The 7 Best Dog Nail Clippers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Safari Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer

$13 At Amazon $13 At Chewy $13 At Walmart

The Safari Professional Nail Trimmer has sharp double blades that meet in the middle providing a clean cut on nails so the experience, which most dogs do not enjoy, is over quickly. Our tester said that because of the sharpness and design of the handle, these trimmers made for a quick, painless experience for both dog and human.

The non-slip handles on the plier-style tool are designed to be comfortable for both left-hand and right-hand dominant use. A tension spring in the middle swiftly pushes the device open after each cut so nails are smooth, reducing the need to file. The clippers are available in two sizes, Small/Medium, which we used to trim the nails of a 60-pound Australian shepherd and a 15-pound Chihuahua, and Medium/Large.

A safety stop guide near the blades is designed to help you avoid cutting into the quick where sensitive nerves are found within the nail. From certain angles, our tester said the safety gauge reduced visibility, but overall it is a useful preventative feature. For dogs with white nails, the quick may be pink and visible, but for dogs with darker-colored nails, the quick can be more difficult to see with the naked eye. When acclimating yourself to nail trimming, always start by trimming a minimal amount and then do a second round if needed.  

For added safety, these sturdy nail clippers lock in the closed position to protect the integrity of the blades and to keep them from accidentally cutting something or someone. They also come with a 60-day guarantee from the manufacturer.

_{Style: Plier | Sizes: Small/medium, medium/large | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 4.7 x 2.6 inches (small/medium); 6.3 x 3.8 inches (medium/large) | Blade Type: Angled}

Best for Small Dogs

Shiny Pet Pet Nail Clippers

$13 At Amazon $26 At Walmart View On Shinypetshop.com

For small dogs (and even cats), the Shiny Pet Nail Clippers are a compact choice available at an affordable price. These scissor-style clippers have angled stainless steel blades that give you the right cutting angle, and their handle has finger holes lined with an anti-slip grip. They have a semi-circular edge that delivers a quick and precise cut, and they’re great for all types of small animals, including puppies and small dog breeds, cats, and even bunnies or hamsters. Our tester, who used these clippers on her cat, said the sharp blade made clean cuts in the nails. The only downside of these clippers is that there’s no spring mechanism, which means you have to manually open them up again after each cut. 

_{Style: Scissor | Breed Size: Small | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless Steel | Dimensions: 3.7 x 2.6 x 0.6 inches | Blade Type: Angled}

Best for Big Dogs

Epica Best Professional Pet Nail Clipper

$14 At Amazon

For pawdicures on large to extra-large dogs, like a Great Dane or Mastiff, the Epica Best Professional Pet Nail Clippers offer durability and dual-bladed sharpness required for a clean cut. Our tester said these clippers are extremely sharp, strong, and easily cut through the nail—without the risk of crushing it.

These spring-loaded plier-style clippers have rubber-coated non-slip handles that make them easy to hold for most and maneuver with control. The stainless steel blades can be locked in the open or closed position and feature a safety stop guide to prevent over-cutting. Our tester loved the open and close mechanism and makes this product stand out amongst other clippers. As with most safety guides on clippers, it can feel as though the marker gets in the way at times, but it is effective in protecting the quick. The size of these clippers is proportional to the size of the dogs they are intended for (over 60 pounds), so if you have small hands, the width of the grip might be uncomfortable.

_{Style: Plier | Sizes: Small/medium, large | Life Stage: All | Material: Stainless steel | Dimensions: 9.5 x 3.7 x 0.8 inches | Blade Type: Angled}

Best Adjustable

Zen Clipper Precise Safer Pet Nail Trimmer

$25 At Amazon $25 At Chewy $28 At Walmart

If you have different-sized dogs in your home (or a cat), the Zen Clipper Precise Safer Nail Trimmer with adjustable blades makes it easy to accommodate a variety of nail sizes. Our tester, who used these on a large dog who is nervous about nail trims, said these are great, sturdy, and easy-to-adjust clippers. To make sure you avoid the sensitive nerve endings in the nail, the opening between the blades can be reduced so it won't fit around the thicker part of a nail where the quick is found. Our tester said the blade grips the claw so it doesn't slip if a dog suddenly pulls their paw back.

The pliers-style nail clippers have slightly curved rubber-coated handles that are easy to grip, helping to maintain a steady hand. This nail-trimming tool is a great option for beginners because it allows you to start small, trimming a minimal amount, as you (and your dog) build confidence.

_{Style: Pliers | Sizes: Regular, junior | Life Stage: Adult | Material: Metal, stainless steel | Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 1 inches inches | Blade Type: Angeled}

Best Guillotine Clippers

Resco Pet Nail Clippers Guillotine

$20 At Amazon $20 At Chewy $20 At Walmart

Guillotine nail clippers allow you to cut through your dog’s nails using less pressure, but the style is difficult to master and we don't recommend it for beginners. If are comfortable using guillotine nail clippers, the Resco Deluxe Dog Nail Clippers are a reliable choice for cutting dog nails quickly and cleanly.

Like all guillotine-style nail clippers, this model from Resco has a hole indicating where to place the nail, and when the handle is squeezed, an internal blade comes up to trim the nail. Our tester noted these clippers were a little intimidating, but once they got the dog's nail in the opening and at the right angle, trimming the nail with the tool was easy. The rubber-coated handle makes it easy to grip and the blades can be replaced, extending the lifetime of the clippers. Our tester noted that keeping the blades clean would be key to prevent any rusting.

_{Style: Guillotine | Size: Medium, large | Life Stage: Adult | Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 5 x 3.5 x 0.5 inches | Blade Type: Guillotine} 

Best Grinder

Dremel Pet Nail Grinding Kit

$59 At Amazon $59 At Chewy $60 At Walmart

The Dremel PawControl Dog Nail Grinder is our top pick for a nail grinder because it's straightforward, easy to use, and the battery lasts nearly three hours. Our tester noted that this grinder is an investment, but if you know your dog tolerates grinding and if you use the grinder every three to four weeks for maintenance, it will be worth the price. The tester tried out this grinder both on its own and to clean up sharp edges after trimming their pet's nails with clippers—the Dremel PawControl excelled at both tasks.

Another excellent feature is the clear cap that goes on top of the rotary, increasing visibility and assisting in keeping the device at the recommended 45-degree angle while shaping a nail. Our tester noted that the tool contains dust really well too, keeping it from flying everywhere and making a mess. The grinder runs on a 4-volt battery that charges via a USB cable, both of which are included. With a full charge, the cordless device has a runtime of close to three hours.

_{Style: Grinder | Size: One size | Life Stage: All | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 8.25 x 2 x 0.75 inches | Blade Type: Rotary}

Also Great

Millers Forge Nail Clipper

$16 At Amazon $13 At Chewy $21 At HorseloverZ.com

The Millers Forge Nail Clippers are simple and budget-friendly, making them ideal for occasional touch-ups at home. These stainless steel clippers have plastic grips on the handle and a spring-loaded cutting mechanism that opens the blade after every cut. For safe storage, the clippers come with a safety lock that keeps the clipper closed and can also be removed if you prefer not to use it. 

These nail clippers come in both medium and large sizes, and so will work for most dogs, though they may not be the best choice for extra-small or extra-large pooches. Their heat-treated stainless steel construction is designed to withstand years of use. During testing, we found that the Millers Forge clippers required more manual force than others, but the spring mechanism loosened over time.

_{Style: Plier | Breed Size: All sizes | Life Stage: Adult | Material: Stainless Steel | Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 0.5 inches | Blade Type: Plier}