ne of the advantages to having longevity in a particular profession is the opportunity to see how new technology helps to improve the lives of the people working within that profession. As a pet stylist of 35 years, I’ve had that distinct opportunity to see so many new and helpful products hit the market. In addition, as the grooming industry has grown to become an important and necessary part of pet ownership, I’ve also seen so many products and tools that have been part of the industry for a long time become more efficient and effective with more advanced technology. And one of those tools that has been greatly improved upon are our clippers.

But why are these new and improved clippers better for groomers than the old ones?

When I started my path to a career in pet grooming back in 1993, I received my very first professional dog grooming clipper in my grooming school tool kit. At the time, this clipper was the newest on the market and it had what was considered to be new technology—it was cordless. The plastic housing that held the motor was thick and the battery pack which you could insert was big and heavy, but it was still cordless, and that was liberating.

Up until then, all the dog grooming clippers had a long, thick electrical cord that most groomers would throw over one shoulder to get it out of the way. When you turned these clippers with rotary motors on, the sound was so loud and the clipper vibration was hard to ignore. I recall so many dogs being nervous because this loud, scary vibrating thing was coming toward them, not to mention the strain it would put on my hands and arms. But, this was what we had and we made it work.

Fast forward to present day, in the age of digital technology, and a lot has changed. Clippers have become smaller, lighter, quieter, more efficient and they put less strain on our precious hands. Let’s take a look at some of the new technology available in clippers and how they have advanced…

A rotary motor is an electric motor that uses a magnetic field to rotate the armature. In contrast, a brushless motor uses a permanent magnet rotor and electronic commutation to create motion. It is a newer technology that is becoming increasingly popular in pet clippers. The benefits of a brushless motor in a clipper—especially in more powerful A5-style clippers—can include increased efficiency, more power, improved durability, greater precision, and a smaller and lighter design which is essential to avoid muscle fatigue. Even though they cost more, these advantages can make a brushless motor clipper an excellent choice for pet groomers.

Brushless motors are designed to be more durable than brushed motors because they have fewer moving parts that can wear out or break over time. They are also less likely to suffer from overheating, often extending their lifespan. Brushless motors are known for delivering more power than brushed motors, making them better suited for tackling thicker or matted pet hair. They also produce less vibration and noise which is beneficial for pets that are easily scared or agitated.

This recently debuted technology helps the clipper motor speed up and down based on the load detected by the motor. Torque vectoring is a technique used in some pet clippers to improve their cutting performance by adjusting the amount of torque delivered to each blade. This can help the clipper cut through different types and thicknesses of hair more easily, and can also reduce strain on the clipper motor and blades.