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In-depth review

Andis 01820 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper Review (2027)

The Fade Master is a corded magnetic motor clipper for skin fades. Our research-based verdict on a specialist tool.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Hair Clippers
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-10-29
Andis 01820 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper Review (2027) featured graphic
Andis 01820 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper

Andis 01820 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper

A corded magnetic motor clipper built for skin fades, with a blade that goes closer than a standard taper.

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Our verdict

The Fade Master does one job better than almost anything here: finishing a fade very close to the skin. Its adjustable carbon steel fade blade runs from 00000 to 000, is zero gappable, and finishes noticeably closer than a standard taper blade, while the magnetic motor at 14,000 strokes per minute holds power through the fade. The costs are equally clear: no guards in the box, a heavy corded body by modern standards, and a close blade that can nick skin if the lever is set too aggressively. As a specialist, it is excellent. As a general clipper, it is incomplete by design.

What we like

  • The adjustable carbon steel fade blade runs from 00000 to 000 and is zero gappable for very close finishes
  • A magnetic motor at 14,000 strokes per minute keeps power steady through a fade
  • Lever adjustment is quick to use mid cut
  • The unbreakable aluminum housing has survived years of shop use for many owners

What to watch out for

  • No attachment combs in the box, which surprises first time buyers
  • The close blade can nick skin if the lever is set too aggressively
  • The corded body is heavy compared with modern cordless clippers

What owners report: Andis 01820 Professional Fade Master Hair Clipper

Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.

Most praised

  • Skin fades finish noticeably closer than with a standard taper blade.
  • The lever adjustment is quick to use mid cut.
  • The aluminum body has survived years of shop use for many owners.

Common complaints

  • The absence of guards in the box surprises first time buyers.
  • The close blade can nick skin if the lever is set too aggressively.
  • The corded body is heavy compared with modern cordless clippers.

Who it is for

Barbers and fade specialists who want the closest corded fade finish and already own a guard set or a second clipper.

Close cutting is the point

Skin fades live or die at the bottom of the graduation, where hair must disappear into skin without a visible line. The Fade Master blade, adjustable from 00000 to 000 and zero gappable, is built for exactly that zone, and owner reports say skin fades finish noticeably closer than with a standard taper blade. Lever adjustment is quick mid cut, which matters because fade work means constant lever movement. No other clipper in this guide is as single minded about that bottom zone.

Magnetic motor and aluminum body

A magnetic motor at 14,000 strokes per minute gives the Fade Master steady power through a fade, without the battery planning cordless models require. The unbreakable aluminum housing has survived years of shop use for many owners, which is why this older design remains on stations long after lighter cordless models arrived. Corded power is a limitation for movement, but for a station fade tool it is also a guarantee: full power from the first client to the last.

What the box does not include

First time buyers are surprised by the absence of guards: the box contains blade oil and a blade guard only. That is not a defect, it is a specialist assumption that the buyer owns guards or uses the clipper open for fade work. Home buyers without a guard set must budget for one separately. The close blade also demands respect: set the lever too aggressively and it can nick skin, so new users should start with a safer lever position and move closer gradually.

Key specifications

Power
Corded
Housing
Unbreakable aluminum housing
Motor
Magnetic motor, 14,000 strokes per minute
Blade
Adjustable carbon steel fade blade, 00000 to 000, zero gappable
In the box
No attachment combs; blade oil and blade guard only

Also consider

Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.

Questions, answered

Can I use the Fade Master as my only clipper?

Only if your work is mostly fades and you already own guards. Without guards in the box, uniform length cuts need a separate guard purchase, and the heavy corded body is less convenient for general home cutting than a cordless home clipper. Most owners use it as a fade specialist alongside another clipper.

Is zero gapping safe for beginners?

Zero gapping cuts closer, which also raises nick risk. Beginners should learn fading at a safer lever setting first, then move the blade closer gradually as lever control improves. A nick from an aggressively set close blade is a common early mistake, and it is avoidable with patience.

Why stay corded when cordless fades exist?

Corded power never fades during a long fade session, and the magnetic motor holds its speed regardless of battery state. For a station tool used all day, that consistency outweighs cordless freedom. Cordless fade clippers win for mobility and self cuts, not for all day station consistency.

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