10 Best Alpaca Shears in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

Alpaca shears are difficult tools to purchase since they aren’t everyday items and come in many models, sizes, brands, and more. Not to mention, these tools can make or break a shearing experience for both you and your alpaca. To help you find the alpaca shears, we have compiled reviews of the best alpaca shears.

Each one of the shears on our list is highly effective and tested by many other alpaca owners around the globe. In the end, we provide a convenient buyer’s guide to further ensure that you pick out the best shears for your needs. Scroll down for more.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Lister Star Large Animal Clipper	Easy to use Ventilated and self-cleaning Suitable for many livestock and large animals	Check Price
Best Value		LCDCM Sheep Shears Alpaca Shears	Durable Highly affordable Spring-loaded design	Check Price
Premium Choice		Lister Legend Large Animal Clipper	Highly efficient Self-cleaning capabilities Most trusted brand in the UK	Check Price
		Oster Clipmaster Variable Speed Clipping Machine	Lightweight Highly durable Variable speed options	Check Price
		Oster A5 Two Speed Animal Grooming Clipper	Two speeds Easy to change blades Suitable for small and large animals	Check Price

The 10 Best Alpaca Shears

The best overall alpaca shear is the Lister Star Large Animal Clipper. These clippers are specifically designed for a variety of large animals, including alpacas, cattle, sheep, and livestock. As a result, it is powerful enough for full body clippings on your alpaca.

A really nice feature of these clippers is that it is ventilated and self-cleaning. This means you don’t have to worry about the tool getting overheated or breaking prematurely. It even comes with a user-friendly tensioning system for further convenience.

With the purchase of the Lister Star Large Animal Clipper, you will also get a bottle of oil, a clipper cleaning brush, and a spare filter. The purchase comes with a one-year manufacturer’s limited warranty as the cherry on top. Although expensive, this is a great product for serious clipping needs.

The LCDCM Sheep Shears/Alpaca Shears is the best alpaca shear for the money. These shears are highly affordable because they are manual instead of electric. These clippers are by far the most affordable due to their manual nature. On top of the outright affordable price tag, it comes with a 100% back guarantee.

The blades are made from high-quality manganese steel, ensuring that they will last a long time. At the same time, these shears are easier to use than other handheld items because they are designed with spring handling to increase productivity.

Because these clippers are manual, they aren’t quite as efficient or easy to use as the electric models. Although the manual design may be easier for beginners, you will eventually want to invest in electronic shears that work more quickly.

Still, the extreme affordability that comes with these clippers, matched with the durability, makes it a great purchase for those on a budget.

Hands down, the most impressive alpaca shears are the Lister Legend Large Animal Clipper. We have named these our high-performance pick because they come with superior features and a hefty price tag to match. These clippers are suitable for nearly all large animals and come with a ventilated and self-cleaning design.

The product itself works quickly and efficiently. It has a 3-inch width and can cut lengths of 1.4 millimeters. The brand itself is the UK’s most trusted manufacturer for large animal shearing products, making it a no-brainer premium pick.

Of course, this premium pick comes with the same downside as all other premium choices. It is very expensive. Those on a budget will likely want to spend their money elsewhere so that they still get great shears without spending a fortune.

Although this product is expensive, it is one of the most impressive shears on the market. Those willing to spend anything on their alpaca shears will love this product as a result.

One of the most precise shears is the Oster Clipmaster Variable Speed Clipping Machine. Because it is a variable speed machine, you can adjust it to work between 700 to 3000 strokes per minute. This customization ensures you get the right speed and finish for your alpaca’s coat.

On top of variable speed, the machine is highly durable and has been tested for shatterproof technology. For further durability, it comes with a toolbox case that is complete with removable storage trays and blade compartments. At the same time, it is 30% lighter than its previous housing, resulting in less fatigue and improved maneuverability.

The biggest drawback of this model is that it is highly expensive. In fact, it is the second most expensive product on this list. The only product that is more expensive than it is our premium pick. Those on a budget will want to look elsewhere. Aside from those on a budget, everyone else will love this product because of its variable speed options and durability.

The Oster A5 Two Speed Animal Grooming Clipper is another great shear to check out. This model is designed to provide many strokes per minute. You have your choice between two speeds: 3000 SPM or 4000 SPM. Because of the various speeds on this model, it is suitable for alpacas, large animals, and even small animals like dogs and cats.

The thing that’s unique about this shear is that it comes with a detachable A5 blade system. This design makes it much easier to remove and change blades with little work. Surprisingly, these clippers are pretty affordable too. Even though they aren’t anywhere near as affordable as our budget pick, they are more affordable than our best overall and premium picks.

One problem with these clippers is that they do get a bit hot and can overheat quickly. To prevent this from happening, you will have to take breaks while shearing your alpaca. If you are OK with doing this every time you shear your alpacas, you will likely love the Oster A5 Two Speed Animal Grooming Clippers.

One of the more affordable electric alpaca shears is the BEETRO Electric Professional Sheep Shears. Unlike the other electric models on this list, it is highly affordable, though it is only slightly more expensive than our budget buy. Given it is an electric model instead of a manual one, it makes sense that it is slightly pricier.

Although affordable, the model is highly effective too. It can provide up to 2400 PRM and offers six different speeds to ensure you get the right clipping for your alpaca. All the blades are incredibly sharp and resistant to high heat and extra-long coats.

Even though this product is good for its price, it isn’t as impressive as the more expensive electric alpaca shears. It simply is not powerful enough for frequent and heavy-duty jobs. Plus, it isn’t as durable or user-friendly as the other models.

Still, its affordability is something to be noted. Between its price and electric design, it may be a great choice for individuals on a budget who still want an electric shear.

The Missyee Sheep Clippers Electric are affordable as well. When you purchase these shears, you get the shearing clipper with the clipper head, a special screwdriver, a cleaning brush, and transport and storage case. Additionally, the company provides a lifetime service guarantee with their products.

The shears come with 320-watt power that can offer up to 2,400 strokes per minute. This design is not the most powerful on our list, but it may be suitable for one or two alpacas. Because of its lower wattage, you can use it on cats and dogs with ease.

Surprisingly, these shears are relatively impressive. They are far from being as great as our top picks, but they do a good job for the price. There aren’t many reports of it overheating or failing on thick coats either. So, this is a good purchase if you are on a budget but still want decent electric shearers.

Another affordable electric alpaca shear is the Ridgeyard Electric Farm Supplies Animal Grooming Shearing tool. With this purchase, you will get a tool case, the shear, a cleaning brush, two extra carbon brushes, a mini screwdriver, and an empty oil bottle. Despite getting all these items, the price is highly affordable, even more affordable than our previous model.

The shear comes with 380-watt power and can offer up to 2,400 RPM. The speed is ideal for alpacas and other large animals. Most users recommend oiling it up before use and adjusting the blades as well for best results.

One complaint that we found frequently about the Ridgeyard Electric Farm Supplies Animal Grooming Shearing tool is that it gets extra hot. In fact, some users noted that it gets so hot that it’s difficult to hold. Because it overheats, it likely doesn’t last very long either.

Despite these notable drawbacks, this product is highly affordable and may be suitable for the occasional shear. If you have many alpacas, you might want to invest in something a bit more durable.

The most affordable electric alpaca shear is the Apelila Store 6 Speed Sheep Shears Electric Clippers. These clippers are only beat out by our budget pick for being the most affordable product on this list. It even has a warranty for further money value. Despite being so affordable, they also have an electric design, much like the more expensive options.

This product is specifically designed for small scale family farming purposes. It is designed to be easy to operate and has a scissors handle structure so that it feels more natural in your hand.

Unfortunately, these shears are not the most effective. The motor can get hot after long use, which explains why they feel the need to mention not allowing the model to overheat. More so, this shear is not as suitable for many alpacas since it isn’t very effective on thick coats.

Although this model does come with some relatively serious drawbacks, it does perform notably better than other electric shears of its price range. So, if you are on an extreme budget and need electric shears, this should be your go-to. If you have more money to spend, we recommend opting for one of the more impressive models instead.

Finally, the last product on our list is the SUNCOO Sheep Shears Portable Electric Clippers. These shears are designed for most livestock, including alpacas. It comes with a 350-watt motor and can offer up to 2600 strokes per minute, which is the perfect amount for alpacas. When you purchase these shears, you will also get a carrying case, clean brush, oil bottle, and a user manual.

Unfortunately, many users are not thrilled about this product. Even though they claim it works as it should, it is incredibly loud and uncomfortable to use. Because of how uncomfortable it is to use, we don’t recommend it over the other products on this list. Another common complaint is that the instruction manual is next to impossible to figure out. For first time buyers, this is a serious drawback that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Still, the product does get the job done for shearing alpacas. Because of its impressive wattage, it can offer enough power for shearing multiple animals, but it is a hassle to use.

Buyer’s Guide: Purchasing the Best Alpaca Shears

Do Alpacas Need To Be Sheared?

Alpacas must always be sheared. If you fail to shear your alpaca, it can grow upwards of 10 to 15 lbs. of wool. This wool is not only heavy, but it is incredibly warm and may cause your alpaca to overheat, depending on the time of year and location.

When Should I Shear My Alpacas?

You should shear your alpacas at least once a year. It’s best to shear them before the height of the summer so that they don’t get too hot. Most likely, you will need to shear your alpacas around the month of July, if not in June. Don’t shear your alpacas too early, though, for they might get cold.

How To Shear Alpacas

It is important to make sure that the alpaca is properly secured before beginning the shearing process. That way, both you and the alpaca are safe during the sheering process. Unlike most sheep, alpacas are feisty and will fight to stay away from shears.

Tips For Shearing Alpacas

Factors To Keep In Mind When Buying Alpaca Shears

Buying alpaca shears can be difficult. Since these items are not everyday purchases, most people have no clue what to look for the first time they are purchased.

It’s important that you consider all these factors when buying alpaca shears, not just one factor. By looking at all these factors at once, you can easily choose the best alpaca shears for your and your alpaca’s needs.

• Related Read: How to Care for Alpacas: Tips, Tricks, and Guide

Conclusion

Of all our product reviews, we recommend the Lister Star Large Animal Clipper, LCDCM Sheep Shears/Alpaca Shears, or Lister Legend Large Animal Clipper. Of these products, the two Lister items are better for premium choices, whereas the LCDCM shears are better for those on a budget.

Regardless of which product you choose, remember to refer to our buying guide when it comes time to purchase your alpaca shears to ensure you get the best product for your needs.

Featured Image Credit: Amazon