The main clipper handles the bulk. It cuts fast and clean over defined lengths. But it is not built for precision: neck line, beard contour, temples, very short fade. For that, you need a trimmer. The finer head lets you draw clean lines a regular clipper will never deliver.
The R shape follows the curves of the face and skull without pressing into the skin. That is what separates a pro trimmer from an entry-level one: on a strong jaw or a skull with marked curves, a fixed head catches, irritates, sometimes nicks. The R-shape glides above the surface without losing contact with the zone.
Most consumer trimmers run at 4000 rpm and stall the moment the hair gets dense. On a three-day beard or on textured hair, 6000 rpm gives you the headroom to pass in one go.
For you if you already have a main clipper and want a finishing tool. For barbers who add a dedicated trimmer to the station. For men who keep their beard at home. For women who trace the neck line before a protective style.
The main clipper cuts bulk for lengths (guards 0.5 to 16 mm). The trimmer is built for precision: a finer head allows clean lines, beard structuring, line-ups. They complement each other, they do not replace one another.
For outlines and line-ups, yes. For bulk cutting on 4C, use a real high-power clipper like the DLC ceramic available at Miapoda.
Yes, in-shower use is fine. Avoid extended submersion and keep soapy water away from the USB contacts.
Between 60 and 90 minutes depending on speed. Plenty for multiple sessions before a recharge.
Entry-level decent: £3,500 to £5,500 (two complete styling stations, one wash station, pro clippers, Japanese shears, salon capes, mannequins, mirrors). Mid-range: £7,000 to £10,000. Pro with design furniture and high-end pro equipment: £13,000 to £22,000. We provide a personalised checklist on request.
For cuts, weaves and relaxers, yes: an Indian Remy hair mannequin lets you practise every technique and lasts 2 to 3 years with care. For window display marketing, a high-end synthetic mannequin is enough.
Miapoda is a worldwide marketplace dedicated to the afro hair ecosystem: a curated shop of products, a directory of pro stylists specialising in kinky, curly and coily hair, and an editorial magazine on natural hair care. Our selection is validated by pro stylists in London, New York, Toronto, Lagos, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Paris, Brussels, Geneva and Dakar. You buy with confidence, with English-speaking customer support and the option to ask a stylist before buying.
Opening, kitting out or upgrading an afro salon is a structuring investment. Our pro equipment range covers the full chain you need to start or scale: Wahl, Andis, BaBylissPRO and Oster pro clippers for short cuts, fades, line-ups, designs and barber finishes; Joewell, Kasho, Mizutani Japanese forged-steel shears in stainless steel; waterproof PU-coated polyester or ripstop nylon salon capes resistant to relaxers and colour, with soft velcro or magnetic closure; brushed-steel hydraulic styling chairs, reclining ceramic-basin wash chairs, infrared hood dryers for perms; Indian or Brazilian real-hair mannequins, training heads for braiding, wall mounts and tripods; floor mirrors, LED wall mirrors, stainless instrument trays, UV sterilisers for hygiene compliance, bottle openers and colour brushes, graduated cups, dye bowls. Whether you're setting up an afro salon in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Dublin, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Sydney, Melbourne, Lagos, Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg or Nairobi, we ship worldwide with dedicated pro after-sales service. Miapoda operates as a worldwide marketplace for afro hair styling: for full salon-opening projects, contact our pro team. We provide personalised pro equipment lists by specialty (weaving, locs, barber-stylist, mixed salon) and budget.
The trimmer for the details your main clipper does not catch.
The backrest must recline far enough to avoid pulling on the neck (afro hair with long locs or braids needs a deeper basin and a more reclined back). Ceramic basin preferable for heat. And good plumbing: thermostatic mixer essential.
Small pro equipment (clippers, shears, salon capes, mannequins) ships ready to use. Bulky furniture (wash chairs, styling stations) ships in kit with instructions. Allow 1 to 2 hours of assembly per station, or £150-300 for in-home assembly in major cities (London, New York, Toronto available).
