Andis 23280 ProClip Super 2-Speed Detachable Blade Clipper, Professional Animal/Dog Grooming, Burgundy, AGC2

After a disastrous attempt to cut my dog’s hair with a budget clippers, I opted for the Andis 22360 AGC Super 2-Speed Professional Clippers instead and am pleased to say that I do not regret having to spend the extra money at all. Unlike the Wahl budget clippers, which barely removed any hair at all, these made quick and easy work of my dog’s (she’s a dachshund/Maltese mix breed) hair.The only negative thing I have to say about these clippers is that the instructions are not very clear – we did struggle for a while trying to figure out how to change the blades – but once you have that sorted, the process is very simple.The clippers are fairly quiet (not as much as some reviews would have me expect, but certainly not loud at all) and my dog stood very patiently whilst we clipped her long coat.I read in other reviews that the blade that comes with the clipper tends to leave hair a bit too short for most people’s liking, so I also purchased a size 4FC and size 7FC blade. We used the 4FC, which left my dog’s hair perhaps a bit too long considering the heat, so we’ll likely clip her again in a few weeks and use the 7FC blade instead. There’s quite a bit of difference between the two blade sizes, so I may end up buying something in the middle before I find a length that I’m completely satisfied with.I did think that the cable could have been a bit longer, and also it was quite bulky so it was sometimes difficult to keep it from getting in the way.I also would have liked this product to have included a carry-case. I wouldn’t have minded spending a few dollars extra for this, in fact. However, I guess if you don’t mind keeping the original package, it is fairly sturdy and would suffice as a good place to store the clippers when not in use. I, however, am intending to purchase a storage box to hold my clippers and additional accessories.I was pleased to find that this product comes with a rather generous quantity of clipper oil. The oil really does seem to make a definite difference, so make sure to keep putting it on the blade before and during clipping.It only took about 30 minutes to clip my dog, and I didn’t notice the clippers getting too hot in this time. They did get warm around 15-20 minutes into using them, and we did try the cooling spray (which you can buy separately) but if it made a difference, it was not immediately noticeable. I’ve read other reviewers comment that the blades heating up can be a problem, and if this does become an issue for me in the future, I will buy an extra blade and switch between them.I’d also recommend you have a small brush in order to remove hair that might become stuck in the blades. We did this two or three times during the clipping process, and it seemed to make a difference. We didn’t have a proper brush, however, so just ended up using a toothbrush, which also worked fine.I am very pleased with this product. Some reviewers have said that it cuts through their dogs hair like a knife through hot butter, and whilst I wouldn’t say it’s quite that good, it’s certainly not too far off. Although she hardly looks like she’s had a professional trim, my dog’s coat is fairly even and tidy looking. After we tried to clip her with the Wahl budget clippers, she looked more like a very scraggy sheep!Anyways, I’m sure we’ll get better with practice.Before my husband and I decided to clip the dog ourselves, we had been taking her to Petco every six weeks and having their grooming service clip her for us instead. With Petco charging us $45 a time, these clippers will more than pay for themselves within only a few uses. And, there’s no longer any need to stress about scheduling an appointment, waiting at home for the groomers to call and let us know we can collect the dog, or arguing with them because they’ve failed (yet again!) to clip the dog to our specifications. Plus, grooming is an excellent opportunity for us to spend time bonding with our dog. She really enjoys the attention, and it gives us a good chance to spot any health problems.In conclusion: Don’t try to save money buying a budget clippers. Unless your dog has got a very simple coat, they probably won’t be any use. I’m really pleased with my Andis clippers and would definitely recommend them.