Great-looking hair requires precise detailing. But because of the sheer wealth of options for hair care and styling, it’s too easy to pick the wrong tool and end up with a wonky haircut. If you want to recreate the look you’ve envisioned perfectly, you’ll need the best edgers for black hair by your side.
Crisp, close cuts are the trademark of proper edging. It’s one thing to pick up a trimmer and get to work on your hair, and another to choose your tools carefully and adjust them to suit your style. In this guide, I’ll walk you through some of the best edgers for black hair that you can get online and what to look out for to have a dedicated edging tool!
You may like to read: Best Budget Electric Razor And Shaver Under $50 For Men
Edgers for Black Hair Reviewed In This Guide
There are plenty of edgers available on the market today, but sorting out what trimmers can be edgers can be difficult. But don’t fret: I’ve compiled a list of 10 of the best edgers for black hair, so you don’t have to. Note that these edgers have different uses: while most are for hair, some are for edging your facial hair if you so desire!
Best Edger for Black Hair List
Andis 04710 Professional T-Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Carbon-steel T-blade for precise detailing and edging
- Contoured housing ensures ergonomic grip and superb handling
- High-speed magnetic motor
Pros: Easy to zero gap, incredibly close shaves, excellent for ingrown hairs
Cons: Heats up quickly, inefficient heat dispersal
Andis hairstyling tools have built a name for themselves due to their insistence on excellent performance, and the Andis 04710 Professional T-Outliner continues that tradition.
This edger for black hair has a superb carbon-steel T-blade that delivers swift, precise and incredibly clean cuts. Coupled with a high-power magnetic motor, the Andis 04710 Professional T-Outliner cuts so close that fine detailing work is a breeze, and not even stubborn ingrown hairs are safe from this razor.
While this edger is undoubtedly an incredibly potent tool in your hairstyling arsenal, please do note that because of its plastic body, it can run a little hot, especially with extended use.
Bottomline: Many barbers swear by the Andis 04710 Professional T-Outliner, and for good reasons: lightweight, great cutting power, quiet operation, and zero gapping – what’s not to love?
Wahl Professional 5-Star Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Ergonomic shape and lightweight for maximum maneuverability
- Powerful electromagnetic motor
- It comes with 3 T-Shape trimmer guides
Pros: Super precise, light and easy to handle, super sharp cuts, don’t bite
Cons: It can be loud even with adjustment
Wahl is widely known for their commitment to quality and excellence; thus, it should be no surprise that they’ve made one of the best edgers for black hair.
As a customer review succinctly puts it, “small, powerful, and easy to handle” encapsulates everything the Wahl Professional 5-Star Razor Edger offers. This lightweight edger was designed for precision: it’s got an ergonomic shape and low weight which make for superb handling, and its strong electromagnetic motor delivers sharp, clean cuts while efficiently diffusing heat.
Three T-shape trimmer guides can easily be attached and detached to the edger, allowing you to customize the length of your detailing work on the fly – whether it’s for your hair or beard.
Bottomline: The Wahl Professional 5-Star Razor Edger is one of the best edgers for black hair available on the market today. I can vouch for its sheer quality and accuracy when it comes to detailing hair, and the fact that it’s very light and easy to handle makes it a clear winner.
Wahl Professional Detailer for Black Hair
Special Features
- High precision #2215 blade
- Extended blade cutting area for faster results
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
Pros: High-powered blade cuts extremely close, great for lining and edging, minimal heat buildup
Cons: Blade requires constant maintenance to protect against rust
If Wahl’s Razor Edger caught your eye and you’re willing to spend a little more, take a look at the Wahl Professional 5-Star Detailer.
This edger for black hair comes with a high precision #2215 blade, which offers excellent cutting precision and speed. While it’s not zero gapped, the blade is fine enough for detailed lining and edging and comes with an extended blade cutting area for even faster results. A lightweight, ergonomic design ensures that you won’t fumble with the edger and lets you sculpt the look you want.
Another thing to note is that while a heavy-duty motor powers the Wahl Professional 5-Star Detailer, it also comes with efficient heat dispersal. Even after 25 straight minutes of operation, this edger for black hair remains lukewarm rather than red-hot.
Bottomline: A little more money goes a long way with the Wahl Professional 5-Star Detailer. A close-cutting blade, a powerful motor, and an extended blade area all work together to create an edger that’s fast yet incredibly precise with its cuts.
Andis 32400 Slimline Pro T-Blade Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Corded or cordless operation
- Adjustable for zero gapping
- It uses a powerful rotary motor that provides better speed, power, and life
Pros: Sleek and lightweight, ergonomic and easy to handle, Andis T-blade trimmers provide great detailing and cutting power, and a lithium-ion battery provides a longer running time.
Cons: The charging stand is fiddly and can be loud
The Andis 32400 Slimline Pro T-Blade Trimmer is a sleek, light edger for black hair. This edger may be small, but that, combined with its ergonomic design, makes for a light and easy handling. Its size isn’t the only thing that makes it portable. The Andis 32400 Slimline Pro T-Blade Trimmer can also be used as both a corded and a cordless trimmer.
The Andis 32400 Slimline Pro T-Blade Trimmer is powered by a rotary motor that gives it enhanced cutting speed, power, and life. Specially designed Andis T-blade trimmers work with this motor to deliver great detailing and cutting power. The blades can easily be zero-gapped for those looking to do even shorter or finer edging work.
While the edger itself is fantastic, there have been complaints about the included charging station. Reviews have suggested immediately calling customer support at the first sign of trouble.
Bottomline: For unmatched zero-gapped sharpness, give the Andis 32400 Slimline Pro T-Blade Trimmer a try.
Wahl Edge Pro Bump Free Corded Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Zero-overlap blades allow for crisp, clean lines and great edging
- It comes with eight individual blade guards
- Light and compact design
Pros: Affordable, great cutting power for its cost
Cons: Slower than larger trimmers
This all-in-one power trimmer is one of the most affordable edgers for black hair. This edger features sharp zero-overlap blades that give you those crisp edges that are tricky to achieve. That’s not all they’re used for, though: this edger also comes ready for designing or grooming ears, noses, and brows.
When it comes to edging black hair, bigger isn’t necessarily better, as the Wahl Edge proves. Despite its small size, it can cut and detail with the same level of precision as larger edgers. Its small frame helps greatly, making it easy to handle and control.
This small size, however, is also its downfall. While its size makes this edger more affordable and easier to control, it also means that you’ll need to spend more time working with it as its cutting area is smaller than regular edgers.
Bottomline: Even Wahl’s smaller models make for great edging, and the Wahl Edge Pro Bump Free Corded Trimmer is no exception.
BaBylissPRO GoldFX Outlining Hair Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Uses the Ultra-Thin Zero-Gap DLC/Titanium T-blade (FX707Z)
- Exposed T-blade with 360-degree view powered by a 7200 RPM engine
- Rugged yet stylish all-metal design
Pros: Unmatched performance and quality, comes with a lot of accessories, powerful lithium-ion battery
Cons: Pricey
No list of hairstyling products would be complete without an entry from BaBylissPRO. Power, luxury, and performance are the words that all BaBylissPRO products adhere to, and the BaBylissPRO GoldFX Outlining Hair Trimmer does not disappoint.
This edger for black hair has a unique exposed FX707Z T-blade with a 360-degree view, allowing it to perform clean and crisp edge-ups no matter the angle or spot. An Italian-designed 7200 RPM engine ensures that your cuts are always quick and thorough. All this comes in an incredibly stylish and durable metal body.
While BaBylissPRO products are always more expensive than similar products, few edgers come close to the quality and reliability that BaBylissPRO offers.
Bottomline: In for the long haul? Get a BaBylissPRO GoldFX Outlining Hair Trimmer – it’s got fantastic performance and will last you a very long time.
Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Rechargeable OneBlade that can trim, shave and edge any length of hair
- Dual-sided blade for optimal edging performance
- Replaceable blades
Pros: Powerful multi-tool, many safety features
Cons: It stays away from the skin. You may want a dedicated edger for really close cuts
Philips’ OneBlade is a powerful innovation in the hair grooming world. This all-in-one blade can do everything: trims, shaves, and edges. By using a fast-moving cutter (200 cuts per second) alongside a dual protection system, Philips ensures that you get the look you want while keeping shaving hassle-free and safe.
This hybrid trimmer and shaver feature a dual-sided blade to allow for quick and easy edging. The OneBlade adapts to your facial contour easily, meaning that you’ll almost certainly be safe from any nicks and cuts while you style your edges. This edger can also be used wet or dry and features a cordless design that lets you use it even in the shower.
Bottomline: While the Philips Norelco OneBlade Hybrid Electric Trimmer and Shaver don’t cut as close as dedicated edgers, it’s incredibly safe and easy to use and can fill multiple roles in your grooming repertoire.
Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Wet or dry edging
- Powerful Whisper Quiet™ Pivot Motor
- Adjustable blade size from 000 – 1
Pros: Reliable and consistent performance, blades don’t snag, can be switched from edge to trim length, quiet
Cons: Performance isn’t as good on thick or long hair, a bit pricier than other edgers
This clipper slash edger from Oster lives up to its “fast” epithet. Thanks to Oster’s proprietary Whisper Quiet™ Pivot Motor, the Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper works quickly and quietly whether it’s used for clipping hair or giving you those crisp edges you’re looking for.
This edger is also notable for being able to trim and edge on both wet and dry hair, which will allow you to hone further the look you’re going for. Perhaps the best feature of this edger is its fully adjustable blade size, from 000 to 1.
Bottomline: The Oster Fast Feed Adjustable Pivot Motor Clipper is an excellent choice for anyone looking for both a hair clipper and an edger. The adjustable blade size is a very nice feature and allows you to experiment with and refine your look.
WISEHILL Hair Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- Titanium steel T-blade for precise edging
- Quiet 5W motor
- USB-C port for quick charging
Pros: Affordable, good value for money, LED display shows the amount of charge left
Cons: Very sharp and can cause wounds if used improperly
Affordability doesn’t necessarily mean a product is low quality, as the WISEHILL Hair Trimmer for Men demonstrates. While this edger for black hair doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of its more advanced counterparts, it’s very much an edger worth using.
This edger comes with a titanium steel T-blade which offers quick, clean, and, most importantly, precise cuts. A very quiet 5W motor powers the device, and an LED display helps regulate battery consumption by showing how much charge is left.
This edger features a cordless design and is fully waterproof, allowing you to do wet and dry styling.
Bottomline: If you’re on a budget or need something quick and effective for your styling needs, try the WISEHILL Hair Trimmer for Men.
Remington DuraBlade Lithium Hybrid Edger for Black Hair
Special Features
- DuraBlade blades last up to 5 years without needing a replacement
- It comes with three clip-on guide combs for trims
- Cordless and waterproof design
Pros: Great for sensitive skin, doesn’t scratch or pull
Cons: Made exclusively for beards
Edging isn’t just for your hair. A well-edged beard lends definition and substance to a man’s face, and when you want your facial hair to stand out, you’ll want a great edger. In which case, the Remington DuraBlade Lithium Hybrid Trimmer and Edger sounds like it’s right up your alley.
This hybrid beard trimmer and edger utilizes Remington’s DuraBlade technology, meaning that you won’t have to replace the blades for up to 5 years. These blades cut cleanly and quickly, though they don’t cut close to the skin. When you’re finished with your trim, simply switch to the detail attachment – which comes with an edging blade – and sculpt your beard the way you want.
Bottomline: The Remington DuraBlade Lithium Hybrid Trimmer and Edger is a handy multi-tool to have for when you need to do quick trims and edging work on your facial hair.
Edger for Black Hair Buying Guide
Edgers, trimmers, clippers. With so many ways to cut and style your hair, it’s no wonder some people may be confused about what they should shop for when looking for the best edger for black hair. Luckily, I’m here to help straighten out and highlight precisely what you should be looking for.
What Is an Edger for Black Hair?
Edgers for black hair are very closely related to trimmers. Edgers are trimmers that can cut very close to the skin (either with or without a guide comb), allowing them to make straight, quick, and crisp cuts on edges, known as edging.
Not all trimmers are edgers, though! Remember: a trimmer is only an edger if it can cut close to the skin. Clippers designed for long hair will have a hard time serving as edgers.
How Does an Edger for Black Hair Work?
Edgers work by cutting very close to the skin in a straight line. This movement creates a fading effect while looking very neat, crisp, and clean.
What Is the Best Edger for Black Hair?
The best edgers for black hair in this guide is the Andis 04710 Professional T-Outliner, due to its perfect blend of affordability, quality, ease of use, and detailing work. However, the Wahl Professional 5-Star Razor Edger isn’t far behind!
Types of Edgers for Black Hair
While there aren’t any hard and fast rules for separating edgers, there are two general types of edgers.
Trimmers
Trimmers are the most common type of edgers for black hair; in fact, it’d be pretty accurate to say that all edgers are trimmers. These grooming tools cut very close to the skin, which is precisely what you need to get crisp edges and detailed lines. For best results, you should use a trimmer that’s also ready for edging – particularly if it’s been adjusted to be zero gapped.
Hybrid Edgers
Hybrid edgers also exist, such as those for beards and detailers. Do note that while hybrid edgers are convenient, these aren’t as good as a dedicated trimmer or edger as they usually have safety features that prevent them from cutting close to the skin. On the other hand, if you’re looking for very light detailing work, hybrid edgers might be just right.
Features to Look for In an Edger for Black Hair
There are a couple of things you should look out for when shopping for an edger for black hair. Here are some of the most essential features that an edger should have.
T-blades
Trimmers generally have two kinds of cutting heads: a T-blade or a square blade. Of these two, the T-blade is far safer. T-blades have slightly curved edges, giving them much better handling and allowing them to trim in tricky spots, like around the ears or facial hair. T-blades also tend to be a little bigger than square blades. They’re the best size and shape when trying to achieve a uniform edge on your hair.
Ergonomic Grips and Lightweight Construction
Edging is an art, and if you’re new to the world of hair styling, you’ll probably make a few mistakes. That’s fine. But what’s not okay is if your edging is ruined by an edger that’s too bulky or unwieldy for your hands.
Because edging can be a slow, deliberate, and delicate process, it’s important to have stable tools. Look for an edger that has an ergonomic grip so that it won’t slip in your hand, and while you’re at it, get an edger that weighs little – the heavier an edger is, the faster your hands will tire, and the more likely you’ll make a mistake.
Cordless Design
Cordless edgers for black hair aren’t a necessity per se, but they’re very nice to have. A cordless edger means you won’t have to worry about tripping on the wires. Cordless edgers are also lighter, portable, and more travel-ready than their corded counterparts.
Waterproof Construction
Not all edgers are waterproof! If you’re planning to do some styling and edging on wet hair, ensure that your prospective edger is, at the very least, water-resistant.
Wet or Dry Shaves
This feature tends to go hand-in-hand with waterproofing. Be sure that your edger can do wet shaves before attempting to edge wet hair with it; a non-waterproofed or water-resistant edger can be damaged by wet hair!
Lithium Ion Batteries
Cordless trimmers and edgers for black hair normally use one of two battery types: either a nickel metal hydride battery (Ni-MH or NiMH) or a lithium-ion battery (Li-ion). Of these two battery types, lithium-ion batteries are the better choice: they charge much faster and have a longer lifespan. Do note that this comes with a higher price tag, as lithium-ion batteries are more expensive to procure and produce than nickel metal hydride batteries.
LED Battery Displays
Cordless trimmers and edgers should also ideally have an onboard LED battery display. This will help you keep track of how much power the device has left and can prevent awkward situations where you have to stop in the middle of edging your hair (and potentially disrupting your concentration) because your edger ran out of power.
Other Features
Trimmers and edgers for black hair can also come with additional safety features that aren’t standard. Some edgers, for example, can go a step beyond ergonomic grips and have contoured or rubberized grips that will prevent slipping. Others have guards (or no guards) around their T-blades to either prevent hair from getting in or to give their blades a much wider range of movement. Still, others come in packages with maintenance products, such as barber oil and brushes. While these add-ons aren’t strictly necessary, they can be a nice bonus to have.
Common Questions About Edgers for Black Hair
What do barbers use to edge?
Barbers often have customized trimmers or edgers for edging hair.
Can you edge hair with clippers?
That depends on several factors. Are the blades adjustable? Can they cut altogether? Can they cut close to the skin? If you answered “yes” to all the questions above, then you’ll most likely be able to edge hair with your clippers.
What is a zero gap?
Zero gap means that an edger or trimmer’s front and back blades are flush against each other, leaving almost or no gap between each other.
What is the advantage of zero-gapped edgers for black hair?
Zero-gapped blades can deliver cuts super close to the skin. This will help greatly in designing and detailing your edges. However, do be careful, as zero-gapped blades can wound you!
How do I zero gap?
Zero gapping your trimmers or edgers will require you to make some manual adjustments. The good news is that you’ll rarely need tools more complex than a screwdriver, a brush, and possibly some barber oil.
Simply detach the lower blade by carefully unscrewing it from the upper blade. This will detach both blades, so be sure you memorize their orientation before you remove them. If your edger isn’t new, I recommend you take the time to brush and oil your blades while you’re at it.
Once your maintenance is finished, put the blades back, but don’t screw them in too tightly. Instead, leave some wiggle room for the lower blade to allow it to align perfectly with the upper blade. For safety reasons, ensure that the upper blade juts out a tiny bit further than the lower blade – this will prevent wounds.
Enjoy Your New Edger for Black Hair
Remember that edging is an art form. It takes time, dedication, and perhaps most importantly, the right tools to master. But with the best edgers for black hair by your side, I’m sure you’ll be able to learn the ropes in no time at all!
Frank is a barber from San Francisco. He has 10 years of experience providing the best straight-razor shaves, haircuts, and barber facial services for men. With all of his training, he is the go-to for any advice on beard and men’s hairstyles. When Frank’s not working, he spends his free time fishing or spending quality time with his wife and son.
