Andis 63700 BGRC Review: a lightweight workhorse clipper that cuts strong but runs hot

I’ve been using the Andis 63700 BGRC for a bit now, both on my own hair and on a couple of family heads that I "volunteered" as test subjects. I’m not a sponsored barber or anything like that, just someone who cuts at home fairly regularly and has gone through a few clippers over the years (Wahl, Oster, and some cheap pharmacy models). I picked this one because it’s supposed to be lighter, quieter, and strong enough to chew through thick hair without bogging down.

First thing: this is clearly built more like a professional tool than a casual home trimmer. It’s a rotary motor clipper with detachable blades, so you’re not fiddling with plastic guards as much if you invest in a few different blades. It plugs into the wall by default, but you can buy a separate battery pack to turn it into a cordless model. Out of the box though, it’s just the clipper, one blade, a small oil bottle, and the manual. No guards, no charger, nothing fancy.

In use, the main thing that stands out is how quiet and smooth it is compared to most clippers I’ve tried. It doesn’t shake your hand to death, and you can actually talk to someone while cutting without shouting. It also has no problem going through thick or curly hair in one pass if your blade is clean and oiled. That matches what a lot of barbers say about this model: it’s for bulk removal and consistent, clean cutting.

It’s not perfect though. The blades get pretty hot after 10–15 minutes, and you really do have to stay on top of oiling and cleaning if you want it to keep cutting well. Plus, the fact that the cordless setup and extra blades are all sold separately pushes the total cost up. So for me, it’s a serious clipper that works very well, but you have to accept the maintenance and the extra spending if you want the full setup.

On value, it really depends what you’re comparing it to and how often you cut hair. The BGRC sits in that pro-sumer / professional price range. It’s not a cheap home clipper, but it’s also not the most expensive thing a barber could buy. For the money, you get a strong rotary motor, a detachable blade system, and a lighter, quieter tool than many heavy-duty clippers out there. If you cut hair regularly – either as a pro or as the household barber – that starts to make sense.

Where the value becomes more questionable is the extras you need. To really use this to its potential, you’ll likely want at least a couple more blades, maybe some guards, and possibly the cordless kit. Each of those adds cost. So while the base unit is decent value for what it does, the full ecosystem is not cheap. One reviewer basically said they loved how it performed but were surprised the box didn’t include more accessories. I had the same feeling: the tool is solid, but it’s a bit barebones at this price point.

Compared to something like a mid-range Wahl kit you can grab at a big-box store, the BGRC will give you better cutting power, quieter operation, and likely longer life, but at a noticeably higher total cost once you include blades. If you’re only doing a quick buzz cut every few months, that extra performance is probably wasted on you, and a cheaper kit is enough. On the other hand, if you’re cutting weekly for yourself and maybe a couple of family members, the price spreads out over time and starts to look more reasonable.

So I’d rate the value as good but targeted: it makes sense for frequent users who want a reliable work tool and are okay investing in maintenance and accessories. For casual users who want an all-in-one kit, it’s overkill, and you’ll feel like you paid more than you needed to for what you actually use.

From a design point of view, the BGRC is pretty straightforward. The body is matte black, a bit industrial-looking, and doesn’t try to be pretty. It’s 20% lighter and 10% smaller than traditional clippers according to Andis, and honestly, it does feel more compact in hand than a classic Oster 76 or similar old-school workhorse. I could handle it easily, and I don’t have big hands. One female barber in the reviews mentioned that the smaller size works well for smaller hands and for moving around kids’ heads, and I agree with that impression.

The switch is a simple on/off toggle, nothing fancy, but it feels solid and doesn’t feel like it will break anytime soon. There’s no adjustable taper lever like on many standard clippers; instead, the design is built around detachable blades. That means your cutting length changes when you swap the whole blade, not by moving a lever. If you’re used to guard-and-lever systems, this takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s cleaner and more precise once you have the right blades.

Where the design is less fun is the power cord. It’s thick and a bit short and bulky for my taste. It feels durable, sure, but it’s not the most flexible thing to work around a chair or a small bathroom. One reviewer also complained about the cord being short and bulky, and I’m with them. You get a solid connection and it doesn’t feel fragile, but you definitely notice it hanging there while you move around the head.

Overall, the design is very much “tool first, looks second.” The matte finish doesn’t show fingerprints, the clipper body doesn’t feel overly big, and the switch and blade system feel sturdy. But if you want something sleek and minimal with a slim cord or built-in battery, this isn’t that. It’s clearly built for regular use and easy cleaning rather than looking fancy on a bathroom shelf.

This part is a bit confusing if you just read the product page quickly. The specs say "Power Source: Battery Powered," and the description says it’s convertible to cordless with the BGR+ battery pack and charger. In reality, when you buy this specific item, you’re getting a corded clipper only. There is no battery and no charger in the box. To run it cordless, you have to buy the separate BGR+ battery system, which is not cheap.

So my experience is based on using it plugged in. As a corded clipper, it’s reliable – no power drop, no worrying about charge level, and you can run it all day if you want. One reviewer even mentioned that being corded was a big plus on a Navy ship because there’s nowhere safe to leave things charging. I get that: if you just want a dependable plug-and-go clipper, this works fine as is.

If you’re thinking about going cordless with it, just be aware of the total investment. You’re basically buying into a modular system: clipper body + battery + charger + blades. Once you have it, it’s a flexible setup, but it’s a lot more money than a typical cordless home clipper. Also, some people mentioned ordering the wrong battery, so you need to double-check that you’re getting the right BGR+ pack that matches this model number (63700).

Personally, I don’t mind using it corded at home because I always cut in the same spot near an outlet. But if you’re used to fully cordless clippers and hate dealing with cords, you might be disappointed if you don’t realize you need to buy extra gear. I’d say: as a corded unit, it’s solid; as a cordless option, it’s good but financially heavier, and you have to be willing to commit to the Andis ecosystem.

In terms of comfort, the BGRC is honestly one of the nicer clippers I’ve used. Weight-wise, at around 1.1 lb, it feels lighter than a lot of heavy-duty clippers. After a full haircut, my hand didn’t feel cramped or tired, which is not always the case with older, heavier models. I can see why barbers who cut all day would like the reduced weight. The body shape is fairly slim, so it’s easy to grip in different positions when you’re doing the back of the head or around the ears.

The noise level is a big plus. It’s very quiet for a clipper with this much power. Several reviewers mentioned this, and I noticed the same thing. You can barely hear it compared to some Wahl models that buzz and rattle. On kids or noise-sensitive people, that’s a real advantage. You don’t get that nervous reaction when you turn it on next to their ear. Vibration is also pretty minimal – you feel it, but it’s not numbing your fingers after a few minutes.

Now the downside: heat. After about 10–15 minutes of continuous use, the blade starts getting hot. Not burning your skin instantly, but definitely warm enough that you notice it on the neck or around the ears. This matches what a few people said in the reviews. If you’re doing multiple haircuts back-to-back, you’ll probably need to either swap blades, use a cooling spray, or let it rest a bit. That’s a common thing with detachable blade clippers, but it’s still something you have to manage.

From the client side, when I used it on family, they mostly commented on how quiet and smooth it felt, and nobody complained about pulling or snagging. Once the blade starts to heat, I just move a bit faster or switch to a different section of the head. So comfort is good overall, but it comes with the usual pro-clipper tradeoff: light and powerful, but you have to keep an eye on blade temperature and maintenance to keep things pleasant.

Durability-wise, the BGRC gives off a solid, workhorse vibe. The housing feels tough, the switch feels firm, and there’s nothing rattling or loose out of the box. One Amazon reviewer said their previous Andis detachable clipper lasted 11 years with only blade replacements and daily cleaning, which lines up with how this thing feels in the hand. It’s not some lightweight plastic toy; it’s clearly meant to handle regular use in a barbershop or at home.

The weak point, like with most clippers, isn’t the body but the blades and maintenance. Andis is very clear that you need to oil before, during, and after use. If you treat the blade like it’s maintenance-free, it will dull faster, heat up more, and eventually feel like it’s failing, even though the motor is fine. I noticed the difference in just a few uses: when I stuck to oiling, the cut stayed smooth and the sound of the clipper stayed even. When I skipped it, it started to sound slightly rougher and the blade heated up quicker.

The cord also looks like it’s made to last, even if it’s a bit bulky. It has that thick, barber-shop style insulation, which is not the most flexible but usually holds up well over time. I don’t see it cracking easily unless you really abuse it or store it badly. The matte finish on the housing hides scratches pretty well, so even after being tossed in a drawer a few times, it didn’t look chewed up.

So in my opinion, durability is more about your habits than the clipper itself. If you’re the type to clean, brush, and oil after each cut, this thing should hold up for years. If you’re rough with tools and never maintain them, you’ll probably be unhappy after a while and blame the clipper when it’s partly user error. For someone cutting regularly and willing to put in 2–3 minutes of care after each use, it’s a pretty safe long-term bet.

On performance, this thing does what it says. The rotary motor is clearly built for heavy-duty use. At 2900 strokes per minute, it’s not the fastest-sounding number on paper, but in practice, it has plenty of torque. I tried it on thick, coarse hair that usually makes weaker clippers slow down or start tugging. The BGRC went through it in steady passes without complaining, especially when I remembered to oil the blade properly before starting.

The detachable blade system gives a very consistent, even cut because the blade itself is rigid and doesn’t flex like some cheaper setups. The included 000 blade cuts very close (around 0.5 mm), so it’s good for fades, military cuts, or pre-shaving before using a foil shaver. If you want different lengths, you either add guards or, better, invest in a couple of extra blades (for example, 0A, 1, 1A, etc.). That’s where the cost creeps up, but the cut quality is clearly a step above the usual plastic-guard clipper kits.

One thing to know: this clipper demands maintenance. Andis even states you should oil before, during, and after use. When I got lazy and didn’t oil halfway through, I could feel the blade start to drag just a bit more and the heat ramped up faster. With regular oiling and quick brushing between passes, it stays smooth and cuts hair cleanly with very few passes needed. So yes, it performs very well, but you have to treat it like a work tool, not a casual gadget you never clean.

Compared to mid-range Wahl home clippers I’ve used, the BGRC is noticeably more powerful and cleaner in its cut, but less forgiving if you ignore upkeep. If you’re cutting hair every week or more and don’t mind a routine of cleaning and oiling, the performance is pretty solid. If you only cut once every few months and hate maintenance, you might not get the full benefit and could feel like you spent too much for what you’re actually using.

Let’s be clear about what Andis is selling here: this is basically the body of a professional detachable-blade clipper with one blade and a power cord. That’s it. When I opened the box, I found the clipper itself, a size 000 blade mounted on it, a small tube of oil, and the instruction booklet. No guards, no extra blades, no battery, no charger. If you came from watching YouTube videos where people show full barber setups, you might expect more. I had the same reaction as one Amazon reviewer who thought there would be at least a charger or a second blade.

The clipper is advertised as convertible to cordless, but that’s only if you buy the BGR+ battery pack and charger separately. So in practice, when you buy this specific product listing, you’re buying a corded clipper that happens to be compatible with that system. If you want the full cordless experience, you’re adding a decent chunk of money on top of the initial price. Same story for blades: it works with all UltraEdge and CeramicEdge blades, which is nice, but again, those are extra purchases.

In terms of positioning, it’s pretty clear this is aimed more at barbers or serious home users who already know what detachable-blade systems are. If you’re used to buying a clipper kit with a dozen plastic guards, combs, scissors, and a bag, you might feel a bit ripped off when you see how bare the box is. Personally, I’d rather have one solid clipper and buy what I actually need, but it’s still worth saying: budget for blades and maybe the cordless pack if you want a full setup.

So overall, the presentation is very no-nonsense: professional-style box, basic documentation, and a tool that looks ready for work. No attempts to dress it up as a grooming kit. That’s fine for me, but if you’re a casual user expecting a complete haircut kit straight away, this is not that. It’s more like buying a power drill body and having to get the bits yourself.