A man who cuts his own hair already has a routine and probably a clipper. What he usually lacks is the gear that makes it easier: a clipper that runs longer and cuts cleaner, a trimmer for sharp edges, and a way to see the back of his head. Those are the gifts that get used every couple of weeks.
Start by looking at what he uses now. If his clipper is a basic corded model, the best gift is a better clipper. If it is already good, give him the tools around it. If he is just starting, our guide to how to cut your own hair covers the basics.
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Quick picks
- A better home clipper: Wahl Lithium-Ion Color Pro kit.
- Made for cutting your own hair: Remington Shortcut Pro.
- A pro clipper: Wahl Professional 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless.
- For sharp edges: Andis T-Outliner or BaBylissPRO FX+.
- To see the back of his head: The 360 Mirror trifold.
A better home clipper
Home clippers have come a long way. Cordless lithium-ion models now run long enough for several haircuts, and color-coded guards make it easy to repeat the same cut.
Wahl Lithium-Ion Color Pro Kit
The Wahl Lithium-Ion Color Pro kit runs up to 2 hours on a USB charge, with a light that shows battery status. It has self-sharpening blades, an adjustable taper lever for blending, and 10 color-coded guards from 1/16 to 1 inch, so he can remember his lengths by color. It also includes a battery touch-up trimmer for the neckline and sideburns. The Wahl Lithium Ion Pro is the same idea without the trimmer, with 12 guards.
Remington Shortcut Pro
The Remington Shortcut Pro is a self-haircut kit with an extra-wide curved blade. It has 9 length combs from 1/16 to 5/8 inch, 40 minutes of cordless use, a 5-minute quick charge, and it is fully washable. Its combs top out at 5/8 inch, so it suits short cuts.
Wahl Elite Pro corded kit
If he prefers a cord, the Wahl Elite Pro is Wahl’s high-performance home kit. It has self-sharpening blades, a taper lever, Secure-Snap guards with stainless steel clips, and comes with shears, a styling comb, a cape and a storage case. It is made for US outlets only.
Step up to a pro clipper
Some men who cut their own hair want the same tools a barber uses. These are professional clippers, and they pay off for a man who cuts often. Our guide to the best clippers for fades compares more.
Wahl Professional 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless
The Wahl Professional 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless is Wahl’s professional cordless clipper. It has a stagger-tooth blade for blending, more than 100 minutes of runtime, and comes with attachment combs, a cleaning brush and blade oil. For the full set, the Wahl Professional 5 Star kit adds the Detailer trimmer and the Vanish foil shaver, with a power station that charges all three.
BaBylissPRO LO-PROFX
The BaBylissPRO LO-PROFX is a compact, all-metal cordless clipper with a zero-gap adjustable fade blade and a 6,800 RPM motor. It charges by USB-C in about 2 hours, runs up to 2.5 hours, and comes with 6 guards. Its compact, lightweight body is designed to reduce hand fatigue.
A trimmer for line-ups
Clean edges make a home haircut look finished. The Andis T-Outliner is a corded T-blade trimmer with an 8-foot cord, made for crisp lines and edges around the hairline, sideburns and beard. The BaBylissPRO FX+ is the cordless option, with an exposed T-blade, a brushless motor and up to 4 hours of runtime; it can also run corded. Our guide to doing a fade at home shows where the trimmer comes in.
A mirror to see the back of his head
The hardest part of cutting your own hair is the back. A three-way mirror solves it. The 360 Mirror trifold hangs on a door with height-adjustable hooks and has glass panels so he can see the back of his head, plus free self-haircut tutorials. The LED version adds rechargeable lights, which helps in a dim bathroom.
Guards, care and the small stuff
Guards get lost and crack. The Wahl Secure-Fit color-coded guard set has 12 guards from 1/16 to 1 inch, plus left and right ear tapers and an organizer, and fits standard Wahl home clippers. For a Wahl Professional clipper like the Magic Clip, the Wahl Professional premium guards have metal clips and an organizer tray. Our clipper guard sizes chart explains the numbers.
Blades last longer with care. Wahl clipper blade oil prevents rust and reduces friction and heat; Wahl suggests a few drops every few haircuts. Andis Cool Care Plus is a 5-in-1 spray that cools, cleans, lubricates and disinfects blades between cuts. See our guide on how to oil clippers for the routine.
Finally, a FEBSNOW barber cape with a neck duster keeps hair off his clothes and brushes clippings from his neck, and a pair of Equinox Razor Edge shears in Japanese stainless steel handles the top when it gets too long for a guard.
How to choose
If his clipper is old or corded, a new cordless clipper is the gift he will notice most. If his clipper is fine, a three-way mirror or a line-up trimmer changes how his cuts turn out. If you want something smaller, a guard set, blade oil or a cape are useful add-ons. For a working barber rather than a home cutter, see our gifts for barbers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gift for a man who cuts his own hair?
A cordless clipper with good runtime, or a three-way mirror if he already has a clipper he likes. Both make every home haircut easier.
Do clipper guards fit every clipper?
No. Guards are usually made for one brand, and some lines need their own. Wahl’s Secure-Fit guards fit standard Wahl home clippers; Wahl Professional guards are made for Wahl Professional full-size clippers. Check his clipper first.
Is a trimmer different from a clipper?
Yes. A clipper cuts bulk and works with guards for length. A trimmer has a finer blade for edges, necklines and line-ups. Most men who cut their own hair use both.
How do I see the back of my head when cutting my own hair?
Use a three-way mirror that hangs at head height, or hold a hand mirror while facing a bathroom mirror. A trifold mirror leaves both hands free.
