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Are Clipper Guards Universal? (Exploring Compatibility and Fit)

Patrick Boulang

January 19, 2024

So, are clipper guards universal?

That’s the question we all have when we’re missing some guards or need a quick solution in order to give a good cut. 

But will your current guards match your clipper?

Well, you’re in the right place for Answers. 

In this article, we’ll go through the main types of clipper guards, What makes each different, which types of guards fit which on-brand… 

As well as important factors you must remember before swapping out your guards with other brands. 

So with that said, let’s get into it. 

Are Hair Clipper Guards Universal – Understanding guards

Clipper guards are essential attachments for electric hair clippers, which help in achieving consistent and precise haircuts. 

These guards are available in various sizes, measured either in millimeters (mm) or inches, and determine the length of the hair left on the head after trimming.

Here’s a brief overview of popular clipper guard sizes:

• #0 (1/16 inch or 1.5 mm): This is the smallest guard size and provides the closest cut, suitable for buzz cuts or fades.
• #1 (1/8 inch or 3 mm): This size is slightly longer than #0, and it is ideal for short, tight hairstyles or blending shorter tapers.
• #2 (1/4 inch or 6 mm): This guard can create a slightly longer hairstyle while maintaining a clean and tidy appearance.
• #3 (3/8 inch or 10 mm): This size is suitable for medium-short hairstyles or to taper the hair on the sides and back.

It’s essential to note that not all clipper brands use the same numbering system. Therefore, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with your clipper’s specific guard sizes before selecting the right one for your desired haircut.

Are All Clipper Guards Universal

Take for example wahl, these are the clipper guard lengths for their premium guards:

On the other hand, you have Andis:

Notice how the 1 ½ guard is missing for  Andis while Wahl has them included. 

Also, notice that they have different maximum cutting lengths.

Well, that just explains how each brand and what they offer can be a little different. We’ll go into more detail on this next. 

Swapping Guards Between Clippers 

Not all guards come the same. 

There are different types of clipper guards: 

Standard/stock clipper guards 

With standard clipper guards, you simply just snap the guard onto your blades and make sure it is secure. 

These types of guards are “cheap” and come with the specific clipper they are meant for but you can also get away with them fitting other clipper models (within the same brand) and the blade’s length and width are often the same.

They don’t have metal clips or magnets. They’re simply just plastic. 

Often times it would be hard to use this type of guard on another clipper from another brand as they are molded to match that specific clipper. Sometimes they don’t even have another clipper model from the same brand. They are unique

Uni guard 

Some brands are coming out with Uni guards which Allow you to flexibly attach their guards to other clipper brands. 

Take for example the JRL uni guard, you change the length of the guard and mold it to fit most blades. 

These guards are designed to be compatible with a wider range of clipper brands. They come with multiple size options and aim to provide better versatility than universal clipper guards.

Advantages of adjustable clipper guards include:

• Flexibility in achieving various hair lengths
• Compatibility with multiple clipper brands
• Potentially fewer guard attachments needed

But these guards aren’t as secure as premium guards or even magnetic ones, and if the mold was to be damaged, they would be rendered useless.

Premium guards 

However premium guards such as the wahl premium clipper guard set are higher quality and the guard clips onto your clippers better than standard guards.

They don’t have a strict shape like the standard plastic guards so they are more flexible to be used on other clipper brands. (We’ll get into this later). 

Magnetic clipper guards 

These types of guards simply just snap onto your clippers no need for clipping. 

The most popular type of magnetic guard is the Andis clipper purple magnetic guard which comes in single or double magnets. 

This type of guard will only fit a blade if the screws match the position of the blade itself. 

So in that sense, they are unique to a specific brand.

Along with premium guards, they are the best quality so most people want these guards on their blades. (We’ll go into detail on how you can get them to match up with your clipper later on). 

There is no universal clipper guard that will fit every clipper blade. 

Each brand of clipper has a blade that has a different

• Size

• Shape 
• Length 

These factors on the guard blade affect how hair is passed through the guard blade.

You could have a fade blade clipper.

Or a tapered blade on your clipper

Notice how these blades already have a different shaper to them. 

On top of that the way the guard blade feed hair to be cut is different. 

Some guards will feed more hair like a wedge blade clipper, because the teeth have a longer depth. 

But a shot teeth guard blade like the ones on wahl balding Clippers has a shorter teeth depth

Then, if you choose to use a guard from another clipper brand, you have to 1, make sure it fits the guard blade on your clipper (fade blade vs taper blade)

If it doesn’t fit your blade well you could overhang that gets onto the cutting blade and causes loud rattling, or it’s just loose and wobbles all over the place creating a bad cutting experience. 

2nd, you have to know the lengths you cutting to as the guards themselves are different. 

Take for example the Babyliss premium guards vs wahl premium guards:

These are both 1 ½ guards but notice that the guards simply aren’t built the same. 

Yes, they will cut about the same length but there will be slight differences. 

One guard will feed more hair, as the teeth are more spread out, while the other is sturdier and feeds less hair so it may last longer which means you cut hair in a different way. 

It’s these slight differences you should think about. 

Brand-Specific Guards

Many clipper manufacturers produce their own line of clipper guards, designed specifically to work with their products. For example, clipper guards from Wahl and Andis are specially designed to fit their respective clippers. Using brand-specific guards can provide a more secure fit and ensure a consistent outcome when cutting hair.

Key benefits of brand-specific guards include:

• Better fit and compatibility with the clipper
• Consistent measurements for guard sizes
• Guaranteed quality and performance

If you’re very specific about the lengths you cut to, swapping between guard brands can be frustrating because without testing or being very experienced, it’s hard to know and you may just end up confusing yourself. 

But if you like being flexible, or have a favorite clipper and favorite guard but they’re from different brands.

In summary, while swapping out clipper guards provide multiple benefits such as versatility and convenience, they also come with drawbacks, including potential attachment issues and varying cutting lengths.

It is crucial for users to weigh these pros and cons when deciding whether to swap between clippers and guards. 

Next, we’ll go over compatibility between premium guards of the popular clipper brand. 

Swapping and Fits Between Brands 

Provided your clippers came with a fade blade (guard blade), we’ll go through whether the most popular clipper brand guards can fit each other. 

There are two camps of blades you have one camp which is 1.5” in length and 1.75 “ blades which are mainly sported by these brands:

• Wahl 
• JRL
• Gamma
• Stylecraft 
• Babyliss 

Then you have brands who have larger blades or simply detachable blades, these are 

• Andis 
• Oster 

Now depending on which group your clippers fall in will determine whether the guards can fit on the clipper. 

So for example, the Wahl premium guards should fit a Gamma, Babyliss, and Stylecraft blade quite well. 

Just like how any premium guard set from these brands is cross-compatible with each other.

Then a premium Andis double magnetic guard will only fit the Oster. 

Here are some fits to be more precise. 

Do Wahl Guards Fit Gamma Clippers

Yes Wahl guards, whether it’s premium or classic or premium guards will fit Gamma clippers as they both have a blade that is 1.5” in length and 1.75 “ in width which matches up with the guard.

Wahl Premium Guards

• Fit babyliss fx clippers 

As long as the guard blade on your clipper is 1.5” in length and 1.75 “ in width. 

This guard will fit Babyliss Clippers 

FX870, FX880, FX825, and FX673

• Wahl guard doesn’t fit the popular Oster fast feeds or Andis clipper blade, you’d have to put a Wahl fade blade on your Andis clippers for them to match up. 

Babyliss Premium Guards

• Will fit most wahl clippers i.e 
• Do not fit Andis or fast feed blades

Examples are Legend, magic Clip, seniors 

• Fits the cordless seniors 

Oster Guards

Fits the Andis seniors 

Andis Premium Magnetic Guards

• Fit the Oster fast feeds (Double magnetic guards only)

Andis clippers premium guards do not fit Wahl hair clippers unless you get a conversion kit for the blades. 

This video explains the process. 

Conclusion

Clipper guards are an essential tool for achieving the perfect haircut, as they determine the length of the hair during the trimming process. 

Generally, clipper guards have a standardized numbering system, which ranges from 0 to 12, with 0 being the shortest length and 12 the longest. However, not all clipper guards are universal, as some brands have specific attachments designed to work exclusively with their clippers.

While most clipper guards are designed to fit a wide array of electric hair clippers, it’s essential to double-check compatibility before purchasing. For example, Wahl guards are designed to work with all full-size Wahl clippers.

 It’s always safer to choose clipper guards made of the same brand as your clippers to ensure a secure fit and optimal performance.

Additionally, keep in mind that each brand may have slight variations in guard sizes and measurement units, which might affect the final result. To achieve the ideal haircut, it’s vital to understand the hair clipper guard sizes for your specific clippers and rely on your knowledge of the differences when fading your hair at home or requesting a haircut from your barber or stylist.

In summary, while clipper guards may not be completely universal, understanding the numbering system and ensuring compatibility with your specific clippers will enable you to achieve the best results for your haircut. 

By following these guidelines, you can be confident in your ability to give yourself or others a professional-looking haircut using the appropriate clipper guards.

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