The 9 Best Baby Nail Clippers for Stress-Free Nail Care
One of the most tricky tasks for any new parent is trimming baby’s nails. The combination of a squirmy little one, tiny fingers and toes and the fear of drawing blood makes the job seem next to impossible—but it’s not one you can just ignore. (Take it from someone whose 6-week-old scratched a cornea. Ouch.) Thankfully, product designers have created baby nail clippers specifically for teensy nails to put anxious parents at ease. Here, we’ve rounded up the best baby nail clippers in the grooming game, making the job as simple, painless and tear-free as possible—for both you and baby.
When browsing baby nail clippers online or in-store, you’ve probably come across a wide variety of options to choose from. To narrow down your search, keep the following in mind:
- Tool type. Just like adult-sized files and trimmers, infant nail clippers come in all types and sizes—and which you choose is largely up to your preference and comfort level. Some of the tools available include baby nail files, electric trimmers, nail scissors and nail grinders.
- Ease of use. Above all, you’ll want to make sure the baby nail clippers you choose are easy for you to use. This way, you’ll be able to safely and effectively trim your child’s nails. Features like ergonomic handles, safety bumpers and curved cutting edges can help make the process more seamless (and painless) for you both.
- Extra features. If you find it challenging to trim baby’s nails, consider an infant nail clipper with additional features. These could include a magnifying lens or a built-in light so that you can see your child’s nails more easily (especially if you’re trying to do so while they sleep).
Now that you have all the facts, you’re ready to find the best baby nail clippers for your growing family. Here, check out our favorite options on the market, from electric devices to unique files.
Overall best baby nail clippers
A common piece of parenting advice in the nail-trimming department is to do it while baby sleeps. While that solves the challenge of handling a squirming infant, it adds a brand-new hurdle: Being able to see what you’re doing in the dark. This is why these baby nail clippers from Safety 1st have a built-in LED light to guide you while your little one snoozes. Plus, the large ergonomic handle makes for a slip-free grip, so it’s easier for you to get the job done.
Dimensions: 1.1” (L) x 7.6” (W) x 3.6” (H) | Tool type: Clipper
- Curved cutting edges
- Large ergonomic handle and built-in light for added convenience
- Comes with an emery board that can slot into the clippers
- Some parents say it’s a bit bulky
Best electric baby nail trimmer
Want to avoid clippers and scissors altogether? Opt for this high-tech electric baby nail trimmer from ZoLi. The battery-operated tool works by gently filing—rather than cutting—your infant’s nails by using a cushioned, circular pad. The Buzz B comes with four different file pads, each color-coded and designed for specific ages. While it’s not quite as speedy as using baby nail clippers, it’s virtually fool- (and injury-) proof.
Dimensions: 1.8” (L) x 1” (W) 4.5” (H) | Tool type: Electric trimmer file
- Has four attachments to meet your little one’s changing needs
- Multiple power settings
- Comes with a carrying case for simple storage
- Reviewers said there was a bit of a learning curve with this device
- Batteries needed to operate
Best electric baby nail trimmer with light
This infant nail file features all the benefits of the ZoLi Buzz B—and then some. The electric baby nail trimmer files and buffs teeny-tiny nails, but also features an LED light and nearly silent motor (in case you want to work while baby is sleeping). Another bonus? The Little Martin’s Drawer baby nail file isn’t just for babies and toddlers; it also comes with three attachments for adults to give themselves an at-home manicure. In other words, pampering for the whole family!
Dimensions: 1” (L) x 5” (W) x 1.5” (H) | Tool type: Electric trimmer file
- Super quiet motor with four adjustable speeds
- Built-in light for added convenience
- Six attachments for babies, toddlers, kids and adults
- Comes with a carrying case for simple storage
- Batteries needed to operate
Best baby nail file
Up next is a pack that comes with five S-shaped baby nail files, specifically created with small fingers and toes in mind. The unique design helps remove any rough or sharp edges left behind by traditional clippers—or they can be used on their own to smooth tiny nails. The best part? They’re suitable for newborns and toddlers alike, so you can count on these baby nail files for years to come.
Dimensions: 2.5” (L) x 5.3” (H) | Tool type: Nail file
- Comes in a convenient pack of five
- Suitable for newborns, infants and toddlers
- Affordable price point
- Some parents say the files go dull after a few uses
Best baby nail scissors
Prefer baby nail scissors to clippers? Look no further than this sunny yellow option from Simba. They have a thin, short blade that’s simple to use from any angle, as well as rounded tips and a safety cover—so if your little one manages to get a hold of them, you don’t have to worry about any accidents. With all of that in mind (plus, thousands of positive ratings on Amazon, it’s easy to see why this pick is parent-approved.
Dimensions: 3.1” (L) x 6” (H) | Tool type: Scissors
- Short blade, rounded tips and cover for added safety
- Parents love how straightforward they are to use
- Affordable price point
- Small scissor loopholes may not work for adults with large hands
- Some reviewers say they were the material was more durable
Best baby nail buffer
Similar to an electric baby nail trimmer, this buffer from Friday baby is a battery-operated device that comes with several interchangeable file pads. It’s equipped with an LED light for extra precision, day or night—plus, user-friendly buttons that allow you to change speed and direction in no time. And, if you’re a fan of clipping baby’s nails as they snooze, you’ll also love the rattle-free storage case and the whisper-quiet motor.
Dimensions: 2” (L) x 6.6” (H) | Tool type: Electric buffer
- Parents praise it for being quick and easy to use
- Equipped with a built-in light and an ultra-quiet motor
- Has four interchangeable file pads to meet changing needs
- Comes with a rattle-free storage case
- Batteries needed to operate
Best baby nail grinder
If you still haven’t found the best baby nail clippers for your needs, why not consider a nail grinder? This set comes with an electric trimmer (with a handy, built-in light!), as well as six grinding heads for various stages of infancy—and even an option for adults. With the press of a button, you can change the rotation direction 360 degrees to make baby’s nails even smoother. Another cool feature: It automatically stops when too much pressure is applied for added safety.
Dimensions: 5.1” (L) x 1.6” (H) | Tool type: Electric grinder
- Electric device with a convenient built-in light
- Parents love that it’s quick, easy-to-use and safe
- Has six attachments to meet your infant’s changing needs
- Comes with a handy storage case
- Batteries needed to operate
Best wearable baby nail file
We weren’t kidding when we said there are tons of baby nail clippers on the market—including these wearable files for parents. This unique product includes a flexible thimble that can be worn on your thumb, as well as 15 files that easily snap on and off. Then, as you cuddle, breastfeed or even read to baby, you can gently file, thanks to the wearable design. What’s more, this baby nail file comes with a drawstring pouch for simple storage and portability. And, when your little one passes the six-month mark, you can upgrade to this set, which has been specifically designed for older infants.
Dimensions: 5.9” (L) x 5.9” (H) | Tool type: Nail file
- Unique wearable design offers parents a gentle solution
- File pads available in newborn and six month+ sizes
- Comes with a travel-friendly pouch
- Reviewers say they wish the file pads were slightly more abrasive so that they lasted longer
Best baby nail clipper with magnifying glass
Feel like you need a magnifying glass to get a good look at your child’s teeny-tiny nails? These are the best baby nail clippers for the job. They have a magnifier directly attached to improve your view (with four times magnification, to be exact). Other features you’ll appreciate include the ergonomic handle and the curved cutting edges that’ll make the overall process more seamless.
Dimensions: 7.9” (L) x 5.9” (W) x 7.9” (H) | Tool type: Nail clippers
- Detachable magnifying lens for added convenience
- Parents say it’s easy to hold and use
- Affordable price point
- Some say the magnifying lens was helpful at first, but they ended up detaching it in the long run
We know that parenting requires a lot of gear, including a ton of smaller items (like baby nail clippers) that probably skipped your mind while you were prepping for your little one’s arrival. To streamline your shopping experience, we did the bulk of the research for you—this way, you don’t have to spend hours scrolling online. We considered several factors—such as the type of tool, ease of use, durability, value and safety features—when choosing the best baby nail clippers for our roundup. We also read user reviews to understand how these products have worked for real parents and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
