At-home grooming can save you a ton of money, but when you have a dog with incredibly thick hair or lots of mats, you may find it’s more challenging to accomplish the job at home. Some clippers just refuse to cut your pet’s coat when it’s thick or tangled! So, how can you find a great pair of dog clippers that will cut through anything you need it to?

Knowing just what you should look for in a clipper is an excellent start, which is why we’ve put together a buying guide below with everything you need to know. Reading product reviews is another fabulous way to find out what you need to know about a clipper. But there are tons of clippers out there, and you don’t have time to read reviews of them all. That’s why we’re getting you started with reviews of the 10 best dog clippers for thick and matted hair. Hopefully, you’ll find just what you need on the list!

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Image Product Details

Best Overall

Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper Kit

Worked well on dogs with thick hair, such as poodles

5-in-1 blade

Cordless & lightweight

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Best Value

Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper

Quiet

Pet owners said clipper works well on thick hair and mats

Comes with DVD on grooming

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Premium Choice

Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper

Heavy duty

Promises to be nearly unbreakable

Two speeds

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Andis AGC2 2-Speed Detachable

Works with several blades

14-foot cord for easier movement during grooming

Heavy duty

Check Price

Wahl Bravura Lithium Ion Cordless

Can use as cordless or corded

Quick charging

5-in-1 blade

Check Price

The 10 Best Dog clipper for Thick and Matted Hair

The Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper is the best overall clipper for thick and matted hair. The clipper is exceptionally lightweight and cordless, making it a breeze to handle, while the 5-in-1 blade offers a variety of cut lengths. You can use it to clip the face and feet of all breed sizes. Though the company’s recommended size for full-body clips is small and medium breeds, plenty of pet owners used these for full clips on large breeds with little to no problems. This clipper proved immensely popular amongst poodle owners who had difficulty finding a clipper that worked on their dogs’ thick hair. This kit includes a storage case, charger and charging stand, cordless clipper, adjustable blade, rechargeable battery packs, combs, oil for the blade, a brush for cleaning, and instructions. People who have used this clipper noted that it goes through batteries quite quickly, though.

Lifestage: Adult

Material: Plastic

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Pros

Worked well on dogs with thick hair, such as poodles

5-in-1 blade

Cordless & lightweight

Cons

Many pet owners had to turn to YouTube to learn how to use clipper

Some complained of batteries not being long-lasting

If you’re looking for a smart-looking cut but don’t want to pay a huge amount of money for a clipper, our pick for the best value clipper is Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper. With an adjustable 3-in-1 blade and lithium-ion batteries, this clipper offers up to 6000 SPM (strokes per minute). Because this clipper is cordless, it’s easier to wrangle your pup during grooming than it would be with a corded clipper. A full charge on this product will give you up to two hours of use; a quick charge option will give up to eight minutes of use.

Worked well on dogs with thick hair, such as poodles

5-in-1 blade

Cordless & lightweight

  • Worked well on dogs with thick hair, such as poodles
  • 5-in-1 blade
  • Cordless & lightweight

Many pet owners had to turn to YouTube to learn how to use clipper

Some complained of batteries not being long-lasting

  • Many pet owners had to turn to YouTube to learn how to use clipper
  • Some complained of batteries not being long-lasting

This clipper comes with a 3-in-1 blade, stainless steel scissors, storage case, pet comb, seven attachment combs, blade guard, blade oil, brush for cleaning, instructions, and a DVD on styling and grooming. Some people have noted that this clipper’s vibrations are quite strong, meaning a nervous dog might not like having this clipper used on its fur.

Pros

Quiet

Pet owners said clipper works well on thick hair and mats

Comes with DVD on grooming

Cons

Complaints of strong clipper vibrations

Rare criticism of clipper not working well on fine hair

When it’s a premium choice you’ve been searching for, our recommendation is the Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper. Coming in single or two speed, this clipper is heavy-duty and promises to be virtually unbreakable! You can use the Oster A5 on pretty much any type of dog coat out there for anything from touch-ups to full-body clips. This professional-level clipper runs quietly with little to no vibration and isn’t prone to overheating. The Oster A5 comes with a #10 Cryogen-X blade, guard, and oil for the blade, grease, carbon brush, spring assemblies, cleaning brush, and care manuals. There have been a few complaints about the product overheating, though. You also need buy some additional combs for the grooming process.

Quiet

Pet owners said clipper works well on thick hair and mats

Comes with DVD on grooming

  • Quiet
  • Pet owners said clipper works well on thick hair and mats
  • Comes with DVD on grooming

Complaints of strong clipper vibrations

Rare criticism of clipper not working well on fine hair

  • Complaints of strong clipper vibrations
  • Rare criticism of clipper not working well on fine hair

Pros

Heavy duty

Promises to be nearly unbreakable

Two speeds

Cons

Some complaints that product did overheat

Does not come with combs

The Andis AGC2 clipper is super duty and designed to work on all fur types. The rotary motor ensures the clipper won’t overheat, while the two speeds and multiple length options (via the removable blade) provide for a variety of haircuts. The Andis AGC2 comes with a #10 UltraEdge blade but will also work with CeramicEdge, ShowEdge, and Oster A5 blades. Plus, the removable blade makes clean-up more manageable than ever!

Heavy duty

Promises to be nearly unbreakable

Two speeds

  • Heavy duty
  • Promises to be nearly unbreakable
  • Two speeds

Some complaints that product did overheat

Does not come with combs

  • Some complaints that product did overheat
  • Does not come with combs

This clipper comes with a 14-foot power cord for easy movement while grooming, a single blade, blade oil, and a blade drive. People who have dogs with fine fur reported that this clipper was not as effective for their dog’s fur.

Pros

Works with several blades

14-foot cord for easier movement during grooming

Heavy duty

Cons

Only comes with a single blade

May work less well on fine hair

Rare complaints of product pulling hair

Are you looking for professional results without the cost? Then it’s the Wahl Bravura clipper you’ll want! With a combination of a 5-in-1 blade and a lithium battery, this cordless clipper is strong, durable, and less noisy than other brands. It charges fully in just under an hour for a run time of an hour and a half – that means you can fully groom your pup in one sitting (unless they’re a super large breed!). And, if the battery does run out in the middle of a grooming session, you can simply use the clipper with a cord to continue with the job.

Works with several blades

14-foot cord for easier movement during grooming

Heavy duty

  • Works with several blades
  • 14-foot cord for easier movement during grooming
  • Heavy duty

Only comes with a single blade

May work less well on fine hair

Rare complaints of product pulling hair

  • Only comes with a single blade
  • May work less well on fine hair
  • Rare complaints of product pulling hair

Lifestage: Adult

Material: Stainless steel

This clipper kit comes with a 5-in-1 blade set, blade oil, attachment guide combs, brush for cleaning, charger and stand, instructions, and storage case. It also comes in five fun colors!

Pros

Can use as cordless or corded

Quick charging

5-in-1 blade

Cons

Some complaints of battery not holding charge

Rare complaints of faulty blade received

Fine hairs may clog up attachments

This brushless, two-speed clipper claims to have a motor life that lasts for approximately 10,000 hours! Due to the continual speed control, along with the max power and torque, the Wahl KM10 provides an extra boost when it comes to cutting through any thick coats or mats you may come up against. Plus, you won’t have to deal with hand and wrist fatigue after using it for longer periods with its ergonomic design.

Can use as cordless or corded

Quick charging

5-in-1 blade

  • Can use as cordless or corded
  • Quick charging
  • 5-in-1 blade

Some complaints of battery not holding charge

Rare complaints of faulty blade received

Fine hairs may clog up attachments

  • Some complaints of battery not holding charge
  • Rare complaints of faulty blade received
  • Fine hairs may clog up attachments

This clipper comes with a #10 Ultimate Competition Series blade that detaches. There have been a few complaints that this clipper overheats quickly.

Pros

Claims an incredibly long motor life

Pet owners said it cut through mats easily

Ergonomic design

Cons

May overheat quickly

Rare complaints of cord shorting out

  1. Wahl KM5 Rotary 2-Speed Professional Dog & Cat Clipper Kit

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Lifestage: Adult

Material: Plastic

Also by Wahl, this clipper promises salon-quality performance and precision at an at-home cost. With a rotary motor featuring two speeds, plus amazing power, durability, and torque, the KM5 is made for any coat type your pet may have. The consistent speed control means that clipping power is constant, making it easier to get through mats and thick hair. Plus, this clipper is quiet and has low vibration, which along with the ergonomic design, means it’s simpler to handle and won’t tire out your wrist and hand. This clipper comes with a 14-foot cord for ease of movement, #10 blade, oil, and brush. However, this product only comes with a single blade and no combs.

Claims an incredibly long motor life

Pet owners said it cut through mats easily

Ergonomic design

  • Claims an incredibly long motor life
  • Pet owners said it cut through mats easily
  • Ergonomic design

May overheat quickly

Rare complaints of cord shorting out

  • May overheat quickly
  • Rare complaints of cord shorting out

Check Latest Price

Pros

Consistent speed control to get through mats and thick hair

Low vibration

Comes with a 14-foot cord

Cons

Some had trouble removing blade

Does not come with combs

Only comes with a single blade

  1. Sminiker Professional Rechargeable Grooming clipper

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Lifestage: Adult

Material: Plastic

The Sminiker Professional clipper is heavy-duty with steady control for a product that cuts through any kind of coat. With both a ceramic and titanium blade, this clipper is smooth and precise as it works. It’s also super quiet and low vibration, so you won’t have to worry about it scaring your dog. Even if it’s your first time grooming at home, you shouldn’t have any issues with the Sminiker as it comes with four limiting combs so you can cut your pet’s hair without being concerned you’ll cut them. This clipper comes with scissors, a cleaning brush, a nail clipper, a nail file, an adaptor, a rechargeable battery, four limiting combs, and instructions on how to use it. People have noted that the blades get dull quickly.

Consistent speed control to get through mats and thick hair

Low vibration

Comes with a 14-foot cord

  • Consistent speed control to get through mats and thick hair
  • Low vibration
  • Comes with a 14-foot cord

Some had trouble removing blade

Does not come with combs

Only comes with a single blade

  • Some had trouble removing blade
  • Does not come with combs
  • Only comes with a single blade

Pros

Comes with not just clipper extras but nails as well

Safe for first-time at-home groomers to use

Heavy duty

Cons

Some complaints of clipper not working after having been used 3-4 times

Rare complaints of battery not holding charge

Blades dull quickly

  1. Pet Union Professional Dog Grooming Kit

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Lifestage: Adult

Material: Plastic

This clipper by Pet Union contains Precision-cut titanium blades that promise not to pull your pet’s hair, along with a precision motor that is super quiet and low on vibrations, so your pet won’t panic at the idea of a haircut. Several pet owners commented on how well this clipper worked for their dogs who had crazy mats or just super thick hair – it really seems to get the job done! You don’t just get the clipper with this product; you also get thinning shears, stainless steel scissors, stainless steel comb, attachment combs, nail file, nail clipper, blade oil, cleaning brush, and power adaptor. It’s a full-service kit! One con to this clipper kit is that the motor is not as strong as other brands.

Comes with not just clipper extras but nails as well

Safe for first-time at-home groomers to use

Heavy duty

  • Comes with not just clipper extras but nails as well
  • Safe for first-time at-home groomers to use
  • Heavy duty

Some complaints of clipper not working after having been used 3-4 times

Rare complaints of battery not holding charge

Blades dull quickly

  • Some complaints of clipper not working after having been used 3-4 times
  • Rare complaints of battery not holding charge
  • Blades dull quickly

Pros

Full-service grooming

Several pet owners commented on how well this worked on thick or matted hair

Won’t pull at pet’s hair

Cons

Complaints of scissors being dull

Occasional complaint of clipper blade being dull right out of box

Motor isn’t as strong as other brands

  1. HANSPROU Dog Shaver clipper High Power Dog Clipper

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Lifestage: Adult

Material: Aluminum alloy

Made with aluminum alloy, this clipper is designed to be more durable and last longer than others. The 12-volt motor offers a high-speed clip, while the titanium and ceramic blades are sharp without pulling on your dog’s hair. The HANSPROU clipper is designed with quietness and low vibration in mind so that it won’t frighten your pet (or tire out your hand). And, as it’s a plug-in, there’s no need to sit around waiting on a charge!

Full-service grooming

Several pet owners commented on how well this worked on thick or matted hair

Won’t pull at pet’s hair

  • Full-service grooming
  • Several pet owners commented on how well this worked on thick or matted hair
  • Won’t pull at pet’s hair

Complaints of scissors being dull

Occasional complaint of clipper blade being dull right out of box

Motor isn’t as strong as other brands

  • Complaints of scissors being dull
  • Occasional complaint of clipper blade being dull right out of box
  • Motor isn’t as strong as other brands

Lifestage: Adult

Material: Aluminum alloy

This clipper comes with four limit combs, cleaning brush, and a two-year warranty. There have been a few reports from buyers about the overall quality of the product, as the power button broke and the combs fell off.

Pros

Durable

Sharp blades that don’t pull on hair

Cons

Some complaints of on/off button breaking

Rare complaint of combs falling off

Hair may get caught in guard

Durable

Sharp blades that don’t pull on hair

  • Durable
  • Sharp blades that don’t pull on hair

Some complaints of on/off button breaking

Rare complaint of combs falling off

Hair may get caught in guard

  • Some complaints of on/off button breaking
  • Rare complaint of combs falling off
  • Hair may get caught in guard

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Clippers for Thick and Matted Hair

At-home grooming is a wonderful way to save some money, plus it can also be beneficial if your dog is skittish of professional groomers as your dog will have more trust in you.

How to Groom Thick or Matted Hair

Before you attempt grooming your dog with thick or matted hair at home, you need to know how best to go about the procedure. You’ll be able to find plenty of videos online that can walk you through step-by-step (and give you ideas for haircut styles), but the basic process is laid out below.

Prepare your tools. Set out all tools you’ll be using so you have everything at hand. These tools will include a clipper, scissors, brush, detangler, dog shampoo, and towels. You may also want to have a hairdryer if that’s something your pet is okay sitting for and treats to help them stay motivated to be still throughout the grooming process.

Make your pup comfortable. Place your pup in the area you’ll be doing the grooming and help them relax.

Try to detangle mats. While it’s fine to use a clipper on mats and tangles, it’s always helpful to try to detangle them at least partially before you do so. Simply apply a detangling solution or work some cornstarch into the mats, then try to brush them out gently.

Next, it’s time to use the clipper. A #10 blade should work well on any mats you weren’t able to detangle, but you’ll probably need to look online to see what other blades would work well on your doggo’s coat. Start at the neck, then work your way slowly back towards the tail. Don’t go too quickly, or you could pull your pet’s hair! As you work, occasionally check the blade of the clipper to be sure they aren’t overheating. If you come across any knots or areas the clipper can’t handle (or can’t reach), you can try scissors to cut and trim.

Brush your dog out. Brush your dog out before giving them a bath to eliminate any loose hairs.

Bath time! Finally, it’s time to give your pup a bath. Use a soothing shampoo and check their skin during bathing for any cuts or sores. Once they’re clean, dry them off with towels or a hairdryer, and they’re good to go!

And a few random tips to help when you’re dealing with mats.

Prepare your tools. Set out all tools you’ll be using so you have everything at hand. These tools will include a clipper, scissors, brush, detangler, dog shampoo, and towels. You may also want to have a hairdryer if that’s something your pet is okay sitting for and treats to help them stay motivated to be still throughout the grooming process.

Make your pup comfortable. Place your pup in the area you’ll be doing the grooming and help them relax.

Try to detangle mats. While it’s fine to use a clipper on mats and tangles, it’s always helpful to try to detangle them at least partially before you do so. Simply apply a detangling solution or work some cornstarch into the mats, then try to brush them out gently.

Next, it’s time to use the clipper. A #10 blade should work well on any mats you weren’t able to detangle, but you’ll probably need to look online to see what other blades would work well on your doggo’s coat. Start at the neck, then work your way slowly back towards the tail. Don’t go too quickly, or you could pull your pet’s hair! As you work, occasionally check the blade of the clipper to be sure they aren’t overheating. If you come across any knots or areas the clipper can’t handle (or can’t reach), you can try scissors to cut and trim.

Brush your dog out. Brush your dog out before giving them a bath to eliminate any loose hairs.

Bath time! Finally, it’s time to give your pup a bath. Use a soothing shampoo and check their skin during bathing for any cuts or sores. Once they’re clean, dry them off with towels or a hairdryer, and they’re good to go!

  • Prepare your tools. Set out all tools you’ll be using so you have everything at hand. These tools will include a clipper, scissors, brush, detangler, dog shampoo, and towels. You may also want to have a hairdryer if that’s something your pet is okay sitting for and treats to help them stay motivated to be still throughout the grooming process.
  • Make your pup comfortable. Place your pup in the area you’ll be doing the grooming and help them relax.
  • Try to detangle mats. While it’s fine to use a clipper on mats and tangles, it’s always helpful to try to detangle them at least partially before you do so. Simply apply a detangling solution or work some cornstarch into the mats, then try to brush them out gently.
  • Next, it’s time to use the clipper. A #10 blade should work well on any mats you weren’t able to detangle, but you’ll probably need to look online to see what other blades would work well on your doggo’s coat. Start at the neck, then work your way slowly back towards the tail. Don’t go too quickly, or you could pull your pet’s hair! As you work, occasionally check the blade of the clipper to be sure they aren’t overheating. If you come across any knots or areas the clipper can’t handle (or can’t reach), you can try scissors to cut and trim.
  • Brush your dog out. Brush your dog out before giving them a bath to eliminate any loose hairs.
  • Bath time! Finally, it’s time to give your pup a bath. Use a soothing shampoo and check their skin during bathing for any cuts or sores. Once they’re clean, dry them off with towels or a hairdryer, and they’re good to go!

Mats start near the skin, so even if you don’t see tangles on the surface of your dog’s coat, dig in to make sure they are mat-free.

If mats are super thick and attached to the skin, you won’t want to try clipping them as you risk cutting your pet’s skin.

It’s okay if you run across mats you can’t handle on your own! Just take your dog to a professional so they can safely remove the tangles.

How to Care for Clippers

It’s inevitable that, over time, the blades on your dog clipper will start to dull. You can do a few things to slow down that process, though.

Mats start near the skin, so even if you don’t see tangles on the surface of your dog’s coat, dig in to make sure they are mat-free.

If mats are super thick and attached to the skin, you won’t want to try clipping them as you risk cutting your pet’s skin.

It’s okay if you run across mats you can’t handle on your own! Just take your dog to a professional so they can safely remove the tangles.

  • Mats start near the skin, so even if you don’t see tangles on the surface of your dog’s coat, dig in to make sure they are mat-free.
  • If mats are super thick and attached to the skin, you won’t want to try clipping them as you risk cutting your pet’s skin.
  • It’s okay if you run across mats you can’t handle on your own! Just take your dog to a professional so they can safely remove the tangles.

Clean After Each Use

Cleaning out the fur from around your clipper’s blades after each use is vital. Most clippers will come with a cleaning brush of some kind that you can use. After the hair is removed, you can return the blade to the clipper then submerge the blade (just the blade!) in a blade wash solution. Run the blade for a handful of seconds, then take the blade off the clipper again and lay aside to dry.

Oil the Blades

Most clippers will also come with blade oil. Oiling your blades after each use will help them to keep running smoothly and efficiently. Simply put a couple of drops in between the clipper’s blades while the clipper is turned on, then watch the excess oil drip off. Once there’s no more excess oil, you can turn the clipper off and gently pat the blade with a dry cloth.

Related Read: 10 Best Dog Clippers for Poodles in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks

What to Look for in Dog Clippers for Thick or Matted Hair

There are many things to look for when you’re trying to find the perfect clipper for your dog, including what kind of blades a clipper has and the speed at which it operates.

Blades

When it comes to the blades of a clipper, there are a few things to consider. The first is whether the clipper you’re contemplating has the blades you’ll need for your dog’s fur. The second is whether the product comes with extra blades – the more blades available, the more options there are for your pet’s haircut. The third is the material of the blade – most blades are either steel, titanium, or ceramic (though some clippers come with both titanium and ceramic blades). Ceramic and titanium blades run less risk of overheating and burning your pup. Titanium blades will also stay sharper longer. Finally, look at the speed at which the blade operates. The higher the speed (SPM or strokes per minute), the less chance the clipper will get caught on your pet’s fur.

Weight

Heavy-duty clippers are great as they work well on thick fur, but they will weigh more. If you think your hand or wrist will get tired quickly, you may want to go with a less heavy-duty clipper that won’t weigh as much. Remember, you could be holding these clippers for an hour or more at a time, depending on the size of your dog.

Noise Level

Clippers can be scary for our pups, and that’s no surprise, considering how loud and buzzy some of them are! To make the grooming process a bit less anxiety-inducing, look for clippers that run quieter. It’ll be well worth it when you don’t have to wrangle an unhappy dog into place constantly.

Heat

Clippers will likely overheat at some point, no matter what type you get, but you can lessen the number of times they overheat and how much they overheat. High-speed blades provide more clipping power but are more prone to getting hot. Lower speeds will heat up less but also offer less power. Likewise, ceramic blades will stay cool for longer periods of time, but they’re more at risk of dulling quicker.

Good quality and professional quality clippers should contain insulation and cooling systems to help prevent overheating and accidental burns.

Corded vs Cordless

Whether you want clippers that come with a cord or a cordless one with a rechargeable battery will probably come down to personal preference, but there are pros and cons to each.

Clippers that come with a cord enable you to do full-body grooming without running the risk of the battery dying, and you have to take a break. This is ideal when you’re dealing with thick or matted fur. The downside is a cord can sometimes inhibit movement, and you might trip over it at some point. If you go the corded route, your best bet is likely to get a clipper with a long cord.

Cordless clippers offer a larger range of motion and are usually easier for beginners to handle. But with these, you might run out of battery charge halfway through, which means stopping your grooming and waiting for it to recharge. That also means getting your dog to come back for a further round of clipping which can be a hassle.

Usage Time

This applies to cordless clippers instead of corded. When looking at a clipper with no cord, you’ll want to see how long a full charge should last and aim for one that has a higher usage time, so you don’t have the clipper die in the middle of use.

Casing Material

Most clippers you come across will have a casing made of plastic. Plastic should mostly be fine, but if you or your pet knock the clippers off a table or counter, they could crack. Professional clippers will be made of materials resistant to cracking and shattering.

Extras

A good clipper should come with extras such as attachment combs, scissors, extra blades, blade oil, and a cleaning brush. Sometimes you’ll also find that clippers come with other grooming tools such as nail files or nail clips as well.

Cost

Clippers can get kind of pricy, so it’s essential to figure out what your budget is and plan accordingly. Make sure clippers are of good quality, especially if they have a high cost.

Reviews

An excellent way to figure out whether you’ll be getting your money’s worth is by reading product reviews from other dog owners. Reviews will give you better insight into whether a clipper will work on your pet’s hair (and often will include photos of pets who have been groomed with them so you can see just how well they worked). Just be wary of reviews that have been exchanged for payment.

Conclusion

Our choice for the best overall dog clipper for thick or matted hair is the Wahl Arco Cordless Pet Clipper for its lightweight and great reviews of how well it worked on thick fur. For the best value for the money, we like the Wahl Pro Ion Lithium Cordless Pet Clipper because of its great price and high SPM. Finally, our pick for a premium clipper is the Oster A5 due to its heavy-duty quality.

See also:

  • 10 Best Professional Dog Clippers

Featured Image Credit: Kasefoto, Shutterstock