Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers Review

We purchased Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers so our reviewer could put them to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

No matter whether you have a Chihuahua, Great Dane, or a breed somewhere in between, your pooch will need their nails trimmed from time to time. Rather than take them to the groomer every week or so, pet parents can invest in at-home clippers like those from Epica. These clippers let you trim back your pet’s nails quickly and easily, keeping them from scratching you and your floors. 

These particular nail clippers get top marks from many buyers, so we wanted to see what all the hype was about. We put the Epica Professional Pet Nail Clippers to the test in a multi-pet home, evaluating their effectiveness, comfort, durability, and more. Read on to see our findings.  

Size: Really, really big

At 6.5 inches in length, the Epica clippers look more like garden shears than nail trimmers. The semi-circular blade where you put your pet’s nail is more than half an inch wide, so you could feasibly use these clippers to cut twigs in your garden. Right off the bat, we were skeptical as the sheer size just seemed like overkill. 

However, we were determined to evaluate them fairly, so we tried them out on our ever-enthusiastic test subject Addy, a 6-month-old Golden Retriever puppy who weighs around 40 pounds. Addy was a good sport and let us trim back her nails using these behemoth clippers (in exchange for several treats, of course), but we only had to do a few nails before we knew the blades were bigger than necessary for her little toes. 

Given that the clippers were too big for the puppy, we didn’t even bother trying to use them on our cat. Instead, we brought them to the big leagues, testing them out on Maisy, a 2-year-old Anatolian Shepherd. If you’re not familiar with the breed, Anatolian Shepherds are livestock guardian dogs that are classified as a giant breed. Maisy weighs around 100 pounds, so if these clippers were a good fit for anyone, it would be her.  

Turns out that the Epica clippers were a good match for Maisy’s long toes. They were able to cut through her thick nails easily, and as such, we’d recommend these nail trimmers for extra-large and giant dogs such as Saint Bernards, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. You could probably use them on a full-grown large breed dog, like a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, but there are smaller options that will work just as well.

Effectiveness: Strong and sharp

As you might expect from a pair of oversized nail clippers, this product was incredibly efficient at trimming back Maisy’s nails. Her nails are quite thick, and we were able to easily cut them using just a little bit of pressure. She was completely unfazed by the process, but then again, she’s a regular at the groomer, so she’s used to having her nails done.

Besides their sharp, strong blades, the Epica Professional Nail Clippers have a number of other helpful features. For instance, there’s a lock that holds the clippers shut when not in use, and it’s incredibly easy to latch and unlatch, unlike other clippers where you have to force the lock into place. 

We also liked that the trimmers have a “safety stop.” This is essentially a piece of metal that extends behind the clipper blades, preventing you from cutting your dog’s nail too far. Both dogs and cats have blood vessels that extend into their nails—these are referred to as the quick—and it can be painful for them if you accidentally knick this sensitive area. 

While the safety stop provides a good basic guideline for how much you can trim back a nail, we wouldn’t recommend relying on it solely. Depending on how long your dog’s nails and quicks are, you could still cut into the blood vessel while using the safety stop. Instead, you should look for the pink part of the nail and give it a generous buffer when cutting. If your dog’s nails are dark, we recommend shining a flashlight on them to locate the quick. 

Durability: Hardy and long-lasting

In addition to being quite large, the Epica clippers are solidly made. The thick blades are stainless steel, and we don’t think you’d bend them even if you ran it over with a car. The handles are made from hard plastic with a rubber grip. 

With many dog nail trimmers, the blades wear down after several months of use, but since these blades are so thick and strong, we can see them lasting for much longer than your average set of clippers. 

Comfort: Bulky size

This is another area where the sheer size of the clippers works against them. Because they’re so big, the Epica clippers are rather cumbersome to hold, especially if you have small hands like us. The rubber part of the handle keeps your grip from slipping, which is nice, but as a whole, the clippers are a bit tough to wield. 

Additionally, the tension spring that opens the clippers back up after each cut is very strong, so we found there was a bit of resistance when we tried to close them. Not a huge deal, but your hand might be a little tired if you use them for an extended period of time. 

Price: Surprisingly affordable

Given their large size and durable nature, we were a bit surprised that the Epica clippers cost just $10. They’re definitely a well-made product, and we don’t think you’ll find a better deal on nail clippers for giant breeds. 

Competition: Downsize for smaller dogs

Shiny Pet Nail Clippers: Looking for clippers for your small dog or cat? The Shiny Pet Nail Clippers are one of our favorite designs thanks to their angled blade and comfortable grip. Plus, they’re affordable at just $13. 

Safari Professional Nail Trimmer: Those with medium- to large-sized dogs would probably be better off with the Safari Professional Nail Trimmers. The $9 pair is nearly identical in design to the Epica clippers, but they’re a more manageable size. The Safari clippers have the same safety stop, lock, and grip, but we found them to be more suitable for average pups.