What is the best nose hair trimmer? I found it was time to invest in a good trimmer and I spent the past year (and over US $150) trying different ear/nose/brow trimmers.
NOTE: Amazon links for convenience (and are affiliate) but you should be able to find many of these products (or their equivalent) locally.
Bottom Line: Recommendations
The best nose hair trimmer depends on your needs. For me, the Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 3000 ($12) is my go-to tool as the best nose hair trimmer — that is also an excellent option for trimming ears and eyebrows too. The AsonTao Professional Grooming Scissors ($6) as the best nose hair trimmer based solely on price. I think the Micro Touch Max hair trimmer ($10) is the best ear hair trimmer on this list. Read on for the full discussion!
Top Ear And Nose Hair Trimmers I Have Used
Hairs in the ear and nose are notoriously difficult to reach, but with the proper trimmer, the job becomes easier. But with so many nose and ear hair trimmers on the market, the task becomes daunting.
Buying a good trimmer can be tricky, as there’s no one-size-fits-all. Depending on your needs, one trimmer may be better than another. I tried a number of nose and ear trimmers on the market. Based on factors such as ease of handling, ergonomic design, safety, and affordability, here are some of the better trimmers I’ve come across.
AsonTao Professional Grooming Scissors
This AsonTao Professional Grooming Scissors ($6) is my go-to tool as my best nose hair trimmer based on price. It’s simple, cheap, and the rounded end makes it less likely that I will accidentally poke myself in the nasal cavity. I also use it to trim unruly eyebrows by using it with a simple fine tooth pocket comb.
Over 2000 ratings on Amazon with an 83% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Good Quality
- Durable
- Good Value for Money
- Rounded tip
Cons
- Might not be suitable for smaller hands & Fingertip grip users
Wahl Lithium Two-in-One Pen Detail Trimmer – Model 5643-200
I think the Wahl Lithium Two-in-One Pen Detail Trimmer Model 5643-200 ($18) is a surprisingly useful little tool. While it has its limitations, it can be a good alternative to the other trimmers in this list and a neat little addition to your grooming kit.
First, it’s cordless, using a single AAA alkaline battery. Second, it has two heads, linear (with eyebrow guide) and rotary, for different tasks. Third, it’s small.
Battery life was better than I expected out of a AAA battery, about 15 minutes total for me.
Over 12,000 ratings on Amazon, with a 77% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Very compact
- Linear and rotary heads
- Comfortable grip
- Quiet and vibration-free
- Precision cutting
Cons
- AAA battery which limits battery life
- No lock-off switch
Micro Touch MAX Hair Trimmer
Don’t be fooled by the mundane name and the “as seen on TV” reputation; the Micro Touch Max hair trimmer ($10) works pretty well for me, especially for its price point. The metal and plastic make the device sturdy, while the rubber feels soft to the touch. The trimmer is equipped with a soft cutting comb, which moves freely along the base. The linear style head is sharp, and did its job without fuss. I find linear cut trimmers a little more versatile than rotary-head trimmers for ears/nose. In fact, I find the Micro Touch Max is the best ear hair trimmer for me.
Like many other trimmers the Micro Touch MAX uses 1 AA alkaline battery. The battery did not last as long for me as other trimmers though…maybe 20 minutes total.
Over 25,000 ratings on Amazon with an 82% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Ergonomic
- Light weight
Cons
- Short battery life
- Not ideal for longer hair
Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 3000
I think the Philips Norelco Nose Trimmer 3000 (NT3600/62, $13) is the best nose hair trimmer that is also a good overall option for trimming the ears and eyebrows. It has both linear and rotary trimmer attachments for trimming the nose, ear, and eyebrows (includes two eyebrow guides). It uses a lithium battery for up to about 30 minutes of continuous use in my experience. Rinses easily under tap water.
There are over 18,000 ratings with an 80% positive sentiment on Amazon.
Pros
- Linear and rotary heads
- Comfortable to hold onto
- Accepts Lithium or alkaline batteries
- Lightweight
- Quick to trim
Cons
- A bit large for what it does; not pocket-sized
- Not ideal for smaller hands & fingertip grip
- Not ideal for nose-sensitive users
ConairMan Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer for Men
The ConairMan Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer for Men ($20) is a cordless rotary head trimmer that is good for trimming nose hair and the inside of the ear (I think this is an excellent nose hair trimmer but I don’t think it is as well suited for eyebrows or ear lobes). It has a beveled blade system for easier trimming without pulling. The ConairMan is also cordless, powered by 1 AA Lithium battery. I could get over 60 minutes of use before needing a new battery.
There is also a version with a detailer and shaver attachment (same link).
Over 28,000 ratings with an 85% positive sentiment on Amazon.
Pros
- Cordless
- 60 minutes of cordless trimming per charge
- Comfortable, non-slip grip
- Lightweight, durable
Cons
- Battery not rechargeable
- Relatively large
- Expensive for its functionality (no linear head)
- No safety lock
Panasonic Wet/Dry Men’s Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer ER-GN30-H
Panasonic’s Men’s Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer ER-GN30-H ($18) is convenient to use wet or dry. Like the ConAirMan unit above it is a rotary-only head. The waterproof body makes cleaning easy, and its vortex cleaning system draws in faucet water and spins it through the trimmer head. It is also powered by a single AA alkaline battery which gave me 60+ minutes of use.
Over 12,000 ratings on Amazon with an 86% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Super easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons
- No linear head
Panasonic Wet/Dry Ear and Nose Hair Trimmer for Men with Vacuum Cleaning System – ER430K
OK, so I purchased the Panasonic ER430K ear and nose hair trimmer ($24) on an impulse because it has a “vacuum cleaning system.” It has a rounded ergonomic design, making it comfortable to grip and use in the shower, although it’s a bit heavier than the other models I tested.
It has a vacuum system that collects the cut hair for less mess while trimming–but frankly I’m not sure it’s worth the extra effort…I mean we’re talking about a few hairs here, not shaving a whole face.
Like most of the other trimmers on this list it uses a single AA alkaline battery. I found it lasted less than a half-hour of use, no doubt due to the extra load the vacuum system puts on the unit.
Over 21,000 ratings on Amazon with an 81% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Efficient cutting and suction system
Cons
- Rotary-only head design
- A bit heavier than other trimmers
- Battery doesn’t last long
- Has more difficulty cutting hair that sticks close to the skin: nicks me occasionally.
Motanar Professional Grooming Scissors
The Motanar Professional Grooming Scissors ($6) are sharp, sturdy, and unobtrusive. These manual grooming scissors are remarkably comfortable for me to use and seem to deliver a clean cut. They cut through thick, coarse hair easily and trim evenly, and I imagine they could do heavier-duty jobs, too. The blades are long, so it’s easy to trim “inside” ear and nose hair. Overall, they’re great for precision grooming work, and at only $6, they’re clearly a bargain.
Over 6,600 ratings on Amazon, with an 86% positive sentiment.
Pros
- Sharp blades for precise cutting
- Stainless steel construction for rust-free durability
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Pointed scissor tip
Different Types Of Ear And Nose Hair Trimmers
As an older man I’ve discovered that hair may not be growing as vigorously as I want in some areas, and growing where I don’t want it in others. Having facial hair is the norm, but stubbly, unruly nose hairs and ear hairs are another story.
I was never terribly aware of ‘personal’ trimmers until I decided I needed one. I soon discovered that there were some different varieties, with some types more suited to particular tasks.
Linear/Reciprocal
Linear or reciprocal trimmer heads are somewhat similar to “foil” shavers, in that there are blades that cut by acting in opposite directions. I find these types good for both inside the nose and and ear, and also for trimming eyebrows and stray hairs on the earlobes.
Rotary
A rotary trimmer head, similar to its face-shaving counterpart, spin a blade. I find them better suited for getting “inside” an area (ear, nose) without getting nicked. They don’t work as well for me on “outside” areas like earlobes or eyebrows (though they’re fine for knocking down a “unibrow”).
Manual
Most trimmers use a battery or are otherwise rechargeable. There are a few that are manual–like a scissors.
Summing Up
If you’re tired of getting ingrown hairs, then it’s best to trim the hairs close to the skin. Hairs in the ear and nose are notoriously difficult to reach, but with the proper trimmer, the job becomes easier.
