No. 2 – 1/4″ (6mm)
- No. 3 – 3/8″ (10mm)
- No. 4 – 1/2″ (13mm)
- No. 5 – 5/8″ (16mm)
- No. 6 – 3/4″ (19mm)
- No. 7 – 7/8″ (22mm)
- No. 8 – 1″ (25mm)
Honestly, the guide combs alone are worth the price of this clipper.. yes they are that good.
What Is In The Box?
The box is shipped with everything you need to cut someone else’s, or your own hair, from home.
Here’s what you get with your 21 piece kit:
- Wahl hair clipper
- Clipper blade
- Blade guard
- Premium, hard storage case
- Guide combs: Numbers 1/2, 1, 1 1/2-3/16, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Large styling comb
- Lubricating oil
- Cleaning brush
- Stainless steel scissors
- Scissors blade cover
- Large nylon barbers cape
- Guide comb storage bag
- Full-color English and Spanish Instructions/Styling Guide
- Warranty
As well as the accessories listed above, these clippers come with an 8 foot, heavy-duty power cord and a lifetime guarantee (5 years on the blades).
Accessories
Here are some of my recommended accessories you might like to consider:
Scissors & Comb
For me, the scissors and comb that come with the kit are of average quality..at best.
Alright to start you off on your hair cutting experience, but you should look at getting a much better pair of scissors and comb as soon as possible.
This professional, home haircutting kit is ideal for home use, hair cuts.
Hair Clipper Oil
While you’re at it, get yourself a decent size bottle of clipper oil.
The tiny bottle you get with your clippers will soon run out.
Apply a drop to each corner, and one in the middle of the blade.
If you don’t, after a while you’ll end up snagging your hair when cutting, and wear down the blade.
The Wahl clipper blade oil is regarded as the best, and at a reasonable price.
Videos
I hate being in front of the camera and much prefer other professionals to do the glamorous job of videoing the clipper in action.
This is a great video review of the Wahl Elite Pro being used to cut hair. It’s worth watching..
Here’s a nice video that shows you what you get with your shipped package. Pretty much the same as I’ve shown you in my photos, but in video format!:
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All-in-one clipper with all the accessories you need for home use
- Good quality, self-sharpening blade
- Powerful, reliable motor
- Super strong guide combs
- Excellent value
- Lifetime guarantee (5 Years on the blades)
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Not designed for constant use, such as for a salon or barbers
- Slightly on the heavy side
- Finest Precision Blades: Self sharpening, stay sharp longer to cut all hair types; Adjustable taper lever makes it easy to fade and blend
- Secure Fit Premium Guards With Stainless Steel Clips: Guide combs make haircutting at home safe, smooth and easy
- Powerful & Durable Motor: Quiet, low noise superior performance haircut machine
- Premium Accessories: Shears or scissors, styling comb, cape or bib, blade oil, cleaning brush, handled storage case, drawstring pouch for guards, cord wrap, blade guard
- Limited Lifetime Warranty : For home use only, not valid if used as professional barber clippers; Not for international use, made for USA electrical wall outlets only; Based on North American Dollar Sales
- Upgrade Now : No.1 brand for hair clippers, beard & mustache trimmers; Made in the U.S.A
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
FAQs
Q. Can you use it on thick, grown-out hair? Also, does it pull or hurt if you do? I need a nice clipper for my son, so I can start cutting hair at home.
A. Yes it works well on thick hair. You may need more than one pass, but it doesn’t tug at the hair (as long as you oil and clean it frequently). It’s also a fairly quiet clipper.
Q. Does it work on 220v power?
A. The Wahl Elite Pro Hair Clipper Kit is sold in many countries. The UK and Europe should be sold with 220 volts and the US and Canada 110 volts.
Don’t try and use a 110v model in the UK or Europe unless you use a power converter.
Q. Can I use the Wahl Elite Pro for beard trimming and cutting?
A. You can, but it’s a little chunky and you may have difficulty getting at the mustache.
You’re better off using the Wahl Peanut Clipper/Trimmer which is very small and easy to use or use a dedicated beard trimmer.
Q. Can you zero gap the Wahl Elite Pro?
A. Yes, using the instruction book’s directions, you can adjust the blades for a zero-gap. However, Wahl recommends using the 1/16″ gap (vs. 0 overlap).
Q. Are they any good for shaving a bald head?
A. As long as you’re careful, and have zero-gapped the blades, these clippers can be used to cut a bald head.
Q. Is it noisy and does it get hot really quickly?
A. I’ve owned these for over a year. Not noisy as long as you keep them oiled. I cut my own hair and also cut my son’s hair. It takes about 30 minutes for some warmth. It will get really hot in under an hour.
Q. Can it be used on chest and body hair?
A. You can use it as a body trimmer. However, be careful about using it without a guard. The blades are very sharp and can easily cut skin.
Q. Is it waterproof?
A. No. You can remove the blade every 6-12 months and wash the blade under a tap. That’s about it.
Q. Does the taper lever lock?
A. The taper level does not lock into position. When you make your adjustment, it just stays in place. The adjustment does not travel whatsoever.
Final Thoughts
The Wahl Elite Pro High-Performance Haircut Kit has the look and feel of a professional hair clipper.
I really like this clipper. And I really like the price!
When you pick it up and turn it on, you can tell it is a good quality machine.
It looks and feels like it should have cost a lot more.
The weight and balance are just right – slightly on the heavy side if anything (which I don’t mind).
The blade and motor are top-notch and make cutting through thick hair a breeze.
I was also surprised as to how strong and secure the guide combs are.
Although I’d upgrade the scissors and comb, you really do have everything you need to cut your hair or someone else’s hair from home.
If you’re okay with a corded clipper, this is without a doubt, one of the best budget to mid-range hair clipper you can buy.
Peter
