When your nails are getting a bit too long for comfort, don't resort to any old pair of scissors. Nail clippers provide a safe way of trimming your fingernails and toenails to keep them healthy and strong, which is why it's important to get the right one. If you don't, it's possible your nails will splinter and peel.
Don't worry – we've put together a simple guide and a list of our top buys from brands like Tweezerman, all available on Amazon and eBay. We looked at heavy duty nail clippers with catchers, clippers for babies and for acrylics, some in sets and others with nail files. Large or small, we found a pair for everyone, professional nail technicians included!
Before you head to Amazon, take a look at our key pieces of advice to make sure you get the best nail clipper for your requirements. There are many different options available, and you can use our knowledge and research to make an informed decision.
While they all serve the same purpose, nail clippers come in a variety of shapes. It's important that you know which style suits you best, which we'll explain in a little more detail for you down below.
The most popular type of nail clipper on the market and the prime piece of any manicure set is the heavy-duty clipper, loved for its accuracy, portability, and easy-to-use handle.
They have a lever that twists out in order to push the clippers down in a pinching mechanism, allowing you to slice through your nail with ease in one quick movement.
Be careful, though – as the name suggests, they're pretty strong, and they also don't offer much freedom in how you cut your nails, as the wide blade pretty much takes the whole edge off at once!
Safer to manoeuvre and good for kids, scissor cutters are ideal for making those post-bath manicures with your children that little bit easier. However, if you are buying for kids, make sure that the pair you pick has rounded ends so they don't poke uncomfortably.
For adults, scissor clippers are excellent at trimming the uneven edges of your nails when a nail file alone can't do the trick.
It's safe to say that although they don't offer a cut as flawless as the heavy-duty clippers do, they excel at getting those precise angles, especially if you tend to have flexible nails.
They're really not as daunting as they look, honest! Used mainly by pros, plier clippers can nab those pesky ingrown toenails with ease. They apply less pressure to the nails than heavier clippers, and they're not as gentle as scissor clippers, so they're a good middle-ground.
They can also be used to trim acrylic nails, although we'd recommend using a professional acrylic trimmer for this as they provide much more support and won't damage your nails. If you love your falsies, check out product number 10 on our list.
To avoid accidentally catching your nail bed while you trim, it's a good idea that you choose the right shape for you, either curved or straight. We'd also recommend looking for stainless steel blades, as this material will ensure a long-lasting, strong clipper that stays sharp.
Curved blades or scissors are quick and simple and they're not too harsh on the nail as they provide a gentle cut.
That said, you might prefer the precision of a straight blade. With a straight blade, you can make about 3-4 mini clips to one nail to give it a neat, rounded look. This also makes them the most appropriate shape for cutting your toenails.
Who doesn't love getting a few additional bits and pieces with a purchase? It feels like a little 'freebie' gift and it usually saves you some money. That's why we always suggest looking for products that give you a little extra!
When cutting your nails, you'll also need a nail file and perhaps a cuticle pusher to achieve that perfect mani or pedi. On our product list, you'll find nail clippers that come with several accessories and travel cases, so keep an eye out for what you need.
Now that you're up to date with all the different types of nail clippers you can buy, you should have an idea of what will work best for you. To narrow down your decision, we've put together our top ten most recommended products.
£5.99
Cutting Type | Acrylic pliers |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved |
Material | Metal |
Accessories | - |
£2.15
Cutting Type | Scissors |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Straight |
Material | Stainless steel |
Accessories | - |
£14.90
Cutting Type | Plier |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved |
Material | Stainless steel, synthetic rubber |
Accessories | - |
£2.79
Cutting Type | Heavy-duty |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved |
Material | Stainless steel |
Accessories | - |
£10.40
Cutting Type | Heavy-duty |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved, straight |
Material | Stainless steel |
Accessories | - |
£8.99
Cutting Type | Heavy-duty |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved |
Material | Stainless steel |
Accessories | - |
£3.65
Cutting Type | Scissor |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Rounded |
Material | BPA-free plastic, stainless steel |
Accessories | - |
£14.99
Cutting Type | Scissors, clippers |
---|---|
Curved/Straight | Curved |
Material | Stainless steel |
Accessories | Case, tweezers, file, cuticle pusher |
Image | 1 ![]() Lily England | 2 ![]() Tommee Tippee | 3 ![]() Steinder | 4 ![]() Tweezerman | 5 ![]() Walolo | 6 ![]() Bezox | 7 ![]() Elegant Touch | 8 ![]() Morgles |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Professional Nail Care & Pedicure Kit | Essential Basics Baby Scissors | Professional Stainless Steel Large Clipper | Combo Clipper Set | Heavy Duty Nail Clipper | Precision Nail Clippers | Nail Scissors | Acrylic Nail Clippers |
Features | A Gorgeous Rose Gold Set with Everything You Need | The Most Gentle Baby Nail Scissors | A Rotating Nail Clipper for Increased Accuracy | A Handy Pack of Two for Fingers and Toes | The Bathroom Staple for Everyone Who Loves a Classic | Best for Thick or Ingrown Toenails | Pocket-Sized Simple Steel Nail Scissors | An Acrylic Nail Trimmer for the Pros |
Price | £14.99 | £3.65 | £8.99 | £10.40 | £2.79 | £14.90 | £2.15 | £5.99 |
Cutting Type | Scissors, clippers | Scissor | Heavy-duty | Heavy-duty | Heavy-duty | Plier | Scissors | Acrylic pliers |
Curved/Straight | Curved | Rounded | Curved | Curved, straight | Curved | Curved | Straight | Curved |
Material | Stainless steel | BPA-free plastic, stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel, synthetic rubber | Stainless steel | Metal |
Accessories | Case, tweezers, file, cuticle pusher | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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Author: Annie Speight
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