For many parents, cutting your baby’s nails can be one of the scariest jobs, especially the first time. Those little fingers need to be treated with care, which is why only the best baby nail clippers will do. Some products make it easy to snip their tiny nails and can leave them with smooth nails to stop them from scratching their face so easily.
This is only when you buy from a quality brand and when you aren’t sure what to look for, it can be easy to get this wrong. Because of this, we have created a list of the best baby nail clippers so you can cut those minuscule nails with confidence.
Quick Summary of Baby Nail Clippers

Reviews
The First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper with Magnifier
Editor’s Choice
These baby nail clippers have everything you need to make sure you don’t nick your child’s finger whilst cutting as the magnifying glass makes things clear and simple. The stainless steel blades are sharp for an easy snip to complement the 4 x magnification and the clippers themselves are ergonomic to make them more comfortable.
Parents find them easy to use and are fine for even the tiniest of hands so they are great for anything from a newborn baby onwards. The magnifying glass folds away so if your baby is feeling wriggly then you can add to the clarity. Grippy, and easy to use, they are a favorite of many parents for a reason.
- 4 x magnification
- Stainless steel blades
- Ergonomic and easy to hold
- Magnifying glass folds out the way if needed
Piyo Piyo Baby Nail Scissors
Best Scissors
Not everyone likes to use baby nail clippers so if this is you, it might be time to consider this cute product. The design has been carefully thought out to ensure you can safely clip your baby’s nails and includes a rounded tip to ensure no accidents happen.
The handle has a good balance to it and it fits nicely whether you are left or right-handed. The protective cover features the cute duckling design but it also ensures the scissors are safe to take anywhere you please. If your baby is particularly squirmy, scissors can be a little challenging to use but these are some of the best you will find for cutting small fingernails and toes.
- Suitible for left and right-handed use
- Rounded edges makes them safer
- Includes protective cover
- Not every wants to use scissors
NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set by Fridababy
Best With Spy Hole
Labeled as an essential kit, this has everything a new parent needs to ensure their baby has trim nails. The safety spy hole allows you to see exactly where the blade is positioned so there are no mishaps and the risk of nicking young fingers is all but eliminated.
The curved shape clips the nails in the easiest way possible, allowing for a silent motion that doesn’t startle little ones. The S-shaped nail file also makes it easy to get rid of sharp edges on fingers and toes so your baby doesn’t scratch himself. The pack is good value, safe to use, and fine for all ages from newborn to the toddler years.
- Safety spy hole lets you see what you’re doing
- Includes S shaped nail file
- Silent snipping action
- File isn’t as effective on newborn nails
Little Martin’s Drawer Baby Nail Trimmer File with Light
Best With Light
For an electric baby nail trimmer, look no further. Having racked up thousands of positive reviews from happy customers, it is difficult to ignore. It is incredibly quiet and comes with an LED light for accuracy but this also means it can be used at night – one of the best times to do it.
It comes with 3 cushioned sandpaper files to trim little nails, as well as 3 for adult nails. You can flick between speed settings or turn the rotation on or off and has a comfortable feel to it. the device itself is lightweight and only takes 2 x AA batteries to use and is a great alternative to those who don’t like the risk of nicking their baby’s fingers or toes.
- Includes LED
- Whisper-quiet operation
- Comes with 3 different sandpaper files for children
- Takes longer to trim nails than clippers
RHOOST Baby Nail Clipper -Plum
Best Bamboo
Although some of the other baby nail clippers might offer more features, few can rival this product from Rhoost in terms of cuteness. The grippy thumb piece is what makes it so safe, as you get an accurate cut every time. The sides are made of bamboo and shaped like a cradle to make it ergonomic and easy to hold.
This also gives it more room for error and is better for shaky hands where accuracy is key. You’ll get a 100% money-back guarantee which is better than a lot of the competition can offer and the sharp blades make jagged edges less likely.
- Grippy handle
- Made from quality bamboo
- Includes a 100% money-back guarantee
- Other brands are easier to use
Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper (Colors May Vary)
Best For Filing
This is one of the most popular baby nail clippers available and includes a built-in light at the tip to ensure you get the accurate cut that those tiny fingers and toes need. It also means you can cut your baby’s nails at night, which is one of the easiest times to tackle this intricate task.
The plastic catch is great for the discarded nails and although the light requires batteries to work, they last a long time so you won’t be replacing them anytime soon. The handle is soft to touch and has a good length to it to help the user stay accurate. It includes an emery board to help get rid of sharp edges when you are done trimming with these award-winning baby nail clippers.
- Includes an LED light
- Emery board is useful for getting rid of sharp edges
- Soft touch handle
- Can be a little bulky for some people
Baby Nail Clippers Guide
Baby accessories will never go out of favor and whilst a lot of people opt for traditional nail clippers, there is nothing safer than using a product that is tailored towards tiny fingers and toes. The best nail clippers will include added safety features whilst others might just be more comfortable.
Whatever your preference, there are probably added functions available that you weren’t even aware of. To add to that, there are probably lots of sub-par products that you wouldn’t even know were not worth considering. With this in mind, we have created the following buyer’s guide, so you can make a sensible decision that benefits your family.
What To Look For In Baby Nail Clippers
Good Grip
To cut at the opportune moment, you need a baby nail clipper that has a comfortable and grippy handle. When pressing, you don’t want your hand to slip as the slightest movement can result in an accident and lots of tears.
Added Features
This can come in many forms and will usually work to enhance your baby’s safety. Anything that gives the parent a clearer view should be considered beneficial and can come in the form of an LED light that allows you to see clearly and cut in the dark, or a clear view safety hole that gives you a way of making sure you don’t nick their fingertips.
Other useful features include a magnifier and added extras that make up a baby nail clipper kit.
Included Nail File
When you are finished clipping your baby’s nails, they can have sharp edges and when they touch their face they will unknowingly scratch their soft skin. To help ensure this doesn’t happen, a lot of parents give their children mitts to wear but there is more than can be down to help.
Some baby nail clipper brands include nail files so parents can smooth jagged edges and help their young ones avoid scratching themselves.
Lightweight Design
You never know when you might want to clip your baby’s nails so buying a product that you can take anywhere is going to be very useful. Some come with caps to keep the sharp bits away but all products should be compact and fit into any nappy bag or the likes with ease.
Curved Blades
A curved blade will match the natural shape of a nail, big or small which is why many nail clippers are designed in this way. The curve means the cut leaves less of a jagged edge although it is still best to try and file them gently to ensure they do not scratch.
Value
You don’t have to spend a lot to get a quality pair of baby nail clippers so unless you want to buy an electronic device, you aren;t going to be breaking the bank. Still, you want to know that you are getting value which is why you should opt for a reputable brand.
Nost products come with a loyal fanbase which means there are plenty of glowing reviews to hand.
Fun Design
This isn’t for everyone but there are plenty of themed baby nail clippers that are pleasing on the eye. A newborn isn’t going to be fussed but if you want to match the color to their room of favorite toys then it is possible. As your baby gets older it might be more fun to introduce them to a fun character or animal, anything that helps make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Different Types of Baby Nail Clippers
You don’t get loads of choice but whichever you go for, there are some excellent products worth considering.
Standard – These are similar to the ones you have at home but much smaller although the handle might be full size.
Scissors – Technically not nail clippers but a lot of parents still use them because you often get a clear view. This is great when your baby is really young as their nails are so thin.
Electronic – Growing in popularity, electronic baby nail clippers can be effective and safe as they file the nails rather than snip. You’ll often get different attachments that file the nails but you are at the mercy of the batteries. Most of the time, you only need a couple of AA’s and they last a long time.
What Is The Best Time To Cut Baby Nails?
Many experts agree that the best time to cut a baby’s nails is when they are sleeping. This is because the slightest wriggle or jolt can cause an inaccurate clip.
At night, a baby won’t give you such a hard time which is why a lot of products come with an LED light. This improves accuracy and allows you to choose when you want to cut your baby’s nails.
Why Do I Need Baby Nail Clippers?
Every parent uses a different approach so it really is about what makes you feel most comfortable but if you are wondering why it is important to cut a baby’s nails at such a young age then a lot of parents will be able to tell you why.
This is because they’ve all been there – and see their baby unable to control their hands in the same way as a toddler can and scratch their sensitive skin. This is more noticeable on their face but can happen across their little bodies so anything that can help to stop this such as nail clippers is advisable.
How To Trim Baby Nails Safely
Of course, a lot of this will be down to having the best tool for the job but once you have a good baby nail clipper to hand there are a few things to remember.
Firstly, you’ll want to find a comfortable position for cutting. Lying a baby where they can wriggle comes with its own challenges so if you can, try and cut them whilst they sleep. Make sure you are not cutting in dim conditions as low visibility is a cause for an accident. You can always trim your baby’s nails after bathtime where the warmth of the water will soften their nails and makes cutting easier.
With all the above in your mind, you’ll be able to find the perfect product for you and your baby.