Fadeking’s golden-toned fabulous clipper stands tall for its amazing looks and design, but is it as good as it looks?
In my Fadeking clipper review today, I’ll discuss all of its features and shed light on its performance based on my time spent using it.
I’ve performed every sort of hair and beard grooming activity using this device, and the results are truly mesmerizing!
So to learn about all the great things and areas to be improved about this Fadeking device, keep scrolling till you reach the end of this article!
Specifications: Fadeking Professional Clipper
First, we’ll take a look at the technical details about the Fadeking Professional clipper to set a baseline of expectations out of this grooming tool.
- Dimensions: 18 x 4.3 x 4.0 cm
- Weight: 14.6 Ounces
- Colors: 4 (Golden, Black, Silver & Black, Silver & Red)
- Accessories: 12
- Blade Type: (#440C) Fading Tooth Top
- Motor Power: 6,500 RPM
- Motor Type: Rotary
- Housing Material: Zinc Alloy
- Waterproof: No
- Battery Indicator: LED Numeric
- Battery Runtime: 60+ Minutes
- Charging Port: USB & DC
Pros & Cons
I’d like to briefly cover the pros and cons of the Fadeking clipper which I will later elaborate with details for your convenience and better understanding.
What I Like
- Great housing design in all the color variants
- Textured handle retains grip over time
- Fading tooth blade makes fading easier for beginners
- Responsive and wide adjustment lever allows diversity
- Above average motor power for every hair texture
- LED battery display with USB Type-C charging bring a modern touch
- Over 60 minute battery life and robust zinc alloy housing rate it professional-grade
- Offers tons of accessories and safe storage
Areas for Improvement
- Weight balance is head-heavy, might cause inconvenience at times
- Manually zero-gapping the blades is challenging
- Guide comb quality is at best average
- Blade won’t survive a direct drop
- Design elements borrowed from BaBylissPRO
Verdict
Fadeking Professional clipper does live up to its name – a grand grooming instrument that professionals can utilize to craft different fade and buzz cuts. The storage box is unique and can contain every attachment conveniently, and the device can be made to last with proper care.
Unboxing the Fadeking Professional Clipper
Unboxing the Fadeking clipper has been a very pleasant experience for me solely because of its fabulous packing.
It’s a mini briefcase zipped around and the case is solid, retains shape to absorb external pressure of all sorts.
Inside the case, the clipper rests along with its guide combs while the blade itself has its own protective cap.
Additionally, there’s a cleaning brush, lubricating agent, barber bib for home grooming and a USB Type-C cord but with no brick.
What’s Inside the Box: Fadeking Professional Clipper, 6 Guide Combs (1/16”, 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”), One Cleaning Brush, One Lubricating Agent, One Barber Bib, One USB Type-C Cord, Carry Case.
Fadeking Professional Clipper: Standout Features
Let’s talk about features – the Fadeking clipper has tons of great things about it – some of which are very advanced to satisfy the modern day groomers.
Feature Highlights
- Alluring aesthetics and solid grip at different angles
- Lasting build quality with proper maintenance
- Heavy weight ensures precise strokes
- Satisfactory motor power and battery life
- Convenient charging, modern LED display
- Aesthetics Resembling BaBylissPRO Clipper
Fadeking Clipper offers four color choices and I picked the golden one – simply because it resembles the BaBylissPRO hair clipper.
Despite the similarity, Fadeking has managed to establish a unique identity using its round handle that’s textured for firmer grip.
The top half of the device contains softer bevel lines that not only enhance the design, but also allows for thumb rest during grooming activities.
On one side, the adjustment lever as well as the central power slider are shiny golden and at the feet, a black LED display holds position to show you battery levels frequently.
Firm Grip due to Textured Handle
As mentioned, the circular handle with its dense textures do serve a purpose – retaining grip at all times.
While a full grip is possible and quite comfortable in many regards, you cannot hold it like a pen for refined design since the head is much heavier than the rest of the handle.
Those who have sweaty palms, Fadeking clipper is definitely the answer as it’s proven to be slip-proof for a diverse group of consumers.
The bevels toward the top half doesn’t propose a dedicated thumb rest spot, but it gets the job done and I didn’t feel any lacking – so that’s a win!
Above-Average Build Quality
I was quite skeptical with Fadeking clipper’s build quality because the device didn’t bid well in my drop test – leaving a dent on the handle and fracturing a part of the blade.
Apart from that, I’d say the device is actually durable in the long run if you manage not to drop it every now and then.
The zinc alloy material in the housing does protect the inner parts from external damage and the color hasn’t worn off after one-year use.
Also, the blade retains sharpness for a long time and I don’t believe I’d need any replacement within the first three years of use.
Heavy Weight with Odd Balance
For a cordless hair clipper, Fadeking is quite heavy at 14.6 ounces of weight. This can make life difficult for longer grooming hours as fatigue will kick in for beginners.
But professionals in general are used to handling heavy grooming equipment as there are many other corded hair clippers weighing much more than Fadeking.
Another issue I found with the Fadeking clipper is its weight balance. The head feels heavier than the handle and it might be unnerving to certain consumers.
But this is intentionally done as a head-heavy hair clipper is better at performing even strokes while maintaining the same cutting length.
This is of course mastered after numerous practice hours, but once you’re there – you’ll be able to produce the magic that this device is capable of!
Sharp Blades for Various Hair Textures
For an affordable hair clipper, the blades are agile in this Fadeking device and capable of trimming diverse hair types, textures and densities.
However, bulk removal might struggle for african hair, but other grooming tasks should go without any sort of hustle.
The featured blade is a (#440C) Fading Tooth Top and it’s mostly dedicated to various fade, taper and buzz cuts.
Furthermore, I’ve run this blade across my face for a quick trim and it does perform well as a trimmer, but you should be cautious because of the excessive sharpness on the blade for this reason.
Adjustment Lever for Fades
You must be wondering what the golden accented adjustment lever is capable of doing. I’d rank it in-between Wahl and Andis in terms of precision and smoothness.
The adjustable gap allows longer blends and fade cuts between 0.5 to 3.00 mm length, therefore you’re offered a higher degree of diversity using this device.
If at any given point the lever feels stiff, it’s because you forgot to lubricate the hinge and applying oil will free up its movement.
However, I wouldn’t be too generous with the lubrication because excessive oiling could jeopardize the natural rigidity of the lever, resulting in unintended mid-cut length alteration.
Powerful Motor for the Price
Video: Fadeking Clipper Motor Power
At this price range, I wouldn’t even dare to hope for a 6,500 RPM motor unit to be installed inside a hair clipper, but Fadeking seems to have other ideas with their rotary motor.
In terms of raw feeling, I don’t think it can torque up this much but definitely surpasses the 5,000 RPM threshold.
I had no issue performing different haircuts (apart from bulk removal) and the motor unit does deliver to work in harmony with the sharp blades.
Due to the zinc alloy’s heat conductive nature, you’ll feel the handle heating up after 10 minutes of use. On the bright side, it doesn’t generate noise levels beyond 60 dB, that’s a relief in my opinion.
Convenient Charging & Battery Level Reading
There have been plenty of cases where I ran out of battery in the middle of a grooming session because I wasn’t paying attention to the light at the tail-end of my hair clipper.
Fadeking seems to be listening to the consumers and features a compact LED display toward the bottom half of the handle.
In this screen, a numeric battery level shows you the precise battery level and gives you time to recharge before it runs out.
Additionally, the display reminds you to oil your clipper when necessary and the charging indicator tells you if the device is properly charging.
Brings Every Necessary Accessories and More
The Fadeking package contains everything that a beginner groomer might want out of their first ever hair clipper purchase – from different guide comb sizes to even a barber bib.
For what this product is worth, I’m actually pleased with all that’s provided for and the quality of the product itself.
It’s worth noting that the guide combs are basic and these won’t make a permanent spot inside a professional’s chamber.
But those who groom at home and wish to carry their device during the travel days – Fadeking is indeed a lucrative option in many regards!
My Experience with the Fadeking Professional Clipper
Now comes the time when I’ll share my personal insight based on the grooming usage with the Fadeking Professional clipper to know if it’s worth it!
Experience Highlights
- Generates professional quality haircuts
- More comfortable on scalp than lot of premium hair clippers
- Haircuts are fast and convenient
- Closeness lacks a little due to not being zero-gapped
- Can groom beard and mustache area as well
- Easy cleaning and maintenance
Haircut Quality
Photo: Fadeking Clipper Haircut Result
In the case of particular haircuts, Fadeking clipper is able to match the premium grade hair clippers in the market with its performance.
Combining its motor power, blade type and adjustment lever, applying different fade lengths, blends and buzz cuts seem no different than crafted out using a dedicated clipper.
The cuts are neat and even, along with the transition between lower length to higher maintaining consistency.
I believe getting aftermarket guide combs will grant you more freedom in grooming and the haircut quality will see a drastic increase in terms of numbered buzz cuts.
Scalp Comfort
Photo: Fadeking Clipper on Skin
While at first I was a little afraid of going in raw using the Fadeking blade since it’s been an untested territory for me.
But as soon as I touched the scalp of my brother using the blades, he claimed it’s very comfortable and sensed no tug or pull.
Once the haircut was completed, I couldn’t notice any red patches made by the blade’s sharp edges and the scalp definitely didn’t experience post-grooming irritation.
Therefore, I can confirm that most scalp types can utilize the Fadeking clipper even without a guard, but those with sensitive skin should apply a guide comb just for that added safety.
How Fast are the Cuts?
The speed of grooming using the Fadeking clipper depends on the hair type and density. For fine (between Type 1 and Type 2) hair, there’s no sign of struggle, even when the hair is coarse.
But as you shift toward Type 3 and Type 4, the motor will struggle a little, especially if the grooming includes removing hair bodies in chunks.
Working on shorter hair showed little difference in operation time and the duration mimics even the likes of Wahl clippers.
Overall, I’d say delicate haircuts can consume around 15 minutes whereas only blending the hair can be done within 5-7 minutes.
Versatility
Photo: Fadeking Clipper on Beard
Haircut versatility is pretty limited for the Fadeking clipper since it’s meant to be used for crafting niche haircuts as I mentioned before.
The lack of zero-overlap blades, limited adjustable lever gap, motor that struggles with certain hair types and below par guide quality restricts Fadeking’s potentials.
But it flourishes on the other hand if you include beard maintenance. Yes, one device can take care of both your beard and hairdo, removing the need to purchase two separate devices.
This opens up many doors for groomers, especially for those who trim their beard at a precise length and maintain haircuts that include blends.
Portability
Photo: Fadeking Clipper Carrying Case
Practically speaking, it often fatigued my wrist and fingers to maneuver the Fadeking clipper around for serving a grooming purpose.
It’s because of the hefty weight and the odd balance which requires some familiarity over time. It can only be attained through frequent uses.
Other than this factor, Fadeking clipper is highly portable and credit is due to the user-friendly carry pouch design.
During my visit abroad, I took this clipper stored inside the case and everything went smoothly, no damage or any other issue whatsoever.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Mind you, the Fadeking Professional clipper is not waterproof, thus washing the device or even the blades is not a maintenance option for you.
If you want to properly maintain this device, the procedure is very straightforward: you need to clean the blades and then oil the mechanism.
I don’t believe manually sharpening the Fadeking clipper blades is a good idea because of the blade material.
So, restrict your maintenance to cleaning, lubrication and safe storage, and the hair clipper will in return serve you efficiently for a long time to come!
How I Tested the Fadeking Professional Clipper?
This is a legit question. Primarily I used my so-called grooming expertise on my brother’s scalp since he eventually shaves off his head anyway.
So, I began with bulk removal and his feeble, fine hair seems to handle that pretty well. Then I delved deeper into the designed cuts and realized Fadeking has done an excellent job indeed!
Other than the practical tests, I assessed fall damage, battery life and charging benchmarks. Also, I manually attempted zero-overlapping the blades, the result was not very satisfying.
I’ve figuratively turned this device upside down to find its flaws and the good parts, therefore you can trust my verdict when I tell you – it’s worth spending your money.
Who is the Fadeking Professional Clipper For?
Now to answer the big question, I’ll give you four groups of consumers who might find the best use for the Fadeking Professional clipper.
- Professionals: Of course, since it’s called a professional clipper, it’s bound to cater to barbers and aid in their cause. The low cost device is a master of niche hairdos, has a long battery life and can be hanged using a hook at the bottom – professionals should be sold by now!
- Home Groomers: Home groomers who are looking for a fancy yet budget-grade hair clipper for versatile use and generate some sharp, tidy hairdos without anyone’s help, Fadeking can turn out to be a grand choice.
- Grooming Learners: Fadeking contains a lot of the features and properties of a luxury hair clipper but doesn’t cost as much. Those who are still novices and want to cheaply practice grooming with a premium hair clipper, this device can undoubtedly deliver.
- Budget Option: Fadeking clipper is a superb budget option because of all the performance you’d be getting out of it against the very limited cost you’re having to pay. Very few can match its niche performance at this range and it should certainly interest consumers in a budget!
Fadeking Vs BaBylissPRO Clippers: Difference between the Extra Cost
Since the two hair clippers from Fadeking and BaBylissPRO look so similar, I must hold them side by side for a comparative analysis and see what more you are getting for spending extra!
| Feature | Fadeking Professional Clipper | BaBylissPRO FXONE Clipper |
| Blade Type | Fading Tooth Top (#440C) | Metal Injection Molded (MIM) Fade Blade |
| Motor Type | Rotary | N1 Brushless Motor |
| Motor Power | 5,000 RPM | 6,800 RPM |
| Zero-Gap | No | Yes |
| Battery Life | 60 Minutes | 2 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Charging Stand | No | Yes |
| Battery Level Indicator | LED Numeric | 4-Bar LED Lights |
| Guide Combs | 6 | 6 |
Initially I’ll put down the similarities and differences between these two devices very briefly to give you a comprehensive idea. Then, I’ll elaborate those ideas for a thorough understanding and leave a verdict!
Similarities
- Almost identical housing design
- 6 guide combs included in the package
- Great at applying fade haircuts
Apart from the housing design, there’s very little similarity between the two hair clippers in concern.
Even though the housing distribution is almost identical, the top half of the Fadeking clipper contains wavy textures which are absent in the BabylissPRO device.
Other than that, these two hair clippers excel at cuts like fade, buzz or blending different lengths using their adjustment levers.
While the number of guide combs are the same for the two, there’s a drastic variation in their quality, BaBylissPRO offering the much robust ones that can be used by professionals any day.
Differences
- Blade units are completely different, BaBylissPRO carrying the better one
- Also, BaBylissPRO outperforms Fadeking in terms of motor type and power
- BaBylissPRO clipper has a longer battery life and a charging stand
- Different battery level indicators, Fadeking coming out with the better one
- Drastic difference in build quality
In terms of differences, I don’t even know where to begin. For starters, BaBylissPRO features a more durable and sharper blade unit than Fadeking, making it more versatile.
Additionally, BaBylissPRO clipper outperforms in motor power and therefore caters to every type of hair without a hiccup, even when it comes to bulk hair removal.
This hair clipper’s 2.5 hours battery life is a unique feat that cannot be matched by anyone and the battery unit can be replaced by the consumer without taking apart the device.
For convenience, especially for barbers, there’s a charging stand that wirelessly charges the BaBylissPRO clipper by docking it vertically.
Fadeking’s battery level reader is more precise with numbers whereas BaBylissPRO’s indicator is a 4-bar LED light underneath the handle, rendering the look more stylish and futuristic.
As per maintenance goes, BaBylissPRO has a built-in oil storage that lubricates the blades automatically, reducing maintenance duties down to a bare minimum.
Overall, BaBylissPRO has a more durable housing and cutting element as opposed to Fadeking, and obviously lives up to the reputation of this beloved brand!
Key Takeaway: BaBylissPRO is by far the better hair clipper than Fadeking in every aspect and is most certainly worth the 4x cost you’d have to bear should you opt for the more premium device.
FAQ
Before closing the discussion on Fadeking clipper review, I’ll answer some FAQs to inform you about every bit of knowledge regarding this affordable hair clipper!
Q: Where is the Fadeking clipper produced?
Ans: If you didn’t know already, Fadeking is a brand based in China and all of their productions take place there. That said, the brand has warehouses in the USA and many other places in the globe, therefore picking up the clipper or purchasing a replacement will be a piece of cake for you.
Q: How to purchase the replacement blades for the Fadeking clipper?
Ans: In order to purchase replacement blades for the Fadeking clipper, you can contact the local vendors that sell Fadeking products or simply search on Amazon, or any other marketplace like this. It’s worth mentioning that replacing Fadeking blades isn’t an easy affair and it’s better to consult an expert if you’re not skilled enough.
Q: Can I manually zero-gap the Fadeking clipper?
Ans: Yes, you can manually zero-overlap the Fadeking clipper but it’s not easy for those without prior experience. Because aligning the Fadeking clipper blades is highly complex and you might mess up the device beyond repair.
Final Thoughts
Here ends our Fadeking clipper review article after much testing, assessing and analyzing a multitude of features while taking practical experience into consideration.
Is it worth the price? Definitely! At this price range, you’re not going to find a hair clipper that looks so fabulous, performs specific haircuts with such finesse and delivers overall grand performance.
If you can live with the inability for manual zero-gapping, don’t have frequent need for bulk removal or balance out a head-heavy hair clipper, Fadeking can bring joy to your life.
Other than these minor setbacks, this hair clipper is a treat for this budget and I’d definitely recommend both professionals and home groomers to have a go at this instrument!
