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This BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ review answers one question: is the gold-bladed, all-metal clipper still the one to buy now that cheaper brushless rivals are everywhere? For a barber or serious home cutter who wants a heavy, planted tool with up to three hours of cordless runtime, yes. The BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ clipper is built for bulk work and fades, and it is not the lightest option.
BaBylissPRO brought the GoldFX name back with an upgraded N1 brushless motor, a 3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery and USB-C charging, and it remains a staple behind chairs. We broke down the manufacturer specs, the Amazon listing and what working barbers keep saying about metal-bodied clippers to show who should buy it, who should skip it and what to compare it against.
Best overall
BaBylissPRO GoldFX+
- N1 brushless motor, 6,800 RPM
- Up to 3 hours of runtime
- All-metal body, gold taper blade
Best swappable battery
BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX
- Quick-release battery system
- MIM fade blade
- Up to 2.5 hours per battery
Best classic alternative
Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless
- Stagger-tooth fade blade
- 100+ minute runtime
- Familiar barber-school feel
In this guide
Quick answer
Buy the GoldFX+ if you want a metal-bodied clipper with a long cordless runtime and you are comfortable with a heavier tool.
Pick the BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX clipper if you would rather swap batteries, or the Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless for a lighter, classic fade clipper.
The short version: the GoldFX+ is a power-first design. It trades weight for stability, and the three-hour battery means a full day of cuts without reaching for the cord. Everything below explains whether that trade is right for your hands.
BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ review: specs at a glance
These specs come from BaBylissPRO’s own product listing and the Amazon page. Always check the model number on the listing before you order, because older GoldFX clippers used a different code (FX870G) from the current FX870NG.
| Spec | GoldFX+ (FX870NG) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | N1 brushless, dual ball bearings | Upgraded over the older GoldFX |
| Speed | 6,800 RPM / 13,600 SPM | Single speed |
| Battery | 3,300 mAh lithium-ion | Up to 3 hours listed |
| Charging | USB-C or standard cord | Cord and cordless use |
| Blade | DLC/titanium gold taper | Zero-gap adjustable |
| Body | All-metal, knurled grip | About 13.7 oz listed |
| Taper arm | 5-detent | Locking positions |
| Warranty | 2 years limited | Per BaBylissPRO |
Design, motor and battery
Build and grip
The BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ clipper wears an all-metal housing with a knurled barbell grip. Knurling gives your fingers texture for control even when your hands are damp or covered in product. At about 13.7 ounces on BaBylissPRO’s own comparison chart, it is heavier than many plastic-bodied clippers, and that weight is the point: it keeps the blade steady through a long taper. If you cut all day, plan on a break-in period for your wrist.
Motor
BaBylissPRO lists an N1 brushless motor with dual ball bearings, rated at 6,800 RPM (13,600 strokes per minute). A brushless design has no carbon brushes to wear out, which is why professional clippers moved this way. The company positions the motor for cutting all hair textures, including thick, coarse hair where lighter clippers can bog down.
Battery and charging
The listing promises up to three hours on a 3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery. Runtime claims are manufacturer figures and real life will vary with hair thickness and blade load, so read them as a ceiling. The useful part is flexibility: it charges over USB-C, works with a standard cord, and runs corded when the battery is flat. For a deeper look at how claimed and real runtimes differ, see our cordless clipper battery life guide.
Check the BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ clipper on Amazon
Blade and cutting range
The GoldFX+ ships with a DLC/titanium gold taper blade that BaBylissPRO describes as high hardness with lower blade temperature and zero-gap adjustable. DLC (diamond-like carbon) coatings are chosen to reduce friction and wear. A taper blade is the classic fade-and-blend profile: it cuts a bit longer than a trimmer-style blade, which is what lets you move a fade without harsh lines.
A five-detent locking taper arm lets you step the blade between positions. BaBylissPRO’s manufacturer page names six guards (1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch), though some retailers list eight, so check what your listing includes. Blades wear and need oil and cleaning, which our clipper blade care guide covers step by step.
Gold taper blades are as much a look as a feature. If you want the finish without the premium, the older BaBylissPRO line is covered in our BaBylissPRO clippers history and models guide.
Who should buy the GoldFX+
Barbers and students
If you spend hours behind a chair, the long runtime and metal body are the selling points. Many barbers like having a clipper that does not rattle or flex, and a flagship from BaBylissPRO is easy to find parts for. The GoldFX+ is a sensible daily driver or a second clipper in a three-clipper rotation.
Home cutters who want a step up
If you cut your own hair or family hair weekly and you are tired of clippers that fade out mid-cut, this is a long-term buy. It is more clipper than most households need, so compare it with the picks in our best hair clippers for men at home guide first.
Who should skip it
If you have small hands, cut for long stretches above shoulder height, or want something very light, the weight will bother you. If you want a trimmer-style finishing tool, a clipper like this is the wrong shape for detailing.
GoldFX+ alternatives worth comparing
Three clippers come up most often next to the GoldFX+. The table gives the headline differences from the manufacturer and Amazon listings.
| Clipper | Standout | Power |
|---|---|---|
| GoldFX+ | All-metal, 3-hour runtime | Brushless, 6,800 RPM |
| FXONE Lo-ProFX | Quick-release battery | Brushless, 6,800 RPM |
| Magic Clip Cordless | Stagger-tooth fade blade | 100+ min runtime |
| Wahl Vapor | Adaptive speed control | 8,000 RPM brushless |
BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX
The BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX clipper (model FX829) uses the same N1 brushless motor and 6,800 RPM as the GoldFX+, but the headline is the interchangeable lithium battery with a quick-release button. BaBylissPRO lists up to 2.5 hours per battery, a MIM blade with oil reservoirs and six guards. If you want to swap a fresh battery mid-day, this is the design to look at. We compare its blade to a rival in our JRL Onyx vs BaBylissPRO Lo-ProFX comparison.
Check the BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX clipper on Amazon
Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless
The Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless is the long-time barber-school favorite. It uses a stagger-tooth blade for fades and blends, and the Amazon listing gives a 100-plus-minute runtime. It runs lighter than a metal-bodied clipper and has a familiar feel, but it does not match the GoldFX+ runtime on paper.
Check the Wahl 5 Star Magic Clip Cordless on Amazon
Wahl 5 Star Vapor
The Wahl 5 Star Vapor clipper is Wahl’s brushless cord/cordless option. Its Amazon listing names an 8,000 RPM brushless motor with adaptive speed control, an F32 fadeout blade, a DLC-coated balding blade and 150 minutes of runtime on a 60-minute charge. It is a strong match if you value fast charging and speed that adjusts to the load. For another new-generation clipper to cross-shop, our Andis Talon review and Andis Phenom review cover two more.
Check the Wahl 5 Star Vapor clipper on Amazon
Pros and cons of the GoldFX+
Pros
- Up to 3 hours of listed cordless runtime
- All-metal body with knurled grip
- Brushless N1 motor with dual ball bearings
- DLC/titanium taper blade, zero-gap adjustable
- USB-C charging and corded operation
Cons
- Heavier than plastic-bodied clippers
- Premium price range
- Single speed only
- Blade needs regular oil and cleaning
Buying guide: how to choose a pro-style clipper
Weight and balance
Weight is a trade-off. Heavier metal clippers feel planted but tire your wrist. Lighter bodies suit short sessions and beginners. Pick the weight you can hold comfortably for your longest cut.
Motor type
Brushless motors last longer and run cooler than brushed ones. Magnetic and rotary motors are common in older or cheaper clippers. Ask what the listing names and compare RPM only between similar motor types.
Battery design
A built-in battery is simple and light. A swappable battery gives you unlimited runtime if you own a spare. Corded operation is a useful backup either way.
Blade profile
Taper blades suit fades and blending, while fade blades and stagger-tooth designs suit bulk removal. Look at what the blade does for the cuts you do most.
Guards and extras
Check the number and range of guards, whether a hanging hook is included and whether a charging stand or cord is in the box. Parts and replacement blades should be easy to buy.
Warranty
BaBylissPRO lists a two-year limited warranty on the GoldFX+. Keep your receipt and register the product if the maker offers it.
Verdict
The BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ clipper earns its place as a pro-grade, all-metal clipper with a long listed runtime and a classic gold taper blade. If you would rather have a swappable battery, the BaBylissPRO FXONE Lo-ProFX clipper is the closest alternative.
If you want a lighter feel or a lower price, the Wahl options above are easy wins. Choose based on weight in hand and the cuts you do most, and the right clipper will be obvious.
FAQ
Is the BaBylissPRO GoldFX+ worth it?
For barbers and frequent home cutters who want a metal-bodied clipper with a long listed runtime, yes. If you want a light tool or a low price, look at the alternatives above.
What is the GoldFX+ model number?
The current GoldFX+ clipper is model FX870NG. Older GoldFX clippers used FX870G, so check the model number on the listing.
How long does the GoldFX+ battery last?
BaBylissPRO lists up to three hours of runtime from a 3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery. Real runtime depends on hair thickness and blade load.
Can the GoldFX+ run corded?
Yes. BaBylissPRO lists it as cord/cordless, with USB-C and standard cord compatibility.
What blade does the GoldFX+ use?
A DLC/titanium gold taper blade that BaBylissPRO describes as zero-gap adjustable, controlled by a five-detent taper arm.
Is the GoldFX+ good for fades?
Its taper blade and adjustable arm are made for fades and blending. How good your fade looks still depends on technique and guard choice.
GoldFX+ or FXONE Lo-ProFX?
Both list the N1 brushless motor at 6,800 RPM. Choose the GoldFX+ for its all-metal body and 3-hour runtime, or the FXONE Lo-ProFX if a swappable battery matters more.
