It's not glamorous, but a nose hair trimmer is one grooming gadget that's guaranteed to get a lot of use. Many modern models come with attachments for tackling ears, eyebrows and facial hair as well as nostrils, which is what we call money well spent.
If you’re not sure how to hunt down the right device for you or the man in your life, fear not. The Good Housekeeping Institute recruited a panel of over 160 men to help our expert testers find the best nose hair trimmers you can buy. These were their nine top-scorers:
- Joint best nose hair trimmer: Liberex Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer Clipper
- Joint best nose hair trimmer: Panasonic ER-GN30 Wet and Dry Electric Nose, Ear and Facial Hair Trimmer for Men
- Joint best nose hair trimmer/ quietest: Manscaped WEED WHACKER
- Joint best nose hair trimmer/ best for speed: Remington Nose & Ear Trimmer NE3850
- Best budget nose hair trimmer: Superdrug Men’s Nose Hair Trimmers
- Best nose hair trimmer for ease of use: JML Microtouch Titanium Max
- Best nose hair trimmer for travel: Boots Nose & Ear Trimmer
- Best multipurpose nose hair trimmer: Wilkinson Sword electric trimmer
- Best nose hair trimmer for precision: Philips S5000 nose trimmer NT5650/16
Is it safe to use a nose trimmer?
Yes! In fact, it’s the safest option for removing nose hair. Cutting it with scissors or plucking stragglers out with tweezers can cause injuries and ingrown hairs. Nose hair trimmers, meanwhile, are typically designed with a rounded end to minimise the risks of nicks. They manage to grab every hair without getting too close to the delicate nostril skin.
Does a nose trimmer permanently remove hair?
In short, no. Nose trimmers work like beard trimmers, meaning the results should last a while before regrowth begins to show. Laser hair removal is the only permanent option, but it can damage the nasal cavity.
How do I choose a nose hair trimmer?
Nose hair trimmers aren't particularly expensive when you remember that many male grooming electricals can set you back over £100. The models on our list start from as little as £4.99, making them refreshingly affordable. Some pricier options come with eyebrow and precision comb attachments, so consider whether you'd use these before parting with more cash.
They also come in a range of shapes and sizes. Usually, the nozzle will be rounded (minimising the risk of too much damage) but some are angled and more of a rectangular shape to allow for a more precise trim. Beginners are better off opting for the former style.
Lastly, consider whether your chosen nose hair trimmer can be used wet or dry. Some are 100% waterproof – meaning you can trim in the shower to cut down on time – while others can only be used on dry skin and hair.
How we test
Our 163 male testers put a range of nose hair trimmers through their paces to find the best option on the market right now. They judged how easily, quickly and effectively each model trimmed their nose hair, as well as trialling any attachments on their ears, eyebrows and facial hair. They told us if they experienced any discomfort and considered how simple each gadget would be to clean and store.
Back at the Good Housekeeping Institute, we used a noise meter to assess the volume of each trimmer during use, with results ranging from fairly loud to quiet.
1
Joint best nose hair trimmer
Liberex Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer Clipper
Score: 83/100
Made of high-quality stainless steel and featuring a built-inLED light, our testers voted this model their winner. Not only were 86% impressed by how easily it managed to cut through nose hair, but 93%didn’t experience any painful tugging while it worked its stylingmagic.
Everybody found it easy to control and straightforward to use, with the entire panel alsoagreeing that it wasan excellent ear hair trimmer.The end result? Unanimous satisfactionwith how their nostrils and ears looked after grooming.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: No
Can be used on: Nose, ears, eyebrows, beard and face
Extras: None
2
Joint best nose hair trimmer
Panasonic ER-GN30 Wet and Dry Electric Nose, Ear and Facial Hair Trimmer
Now 33% Off
Score: 83/100
Designed to tackle eyebrows, nose and ears, this showerproof trimmer aims to catch hairs as short as 0.5mm. How did it fare? Our testers liked its “sleek and professional” design and all agreed that it did a perfect job of tidying up their appearance, cutting their nose hair cleanly and in a pain-free manner.
The angled head comfortably fitted inside their nostrils and didn't take long to finish the job. It also managed to score three out of five in our lab test, meaning it was fairly quiet during use.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: Yes
Can be used on: Nose, ears and eyebrows
Extras: Protective cap and cleaning brush
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Score: 83/100
Thepriciest trimmer on our listis also the quietest, scoring full marks in our noise-based lab test. It’s waterproof, lasts for 90 minutes on afull charge and is angled by designto give you the best possible shave.
Our testers allsaid it fit their nostrils perfectly.They found it lightweight and easy to control (making it a smart choice for beginners) and thought it deliveredexcellent results, leaving 85% satisfied with the overall trimmingexperience.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: Yes
Can be used on: Nose and ears
Extras: USB charging cable and cleaning brush
4
Joint best nose hair trimmer/ Best for speed
Remington Nose & Ear Trimmer NE3850
Score: 83/100
Taming nose, ears and eyebrow hair to perfection, this do-it-all trimmer won’t leave any stragglers behind. Our panel were impressed by its effective performance, with 85% happy with how quickly it got the job done and 92% pleased with how easily it cut their hair, meaning they didn't have to keep going over the same patch. Note that it can be used on both wet and dry skin, should you prefer an in-shower trim.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: Yes
Can be used on: Nose, ears and eyebrows
Extras: AA battery and protective cap
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5
Best budget nose hair trimmer
Superdrug Men's Nose Hair Trimmers
Score: 81/100
Let’s face it, a nose hair trimmer doesn't need to be fancy so long as it does what you need it to do, and quickly. Happily, this option ticks that box at the bargain price of less than £5. Despite its entry-level price point, it delivered a solid performance, with all our testers finding it easy to control and pain-free to use.
It doesn’t come with many extras but 93% of our panel were happy with the final look of their nostrils, proving you needn't spend a fortune to enjoy an effective grooming tool.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: No
Can be used on: Nose and ear
Extras: AA battery and protective cap
6
Best nose hair trimmer for ease of use
JML Microtouch Titanium Max
Score: 81/100
Claiming to leave no hair left untrimmed, this slick device features an inbuilt LED light to show up every follicle. It wasn’t the quietest, but the quality of its shave impressed our panel so much that every tester plans to continue using it.
No one had a problem changing the attachments and 92% loved how premium it felt to hold and use, partly thanks to its rubber grip. One tester even described it as “the best nose trimmer [they] have ever used”, which pretty much sums it up.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: No
Can be used on: Nose and ears
Extras: AA battery, cleaning brush, cap and comb attachment
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Score: 80/100
Our panel found Boots’ wallet-friendly own-brand model both compact and comfortable to use, with 80% agreeing that it didn’t cause any nicks or cuts.
They appreciated the inbuilt light, which helped illuminate any missed hairs, and 93% were left happy with how their nostrils looked after a speedy trim. They found it lightweight to hold, making it an ideal wash bag addition for a business trip.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: No
Can be used on: Nose and ears
Extras: AA battery and trimmer cap
8
Best multipurpose nose hair trimmer
Wilkinson Sword Electric Trimmer
Now 25% Off
Score: 75/100
Including three precision comb attachments, this grooming set is sure to keep any man looking sharp. It doubles up as a beard trimmer to help style facial hair and tidy-up sideburns, meaning you’re really getting your money's worth.
Our testers appreciated its multi-functionality and rechargeable battery. They found it effective at neatening up their ears, eyebrows and moustaches, with all saying it produced a fantastic shave and 82% left satisfied with the final look of their nostrils.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: Yes
Can be used on: Nose, ears, beard and face
Extras: Three trimming combs, blade, USB charger, cleaning brush
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9
Best nose hair trimmer for precision
Philips S5000 nose trimmer NT5650/16
Score: 70/100
Perfectionists, this one's for you. The ideal kit for achieving an A-list look, it includes two precision combs and a shaping attachment for neatening out the edges of facial hair.
Our testers liked the luxe design and, when it came to cutting nose hair, 92% agreed that it didn’t cause any irritating tugging or pulling. It proved easy to control and fairly quiet in use, with the majority of the panel left happy with the final outcome of their shave.
Key specifications
Type: Electric
Wet and dry: Yes
Can be used on: Nose, ears and eyebrows
Extras: AA battery, travel pouch, detail trimmer, comb, eyebrow comb, 3mm and 5mm precision comb
Charlotte Bitmead
Former Senior Beauty Writer
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
