The Best Re-Chargeable Cordless Horse Clippers

When considering a horse clipper purchase, it can be hard to choose between similar types of horse clippers, as brands are now offering choices that align in a similar way.

As horse clipper specialists, we not only retail but clip with all the clippers that we sell. This enables us to give an unbiased view on the similarities and differences, quality, value for money, and technical points, to help you make a considered purchase.

The horse clippers within the Full Size Re-chargeable range that we are going to compare are:

• Aesculap Bonum
• Clipster Farm Clip Accu 2
• Heiniger Xplorer
• Lister Eclipse

This selection of horse clippers is similar in most respects and fall within the same battery powered category. They all have variables within their designs, and we will discuss these areas in more detail to include the following points.

• Ease of use including tensioning
• What’s included
• Weights and Measures
• Worktime
• Quality & Design
• Noise level and suitability
• Value for Money

Aesculap Bonum Review

The Aesculap Bonum is a brand of horse clipper designed in Switzerland and engineered in Germany. Tensioning of the blades can be done manually, but for tension free problems, we suggest purchasing the Aesculap Torqui Tensioner. This is simple to use and will ensure the blades are tensioned perfectly.

What's Included

The clipper comes in a hard carry case, with oil and a cradle style charger. It also includes one set of standard blades. Extra blades in all grades and extra batteries are available as an additional purchase.

Weight and Measurements

Weighing in at 950gm including integral battery and attached blades, this makes it one of the lightest full-size clippers on the market. The circumference of grip is 14cm with an overall length of 29.5 cm, a neat slimline horse clipper.

Working Time

Work time for the Aesculap Bonum is around 70-80 minutes, with a charge time of 50 minutes. For continual running time, a secondary battery is recommended. The batteries are Lithium-ion and designed for effective power and life.

Quality and Build

A quality well designed and engineered clipper that delivers an exceptional clipping experience. The light and narrow handpiece is a huge handling advantage and particularly suited to users that suffer from wrist problems, or small hands.

Noise Level and Suitability

A quiet, smooth-running clipper which is comparable to the Heiniger Xplorer for performance and noise level. It is suitable for the one or two horse owners, as well as the professional user for clipping horses on a regular basis. Worth choosing if a quieter clipper is required or one that is narrow in the handpiece for ease of use.

Value for Money

Comes in at the middle to top end of the pricing bracket and would be expected for this level of performance and design. With a 2-year warranty, this beautifully designed clipper has been engineered to perfection.

OUR RECOMMENTATION * * * * *

The quality and design of the Aesculap Bonum is exceptional and sits very high in our recommendations. It ticks the boxes for style, smooth and quiet running. Ergonomically shaped for smaller hands and well balanced when in use. Manufactured in Switzerland and engineered in Germany, using the latest technology, with high quality component parts, this horse clipper has been designed and built to give longevity and value, without compromise.

Clipster Farmclip AKKU2

The Clipster Farmclip AKKU2 is a brand of horse clipper designed in Germany and manufactured in China. A budget friendly clipper that is both practical, robust, and great value.

Tensioning in a similar way to the Heiniger brand, and as with all clippers, to get the best results and effective clipping, always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for the correct tensioning procedure.

What's Included

The Clipster Farmclip AKKU2  comes with two lithium-ion batteries for continuous running. Also included is a set of standard premium blades which cut to 3mm, hard carry case, charger base unit and maintenance kit. Additional batteries and blades can be purchased as required.

Weights and Measurments

With a length of 289.5mm and a circumference grip of 80mm, this clipper is substantial to hold but once in work, it proves well balanced and easy to use. Weighing in at 1.09 kg including the battery and blades, it is heavier than its other competitors in the group, but ideal for heavier usage.

Working Time

With up to 1.5 hours of work time from a single charge, this gives sufficient time for most users, and with the additional battery included, this will extend the work time to 3 hours without a re-charge.

Quality and Build

The quality and design heads towards the more agricultural, heavier duty user. Ergonomic and slimline are not design features of this clipper, but it is a good workhorse within this group of re- chargeable horse clippers.

Noise Level and Suitability

A clipper that is bold to hold and use, working at a good speed but with a louder noise level than the Aesculap Bonum and Heiniger Xplorer. An ideal horse clipper for horses that are not noise sensitive. These are also suitable for equine and cattle clipping, and perfect for more challenging clipping and coat conditions.

Value for Money

This clipper comes in at the budget level, and we have found to be the best value re-chargeable full- size clipper that we have used. The budget friendly, cheap horse clipper provides exceptional value for money, effective work time, and a well clipped finish.

OUR RECOMMENDATION * * * *

The Clipster Farmclip AKKU2 is the best value, and under half the price of most of the other similar horse clippers. It is a reliable full size re-chargeable clipper and comes with two batteries and one set of blades, allowing a good 3 hours run time before re-charging. We love this clipper for its robustness and value. It lends itself well to the customer who is looking for a budget horse clipper that can reliably do a good job. It handles well although slightly heavier to hold, but most importantly gives a good finish and is well balanced.

Heiniger Xplorer

The Heiniger Xplorer is a clipper and shearing brand that designs and manufacturers horse clippers and sheep shearing equipment from their factory in Switzerland. The Heiniger Xplorer, is an exceptionally powerful cordless horse clipper that has been engineered for outstanding performance at all levels.

A well-designed clipper that is straightforward to tension in the same way that both the Clipster Farm Clip and Aesculap Bonum are tensioned. As always, tensioning needs to be correct for blades to cut effectively. Full instructions are always included with a new set of clippers.

What's Included

The Heiniger Xplorer comes with one lithium-ion battery, one set of standard blades, battery charger unit, carry case, screwdriver, and instructions. Additional blades in all grades as well as additional batteries can be purchased additionally.

Weights and Measures

Weighing in at 1.04 kg including the integrated battery and set of blades, it provides a reliable and well-balanced clipper that is comfortable to hold. The main grip point measures 17cm in circumference and the total length of the clipper is 29cm.

Working time

Work time for the Heiniger Xplorer is two hours from a 60–70-minute charge. Additional batteries can be purchased to enable continual clipping, and this is something that we recommend. The batteries are Lithium-ion and designed for long life and effective power.

Quality and Build

A strong European brand with an eye for detail and design, the Xplorer doesn’t disappoint. Ergonomically designed to hold just behind the clipper collar, a well thought out feature for optimum balance and comfort. The quality of the finish and the smooth-running motor are extra features that make this a top-quality horse clipper.

Value for Money

Coming in at the middle to higher end of the pricing bracket, this is justified by the performance, build quality, and finish that this clipper achieves. The Heiniger Xplorer is designed to last and engineered for reliability and performance.

OUR RECOMMENDATION *****

We continue to be impressed by the finish this clipper achieves, the blades are great quality which contributes to a more effective and precise cutting edge. The low vibration and smooth running of the Heiniger Xplorer clipper is particularly good for young or noise sensitive animals and helps reduce the level of stress that clipping can cause anxious horses. We also love the shaped handpiece which makes for comfortable clipping and encourages the clipper to be held nearer the clipping head, encouraging a more balanced hold.

Lister Eclipse

The Lister Eclipse is the latest horse clipper to be designed by UK manufacturer Lister Clipping based in Gloucestershire. The Eclipse has taken over from the much-loved Lister Liberty and brings a new design forward to embrace a re-chargeable clipper with an integrated handpiece to come into line with the other clipper manufacturers. A straightforward cordless clipper that is simple to tension and use as well as being light and easy to handle.

What's Included

Lister are the first to move across to cardboard packaging, designed to accommodate the clipper and accessories. Included in the package is the clipper hand piece, set of fine blades, charging stand and lithium-ion battery, as well as a small cleaning brush and clipper oil.

Weights and Measures

Weighing in at 845g and with a handpiece length measurement of 214mm and hand grip diameter measure of 42mm this is the lightest and shortest clipper in the full size re-chargeable horse clipper range.

Working Time

Giving a useful 130-minute run time using one lithium-ion battery, and with a re-charge of 130 minutes to get up to full capacity, out runs both the Aesculap Bonum and the Heiniger Xplorer by over 60 minutes. As we always suggest, the purchase of a spare battery is a useful choice, to ensure continuous clipping if more than 130 minutes clipping time is needed.

Quality and Build

The Lister Eclipse has been thoughtfully designed and has brought in several unique features that can be compare against the other clippers in this range. The short, narrow handpiece is the most unique selling point that this newly clipper has achieved, together with the extended work time when compared to his predecessor, the Lister Liberty.

Noise Level and Suitability

Disappointingly, the noise level is higher than expected, and vibration levels are also noticeable. Not one we would recommend for noise sensitive animals, but the best one we would recommend for clipping cobs, and for clipping out heels and legs due to the design of the short hand piece.

Value for Money

Sitting in the middle range price bracket, this is an all-round good choice. The easy tensioning system that Lister implement for all their clippers, make this brand particularly suitable for the first timer coming into clipping.

OUR RECOMMENDATION ****

The Lister Eclipse has brought a new edge to horse clipping. We love the way this clipper handles when clipping. The light and narrow clipper is fabulous to use for long periods, but it wouldn’t be the smoothest running. We highly recommend this for clipping cobs and horses that require leg clipping as the handpiece is the shortest available.