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You don’t know you need a nose hair trimmer until, all of a sudden, you do. The good news is the best nose hair trimmers are reasonably priced, simple to use, and not to mention moonlight as ear hair trimmers, eyebrow tamers, and general facial hair detailers.
Similar to razors, hair clippers, or body hair trimmers, nose hair trimmers are specifically designed to comfortably mow down hairs in specific areas of the body. A good nose hair trimmer will cut your schnozz fuzz down to a comfortable length, keeping them well out of view while allowing them to do what they’re supposed to do, namely block dust, allergens, and other small particles from passing through your nasal cavities.
To help you keep those unruly nose locks in check, we’ve spent years researching and testing some of the market’s best options. Whether for your nose, ears, eyebrows, or all of the above, here are our picks for the best nose hair trimmers.
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
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. 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 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.
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.
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. Panasonic’s Ear and Nose Hair 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.
Battery: Lithium ion rechargeable battery | Attachments: 21 in total, including rotary head and detail trimmer | Cleaning: Waterproof and fully washable | Warranty: 8 years
By The Editors of GQ
Nose hair trimmers can be admitted by limiting 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
By The Editors of GQ
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.
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:
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:
By The Editors of GQ
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.
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
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