Best T Outliner: Our Top 7 Choices for Home & Professionals (2024)

When you need a close cut or trim, nothing quite matches a T Outliner. These trimmers have wide blades factory set to cut as close as possible. They’re great for cleaning up your sideburns between barber visits or even shaving your head.

With the wide array of trimmers out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Every product has tons of positive and negative reviews, and without first-hand experience, you won’t know what you’re getting. I spend every day working with hair tools, and my team and I dedicate our workdays to finding top shavers and trimmers for both professionals and consumers.

In our best T Outliner reviews, I handpick seven products that perform better and work longer than your average purchase. These are the trimmers I vouch for again and again. Find your next trimmer right here. Below, you’ll find my reviews plus tips on how to use a T Outliner for personal use.

Best T- Outliner Trimmer – Comparison

The Top 7 T Outliner Reviews

Andis Professional T-Outliner with T-Blade

The Andis brand of trimmers and shavers has supplied barbers from California to New York with reliable blades and cutting-edge technology for generations. So it’s no surprise that their renown T-Outliner with T-Blade relishes the limelight as my number one pick.

If your primary concern is a close and precise cut, then this is your new trimmer. I’ve used this product for dry shaving, trimming, fades, and outlining neck lines and sideburns. The secret to its success and popularity with barbers rests in the blade. Installed on the Andis Professional T-Outliner is a carbon steel T-Blade. It ships with a near zero-gap setting.

No trimmer on my list or anywhere else cuts as close as this Andis, especially after you’ve zero gapped it. The T-Blade sports a hammerhead design, with wings that spread on either tide of the device. The T-shape blade makes cutting wide swaths of hair, like say for a bald cut, very easy. The wide blade also reduces the stress of trying to nail a perfectly horizontal neck or hair line.

The only downside to the T-Blade on the Andis T-Outliner is that the steel heats fast. Unlike the snazzy new ceramic blades, this one doesn’t shed heat as fast. After thirty minutes, heat builds up on the teeth. This can easily be remedied with a cooling-off period every half hour. And because the steel blade is so durable, I think the tradeoff is worth it.

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I love the contoured plastic housing. It doesn’t have that soft plastic grip that many trimmers install, which means it won’t dirty prematurely. The hard plastic should stand up to minor drops. You can easily reach the power switch with your thumb, leaving your second hand free to hold a comb or a pair of scissors.

And when you flip on the Andis T-Outliner, you’ll feel the 7,200 CSM motor kick in. This is a single speed magnetic motor with more than enough power to trim thick and thin hair. As an Andis branded device, expect the motor to last you years, or if well cared for, decades.

You don’t get many extras with this device, but I don’t think you need them. The heavy-duty power cord ships eight feet long and resists chemicals and minor cuts and scrapes. For the consumer or professional seeking the best all-around trimmer, the Andis Professional T-Outliner is for you.

Andis Professional Cordless T-Outliner

Interested in purchasing the best trimmer revamped for the wireless age? Never one to languish in the crowd, Andis upgraded their best-selling T-Outliner with the best in Lithium Ion technology. This cordless trimmer sold out its first week because professional barbers were hungry to upgrade their well-used Outliners.

Everything I love about the T-Outliner remains the same with the Andis Professional Cordless T-Outliner. You get an identical T-Blade as the corded version, with near-skin close cutting potential. This is a carbon steel blade that self sharpens. The wide head offers fantastic precision. It’s ideal for cleaning up hairlines fast. You won’t need a razor to catch missed hairs. Many at-home customers love this blade for trimming beards or shaving necklines, too. That’s because it doesn’t cause ingrown hairs the way a razor or electric shaver can.

Experience the freedom of cordless lithium ion in the newest version of the Andis T-Outliner. Li-Ion isn’t prone to battery degradation or memory loss like a Ni-MH. That means you’ll harness the full potential of the 7,200 CSM motor from full charge to the last few minutes.

Charging the Andis Cordless T-Outliner is easy. In the box you’ll find a charging dock. Simply attach the trimmer to the dock when you’re not using it. You don’t have to worry about losing battery power by charging it half-full, either. Professionals know li-Ion batteries to be the cutting edge of barber technology.

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Andis updated the motor in the T-Outliner Cordless, too. Instead of the traditional magnetic motor, they opted for a rotary. I find rotary motors offer a more consistent cut, with less snag and pulls. For those that cut lots of thick hair, or that want the most power at their disposal, then the cordless version of the Andis T-Outliner was designed with you in mind.

This cordless trimmer ships with four attachment combs. They’re ideal for beard trimming or neck and sideburn touch ups. The included cord can be used if you run out of power mid-cut. Although it’s heavier than the corded version, it’s still much lighter than your average product.

The T-Outliner runs cool and quiet. My only gripe with the T-Outliner is that the blade can run hot if runninglonger than thirty minutes. Thankfully, it also cools down fast, so a quick break is all you need between sessions.

I recommend the Andis Cordless T-Outliner for consumers sick of corded trimmers and other hair tools. It’s more expensive than the original T-Outliner, but worth it.

Andis Go Professional Outliner II Trimmer

If you need the power and precision of an Andis Outliner but need something more traditional for beards and personal trims, then check out my number three pick, the Andis Go Professional Outliner II Trimmer.

Don’t let the name confuse you; this Andis trimmer offers the same quality as the Andis T-Outliner but without the T-Blade. Instead, you get a carbon steel square blade. Like the T-Blade, it can be zero gapped for the closest possibleresults. The traditional blade on the Outliner II opens up the opportunity to use normal guard combs for beard hair lengths or neckline adjustments.

I love the ribbed plastic housing on the Andis Go. It’s light yet durable. You’ll feel in control of the device without the sticky rubberized textures on other products. Many customers wonder if the gloss coating causes the Andis Go to slip out of your hand. The answer is no, it’s easy to hold and maneuver.

The power switch is easily accessible with one hand, yet out of the way enough that you can hold the device in any way that suites your needs. The Andis Go Professional Outliner II Trimmer is whisper-quiet. It’s ideal for barbers with lots of young clients, or homeowners that don’t wish to disturb their partner or children.

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With a lean 7,200 CSM magnetic motor, you’ll enjoy robust cutting power and smooth results. The trimmer hardly vibrates, leaving you more relaxed and focused on the task at hand. The carbon steel blade cleans up fast, and with minor maintenance, should last you long after the 1 year warranty expires.

Like the T-Outliner reviewed before it, the Andis Go suffers from very few drawbacks. You can’t run the square blade for over thirty minutes without it getting hot to the touch. Thankfully, the blade cools down fast. If you want the closest trim possible, you can easily zero gap the Andis Go. The process requires very little of your time, maybe ten minutes. Afterwards, you’ll trim and clean up sideburns or neck lines with razor-like precision and closeness.

The Andis Go Professional Outliner II Trimmer ships with very few extras, just an instructional booklet and tube of clipper oil. The eight-foot electrical cord should be more than long enough and strong enough for barbershops and homes. I recommend the Andis Go for purchasers that seek the quality of Andis trimmers but not the T-Blade.

Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Cordless Retro T-Cut Trimmer

The Wahl 5 Star Series holds a special reverence with barbers coast to coast. The Wahl 5 Star Shaver and MagiClip reign as some of the company’s top selling professional products. And the following devoted to the Retro Cut vouches just as zealously for its performance.

Although a professional hair tool, the Wahl 5 Star Series Cordless Retro T-Cut Trimmer sells in the same price range as the corded Andis T-Outliner. For that reason, among others, I’ve included it as my number four pick.

While a professional trimmer, I think it’s a solid option for consumers seeking a cordless hair tool. The Retro Cut ships with a T-Blade and can be zero gapped. Wahl chose carbon steel for the blade. It stays sharp long after you purchase it. Like the T-Outliner by Andis, if left running for twenty minutes straight, this blade can overheat and singe skin. You can remedy this problem by breaking in between sessions.

The retro design looks cool, almost to a fault. It feels good in the hand, but could do with some ribs or contours for added grip. I found the plastic housing to be durable, and the rotary motor switches on with a loud and satisfying thump.

While I enjoyed my time with the Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Cordless Retro T-Cut Trimmer, there are some drawbacks. The battery installed in the device is a Ni-MH. That’s older battery technology and can suffer from memory loss. Charged improperly, the battery will lose its charge. You can maintain the health of the trimmer’s battery by only charging it when it’s depleted.

Still, this is a fantastic device despite the problematic battery. It’s powerful, sporting a rotary motor and 60 minutes of runtime per charge. You won’t find a tighter or cleaner cutting trimmer. In the box, you get the trimmer, charging stand, clipper oil, three trimming guides, cleaning brush, and a red blade guard.

I recommend the Wahl Professional 5 Star Series Cordless Retro T-Cut Trimmer for hair experts seeking a workhorse cordless trimmer and consumers that love the retro touch and burgundy styling of the product.

Andis Professional GTX T-Outliner

In the Andis line of professional clippers and trimmers, it’s hard to find one with as big a cult following as the GTX. This all-black trimmer has forums dedicated to its maintenance and modifications. Walk into any barbershop advertising fades and bald cuts, and you’ll find at least three GTX devices on the hook racks.

That’s because it combines everything we love about the classic Andis T Outliner and tweaks it for the devoted Andis barbers. With the Andis Professional GTX T-Outliner you get the same powerful and long-lasting trimmer and a pile of upgrades for one low price.

The biggest difference between the GTX and the original T Outliner is the blade. This T-Blade sports deep or long teeth, which hold hair for more precise cutting. It’s great for cutting longer hair, or if you have very thick hair. That’s because the long teeth trap hair between them. You’ll miss fewer strands per pass with the GTX.

Lovers of blacked out devices need to buy the GTX. The glossy black finish on the trimmer’s housing won’t fade or chip easily. The ribbed grip support along the sides and front of the trimmer add texture for your hands. This product feels comfortable and secure in the hand. The power switch on the front flips back and forth with a swipe of the thumb. It doesn’t stick or feel like it’ll turn over with an accidental brush of the palm.

This GTX T Outliner ships with the same beefy 7,200 CSM magnetic motor. The trimmer runs cool and quiet, with a slight vibration from the middle of the housing. The only downside with the GTX is that the blade gets hot to the touch after twenty minutes of straight cutting. This is a flaw found in all carbon steel blades.

You get a smattering of extras with the GTX. For you beard lovers and home hair cutters, take note of the comb guards. Andis designed them just for the GTX T-Blade, and they make cutting longer hair easy and fast. I recommend the Andis Professional GTX T-Outliner for consumers that not only prefer the barbershop cut but the barbershop tools.

Andis Professional Styliner II

Those of you looking for a sleeper hit that performs with the best of them but with a slash in the price, you need to check out the Styliner II.

Andis stripped down their renown T Outliner and rebuilt it forclientele seeking a no-frills trimmer. The result is the Professional Styliner II. It’s a sleek and lightweight device that stays cool longer than other Andis trimmers at a reduced cost.

Installed on the head of this trimmer, you’ll find the super-close cutting T-Blade. When zero gapped, the performance of this carbon steel blade compares to none other. Expect to breeze through beard trims and neckline edging with the Styliner II. The wide blade helps to cut more hair in fewer passes. And through Andis engineering, you’ll enjoy quiet blade that doesn’t snag.

The biggest difference between this Andis product and the classic T Outliner is the housing. Gone are the contoured grooves and bottom power switch. Instead, you get a matte black textured casing that’s break resistant and easy to hold. I wish there were just a few ribs to add a little support. But overall, this is an easy to hold and operate trimmer.

I like the power button on the side. It’s easy to reach with your thumb and reduces some annoyance of holding the T Outliner. On the Styliner II, you get the same 7,200 CPM motor that cuts through thick and thin hair. Just make sure you’re working with dry hair. I find wet hair can slow down the Andis T-Blades.

With the Styliner II, you get an eight-foot power cord. Andis upgraded it with an extra layer of industrial plastic so it won’t erode from barbershop chemicals or crimp in door hinges. The included blade oil also helps add years of life to the product.

I recommend the Andis Professional Styliner II for consumers that desire an affordable trimmer made by a trusted brand. Barbers and hair stylists looking for a backup T Outliner would enjoy this product, too.

Wahl Professional 5-Star Hero Corded T Blade Trimmer

Rounding out my top seven best T Outliners, I chose one of my personal favorites. For those that love a little pizazz with their hair tools, check out the Hero.

As a Wahl 5-Star device, the Hero Corded T Blade Trimmer represents the highest echelon the company provides its professionals. They have tuned everything about the Hero so it can trim five to ten heads of hair per day without breaking. This may seem like overkill for those looking for a bathroom trimmer. But I think for the right consumer, it’ll provide years of precise trims and fades.

Like the rest of the classic 5-Star line, the burgundy and chrome styling offers that wow factor missing in other trimmers. This is a standout device. It’s lighter than you’d expect and fits nicely in the palm of your hand. The chrome cleans easily, but it can catch grease and oil stains, so be careful. Also, it’s smaller than the pictures seem.

Unlike the other trimmers on my list, this one ships zero gapped. Out of the box, you can cut artistic designs into heads of hair or sculpted hairlines in one pass. The Hero ships with a handful of extras. For those that want a home hair cutting kit, you get three guards. They’re suitable for closely cropped hair styles, but anything more and you’ll need to purchase a second set.

This is a well-made and durable trimmer. The reason I dropped it to the seventh place on my list is because of the size. Most purchasers seeking a T Outliner want a traditionally sized device. Here, you get the same power in a smaller package. So the drawbacks of the Hero are mostly based on personal taste. Still, I recommend Wahl’s 5-Star Professional Hero T Blade Trimmer for anyone that wants the same power of an Andis but in a smaller package.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best T Outliner

Although my list of the best T Outliners will satisfy any consumer seeking a new trimmer, you still need to narrow your options down from seven to one. Below, I offer you some suggestions to focus your attentions and choose the right T Outliner for you.

How Do You Use a T Outliner?

Curious how to use a T Outlinerproperly? I break down the steps and offer some advice along the way. With my help, you’ll perfect that freshly trimmed look in as little as one session.

Tips to Clean and Maintain Your T Outliner

A T Outliner may be the closest trimmer you can buy, but it won’t cut perfectly every time if you don’t care for it to the best of your ability. Maintaining your T Outliner won’t cost you too much time, but not maintaining it will. A rusty or dull trimmer can snag your hairs, snip skin, and leave your face rough and hairline ragged.

The first thing you must do is oil the blades before you turn them on. Every trimmer on my list ships with a bottle of mineral oil, also known as blade oil. You need little, just a drop. Place it on the tip of the teeth and run the device for thirty seconds. That’s it! The oil will work its way into the moving parts and repel water and hair from the rusting or bunging up the blade.

Also, pull out that little brush once every two to three cuts and swipe away the hair from the crevices of the blade housing. Hair buildup can reduce the performance of your blades. Too much hair can also strain the motor, shortening its lifespan.

My Verdict

For hair trimming and beard maintenance, nothing cuts like a T-Outliner. A T blade offers more control and harder hitting lines than competing products. Once zero gapped, a T-Outliner surpasses even a straight razor for its close shave and lack of ingrown hairs.

Personally, I think no one should live without owning a T-Outliner. This sentiment rings doubly true for hair professionals. You can cut faster and with fewer touch ups when you use a trimmer with a T-Blade.

If you’re dead set on purchasing the best Outliner trimmer and don’t know which one to buy, I recommend the Andis T-Outliner. This is the original and overall best t trimmer. Its fast and quiet magnetic motor, combined with a sharp and durable carbon steel blade, will provide you with years of service.

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