Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Dogs provide us with infinite joy and entertainment, and few animals seem so fond of humans. Caring for a lively canine is rewarding, but it can also be a challenge when you’re in charge of grooming your pup. Depending on the condition of the dog’s fur, professional grooming can be expensive when you’re on a budget. You can save money by purchasing a reliable clipper, but which model is perfect for your pet?
Choosing among numerous online products can be time-consuming, but we’ve done our research to help you pick the right trimmer. We’ve compiled the best cordless trimmers on the market and included detailed reviews highlighting each product’s features and disadvantages.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (Updated in 2023)
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Wahl Bravura Lithium-Ion Cordless Dog & Cat Clipper Kit
5,500 SPM running speed
Five-in-one adjustable blade
Charges in 1 hour
Check Price
Best Value
Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper
Weighs less than a pound
6,000 SPM running speed
Adjustable blade
Check Price
Premium Choice
Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper
Runs for 2 hours per charge
Compatible with all A5 blades
Powerful motor can handle thick coats
Check Price
Best for Puppies
Pet Union Professional Dog Grooming Kit
Quieter than similar models
Several accessories included
Available in five colors
Check Price
Wahl Professional Animal MiniArco Corded / Cordless
Details ears, face, paws
6,000 SPM
Quieter than similar models
Check Price
The 10 Best Cordless Dog Clippers
Wahl is a trusted brand used by professional groomers and amateurs. Its Bravura Lithium-Ion Cordless Dog and Cat Clipper kit won the award for the best overall clipper. The Bravura only weighs 2 pounds, but it’s powerful enough to plow through thick coats and matted fur. It runs for 90 minutes on a charge and only takes 1 hour to recharge. Unlike many of its competitors, the Bravura can be operated with a charging cord, so you never have to take a charging break in the middle of a grooming session.
Check Price on Chewy
It features a five-in-one adjustable blade that’s handy when you have multiple dogs with different coat lengths. The clippers run at 5,500 SPM for a quick cut that does not get bogged down by tangles or heavy matting, and the low vibration and noise are ideal for timid dogs that run from noisy devices. Although it’s more affordable than many premium clippers, it’s a bit more costly than the average model. Besides the high price, we could not find any reasons not to purchase the Bravura.
Pros
5,500 SPM running speed
Five-in-one adjustable blade
Charges in 1 hour
Clippers can be operated while charging
Cons
Expensive
Several manufacturers produce low-priced clippers, but the Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper won our best clipper for the money award. The clipper runs at a whopping 6,000 SPM, and the blade adjusts to 30mm, 15mm, and 10 mm. With less than a pound of weight, the Wahl clipper is one of the lightest models in our reviews. It also includes a quick charge function that allows you to charge it for 15 minutes for additional grooming.
5,500 SPM running speed
Five-in-one adjustable blade
Charges in 1 hour
Clippers can be operated while charging
- 5,500 SPM running speed
- Five-in-one adjustable blade
- Charges in 1 hour
- Clippers can be operated while charging
Expensive
- Expensive
If you like products that include tons of extras, you’ll appreciate the additional accessories like the grooming and styling DVD, stainless-steel scissors, seven attachment guide combs, styling comb, blade oil, blade guard, cleaning brush, and a durable storage case. The Wahl Clipper is ideal for beginner groomers, but it’s a little too noisy for skittish pups.
Pros
Weighs less than a pound
6,000 SPM running speed
Adjustable blade
Useful extras
Cons
Noisier than similar models
The Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper is our top pick of premium models. Unlike most cordless trimmers, the Oster Volt has a detachable battery, and the charger includes a port for an extra battery, so you can charge two at once when you need to trim several pets. The durable clipper uses a single-speed, heavy-duty motor that operates at 2,400 SPM. Although it does not offer the higher speeds of other models, several customers mentioned the clippers did not bind up or hesitate on thick matted fur like the faster trimmers they used.
Weighs less than a pound
6,000 SPM running speed
Adjustable blade
Useful extras
- Weighs less than a pound
- 6,000 SPM running speed
- Adjustable blade
- Useful extras
Noisier than similar models
- Noisier than similar models
The Oster Volt is compatible with all A5 blades, and it runs for 2 hours when it’s fully charged. It does not include an additional battery, but you can order one from Oster. The only complaint we have is the clipper’s tendency to heat up near the end of its running time.
Pros
Runs for 2 hours per charge
Compatible with all A5 blades
Powerful motor can handle thick coats
Charging port can charge two batteries
Cons
Clipper gets hot when the battery runs low
- Pet Union Professional Dog Grooming Kit – Best for Puppies Check Latest Price
Size 1.48 pounds
Price range Low
Color Gunmetal, black, chrome, gold, white
Grooming a wild puppy can test your patience, and some clippers are too heavy to use on little pups. The lightweight Pet Union Professional Grooming Kit is the perfect tool for trimming puppy hair. Some dogs become irritated with the loud noise and vibrations of other clippers, but Pet Union’s model is quieter than most discount brands. The kit includes the cordless trimmer, comb, scissors, blade oil, four guard combs, and nail clippers.
Runs for 2 hours per charge
Compatible with all A5 blades
Powerful motor can handle thick coats
Charging port can charge two batteries
- Runs for 2 hours per charge
- Compatible with all A5 blades
- Powerful motor can handle thick coats
- Charging port can charge two batteries
Clipper gets hot when the battery runs low
- Clipper gets hot when the battery runs low
If you need a heavy-duty clipper for several pets, we suggest purchasing a premium trimmer, but the Pet Union is perfect for grooming a puppy. It’s not very durable, and several dog owners complained that the blade is challenging to remove.
Pros
Quieter than similar models
Several accessories included
Available in five colors
Affordable
Cons
Not durable
Blade is difficult to remove
- Wahl Professional Animal MiniArco Corded / Cordless Check Latest Price
Size 0.31 pounds
Price range Medium
Color Champagne
Some dogs can handle the noise and vibrations from hair trimmers, but most dislike the sensation of having their face, paws, and ears trimmed. Trimming sensitive areas can be difficult with a bulky clipper, but Wahl’s Professional Animal MiniArco Corded/Cordless is ideal for fine grooming details. It’s not designed to groom thick, matted coats, but it’s excellent at detailing hard-to-reach areas, especially with hyperactive dogs. The MiniArco is one of the lightest trimmers online; it only weighs 0.31 pounds.
Quieter than similar models
Several accessories included
Available in five colors
Affordable
- Quieter than similar models
- Several accessories included
- Available in five colors
- Affordable
Not durable
Blade is difficult to remove
- Not durable
- Blade is difficult to remove
The clipper kit includes a #30 fine blade, cleaning brush, blade oil, and two guide combs. It operates at 6,000 SPM and only registers 66 decibels. The battery life is much lower than other competitors and its plastic casing is not as durable as other Wahl products.
Pros
Details ears, face, paws
6,000 SPM
Quieter than similar models
Cons
Low battery life
Flimsy outer casing
- Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers Check Latest Price
Size 1.28 pounds
Price range Low
Color Gold, red, navy, rose, silver, white
If you’re searching for a complete grooming kit for an affordable price, you can use the Oneisall Dog Shaver Clippers. It features a detachable blade that’s washable, and it comes with six guard combs for multiple coat lengths. The kit also includes stainless-steel scissors, a stainless-steel comb, blade oil, and a cleaning brush. This model is better for small and medium breeds with short coats, but it becomes stuck in matted fur.
Details ears, face, paws
6,000 SPM
Quieter than similar models
- Details ears, face, paws
- 6,000 SPM
- Quieter than similar models
Low battery life
Flimsy outer casing
- Low battery life
- Flimsy outer casing
Pros
Affordable
Includes several accessories
Can operate with a cord
Cons
Louder than the advertised decibel rating
Problems with charger
- PATPET Removable Blade Dog & Cat Grooming Clipper Check Latest Price
Size Unknown
Price range Low
Color Pink/black
We examined several clippers before choosing our favorites, but we did not find a model that operated as long on a full charge as the PATPET Removable Blade Dog and Cat Grooming Clipper. It works for 5 hours on a 3-hour charge and features three speeds. The clipper kit includes four guard combs, blade oil, and a cleaning brush. One of the clipper’s best features is the LED display. It warns you when the battery or oil level becomes low.
Affordable
Includes several accessories
Can operate with a cord
- Affordable
- Includes several accessories
- Can operate with a cord
Louder than the advertised decibel rating
Problems with charger
- Louder than the advertised decibel rating
- Problems with charger
Although the model’s running time is impressive, the blades are less durable than the competitors. Several customers mentioned that the blades dull quickly compared to their previous models. The manufacturer includes the words “removable blade” in the product’s title, but many pet parents were disappointed that they could not reattach the blade easily after cleaning. Replacement blades were available from PATPET in the past, but currently, they’re out of stock.
Pros
LED battery indicator
Runs for 5 hours
Has three speeds
Cons
Blade dulls quickly
Replacement blades are not available through the manufacturer
- Wahl Easy Pro for Pets, Rechargeable Dog Grooming Kit Check Latest Price
Size 1.43 pounds
Price range Low
Color Black/silver
The Wahl Easy Pro for Pets, Rechargeable Dog Grooming Kit includes four guard combs, scissors, cleaning brush, comb, and blade oil. It only runs for 60 minutes on a charge, but you can use it with a cord when the battery gets low. Customers who owned smaller dogs with lighter coats loved the Easy Pro, but those with thick-coated pups complained the trimmer frequently jammed. The kit’s accessories are also problematic compared to other Wahl models like our #2 pick.
LED battery indicator
Runs for 5 hours
Has three speeds
- LED battery indicator
- Runs for 5 hours
- Has three speeds
Blade dulls quickly
Replacement blades are not available through the manufacturer
- Blade dulls quickly
- Replacement blades are not available through the manufacturer
The flimsy plastic on the scissors and comb is not very durable, and some dog owners mentioned that the guard combs broke easily. Every manufacturer claims to have a quiet clipper, but Wahl’s Easy Pro is too loud to be described as having “low noise.” If your dog has a thick double coat, we suggest trying a premium model.
Pros
Works with or without a cord
Includes a storage case and several accessories
Inexpensive for a Wahl clipper
Cons
Loud noise and too much vibration
Not made for long-haired dogs
Poorly made accessories
- ARTERO HIT Professional Cordless Grooming Clipper Check Latest Price
Size 0.11 pounds
Price range Very high
Color Black/red
With 50 grams of weight, the ARTERO HIT Professional Cordless Grooming Clipper is the lightest trimmer we reviewed. Unlike nearly every model sold online, the ARTERO includes an additional battery for non-stop grooming. It has a detachable blade and accepts A5 blades made by other manufacturers. It only runs at one speed, but it effortlessly glides through short coats. The premium-grade trimmer cannot, unfortunately, handle thick hair. Matted fur causes the blade to bind up, and numerous pet parents were disappointed with the trimmer’s noise output.
Works with or without a cord
Includes a storage case and several accessories
Inexpensive for a Wahl clipper
- Works with or without a cord
- Includes a storage case and several accessories
- Inexpensive for a Wahl clipper
Loud noise and too much vibration
Not made for long-haired dogs
Poorly made accessories
- Loud noise and too much vibration
- Not made for long-haired dogs
- Poorly made accessories
High-end models are typically quieter than the cheaper ones, but the ARTERO is too loud to be used on timid pups. The additional battery undoubtedly raised the product’s price, but it does not perform as well as other models in its price range. You might enjoy this product if you have a short-haired dog that’s not afraid of loud machinery.
Pros
One of the lightest trimmers available
Kit includes two batteries
Cons
Incredibly loud
Cannot handle mats or tangles
Overpriced for the quality
- Ceenwes Dog Clippers Cordless Dog Grooming Kit Check Latest Price
Size 1.21 pounds
Price range Low
Color Gold
The Ceenwes Dog Clippers Cordless Dog Grooming Kit features a trimmer with an adjustable blade for different coat lengths and several accessories, including stainless-steel scissors, a comb, blade oil, four guard combs, a nail file, and nail clippers. It runs for 3 hours on a 4-hour charge and has a low battery indicator to remind you when to charge. Like many low-priced cordless clippers, the Ceenwes works well on light coats, but it’s unable to cut thick fur. The blade pulls at long hair and becomes jammed, which may be due to the blade design. The stationary blade is metal, but the rotating blade is plastic.
One of the lightest trimmers available
Kit includes two batteries
- One of the lightest trimmers available
- Kit includes two batteries
Incredibly loud
Cannot handle mats or tangles
Overpriced for the quality
- Incredibly loud
- Cannot handle mats or tangles
- Overpriced for the quality
The biggest problem with the clippers is the battery design. Several customers complained that the battery only lasted a few months before it became unusable. The accessories are a nice bonus for such a low price, but the manufacturer should have put more effort into the trimmer’s performance.
Pros
Affordable
Includes high-quality scissors and comb
Cons
Faulty charger
Blade tugs fur and locks up
Movable blade is made of plastic
Not durable
Buyer’s Guide – How to Pick The Best Cordless Dog Clippers
Grooming your dog can save you a bundle compared to using a professional groomer, but you need the right tool to prevent injuries or irritation. Here are some elements to consider when shopping for clippers.
Affordable
Includes high-quality scissors and comb
- Affordable
- Includes high-quality scissors and comb
Faulty charger
Blade tugs fur and locks up
Movable blade is made of plastic
Not durable
- Faulty charger
- Blade tugs fur and locks up
- Movable blade is made of plastic
- Not durable
Battery Life
Corded trimmers are challenging to use with hyper dogs, but you never have to worry about running out of power. Cordless clippers are generally lighter and easy to use, but some models have short running times. If you have a small dog or toy breed with a light coat, battery power may not be a significant concern. Longer battery life is more critical when you groom multiple dogs or have to trim thick, matted fur on a giant beast.
We like the trimmers that allow you to charge the unit with a plug while grooming and those with charging docks that have slots to charge other batteries. However, you can use a product with short battery life if you do not mind waiting an hour or more to finish trimming.
Battery Type
Cordless trimmers can be charged by inserting a plug into the trimmer or removing the battery and placing it in a charging dock. Models that charge without a dock are ideal when you do not have the space in the bathroom or kitchen for a massive plastic charger. However, removable batteries are helpful when you have lengthy grooming sessions and need to charge a replacement while you trim. Before buying a trimmer that comes with a charging dock, check the manufacturer’s website to ensure you can order replacement batteries. Some clipper producers no longer carry batteries for older models.
Noise Level
Every company claims to have a quiet trimmer, but often, their claims are exaggerated. If you have a decibel meter or decibel app, you can check the noise level when you receive the trimmer. Loud trimmers should be returned, but practically every clipper will get louder with age. Cleaning and oiling the unit after every grooming session will extend the trimmer’s life and keep the noise level down. Poor lubrication is often the reason that clippers get noisy.
Blade Longevity
Whether you use stainless steel, titanium, or ceramic blades, you’ll have to replace them when they get dull. Cheaper blades may only last a few months, while high-quality ones can last a year or more. If you have a trimmer with a fixed blade that’s not replaceable, your only option is to buy a new clipper when the blade loses its edge.
Replacement Blade Issues
One common and frustrating problem with dog clippers is the limited supply of extra blades. Some companies like Oster allow you to use any A5 blade as a replacement, but others require you to buy replacements from the company’s website. Ordering a battery directly from the manufacturer would not be problematic if the blades were always in stock.
However, several customers complained that they could not get the batteries even when the company claimed to offer them in the product description. We suggest contacting the manufacturer before buying their product to avoid this issue. You can buy from a more reliable producer if they’re out of batteries.
Strokes Per Minute (SPM)
When you examine the strokes per minute ratings in our reviews, you’ll notice a significant variation in the speeds. High-speed trimmers are best for cutting thinner hair and doing touch-ups on the face and legs. Models with lower speeds are better for thick matted hair.
Price
Cheaper trimmers have shorter lifespans, and although it’s wasteful to keep replacing a clipper that dies in a year or less, you’ll spend less money than you would on a professional job. If professional grooming costs $50 to $150 each session, a cheap trimmer will pay for itself in one session.
Conclusion
Grooming is not the most pleasant aspect of being a dog owner, but the experience is less stressful when you have a reliable clipper. Our reviews highlighted the best cordless models, but the Wahl Bravura Lithium-Ion Cordless Clipper Kit was our top pick. It only takes an hour to charge and runs for 90 minutes, and we liked the option of charging the trimmer while you use it. The Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper was our best value pick, and the lightweight design and quick-charge options make it an ideal choice for beginner groomers.
See also:
- 10 Best Professional Dog Clippers
- 10 Best Brushes for Maltipoos
- 10 Best Dog Bowls for Large Dogs
- 10 Best Toys For Golden Retrievers
