Baby will only tolerate those soft little mittens for so long, which means a nail trim will eventually be needed to prevent scratches.
Of course, every parent’s main concern is to avoid hurting their little one during the process, so choosing a clipper that’s the right size for them, with appropriate safety features, makes the process a little easier.
We’ve put together some picks that make the process almost foolproof, so let’s check them out.
In this article:
Why do I need baby nail clippers?
Though you’ll quite likely already have your own set of clippers on hand, there are reasons to consider investing in a pair of baby nail clippers for your little one’s grooming kit.
- The size makes them safer: They’re designed for little hands, so it’s much easier to make a precise cut or file without risking harm to the surrounding skin.
- Many have additional safety features: Your regular clippers also lack the safety features present on many baby nail clippers, like spy holes that offer a glimpse of the nail line through the clipper, or a light that illuminates fingers for a much clearer view.
- Ergonomic handles make things easier: Unless you’ve invested in a special pair, most adult nail clippers don’t have the convenient ergonomic handles that allow for controlled, precise cuts.
What types of baby nail clippers are there?
- Standard clippers: As you’d expect, these are simply standard nail clippers made much smaller for your little one. To allow precise control, they typically have extended ergonomic handles. Some may have additional safety features, such as magnification, LED illumination, or a spy hole.
- Battery-powered files: Rather than using a blade, these spinning files are used to gently sand down the edge of your baby’s nails. They’re much like those used by a professional manicurist, but made smaller for safety.
What features should I consider when buying baby nail clippers?
- LED illumination: Shining a light on the subject can make things easier when cutting delicate little nails, helping to avoid accidentally cutting or nicking surrounding skin
- Battery power: Choosing a battery-powered nail file-style clipper can make life easier if your little one is unsure of the regular clipper, or if you just prefer speeding up the process
- Magnification: Baby’s fingers and nails are so tiny that it can make precision trims difficult. Magnification allows you a better look at what you’re doing while you do it
- Emory boards: Baby-sized emory boards are a great addition to their grooming collection, as they can be used to sand down hangnails or rough edges, preventing painful scratches
- ‘Spy’ holes: This square hole is placed on top of the clipper, just above the cutting line, allowing you to see down and make a more precise cut
- Curved edge: Nail clippers that use a large curved edge are not recommended as nails should be cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails. Clippers with a slight curvature are safer
Our picks of the best baby nail clippers
Best for toddlers
Our opinion
File or clipper: Clipper
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: No
Sometimes, basics are best. The Safety 1st Steady Grip (check price on Amazon) offers a standard, curved tip nail clipper with an ergonomic handle that’s easy and safe to use.
It provides a solid grip for more control while making those precise cuts, and your hand won’t cramp up while clipping.
There are no added features, keeping the price low, and the clipper is small enough to be kept comfortably in the diaper bag if desired.
It lasts from birth through to the toddler years and can be used on either fingers or toes.
What we love
- The large ergonomic grip makes precise cutting easier
- It’s compact and will fit easily into a diaper bag
Watch for
- The blades can become dull after repeated use
Best electric baby nail clipper
Our opinion
File or clipper: File
Battery-powered: Yes
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: Yes
Includes spy hole: No
Feeling unsure about using a traditional nail clipper with your baby’s tiny fingers and toes? The electric Fansidi Baby Nail File (check price on Amazon), is an elegant alternative. It works just like a real manicurist’s tool, but the grinding heads are cushioned and won’t damage the baby’s cuticles or nail beds.
This device is whisper-quiet, so won’t startle your little one you may even be able to cut their nails while they sleep! An LED light at the front of the device makes it easier to get the job done, even in a dim room, and the ergonomic handle makes it simple and comfortable to control while using.
What we love
- Cushioned, grinding heads won’t damage baby’s nail beds or cuticles
- Handy LED light makes it easy to file, even in dim rooms
Watch for
- Filing heads may wear out quickly and need replacing
Best with spy hole
Our opinion
File or clipper: Both
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: Yes
Nail clippers with spy holes allow you a closer glimpse of your work, helping you make a more precise cut while trimming your baby’s nails. The trimmers in the Snipper Clipper Grooming Set (check price on Amazon) offer just that, and their overlapping, lightly curved blades create smooth, silent cuts with little resistance.
When you’re finished trimming your baby’s nails, the S-shaped file can be used to sand down those pesky sharp edges, corners, and hangnails in order to prevent scratches. This file is designed to mimic baby’s natural nail contour, making it much easier to use on their small fingers than an adult file.
What we love
- The handy spy hole helps ensure you’re cutting your baby’s nails in the right place
- S-shaped file mimics the natural curve of baby’s nail for easy use
Watch for
- Some parents find the overlapping blade style difficult for cutting
Best with magnifier
Our opinion
File or clipper: Clipper
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: No
If you’re a let-me-grab-my-glasses parent, a little extra confidence when trimming a baby’s delicate nails could go a long way!
The fold-out magnifier included with the First Years Red Cross Deluxe (check price on Amazon) nail clippers does just that, offering 4X magnification that prevents eye strain and enables you to make a precise, first-time cut.
They’re inexpensive, handy, and come with an ergonomic handle that makes it quick and painless to give baby’s nails a quick trim.
What we love
- The fold-out magnifier offers 4X magnification for a closer, more precise cut
- The ergonomic handle makes these clippers easy to grip
Watch for
- The clicking noise is somewhat loud, so it may be harder to use on a sleeping baby or toddler
Best for budget
Our opinion
File or clipper: Clipper
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: Yes
Includes spy hole: No
If you’re looking for a complete nail-grooming set for your baby, but don’t want to break the bank, the Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper Set (check price on Amazon) from Safety 1st will be right up your alley.
These handy, standard clippers have an ergonomic handle for easy use, a curved tip for clean cuts, and even a convenient little LED light to illuminate their nails, giving you a clearer picture of what you’re doing, even if they’re snoozing away in a dark nursery.
A neat little emery board is included, with a slot built into the clipper to store it, so you needn’t worry about keeping the set together.
What we love
- The LED light is perfect for trimming nails if baby is asleep in a dim room
- An emery board is included, and it stores conveniently into a slot on the clipper
Watch for
- The light can be surprisingly bright, which may bother some children
Best baby nail scissors
Our opinion
File or clipper: Clipper/scissors
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: No
If not being able to see both sides of your baby’s nails when trimming them makes you uncomfortable, you might not find a spy hole offers enough of a view.
A baby-sized pair of Nail Scissors from Piyo Piyo (check price on buybuyBABY), will allow you to make a neat cut while maintaining a full view of all you’re doing.
The rounded tip helps to prevent accidental cuts or scratches, and the safety edge keeps the baby’s delicate skin safe. When not in use, they can be stored in their cute duck-themed case, which keeps the blades completely covered.
What we love
- You can see both sides of baby’s nail while trimming for a cleaner cut
- The rounded tip design helps avoid any nicks or scratches
Watch for
- Parents with large hands may find these uncomfortable to use
Best electric baby nail trimmer
Our opinion
File or clipper: File
Battery-powered: Yes
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: No
If you’d rather skip those souped-up clippers in favor of an electric file upgrade that gets the job done quickly and painlessly, the ZoLi BUZZ B (check price on Amazon) is for you.
The battery-powered file can be used from baby’s birth and comes with four cushioned pads with varying degrees of grit. This accommodates your baby’s soft skin and nail beds as they develop, allowing you to increase in stages to file their strengthening fingernails and toenails.
The trimmer comes in a convenient storage case that also houses all the pads, so you won’t have to worry about misplacing them when it’s time to make the switch.
What we love
- The file strength adjusts to four stages to avoid harming baby’s soft skin and nails
- Comes with a convenient case that holds the file and all its heads
Watch for
- Some users find the battery life limited
Best for traveling
Our opinion
When it comes to investing in grooming supplies for babies, we prefer to look for that ‘holy grail’ item that’s good at home, on the go, during the day, at night, and doesn’t demand a backup.
That’s why the Trimö by bblüv (check price on Bed Bath & Beyond) is a winner — it comes with a travel case that keeps the device and its filing heads neatly in place, has an anti-slip grip that helps you safely file their nails, and is whisper-quiet, so it won’t disturb your sleeping baby.
The comfort level is also highly adjustable, with nail-trimming disks that graduate in stages, as well as a two-speed switch that lets you trim your baby’s nails as they prefer.
What we love
- Travel case stores both the trimmer and the heads, and fits neatly into your diaper bag
- Is very quiet, so won’t disturb a sleeping baby
Watch for
- Nails may require trimming with file more often than they would with a standard clipper
Best ergonomic handle
Our opinion
File or clipper: Clipper
Battery-powered: No
Ergonomic handle: Yes
Includes light: No
Includes spy hole: No
If you find that those little pieces of baby gear are the easiest ones to misplace, you’re not alone. It’s why the bright splash of color on the handle of the Rhoost (check price on buybuyBABY) Baby Nail Clipper is a big help — just pull open the drawer, and you’ll be able to spot them right away.
However, the bright, rounded tip isn’t just for show as it also offers a no-slip spot to rest your thumb while trimming. The other side of the handle is made from natural bamboo for a secure, ergonomically sound grip. These little clippers fit neatly into a diaper bag and are budget-friendly, so you might even consider a second set for on the go.
What we love
- The colorful handle makes the clippers easy to find and doubles as a no-slip thumb rest
Watch for
- Some users may find the blades a bit dull
Our top pick is…
Simple, functional, cost-effective grooming tools always win when shopping for your baby — after all, they’re often items he or she will soon outgrow.
The Safety 1st Steady Grip Clippers (check price on Amazon) are easy and comfortable to use, small for storage, and come from a trusted brand dedicated to making products that protect your child.
They’re not packed with special features, though that’s hardly a deal-breaker, as these sharp little clippers make clean cuts with slightly curved blades that fit the natural curve of a baby’s tiny nails.
