• All nail clippers are not created equal. Sometimes it’s worth spending a little more to get that perfect blend of sharpness, comfort, and durability.
  • The Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clipper is made of stainless steel to expertly shape even the hardest, thickest nails.

I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally gone shopping for nail clippers, I’ve always simply acquired them. It’s like they’ve kept appearing in my bathroom cabinets by sheer chance. And, to be quite honest, before I started researching the best ones money can buy, I never thought there was much notable difference between nail clipper models. I didn’t even know there were models!

But it turns out that all nail clippers are not created equal. If you’re tired of hacking your fingernails off so that they grow back at weird angles, it might be time for an upgrade. The good news? Even the most refined, elegant nail clippers won’t totally break the bank. In fact, you can pick up a great pair of clippers for only a few dollars more than their inferior brethren.

When browsing, pay attention to the material (stainless steel is usually a solid bet), the shapes of the blade and the handle, and any additional features you might find useful, like a nail file or a compartment for catching clippings so they don’t end up all over your bathroom floor, where you will forget about them until they embed themselves in your heel like a gross splinter.

Here are the best nail clippers you can buy:

Updated on 4/30/2020 by Remi Rosmarin: Updated prices and links.

The best overall

The Japanese-designed Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clipper gives you a sharp, precise cut with minimal effort.

I never thought I’d be recommending that you spend more than $20 on a pair of nail clippers, but people love the Green Bell G-1008. You can find glowing reviews for these Japanese-designed clippers on the internet, from users and reviewers at sites like The Strategist and The Wirecutter (and us, of course).

The stainless steel design is sleek and curved to fit comfortably between the fingers. The sharp, precise blades give you control and crisp cuts that don't require much, if any, shaping or filing. If you do need to file, you can do so by using the filer embedded in the handle.

A few Amazon customers mentioned the long shipping time for these since they come directly from Japan, and they are not currently available for Amazon Prime free shipping. But 84% of shoppers deemed them worth the extra cost and the prolonged wait.

Pros: Curved for comfort while holding, stainless steel, built-in file

Cons: Long shipping time, pricey

The best for travelers

Foto: Source: FIXBODY

The FIXBODY Nail Clipper Set comes with three nail-shaping tools in a leather case, making it the perfect companion for the frequent traveler.

When you're fussy about your nails but you're always on the go, life can be tough. What if you break a nail at the airport? Do you let it nag at you until you get to your hotel? Spring for some subpar clippers at the terminal convenience store? No, you pull out your FIXBODY Nail Clipper Set, which you packed using remarkable foresight.

The three-piece set comes in a travel-friendly leather case that snaps closed to keep everything in place in your luggage or your handbag. It contains two clippers, a larger one with straight blades, a smaller, curved one, and a slim nail file. All three pieces are rendered in chic black zinc-alloy stainless steel. Anti-slip levers on the clippers help you grip the base for more control as you cut.

Note: If you aren't checking your toiletry bag when flying, be sure to remove the blade to avoid having it confiscated by gate security.

These FIXBODY nail clippers are also recommended by The Strategist and Best Reviews Guide.

Pros: Chic design, stainless steel, comes with three tools and leather case

Cons: Some reviewers found the smaller size didn't fit hands

The best for babies

Foto: Source: Safety 1st

Looking for baby-safe nail clippers? The Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper has a tiny blade and a built-in light to give you a clear view while you work.

Cutting someone else's nails is a challenge, but cutting a baby's is even more difficult. No, the Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper won't lull your infant into stillness so you can get easy access to their nails, but it does make the job about as easy as it possibly can be.

These safety clippers have teeny-tiny curved cutting edges housed in a large handle that's easy to grip thanks to the soft-touch material on the outside. The coolest feature is the built-in LED light at the tip that allows you to actually see what you're doing.

The clipper also comes with an emery board that can be stored in a hidden compartment, in the base of the handle.

Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper is an Amazon's Choice pick with a 4-star rating and more than 1,200 reviews. It is also recommended by The Strategist and The Bump.

Pros: No-slip handle, built-in LED light, comes with emery board

Cons: Bulky

The best multiuse nail clipper

Foto: Source: Clyppi

The Nail Clipper by Clyppi is like the Swiss Army Knife of nail clippers, complete with a built-in file and cleaner tool.

If you're constantly trying to scrape dirt out from underneath your fingertips, you'll love the Clyppi nail clipper. It comes with a swing-out nail cleaner with a pointed curved edge and a textured body you can use as a nail file, with two different grades of grit.

Key chain holes allow you to take the clipper with you by attaching it to your key ring. The lever is also wider than most and the surface is made of brushed steel to make for a comfortable, sturdy grip. For that reason, this is a great pick for people with arthritis or carpal tunnel. And, it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Pros: Built-in nail file/cleaner, wider lever for easy grip, good for people with larger hands or arthritis, key chain holes

Cons: Pricey

The best ergonomic nail clipper

Foto: Source: Harperton

Tired of finding bits of your toenails embedded in the carpet? The Seki Edge SS-101 Deluxe Fingernail Clipper comes with a compartment to catch your clippings.

The reason I put off cutting my nails for weeks at a time is one-part laziness and one-part hating the experience of finding nail clippings embedded in the carpeting forever afterward. I know that not clipping my nails doesn't solve the problem, but it feels good in a passive-aggressive sort of way.

What does solve the problem? The Seki Edge SS-101 Deluxe Fingernail Clipper, which features a built-in nail-clipping catcher. I didn't know such a thing existed (even though my editor assures me it has existed for some time) and now I can't imagine continuing to live without it. Seki nail clippers come highly recommended; fun fact, it's made by Green Bell, which makes our best overall pick.

This one is unique because it cleans up for you as you go. To use the catcher, slide the nail clipper into the white base that is easily removable for cleaning. There's also a built-in nail file on the back of the clipper, and the same precise cutting blades you can expect on all Seki Edge products.

Pros: Nail catcher, nice design, built-in nail file

Cons: Some reviews say catcher is too small