Wahl 5-Star Magic Clip Cordless – Review

The Wahl 5-Star Magic Clip Cordless is simply an outstanding, professional use, cordless hair clipper.

It has been one of Wahl’s fastest selling, men’s hair clipper since it was first introduced in 2016.

The Cordless Magic Clip features a unique stagger tooth blade – the ‘crunch blade’, allowing for a textured cut and precision fades.

It also has a powerful rotary motor, for bulk hair cutting, and a light weight design for easier handling and less fatigue.

This review covers the features, accessories, pros and cons, and similar clippers to rival to the Cordless Wahl Magic Clip.

Features

Powerful Rotary Motor

The cord/cordless Magic Clip uses a rotary motor.

Despite a slower blade speed than the corded version – (which has a V9000 electromagnetic motor), rotary motors are recognized as a more powerful, stronger motor.

The rotary motor in the Magic Clip doesn’t get bogged down cutting thick or wet hair.

The rotary motor also runs cooler than a magnetic motor – keeping the clipper body and blade from getting too hot.

The strong motor makes it ideal for cutting of all multi-cultural hair types.

Thick/coarse hair, Afro, and similar hair styles are suitable for this clipper.

Stagger-Tooth ‘Crunch Blade’

The Stagger-Tooth Crunch Blade feeds the hair faster; improving blending and creating texture while cutting.

This blade is also designed to create seamless blends when hard or soft line fading.

It has a thin bottom blade 13˚ bevel with deeper teeth – This is simply the angle of the cutting blade.

A staggered top blade, alternates with long and short blade teeth – which is ideal for creating texture and bulk hair removal.

Blade can be adjusted to a zero-gap, for super-close, skin-tight fades.

Ceramic Blade Alternative

The steel blades on the Magic Clip heat up quite a bit.

Any stainless steel blade will do the same and can potentially get too hot use against the skin.

You have 2 choices:

1. Use a cooling spray
2. Replace the steel blades with ceramic ones

This ceramic blade is an ideal replacement for your cordless Magic Clip steel ones:

Ceramic blades are stronger and do not conduct heat like steel does.

Swapping your steel Magic Clip blades with ceramic ones are a good option if you use them professionally.

Guide Combs

You get 8 standard guide combs (or guards) –

• No. 1 – 1/8″ (3 mm)
• No. 2 – ¼” (6 mm)
• No. 3 – 3/8″ (10 mm)
• No. 4 – ½” (13 mm)
• No. 5 – 5/8″ (16 mm)
• No. 6 – ¾” (19 mm)
• No. 7 – 7/8″ (22 mm)
• No. 8 –  1″ (25 mm)

These aren’t premier guide combs be any stretch of the imagination, but they do a job.

The pros among you, or if you intend to use this clipper often, I would look at upgrading them to something better (see accessories below).

Taper Lever

The Magic Clip has a standard taper lever giving you the ability to blend and create texture without changing guide combs.

The taper lever adjusts the cutting length with a guide comb in place, allowing for greater precision and variation in cutting lengths.

Battery

The new generation lithium ion battery provides up to 90 minutes of run time with a 120 minutes charging time.

That’s a lot of cuts before you even need to think about charging it up, or connecting the power cord.

Cord Or Cordless Operation

Since Wahl produced the cord cordless Magic Clip, they have been a firm favorite with professionals and for home use.

The wahl Magic Clip (original corded version) is still available and is still a great clipper for the price.

If you don’t mind the trailing power cord, then certainly consider this long time favorite clipper.

Obviously you’re here because you’re considering the cordless version.

Having the cordless model has obvious benefits to a trailing power cord.

It gives you much more freedom of movement and control.

However, there may be times when the power starts to drain and you need that extra boost without having to wait for the clipper to be recharged.

The cord/cordless Magic Clip allows you to attach the 8 foot long cord, plug it in, and carry on as a corded clipper – ensuring constant, 100% power.

A great feature for busy barber shops and salons.

How To Zero Gap Your Wahl Cordless Magic Clip

Zero gapping your clipper blades enables you to cut as close as possible to the skin, as the cutting blade moves almost level with the bottom blade.

It is a common practice to zero gap the blades to achieve very sharp edging or for close blending or fading.

A lot of people zero gap for shaving the head, and the Magic Clip will give you a near bald look when the blades are zero gapped.

You need to be very careful not to have the cutting blade and bottom blade exactly flush together, or you may cut the skin.

Here’s a good video showing you how to zero gap the Wahl Magic Clip Cordless..

Specifications

Weight: 10.2 oz (289 grams)

Length: 6.25 inches

What’s Included In The Box

Accessories For Wahl 5-Star Magic Clip

Replacement Blades

You can easily purchase a replacement blade for your Wahl Magic Clip.

In fact it’s always a good idea to have a spare one, just in case you drop and damage your blade when you need it the most.

Guide Combs

Although the Magic Clip Cordless comes with standard guide combs, these Wahl Professional Premium Black combs with metal clips, are a must if you intend to use these clippers on a regular basis.

There are mixed reviews regarding the guide combs supplied, with some folk complaining they aren’t a tight enough fit.

A good quality set of guide combs are a worthwhile investment.

Wahl Clipper Oil

Maintenance of your hair clipper involves using oil.

You need to oil the blade before and after every cut.

The Magic Clip comes supplied with a small bottle, but you’ll soon need more.

The Wahl Hair Clipper Blade Oil is my top choice, every time.

Travel Case

If you want to store your Magic Clip or travel with it, This Aproca travel/storage case is perfect.

Replacement Housing / Clipper Cover

Want to upgrade your Wahl Magic Clipper casing?

You can choose from a number of funky colors, or even have clear plastic, to show off the inner working parts.

Pros & Cons

Wahl 5-Star Cordless Magic Clip on Amazon

UK Model of Wahl Magic Clip Cordless

Live in the UK?

Check out the Wahl Magic Clip on Amazon.co.uk

Limited Edition Cordless Magic Clip

Wahl Metal Edition Cordless Magic Clip

Want your Wahl Magic Clip in shimmering steel?

You got it!

Same machine, but with added bling.

Check out the Wahl Magic Clip Metal Addition.

Wahl Professional 5-Star Limited Edition Black & Gold Cordless Magic Clip

This color combination is simply stunning!

I absolutely love this ‘old school’ style clipper which is loaded with modern features, and looks a million dollars.

Not sure how long the limited edition Black & Gold Cordless Magic Clip will be around, so get it while you can.

Final Thoughts

As with so many successful, corded hair clippers, a cordless version of Wahl’s excellent performing Magic Clip was inevitable.

With around 90 minutes of run time, it will keep working at optimal power. Plus you can plug it in to the mains if you need to.

However, even 90 minutes may not be long enough if in constant use, all day.

I do like the powerful rotary motor.

It powers the blades through the thickest of hair styles, and will keep buzzing along for many years.

The weight is nice and light, giving better control and allows you to cut for long periods without fatigue.

The ‘crunch technology’ stagger-tooth blade, makes blending and near bald fades a breeze.

Overall a quality built, reliable, professional hair clipper that performs to a high standard.

Everything you need in a clipper, as a professional cordless clipper, or for home use.

Thanks for reading my review of the Wahl 5-Star Magic Clip Cordless Hair Clipper.

If you have any comments, please drop them below.

Peter