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THE SIGHT OF unruly nose hairs arrive like bankruptcy: gradually, then suddenly. It happens to even the most well-groomed among us: that moment you look in the mirror and notice that one long hair inching its way out of one of your nostrils. It may also manifest as a long, errant ear hair or a single strand standing at attention from an eyebrow. It’s part of being a man that we all start seeing hairs in weird places eventually. The best way to keep these unruly hairs in check is with a nose hair trimmer. Like electric razors and beard trimmers, these devices are specifically designed to cut hairs in hard-to-reach places, and usually come with other bells and whistles, like attachments, lights, and sometimes their own vacuum systems to keep your cut hairs out of the sink.
Sure, you could prune back nasal hair with scissors, but all of the doctors that we talked to recommend a nose hair trimmer instead. Scissors can risk perforating the delicate skin in your nostrils, and waxing can be a bit more painful (and something you definitely don't want to DIY).
Nose hair exists for a reason: to help catch foreign particles before they enter your body through you nasal passage and potentially cause harm like diseases. So it’s ill-advised to completely wax your nose hair. However, long or visible nose hair isn’t doing this job better than the ones you can’t see. So if you’re trimming nose hair, do it regularly and don’t go overboard. Trim only when you start to see hairs peeking out.
Most nose hair trimmers are reasonably affordable and shelling out a ton of money isn’t necessarily going to get you the best one. Think about how often you’ll use it, and if you’re mostly concerned with nose hairs or want to use it for other things, too. Nearly all trimmers are battery operated (always keep fresh batteries on hand), and many come with multiple attachments to help you tackle errant eyebrow hairs and sometimes even detail your beard.
No matter what you’re looking for, this list of the best nose hair trimmers for men is the perfect place to start. Get ready to say goodbye to those long hairs for good.
Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer
This is like the Rolls-Royce of nose hair trimmers: expensive, but top of the line. Almost all of the experts we spoke to for this story recommended Panasonic's multi-purpose gadget. Its ergonomic design means you can use it on your ear, eyebrows, and groin-area, but where it really shines is mowing down your nasal hair.
"The vacuum cleaning system helps prevent bacteria build up and maintain hygiene," says Dr. Jeremy Brauer, a board-certified dermatologist with Spectrum Skin and Laser in New York City. He's tested this nose hair trimmer and recommends it for all his male patients.
The wet/dry feature makes cleaning it a breeze, whether you're using it under the shower or over a sink. Plus our testers said its dual-edge trimmer cuts down nose hair pretty efficiently (lesser trimmers we've tested required an extra 30 seconds to clear as much hair). Plus its vacuum system sucks up those stray hair for less clean up, though testers found that you'll have to remove it from your gadget every four months if you're using it consistently.
Long term results: After six months Panasonic's Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer, we found that it trims our errant nostril hairs as well as it did right out of the box. We did notice that its battery time has decreased slightly after three months of using it, but not enough of a decline to make a huge difference.
Testing Notes: We won’t say this nose hair trimmer is bulky, per se, because nose hair trimmers are by default small appliances, but it is hefty. It sits well in your hand and is easy to hold and grip, which is a surprisingly needed and under-represented feature in the nose hair trimmer world. We also weren’t exaggerating when we said this is the Rolls-Royce of trimmers. It powers through thick and long nose hairs with ease and leaves our nostrils feeling shorn and clean. The vacuum-feature is also a very welcome feature that we didn’t know we needed until we tried it. After all, who really wants to clean up nose hair clippings from their sink? The one thing we will say, is that while you can technically use this in the shower thanks to the wet/dry feature, cutting hair of all kinds is easier when it’s dry - even nose hairs. We advise sticking to using it outside of the shower.
Norelco Nose Trimmer 5000
If you’re looking for an all-in-one trimming option, this Philips Norelco model is pretty hard to beat. Yeah, it doesn't have Panasonic's vacuum feature, but it can still cut nose hair just as effectively, thanks to dual-sided steel blade that chops down strands without any tugging. Testers say it's a massive improvement from Philips Norelco's 1000 model, which has a similar design but duller blade that led to tons of pulling (ouch!).
The biggest feature we noticed while testing was how great it is for sensitive skin, which is especially crucial given that our nostrils is one of the most sensitive areas on our face. Dr. Brauer has tested this as well and recommends it to his patients. "The blades have protective tube technology designed to protect the nostrils from cuts and irritation."
The nose, ear, and eyebrow attachments (with multiple length combs) all work well. Plus the trimmer comes with a nifty attachment for your sideburns.
Long term results: After using it for four months, we can safely say that Philips' Norelco trimmer still trimmed just as efficiently as it did when we first received it. While it comes with several attachments for shaving the rest of your body, we found that they didn't cut as closely as the original blade, so we'd recommend buying a separate body groomer in those instances.
Testing Notes: As a nose hair trimmer, this multifunctional tool delivers on everything you want a nose hair trimmer to be. It cuts with ease, it doesn’t pull or snag your hairs and it doesn’t irritate or nick the inside of your nose. The blades are sharp and fast and the tube housing makes it easy to use. If you’re into things like eyebrow detailing and other small tweaks to your facial hair, the additional attachments may come in handy, but we found that they are a little trickier to use and not as efficient as the nose hair attachment. Thank god for the included pouch, as well, because these attachments are tiny and definitely easy to lose in the bottom of your dopp kit or bathroom drawer. We usually prefer a rechargeable tool, but the replaceable lithium battery is fine and good for travel.
The Weed Whacker
Battery-powered nose trimmers are great, if you don't plan on using it too often. But if you're using one regularly (which we recommend you do given how fast nose hair can grow) then we recommend on a rechargeable option, like this one from Manscaped.
Expect a brand that reinvented the body groomer to deliver the same technology above your neck. This powerful nose and ear hair trimmer contains a 9,000 rpm motor in this tiny package, protected by a hypoallergenic stainless steel cone that protects your delicate skin from getting cut as you trim (that means less pulling and more shaving).
During our first time testing it, we noticed how seamlessly it cut our nasal fur. Even more impressive: it was the quietest trimmer we've tried, which made for an even more pleasant shaving experience. Plus, the tip is angled to allow you to reach even the hardest to reach crevices in your schnoz.
Unlike most of the other nose hair trimmers on this list, it’s rechargeable via USB, so no need to switch out batteries (each charge gets you 90 minutes of trim time).
Long term results: After using it for two months, we've found that Manscape's marquee nose trimmer cut just as close as it did when we first tested it. And we were pleasantly surprised to find that its 90 minute battery life still held up after multiple charges. We can safely say that this was made to last, and a worthy investment to your grooming routine.
Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer Clipper
We get it, building a solid grooming arsenal can get expensive quickly. So if you're looking to trim costs (pun intended) on your grooming gadgets, but still want something that gets the job done, then we recommend Zorani's bestselling trimmer that's less than $14.
Given that it's a top-rated rig on Amazon, we decided to try the Zorami ourselves. Given the price point, we were impressed by its IPX7 waterproof rating and a 6500 RPM motor that slices hair pretty cleanly. While it didn't cut as closely as the Manscaped or Philips Norelco trimmers, it still did a commendable job cleaning our nostrils, only adding a few extra minutes to our shaving time compared to our top-rated trimmers.
What's nice is you can easily pop off the top and rinse under water to clean. Then, after every use, you can snap on the protective top case, a useful feature for keeping your gadget clean while traveling.
The only qualms about this trimmer might be overall durability and lifespan, but for those who don't have a lot of nose hair to battle this is an ideal starter trimmer to go with.
Long term results: After testing Zorami's trimmer for a month, we noticed a decline in cutting ability, and some pulling. But the difference wasn't big enough for most guys to notice.
Testing Notes: When you’re using this trimmer, compared to the others on this list, you can definitely tell it’s an inexpensive version. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, it just means that it doesn’t have a lot of the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive options have. That said, it delivers where it matters - namely, cutting ability. It’s not as fast as some of the others on this list and in some cases doesn’t cut quite as close (those of us with thicker nose hairs noticed that we needed to use it a bit more frequently), but for the average guy with average nose foliage, it does the job and does it well. We do like the pop-off cap cleaning option, which makes cleaning it easy to remember. It’s a simple thing that we appreciate.
Ear, Nose, and Eyebrow Hair Trimmer
Most nose hair trimmers we've tested came in two blade styles: a rotary head or dual blade. What makes Conair stand out is its unique mushroom-shaped cutter head. The tip's lip helps you direct the trimmer up close on the inner edge of your nostrils that's able to reach farther than other trimmers we've tried, making this the closest shaver we've seen so far. That's why we gave it a 2023 Men's Health Grooming Award.
Most people (our editors among them) find this difference to be the world, while others are simply happy with a regular rotary trimmer end design. If you ask us, it ultimately comes down to how your nose hair grows and how frequent you need to trim it.
Other standout features were Conair's ergonomic design, with a texturized body that provided extra grip, and a slim profile that easily fit inside our dopp kits, making this great for travel. While the Conair comes with three attachments for body and beard trimming, we found they didn't cut as closely as its nose hair trimmer.
Long term results: Five editors tested Conair's nose hair trimmers, and two of them have been consistently using them for the past three months. Our testers love its super close cut, which held up even after five months of using it. Though they did find that the Conair's motor got slightly louder the longer they used it.
Testing Notes: First of all, let’s forget the other attachments. We found them to be good to have if you need them, but not nearly as effective as the hero - the nose hair trimmer. The unique mushroom-shaped head is a welcome innovation to the nose hair trimming world in that it allows the trimmer to reach areas within your nostril that other more traditionally-shaped heads can’t. For instance, one tester said regular trimmers always miss hair right on the lip of his nostril - this one didn’t. That alone was enough for us to give this top marks in our testing process.
3.75" Premium Nose Hair Scissors
Yeah yeah, we said that we recommend sticking to nose hair trimmers for every day use, but sometimes your nose hair trimmer just can't seem to get that last pesky hair. For that, a quality pair of nose hair scissors can make the final cuts.
Of all the scissors we've tried and snipped with, LIVINGO's bestseller made the cut given its curved blade and rounded tip that provided a precise cut, while still being safe to use (no poking!). Do we recommend using this every time? No, but in instances when your trimmer can't reach certain nose hairs, these scissors come in handy. One Grooming Awards tester send said, "It's a must have in every guy's dopp kit.
Long term results: While we don't use it as frequently as our other trimmers, LIVINGO's scissors cut as sharply and as cleanly as it first did when we initially tested it. Plus we were skeptical of the brand's "rust resistant" claims, but we found that really held up, even after running it under our sink multiple times.
Testing Notes: Sure, theoretically you can use these scissors to trim all your nose hairs, especially if you don’t really have that many, but they’re really best for detail work, like snipping single errant hairs as needed. Our biggest advice: be careful. They’re still scissors and even though they’re designed for your nostrils, they can still really cut you. Take it slow and get close to the mirror to make sure you’re cutting just the hair you want.
Other Good Nose Hair Trimmers
We first tested Wahl's nose hair trimmer, then tried it again comparing it to Panasonic's rig, and while it didn't cut as closely or efficiently, its rotary head still did a decent job clearing nostril hairs (plus at $18, it's pretty affordable).
If portability is your biggest concern, then Wahl's pen-sized trimmer is your best bet. It fits easily into your gym bag and dopp kit, and its motor is a decent detailer for your nostrils, sideburns or beard.
Manual trimmers don't cut nowhere near as closely or efficiently as their electric counterparts, but they're easier to maintain (no charging or battery swapping). Tweezerman's manual trimmer does a decent job mowing. Squeezing the levers rotates the blade to trim hairs slowly, but with less potential irritation. Plus its ultra compact design makes it great for traveling.
Do I Really Need To Trim My Nose Hair?
LIke most grooming questions, this really boils down to a personal choice. That said, most people prefer not to have long nose hairs peeking out of their nose, so if you feel like your hairs are too long or unsightly, bust out the trimmer to trim them down. Nose hairs don’t really serve a purpose, though it’s thought that they evolved to help keep larger debris out of our noses and respiratory system. Other than that, there is no medical reason to trim your nose hairs—it’s just a cosmetic thing. One disclaimer on the medical point: plucking or waxing nose hairs does run the risk of an infection of the hair follicle, so if you’re removing nose hairs, it’s better to use a trimmer.
Why Trust Us?
For the past five years, Men's Health has dedicated itself to discovering and recommending the best grooming products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Men's Health grooming has been featured on national news outlets like The TODAY Show and Good Morning America, showcasing the latest new grooming products for men and presenting why we love the brands we select.
Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing grooming section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Grooming Awards package where we break down the best new products for men—ranging everywhere from skincare to shaving. Our Grooming Editor, Garrett Munce, has been testing nose hair trimmers for the past decade, when they first shot to popularity, so he absolutely knows what he's talking about.
What to Look for
Finding the right nose hair trimmer for you can be a fool's errand, and can require testing a bunch of different products. In general, though, this is what to look out for.
Blade Quality
First and foremost, you want a nose hair trimmer to do its job quickly and safely. "Look for small blades that do not cut nostrils," says Dr. Brauer. "Avoid any materials that can cause infections, and look for quality blades without texture, since those can damage nostrils. If you have sensitive skin, look for hypoallergenic materials." Based on our testing, we found that Conair's trimmer offered the closest shave.
Comfort
Getting hard-to-reach areas requires a nose hair trimmer with an ergonomic build. Look for ones that have a textured or rubberized body to provide extra grip, which can be found in Manscaped's Weed Whacker.
Battery Life
With electric nose hair trimmers, a long battery life means you can spend less time charging or replacing batteries, and more time trimming. Of the trimmers we tested, Manscaped's Weed Whacker had the longest battery life on a full charge.
Wet/Dry Shaving
Given that you'll probably using your nose hair trimmer next to running water, we recommend finding a gadget that can be used for dry or wet shaving. Panasonic, Philips Norelco, and Manscaped all have this feature so you can trim your nose hair in the shower.
"Look for one that can preferably cut hair in wet or dry conditions so you can use it after washing your face," says Eric Becker, a groomer at Blind Barber in Philadelphia. "Also, the motors tend to be a little stronger if they can cut wet as well."
Extra Features
You don't need a whole lot of bells and whistles in a nose hair trimmer, but one feature that we found actually useful were vacuums that sucked up errant hairs for easier cleanups. Panasonic's trimmer had the best vacuum feature, and we had to clean the gadget after every four months.
How Much Should You Spend on a Nose Hair Trimmer?
You should not be spending a fortune on a nose hair trimmer. After testing a bunch of them and consulting with dermatologists and barbers, we all came to the same conclusion. "I'd say don't spend more than $50 no matter what," says Becker.
Panasonic's nose hair trimmer was the most expensive on our list, just under $50, but we found that its premium build and vacuum feature justified its heftier price tag. But for the most part, you can get a pretty decent nose hair trimmer around $20.
How to Use a Nose Hair Trimmer
You might be nervous shoving a trimmer up your nose at first, but rest assured, the best nose hair trimmers are designed to be painless. Rotary blades are the most popular and are usually hidden in a cylindrical casing to avoid cuts and snags (nothing is more painful than a razor nick inside your nose).
Gently insert the trimmer into one nostril, turn it on, and twist the device around to get all the hairs you can. Never try to insert it deep into your nose—keep it shallow! You’ll usually be able to hear the hairs being cut, so once you feel like you’ve got them all, repeat on the next side.
Another blade you will sometimes see is a slide cutter. These are more suitable for trimming sideburns and neck hair (which is why they are typically an added accessory piece) however, if you've got really long nose or ear hairs you can gently trim those down with the slide cutter before swapping back to your rotary attachment.
Do Nose Hair Trimmers Hurt?
Even if you have really long or thick nostril hairs, using a nose hair trimmer won’t hurt. The blades aren’t shaving the hairs down to the skin—they’re just cutting them to a length so they won’t stick out of your nose.
Think of it the same as getting a haircut.
Are Nose Hair Trimmers Just for Nose Hair?
Even with their relatively low price, it can be hard to justify a tool for such a specific issue. Luckily, you can use a nose hair trimmer in some other places.
Even the simplest ones are good for ear hair and trimming especially long eyebrow hairs. Some other trimmers also come with interchangeable attachments to help shape facial hair and trim mustaches, beards, and sometimes body hair. Still, others are full-on clippers with a nose hair trimmer attachment.
Choose one depending on where you want to use it, but don’t try to go rogue. Stick to what the trimmer and attachments are designed for.
How We Selected
For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's Grooming editors and writers on the top grooming products for men. Experts, including our Grooming Editor Garrett Munce, put a number of nose hair trimmers to the test and evaluated their effectiveness, safety, and value. We also considered top-reviewed nose hair trimmers that had high customer ratings on e-commerce websites we trust.
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