Babies Gear and Products The Best Baby Nail Clippers to Trim Tiny Nails with Ease By Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 13, 2022 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Sabrina Rojas Weiss Fact checked by Sabrina Rojas Weiss Senior commerce editor Sabrina Rojas Weiss loves to disappear down a rabbit hole for the greater good, whether that means reading medical journals or shopping for rain boots. She’s written and edited for Parents, People, SheKnows, Yahoo, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, MTV News, and more. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell Family / Lecia Landis It’s no secret many parents and caregivers can feel intimidated about cutting their baby’s nails. With the right tool, however, trimming fingernails and toenails will become second nature. Whether you use nail clippers, scissors, or a file, the right tool will make your child’s mani-pedi time go much smoother. Plus, keeping your baby’s nails short helps prevent them from scratching themselves. The FridaBaby NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set is safe for all ages and includes two tools: clippers with a curved blade and an S-shaped nail file. For clippers with a magnifying glass, we recommend the First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper with Magnifier. No matter which tools you use, there are a few things to know before you begin. “The key item to keep in mind when it comes to baby nail clipping is that even if you clip the ‘white’ edge of the nails completely, they are still quite sharp. So, you cannot end the presence of sharp nails, no matter what you do,” says pediatrician Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, of Akron Children’s Hospital. “The point of clipping, then, is to clip away nails that have overgrown—and that means all parents have plenty of time to wait for the nail to grow out before clipping. The longer the nail, the easier the clipping is, and the easier it is to avoid clipping beyond the white margin, which can cause pain and bleeding.” Consider the type of tool you want to use, the size of the tool, and if there are any additional features that might help you, like a light or magnifier. We carefully considered design, size, additional features, type of tools, ease of use, and age recommendations when reviewing products. Here are the best baby nail clippers on the market to help you trim with ease. Our Top Picks Best Overall: FridaBaby NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Magnifying Glass: The First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper With Magnifier at Amazon Jump to Review Best Scissors: Simba Baby Safety Scissors at Amazon Jump to Review Best Electric: Royal Angels Electric Baby Nail Clippers at Amazon Jump to Review Best Set: Petit Collage Baby Nail Kit at Amazon Jump to Review Best Standard: Safety 1st Steady Grip Infant Nail Clipper at Amazon Jump to Review Best With Light: Safety 1st Baby Nail Clipper With LED Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best File: Babygoal Newborn Nail File at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall FridaBaby NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Babylist.com Pros Small hole over blade for easier visibility Curved nail clippers Safe for all ages Cons Clippers bend at an angle Difficult to use left-handed The SnipperClipper Set by FridaBaby earns our top spot because the set includes two specially designed tools to make cutting a baby’s nails easier: clippers and a file. The clippers are designed with a curved blade to help them move smoothly and silently if you’re trimming while your little one sleeps. A peekaboo window over the blade helps you see where you’re cutting more easily than standard clippers, meaning fewer cuts on tiny fingers. Once you’ve trimmed your baby’s nails with the clippers, you can smooth off the edges with the included S-shaped file. Price at time of publication: $13 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Clippers and file | What’s Included: Clippers and file Best With Magnifying Glass The First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper With Magnifier Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Foldaway magnifier Stainless steel blades Ergonomic grip Cons Magnifier can get in the way We think parents and caregivers who struggle to see where to cut their baby’s nails will love the First Years American Red Cross Deluxe Nail Clipper. This baby nail clipper includes a 4x magnifier to help you see tiny fingers and toes up close. When the magnifier isn’t necessary, fold it away for easy storage. The nail clippers feature an ergonomic shape for a secure grip, and are made of BPA-free plastic and stainless steel. You’ll get plenty of use out of them because they’re safe to use on newborns. Price at time of publication: $11 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Clippers | What’s Included: Clippers Best Scissors Simba Baby Safety Scissors Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Rounded tip Thin blade Protective cover Cons Blades are a little short If clippers aren’t your thing, opt for a pair of baby nail scissors. These scissors from Simba feature a short, thin blade to help you cut at any angle with ease, and a rounded tip for extra protection. An included safety cover protects the stainless steel blades when you’re finished trimming. Price at time of publication: $7 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Scissors | What’s Included: Scissors and protective cover Best Electric Royal Angels Electric Baby Nail Clippers Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Soft LED light Interchangeable pads Storage/travel case included Cons Batteries required Works better when tilted at an angle This electric baby nail clipper set from Royal Angels has everything you need to trim the nails of everyone in the family, regardless of age. The set includes one main unit, a travel case, six filing attachments for baby nails, four filing attachments for adults, and eight replacement pads for both babies and the grown-ups. You can use the nail clipper with one hand because just one switch controls the power, speed, and direction settings. Plus, we think parents and caregivers trying to cut a sleeping baby’s nails will appreciate the built-in soft LED light and quiet motor. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Electric file | What’s Included: Electric file, travel case, filing attachment tools, and replacement pads Best Set Petit Collage Baby Nail Kit Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Multiple tools included Stylish storage case included Nonslip handles on tools Cons Only one animal style (fox) Whether you prefer clippers, a nail file, or scissors, this set from Petit Collage has it all for newborns and up. Included in the set is a pair of standard baby scissors, nail clippers, and a nail file. All pieces are kept neatly organized in an adorable fox pouch, so you can take it on the go. The nail clippers, file, and scissors feature nonslip handles to help maintain your grip while you cut your little one’s nails. Buy it for yourself or keep it in mind as a gift for your next baby shower. Price at time of publication: $15 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Scissors, clippers, and file | What’s Included: Scissors, clippers, file, and travel case The Best Baby Gadgets to Make Life with a Newborn A Little Easier Best Standard Safety 1st Steady Grip Infant Nail Clipper Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Riteaid.com Pros Safe for all ages Easy to hold Soft handle Cons Becomes dull over time No light With an extra-large, nonslip grip handle, these baby nail clippers from Safety 1st help keep trimming your baby’s nails simple. The large handle’s texture provides a more comfortable grip for parents and caregivers, making the clippers much easier to use. These clippers are also safe to use on newborns and up, so you can continue to use them throughout toddlerhood. The handle folds away for storage in the diaper bag. Price at time of publication: $13 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Clippers | What’s Included: Clippers The 18 Best Diaper Bag Backpacks of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best With Light Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clipper With LED Light Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Built-in LED light Emery board slot Curved cutting edges Cons Pins holding lever can snap off Light creates bulkiness around cutting edges For trimming squirming babies’ nails in less-than-ideal lighting, these clippers have features parents and caregivers will appreciate, including a built-in LED light to help you see exactly where you’re trimming. The handle has a no-slip material to ensure security while cutting, and there’s even an emery board to finish off any sharp edges. A battery replacement is included, but you shouldn’t need to worry about it for a while thanks to the clipper’s battery-saving auto shut-off feature. Price at time of publication: $16 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Clippers | What’s Included: Clippers and emery board Best File Babygoal Newborn Nail File Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Three files included Files have rounded edges Storage pouch included Cons Takes longer than clipping Thick A nail file is a great alternative to cutting your baby’s nails without the risk of cutting their skin. These nail files from Babygoal come in a three-pack with a variety of color options. Made from float glass, the nail files are smooth and feature rounded edges only. Plus, they come in a washable, reusable pouch for storage and travel. Price at time of publication: $11 Key Specs:Type of Tool: Glass nail file | What’s Included: 3 files The 39 Best Newborn Baby Gifts of 2023 Final Verdict If you’re torn between the different tool options, we recommend checking out the FridaBaby NailFrida The SnipperClipper Set. The set includes a pair of clippers with an unusual, curved design and an S-shaped nail file to smooth sharp edges. For families who want an electric file, we suggest the Royal Angels Electric Baby Nail Clippers. Included in the nail set is everything you need: a trimmer, travel case, file head attachments for all ages, and replacement pads. How We Selected the Best Baby Nail Clippers We chose the best baby nail clippers by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and studying the features of more than 30 products on the market. We considered design, size, features, ease of use, age recommendations, and type of tool when deciding our picks. We consulted with Arthur Lavin, MD, FAAP, pediatrician at Akron Children's Hospital in Ohio, and Mona Amin, DO, a board-certified general pediatrician based in Florida and member of Buybuy Baby’s Parenting Pros, for any considerations and product recommendations. We also reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to trim a baby’s nails. What to Look for in Baby Nail Clippers Type of Tools When it comes to trimming your baby’s nails, you have a few options, Dr. Lavin explains. “There are three methods, but they all involve removing the white margin of the nail to some degree: a simple nail clipper like adults use, a pair of baby nail scissors, [or] a nail file to file down the excess nail,” he says. “This can be done with a simple file or an electronic nail filer that files down the nail very safely.” It may take some trial and error to find what tool works best for your family. A nail file can help keep things under control, while nail clippers or nail scissors can be easier to use in a controlled fashion for cutting. Either way, the best time to trim a baby’s nails is when they’re asleep. Size A baby’s nails are tiny (and adorable), so consider the size of the tool you’ll be using. A tool too big may be harder to use precisely. Instead, opt for nail clippers, scissors, or a file specifically designed for babies. These provide a more secure grip in the hand, giving you more control as you cut those small fingernails and toenails. Additional Features Like many other baby items, there are nail-trimming products with extra bells and whistles to help this tricky process. Additional features on baby nail clippers can include special blades, no-slip material, storage case, a magnifier, LED light, or extra replacement pads. While additional features aren’t an absolute necessity, they can make cutting a baby’s nails easier. Consider whether you can live with or without these features, and if those features may cost you more in the long run. For example, if you opt for an electric nail file, batteries will be an additional cost if the file isn’t rechargeable. Frequently Asked Questions When can I start clipping my baby's nails? Baby nails grow incredibly fast, so many parents and caregivers choose to clip their baby’s nails immediately after birth. Dr. Mona Amin says parents and caregivers can start clipping their baby’s nails early. “This is one of the first hygiene tips when you come home,” she says. “Their nails grow very fast, so you can start this as soon as they come home from the hospital and their nails are long.”However, because each baby is different, some families may find themselves not clipping their little one’s nails for a couple of months.“As to when the first clipping can happen, we recommend simply looking at your baby’s nails and clipping when the white margin is long enough for you to feel comfortable to clip it away," Dr. Lavin says. "Remember: The nail stays sharp no matter how closely you trim, so don’t trim until the nail is long enough for you to be comfortable clipping. This could be right after birth, or not until your baby is 1 or 2 months old. It all depends on how grown-out the nails are at birth.” How do I cut my baby's nails? Cutting your baby’s nails can seem a bit nerve-wracking, but with the right tool, you’ll be able to cut or trim with ease. Dr. Amin recommends checking out nail clippers and electronic baby nail files. “Both are good options. Try cutting them after a bath when the nails are softer and easier to cut,” she explains. “If using a nail clipper, pull back the skin from the nail and clip to reduce the chance of clipping skin. Or, use an electronic nail file to file down the nails.”The first thing you should do, however, is find a comfortable position. You can place your baby in your lap or wait until they fall asleep. Can you use a regular nail clipper on babies? Yes, you can use a regular nail clipper on babies. However, keep in mind that baby nail clippers are small and designed to fit securely in your hand, and regular nail clippers may simply be too big. “[Regular nail clippers] may be too large for their little hands, which is why baby ones are preferred,” says Dr. Amin. Plus, some baby nail clippers have useful additional features, like LED lights and a magnifier, making it much easier to trim your baby’s nails. Why Trust Verywell Family Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself, and cuts her son’s fingernails with clippers before filing with an electric nail file. 3 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Nailing it: how to trim your baby’s fingernails. HealthyChildren.org. Nailing it: how to trim your baby’s fingernails. HealthyChildren.org. Trimming your baby’s nails. Nemours KidsHealth. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit