The Wahl 5 Star Cordless Magic Clip Red is a cord/cordless barber clipper for barbers who live in the fade: its chrome-plated Stagger-Tooth blade sets the teeth in a staggered pattern instead of one even row, which Wahl builds for faster feeding and smoother blending. The blade cuts 46 mm wide, the adjustment lever runs a variable taper from 0.5 to 1.2 mm, and the Li-ion battery gives up to 100 minutes cordless. Made in the USA.

In the box

• Wahl Magic Clip Cordless Red clipper
• 8 cutting guides
• Power adapter with cord (charges the clipper and runs it corded)
• Styling comb
• Blade oil
• Cleaning brush
• Blade guard

Why the Magic Clip Cordless Red

The Magic Clip is built around its blade, and this is the classic one: a chrome-plated Stagger-Tooth set that Wahl markets as 'Crunch' Blade Technology. The teeth sit staggered rather than in one even row, so hair is fed into the cutting edge from more than one height on each pass - the reason Wahl calls out faster feeding and optimized blending. Around it sits the part barbers actually work: the blade adjustment lever, running a variable taper from 0.5 to 1.2 mm under the thumb, over a 46 mm cutting width. Cordless and light, it handles like a detail tool, with up to 100 minutes on the Li-ion battery.

Key features

• Chrome-plated Stagger-Tooth blade - staggered teeth feed hair in and smooth the blend
• Wahl 'Crunch' Blade Technology, the brand's name for this blade set
• Blade adjustment lever, variable taper 0.5 to 1.2 mm, worked with the thumb mid-cut
• 46 mm cutting width for fast passes across the head
• Lithium-ion battery, up to 100 minutes cordless
• Cord or cordless - plug the cord in when the battery runs low and keep cutting
• 8 cutting guides, styling comb, oil and brush included; made in the USA

What to expect in the hand

Cordless and lighter than a mains clipper, the Magic Clip sits in the palm like a detail tool - which is why it gets picked up for long fade work rather than a heavy metal machine. The lever falls under the thumb and sweeps the taper from 0.5 to 1.2 mm without stopping to change a guide, so the transition is set by feel as you climb. The 46 mm blade clears a wide path on bulk work, and the staggered teeth draw hair in rather than pushing it ahead of the edge.

Who it is for

• Barbers whose day is fades and blends, who want the classic Magic Clip blade
• Anyone who wants one clipper for the bulk take-down and the transition after it
• Barbers who set the taper by feel on the lever rather than swapping guides mid-fade
• Experienced home users who want a pro clipper that stays light all cut

Who it is not for

• Skin fades and crisp outlines - a T-blade trimmer's job; it blends, it does not edge
• Beard shaping and detail around the ears - the 46 mm blade is built for the head
• Anyone who wants a titanium or DLC coated blade - this one is chrome-plated steel
• Anyone who wants a charging stand - it charges from its cord and adapter

Professional tip

Start the fade with the bare blade and the lever closed, then walk the lever open as the taper climbs - the whole point of a variable taper, and it beats swapping a guide on every pass. Keep the pressure light so the staggered teeth can pull the hair in, and oil the blade between clients.

How to use

1. Charge fully before first use with the supplied adapter; the LED shows the charge state.
2. Oil the blade: one drop in the centre of the top blade and one on each end; run briefly, wipe off the excess.
3. Set the lever - closed for the shortest cut at 0.5 mm, open toward 1.2 mm for longer - or clip on a guide.
4. Take the bulk down first, then blend the transition with the lever, opening it as you work up.
5. When the battery runs low, plug the cord in and keep cutting; left attached with the clipper off, it recharges.

Care and maintenance

Brush the hair out after each client and oil the Stagger-Tooth blade every day you use it - one drop in the centre of the top blade and one on each end - with the Wahl blade oil from the box; Wahl specifies its own oil, and a blade cleaning spray always gets a drop of oil afterwards, because it leaves the blade dry. Never soak the clipper or blade in any solution: the chrome plating resists corrosion, it does not replace oil, and a dry blade is the usual reason a clipper starts pulling hair. If you take the blade off, refit the top blade slightly behind the bottom blade and parallel to it. And for sectioning hair while you work, add the XanitaliaPro SalonPro hair clips.

In short

• Cord/cordless 5 Star barber clipper with the chrome-plated Stagger-Tooth blade
• Wahl 'Crunch' Blade Technology; 46 mm cutting width for fast passes
• Blade adjustment lever, variable taper 0.5 - 1.2 mm, set by thumb mid-cut
• Lithium-ion, up to 100 minutes cordless; cord or cordless; 100 - 240 V
• 8 cutting guides, styling comb, oil and brush included; made in the USA

Frequently asked questions