If you’ve ever seen a dog struggle to get out of a bath or a haircut, you know how stressful grooming sessions can be for our furry friends. Still, if you have the necessary tools and know-how, you could make the ordeal more tolerable for your pet.
For example, hair clippers are a tool many pets struggle with because they vibrate and buzz while you’re using them. Fortunately, some of the best quiet clippers for dogs have managed to get around that flaw.
As I will demonstrate, some do that better than others. And, of course, getting your hands on the best grooming equipment is only one piece of the puzzle. You’ll also need a good technique, especially if you’ve never used clippers on your dog before. I’ll be happy to provide some pointers later, but first — let’s talk about the best quiet dog clippers the market has to offer.
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Best Quiet Dog Clippers on the Market
If you’ve never cut your dog’s coat, you’re probably hoping to find a grooming kit that has all the tools you’ll need to complete the job. And I do believe I’ve found a few products that fit that description. But before we get to those, I want to highlight two clippers from manufacturers whose products have found their way to barbershops across the world.
1. Oster Golden A5 Grooming Clippers
At first glance, you wouldn’t say that the Golden A5 clippers are strictly meant for dogs. Their rounded, hefty build makes them fairly similar to other Oster products. However, the manufacturer has changed a few things to make this clipper more suitable for pet grooming.
Barbers rarely have to deal with clients trying to chew on their clippers or cords. Yet this clipper has a reinforced case to protect it in case that happens. It also has an incredibly quiet motor that shouldn’t trouble even the most anxious dogs. Even if the higher speed setting bothers your pup, the lower one should eliminate much of the noise.
The clipper comes with a detachable size 10 blade, which will cut your dog’s coat down to 3/32 of an inch or 2.4 millimeters. That’s perfect for the whole body, even the feet and the face, which are notoriously difficult to work around. Moreover, the blade should be able to service all coat types.
Should you decide against giving your pup such a close shave, you can opt for a size 3F or any of the company’s other detachable blades. If you want to use a comb guide too, you’ll have to purchase it separately as well.
Features:
- Corded clipper with a detachable blade
- Two speeds (2,100 and 2,700 SPM)
- 12-foot cord
- Size 10 (2.4 mm) blade
» Oster Grooming Clippers on Amazon «
2. Wahl Bravura Professional Dog Clipper Kit
After spending a considerable amount of time sifting through the Wahl lineup, I’ve decided to showcase the Bravura clipper kit. Unlike the previous clipper I’ve reviewed, this one is fairly lightweight, weighing only 8 ounces. It’s also cordless, which should make it even easier to work with — though that comes with one obvious drawback.
Namely, like most of the products on this list, it’s limited by its battery capacity. In this case, the lithium-ion battery will last for about 90 minutes before you have to recharge it. Once you drain it, you can put the clipper on its charging stand. If you can’t wait an hour for it to recharge, you can plug the charger directly into the clipper and keep using it.
Unlike the previous product, this one doesn’t have a detachable blade. However, the blade can be adjusted between sizes 9, 10, 15, 30, and 40. Furthermore, the kit includes six comb guides, a small cleaning brush, a bottle of blade oil, and a soft storage bag.
Overall, you should be able to use this clipper anywhere on your dog. However, the Bravura line also has a 5.5-inch mini trimmer, which you can use for touch-ups or if your dog is on the smaller side.
Features:
- Cordless clipper with an adjustable 5-in-1 blade
- 90-minute run time
- Six comb guides, a cleaning brush, and blade oil
- Charging cable and base
» Wahl Bravura Clipper Kit on Amazon «
3. Sminiker Professional Dog Clippers & Grooming Kit
The main component of this Sminiker kit is the quiet clipper, which only produces about 50 decibels of noise. In addition to being exceedingly silent, it’s also incredibly safe to use. Thanks to the R-shaped edge of the device, nipping your dog’s skin is pretty much impossible.
The body of the clipper is completely cylindrical, making it easy to handle and rotate as you need to. The power switch is right in the middle of the handle, while the blade adjustment dial is right above it, below the head of the device.
Between the fixed titanium blade and the adjustable ceramic one, the clipper should remain sharp and rust-free for a long time. The unit also comes with four comb guides that can cut your pet’s coat to 3, 6, 9, or 12 mm.
In addition to the guides, you’ll also get a charger, a cleaning brush, as well as some extra accessories. You can use a pair of stainless steel scissors and a comb to complete your pup’s new ‘do. And, after you finish, you can even trim its claws with the pink nail clippers and nail file that come in the kit too.
Features:
- Cordless clipper with an adjustable ceramic blade
- Four comb guides and a cleaning brush
- A comb, scissors, nail file and clippers
- A 6-foot charging cable
» Sminiker Pro Clippers on Amazon «
4. Ceenwes Low Noise Dog Clippers With Nail Kit
The Ceenwes grooming kit is fairly similar to the one we’ve just seen. In addition to the cordless clipper, it also includes four comb guides, a charger, and a cleaning brush. On top of that, you’ll get a straight comb, a pair of scissors, as well as nail clippers and a nail file. As far as I can tell, the color of the accessories — blue, not pink — is the only difference.
Both units actually have detachable, rechargeable batteries — although they seem to take a few hours to charge fully. They also have the same duo of fixed titanium and adjustable ceramic blades. Basically, you can pretty much choose either one of these at random.
If you’re someone who likes to have matching accessories, Ceenwes also has a waterproof mini trimmer. Those kinds of devices are great if you want a tool that can handle small areas around your dog’s snout, eyes, ears, paws, and rump. Alternatively, you can purchase only the trimmer if you have a small dog breed.
Features:
- Cordless clipper with an adjustable ceramic blade
- Four comb guides and a cleaning brush
- Stainless steel comb and scissors
- Nail clippers and a nail file
5. Oneisall Quiet Dog Clipper Set
The last of these kits comes from Oneisall, a hugely popular pet grooming tool manufacturer. Once again, we have a cordless clipper with a fixed stainless steel blade and an adjustable ceramic one. The unit only makes about 50 decibels of noise, which is half as loud as a normal conversation. It also comes with a cleaning brush and a charger, as expected.
However, there are some differences between this kit and the previous two. For one, it comes with six, rather than four, comb guides that can adjust your cutting length between 3 and 18 mm. But even though the kit includes those two additional guides, it doesn’t have nail clippers or even a file. You win some, you lose some.
At least you still get a stainless steel comb and scissors. If your pet has a thicker or longer coat, the manufacturer recommends going over it with the scissors first. Apparently, if you go right in with the clippers, they may get clogged.
Lastly, I wanted to point out that, like the previous brand I’ve mentioned, oneisall also makes a battery-powered mini trimmer you can use for your dog’s face, paws, and rear. It’s pretty much identical to the one I’ve mentioned in my last review, so I imagine you would use it in the same way.
Features:
- Cordless clipper with an adjustable ceramic blade
- Six comb guides and a cleaning brush
- Stainless steel comb and scissors
- Available in gold, silver, and red
» Oneisall Dog Clippers on Amazon «
6. Scaredy Cut Silent Pet Grooming Kit
Lastly, I wanted to mention an alternative to all these electric clipper kits — the Scaredy Cut grooming kit. It includes a pair of stainless steel scissors as well as seven comb guides that have been made to fit them. If your pet can’t stand any amount of buzzing or vibration, this may be the ideal choice for you.
Essentially, you’re supposed to comb through your dog’s coat in the opposite direction of hair growth and cut as you go. The seven detachable comb guides you get with the kit should allow you to cut the hair length to 0.5–1 inch.
And that’s not the only thing that’s adjustable about this product. It also comes with four finger inserts. The two sets of silicon rings allow you to achieve a snug, medium, or loose fit inside the finger holes of the scissors.
In addition to these inserts and the seven combs, the kit comes with two comb organizers, which can fit three combs each, as well as a storage bag. The kit is also available in pink and blue, for both right- and left-handed users!
Features:
- Scissors with seven detachable comb guides
- Includes two comb organizers, four finger inserts, and a storage bag
- Right- or left-handed scissors
- Available in pink or blue
» Scared Cut Grooming Kit on Amazon «
Features to Look for When Shopping for Quiet Dog Clippers
So now that we’ve seen what I think about the best quiet clippers for dogs, let’s talk about how you can find more like them. Trust me — it won’t be as easy as finding clippers that can cut human hair.
To begin with, let’s talk about how you could make sure that the devices you’re considering are, indeed, quieter than most.
Noise Level
If you were shopping for regular barber clippers, you could decide on a product based on the type of motor it has. After all, that’s usually the main source of noise and vibration in any electric device. However, most manufacturers don’t specify that information when it comes to pet grooming clippers. I think it’s safe to assume, though, that all of the cordless units on my list use rotary motors, which are versatile and relatively quiet.
Of course, the motor speed is another contributing factor in this equation. Most animal grooming clippers have relatively slow motors, which is probably why they only make around 50–60 decibels of noise. Your pet may still take issue with the inevitable vibration of the machine, though, and the only way around that is to use the last product on my list.
Manual clippers — or scissors — are, after all, completely silent. However, it would certainly take longer to make your pet look presentable with scissors than with electric clippers.
Furthermore, scissors are probably a more dangerous tool than clippers. Even with comb guards, you might injure your dog if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Build Quality
Then, there’s the question of the product’s build quality. If you’re working with anxious and potentially hostile dogs, you’ll want your clippers to be able to take some rough handling. In that regard, the first two items on my list seem to be the most durable. But that’s not to say the others aren’t comparable.
Still, if you’re not particularly sure-handed, you could get heavier clippers. Those are usually strong enough to be manhandled or even dropped.
But don’t invite accidents — when you’re not using the clippers, set them aside, far away from your dog. That should prevent them from dropping off the grooming table (if you’re using one) or being chewed on.
Mobility
Mobility is a factor that’s even more important for pet grooming than for cutting human hair. After all, when you’re cutting a finicky animal’s fur, time is of the essence. Being able to move freely will help you achieve your goal more quickly than if you were working with an ineffective tool. But what makes one clipper more mobile and efficient than another?
Well, you’ve probably noticed that most of the clippers on my list are cordless models. That’s because they are much easier to move across a dog’s coat. The lack of a cable is also less distracting for both you and your pup.
Still, there are some advantages to using corded models. Namely, you don’t have to stop to charge your device — which is why most professional pet groomers prefer those kinds of clippers.
Cordless models are undoubtedly more manageable than corded ones. However, even within that category, the weight could factor into your decision. Though heftier devices usually have better build quality, lighter models are easier to hold for long periods of time. That may come into play if you’re a professional groomer or even if you simply own a large dog.
Blades and Comb Guides
While we’re on the subject of big dog grooming, let’s briefly touch on how the size of a clipper could affect the way you use it.
You’ve probably noticed that there are two sizes of clippers — regular and mini. Usually, mini trimmers are used to cut the hair between a dog’s toe pads, around the ears, eyes, and thighs. However, if you have a small dog, you could probably get away with using one all over its body.
On the other hand, a mini trimmer probably won’t do much good if you’re grooming a large dog. You might have to use regular-size clippers even on its paws. In that case, I recommend getting a clipper with a wide blade.
On top of that, you’ll have to consider which comb guides you’ll need. Most of the kits I’ve mentioned come with certain standard sizes. However, if you want to achieve a specific fur length, you may have to order another comb guide in addition to the ones you already have.
That’s why some people avoid clipper kits and instead look for clippers that only come with a blade. They can always buy comb guides separately.
Accessories
If you end up buying a pet grooming kit, you may get a few more accessories with your clipper. In addition to the device and various comb guides, you’ll probably also get a small bottle of oil and a cleaning brush for the blade. Cordless models also come with a charger and sometimes even a base to keep the device upright while it’s charging.
Lastly, some of the kits on my list also include combs and straight scissors, as well as nail clippers and files. Those tools will be particularly useful if you are looking for professional results. If you want to go all out, you could also purchase:
- Small scissors with round tips for the fur between the dog’s toe pads
- Curved ones for shaping the hair around the face and chest
- Thinning shears with one regular and one comb-like blade
Most pet groomers alternate between all of those scissors and clippers to achieve a certain look. But as I’ve said before, having the right tools is only one part of the equation. You also need to have a good technique — so let’s work on that.
Dog Grooming Tips: How to Use Quiet Clippers
Admittedly, I’m not a dog grooming expert. However, I do have some experience grooming ill-behaved pups, and thus, some tips to share.
Set up the Grooming Area
Assuming that you’re not a professional pet groomer, you’ll need to find a suitable area to set up your temporary grooming station. I recommend doing it somewhere you’ll be able to easily clean when you’re done. I usually do it outside, though I suppose a bathroom or the garage might be a good option as well.
Keep in mind that dogs aren’t the quietest of pets, especially in stressful situations. Needless to say, you may have to put up with some whining.
If you’re going to be grooming your dog indoors, you might want to soundproof the room first. Moreover, you should tell your neighbors what you’re doing in advance if you don’t want them complaining about about the barking and the squealing sounds.
Once you find a good spot, lay down a plastic tarp and get a broom. You could also bring a table into the mix since using the clippers while your pet is on the floor may hurt your back. If you really want to make your job easier, ask someone to help you out as well.
Play With Your Pup Before You Break out the Clippers
If your dog is of the anxious sort, you’ll need to tire it out before breaking out the clippers. Take a walk, exercise, or train the pup — but don’t overstimulate the poor thing! Instead, keep the energy low and connect with the dog so that it doesn’t get frightened of you or the clippers.
To that end, you should also pet your dog after you’re done with playtime. Doing so will soothe as well as prepare it for being touched with the clippers.
Familiarize the Dog With the Grooming Equipment
Once your pooch is in a good mood, you can bring it into your improvized grooming corner. Let it sniff around and show it the clippers — maybe even use them to pet the dog.
At that point, you might want to think about playing white noise to distract and soothe the pup. But if you (or your dog) don’t like white noise, you could opt for soothing music instead.
At this point, you can start preparing to fire up your clippers. To begin with, you’ll have to decide if you want to wash your dog beforehand. That step is optional, but most professional groomers do it to keep their clippers somewhat clean. If you decide to wash your pup, make sure to dry and brush out the dog’s coat before you start cutting it.
Alternately, you can just brush out the fur and jump right into it. If you’re going to put your dog on a table while you work, you should have someone there to hold its leash. The last thing we want is for it to jump off when you turn the clippers on.
Strategize and Cut
Now, you’ll need to figure out some kind of a game plan. For example, you could start by taking away some of the bulk with scissors or work from the paws up. Each dog will require a different strategy.
Keep moving the clippers in the direction of hair growth to avoid snagging — and don’t press down! Use long, slow movements,going from the neck toward the tail, down the sides, and legs. You’ll want to use the shortest comb guides on the belly, inner thighs, and under the tail.
Make sure to praise your dog as you go, and maybe even offer it a treat or two while working on a tough area.
When it’s time to add the finishing touches, you can use texturizing shears to even out the length and get rid of more weight. If your clippers are prone to overheating, you may have to alternate between them and shears throughout the whole process.
Lastly, put away your clippers and go over your dog’s body with a de-shedding tool or brush. At that point, you’ll also be able to see its claws well enough to clip or grind them down.
Clean and Oil Your Clippers
Take the time to thoroughly clean your clippers after each use. If possible, remove and disinfect both the guide and the blade with alcohol. Alternatively, you can swipe any hairs off the clippers with the small cleaning brush that’s usually included in the package.
Finally, if the manufacturer has specified that their product needs lubrication, use blade oil before and after every cut. I’ve explained all of this and more in my previous article about hair clippers, so I recommend checking that out.
Show off Your Freshly Groomed Pup!
Once you’ve successfully trimmed your pup’s coat, you should prance around the neighborhood to show off! If you’re feeling really fancy, you could even complete the look with a brand new collar and a silent dog tag.
On the other hand, I also understand if you and your dog both feel like taking a break after the ordeal you’ve just gone through. So make sure your fluffy pal has a cozy soundproof crate to retreat into while you relax on the couch. And hey, maybe you’ll both be in a mood for that walk after you take a nap.
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