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We tested and reviewed the best dog nail clippers Credit: Getty Images

The Best Dog Nail Clippers of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

We tested and reviewed the best dog nail clippers Credit: Getty Images

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
Editor's Choice Product image of Epica Pet Nail Clippers
Best Overall

Epica Pet Nail Clippers

Check Price at Amazon

These scissor-style nail clippers combine strength, comfort, and safety features at a very low price. Read More

Pros

  • Especially strong
  • Sturdy
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • May be too powerful for smaller pets
Editor's Choice Product image of Resco Original Guillotine Nail Trimmer
Best Guillotine Style

Resco Original Guillotine Nail Trimmer

Check Price at Chewy

The guillotine style clippers cut quickly and cleanly, making what could otherwise be a stressful, drawn-out job into a two-minute snap. Read More

Pros

  • Fast
  • Efficient
  • Available in multiple sizes

Cons

  • Downward pressure may be uncomfortable for some dogs
Product image of Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer

Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer

Check Price at Amazon

This scissor set was especially comfortable to use and contains that all-important safety stop to prevent cutting into the dog's quick. Read More

Pros

  • Ergonomic
  • Easy to use
  • Includes nail file

Cons

  • Requires some effort with tough nails
Product image of Dremel Pet 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit

Dremel Pet 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit

Check Price at Amazon

The power tool creates an effective claw-cutting experience, but it's confusing to set up, bulky, and very loud. Read More

Pros

  • Professional quality
  • Trims without blades
  • Includes accessories

Cons

  • Takes 2+ hours to charge
  • Loud
  • Assembly required
Product image of Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

Check Price at Amazon

These clippers include reasonably sharp stainless-steel blades, however it was difficult to use and cramped our hands during testing. Read More

Pros

  • Available in multiple sizes
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Uncomfortable to handle
  • Stiff locking mechanisms
  • Best Overall Epica Pet Nail Clippers
  • Best Guillotine Style Resco Original Guillotine Nail Trimmer
  • Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer
  • Dremel Pet 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit
  • Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
  • Millers Forge Dog Nail Clippers
  • Dudi Dog Nail Clippers
  • What to Know About Buying Dog Nail Clippers
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

With the wrong pair of nail clippers, regularly trimming our dog's nails can be stressful. After all, it’s the rare pup that eagerly responds to a claw clip the way we humans might enjoy a relaxing pedicure. Because it requires broaching their tender paws with blades, it makes having a scared and squirmy subject all the more fraught.

That’s why getting the right tool to trim their nails is an absolute necessity—whether that means a super-sharp set of scissors, smooth and efficient guillotine clippers, or a gentle, low-intimidation dog nail grinder, like a Dremel. Plier-type scissors are the most traditional style. And if that’s the variety you choose, you can’t do better than the ultra-durable Epica Professional Nail Clipper (available at Amazon) .

If you’re a new dog owner or are just looking to upgrade all of your pet’s equipment, then it may not be a bad idea to add a great dog collar and dog leash to your dog’s pile of gear as well. Your dog will probably deserve to go out for a walk after cutting his or her nails anyways, right?

After looking at the best nail clippers for dogs, we found that the best ones will cut through even the thickest nails in an instant. A clearly delineated safety guard ensures you don’t nick your dog’s quick—the delicate cluster of nerves and blood vessels that appears as a dark circle just beyond where the pure, nerve-free nail ends.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Epica Dog Nail Clippers
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

The Epica Pet Nail Clipper is our top pick because of its strength.

Best Overall
Epica Pet Nail Clippers

The king of clippers, these simple scissor style clippers don’t look much different compared to similar clippers, but this model manages to surpass them across the board. Their main strength is, well, strength.

Due to this, these clippers have long been our personal preferred pick for our own dog, whose long, black nails are practically impenetrable. The semi-circular sharp blades surround the nail, allowing you to see exactly where you’re cutting, and a quick guard prevents you from going too deep so you won’t have to worry about clipping the quick.

The rubber coated handles are comfortable to hold and squeeze, an easy-to-manipulate safety lock keeps them closed when not in use, and the set comes with a lifetime warranty. Not too shabby for a clipper that only costs $10.

Pros

  • Especially strong

  • Sturdy

  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • May be too powerful for smaller pets

Buy now at Amazon

$24.45 from Walmart
Resco Original Guillotine Nail trimmer
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

If you prefer a guillotine-style trimmer, our best tested is the Resco, which has been an industry leader since 1937.

Best Guillotine Style
Resco Original Guillotine Nail Trimmer

The actual inventor of the guillotine-style clipper, U.S.-based Resco has been in business since 1937. They’ve remained an industry leader since then (often used by vets and groomers), and if any clipper could woo us from our long-term relationship with Epica, it’s this one.

These nail clippers cut so fast and create such clean cuts, our pup barely registered the pressure, making what could otherwise be a stressful, drawn-out job a two-minute snap. Available in multiple sizes (there’s even a specialized option for tiny pets like ferrets and lizards), the clipper is properly proportioned for any job.

A powder coat offers a no-slip grip and added comfort. Replacement blades are available, and Resco also offers a lifetime warranty. No wonder the American company has stood the test of time!

Pros

  • Fast

  • Efficient

  • Available in multiple sizes

Cons

  • Downward pressure may be uncomfortable for some dogs

Buy now at Chewy

Buy now at Amazon

$17.99 from Walmart
Product image of Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer
Boshel Dog Nail Clippers and Trimmer

We found this scissor set especially comfortable to use, thanks to its ergonomic handles that are wide, cushioned, easy to grip, and push together effortlessly with a tension spring.

The Boshel contains that all-important “safety stop,” for preventing you from cutting too far into the quick, and there’s even a cute mini nail file, conveniently tucked into the handle for storage.

Stainless steel blades are reasonably sharp, but might take a bit of effort to get through thicker nails.

Pros

  • Ergonomic

  • Easy to use

  • Includes nail file

Cons

  • Requires some effort with tough nails

Buy now at Amazon

$14.99 from Walmart
Product image of Dremel Pet 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit
Dremel Pet 7760 PawControl Pet Nail Grinding Kit

This highly established power tool company was the first to repurpose their signature item for cutting dog’s nails. And they clearly take that task every bit as seriously as they do heavy duty construction projects.

This kit is no joke. It comes with a variety of sanding drums, bands, and accessories, for swapping in and out for an optimized and effective nail-trimming experience. Which is to say, the grinder isn’t exactly usable straight out of the box. There’s some potentially confusing set-up involved, and you need to charge it for 2.5 hours first.

It’s also quite bulky—which can be uncomfortable for the owner when it comes to extended use—and very loud; so it’s possible your dog could bark at the sound.

Pros

  • Professional quality

  • Trims without blades

  • Includes accessories

Cons

  • Takes 2+ hours to charge

  • Loud

  • Assembly required

Buy now at Amazon

$59.97 from Home Depot

$59.90 from Walmart
Product image of Safari Professional Nail Trimmer
Safari Professional Nail Trimmer

Available in small/medium and medium/large sizes, the Safari can accommodate a range of nail types, and the stainless-steel double blades seem reasonably sharp and durable for such an affordable cutter.

Unfortunately, our hands quickly cramped during use, and we found the various locking mechanisms difficult to use.

Pros

  • Available in multiple sizes

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Uncomfortable to handle

  • Stiff locking mechanisms

Buy now at Amazon

$12.99 from Walmart
Product image of Millers Forge Dog Nail Clippers
Millers Forge Dog Nail Clippers

Recommended by groomers, these heavy duty nail clippers from Millers Forge are a great pick. Made in Italy, the clippers have durable and sharp stainless steel blades. Aside from sharp cutting blades, these clippers also have an adjustable grip for comfort. Unfortunately, they lack a safety guard; so if you’re wary of cutting your dog’s nails yourself, they might not be the best pick.

The built-in safety lock means they won’t accidentally open creating a hazard for you or anyone else, which is a nice feature. The Millers Forge clippers come in multiple sizes, so they can be used for different breeds but aren’t a great choice for small dog breeds.

Reviews say that these nail clippers are great when you need to get the job done fast because they're so sharp and people love the included hand grip.

Pros

  • Built in safety lock

  • Comfortable to use

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Dudi Dog Nail Clippers
Dudi Dog Nail Clippers

When it comes to cutting your dog's nails finding the right nail clippers can make all the difference. These nail clippers are said to be super sharp, which is great for getting the job done quickly and effectively. When it comes to the included nail file, reviewers are mostly unimpressed but considering that most dogs are pretty impatient we don't see that being a deterrent.

At a great price point, it's worth trying these clippers out.

Pros

  • Sharp

  • Easy to use

  • Durable

Cons

  • File is just ok

Buy now at Amazon
Using dog clippers to trim nails.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser

Scissor-style dog nail clippers are the most common type you can buy.

What to Know About Buying Dog Nail Clippers

There are several different types of dog nail trimmers we evaluated for this guide.

Scissors: The most common kind of cutter, these plier-style tools, have steel blades that snip off bits of the nail when the handle is squeezed. Ideally, they also contain a quick stop guard, to keep you from slicing into a nerve.

Grinders: This electric option uses a rotating, emery board type wheel, as opposed to a blade, to gradually grind bits of nail off.

Guillotines: Like the name suggests, these clippers feature a hole that the nail fits through. The handle is squeezed to descend a blade that chops the nail off vertically, as opposed to horizontally.

Since this is a cutting tool, it goes without saying that the blade should be high-quality stainless steel, resistant to dulling, bacteria, and rust; and while special features are nice (such as emery boards tucked into the handle!), safety is of utmost importance. The biggest danger to your dog is accidentally cutting into the nail's quick, so make sure the clipper has a quick guard, as a failsafe against overcutting.

What Type of Clipper Is Best for My Dog?

The most important thing dog owners can do when selecting the right clipper is to make sure it's the right size for the dog. Small clippers won’t stand up to the density of a large dog’s thick nails, while a large clipper may be clumsy and aggressive against the tender nails of small or medium-sized dogs.

Classic scissors can be found in both small and large sizes, and are almost always equipped with quick guards, but if your pet jerks their paw when you’re trying to cut, it could definitely cause you to accidentally cut too much of the nail (or worse!).

A grinder offers a gentle, less abrupt way to both shorten and buff your pet’s nails, although you may have to do some work to acclimate them to the buzzing sound.

A guillotine pet nail clipper is also effective on small dogs or even cats, although animals may be uncomfortable with the rough downward pressure.

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Meet the testers

Sarah Zorn

Sarah Zorn

Contributor

Sarah Zorn is a food writer, cookbook author, and product tester for Reviewed, Wirecutter and the Food Network. She regularly contributes to outlets such as Saveur, Esquire, and Civil Eats, and has very much passed her food obsessions down, as her beloved rescue hound, Rowdy, regularly deglazes his kibble bowl.

See all of Sarah Zorn's reviews
Ceara Perez-Murphy

Ceara Perez-Murphy

Staff Writer

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Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

See all of Ceara Perez-Murphy's reviews

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