While we weighted performance over style, some of our testers thought the Fast Feed looked old-fashioned. One commented that her grandpa might like it more than she did, and she disliked its loud and deep “growl.” Compared with more modern-looking models in our best hair clippers guide, like the Remington Cord/Cordless Vacuum Haircut Kit or the Wahl Lithium Ion Pro, this clipper indeed appears frumpy. However, once again quoting our tester, “Old things are made well, right?”
Yes, indeed. The Fast Feed’s steel blades are sharp and precise. Powered by a strong pivot motor, they can cut to just 1/50 inch, and they perform well on both wet and dry hair. While the model we tested included only four guard combs, Oster customer service assured us that compatible combs are available to accommodate more cutting lengths.
When we used the Oster Fast Feed during haircuts, it powered through multiple textures and lengths. It didn’t feel too unwieldly, but we certainly noticed its weight. Because the Oster Fast Feed is priced higher than most of the models we tested, we didn’t initially see its value. For example, while the best-outfitted clipper in our lineup, Wahl Lithium Ion Pro, comes with 28 pieces, the Oster’s kit only has eight. Only the Philips Norelco Hair Clipper has fewer.
When we discussed this comparison with our testing stylists, we soon learned that most professionals don’t focus on kits with accessories at all. They invest in a good set of clippers and then find accessories to match. For home haircutting purposes, we still found this Oster clipper lacking. Its guard combs accommodate cutting lengths only from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, and we really wanted a storage case to keep everything sorted.
The Oster Fast Feed feels like a long-lasting clipper that speaks durability from its blades to its tough 8-foot cord, but its warranty is quite disappointing. Providing consumer protection for only one year, it has the shortest warranty of all the clippers in our lineup. Also, reaching Oster customer service took persistence. While support is available by telephone or via a form you fill out online, there’s no online chat or direct email access to get help right away, and we found hold times to be longer than average.
In terms of performance and power, we recommend the Oster Fast Feed as a clipper that does its job well and can be augmented with separately purchased accessories. If you’re looking for a similarly-styled clipper with more accessories, consider the Wahl Elite Pro. For a less bulky yet similarly well-built clipper, we like the Remington Virtually Indestructible Haircut & Beard Trimmer.
