We tested the best hair edgers and liners from the top brands in the men’s grooming and styling industry. As expected, Wahl and Andis trimmers offered the highest-performance edge up clippers for barbers. The Andis Professional T-Outliner and Wahl Detailer were the top-rated models among professionals and stylists. With a sharp blade for close cutting, a powerful motor, sturdy build and comfortable grip, each hair trimmer delivered professional haircuts complete with the perfect shape up and hairline.
Our reviews will cover all the details of the best barber edgers, hair liners and outliners. Factors like long-lasting blades that are easy to maintain, a high-speed motor that is quiet and comfortable in your hand, a short yet precise cut, and great value for the price are all important considerations. Whether you need clippers for lining black hair, grooming a beard, cleaning up a hairline and neck, or drawing a design into a fade, these machines can do the job.
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5 Best Edgers and Hair Liners For Barbers 2023
Andis Professional T-Outliner Trimmer
As a company that makes some of the best professional hair clippers and trimmers on the market, Andis is one of the most trusted names in the industry. If you expect performance, durability and value, get the Andis Professional T-Outliner.
The T-Outliner is versatile – it can cut an edge up or line up, trim a beard, fix a hairline, and clean up the neck. In fact, this machine is probably the most popular hair liner for barbers and Andis goes to great lengths to keep it that way.
For one, this hair trimmer comes standard with a high-speed magnetic motor. At 7200 strokes per minute, the unit will glide through every type of hair for all-around outlining, dry shaving, and even fading. Fortunately, this machine also runs quiet and cool, although it does heat up after long use.
This is probably due to the lightweight housing, which makes it easy to use and hold but won’t protect you against extreme overheating. However, most barbers won’t use the T-Outliner for more than 5 minutes per haircut so it shouldn’t be an issue.
But what’s a powerful motor without a high-quality blade? The adjustable carbon steel T-blade was designed for close cutting and detailing, allowing you to trim around the hairline and neckline for badass edge ups and tapers. The blades are well-built and sharp, but won’t cause irritation or nicks.
Wahl Detailer
The Wahl Detailer is as aesthetically pleasing as the hairstyles it helps cut. These barber liners are commercial-grade and engineered with a wide T-blade, powerful motor that stays cool, and compact design. It delivers the expert performance that even the most demanding professional barbers expect.
The motor is as powerful as any full-size trimmer, but it is more compact and lightweight, making these edge clippers more comfortable to use. The difference between the Detailer and Outliner is that the rotary motor on this liner isn’t as robust. Nevertheless, it can still handle all hair types, and cut through thick, curly and long hair easily. However, the trade-off means this clipper runs very cool and stays that way with even prolonged use.
If you’re looking for a quality product that comes with everything you need for precision cutting, trimming, lining and detailing, the Wahl Detailer is worth the investment. This particular model comes with 3 attachment comb guards, oil, a cleaning brush, and an 8-foot cord for maneuverability.
Andis Professional Outliner II Square Blade Trimmer
The Andis Professional Outliner II Square Blade Trimmer is another top-rated machine for barbers. With a look and design similar to the original Outliner, this model boasts a square blade vs T blade. The benefit of the T-blade is that it extends beyond the body of the clipper for easy handling and trimming around the hairline, temples, ears, back of the neck, and beard. However, this square blade trimmer is just as good at everything, including the shape up and detail work, so it just comes down to personal preference.
For starters, this Andis clipper comes with the same powerful motor as the T-Liner. With a high-speed magnetic motor cutting at 7200 strokes per minute (SPM), barbers can seamlessly cut through all hair types, including thick curly hair.
The sharp, fine teeth on the carbon steel blade were precision crafted with incredible detail. This square blade trimmer is a great choice for dry shaving, especially for barbers who cut many skin or bald fades. And thanks to the incredibly close cut, professionals can carve out a clean taper fade, lines, parts and hair designs without irritation or pulling.
Wahl Professional 5-Star Razor Edger
Wahl was the maker of the world’s first electric trimmers way back in 1919, and their commitment to quality is evident in the world-class hair liners and edgers they make today. The Wahl Professional 5-Star Razor Edger offers excellent flexibility, a slim design, adjustable T-blade, and a performance motor.
As the quietest trimmer from Wahl’s product line, the high-speed electromagnetic motor isn’t as robust as the Wahl Detailer or Andis T-Outliner. However, the motor and blades are still good for razor shape up haircuts. Because the T-blade on this unit isn’t as wide as others, you get more control and motility.
The long, ergonomic design is also great for handling. You can access behind the ears and tight areas easily. But the truth is you’re going to run-through thick, coarse hair more than a couple times to make sure you get all of it.
While you can certainly use this edger for a skin fade or detailing the beard, sideburns, and hairline, this Wahl Razor Edger is well-suited for cutting hair at home.
Andis Professional Styliner II Hair Trimmer
The Andis Professional Styliner II is a good lining and shaping tool. This unit comes standard with the company’s 7200 stroke-per-minute motor and close-cutting T-blade. While you’ll get plenty of power for the steel blades to smoothly cut, outline, and shape up hair, the trim won’t be as crisp as the other models on this list.
Nevertheless, the comfortable contoured housing makes the Styliner II a pleasure to hold in your hand, and the motor remains cool and quiet throughout use. In fact, this Andis edger doesn’t overheat at all, and a cool-running motor can be quite the selling point.
There are two drawbacks to this trimmer. First, the simple black finish is nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as the Outliner or Wahl Detailer. Second, the T-blade is great, but it’s fixed and not adjustable.
The biggest benefit of this liner is that the unit, motor and blade stay very cool through long periods of use.