Hair Clipper Motor Types

Electric Hair clippers are generally driven by an electric motor which makes the blades of the hair clipper oscillate from side to side.

The better the quality of the motor… the easier it is to cut hair and the better the experience for the person whose hair is being cut.

This article is about the different type of hair clipper motor types.

You will learn :

• what the different type of hair clipper motor types are,

• what the differences in performance is likely to be between hair clippers that are manufactured with one type of hair motor clip or another

• what the major difference is between a professional and home use hair clipper

• gain a better understanding in choosing a hair clipper to buy

Professional Hair Clippers Vs Home Use Hair Clippers

The home type of hair clippers works more or less on the same general principle that the professional hair clipper that your barber or hair salon uses works….

but the home use hair clippers usually come with far less powerful hair clipper motors.

Professional hair clippers tend to come with far stronger, more durable motors that enables long term use without it overheating.

The powerful motors contained in most professional models also enable you to power through thick, wet hair or do several cuts in a row without overheating.

The fact that you can use it for a long time of use without it overheating makes it perfect for the professional barber use.

A larger motor on the professional hair clipper ultimately means though that professional hair clippers are larger than the clippers that are meant for home use.

Heavier clippers can be awkward to maneuver when cutting your own hair.

Although the home type hair clippers come with less powerful motors they are much more easier to maneuver but shaving the back and sides of your own head can still be a challenge.

If you invest in a set of professional hair clippers like the Oster Classic 76 (Est. $130) and maintain them appropriately, you can expect decades of faithful service.

Home-use hair clippers are usually lighter than professional clippers and have somewhat weaker motors, although reviewers say a few can still power through thick, heavy hair like a professional model.

These lighter home-use hair clippers are easier to maneuver, but shaving the back and sides of your own head can still be a challenge.

Hair Clipper Motor Types

There are generally 3 type of hair clipper motors that hair clippers come with

• Magnetic motors, which move the blades very fast but don’t offer much torque for cutting through thick hair. This type of motor produces a smoother haircut. Precision built to run quietly and cool, they are perfect for high volume hair cutting. These maintenance free motors require no internal oiling and last for years with fewer moving parts to wear out.
  

Click here to see some examples of hair clippers with a magnetic motor

• Pivot motors, which move the blades more slowly but have more power for mowing through thick or wet hair. Pivot motors are especially suitable for thick, heavy or wet hair

Click here to see some examples of hair clippers with a pivot motor

• Rotary motors, which offer both speed and power but also tend to be larger and heavier. Rotary motor clippers and trimmers offer an even amount of power and blade speed. With this combination, rotary motors are extremely versatile and work well for a wide variety of hair cutting methods.
  

Click here to see some examples of hair clippers with a rotary motor

Ivan Zoot, Andis Director of Education and Training takes time to explain the different types of clipper motors that can be found on hair clippers and what you can expect in performance from each type of hair clipper.

This will also help further explain the difference in hair clipper motor types and help you pick the right tool for the job.

Hair Clipper Motor Types

Hair Clipper Motor Types