Andis Talon Review 2026: Is the 9,000 SPM Clipper Worth It?

Andis just dropped a compact cordless clipper that runs at 9,000 strokes per minute, ships with a spare blade, and costs far less than most flagship clippers. This Andis Talon review covers what barbers are saying in the first weeks, where it beats the competition, and where it falls short.

We broke down Andis’s published specs and the first wave of working-barber reviews to show exactly where the Talon earns a spot on your station, with every source linked. The Andis Talon Clipper is brand new, so nobody has months of daily-use data yet. We flag that wherever it matters.

“It’s so powerful for such a small clipper. I can’t think of another clipper even close to this size that has that much ump to it.” — Matt, The Woodshed Barber

Quick Verdict

Andis is pitching the Talon as the clipper for “the work before the finish”: bulk removal, setting guidelines, and blending. The idea is simple. Use the high speed to clear weight fast, drop to the low speed for controlled blending, then hand the detail work to a trimmer such as the matching Andis Talon Trimmer. If you are new to the brand, our guide to Andis clippers and their history shows where the Talon fits in the lineup.

Andis Talon Specs at a Glance

These figures come from Andis’s own product page for the Talon Clipper (model CHC-1). The Amazon listing for the Andis Talon Professional Cordless Hair Clipper matches the motor, blade and run-time claims.

Andis Talon Review: What Barbers Are Saying

The Talon started shipping to barber supply stores in late September 2026, and the first wave of video reviews landed within weeks. Two of the most useful come from The Woodshed Barber, a working shop owner who scores clippers category by category, and Ricky at Headquarters Chicago, a barber supply store that walks through the spec sheet without hype. Here is what they agree on, and where they push back.

Power: big pull from a small body

Both reviewers single out the motor. The Woodshed Barber says he could not think of another clipper this small with that much power, and he scored power 4.5 out of 5. The only thing that cost it the full mark was battery life. That matters because his main complaint about Andis’s earlier compact clipper was a lack of power. The Talon keeps a similar small footprint and fixes that.

In practice, the two speeds give you a choice that single-speed clippers do not. Run 9,000 SPM to clear bulk on thick or coarse hair, then drop to 7,000 SPM when you are blending and want the clipper to feel calmer in the hand. A small light shows which speed you are in, so you are not guessing mid-fade.

Feel and design: the standout

This is where the Talon wins people over. The Woodshed Barber gave design a perfect 5 out of 5. He points out that the bottom of the handle is narrow, so your ring and pinky fingers wrap around it naturally, without the cut-outs and thumb wells many clippers rely on. He also likes the finish: a metal body with a clear coat that feels secure without being rubbery.

Left-handed barbers get a real perk. The box includes a second lever arm, so you can set the taper lever up for either hand. One honest catch from the same review: the power switch stays on one side, so lefties still reach across for it. Few will mind, but it is worth knowing.

Blade: solid, not special

The stock DLC-coated PhazeR blade is the part reviewers are least excited about. The Woodshed Barber rated it 3 out of 5 and called it about what you should expect from a modern fade blade, nothing more. He plans to try other blades on it. Ricky at HQ is more positive about the blade package as a whole, because Andis includes a second blade in the box. A spare blade on day one means less downtime when the first needs a break or a sharpen. When it does, our guide on sharpening clipper blades at home can stretch its life.

Because the blade is adjustable, you can tighten it toward the stationary blade for crisper work. If you plan to zero-gap it, follow a careful process like the one in our zero-gap guide so it does not nick skin.

Noise: decent, not whisper-quiet

Andis markets the Talon as quiet. The Woodshed Barber measured about 62 dB on low and 66 dB on high and scored sound 4 out of 5. That is pleasant for a clipper with this much speed, but he says some quieter compact clippers do better.

Battery: the main trade-off

Andis rates the Talon at up to 2 hours per charge. Both reviewers call that the weak spot. Ricky notes that some rivals run considerably longer, though they usually cost more. The Woodshed Barber forgives it because a small body means a small battery. For a home user that is plenty. For a barber running back-to-back cuts, the charging stand and USB-C cord make top-ups easy, but you will want to dock it between clients.

Value: the reason people are talking

Value is the headline. The Woodshed Barber scored price 5 out of 5, calling the Talon the most affordable clipper with this kind of power in the mainstream market right now. He scored the accessories 5 out of 5 too, mainly for the spare blade. Ricky frames it the same way: the real question is not whether the Talon is the best clipper on the market, but whether Andis just made one of the best values in its price range.

See the Andis Talon Clipper on Amazon

Watch: two early Andis Talon reviews

Source: Andis Talon Review, The Woodshed Barber.

Source: Andis Talon Review: The New Clipper That Hits 9,000 SPM, Headquarters Chicago.

Andis Talon Pros and Cons

The Andis Talon Trimmer

Andis launched a matching Talon Trimmer at the same time, built as the finishing tool for line-ups, edges, beard shaping, necklines and cleanup. It uses a deep-tooth DLC blade, the same 7,000 and 9,000 SPM speeds, an LED battery and speed display, and USB-C charging. Andis rates it at up to 3 hours of run time, a full hour more than the clipper. Retailers list a spare blade, 4 attachment combs, a charging stand and a storage case in the box.

If you already own a trusted outliner, there is no rush to switch. But if you are buying the Talon clipper and want a matched pair that looks and charges the same way, the trimmer makes sense. For comparison, our Andis T-Outliner cordless review covers Andis’s classic line-up trimmer.

Check the Andis Talon Trimmer on Amazon

Andis Talon vs Recon, Vapor, Magic Clip and Lo-ProFX

Here is how the Talon lines up against the cordless clippers barbers most often compare it with. Specs come from each listing or manufacturer page.

Talon vs Andis Recon

The Andis Recon is Andis’s premium cordless clipper: a 9,000 SPM vector motor, a Phaze blade that adjusts from 0000 to 0A, and up to 4 hours of run time. It is the pick if battery life is your top priority or you cut all day without docking. The Talon matches its top speed for much less money and adds a second speed, but gives up half the run time.

Talon vs Wahl 5 Star Vapor

The Wahl 5 Star Vapor is built around its F32 Fadeout balding blade, which is designed to take you from skin to blend with one tool, plus a brushless motor with adaptive speed control. Choose the Vapor if you do lots of bald fades and want fewer tool changes. Choose the Talon if you want the higher top speed, a spare blade and a lighter price. Our Wahl Vapor vs Magic Clip comparison goes deeper on the Vapor.

Talon vs Wahl Magic Clip

The Wahl Cordless Magic Clip is the safe, proven choice: a stagger-tooth blade that barbers have trusted for years and 100+ minutes of run time. It has one speed and no spare blade. The Talon is the more modern package. The Magic Clip has the track record. If you are torn between Andis and Wahl in general, see our Andis Master Cordless vs Wahl Magic Clip breakdown.

Talon vs BaBylissPRO Lo-ProFX

The BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX uses a brushless motor and an interchangeable battery system, so you can swap in a charged battery instead of waiting. That solves the battery problem the Talon has. Pick the Lo-ProFX if you want swappable power and a low-profile fade blade; pick the Talon if you want more speed and value. For a wider field, see our list of the best professional cordless clippers.

Who Should Buy the Andis Talon

Skip it if you need 3 to 4 hours of cutting without a charge, you want a proven multi-year track record, or you mainly do skin fades and would rather use a dedicated balding blade. In those cases, the Andis Recon or Wahl Vapor are safer bets. For more fade-focused options, see our best clippers for fades.

Buying Guide: What to Check in a Cordless Clipper

1. Motor type and speed

Rotary motors, like the Talon’s, are versatile all-rounders. Vector and brushless motors tend to run cooler and hold speed under load. Higher strokes per minute help in thick or coarse hair, while a lower speed gives smoother control when blending. Two speeds give you both.

2. Blade type and adjustability

DLC coatings resist wear and heat. Fade blades suit blending, taper blades suit classic work, and balding blades cut closest. An adjustable blade lets you fine-tune how close it cuts. A spare blade in the box, as with the Talon, is a real bonus.

3. Battery and charging

Match run time to your day. Two hours is fine for home use or a light chair. Busy barbers should look at 3 to 4 hour clippers or swappable batteries. USB-C and a charging stand make topping up easy between clients.

4. Weight and grip

Lighter clippers reduce fatigue over a long day, and grip shape matters as much as weight. If you can, hold a clipper before you commit. Reviewers single out the Talon’s narrow base as especially comfortable.

5. Guards and accessories

Check which guard sizes are included. Many cordless clippers stop around 1/2 inch, so longer cuts may need an extra set. Also look for a blade guard, oil and a brush so maintenance is easy from day one.

6. Warranty and support

A new model has no long-term track record, so the warranty matters. The Talon carries 2 years from Andis. Buy from an authorized seller so the warranty is honored.

How We Researched This

We read Andis’s official product pages for the Talon Clipper and Talon Trimmer, checked the Amazon listings for each product mentioned, and watched recent public video reviews from The Woodshed Barber and Headquarters Chicago. Opinions and measurements in this article are credited to those reviewers. We will update this review as longer-term barber feedback comes in.

FAQ

Is the Andis Talon good for fades?

Yes, for most fades. Its adjustable fade-style blade and low 7,000 SPM speed are built for blending. For very tight skin work, barbers usually finish with a foil shaver or a dedicated balding blade.

How long does the Andis Talon battery last?

Andis rates the Talon Clipper at up to 2 hours per charge. It charges by USB-C or on the included stand, and an LED display shows the battery level.

What is the difference between the Talon’s two speeds?

The 9,000 SPM setting is for bulk removal and thick hair. The 7,000 SPM setting is for controlled blending and shaping. A light on the clipper shows which speed is active.

Can left-handed barbers use the Andis Talon?

Yes. Andis includes a second lever arm so you can set the taper lever up for either hand. The power switch stays on one side, which one reviewer noted is a small drawback for lefties.

Is the Andis Talon worth it over the Andis Recon?

It depends on battery needs. The Talon gives you similar top speed, two speeds and a spare blade for much less. The Recon runs up to 4 hours per charge, double the Talon. Busy all-day barbers may prefer the Recon.

Does the Andis Talon come with guards?

Yes, six attachment combs from 1/16 to 1/2 inch, plus a blade guard, brush, oil, charging stand, USB-C cord, bonus lever arm and a spare blade.

Is there a matching Andis Talon trimmer?

Yes. The Talon Trimmer has a deep-tooth DLC blade, the same two speeds, and up to 3 hours of run time. It is designed for line-ups, edges and beard work.