The Best Nose Hair Trimmers That Grooming Experts Recommend Time and Time Again

Perhaps it never occurred to you that you might need a nose hair trimmer until this very moment. Fear not—reasonably priced, speedily shipped (thanks, Amazon), simple-to-use options populate this list of best nose hair trimmers. Meaning—whenever you have a general facial hair emergency that calls for rogue hair removal, you need not add an ear hair trimmer or brow trimmer to your cart. You need only think back to this moment and thank your lucky stars for choosing a gadget to cut hair—wherever it may appear.

Similar to other battery-operated razors, hair clippers, or body hair trimmers, nose hair trimmers are ergonomic and designed with durability in mind. You can use many of them on wet or dry hair to trim nose hair, and like other electric razors you may be familiar with, most nose hair trimmers can actually be used for nose & ears (and also as eyebrow trimmers).

To help you keep those unruly nose hairs in check, we’re here with our top recommendations for the best nose hair trimmers—many of which we’ve tested for years to help form our opinions. Keep scrolling for our top picks.

Our Favorite Nose Hair Trimmers

• The Best Nose Hair Trimmer Overall: Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 5000 Series, $20
• The Best Budget Nose Hair Trimmer: Wahl Micro Groomsman, $9
• The Best Vacuum Nose Hair Trimmer: Panasonic Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer with Vacuum System, $45
• The Best Multi-Purpose Nose Hair Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 Series, $90
• The Best Rechargeable Nose Hair Trimmer: Manscaped Weed Whacker 2.0, $40
• The Best Nose Hair Trimmer and Facial Hair Detailer: ConairMan Nose and Ear Trimmer, $17
• The Best Manual Nose Hair Trimmer: Royal Golden Birdie Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer, $18

Jump to: Why You Need a Nose Hair Trimmer | What to Look for in a Nose Hair Trimmer | Tips on Usage | How to Clean a Nose Hair Trimmer | Nose Hair Trimmer FAQs

Best Nose Hair Trimmer Overall: Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 5000 Series

Battery: 1 AA battery (included) | Attachments: Linear head, rotary head, detail trimmer, eyebrow trimming guards | Cleaning: Waterproof and fully washable | Warranty: 3 years

If you’re looking for a quick, pain-free way to get rid of unwanted nose whiskers, Philips Norelco’s Nose Trimmer Series 5000 can absolutely handle that. But this versatile grooming device also covers most hair-detailing needs with precision and gusto. Add in the affordable price, and that’s why it stands as our pick for the best nose hair trimmer, bar none.

The 5000 Series includes three types of trimmers: a linear-style trimmer, plus the rotary and detail attachments. Depending on your preference, you can use either the linear or rotary trimmer for both nose and ear hairs as well as working as an eyebrow trimmer. Personally, I appreciate the size of the cylinder on the rotary trimmer, which is wider than most and is able to capture overgrown hairs better than any other trimmer I tested. The linear trimmer works great at managing eyebrows (thanks to two different guard lengths) and tending to fuzzy ear canals. Perhaps the unsung hero of the kit is the straight-edge detail trimmer, which is more than capable of daily touch-ups. Think sideburns, mustaches, or even edging beards in a pinch.

The 5000 Series is battery-powered, cordless, easy to wash with a rinse in the bathroom sink, and you already know that anything made from Philips Norelco has longevity. If what you’re after is a no-frills device to manage most facial hair needs, consider this trimmer twenty bucks well spent.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: "Awesome price. Dependable brand. It's power and speed for trimming is superb. So many attachments for different trimming needs…It's performance is excellent."

Best Budget Nose Hair Trimmer: Wahl Micro Groomsman

Battery: 1 AAA battery (not included) | Attachments: Rotary and detail heads, eyebrow guide comb | Cleaning: Washable heads only | Warranty: 3 years

True to its name, Wahl’s Micro Groomsman is easily the smallest nose hair trimmer we recommend — but don’t let its diminutive size fool you. This is a perfectly pared-down trimmer that’s great for home use, and even better for travel. Heck, it’s so small you might forget you stashed it in your dopp kit.

The Micro Groomsman offers two interchangeable heads, including a rotary trimmer for nose and ears, and a linear trimmer for detailed work. You can also attach an eyebrow guard to manage any overgrown caterpillars up top. The compact design feels great in the hand, and the stainless steel blades are cinch to clean. Even if you have a primary grooming device you love, we readily recommend the Wahl Micro Groomsman as a go-to backup option or a permanent accessory in your travel kit.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: "Very easy to operate, works fine on eyebrows, nose, and inner and outer ear hair. Even works with an attachment from a previous trimmer."

Best Vacuum Nose Hair Trimmer: Panasonic Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer with Vacuum System

Battery: 2 AAA batteries (not included) | Attachments: Rotary head | Cleaning: Waterproof and fully washable, easy flush vortex cleaning system | Warranty: 2 years

Got a partner who absolutely hates when you leave trimmed hair in the sink? This one’s for you. An upgrade from the standard Panasonic ER-GN30 (shown in the video), this trimmer offers everything you’d want from a dedicated nose hair trimmer, but what sets it apart is a vacuum system that sucks up clippings in an instant. Easy clean-up, yes, but the vacuum system also helps prevent bacteria build-up. We call that a win-win.

Otherwise, this tool is fairly minimal with no fancy attachments. You get a rotary trimmer, and that’s all. Granted, it’s a powerful one that’s able to mow down the coarsest strands. All told, the GN70-K is best for the person who just needs a dependable nose and ear trimmer that will save them from the mess.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: “This nose hair trimmer spins at least twice as fast as the model it replaced. I think that helps it cut without tugging. I have some ‘thick’ nose hairs that it flies right through. Very impressed."

Best Multi-Purpose Trimmer: Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 Series

Battery: Lithium ion rechargeable battery | Attachments: 21 in total, including rotary head and detail trimmer | Cleaning: Waterproof and fully washable | Warranty: 8 years

Nose hair trimmers can be admittedly limited in terms of function. If you’re on the hunt for a device that can handle all your hirsute needs, errant nose hairs included, we'd be remiss not to mention going the route of the multigroomer. And for that, you want Philips Norelco’s 9000 Multigroom 9000 Series.

GQ’s pick for the best beard trimmer, the Multigroom 9000 Series is my all-time favorite grooming device. Why? Largely because of all the hair customization it offers users across from head to toe. The MG9510 is an all-purpose groomer that features 21 tools and accessories in total, including a rotary head trimmer and precision detail trimmer — two heads that come with most nose hair trimmers. Whether beard, body, or nose hair, the Multigroom 9000 Series is a brilliant investment.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: "Very good product. Works very well, easy to use, very effective. Has plenty of accessories for all grooming needs. Battery life is good and easy to charge. Comes in convenient and sturdy case, very convenient for travel."

Best Rechargeable Nose Hair Trimmer: Manscaped Weed Whacker 2.0

Battery: AAA battery (rechargeable battery included), USB-C | Attachments: Rotary head | Cleaning: Waterproof and fully washable | Warranty: 3 months

Manscaped’s rotary nose hair trimmer is straightforward, but it’s worth noting that it much muscle as most beard trimmers. During our testing, the Weed Whacker cut nose hairs with ease. The tool will be a godsend for guys who canals sprout thick bushels of hair.

But what sets this nose hair trimmer a part is the fact it comes with a rechargeable AAA NiMH battery, which will give you a run time of 45 minutes. When you need to top up, all you need to do is plug in the included USB-C charging cable. If your nose hairs call for a dedicated nose hair trimmer with an impressive run time, stick with Manscaped.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: "Great results. Don’t have sticker shock, you get what you pay for and this thing does all it claims to do."

Best Nose Hair Trimmer and Facial Hair Detailer: Conair Man Nose and Ear Trimmer

Battery: AA battery (not included) | Key features: Rotary head, dual detail trimmer and shaver head | Cleaning: Washable heads only | Warranty: 2 years

If you have a beard and your grooming routine requires a more exacting tool, ConairMan’s Nose and Ear Trimmer kit will serve you well. I think of this more as a mustache and beard-line tidier-upper, as opposed to a nose hair trimmer.

The tool has a rotary blade that makes quick work of nostril hairs. But its two-faced trimming and shaving head is its best calling card — you get a straight-edge detailer on one side, and a shaver on the other. If you’re looking for a tool that can truly tend to the lower half of your face, ConairMan offers an excellent package that’ll get the job done.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: "Trims close, never bites, quick to use, and long battery life. Best I've ever used."

Best Manual Nose Hair Trimmer: Royal Golden Birdie Nose and Ear Hair Trimmer

Battery: N/A | Material: Stainless steel, gold plating| Key features: 12 dual-edge rotary blades | Cleaning: Fully washable | Warranty: N/A

If you, ahem, turn your nose at the idea of an electric nose hair trimmer and dealing with batteries, Royal Golden’s manual trimmer is the best we’ve tested. This sturdy manual device uses ultra-thick blades to accommodate for the lack of RPMs. The 12 blades are 1.25-mm dense each, compared to the average of 0.13 mm for most electric options. So, with each squeeze on this anti-allergy stainless steel (gold-plated!) tool, you get enough cutting power to mower through any overgrown nose hairs. It’s a respectable alternative to those motorized options, and one that is high-enough quality to last a lifetime.

What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying: “The trimmer works great. Nice and snappy without any battery. Pinching the handles open and close to turn the blades felt satisfying. The blades are sharp and do well not to catch hairs while moving. Feels very sturdy and is easy to disassemble to clean. Just remove the screw. Great value for what you get. Only con is that it's difficult to get it basically skin shaven. It doesn't really seem like it's built for that. I haven't cut myself with it but I can see the potentially for it so definitely go easy the first few times to get a feel.”

Nose hairs are a natural part of the human body and they actually serve as a defense system. Celebrity groomer Simone, whose clients include Mahershala Ali, Ramy Youssef, and Jason Schwartzman, explains that nose hairs “act as filters and prevent toxins, dust, and other allergens from getting in your body,” adding that just “the way hair on our bodies act as a barrier and protect us from environmental damage, same goes for nose hairs.”

Nose hair trimmers allow you to trim visible hairs without removing too much. The result: Nose hairs remain functional and able to protect your airways, but will refrain from making cameos during a dinner date. That said, you should avoid waxing or plucking hair, which can lead to ingrown hairs and infections. And please, for obvious reasons, do not use pointed scissors.

How We Test Nose Hair Trimmers

We’ve tested over 25 nose hair trimmers for this guide, using them on our noses, ears, and faces. The devices run the gamut of price and type, from electric trimmers and multigroom beard trimmers, to manual nose hair trimmers. For every nose hair trimmer, we take note of general performance, versatility of trimming heads, battery life, washability, and ease of use. With more than a decade of experience testing products and writing about the grooming industry, I’m usually one of the first to receive new devices as they become available. So, I’m always considering which tools deserve accolades—similarly, which ones are worth your money.

While many nose hair trimmers tout motors with serious RPMs and boast about their long battery life, the truth is, you won’t be using it much—maybe once every couple weeks for a mere 5 or 10 seconds. But that’s no excuse to skimp on them, either. Here are a few things to consider:

• Cutting Power and Blades: You should also take into account whether the trimmer has a rotary blade or a liner cutter. Rotary trimmers typically feature a silver cap with openings for the hairs to feed into (where the motor lies waiting). It tends to be faster and more efficient, while linear trimmers are slightly more precise and are best suited for nostril periphery touchups. Both options are great, and many devices offer interchangeable heads for both—but our primary vote is with rotary.
• Ease of Use: Nose hair trimmers aren’t rocket science. So they should be inherently easy. You turn them on, you shove them in the nose, and you hear them snipping away at a few hairs, all in a matter of seconds. Electric trimmers are way easier than manual ones, in terms of precision, ease, and expedience. But manual ones tend to last longer, and nose hair trimming isn’t that hard of a task; so to call manual nose trimmers “difficult” or “inconvenient” would also be a stretch.
• Battery Life: It’s hard to compare battery life from one device to the next, seeing as many take AA and AAA batteries, while others are rechargeable. If battery life is of utmost importance, consider getting the Philips Norelco Multigroom 9000 Series, which is a multipurpose groomer with a swappable nose hair trimmer head. The device is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery.
• Portability: If you plan on stashing one of these in your dopp when you travel, portability should be high on your list of priorities. All the nose hair trimmers in this guide are easy to take along, but for ultimately portability, see our budget pick, the Wahl Micro Groomsman.

To trim your nose hair, simply stick the trimming tip of the device in your nostril and apply a gentle circular motion. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind, according to Simone:

Be gentle: “Do not be over aggressive and damage the inside of your nose,” says Simone.

No need to overdo it: “Just make sure nothing is visible. Having nose hairs is healthy!”

Practice sanitation and cleanliness: “Make sure your tools are cleaned, not clogged with hair, and functioning correctly before inserting into your nose.”

“Some nose hair trimmers are waterproof, so it’s easy to just rinse under water, if you are the sole user, and just let it air dry,” says Simone. If you share the device with somebody else, then it’s going to be all the more important that you disinfect between uses (ideally before and after each trim). “Make sure you have tapped out the hair trapped inside to avoid clogging,” adds Simone. “For a disinfectant, I would use a sterilizing alcohol pad or barber’s disinfectant, and just wipe the tool gently dry.”

The best men’s nose hair trimmer is Philips Norelco’s Nose Trimmer 5000 Series, according to GQ. The powerful device offers dual trimming options (for internal and peripheral nostril hairs) and also functions as a facial hair, eyebrow, and ear hair trimmer.

Whether you are using a rotary head or a linear head, nose hair trimmers are built with a protective guard, which ensures the blade doesn’t come in direct contact with the skin. The protective guard also helps you get a clean cut so the device doesn’t pull or pluck at your nose hairs. Generally speaking, nose hair trimmers do not hurt.

Not only can nose hair trimmers be washed, but it is important to disinfect them between use, first by flushing out stray hair clippings. Let them dry before storing, too, to avoid rust and bacterial proliferation between each use. It’s a good idea to clean the device again before using it, since it is going into your nose, after all.

About Our Expert

Simone (who is professionally mononymous) is a celebrity men’s groomer. Her A-List clients include Mahershala Ali, Ramy Youssef, Jason Schwartzman, John Magaro, and Brandon Perea

About the Author

Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming for GQ since 2016. He also writes about travel. Adam is a Sioux Falls SD native, University of Kansas graduate, former New Yorker, and current expat in Berlin. His favorite season is Oscar Season, his favorite book is Dinner At the Homesick Restaurant, and he is a proud superfan of Survivor.