Wahl Arco SE Review

Pros
Light Weight
Blades stay cool
Very Quiet
Come with 2 Battery Packs
Lower Cost

Cons
Battery life shorter than new Lithium Models
Plastic housing may get damaged from dropping

Our Review

The Wahl 8786-451A Arco SE Clippers may not look fancy and cool as the new clippers on the market, and it may use older battery technology but these clippers still hold up against all the new clippers. Originally released in 2007 these clippers still reign as winners like an old champion. How do I know? Because we still use them to groom dogs, in fact I purchased these clippers years ago and they still work fantastic. We’ve used these clippers on every type of dog imaginable, that’s why I felt the need to review this beast as it can handle just about everything we throw at it.

The Arco clippers weigh a little bit less than it’s counterparts (Figura and Bravura) coming in at 7.9 ounces (.225 Grams), about twice the weight of an iPhone for reference. They feel good and balanced in your hand so it doesn’t get uncomfortable over long grooming sessions. Although the plastic housing, while it feels quite thick, may get damaged from dropping it one too many times. The noise and vibration level are very low, and only the slightest bit louder than the Wahl Bravura. The Arco refuses to get hot, even after hours of use the blades stay cool, not to mention it doesn’t heat up your hand either.

This comes with your standard 5 in 1 blade, a common attribute for cordless clippers. You flip a dial to choose between five length options (#9, #10, #15, #30 & #40), and comes with 4 guide combs for longer cuts.

Battery Life

The elephant in the room here is it’s not a lithium battery. As you may already know, most newer models of pet clippers now come standard with a Lithium Battery. Why? Because they last longer and charge faster. The Wahl Arco however, comes with a NiMH battery, which is slightly older technology and doesn’t last as long.

A Lithium Battery will last about 90 minutes, where these will last about 60 Minutes. Here’s a quick comparison:

Wahl compensates for the shorter battery life by giving you 2 battery packs with these clippers, so you can charge one while you use the other. So in that case it’s not so bad and completely manageable. As long as you keep one battery on the charger you won’t have to worry about your clipper going completely dead.

The other unfortunate thing to note here is unlike the Bravura or Figura, you cannot simply plug in the clipper directly to a receptacle and continue using it even on a dead battery. These clippers have a separate charging station for charging batteries.

For the DIY Groomer

These clippers are like a muscle car from the 50’s, they are well built, reliable, and stand the test of time. This is the perfect pair for a DIY groomer since they are comparable to all the newest clipper but come in about $20 cheaper (depending on what deals are on at the time). Battery life won’t be an issue if you just have a few dogs to take care of at home, and the second battery will come in handy. Without a cord sticking out the end these are ideal for tight spots like face, paws, armpits, and sanitary cuts. But they certainly have enough power that you can do the body and legs without any issue.

For The Professional Groomer

Same as the DIY Groomer, these are sturdy, long-lasting, and cost less then other clippers at the same level. The battery life may run you into some issues over time so always keep one battery charging on the charge stand while you use the other and you won’t run into any problems. The Arco clippers are perfect for touch ups, paws, face, and sanitary. With legs and body you may want to go with a corded just so you can change the blade length to a specific size vs. the standard 5-in-1 lengths. But these fall under the elite level of clippers and are a favorite among some of our veteran dog groomers.