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
Panasonic
Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer with Vacuum System ER-GN70K
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No stray hairs on your sink ledge
- Fabulous power
Cons
- One of the more expensive options (especially considering it is a standalone nose hair trimmer)
Reviewed by Adam Hurly, Video by Adam Hurly
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
Philips Norelco
Multigroom 9000 Series
Pros
- Has all the bells and whistles you need for head-to-toe grooming
- Superb muscle and durability
- Endlessly long battery life
Cons
- Lots of moving parts makes it easy to lose an attachment or leave one behind accidentally
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
MANSCAPED
Weed Whacker 2.0
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Includes rechargeable battery with USB-C port
- Powerful clip
Cons
- Expensive and bulky for a dedicated nose hair trimmer
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
ConairMan
Nose and Ear Trimmer
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to snip singular stray hairs
- Rotary head is better suited to trimming ear and eyebrow hairs compared to traditional capped rotary heads
Cons
- Awkward trimmer attachment design (albeit functional!)
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.”
More Nose Hair Trimmers We Love
Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer Clipper
This ultra-affordable nose hair trimmer has a nearly five-star average from a whopping 77,000 ratings on Amazon—and a sterling endorsement from Ian Burke, one of GQ's senior commerce editors. “My girlfriend got me this as a sort of gag gift last Christmas,” he says. “I guess she got sick of watching me rip them out one by one on the couch. It honestly turned out to be one of my favorite gifts, and over a year later, this thing still works great—and I haven't had to change the battery a single time.”
Royal
Birdie Manual Nose Hair Trimmer
If you're looking for an old-school approach that never needs a charge and easily fits in your dopp kit, you can't go wrong with a manual trimmer. Plus, it's got a "cool" factor—something we never thought we'd say about a nose hair trimmer.
Remington
Virtually Indestructible Nose, Ear, & Brow Trimmer
Is it the sleekest trimmer? Negative. Will is outlast you? Probably—and for just 17 bucks on Amazon, it's a value pick we couldn't help but mention.
Wahl
Precision Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer for Men
Wahl is one of the top grooming electrical brands in the game, and this model has fully washable blades that make rinsing out your trimmer a snap.
What to Look For in a Nose Hair Trimmer
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.
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.
Nose Hair Trimmer FAQ
What is the best nose hair trimmer?
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.
Can a nose hair trimmer cut you?
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.
Can you wash nose trimmers?
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.
Do you need a nose hair trimmer?
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.”
How do you use a nose hair trimmer?
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.”
How do I clean my nose hair trimmer?
“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.”
About Our Experts
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.
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.
