ConsFirst / Hair clippers & beard trimmers / Compare
Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit vs BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on guards & length options, durability. BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper wins on comfort & noise.
The biggest complaint about the Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit is heavy, corded, no detail trimmer; for the BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper it's expensive, with only average guards. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit | BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in hair clippers & beard trimmers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Hair clipper | Hair clipper |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 8% | 12% |
| Overall score | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Cutting performance | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Guards & length options | 5.0 | 3.5 |
| Battery | — | 5.0 |
| Comfort & noise | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $50 · $$ $50–120 · $$$ over $120. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit
- Heavy, corded, no detail trimmer
Wirecutter says it weighs nearly a pound, which is the upper limit of comfortable, and it lacks a T-blade companion trimmer for ears and necklines. The left- and right-ear tapered combs are no longer included in the kit.
Source: Wirecutter (hair clippers) - Noise opinions are split
Wirecutter found its magnetic motor slightly louder than the Remington Virtually Indestructible, though not obnoxiously loud. Amazon's review summary says some owners find it remarkably quiet while others say it is a bit loud.
- Taper lever is less precise than pro clippers
Wirecutter says the taper lever worked smoothly out of the box but is not as precise as the levers on pro models like the Andis Master or Oster Fast Feed.
Source: Wirecutter (hair clippers)
BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper
- Expensive, with only average guards
Wirecutter calls the 8 included guides average quality and says they snap on so tightly that removing them can be hard for people with limited hand strength. Men's Health says it costs more than similar pro clippers, and Amazon's summary says some owners call it a high-priced bummer.
- Heat and mixed reliability
Wirecutter says some customers report the clipper getting hot, though its testers didn't see this. Amazon's summary lists heat as a topic, says cutting performance is mixed, and notes some owners report it breaking after the second use.
- Shorter warranty; heavier metal body
Wirecutter notes the 2-year warranty falls short of its other picks. Men's Health says the all-metal casing makes it heavier than similar clippers.
Who should pick which
Pick the Wahl Elite Pro High Performance Hair Clipper Kit if
Regular home haircuts on any hair type
Beginners who rely on guide combs
People who never want to recharge
Skip it if: You want cordless; You need a detail or T-blade trimmer in the box; You want a small, light clipper for cutting your own hair
Pick the BaBylissPRO Silver FX+ All-Metal Lithium Clipper if
Frequent haircuts in one household
Cordless use with a long runtime
Fades and close cuts without swapping guards
Skip it if: You're on a budget; You have weak hands (the guards snap on very tightly); You want a long warranty
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