The Best Oster Clippers: Our “Oster Roster”

Before we talk about our picks for the best Oster clippers, we should probably give a broad overview: in the clipper game, it basically comes down to three big names. You’ve got:

Wahl, which is probably the biggest and best-known company that makes clippers—they’ve got a few high-end options they offer to barbers, but most of their clippers are for home use (and we review our favorite Wahl clippers here);

Andis, which may be a little less-known than Wahl, and is a little bit more upscale—they’ve got both home models and models for barbershop/salon use (and we review our favorite Andis clippers here); and…

Oster. Oster doesn’t have the name recognition of the other two big brands, and that’s a shame, because they are—in our very humble opinion—fantastic clippers, and among the best clippers out there. Of the three brands, Oster has the most high-end models, and they can be a great option for professional barbers (or home-based haircutters who want to use professional-grade tools at home).

So here we’ll talk about our favorite Oster clippers, and what models might work for a range of needs.

Oster Clippers: Quick Summaries

We get into the details below, but if you’re just looking for a quick overview of our recommendations, here you go:

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The Best Oster Clippers Reviews

Alright! Let’s get chatty. Here’s our “Oster Roster,” starting with…

The Oster MX Pro All Purpose High Speed Adjustable Blade Hair Clipper

Summary: The Oster MX can be a great way to get Oster’s professional quality and versatility in a set of clippers that’s more accessible for personal at-home use.

Pros:

• Adjustable blade
• 10 guide combs
• Streamlined grip
• 7200 SPM
• 8-foot cord

Cons:

• Heavy
• Piecemeal casing

With the Oster MX Pro All-Purpose Clippers, you can give yourself or your family a variety of haircuts: it’s a highly adjustable clipper set, and in addition to 10 attachable guide combs, the taper adjustment lever gets close to zero-gapped and lets you produce blends and fades and buzzcuts (and even do detail work and shave down to the skin if you’re working on someone who is balding.)

Another thing we really liked was the streamlined design. For amateur hairdressers, this makes it a lot easier to maneuver through the hair so you can get as accurate a cut as possible. Similarly, the grip is comfortable, though we did find it to be a little heavy. This is probably due to the steel casing, which can add durability.

The steel design isn’t as lightweight as other professional clippers, but if you’re using this at home, you won’t need to hold it all day anyway. Similarly, the construction is not quite as tough, but again, it doesn’t need to hold up to as much use.

The motor, however, can definitely go the distance. As a magnetic motor, it provides consistent power to cut through various types of hair, great for families. Specifically, it produces 7,200 cutting strokes per minute, which is fantastic, especially compared to other models in this range.

Finally, we liked the eight-foot cord. If you’re not a professional, you probably have less experience dancing around the clipper cord, so this gives you more leeway. Plus, it allows you to use the clippers in more places. For example, you can cut your kids’ hair outside, which makes cleanup easier and the process more enjoyable for them.

The Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper

Summary: With a quiet motor that provides consistent power for all types of hair, the Oster Fast Feed is our recommendation for those needing to cut their family’s hair, especially if that means small children.

Pros:

• Powerful motor
• Cuts wet hair
• Quiet motor
• Taper adjustment lever
• Durable construction

Cons:

• Slow
• Only 4 guide combs
• Heavy

One of the most unique features of the Oster Fast Feed Clippers is that it has a pivot motor, a type of motor usually used for animal clippers. This has several benefits, most notably that it produces consistent power that can cut through just about every type of hair from thick and curly to long and wispy. It can even cut wet hair, a big bonus since it lets you do washing and haircuts all at once.

Additionally, the motor is a lot quieter than other models. This isn’t just great for jumpy animals. It’s nice for young children too who might otherwise be startled by loud clippers. It’s also less of a bother for your neighbors if you live in an apartment with thin walls.

Interestingly, though, despite the Fast Feed’s name, the pivot motor means the blade speed isn’t as high as other models. If you go too fast, you may yank or pull hairs, which would be uncomfortable for anyone (especially kids), so that slower blade speed is actually a good thing here.

Another problem with this set is that it only comes with four guide combs. Of course, that shouldn’t really discourage you because you can easily get universal Oster guide combs if you need more. Plus, it has a taper adjustment lever that gives you a lot more versatility on top of the ability to create fades. But it would be nice if it came with a few more guide combs.

Lastly, the Fast Feed has an alloy steel casing similar to the MX Pro, which means it’s a bit on the heavy side. However, unlike the MX Pro, the construction is considerably more solid and can probably stand up to more abuse in case you’re on the clumsier side and see yourself dropping it a lot.

The Oster Classic 76

Summary: The Oster Classic 76 can be a good choice for both personal at-home use and professional use due to its three sharp blades that combine with the powerful motor to cut seamlessly and comfortably through nearly anyone’s hair.

Pros:

• Powerful motor
• Included Diamox blade
• 10 attachable guide combs
• Hanging loop
• 9-foot cord
• Tough steel casing

Cons:

• No taper adjustment lever
• No carrying case

The Oster Classic 76 is Oster’s flagship model, famous for quality and power. The single-speed motor can take on just about any kind of hair including wet hair, which makes it a lot more convenient and time effective.

One notable aspect of the Classic 76 is that it doesn’t have a taper adjustment lever, which is a little surprising. Instead, you have to change out the three included blades. One of these is a 00000 Diamox blade that cuts close to the skin for professional-grade fades, which is great. They’re easy to change out, but just keep that in mind—some people don’t like having to change blades.

In addition to the three blades, this particular Classic 76 kit comes with 10 attachable guide combs that let you cut hair at different lengths. It also has a hair duster that can give your at-home haircuts a professional feel, which is a nice little touch—and it really can help clean up those bits of hair that always manage to get on the counters and tables.

Unfortunately, the Classic 76 doesn’t include any kind of carrying case for all these features, so make sure you have a place to store them securely. In the case of the clippers themselves, there’s a hanging loop. Professionals usually use this to hang the clippers on the wall, and you can do the same at home to save space and keep the clippers safe and dry.

Last of all, the Classic 76 has an even longer cord than other Oster models at nine feet. This makes it a lot easier to maneuver accurately so you don’t accidentally make a bad cut or drop it. Of course, even if you do drop it, the tough steel casing should protect it.

The Oster Model 10 Classic Professional Barber Salon Pro Hair Grooming Clipper

Summary: The Oster Model 10 can save you time and frustration in your professional salon or barbershop due to its compact design that comes with an extra-long cord and easy storage.

Pros:

• Powerful motor
• Durable housing
• Non-slip grip
• Compact design
• 10-foot cord
• Hanging loop

Cons:

• No guide combs included

The main way we’d describe the Oster Model 10 Classic Professional Clippers is “heavy-duty.” The motor is really powerful. That doesn’t just mean it can comfortably cut various clients’ hair all in one day even if they have different lengths and textures, but it can also better hold up to all-day use while still lasting for an extended period of time.

Similarly, the housing is tough and break-resistant in case you drop or it gets knocked around the chaos of a busy salon. It also has a non-slip grip so you can keep a good hold of it even if your hands get sweaty or wet. All of that is great for professional use.  

At the same time, the casing is surprisingly compact. This makes it easier and more comfortable to hold for long periods of time so you can effectively cut clients’ hair all day long.

Our biggest complaint is that this particular model doesn’t come with any attachable guide combs. If you’re a professional, you probably know how to get your hands on Oster’s universal guide combs, so that shouldn’t be an issue, but you should know beforehand.

Finally, one of our favorite things about the Model 10 is its thick and tough 10-foot cord. This, along with the easy hanging loop, gives you a lot of flexibility in your salon or barbershop. You can likely use the clippers on multiple chairs without having to change the outlet, and you can hang them up for easy access.

The Oster Professional Classic 76 Cordless Hair Clippers

Summary: For fans of the Oster Classic 76, this advanced model brings the same consistent power and durability to a cordless version with a battery life long enough for professional use.

Pros:

• 2-hour battery life
• Charging stand
• Dual corded/cordless use
• Adaptive speed control
• Durable housing
• Non-slip grip

Cons:

• No taper adjustment lever
• No guide combs included

This is Oster’s renowned Oster Professional Classic 76 Cordless Hair Clippers model, which has a lot of added features that can make it ideal for professionals. For starters, it’s cordless with a lithium-ion battery that lasts up to two hours. Depending on your needs, that could be enough to go the entire workday without needing to recharge between clients. When you do need to charge it, it has a convenient charging stand that keeps the blades high and dry.

However, you don’t really even need to worry about it running out of juice because you can still use it when it’s plugged in. This isn’t a hassle, either, because the cord is eight feet long to help prevent snags and tangles. Plus, the motor has consistent power whether running off the battery or plugged in, not to mention adaptive speed control that adjusts to the density of the hair.

Like the standard Classic 76, the cordless model doesn’t have a taper adjustment lever, nor does it come with replacement blades or guide combs. If you need to fully stock your salon or barbershop, make sure to get everything you need.

Lastly, this Classic 76 model has the durability you’d expect from Oster clippers. In fact, we really like the housing because the non-slip grip is a big plus for professionals who regularly end up with wet hands.

By the way, if you’d like to explore the world of cordless clippers, we discuss our favorite cordless clippers here.

The Oster Professional Octane Cordless Clipper

Summary: We recommend the Oster Octane for busy barbershops and salons that have a lot of clients because it’s durable and powerful while still being lightweight and comfortable to hold for long periods.

Pros:

• No cordless torque reduction
• 2-hour battery life
• Charging stand for two batteries
• 2 blades included
• Break- and scratch-resistant
• Lightweight

Cons:

• No guide combs included

The main reason to consider the Octane clippers is the combination of cutting power and cordless design. Normally, cordless clippers are convenient, but they lack the power of corded models, which can make them less adequate for professional use. With the Oster Professional Octane Cordless Clipper, though, there’s no torque reduction, so you can get the best of both worlds.

If you use the clippers on the battery, you get up to two hours of runtime, which is great for professional purposes. You can probably use it on multiple clients before running out of juice. Plus, the charging stand has a spot for a second battery. Though you have to buy it separately, this increases your ability to use the clippers cordlessly throughout the workday.

Despite being a specialized advanced model, the Octane is conveniently compatible with universal Oster blades. Plus, it comes with size 1 and 000 blades already, which you can change out to create fades and blends.

Finally, one of the most impressive things about the Octane is arguably the durable construction and housing. It’s break-resistant, which is nice for busy salons and barbershops where accidents are bound to happen, and even scratch-resistant, which maintains that professional look.

At the same time, it’s surprisingly lightweight at less than a pound. That makes it more comfortable for using repeatedly throughout the entire day. We’re big fans of this model, and while it’s certainly not for everyone—and it might be a bit much for home use—it is a fantastic model, and it can be a great choice if you’re a committed professional.

Alright! There you have it. Those are our recommendations. Oster is a great brand, and we’re happy to recommend them. We’ve got more to say about Oster, though, so if you’d like to learn more—like how to choose a good pair of Osters, or why they’re unique among brands—here you go:

Why Are Oster Clippers Good for Professionals?

Oster is a brand owned by Newell Brands. They make a wide range of home appliances from blenders to waffle makers, but they actually got their start producing electric clippers in 1924. In other words, they have nearly a century of experience manufacturing hair clippers.

Oster is one of the most preferred name brands among professionals for a few reasons. Most notably, their clippers have powerful motors that produce fast blade speeds. As a result, they produce smooth, seamless cuts emblematic of professional skill and expertise.

Additionally, Oster clippers tend to be very straightforward. They’re not hard to use and don’t have any extra frills or accessories that might otherwise get in the way. Professionals usually know what they want and what they need, and Oster gives them just that.

At the same time, Oster clippers are some of the toughest and most durable on the market. They have casings and housings specifically designed to handle the frequent abuse of a busy and chaotic professional salon or barbershop. Over the hours, days, and years that you’ll likely be using the clippers, some kind of accident is inevitable. That could mean dropping the clippers, dropping something on the clippers, knocking them around in storage or during a move, who knows. Oster clippers tend to last a lot longer than other brands when put up to the demands of a professional environment.

Oster Clippers: Pros and Cons

Along with Wahl and Andis, Oster is one of the top brands for clippers, so naturally they have a lot of great features and advantages for professional and private users alike. That said, Oster clippers aren’t without their downsides either. Understanding both can help you choose the best Oster clippers for your needs.

Osters are High Powered: A Pro and a Con!

Oster clippers are some of the most powerful out there. They take very little effort on your part to cut hair. Just put them on someone’s head, and the hair will suddenly be gone. In many cases, Oster models are even powerful enough to cut through wet hair.

Naturally, that’s a great feature for a number of reasons. It makes for a faster and more accurate cut that looks neat and professional even if you’ve washed your client’s hair. Plus, it’s more comfortable since it avoids yanks and pulls. That can even mean less skin irritation.

That said, it can be a bit intimidating if you don’t have a lot of experience. You’re much more likely to accidentally cut too much or at the wrong angle, making a mistake that can’t be undone.

For this reason, we recommend the most powerful Oster clippers for professional use. You definitely want some experience before you try to handle that power.

There are some Oster clippers that are more accessible for amateur at-home use, though. If you’ll be cutting your own hair or your families, we recommend these unless you have extensive experience already.

Osters Are Very Durable: Mostly a Pro

Oster clippers are usually very tough. The casing is strong and break-resistant, protecting the motor in case of falls or accidents.

This seems like it could only be a positive thing, but there is actually a downside. Specifically, except in really advanced models, Oster clippers are a bit heavier than flimsier brands.

Consequently, only get a heavy set of clippers if you know they’re going to see a lot of abuse. That’s common in professional settings like barbershops and salons where you’re really busy and likely to drop them or have other accidents.

At the same time, if you have to use the clippers all day, you may not want a heavy housing that’s going to weigh down your hand and get uncomfortable after several clients. Basically, you need to consider both these factors and figure out which is more important to your situation.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for Oster clippers to use at home, you should probably specifically look for one of the lighter models.

Osters Often Have Long Cords: Also a Pro (If You Like Cords)

With their focus on professional use, Oster clippers have some of the longest power cords around. With a usual length of eight feet, there are a number of models that even have nine- or 10-foot cords. This is definitely good for professionals who need to maneuver the clippers around clients and chairs, but it’s also good for at-home use since you can use the clippers in more places without having to worry about an outlet. For example, cut the kids’ hair outside for easy cleanup.

Long cords have little downside, but you do have to worry about storage. Long cords can get tangled up if stored incorrectly. As a result, don’t seek out this feature if you have limited storage space.

Osters Usually Have Universal Blades: Also a Pro and a Con

Oster has a number of good models, but you can luckily use the same removable blades and guards for almost all of them, called Oster “universal” blades and guards. This allows you to use blades that cut at the exact length you need. Oster even has a 0000-size blade that’s great for fades.

The problem is that, for most Oster models, you have to change the blades out to get this benefit. That is to say, there’s no taper adjustment lever that lets you change the same blade from 000 to 1. This is a little less convenient.

At the end of the day, this comes down to personal preference. That said, professionals who use their clippers day in and day out usually get a lot better at changing out blades, so the accuracy of using specific blades tends to work a lot better. Meanwhile, for at-home use, changing out blades can really be a hassle. You may want to look for one of the Oster models with a taper adjustment lever in this case.

Osters Often Feature Speed Adjustment: Depends on Your Needs

Many Oster models come with advanced features like speed adjustment. In this case, the motor adapts its speed to the density of the hair for a more effective but more comfortable cut. This is great for professionals because you’re going to be using the clippers on clients with a range of hairstyles and textures, but it may not be necessary if you’re getting the clippers just for yourself or your family. In this case, it could be overkill, and you can go with a more straightforward model.

Warranty and Customer Service

One of the biggest pros of Oster clippers is that the company backs them with a warranty. It’s usually a year, but it depends on the specific model. Not only does this show that Oster is confident in their manufacturing process, but it allows you to get the clippers repaired or replaced if they’re faulty.

Additionally, Oster has easily accessible customer service. You can get information on warranty claims or just answer questions regarding your model. Plus, you can find out how to purchase replacement parts, new blades, etc.

Should You Get Corded or Cordless Oster Clippers?

Oster makes both corded and cordless clipper models. In fact, in some instances, you can even get the best Oster clippers like the Classic 76 in a cordless or corded version. In most cases, the cordless models can also be used plugged in, which is a major advantage, so which should you go with?

Cordless use is more convenient for a few reasons. You don’t need an outlet, which means you can use the clippers in a number of different places. For instance, you can use them outside or in the bathtub for easier cleanup. If you’re a professional, you don’t have to worry about the cord wrapping around the chair.

Similarly, cordless use makes it easier to manipulate the clippers. The cord doesn’t get in the way of your hand, so you can twist and turn the clippers as needed.

Of course, the cordless design isn’t perfect, though. Most significantly, you have to recharge the battery. This means you might run out of power partway through a haircut or show up to work to find you forgot to charge it. Again, since most cordless Oster models can also be used while plugged in, this isn’t as big of a problem, but it’s still something to keep in mind.

The other disadvantage of the cordless design is that you have to keep track of the charger and possibly a charging stand. If your storage situation is a bit chaotic, whether because you work in a barbershop or salon with tons of different devices or live in a home with a lot of kids and the corresponding disorganized drawers, it can be considerably more convenient to just have one thing to keep track of.

On the other hand, corded use usually has the benefit of more power. However, in the case of Oster clippers, the motors are often so advanced that that isn’t the case. This is especially true if they’re classified as motors with “no torque reduction” when run off a battery. While we generally recommend professionals get corded clippers in order to take advantage of the higher power, there are plenty of cordless Oster models that have the power necessary for professional use.

To summarize, a cordless model is a good choice for anyone. However, if you’re a professional, make sure that the specific model doesn’t lose power when it’s not plugged in.

How Often Should You Oil Your Oster Clippers?

Like with any electronic clippers, you should oil your Oster clippers before each use. This helps the blades move smoothly, prevents corrosion, and cools down the blades as well.

To oil the blades, you should clean them first. Use a cleaning brush to remove as many of the small hair clippings as possible. Avoid getting them wet.

Once the clippers are clean, lightly apply oil or an oil substitute along the length of the blades, making sure that it starts to seep between the two. Then turn on the clippers for about 30 seconds. This will distribute the oil between the blades.

Wrapping Up

There you have it! We’ve just shared all of our thoughts about Oster clippers. That’s it—you know as much as we do now. We hope something here helped you, and if you have any questions, stroll on over to our “Contact” page and drop us a line. Until then—have fun, be good, and happy clipping!