By Erin Jahns
last updated
I know what you're thinking: Does it actually matter what pair of nail clippers I grab the next time I'm A) just trimming or B) going in for a full-blown at-home mani/pedi job? Yes. The answer is yes, my friends! (Especially if you're planning on tackling your toes, are prone to ingrowns, or have especially small—or large!—nails, but more on that shortly.)
(Image credit: @emilisindlev)
I'll be the first to admit that I went years without giving a second thought as to my nail clippers. But after randomly being gifted a pair of really, really nice clippers, I wondered how I'd ever used anything else in my life—all of a sudden everything else felt subpar, and I completely saw the light. (If you're like me, sometimes the most "boring" or "unsexy" products are actually the items that can make the biggest difference in your day-to-day.)
From getting the fastest, cleanest cut (nothing is worse than trying to clip and all your nail will do is bend) to nailing your ideal shape (sorry, had to!), choosing a best-of-the-best nail clipper will seriously level up your at-home clipping routine and will soon be one of your most prized medicine cabinet essentials. Keep scrolling for10 of the best nail clippers worth your money—from the best model for your toes to the best budget pick—we have you covered.
The Best Overall:Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clipper
Green Bell
G-1008 Nail Clipper
So, I haven't actually tried this pair of nail clippers, but after tons of research, I found out that they're pretty legendary and basically regarded as the best model of nail clippers on the market. And now, I must have them. They're a little bit more of an investment, but according to the reviewers who love them, they deliver such a clean, swift cut that your filing and shaping follow-up will likely become obsolete. They have an easy-to-hold ergonomic design and are made with a stainless-steel blade. (In the past, nail experts have always instructed me to only ever buy stainless steel or titanium steel clippers as they're hypoallergenic and rust-resistant—aka they're the cleanest, safest, and most long-lasting options.)
The Best Budget:Tweezerman Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper
Tweezerman
Stainless Steel Fingernail Clipper
I personally own this pair of nail clippers, and I love it. It's $7 (fab) and is equipped with stainless steel edges for a fast, clean cut. The shape of your clippers—either curved or straight—really comes down to personal preference. Since I'm a fan of a rounder nail shape, I like curved. This one gets the job done effortlessly!
The Best for Toenails:Seki Edge SS-112 Stainless Steel Nail Clipper
Seki Edge
SS-112 Stainless Steel Nail Clipper
Our toenails are thicker, thus a little bit harder to cut. And while our pick here works wonders on finger and toenails alike, it's especially great for trimming and shaping the latter. Fun fact: These are actually designed by the same company that makes our overall favorite, but it has a slightly more ergonomic grip which can come in handy for toes, in particular. The curved, stainless-steel blades can cut through the thickest, toughest nails completely nonchalantly.
The Best Set:Harperton Fingernail & Toenail Clippers Set
Harperton
Fingernail & Toenail Clippers Set
Ergonomic and precise thanks to the hand-sharpened stainless-steel blades, this $10 toe-and-fingernail clipper set is a strategic buy. It works well on all nail types—especially thick nails—and rakes in tons of glowing reviews on Amazon. (It has a solid 4.6/5 star rating with nearly 36,000 reviews!)
The Best Straight Straight-Across:Tweezerman Precision Grip Toenail Clipper
Tweezerman
Precision Grip Toenail Clipper
As I mentioned earlier, whether you choose to reach for a curved or straight clipper, it's really just down to whichever floats your boat and the type of nail shape you prefer.Stick with a straight-edged clipper if you like a more squared-off shape. This model is made from stainless steel and has the extra benefit of a case design that catches your clippings.
More of the Best Nail Clippers We'd Recommend
New Huing
Podiatrist Toenail Clippers
This is another great clippers option for toenails, especially if you're someone with ingrown nails. (That being said, it's a good idea to go in to see a professional if that's you.) While available to and loved by all, this model was specifically designed for podiatrists to use on elderly patients who tend to have thicker, trickier nail situations. It has a handy, nonslip cushion grip which is important thanks to how quickly and easily this thing can trim.
Kiya
Black Steel Nail Clipper
Made by Kiya (a Japanese brand that's been around since 1792), this chic, albeit slightly spendy nail clipper is made from a special, heavy-duty steel that makes it one of the sharpest in the land. Plus, there's even an etched file on the back of the lever.
SZQHT
Ultra Wide Jaw Opening Nail Clippers
It's hard to beat nearly 37,000 reviews and an average 4.7-star rating! If you have especially thick or perhaps oddly jutting nails, this ultra-wide nail clipper will come in clutch as it opens up to 15mm—the maximum jaw width for top-down nail clipper model. Plus, it comes in five different finishes. If you're into that kind of thing.
Kiss
Professional Acrylic Nail Clipper
Artificial nails? Yes, there's a clipper for that! The ergonomic design and sharp, stainless steel blades allow you to trim and shape acrylics, wraps, gel manis, and more—easy breezy!
Tenoverten
The Small Clip Nail Clipper
If you're feeling fancy, consider this chic, slightly smaller model from natural nailcare brand Tenoverten. Made in Germany and crafted of stainless steel, the brand notes that it's coated in a hard, scratch-proof black coating that repels water, oil, and bacteria for an ultra-safe clip experience.
Additional Nail Essentials I Can't Live Without
(Image credit: @emilisindlev)
Static Nails
Rapid Repair Nail & Cuticle Oil
Zips ups scraggly skin and cuticles like no other.
Gehwol
Biosana Swiss Foot File
Shoppers and reviewers at Nordstrom go WILD for this thing!
Chanel
Le Vernis
My favorite nail polish right now.
Off-White Beauty
Color Matter Nail Polish in Flashback
My second favorite nail polish ATM!
Olive & June
Dry Drops
One drop of this stuff dries your nails to the touch in 80 seconds—say goodbye to dents and smears for forever!
Olive & June
Manicure/Pedicure Nail Polish Remover Solution Pot
The fastest, fuss-free way to nix polish in a snap.
Gucci
Nail Art Stickers
I mean, who doesn't want Gucci nail stickers?!
Olive & June
Topcoat
I swear on my life this isthe best topcoat. If you like bouncy, long-wearing, glossy, salon-like results, that is.
Next:My Friends Always Text Me From the Nail Salon—8 "Hit" Colors I Recommend
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Erin Jahns
Beauty Director
Erin has been writing a mix of beauty and wellness content for Who What Wear for over four years. Prior to that, she spent two and half years writing for Byrdie. She now calls Santa Monica home but grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and studied writing, rhetoric, and communication at University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. She studied abroad in Galway, Ireland, and spent a summer in L.A. interning with the Byrdie and Who What Wear family. After graduating from UW, she spent one year in San Francisco, where she worked as a writer for Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen before moving down to L.A. to begin her career as a beauty editor. She considers her day-to-day beauty aesthetic very low-maintenance and relies on staples like clear brow serum (from Kimiko!), Lawless's Lip Plumping Mask in Cherry Vanilla, and an eyelash curler. For special occasions or days when she's taking more meetings or has an event, she'll wear anything and everything from Charlotte Tilbury (the foundations are game-changing), some shimmer on her lids (Stila and Róen do it best), and a few coats of the best mascara-type product on earth, Surratt's Noir Lash Tint.
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