The Best Cat Nail Clippers — Reviewed and Ranked

Written by Ashley Haugen
Updated: December 9, 2022
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Cats have a reputation for taking good care of their claws by scratching just about anything they can reach. Occasionally, they may need assistance in caring for their nails and keeping them from growing too long. Sometimes, you might need to care for them yourself in order to preserve your furniture.

A cat nail clipper can be helpful in either case. The purpose of cat nail clippers is exactly as it sounds. They allow your cat to avoid scratching his or her nails until they wear them down. Cats don’t need their nails trimmed on a regular basis, but many people will decide to do it anyway to keep their furniture safe. 

There are, however, different types of cat nail clippers. These tools make the process much less stressful because they are fast and easy to use. In contrast, others are low-quality and don’t cut very well, causing both you and your cat stress. 

You can choose the best cat nail clipper for your feline by checking out the five options below. You need to have a pair of nail clippers on hand at all times if you have a cat, but make sure that the clippers you select are the right ones.

  1. Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers
    • Stainless steel design is durable yet lightweight
    • Sharp edge ensures quick, precise clip every time
    • Comfortable grip
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper
    • Completely affordable and work with any budget
    • Soft, non-slip grip ensures precise clip
    • Reliable and easy-to-use
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder
    • Create a smoother clip with the grinding approach
    • Two speeds and three port sizes to adapt to any size pet
    • Quiet operation and minimal vibration to ensure pet comfort
    Check Chewy
  4. Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers
    • Plier-style design made of solid steel for maximum durability
    • Available in several color options
    • Minimal pressure required to get a clean trim
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  5. Frisco Beginner Grooming Kit
    • A complete grooming set for easy at-home care
    • Includes double-sided brush, slicker brush and flea comb
    • Great set for beginner cat groomers
    Check Chewy

Top Picks: The Best Cat Nails Clippers Today

#1. Best Overall: Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers

There are many high-quality cat nail clippers on the market today, but the Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers stand out among them.

The blades are made of stainless steel, which ensures that they are able to cut hard and fast. As well as being up to 30% thinner than most other clippers on the market, they give you a bit more visibility. In addition to having a better view, you’re less likely to make mistakes, which can make your cat completely wary of the process for a long period of time.

Quick and effortless cuts are made possible by the ultra-sharp edge and cushioned non-slip handles. Cutting with these clippers is much faster and easier because you don’t have to squeeze and squeeze. As a result, you are able to get in and out faster, which reduces the amount of stress you place on your feline. Overall, these cat nail clippers have outstanding reviews. One downside that some customers have noted is the finger holes are somewhat small and aren’t always comfortable to insert your fingers into. 

Pros and Cons of the Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers

ProsCons
A thinner blade allows you to cut nails more precisely.Some customers noted that the finger holes are somewhat small and uncomfortable to insert your fingers into.
The design is durable and lightweight at the same time thanks to the stainless steel design.
A cushioned, non-slip handle makes cutting your cat’s nails easier.
Best Overall
Necoichi Purrcision Cat Nail Clippers
  • Stainless steel design is durable yet lightweight
  • Sharp edge ensures quick, precise clip every time
  • Comfortable grip
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best Budget Nail Clippers: JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper

Consider JW Pet’s Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper if you’re looking for a cat nail clipper that won’t break the bank.

Although the Necoichi clippers are the best, we understand that they are expensive compared to what most people want to spend on cat clippers. Our recommendation if you’re on a budget is the JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper. Due to their extremely low price, these clippers are perfect for those who do not want to spend a lot of money. However, most cat owners will find them suitable since they work quite well. 

Overall, these clippers are designed with practicality in mind. The clippers have a soft, non-slip grip, which allows you to maintain control the entire time. Most hands can comfortably hold the handle since it is ergonomic. Additionally, most cat owners found these clippers to be rather easy to use and quite reliable. There aren’t a lot of extra features, but they do the job. Most of the time, that’s all that matters.

Pros and Cons of the JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper

ProsCons
For those on a budget, this is the best cat nail clipper option.It is not very feature-rich.
Ensures precise clipping with a soft, non-slip grip.
Thanks to the ergonomic design, it fits most hand sizes.
Best Budget
JW Pet Gripsoft Cat Nail Clipper
  • Completely affordable and work with any budget
  • Soft, non-slip grip ensures precise clip
  • Reliable and easy-to-use
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best Nail Grinder: PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

If you’re looking for an innovative way to trim your cat’s nails, PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder is perfect.

A nail grinder differs from a nail clipper in a few ways. Rather than cutting straight through the nail, nail grinders wear the nail down abrasively. Ultimately, this leaves the nail much smoother, making it less likely to leave scratches. Moreover, a nail grinder reduces the risk of cutting nails too short. You can’t go wrong with it. 

You may be interested in the Patpet Steel Grit Cat Nail Grinder if you’re interested in a nail grinder. Designed for home use, it has a fairly straightforward design. Two-speed settings are available, including one specially designed for small pets, such as cats. In addition, it has three different nail ports to accommodate felines of all sizes. 

The grinder makes little noise and produces little vibration, which is especially important for cats who are skittish. Additionally, it has a two-hour charge, which should be enough time to take care of your cat’s nails.  However, some reviewers claim the grinder isn’t powerful enough for dogs with thick, strong nails or for large breeds.

Pros and Cons of the PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder

ProsCons
Two-speed settings are available on this nail grinder.It may not be suitable for large breeds or dogs with thick nails.
There are three port sizes that will accommodate felines of all sizes.
It is quiet and produces barely any vibration, which is great for cats that are more nervous.
Best Nail Grinder
PATPET Steel Grit Dog & Cat Nail Grinder
  • Create a smoother clip with the grinding approach
  • Two speeds and three port sizes to adapt to any size pet
  • Quiet operation and minimal vibration to ensure pet comfort
Check Chewy

4. Best Guillotine-Style Nail Clippers: Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers

With Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers, you can get a smooth cut with a guillotine-style cutter.

There was a time when plier-style nail clippers were the norm. Today, most clippers are more like scissors than clippers. We recommend the Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers if you prefer traditional plier-style nail clippers. Solid steel makes these clippers extremely durable, making them professional quality. 

There are a few different colors available for these clippers. Unlike virtually all other clippers on the market, these clippers make it easy to replace dull blades as needed with the purchase of a kit. 

Additionally, the trimmer applies less pressure than others on the market, allowing your cat to remain calm during the process. Additionally, it prevents the nail from breaking or fragmenting, which can leave the nails extremely rough. As guillotine clippers have no quick-guard safety feature, make small cuts. This style of clipper can catch the nail of a cat, and if the cat pulls away, the nail can be damaged or torn.

Pros and Cons of the Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers

ProsCons
Designed with high-quality solid steel.These clippers do not have a quick-guard safety feature, so you need to be more careful when using them.
A kit can be purchased to replace the blade.
Unlike other trimmers on the market, this one applies less pressure to help keep your cat calm.
Best Guillotine-Style
Resco Original Cat Nail Clippers
  • Plier-style design made of solid steel for maximum durability
  • Available in several color options
  • Minimal pressure required to get a clean trim
Check Chewy Check Amazon

5. Best Grooming Set with Nail Clippers: Frisco Beginner Grooming Kit

You won’t find a more complete grooming kit than the Frisco Beginner Grooming Kit if you want a set of nail clippers with everything else you need.

If you’ve recently adopted a cat, your best option may be to invest in a complete grooming set that includes nail clippers. In many cases, this is a great way to save money and also get everything your cat needs to stay healthy and clean. Especially if you have a long-haired cat, we recommend this option, since you will be brushing them regularly. 

This grooming set comes with one double-sided brush that features rounded pins on one side and flexible bristles on the other, one slicker brush, and a double-sided flea comb. A decent-quality pair of clippers is included as well. All of this should cover everything you need to keep your cat groomed and then some. It is certainly recommended that you only purchase this product if you really need the brushes that come with it. The only downside is the lack of self-cleaning ejectors on any of the tools. If you want to use these tools, it is important to clean them by hand, although it is not difficult.

Pros and Cons of the Frisco Beginner Grooming Kit

ProsCons
This kit contains everything you need to maintain your cat’s grooming.It does not have any self-cleaning mechanisms.
Comes with a pair of good-quality clippers.
The kit comes with a lot of great grooming items at an affordable price.
Best Grooming Set with Nail Clippers
Frisco Beginner Grooming Kit
  • A complete grooming set for easy at-home care
  • Includes double-sided brush, slicker brush and flea comb
  • Great set for beginner cat groomers
Check Chewy

How to Choose the Best Cat Nail Clippers

Having to clip your cat’s nails is stressful enough without their nail clippers adding to the stress. It is therefore important to purchase clippers that ease your life rather than complicate it.  The best cat nail clippers are based on several factors. 

The three main factors to pay attention to when looking for the best pair of cat nail clippers includes: 

  • Cost
  • Durability 
  • Ease of use 

The following section outlines some of these factors in more detail: 

Cost

The price of nail clippers varies greatly. It can cost as little as a few dollars, or as much as $30, depending on the model. Price is often determined by the quality and features of the clippers. The most expensive clippers aren’t always the best, however. 

Despite the fact that more expensive clippers tend to be better, not every cat owner needs the best nail clippers. It can be a bit expensive for regular cat owners to buy the most expensive clippers made for professionals. To avoid spending more than you need on clippers, we recommend choosing something within your budget. You don’t necessarily need the toughest clippers on the market unless you’re trimming the nails of dozens of cats every day.

Durability

Additionally, you don’t want to purchase clippers that will fall apart after a few uses. In the case of nail clippers, durability is more than just the clipper’s ability to function. The blade’s ability to stay sharp is also considered. In most cases, you cannot change the blades on cat nail clippers (although there are exceptions). It is therefore necessary to purchase a new pair of clippers when the blades become dull.

Ease of Use

It’s not a good idea to struggle with the clippers when you’re taking care of your cat’s nails. When fighting with a feisty cat, you need clippers that are straightforward and easy to use. In addition, you want them to feel comfortable in your hands, which will make them easier to use. 

The description of a product is often not sufficient to determine this metric. The fact of the matter is that no company will claim that their clippers are difficult to use. As a result, you’ll have to rely on reviews such as those above to get this information.

The 2 Different Types of Cat Nail Clippers

A cat nail clipper can be divided into two types. It is up to you to decide which type you want to purchase based on your preferences and level of comfort. The difference will likely not be noticeable to your cat, so their input will be less important. 

It is important to note, however, that each type is suited to different situations and preferences. The manual clipper will be what you expect when you buy cat clippers. In other words, this is the traditional option. Although grinders are newer, they are now widely used. Your cat’s nails are vigorously rubbed against a rough material similar to sandpaper, wearing them down rapidly. 

To figure out what type is best for you, let’s take a closer look at each type and the pros and cons associated with them:

  • Manual clippers. — These are straightforward to use and come in a few different styles. They are also not loud. However, it is easier to cut your cat with them and they can leave nails uneven. 
  • Grinder. — They are very easy to use. Leaves a smooth edge and you won’t risk cutting your cat. They do, however, create a bit of noise and don’t have as many options available. 

Up Next…

About the Author

Ashley Haugen is a lifelong animal lover and professional writer and editor. When she's not immersed in A-Z-Animals.com, she can be found hanging out with her dogs and birds.

The Best Cat Nail Clippers — Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is it safe to use nail clippers on a cat?

As long as you use nail clippers correctly, using nail clippers on cats is perfectly safe. It is important not to cut them too short, as this could lead to bleeding and pain. If you cut your pet too deeply, it is a good idea to keep some pet-safe quick-clot powder nearby.

A quick cut should not, however, result in extensive bleeding. The only thing you’ll have to do is clean up the mess.

What type of nail clippers are best for cats?

In general, we recommend choosing the type you feel most comfortable with (not everyone does). Beyond that, there isn’t necessarily a type that is best for all cats.

It is highly recommended to use a grinder whenever possible. However, some cats hate the noise made by these machines and will not allow you to get anywhere near their paws. In contrast, other cats do not seem bothered by it at all.

Ultimately, it’s going to depend on your cat’s preferences and your level of experience. Nail clippers are preferred by those who have previously used them.

Can I clip my cat’s claws myself?

Absolutely. There is nothing wrong with clipping your cat’s claws yourself. The practice of cutting your cat’s nails at home is a wonderful one, as long as you don’t cut too deeply. It is common for your cat’s claws to need trimming more than when they are at the vet or groomer. As a result, doing it yourself is often the most convenient option.

As a result, if you feel uncomfortable doing it yourself, you can always hire a vet or groomer to handle it for you. Many people feel more comfortable if they have a  professional show them how to do it first, which many will do without batting an eye.

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