Oster Fast-Feed Clipper

Bottom line

The Oster Fast-Feed Clipper offers one of the best blends of power, usability and value. It's light and maneuverable enough to cut your own hair at home and powerful enough to mow through thick hair -- but not so fast that it's likely to get away from you. The Fast-Feed operates quietly, and its adjustable blades and four comb guards can handle short- to medium-length hair.

Performance

A balance of power and price. The Oster Fast-Feed's pivot motor can mow through thick hair and it stays cool for longer than less expensive models. "I can get through about maybe three heads before it actually gets warm to the touch," says one YouTube reviewer who's been cutting hair for 15 years.

The Fast-Feed also draws lots of praise for its quiet operation. Its adjustable blade and four included combs can handle short- to medium-length hair, although some users say the guards are loose. That's easily fixed by purchasing a set of Oster's universal guards (Est. $29 for 10), which also allows you to work with longer hair.

Ease of use

Just one tiny flaw. The Oster Fast-Feed's blades adjust from 1/50-inch to 3/32-inch. Four comb guards range from 1/8 inch to ½ inch. The Fast-Feed also comes with a blade guard, blade oil and a cleaning brush, but no carry case to keep it all together.

We found some complaints that the Oster Fast-Feed's blade-adjust lever is made of flimsy plastic and can break, but otherwise users say this clipper feels sturdy in their hands. It's lightweight, easy to maneuver and requires very little maintenance beyond periodically oiling the blades.