The Best Sheep Shears You’ll Actually Want to Use

Written by Susan Olayode
Updated: February 15, 2023
© David Monniaux / Creative Commons / Original

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Key Facts

  • The #1 Best Overall sheep shears are the Oster Clipmaster Variable Speed Clipping Machine.
  • When you’re shopping for sheep sheers, we recommend that you keep the following criterion in mind: your level of experience, the number of sheep in your flock, and the kind of cut you will be doing most often.
  • There are three types of shears — manual, rechargeable, and plug-inand each has pros and cons. We only included plug-in shears in this review.

Shearing is an important part of rearing sheep. The fleece removed is sold and processed, which is a source of income for the farmer. This is typically done once a year as the task can be time-consuming and a bit tedious. Having the best sheep shears for the job can make the task easier and faster.

Shearing helps to keep your sheep cooler in the summer. That’s why farmers do it after the cold winter months. It also helps sheep avoid parasitic infestations. Whether you have just a few sheep or an entire flock, shearing is an essential activity, and having high quality sheep shears is equally important.

Some farmers hire a professional to do their shearing. The flock lines up, and the professional comes with their own equipment. Some others carry out their shearing by themselves. There is also the fact that the professionals could miss a sheep or two on shearing day.

In cases like this, you must do the shearing yourself. If you enter your sheep in shows, you might also need to shear your sheep more often. You need to make sure you get effective and safe shears to do this.

Choosing a great set of sheep shears for use is an important investment. So, we’d love to help you make the best decision. Here’s our review of the best sheep shears you’ll actually want to use.  

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Sheep Shears

1. Best Overall: Oster Clipmaster Sheep Clippers

The best overall sheep shears you’ll want to use are the Oster Clipmaster Sheep Clippers. These variable speed clippers from Oster have the right amount of control and precision you need. You can adjust the speed as you work, keeping it cooler and your sheep more comfortable.

The Oster Clipmaster Sheep Clippers also come with an extra-long cord. It is 15-foot-long, allowing use without an extension box. This clipper also features a light-yet-shatterproof housing so your arm won’t tire quickly.

The balance of this clipper also makes it easy to maneuver. Reviewers love that this clipper has a secure grip and comes with a durable toolbox case. Add that to the brush, grease, and extra intake screen this comes with, and it’s easy to see why we recommend this Oster Clipmaster.

A few reviewers reported that their shears didn’t work when they received them or that they stopped working shortly after they got them.

Pros and Cons of the Oster Clipmaster Sheep Clippers

ProsCons
You can adjust the speed of these clippers for control and precision.A few reviewers reported that their shears didn’t work when they received them or that they stopped working shortly after they got them.
You can use the variable speed feature to cool the clippers as you work.
It features an extra-long, 15-foot cord, which you can use without an extension box.
The housing is light-yet-shatterproof.
It’s well-balanced so it’s easy to maneuver.
It has a secure grip.
These shears include a durable toolbox case with brush, grease, and an extra intake screen.
Best Overall
Oster Clipmaster Variable Speed Clipping Machine
  • These variable speed clippers allow you to adjust the speed as you sheer
  • Extra long, the 15-foot-long cord doesn't require an extension box
  • Features lightweight, shatterproof housing
  • Balanced to be easy to be maneuvered with a secure grip
  • Includes a toolbox case with a brush, grease, and an extra intake screen
Check Amazon

2. Most Affordable: TakeKit Sheep Grooming Clippers

You’ll love how affordable TakeKit Sheep Grooming Clippers are. These high-quality sheep shearers have six speed settings that you can adjust according to your expertise. However, we recommend these shears only to farmers who have very small flocks, because they get a bit too hot if you shear more than one sheep per session.

That being said, you can use these clippers on all kinds of wool, whether long and coarse or soft and fine. They have a high speed of 2400RPM and high steel blades, which will help you save time on shearing. The blades are also detachable.

You get some essential accessories when you buy them, too. A carry kit, oil bottle, cleaning brush, and screwdriver. However, there is no oil in the bottle, so you’ll have to source some yourself.

Pros and Cons of TakeKit Sheep Grooming Clippers

ProsCons
These shears have six adjustable speed settings.They get hot if you shear more than one sheep per session.
You can use these shears on all types of wool.No oil is included, so you’ll need to source that yourself.
Their high speed is 2400RPM and they have high steel, detachable blades.
The following accessories are included: a carry kit, oil bottle, cleaning brush, and screwdriver.
Most Affordable
TAKEKIT Professional Electric Sheep Clippers
  • Features six speed settings
  • Best for owners with only a few sheep since it tends to get hot during prolonged shearing sessions
  • Adapts to all kinds of wool, including long, coarse, soft, and fine
  • High speed: 2400RPM
  • Includes a carrying kit with an oil bottle (oil not included), cleaning brush, and screwdriver
Check Amazon

3. Best Value: Dragro 2022 Sheep Clippers

Dragro 2022 Sheep Clippers are a great buy for their price. You’ll love that the accessory kit contains a spare blade, a wrench, lubricating oil, cleaning brushes, and carbon brushes. The carry case is quite handy, too.

The performance of the Diagro Sheep Clippers is excellent for its price too. You get a variable-speed setting that you can regulate up to 2400RPM. However, it tends to get hot when used for too long, so we only recommend this for one session at a time.

Low speeds of 1-3 are advised when clipping the sensitive areas of your sheep. 4-6 offers maximum power for high precision, fast, and full-body shave. Buying this product gives you a 12-month warranty, and you can also return for a full refund within 30 days if unsatisfied.

Pros and Cons of Dragro 2022 Sheep Clippers

ProsCons
These clippers come with an accessory kit that includes a carry case, spare blade, a wrench, lubricating oil, cleaning brushes, and carbon brushes.It gets too hot when used for long periods of time.
It has a variable-speed setting that you can regulate up to 2400RPM.
This product comes with a 12-month warranty.
You can return this product for a full refund within 30 days if you’re dissatisfied.
Best Value
Dragro 2022 Professional Electric Sheep Clippers
  • The accessory kit includes a spare blade, wrench, lubricating oil, cleaning brushes, and carbon brushes
  • The variable-speed setting can be regulated up to 2400RPM
  • Tends to get hot when used for more than one session
  • Includes a 12-month warranty
  • Can be returned for a full refund with 30 days
Check Amazon

4. Best Professional: Beetro Electric Professional Shears

The Beetro Electric Professional Shears are the most powerful professional shears on our list. They run with a 500W motor and can get up to speeds of 2600RPM. That extra power means this shear doesn’t get as hot as the others.

This clipper also comes with adjustable speeds that help you maneuver successfully, whether expert or beginner. The sharp, hard blade of the Beetro also helps to make shearing with this a breeze. You also get an extra blade when you buy.

Although not the cheapest, you’ll love the accessories that come with the Beetro shears. You’ll get a hard-carrying case, extra blade, screwdriver, copper brushes, and lubricating oil. You’ll also love that this shear runs quieter than many other models.

One reviewer, a sheep-shearing novice, said that these shears were too bulky. Another reported that their shears broke “30 seconds after I turned them on for the first time.”

Pros and Cons of Beetro Electric Professional Shears

ProsCons
These professional-grade shears run with a 500W motor and can reach speeds of up to 2600RPM.They’re more expensive than other shearers featured in this review.
They don’t get as hot as some other shears.One reviewer said that these shears were too bulky.
They have adjustable speeds for easy maneuverability.Another reported that their shears broke “30 seconds after I turned them on for the first time.”
The blade is sharp and hard and these clippers include a spare blade.
These shears come with a hard-carrying case, extra blade, screwdriver, copper brushes, and lubricating oil.
They run quieter than many other models.
Best Professional
BEETRO 550W Electric Professional Sheep Shears
  • These are the most powerful professional shears that we reviewed
  • They feature a 500W motor
  • The operating speeds of up to 2600RPM mean it doesn't get as hot as many other shears
  • Runs more quietly than many other models
  • Includes a hard carrying case, extra blade, screwdriver, copper brushes, an extra blade, and lubricating oil.
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best Sheep Shears: What to Look For

When choosing the best sheep shears, there are many factors to consider, including your level of experience, the number of sheep in your flock, and the kind of cut. They’ll help you decide the best shears for you from our list. Here are some of the most important ones.

Your Level of Experience

Experienced shearers can use the highest speed settings on the shears and work efficiently. However, if you’re a novice, you might want to start with lower-powered shears. That way, you will be able to control the shearing more easily.

The Number of Sheep

Shearing one sheep takes about an hour to complete. A small flock of sheep can be handled without a lower-powered shear overheating. However, for a large flock, we recommend purchasing higher-powered shears. You can also take breaks to prevent shears from overheating.

The Kind of Cut

When shearing farm sheep, the fleece is usually quite large and heavy since it has been growing for a year. For this type of fleece, you’ll need a high-speed shear with sharp blades. Sheep that are kept for show might have less fleece to remove. So an electric shear that is precise might be best.

The Different Types of Sheep Shears: Pros and Cons Compared

In general, there are manual shears, rechargeable shears, and plug-in shears. Here are the different kinds of shears with their pros and cons discussed. (Please note: For this review, we only included plug-in shears.)

Manual Shears

Manual shears are the oldest kind of shears in use. They date right back to when farmers cut their sheep’s wool by hand. There are two types of non-powered shears. The ones that work like scissors and the others that work with a squeezing motion.

ProsCons
Don’t need electricityDifficult to use
InexpensiveHave blades that cannot be changed and have to be sharpened periodically.

Rechargeable Shears

A rechargeable shear is the answer if you want to carry out small cleanups after shearing your sheep. These shears are cordless with blades that you can change and rechargeable batteries. Although rechargeable shears are small, the batteries can make them heavier.

ProsCons
No cord to watch out forCan only be used for small jobs
Great for small jobs like clipping dirty wool under the tailComparatively heavier because of batteries
Easier to manage 

Plug-In Shears

Plug-in shears are a step up from rechargeable shears. Farmers with lots of sheep or those that want to shear the animal entirely go for this type of shear. While the cord may get in the way, it’s a small price to pay for the constant power. Plus, one of our best models is equipped with a longer cord to make maneuvering easier.

ProsCons
The best for shearing sheepA bit more expensive
Can be used for a flockCan overheat and needs to be cooled
Gives you constant power for shearing 

Up Next

The Best Sheep Shears You’ll Actually Want to Use FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the best hand sheep shears?

Our list gives you the best hand sheep shears available. You can choose from:

  1. Oster Clipmaster Sheep Clippers
  2. TakeKit Sheep Grooming Clippers
  3. Dragro 2022 Sheep Clippers
  4. Beetro Electric Professional Shears

What tools do sheep shearers use?

Sheep shearers could use non-powered, electric, and rechargeable shears for their work. It depends on the kind of shearing that they have to do.

What kind of clippers are used to shear sheep?

Electric plug-in clippers are a great idea because they give you constant power when shearing. They tend to overheat, however, so it is advisable to take frequent breaks.

How much do sheep shears cost?

You can get great shears under $100. Our list also contains some really affordable high-quality options.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.