Is there a difference between nail clippers and toenail clippers?

Toenail clippers tend to be larger than nail clippers. They may also have less of a curve than nail clippers.

How do I choose nail clippers?

You can choose nail clippers based on the shape of your nails. In addition, you should take into account material, design, and size to make sure a pair will work for your nails.

How long do fingernail clippers last?

Each pair of nail clippers has a different shelf life. Some may last for a few months, while others may last for years.

The 13 Best Nail Clippers in 2023

Nail clippers need almost no introduction. Everyone needs at least one pair, and while they aren't the most expensive grooming tools on the market, you'll be glad to have a sturdy, well-made design. "The most important thing I look for when searching for nail clippers is quality," offers nail care specialist Nadine Abramcyk.

Manicurist Syreeta Aaron says to consider whether you want a straight edge or a curved clipper, as this will make it easier to file your nails into your desired shape. Both Abramcyk and Aaron recommend stainless steel, which is not only durable but also rust-resistant.

We conducted hours of research on the best nail clippers, evaluating each on material, size, shape, precision, and extra features like rust-resistance. After considering dozens of options and expert recommendations from a manicurist and nail expert, we landed on these top-rated favorites.

Scroll down for the best nail clippers manicurists love.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Tweezerman Stainless Steel Combo Clipper Set

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Best Budget:

Revlon Deluxe Nail Clipper

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Best Splurge:

Tenoverten The Small Clip at Flip.shop

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Best Design:

Kiya Nail Clipper at Amazon

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Best with Clipping Catcher:

MUJI Nail Clippers with Cover at Muji.us

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Best with Attached File:

Victorinox Swiss Army Multi Nail Clipper at Amazon

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Best Rotating:

GlossyEnd EZ Grip 360-Degree Fingernail and Toenail Clipper at Amazon

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Best Straight-Edge:

Seki EDGE Straight Edge Nail Clipper at Amazon

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Best Extra-Sharp:

Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clipper at Amazon

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Best for Toenails:

Ulta Toe Nail Clipper at Ulta

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
How We Researched
Why Trust Byrdie

4.6

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Target

What We Like

Pack of two
Durable
Sharp blades

What We Don't Like

No attached file

When it comes to essential grooming gadgets, you can count on Tweezerman for reliable quality—and this two-piece set is no exception. You'll get one small clipper with a curved blade for your fingers and a larger one with a straight edge for your toes.

"Stainless steel clippers are always best," says Aaron. Sure enough, these tools boast long-lasting, rust-resistant stainless steel construction. The blades are nice and sharp, too, so you don't have to use a ton of pressure, even when trimming thick toenails.

Price at time of publish: $11

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Large, small | Shape: Straight, curved

What Our Experts Say

Smaller nail clippers are for the hands, and the larger nail clippers are for your toes."—Syreeta Aaron, Nail Technician

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walgreens

What We Like

Affordable
Attached file
Travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

Not the most durable

Revlon makes a great budget-friendly nail clipper. This one is made of chrome-plated steel with contoured handles, curved blades, and an attached file for travel-friendly convenience. Though it definitely gets the job done, you might need to replace it every couple of years.

Price at time of publish: $2

Material: Chrome-plated steel | Size: Small | Shape: Curved

Maisonette

View On Flip.shop View On Maisonette.com View On Tenoverten.com

What We Like

Stainless steel
Scratch-resistant
Exceptionally durable

What We Don't Like

Pricey

"I'm biased, but I love our Tenoverten tools," says Abramcyk, who co-founded the brand. "We make them with ultra-strong stainless steel—it's rust-resistant and easier to clean, which helps prevent infection and ensures the tool lasts as long as possible."

Price at time of publish: $28

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Small | Shape: Curved

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Shopkanso.com

What We Like

Durable
Exceptionally sharp
Etched file

What We Don't Like

Pricey

This thoughtfully designed Japanese clipper is made of heavy-duty carbon steel, offering long-lasting strength and a chic black finish. The curved blades are notably sharp, cutting through thick nails with ease, and there's an etched file on the back of the lever for added convenience. Although these are more expensive than others on this list, the durable stainless steel construction and etched file addition justify the spend.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: Carbon steel | Size: Small | Shape: Curved

Courtesy of Muji

View On Muji.us

What We Like

Sharp blades
Etched file
Eco-conscious company

What We Don't Like

Not rust-resistant

We also like these nickel-plated steel clippers from Muji. Available in two sizes, they have curved blades that cut with precision and stay sharp through years of regular use. A plastic casing catches all your nail clippings, and the etched lever doubles as a nail file.

Price at time of publish: $9

Material: Nickel-plated steel | Size: Small, large | Shape: Curved

What Our Experts Say

"Always remember to properly clean and disinfect the clippers before and after each use."—Syreeta Aaron, Nail Technician

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Stainless steel
Skai pouch
Travel-friendly

What We Don't Like

Pricey

In true Swiss Army style, this multifunctional grooming tool features a fold-out nail file and comes with a skai pouch for on-the-go convenience. For rounded tips and oval nails, Aaron says, "Clip each side of the nail, then file to your shaping." You’re paying a little extra for this model, but its stainless steel construction and the heritage behind the Swiss Army brand justifies the spend.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Medium | Shape: Curved

GlossyEnd EZ Grip 360 Degree Rotary Stainless Steel Clipper

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

360-degree swivel
Textured grip
Stainless steel

What We Don't Like

Too small for some toenails
No attached file

The EZ Grip boasts 360-degree swivel action, allowing you to access awkward angles without straining your wrist or sitting in an uncomfortable position. This medium-sized clipper can be used for your fingers or toenails, though the curved blades might be a little too small for your big toe.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Medium | Shape: Curved

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Jatai.net

What We Like

Sharp blades
Attached file
Lifetime guarantee

What We Don't Like

Slim construction makes cutting toenails a bit more challenging

"If you are wanting a more square nail, I would suggest using a straight edge," says Aaron. We like the Seki Studio Series. Backed by a lifetime guarantee, these slim stainless steel clippers promise clean cuts with sharp blades—extra points for the attached file.

Price at time of publish: $17

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Medium | Shape: Straight

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Ergonomic
Good for thick nails
Etched file

What We Don't Like

Nail file could have more buffing capabilities

"As we get older, the toenails sometimes become thicker," says Aaron. If you're working with particularly thick nails, you might need an extra-sharp clipping tool, like the Green Bell G-1008. In addition to sharp blades, these high-quality stainless steel clippers have ergonomic levers for enhanced comfort and control. The etched lever also doubles as a nail file.

Price at time of publish: $20

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Small | Shape: Curved

Ulta

View On Ulta

What We Like

Tapered edges
Sharp blades

What We Don't Like

Not rust-resistant

Ulta's toenail clippers have large curved blades and tapered edges. While toenail trimmers typically have a straight edge, the unique design allows you to create a rounded shape, which can prevent painful pokey corners while wearing closed-toed shoes.

Price at time of publish: $7

Material: Metal | Size: Large | Shape: Curved

SZQHT Ultra Wide Jaw Opening Toenail Clippers

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Durable
Sharp blades
File included

What We Don't Like

Can be tricky to align curve

The mouth of these wide-jaw nail clippers opens as far as 0.6 inches, allowing you to easily grab thick, stubborn, oddly-shaped toenails. Made of stainless steel with sharp, curved blades and a non-slip grip, they cut effortlessly with minimal elbow grease.

Price at time of publish: $18

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Large | Shape: Curved

Harperton Nippit Slant Edge Nail Clippers

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Sharp slanted blades
Ergonomic
Non-slip handle

What We Don't Like

Not very portable

Ingrown toenails are a real bummer, and while regular pedicures can keep them at bay, you're wise to have a designated tool on hand just in case. "If the toenails are thick, you need to choose a nail clipper that almost looks like a nipper," says Aaron. Featuring slanted stainless steel blades and a non-slip ergonomic handle, the Nippit is up for the task.

Price at time of publish: $24

Material: Stainless steel | Shape: Slant

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Sharp blades
Durable
Leather case

What We Don't Like

File isn't very fine

This three-piece set comes with a large straight-edge toenail clipper, a small curved option for your fingernails, and a nail file, all made of stainless steel with a modern black finish. With sharp blades and sturdy, anti-slip levers, you can count on a clean, smooth cut every time. You'll get a leather case for stashing and transporting your tools too.

Price at time of publish: $15

Material: Stainless steel | Size: Small, large | Shape: Curved, straight

Final Verdict

Overall, we like the Tweezerman Combo Clipper Set, which comes with a small and large pair of nail clippers, each made of durable stainless steel with sharp blades. That said, the Revlon Deluxe Nail Clipper is a great budget option, and if you're looking to invest in a high-quality pair, go with Tenoverten's The Small Clip.

Meet the Expert

Syreeta Aaron is a nail artist based in Alabama. She is also a brand ambassador and nail educator for LeChat.

Nail care expert Nadine Abramcyk is the co-founder and head of brand at Tenoverten.

What to Look For in Nail Clippers

Material

When searching for nail clippers, choose stainless steel. These will be sharp and strong, according to Lim. They also won't require you to place a lot of pressure onto the nail, which can help prevent accidental damage or trimming mishaps.

Shape

Take into account the shape of your nails before purchasing nail clippers. Lim advises using a straight pair for square or oval nails and a curved pair for round, oval, or almond nails. This will help you clip your nails as easily as possible.

Ergonomic Design

An ergonomic design will make nail clippers easier to hold. This may be helpful when you're trying to get to hard-to-reach areas. In addition, it may also make the process a bit simpler.

FAQ

Is there a difference between nail clippers and toenail clippers?

Toenail clippers tend to be larger than nail clippers. They may also have less of a curve than nail clippers.
How do I choose nail clippers?

You can choose nail clippers based on the shape of your nails. In addition, you should take into account material, design, and size to make sure a pair will work for your nails.
How long do fingernail clippers last?

Each pair of nail clippers has a different shelf life. Some may last for a few months, while others may last for years.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter specializing in lifestyle and cosmetics. She interviewed two experts for this roundup, who offered buying tips and product recommendations, then looked at dozens of nail clippers before narrowing it down to the top picks. She has tried tools from several of the featured brands, including Tweezerman, Revlon, Tenoverten, Victorinox, and FixBody. Theresa covers grooming essentials, makeup, haircare, and skincare at Byrdie.

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