Andis Envy Li Review: Can it Match Magic Clip?

Belonging to the empire of Andis, their consumer-grade hair clipper the Envy Li has entered the market with different renditions.

This one is the one with a lithium-ion battery - a truly cordless tool you could use effortlessly at home without the stress of the battery running low.

Unlike most other Andis hair clippers, the Envy Li comes packed with accessories like guide combs to offer you a wide array of haircut choices.

My Andis Envy Li review is going to bring you an honest account of my experience with it, the things I like and what you should watch out for before you put in your card details!

Andis Envy Li - 73130: Specs

Let’s briefly skim over the technical details for the Envy Li - things from its weight to the battery power are tell-tale signs of a good craftsmanship that really balances price and features!

• Dimensions: 17.8 x 5.7 x 4.8 cm
• Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Colors: 1 (Space Gray)
• Blade: 000-1 Carbon-Steel Blade
• Minimum Cutting Length: 0.5 mm
• Accessories: 14
• Motor Type: Rotary
• Motor Strokes Per Minute: 5,500
• Adjustment Lever: Yes
• Adjustment Range: 0.5 mm to 2.4 mm
• Battery Indicator: Yes (Bottom Light)
• Battery Runtime: 120 Minutes

Pros & Cons

Here, I’ll save you a bunch of time and lay bare the positive-negative relationship within the features of Envy Li - of course, it’s subjective, but from an expert’s vantage point!

What I Like

• Housing looks great, although it’s made with plastic - not as premium as Wahl products
• The curves on the handle retain grip despite the lack of rubber pads
• Trademark Andis rotary motor torques fast enough for versatile grooming
• 000-1 carbon-steel blade marked safe for the skin
• Adjustment lever lets you blend your hair and apply a variety of fades
• Commendable battery life and tons of accessories

Areas for Improvement

• Don’t expect it to be as robust as other Andis tools
• Made for home-use, won’t really attract professional barbers
• Combs are average in terms of build quality - Andis went for quantity over quality

Verdict Andis Envy Li belongs to the medium category of price range - giving you the luxury of a premium hair clipper but costing less than the industry top dogs. It has a blade that can cut, a lever to craft blends and a housing to attract consumers with versatile demands!

Unboxing Andis Envy Li

The outer package for the Envy Li is almost uncannily identical to the top-tier Andis hair clippers like the Master or Fade Master.

You have to slide out a plastic tray where the Envy Li, along with its companions, rest tightly at your disposal.

The Envy Li has its blade covered with a plastic guard and packed inside a polythene to prevent scratches.

On one side, you’ll locate the guide combs between the sizes of 1/16" to 1”. On the other side, there’s a cleaning brush, blade oil and charging adapter. 

What’s Inside the Box: Andis Envy Li, 11 guards, 1 cleaning brush, 1 lubricant, 1 charging adapter, user manual.

Andis Envy Li: Features I Like

I’ll try to touch down on the highlight features for Envy Li, although it doesn’t really have that much in terms of fancy terms - most of its quality can be witnessed in real-life performance.

Feature Highlights

• 000-1 blade gives you a cutting range between 0.5 mm to 2.4 mm
• Plastic housing weighs around 10 ounces
• Motor produces a deep sound with 5,500 SPM
• 11 guide combs to try out different hairstyles
• Plastic adjustment lever is smooth yet maintains position
• 90 minutes battery life, only full-charge indicator exists

Plastic Build - Looks Really Good Though!

Looks can often be deceiving - I wouldn’t call the Envy Li a deceiver, but it certainly doesn’t pack its so-called premium hair clipper in equally promising plastic material. 

It can feel to some consumers (at least it does for me), but I’m willing to give it a pass mark for the effort and of course - the suave-looking design.

Envy Li won’t really crack open under pressure, that much I can tell you. It even survives lighter drops. But don’t expect it to be as durable as the metallic Master.

Grip Ensured by Arched Handle

Andis has crafted the Envy Li with an arched handle to allow better grip for the groomers - wider toward the top with a strikingly narrow lower end.

On the back side, it’s a black plastic which doesn’t let slip that easily, unless you have slippery fingers or sweaty palms.

The lack of a plastic pad is highly subjective though, because the Wahl 5-Star tools don’t contain additional gripping textures either.

9.9 Ounces of Weight

The weight seems standard for the Envy Li, anything less would’ve turned it into a flimsy tool that you wouldn’t want to spend around eighty bucks for.

And had it been too heavy, home groomers would find it quite challenging to maneuver around - be that on themselves or on someone they’re putting a haircut on.

10 ounces let you glide it for longer durations, yet the glides have some sort of anchor due to gravity. At the same time, longer grooming tasks are not going to fatigue your fingers.

Carbon-Steel Blade Can Zero-Gap (Almost)

For skin comfort, Envy Li comes with a carbon-steel blade unit, which is highly surprising given that the brand is reputed for killer-instinct sharp steel blades. 

This hybridization of elements on the blade lets you get up close to skin without the risk of irritation and it leaves some room for error in case you’re a new groomer.

With the blade gap fully closed, it trims at around 0.5 mm length and that’s somewhat close to a zero-overlap setting. The outlines are not going to be as stark as a dedicated tool, but Envy Li has the option to get up close for a balding look or zero fade.

5,500 SPM Motor - Can be Loud

Andis has been tactical with their marketing when it comes down to the motor unit itself. This far we know for sure that it’s a rotary motor - standard issue for a good cordless hair clipper.

But for the torque, they’ve covered up the shortcoming with the SPM or strokes per minute count - 5,500 SPM.

Seemingly, it’s a standard number, but technically the formula goes like this - RPM=SPM/2. In that sense, it’s somewhere around a 3,000 RPM motor that produces a lot of sound but not that big in power.

Adjustment Lever Allows Blending

One thing I was expecting out of the Envy Li is the fixed notches in the lever, like its more expensive siblings.

However, the lever doesn’t have any fixed locking spots and runs smoothly with some form of inertia - I guess acceptable considering the price point.

Between the span of 000 to 1 (0.5 mm to 2.4 mm), you’ll be able to craft out some smooth blends and fades once you master its movements!

2 Hour Battery Life with Li-Ion Unit

Despite being a semi-budget grade hair clipper, a 120 minute battery life is truly praiseworthy! It’s more than enough for a couple of full-blown grooming sessions, even if you’re slow with your proceedings.

The charging time is around the same as the battery life, sometimes even 90 minutes. Lithium-ion batteries are actually industry standards now and it matches the expectations without increasing the weight.

There’s a charging light on the bottom that indicates whether it’s charging or fully charged. However, you don’t have the luxury of knowing the battery status any time you like.

11 Guide Combs Make it a Complete Package

For groomers who are just starting out with their first ever hair clipper or even smalltime barbers looking for a kit without going overboard, Envy Li got you covered.

There is a total of 11 guide combs inside the package, sized at: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 7/8" and 1".

I’m not entirely pleased with the cheap build and wobbliness once attached, but I reckon they maintain evenness to a certain extent - at least a home groomer won’t find any noticeable difference.

Andis Envy Li - My Experience & Feelings So Far

I really don’t want to hold back when I express my feelings of using the Envy Li first-hand. I’ve put it through so many grooming tasks that writing about those seems surreal now.

Experience Highlights

• No complain about closeness - gets near the skin and delivers as promised
• Comfortable too, even when you’re employing the blades raw against skin
• Motor lacks conviction - not sufficient for bulk trimming
• Ideal for fine or short hair, should use it as a fading or styling clipper
• Trimming Closeness & Length Variance

The closeness with direct blade contact is something I truly appreciate on the Envy Li. If you press it somewhat hard against your skin, the length does get around 0.5 mm.

What this length means is that you’ll have some tangible stubble on your scalp, should that be your priority. Otherwise, you can simply go for a stubble-length taper and climb your way up.

With the blade wide open, the range cranks up to 2.4 mm, so you can understand the gradient variance you’re supposed to get. It’s enough to land all heights of fades, marking it as a prime fading clipper.

Is Envy Li Comfortable on the Scalp?

To briefly answer it - yes, Envy Li is quite comfortable on the scalp. But it depends mostly on your hair type and coarseness.

I’ve tested it out on men with fine textured hair and average density. They claimed its direct trimming to be quite comforting and the vibration tolerable.

The more dense or textured hair I tried on, the recipients claimed the Envy Li to pull on their hair at times, although the skin itself remained unbothered. So be mindful of tugging or pulling issues on the mentioned scenarios.

Trimming Speed - Quite Disappointed

Well, by trimming speed, I am implying how swift it is when it comes to bulk trimming a hair body. Long story short, Envy Li is mostly a styling tool rather than a heavy-duty grooming device.

If you frequently trim your hair and your hairstyles are usually short, like fade, buzz, balding looks and so on, you should be perfectly fine with its efficiency.

The longer or coarser hair you are going to deal with, the more its limited motor capacity will be brought to light, and it’s something that’s bound to disappoint you.

What Haircuts Can Envy Li Pull off?

As I mentioned - the ideal haircuts using the Envy Li are mostly blends and fades, so to say. Other than that, men with receding hairlines will find it to be quite useful.

This tool can also line up your hair body to a certain extent. Furthermore, the safe blades will allow you to use the Envy Li as a bulk beard trimming tool, giving you a better value for your money.

Bulk trims of your hair are situational, as mentioned earlier. Shorter haircuts are mostly part of its forte. In general, Envy Li is quite diverse for its price.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Envy Li is not a waterproof tool, like most other premium hair clippers. Therefore, grab your brush, scrub off the stray hair and that’s mostly cleaning done for you.

For maintenance, you may apply a couple drops of lubricating agent on the blade and let the device run for around 10 seconds.

If you’re using spray for either lubricating or disinfecting, turn the clipper on first, apply a few puffs of spray. Keep the clipper on for around 30 seconds before turning it off.

How Did I Test Andis Envy Li?

A lot of the testing on the Envy Li was done on my own scalp as I performed self-grooming jobs like trimming down to a particular length or fine tuning a style.

Other than that, I borrowed my brother’s hair to assess the closeness and the nature of blending. My testing generally includes durability, grip, battery life test and so on. Envy Li went through all of these.

I’m not pleased with the quality of the guide combs, that’s why this re-iteration. If you’re in dire need of better guards, you can place a separate order online for better accessories.

Who Should Consider Buying Andis Envy Li?

The first group of consumers who might find the Envy Li to be useful is those who don’t want to spend the extra to grab an expensive hair clipper for personal use.

Envy Li gives you the sensation of a premium clipper at a much cheaper price. But it’s not flimsy, the blade unit is commendable along with battery life. Cheaper alternatives usually fail to match its quality of performance.

Even barbers who are just starting out can consider buying the Envy Li as it comes with a set of accessories and enables you to craft versatile hairdos with one tool.

It’s zero-gapped, the blade can be opened up using the lever. Meaning, one tool alone has the potential to stretch its area of operation that can translate into a wide array of styling.

Andis Envy Li vs Wahl Magic Clip: Can You Expect Similar Results?

I’ll put the Envy Li to test against the Wahl Magic Clip. I know it’s not a fair contrast, but why not sit down and see how far the performance of Envy Li can be pushed?

I’ll quickly go over the similarities between Wahl Magic Clip and Andis Envy Li before dissecting their differences.

Similarities

• Their weight classes are quite similar, around 10 ounces
• Blades are adjustable using the lever
• Both support corded/cordless functionalities
• The range of guide combs are similar (1/16” to 1”)
• Their ergonomics are reinforced using the shapes instead of rubber pads
• Professionals might be able to use them at separate capacities

Although there’s semblance in the weight class, Envy Li is a head-heavy tool that requires some getting used to. Magic Clip, on the other hand, evenly distributes its weight across the handle. 

Envy Li has 3 more guide combs than Magic Clip despite offering the same cutting range. Also, Magic Clip guards are much better in terms of build quality.

Professionals generally prefer Magic Clip to be their regular companion in a barbershop. Envy Li is not so frequently picked by barbers, instead, it’s generally preferred by home groomers for personal use. 

Differences

• Magic Clip’s motor power outclasses Envy Li’s struggling performance
• Envy Li blades are versatile, but not specialized like Magic Clip’s Stagger Tooth
• Envy Li has a slightly better battery life, around 20 minutes of extra runtime
• Magic Clip is better to hold on to and maneuver around, hands down
• Despite being a specialized tool, Magic Clip still performs better for overall grooming

Out of the box, Magic Clip puts Envy Li leagues behind when it comes to motor power. Magic Clip employs Wahl’s trademark V5000 rotary motor, torquing at 6,500 RPM.

Envy Li’s weak rotary motor produces around 3,000 RPM of torque. Magic Clip is by far the better tool to accommodate any type of hair, Envy Li usage is restricted to either shorter or finer hair.

Magic Clip’s Stagger Tooth blade is made with stainless steel, dedicated for blends and fades, and overall much crispier to utilize. Envy Li blades are safe on skin, but lack the sharpness.

One thing Envy Li does contain is a zero-overlap blade, in which case, Magic Clip lags a little way behind. 

Battery life is comparable, 20 minutes of difference is actually nothing as they both offer corded usage.

Personally, I find Magic Clip to have better ergonomic properties and a more refined maneuverability compared to Envy Li. It has to do with the design and weight balance.

Magic Clip has better durability too - from the housing material to the blade itself, Magic Clip is meant to survive in a rough barbershop.

And overall, Magic Clip does almost every grooming task more gracefully than Envy Li, even bulk trimming. 

Key Takeaway: In terms of raw performance and overall build quality, Magic Clip holds the upper hand over Envy Li. That said, Magic Clip costs much more and for the price, Envy Li is indeed a solid option, despite its inability to match Magic Clip’s performance.

FAQ

A couple of FAQs are here to quench your curious mind’s thirst regarding the Andis Envy Li and its functionalities.

Q: Can Envy Li be used while plugged in (corded)?

Ans: Yes! Andis Envy Li is one of the few cordless hair clippers that offer corded functionality. So, if you run out of juice in the middle of a grooming session, you can simply connect its 2.4 meter long power cord to keep the show running!

Q: Can the Envy Li blades be sharpened or replaced?

Ans: While some groomers have their own ways to sharpen Envy Li blades, I wouldn’t recommend it. Envy Li blade is a fine blade as it has the ability to close the gap at 000 length. If you try to sharpen it, there’s a good chance it’s going to lose some of its original properties, even posing a threat to your skin. So it’s better to just change it once dulled, as there’s plenty of replacement options available online!

Concluding Remarks

From the Andis Envy Li review today, we’ve learned so far that this hair clipper is intended mostly for personal use by Andis.

However, I’ve seen plenty of barbers keeping it in their arsenal just in case, to harness its blade adjustment gap which a lot of other clipping devices often lack.

In the right hands, at the right angles and with the right accessories, Envy Li has the capability to produce some ecstatic fade haircuts that even professionals endorse.

So, if you’re contemplating getting your hands on this - Envy Li certainly has the potential to be the finest at its price range!