There are some tasks related to personal hygiene that make us feel almost frustratingly human.
From plucking our eyebrows to brushing our teeth, these daily ablutions may make us feel pretty good after the fact – but the entire process of it all can often be an utter bore.
A fantastic example of this element of the human condition is, in fact, clipping one’s toenails. Not a sexy subject, we know – yet a necessary task.
Whether our partners have begged us to trim those gnarly beasts, or you’re just getting into running on the regular and are looking for ways to make the ride a little bit more comfortable, the reasons for keeping toenails trim are surprisingly endless.
Yet finding the perfect pair of clippers – and that means ones that won’t nab the skin or result in a disturbingly wonky toenail – is surprisingly difficult. Additionally, a lot of people find using loud and aggressive clippers intimidating, foregoing them entirely for a tiny pair of curved nail scissors which frankly look like they belong to a mouse.
What’s the difference between using toenail clippers and nail scissors?
Whichever device you use to trim your toenails, rest-assured that just using a device in the first place is already a step in the right direction. Clippers and nail scissors are simply good practice when it comes to general hygiene, and they also help to avoid breakage in the surrounding area. Nevertheless, clippers and nail scissors have ever so slightly different uses.
- Clippers: short and strong nails benefit greatly from nail clippers when it comes to maintaining them. This is because they exert more force on the nail, making them unsuitable for those with long and brittle nails. Using nail clippers is also a lot quicker than using scissors, so it’s the best option for those who are often trimming their nails in a pinch.
- Nail scissors: if you have longer nails, or nails which are weaker and prone to splitting, you should use nail scissors. This is because they trim your nails with less force and provide more control when it comes to shaping the nail.
Without further ado, keep scrolling for a round-up of the best toenail clippers that money can buy.
Best toenail clippers at a glance
- Best for comfortable grip: Tweezerman Precision Grip Toenail Clippers, Black - £15, Cult Beauty
- Best for value for money: Nail Clipper, Made with Heavy Duty Stainless Steel - £3.59, Amazon
- Best for two-for-one: Bezox Nail Clipper Set – Stainless Steel - £5.99, Amazon
- Best for thicker nails: Nail Clippers, Kohm CP-120L - £12.99, Amazon
- Best for Japanese design: Seki Edge Toenail Clipper - £14.80, Amazon
- Best for limited mobility: Klhip Ultimate Ergonomical Stainless Steel Nail Clippers - £84.50, Executive Shaving
- Best for ingrown nails: Steinder Toenail Clippers - £27.32, Amazon
Shop now.
Tweezerman Precision Grip Toenail Clippers, Black
Best for: comfortable grip
Though these comfort grip tweezers might look a bit industrial; the tyre-looking handles have a dedicated ergonomic purpose. If you find stainless steel a slippery minx, sliding out of your hands before you can get a firm grip of the toenail in question – these precision clippers have got you covered. Rest-assured the blade itself is made from bacteria-preventing, durable stainless steel, which is easy to clean. They’re equipped with a straight-edged design to prevent splitting.
Buy now £15.00, Cult Beauty
Nail Clipper, Made with Heavy Duty Stainless Steel
Best for: value for money
Made from premium carbon stainless steel, these value-for-money clippers will go the distance. With an integrated nail file and cuticle pusher as well as a hole design for attaching to keyrings, podiatric maintenance on-the-go has never been easier - especially for those with thicker nails.
Buy now £3.59, Amazon
Bezox Nail Clipper Set – Stainless Steel
Best for: two-for-one
Another fantastic value option, this set from Bezox comes with two nail clippers – one smaller version for fingernails, and a larger size for toenails. On both models, however, the handles have been designed to be slightly longer than normal for better grip. The blade has a curved finish which helps to shape nails, and there’s an integrated nail file which rotates 360 degrees for easy access.
Buy now £5.99, Amazon
Nail Clippers, Kohm CP-120L
Best for: thicker nails
These heavy-duty clippers are made from a coated steel alloy, which is lighter than stainless steel, making clipping particularly tough nails a far less strenuous task. Thanks to the extra-large blade jaw, these clippers are perfect for those who suffer with chronic fungal nail conditions, or elderly people whose nails have simply gotten thicker with age. They’re also suitable for both right- and left-handed adults.
Buy now £12.99, Amazon
Seki Edge Toenail Clipper
Best for: Japanese design
Designed by Japanese manufacturer Seki, these retro-inspired clippers offer an all-in-one approach – featuring an integrated clipping catcher and rotating nail file. With a hand-finished cutting edge made from a curved carbon steel chrome-plated blade, these slightly pricier clippers are well worth the investment.
Buy now £14.80, Amazon
Klhip Ultimate Ergonomical Stainless Steel Nail Clippers
Best for: limited mobility
Don’t be shocked by the high price of these luxurious, ergonomic clippers, they’re an award-winning set that will stand the test of time. Designed specifically for those with limited mobility, these clippers provide better leverage and control thanks to the forward-facing lever, which applies pressure directly over the nail instead of across - further preventing the risk of splitting. Engineered in Japan from surgical-grade steel, the clippers also come in a lovely handmade leather case.
Buy now £84.50, Executive Shaving
Steinder Toenail Clippers
Best for: ingrown nails
Though the absolute best way to treat ingrown nails to visit your podiatrist, these clippers are the next best thing – especially as a preventative measure.
The blade itself rotates 360 degrees making clipping hard-to-reach and jagged nails easier than ever while allowing you to gain better control over the overall shape of the nail itself. The extra-sharp, contoured blade also ensures that the nail can be perfectly shaped and clipped with ease at the very first pass.
Plus, there’s a handy integrated catcher so no more toenails flying everywhere.
Buy now £27.32, Amazon
