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9 Best Cat Hair Clippers – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Kristin Hitchcock

By Kristin Hitchcock

grooming cat with clipper

Most cats don’t need much grooming. However, if you own a cat that needs regularly clipped, it is paramount to purchase a quality pair of clippers that can handle the job. After all, grooming a cat is hard enough; you don’t want your clippers to make it even more difficult.

There are many factors that go into purchasing the appropriate cat hair clippers. For instance, the type of coat that your cat has may require a specific type of hair clippers.

To help you choose the best cat hair clippers for your feline, we developed reviews of 9 of the best options.

hepper-cat-paw-divider

A Quick Look at Our Favorites of 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper
  • Two speed options
  • Compatible with other blades
  • Designed for all coat types
  • Best Value
    Second place
    PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer
  • Comes with three attachments
  • Inexpensive
  • Cordless
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper
  • Lightweight
  • Cordless
  • Fast-charging
  • Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper
  • Decently powerful
  • Two speeds
  • Quiet
  • Wahl Pocket Pro Cordless Dog & Cat Trimmer Wahl Pocket Pro Cordless Dog & Cat Trimmer
  • Cordless
  • Lightweight
  • Two blades included
  • The 9 Best Cat Hair Clippers

    1. Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper – Best Overall

    Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper

    Check Price on Chewy
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    Speeds: 2
    Blades: 1

    The Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper is easily the best overall cat hair clipper that you can purchase. This clipper is moderately priced, so you won’t be spending a fortune on it. You can buy either the single-speed or two-speed model, though the latter is a bit more expensive.

    While some clippers are designed for certain coat types, this one is made to tackle just about any coat type out there. It is fairly precise and straightforward to use, even for someone who has rarely tackled grooming a cat before.

    The motor runs quietly, which is vital to avoid scaring your cat. Most cats will react negatively to a louder clipper.

    The one-speed option maintains a solid 2,100 SPM. For most purposes, this is plenty. If you choose the two-speed option, it adds a 2,700 SPM mode for slightly faster trimming. If you’re new to trimming, you may not use this faster speed. However, it can be helpful when you’re trying to get a fearful cat groomed as quickly as possible.

    While this kit only comes with one blade, the clipper is compatible with a few different blade series. In fact, there is a 10-piece set that you can purchase separately.

    On the negative side, this clipper overheats quickly, so it isn’t for extended use.

    Pros
    • Two speed options
    • Compatible with other blades
    • Designed for all coat types
    • Runs quiet

    Cons
    • Overheats quickly


    2. PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer — Best Value

    PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer

    Check Price on Chewy
    Check Price on Amazon
    Speeds: 2
    Blades: 3

    For those who need to save some money, the PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer is the best cat hair clippers for the money. This trimmer is extremely cheap compared to some other options out there. However, it comes with many added features.

    For instance, this trimmer has a light that makes it easier to see what you’re doing. It’s also quiet, an essential feature if you have a fearful feline.

    Unlike most clippers out there, this one actually comes with three different attachments. You don’t have to purchase them separately, further increasing the amount of money that you’ll save.

    Plus, this trimmer is also cordless, so you can use it everywhere.

    That said, it isn’t quite as powerful as some other options out there. For this reason, it may be unable to clip through very thick fur.

    Pros
    • Comes with three attachments
    • Inexpensive
    • Cordless
    • Light included

    Cons
    • Isn’t that powerful


    3. Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper — Premium Choice

    Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper

    Check Price on Chewy
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    Speeds: 1
    Blades: 0

    If you have quite a bit of money to spend, you may want to consider the Oster Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Pet Clipper. The main benefit of this clipper is that it is wireless. Therefore, you can use it anywhere after charging it. This charger even has a quick charge capability.

    Despite needing to use a battery, this clipper is lightweight and extremely ergonomic, so it’s easy to carry around and use. When you’re trying to groom your cat, the last thing that you want to do is fight with your clipper.

    That said, this clipper only has one speed. While this isn’t necessarily a problem, we would expect better from such an expensive product.

    This clipper works with all A5 detachable blades. However, it doesn’t come with any extra blades.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Cordless
    • Fast-charging
    • Ergonomic

    Cons
    • A bit feature-poor for the price


    4. Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper

    Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper

    Check Price on Chewy
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    Speeds: 2
    Blades: 1

    The Oster A5 Turbo 2-speed Pet Clipper is a great option for some pet owners. It comes with a single A5 blade, though it is compatible with all A5 blades by this company. You may or may not need to purchase more blades to make this clipper usable.

    It has two different speed settings: 3,000 and 4,000 SPM. These speeds may be too high for those without experience. However, they do mean that your cat can get groomed fairly quickly.

    For the most part, this clipper is extremely durable. It is resistant to water and extremely unbreakable. It’s decently powerful, though the motor is quite quiet.

    That said, this clipper does get hot fairly quickly. This may be fine if you wear gloves. It also tends to die rather quickly compared to some other clippers on the market.

    Pros
    • Decently powerful
    • Two speeds
    • Quiet
    • Durable

    Cons
    • Gets hot quickly
    • Dies faster than some other models


    5. Wahl Pocket Pro Cordless Dog & Cat Trimmer

    Wahl Pocket Pro Cordless Dog & Cat Trimmer

    Check Price on Chewy
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    Speeds: 1
    Blades: 2

    As the name suggests, the Wahl Pocket Pro Cordless Dog & Cat Trimmer is extremely small and lightweight. It is designed to literally fit into your pocket, making it easy to carry this trimmer around the house as necessary. It doesn’t need to be charged like most cordless trimmers. Instead, it uses AA batteries to run.

    This trimmer comes with two blades, but they are extremely small. Therefore, it is best for detailed work, like trimming your cat’s face and getting between their toes. For trimming your cat’s whole body, you’ll likely need something else.

    We liked that this clipper includes accessories, including a blade guard and cleaning brush. It comes with everything that you need to get started.

    Pros
    • Cordless
    • Lightweight
    • Two blades included

    Cons
    • Small blade


    6. Andis Endurance Brushless Motor Clipper

    Andis Endurance Brushless Motor Clipper

    Speeds: 2
    Blades: 1

    The Andis Endurance Brushless Motor Clipper is designed for professionals. However, some cat owners may find this clipper more than worth the cost.

    It is lightweight and straightforward to use. Plus, it comes with enough torque and grooming power to handle many different jobs. Clipping a cat’s coat should be no issue.

    This clipper has two different speeds, though there isn’t a huge difference between them. You can select either 3,000 or 3,800 SPM, both of which are suitable for handling cat fur.

    That said, this clipper is not wireless like many other options. However, it does have a 17-foot cord, which should be more than enough for most situations. This cord is tangle-free and designed for heavy-duty applications. However, some people consider this cord to be unwieldy and too long.

    This clipper also tends to run hot after a time.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Two different speeds
    • Blade included

    Cons
    • Runs hot
    • Long cord


    7. Wahl Super Pocket Pro Pet Trimmer

    Wahl Super Pocket Pro Pet Trimmer

    Check Price on Chewy
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    Speeds: 1
    Blades: 2

    For most uses, the Wahl Super Pocket Pro Pet Trimmer is a solid choice. This trimmer is professional-grade, though it is easy enough for most beginners to use. It is quite powerful and should cut through the coat of most cats with ease.

    It has nice ergonomics that make it comfortable to use. Plus, the default speed is quite fast at 6,000 SPM. However, this is the only speed available.

    This handy trimmer comes with everything that you need to get started, including a travel pouch, blade oil, and a cleaning brush. It even comes with two attachment combs and six position guards.

    That said, this trimmer seems to break down more often than not. Therefore, it may not be a suitable option for those who do a great deal of grooming. It also dulls quickly, which is always an issue. You’ll need to sharpen the blades regularly or just purchase new ones.

    Pros
    • 6,000 SPM
    • Comes with many accessories
    • Ergonomic

    Cons
    • Breaks down easily
    • Dulls quickly
    • Only one speed


    8. Andis AG 2-Speed+ Detachable Blade Cat Clipper

    Andis AG 2-Speed+ Detachable Blade Cat Clipper

    Speeds: 2
    Blades: 1

    With two different speeds, the Andis AG 2-Speed+ Detachable Blade Cat Clipper can get through most cat coats with ease. It can reach up to 3,400 SPM, which should meet the needs of most users. The detachable blade system makes it extremely easy to clean up.

    While this clipper must remain plugged in, it has a long, 14-foot cord that gives you mobility. This cord may be too long for some tastes, though.

    This clipper is designed to work with most coat types. Therefore, it should groom your cat just fine.

    The motor is quiet, so it shouldn’t scare your feline. Unlike some other clippers, we found this one to run cool for quite a while.

    The included blade is rather dull, though. Most users will need to replace it.

    Pros
    • 14-foot cord
    • Quiet motor
    • 3,400 SPM

    Cons
    • Dull blade
    • Somewhat heavy


    9. Oster A5 Turbo Single Speed Pet Clipper

    Oster A5 Turbo Single Speed Pet Clipper

    Check Price on Chewy
    Check Price on Amazon
    Speeds: 1
    Blades: 1

    Like most trimmers made by this brand, the Oster A5 Turbo Single Speed Pet Clipper is professional-grade. It is designed for heavy-duty usage and is capable of grooming all sorts of different animals, including cats.

    It can get through thick hair with ease due to the powerful rotary motor, which runs at a speed of 3,100 SPM.

    You can change the blade easily and quickly with the detachable blade system. While this clipper is compatible with a wide variety of different blades, only one is included with your purchase.

    That said, this clipper isn’t that durable as some other options. While it’s expensive, it doesn’t last long. The motor dies quickly, and the unit can literally come apart while being used. Many people reported screws coming loose after a small amount of use.

    Pros
    • Powerful motor
    • Detachable blade system

    Cons
    • Motor wears down quickly
    • Clipper isn’t well put together

    hepper-cat-paw-divider

    Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Cat Hair Clippers

    Choosing the correct pair of clippers for your feline is essential if you want the grooming process to move along well. Otherwise, you may end up with loud trimmers that are unable to even cut through your cat’s fur.

    For this reason, we highly recommend taking your time and choosing only the best clippers for your cat. Here, we discuss a few of the most important factors that you should keep in mind when shopping.

    SPM

    The “strokes per minute,” or SPM, that a trimmer is rated for indicates its overall speed. Basically, this metric tells you how fast the clippers are.

    However, this isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds. Some manufacturers count these strokes differently, which means that the listed SPM doesn’t always mean the same thing across products. For instance, some companies count every time the blade moves to the left as a “stroke,” while others wait for the blade to move to the left and then come back.

    Therefore, this isn’t always a great metric to go off of.

    Furthermore, faster clippers aren’t always better. While you don’t want clippers that go exceedingly slow, you don’t want ones that go super fast either, as they may create more noise. Often, this is the last thing that you want when grooming a cat.

    Clippers that move faster also generate more heat. While this can make grooming uncomfortable in general, it can also make the internal parts break down faster.

    Power

    You don’t want to choose clippers that aren’t powerful enough to cut through your cat’s fur. If your cat has particularly thick fur, you want decently strong trimmers to match. Matted fur is particularly hard for trimmers to get through.

    Unfortunately, figuring out how powerful a trimmer is can be difficult. There is no universally accepted unit of power. Wattage will tell you how much power the unit needs, but it doesn’t mention the output.

    In some instances, you can look at the model type. Trimmers designed for light trimming will often have less power than those labeled as “heavy-duty.” However, what one person considers to be heavy-duty will vary.

    Those with rotary motors are often the strongest. However, they are also the loudest and hottest. Most will need a fan to stay cool.

    In the end, sometimes, you simply have to rely on product reviews to get an idea of how powerful the clippers are.

    Cat grooming in pet beauty salon
    Photo Credit: Studio Peace, Shutterstock

    Noise

    Most felines aren’t going to be fond of clippers, especially if they aren’t used to them. Loud clippers will often cause cats to become scared and fight the grooming process, which is the last thing that you want. Luckily, most trimmer manufacturers know this and make their clippers at least somewhat quiet.

    Often, the noise output is listed in the description. However, this isn’t always the case. If the decibels produced aren’t listed, you’ll likely need to guess based on the customer reviews.

    Included Blades

    Most trimmers come with at least one blade. However, some come with extras, and others don’t come with a blade at all. Having at least one blade ensures that you can get grooming right away. It may also help keep the costs down because you won’t need to purchase a blade separately.

    In many cases, the clippers come with a #10 blade. Typically, this is enough to cut the cat’s fur quite short without causing injury.

    Many trimmers are compatible with a range of blades and guard combs, which adjust the length that the blade cuts. Some come with these extra combs, while others require you to purchase them separately.

    Corded vs Cordless

    There are both corded and cordless options available on the market. Corded options are the most common. They are powerful and often lightweight because they don’t have to haul around a battery. However, the cord does limit your mobility and where you can groom your cat.

    Cordless options provide the mobility that corded models lack. However, they aren’t necessarily as powerful and can be heavy depending on the battery used. Most need to be charged regularly, though some will simply take AA batteries.

    Cordless trimmers can run out of charge and die in the middle of a session, while this isn’t a problem with corded options.

    In the end, the type that you choose depends on your personal preferences.

    hepper single cat paw divider

    FAQ

    Can You Use Hair Trimmers on Cats?

    Yes. Some long-haired cats benefit from being trimmed. While this isn’t always necessary, a cat with a trimmed coat is much easier to groom than one with a long coat. If you don’t have the time to keep your long-haired cat groomed, it may be better to simply trim their fur a bit.

    Just like dogs, different cat owners can choose different fur lengths. Usually, this is an aesthetic decision, though how much time you have on your hands also matters.

    Some long-haired cats need to be trimmed even if you want to keep their coat mostly long. For instance, their face and paws may benefit from being trimmed for hygienic reasons.

    When you trim your cat, you will need a pair of hair trimmers.

    Do Cats Need Special Clippers?

    You can utilize most pet clippers for trimming your feline. For the most part, cat fur isn’t that different from dog fur. Therefore, you can usually use any clippers designed for pets.

    Of course, it is always in your best interest to check the trimmers just in case. Rarely, trimmers may be labeled as “dog only.” You can also find pet clippers that are designed for horses or livestock. These may or may not be suitable for your cat.

    hepper cat paw divider

    Final Thoughts

    There are countless cat clippers available on the market. Our favorite is the Oster A5 Golden Pet Clipper. It comes in two different speed options and is relatively quiet. It is also compatible with a wide variety of different blades.

    If you’re on a strict budget, you may be interested in the PawPerfect Dog & Cat Fur Trimmer. Compared to other trimmers out there, this unit is exceedingly inexpensive but powerful enough to tackle most long-haired cats without much of a problem.

    We hope that our reviews have helped you decide on the best cat hair clippers for your feline. Which option you choose is largely up to your personal preference and what your feline needs.


    Featured Image Credit: BY-_-BY, Shutterstock

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