Grooming our pets can be a big expanse. If your dog needs to maintain his haircut regularly, or his hair gets matted quite easily, you should seriously consider buying a set of clippers and doing it yourself.
This especially makes sense with some dog breeds, such as Yorkshire, Shih Tzu, and Maltese, which are more likely to have hair ties. These mats aren’t just uncomfortable, but they can also cause skin irritation, inflammation, and pain.
If all you need is a simple hair trimmer for in between cuts at your local groomer, you’ll probably get away with any type of dog clippers. Otherwise, you might as well invest in a powerful tool that’s built to last.
Below are the best dog clippers for matted hair and thick coats.
What are Best Dog Clippers for Matted Hair?
Warning: Don’t try to use human clippers on your dog. High-grade dog clippers are actually quieter, and have special motor and blades that are made to to tackle matted fur.
1. Andis EasyClip Pro-Animal Clipper Kit
These affordable clippers are can help you groom your dog at home like a professional. They’re designed for dogs of all sizes, especially for ones with thick coats like Collies and Terriers.
If your dog has mats that are impossible to brush out, including the ones on his tail, these clippers will easily cut through them.
They have a powerful rotary motor, along with a detachable sharp ceramic blade, and unlike magnetic motor clippers, these don’t tend to overheat as much. Likewise, they don’t produce a lot of noise, which may scare your pup, and make it harder for you to do your job properly.
The kit comes with a rock-solid housing that’s built to withstand years of use, as well as a 12′ heavy-duty cord, and four attachment combs for longer cutting lengths.
Additionally, you get a hard plastic case, but it’s rather small and hard to close unless you manage to fit the clippers and their attachments back inside. Plus, this product is a bit on the heavy side.
The blades are detachable and simple to switch and clean. In case you need more versatility, you can purchase compatible Andis blades to cover different grooming needs.
Pros
- Affordable
- Don’t overheat
- Pretty quiet
- Very durable
- Four combs
Cons
- A bit heavy
- Too small of a case
- Only one blade
2. Andis UltraEdge Super 2-Speed Clipper
These clippers are aimed at grooming professionals, as well as home users who cut their dog’s hair regularly. They’re perfect for all coats and breeds, including on thick coat dogs like Spaniels.
If your dog’s fur tends to mat easily, these robust clippers (paired with a #10 blade) can cut through the matting like butter, no matter how complicated the fur is.
They have a 2-speed rotary motor, which means you can quickly switch between high and low speeds. Since it’s not a magnetic motor, they also run relatively quiet, so your nervous dog won’t mind being groomed.
Plus, they stay reasonably cool, even though they don’t include fans or vents that can become clogged with hair.
The kit comes with a durable, shatter-proof housing, a 14′ heavy-duty cord that lets you move easily, and a removable, easy to clean UltraEdge #10 blade.
Be aware that while this product has a good, wide grip, after a while, it may start to feel a little heavy. For added style, you can pick between five vibrant colors.
In case you have a large dog with a lot of thick hair, you may need to get one of the other compatible Andis blades, which have a bit more of a selection.
Pros
- Dual speed motor
- Relatively quiet
- Don’t overheat
- Shatter-proof
- Long cord
- Available in five colors
Cons
- No case
- A bit heavy
- Only one blade
3. ENJOY PET Professional Hair Grooming Clippers
These are excellent clippers for those of you who are beginners to grooming, and as a bonus, they’re also the cheapest ones on this list.
That said, they work surprisingly well for removing mats in dogs and other pets.
They have a powerful 15W motor that’s engineered to avoid hair clogging, and a ceramic 33-toothed blade with five adjustable levels for dealing with different lengths of hair.
The motor is relatively quiet as well (50-60 dB), and it doesn’t get hot with standard use.
Also, this cordless model charges in around three hours, and has up to seven hours of battery life, which is more than enough for a few full haircuts.
The kit also comes with four comb attachments, as well as a set of sharp stainless steel scissors to cut the dense mats before giving your dog a haircut. Additionally, you get a comb to release some of the easier snags.
While the product is relatively light, I’m guessing that the plastic body isn’t rigid enough to stand a fall. Also, there’s no case for the clippers and their accessories.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Five adjustable levels
- Relatively quiet
- Don’t overheat
- Cordless
- Four comb attachments
- Comes with scissors and a comb
- Lightweight
Cons
- Doesn’t feel sturdy
- No case included
4. Oster A5 2-Speed Animal Grooming Clipper
These clippers can be used both by professionals and pet owners not only to groom dogs, but also cats and livestock with thick, coarse hair.
They have a wide blade and a heavy-duty, two-speed motor (3,000 SPM and 4,000 SPM). This means you can switch between low speed for precision grooming on delicate areas, to a high-speed setting for full body clipping, faster trims, and dealing with tough mats.
However, the lower speed mode is quieter and gets less hot, which allows a more pleasant grooming experience.
Apart from the clippers, the kit includes a 12′ cord, as well as a detachable #10 blade which works well for shorter coat cut.
Keep in mind that this product can get quite hot at high speed, and it even might be heavy for some people. However, it feels very solid, and will probably last a long time. If you like, there’s a black version as well.
For longer cutting lengths, you’ll need to use the universal comb attachments, which are sold separately.
Pros
- Dual speed motor
- Ideal for heavy mats
- Quiet operation (on low setting)
- Very sturdy
- Two colors available
Cons
- Comb attachments are sold separately
- Can get hot (on high setting)
- A bit heavy
5. WAHL Lithium Ion Pro Series Cordless Animal Clippers
These clippers are best primarily for light home use. They can be used for trimming and touch up between professional groomer visits, and also on fine hair breeds, such as Poodles, Pomeranians, and Pekingese.
While they don’t work as well on thick matting, they can still handle some mats if done gently.
They have a lithium-powered motor, and self-sharpening precision blades for dealing with difficult coats, but it’s mostly suitable for quick haircuts considering how noisy it is.
Plus, since they’re cordless, you’ll be able to use it anywhere you want, with up to 2-hour run-time, and a quick 15-minute wait for a full charge.
On the flip side, neither the motor or the battery shows signs of overheating.
The kit comes with everything you need to groom your dog, including four-color guide combs in order to find the desired coat length easily, a comb to loosen up small mats, and even a pair of sharp scissors for cutting big tangles that the clippers may not be able to deal with.
Overall, this product is kind of bulky and a bit heavy, and it’s probably not powerful enough for professional use or very thick hair. However, you can still get good use out of it if you only intend to use it occasionally.
You also get a handy storage case, but it feels cheap, and has no compartments.
Pros
- Affordable
- Cordless
- Don’t overheat
- Four comb attachments
- Comes with scissors and a comb
Cons
- Not meant for cutting thick mats
- Quite noisy
- A bit heavy
- Cheap case
How to Shave a Matted Dog at Home: Quick Guide
No matter how powerful your clippers may be, always start by using a dog de-matting tool to loosen up some of the larger tangles before trying to clip them off. If you like, you can use pet scissors instead, but a comb might be more convenient.
Next, you’ll have to use the clippers. Start slowly, and with caution, especially if this is the first time you’re cutting your own dog’s hair. The most important thing to remember is not to pull the mat and just start clipping away, since it will most likely hurt your dog.
Instead, pull the skin tight with your fingers, and use the clippers in your other hand to remove the mat. Do one knot at a time, and don’t rush it, or your dog may end up with a cut. If the mat is really close to the skin, you’ll have to use a shorter blade to remove it.
Tip: To leave the hair longer, or for clipping thick matted fur more efficiently, remove the #10 blade and switch it to a #7 blade.
Every now and then, be sure to check the temperature of the blade, and if it gets too hot, take a break to let it cool down, or at least switch to a slower speed.
Also, don’t neglect your dog ears, as excessive hair and wax build-up may cause ear problems down the road.
Bottom Line
The Andis UltraEdge are certainly not the cheapest clippers, but if you’re dealing with matted hair, they’re one of the best out there right now.
They’re a bit on the heavy side, but they can also take a hit due to their shatterproof construction. Other than that, they’re fairly quiet, their grip is firm, and the cord is long enough to provide a full range of motion.
Also, keep in mind that cordless clippers usually have less power than plug-in clippers. If your dog’s coat isn’t in bad shape, and you like the portability, then it may be a good idea to go wireless.
Either way, you should try to keep your pup snag-free by brushing him at least once a day for a few minutes. If you do this regularly, you’ll probably avoid most mats. Besides, this is a wonderful chance to bond with your furry friend!
