Looking for a new trimmer and narrowed your search down to the Wahl 9818 vs 9854? Good job, both of these models are popular offerings from the brand, but very similar. And because of this you may find yourself stuck. Well, don’t worry, we’ve the homework for you, after you read this page, you will have a better idea about which one of these trimmers is best for you.
Wahl 9818 – Click here to check price
Wahl 9854 – Click here to check price
Wahl 9818 vs 9854: Which of these Hair Trimmers is Right for You...?
Design, Construction and Appearance
The Wahl 9818 is constructed from heavy duty stainless steel. It has stainless steel blades and body, giving it a strong, sleek look. The 9818 also has Wahl’s patented high tech blade design and comes with a high quality construction and sturdy design. The Wahl 9854 has blades made from carbon steel and is solidly constructed.
Size
The Wahl 9818 is smaller and lighter than the 9854, but still gives a solid comfortable weight when held.
Battery, Voltage and Power
Wahl 9818 Trimmers
The Wahl 9818 is has a rating of 110 – 240v AC. This dual voltage makes it possible for it to be used in international outlets. On the other hand, the Wahl 9854 is manufactured only for United States outlets (120v AC), making the Wahl 9818 an infinitely preferable choice.
Several users claim that both groomers do not suffer from power fade and so once charged, remains charged even when you don’t use it for a long time. This is important if you travel a lot and forget to charge your shaver.
Charge Time and Run Time
When charged fully, the Wahl 9818 has a run time of four hours while the 9854 has a 3-hour run time. The Wahl 9854 gives its users the added benefit of achieving a full charge after one hour of being plugged in. The Wahl 9818 has been praised by several users as its charge is able to last for a very long time.
Both models also come with quick charge options. For the Wahl 9818, if you charge the battery for one minute, you will have three minutes of run time. For the Wahl 9854, you charge the groomer for three to five minutes to achieve a commensurate measure of run time. The quick charge option gives users the opportunity to shave even when they are hurrying.
Durability
Due to its better construction, the Wahl 9818 is more durable than the 9854. Several customers maintain that the Wahl 9818 blades remain as sharp as it was on its first day of use. On the other hand, some users of the Wahl 9854 complained that its blades rusted very easily.
Cleaning and Maintenance
As seen from customer reports, the blades of the Wahl 9854 may rust if not taken care of properly. To prolong the life of the 9854 blade, it is advisable to regularly clean and dry it after washing or grooming. The Wahl 9854 must always be dry and its use in wet conditions minimized.
A bit of maintenance is required to maintain the quality of both Wahl trimmers.
Accessories
The Wahl 9818 has very useful accessories including multiple grooming guides and combs for different purposes, a precision T-blade for accurate trimming, a detail shaver head for general shaving, a specific trimmer for ears, nose and brows, a clipper for barbershop fades and trims, a rotary nose trimmer and detail head, cleaning brush and comb, and a storage pouch for the charger. An optional adjustable blade for the Wahl 9818 can be bought separately.
The accessories for the Wahl 9854 include a dual foil shaver for extremely close shaving, a precise trimmer for ears, nose and brows, a trimmer blade, a precision T-blade, precision ground trimmer blade, beard combs and blade guides.
All the blades are detachable and replaceable. However, several users of the Wahl 9854 claim that the heads of the blades are quite difficult to attach to the groomer and the number of attachments included is too much.
Click here to get more details on the Wahl 9818
Click here to get more details on the Wahl 9854
Convenient Features
Wahl 9854 Trimmer
The 9818 has a Smart LED charge indicator, but the 9854 doesn’t. This indicator starts blinking once the charge on the trimmer is running low. Wahl 9854 users have complained about the absence of such a useful feature from the groomer.
The 9854 has a soft touch rubber non-slip grip which helps the user have a firm hold on the trimmer while shaving. Some customers however complained that hair trimmings tended to stick to the rubber grip and are difficult to remove except with the aid of water.
Both models have a zippered case or pouch for storage. They also have an auto charge off feature. This feature helps conserve battery and power as the trimmer shuts itself down when it’s done charging.
Portability
Both Wahl groomers are very portable, making them a prime choice for grooming when travelling.
Warranty
Both the Wahl 9818 and 9854 have a 5-year limited warranty.
Performance
Both shavers are well constructed and have high quality. And many users are satisfied with the performance. However, there are users of the Wahl 9818 that claim that the shaver has a general-purpose design. It does a lot of things adequately enough, but it doesn’t have a specific or unique selling point. Another major issue with the Wahl 9854 is its attachment overload. Lots of users claim the groomer has one too many attachments, with several others claiming some of the attachments are not needed and just take up unnecessary space. Others said they would have preferred for the attachments to be an optional expense.
The Wahl 9818 is not spared its own set of negative feedback. There was a decent number of complaints with the on/off button.
Pros and Cons of the Wahl 9818
Pros
- High quality construction
- Made from heavy duty material
- Can be used in international outlets
- Stainless steel design
- More durable
- Smaller and lighter than the Wahl 9818
- Has a quick charge option
- Portable
- Sharp blades
- Has a charge indicator
- Doesn’t experience power fade
Cons
- Not as budget friendly (although a sale could change that)
- Battery is non-replaceable
- Some users complain about the on/off button
Pros and Cons of the Wahl 9854
Pros
- Solid construction
- Portable
- Cheaper than the Wahl 9818
- Has a quick charge option
- Doesn’t experience power fade
Cons
- Harder to clean and maintain
- Blades rust easily
- Absence of a charge indicator
- Battery is non-replaceable
Summary and Recommendation
When it comes to the Wahl 9818 vs 9854 comparison, I’d go for the 9818. Although some might like all of the extra accessories you get with the 9854. Others find them gratuitous. And others still find that the 9854 is a bit too general. But the biggest issue with the 9854 is that the blades have been reported to rust. To alleviate this you will need to pay attention to make sure that clean and dry the blades properly after every use. This means that maintenance is more involved than with the 9818.