Best Fine-Tipped Tweezers
Tweezerman Ingrown Hair/Splintertweeze
Pros
- Ultrafine, pointed tips allow for precise grasping of the tick’s mouthparts, minimizing the risk of leaving behind embedded bits
- Made from high-quality stainless steel, ensuring longevity and easy cleaning
- Can be used for other fine tasks like splinter removal, making it a useful multipurpose tool
Cons
- Some might find it challenging to properly grasp and pull a tick without squeezing its body
- Requires a steady hand
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 4.3 inches
- Number Included: 1
Hannah Kopelman, DO, a New York City–based dermatologist and chief medical officer at DermOnDemand, recommends Tweezerman Ingrown Hair/Splintertweeze for tick removal. “I personally keep a pair of ultrafine pointed tweezers in my home first aid kit and recommend them to patients. They allow you to get close to the skin and pull the tick out cleanly.”
These tweezers are known for being able to extract even the most stubborn ingrown hairs and splinters, making them ideal for meticulous tick removal. The stainless-steel construction ensures durability and easy sterilization.
Best Tick Key
Original Tick Key
Pros
- Simple design makes tick removal quick and intuitive, even for those new to it
- Keychain-friendly design for on-the-go protection
- Works well on a range of tick sizes, from nymphs to engorged adults
Cons
- Tick mouthparts might occasionally be left behind in smaller types or deeply embedded ticks
- Must get the tick properly seated in the notch
Key Specs
- Material: Aluminum
- Size: 2.5 inches, attaches to keychain
- Number Included: 1
Our research found that users appreciate how quickly and effortlessly this tool removes ticks from both humans and pets, often without the animal even noticing. The Original Tick Key is made of anodized aluminum so it's lightweight and sturdy. Its compact size makes it ideal for carrying on a keychain, ensuring it’s always accessible in outdoor environments.
Best Tick Twister
O’Tom Tick Twister Set
Pros
- Engineered with tick morphology in mind by a vet
- Tool uses twisting action designed to remove the tick without compressing it
- Highly effective at extracting even small ticks, including mouthparts
- Comes with multiple sizes for added dexterity
Cons
- Might need a few tries to master the twisting technique
- Ticks are often removed alive, which means you still need to dispose of them properly
Key Specs
- Material: Polyacetal plastic
- Size: Not specified
- Number Included: 2
Designed in France by a veterinarian, its specific shape is designed to unhook the tick’s embedded mouthparts through rotation rather than pulling, which can cause the tick to break. Kopelman likes this tool and keeps one in her backpack, and the brand has a variety of different tools meant for nymphs and larvae as well, but these are not as widely available in the U.S. as the Tick Twister Set we feature here.
Best Spoon Tool
The Original Ticked Off
Pros
- Spoon design is easy to understand and use, even for first-timers
- Scooping motion helps to prevent compression of the tick’s abdomen
- Made of sturdy plastic, making it easy to handle and clean
Cons
- Might take a few tries to get the correct angle and leverage for complete removal
- Some may find it challenging to extract very small nymph ticks due to the size of the notch
Key Specs
- Material: Plastic
- Size: Approximately 4 inches
- Number Included: 3
This product is praised for its straightforward operation and ability to effectively remove ticks from both people and animals. The tool’s design makes it easy to handle, which could be ideal for people who do not always have a steady hand and prefer a thicker handle. The scooping method can also be more comfortable for those who have a fear of insects because it provides a greater barrier between the user and the tick during extraction.
Best Card-Style
TickCheck Tick Removal Card
Pros
- Built-in magnifying glass is highly useful for identifying small ticks or ensuring complete removal
- Wallet-sized design makes it portable for outside adventure
- Can be used on a variety of tick sizes, from tiny nymphs to larger adult ticks
Cons
- Some might find the flat design hard to grasp compared with handled tools
- There’s a slight chance of bending or damage with rough handling
Key Specs
- Material: Plastic
- Size: Wallet-sized (3.35 inches)
- Number Included: Tool with 3x magnifier, bonus tick ID card
The TickCheck Tick Removal Card is a great solution for on-the-go tick removal, combining portability with functionality. This flat, credit card-shaped tool features several notches of varying sizes, designed to slide under ticks of different dimensions and lift them away from the skin.
We like that its slim profile means it can easily slip into a wallet or first aid kit for when you’re hiking or camping. Although it might be more difficult to maneuver than handled tools, depending on where the tick has attached, it works well on flat skin and easy-to-reach parts. A notable bonus is the integrated magnifying glass and tick identification card, making it a comprehensive tool for both removal and analysis.
Best Slanted Tweezer
Revlon Expert Slant Tweezer
Pros
- Wider tip offers excellent control and comfort
- Slanted, sharp, well-angled tips provide good precision for grasping
- Stainless-steel design makes cleaning easy
- Hand steadiness isn’t as much of a requirement as with fine-tipped tweezers
Cons
- Slant tip may not be as effective for precisely grasping the minuscule mouthparts of nymphs
- Its primary design isn’t for tick extraction
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 3.7 inches
- Number Included: 1
Although primarily a beauty tool, the Revlon Expert Slant Tweezer’s thick handle and sharp, well-aligned slant tips offer surprising utility for tick removal, particularly for larger, more visible ticks. The wider grip provides enhanced control, which can be beneficial when trying to maintain a steady hand.
Some people may have difficulty using fine-tipped tweezers, but this design lessens the need, making it a more approachable option. “I like anything that encourages people to remove the tick properly and avoid the common mistakes I often see in the office like using petroleum jelly or burning the tick, which we definitely don’t recommend,” says Kopelman.
Best With Magnifier
Pro-Tick Remedy Tick Remover Kit
Pros
- 5x magnifier included for additional viewing and targeting
- V-wedge design helps to remove ticks intact
- Sturdy construction offers control
Cons
- Pointed ends are sharp
- Shape may be harder for some people to grip
Key Specs
- Material: Steel
- Size: 2.2 inches
- Number Included: 1 tool, 1 magnifier, 1 tick ID pamphlet
Best V-Shaped
HomeSake Tick Removal Kit
Pros
- V-shaped design allows the tool to slide under the tick and grasp its body firmly without squeezing
- Set comes with tweezers for additional control
- Design offers a pain-free removal
Cons
- Incorrect use could still lead to partial tick removal or discomfort
Key Specs
- Material: Stainless steel
- Size: 5.5 inches (in carrying sleeve)
- Number Included: 2 (tool and tweezers), plus a tick ID card
The HomeSake Tick Removal Kit features a distinctive V-shaped design that tapers down to a narrow slot or notch at the working end. This “V” is designed to slide precisely between the skin and the tick’s body, grasping it securely at the point of attachment. By avoiding squeezing the tick’s abdomen, the V-shape design helps prevent the tick from regurgitating potentially infectious fluids into the host, according to our experts.
Because the tool doesn’t pinch or squeeze the tick’s body or the skin, it offers a gentler and often pain-free removal experience. We also like that this set includes tweezers for versatility, allowing for the removal of everything from tiny nymphs to engorged adults.
Why Trust Everyday Health
Jill Di Donato
Author
Jill has over 15 years of experience writing about women's health, wellness, and beauty. She has deep knowledge of buzzy products and what makes them popular with consumers. She's tested hundreds of skin care products, tools, and medical aesthetics procedures throughout her career, and she has interviewed top dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and holistic physicians to stay on top of the latest in skin health and wellness.
Jill is the former associate editorial operations director of the beauty group at Dotdash Meredith, where she worked on brands such as Shape and Byrdie, editing health, fitness, skin care, wellness, and body care commerce content.
She's also a former sex and relationship writer, and has made national television appearances to discuss sexual wellness topics for women. In addition to anything beauty and sexual wellness, Jill specializes in writing about body neutrality and mental health.
Jill has a degree in sociology, with a focus on gender studies and she has taught sociology classes at Barnard and Columbia University.
Justin Laube, MD
Medical Reviewer
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.
Daniel Oakley
Fact-Checker
Daniel Oakley is a journalist, editor, and fact-checker. He has written, edited, taught, and produced media for Dow Jones, S&P Global, IHS Markit, Third Coast Studios Magazine, and 826 National.
Oakley's path has always been a health-and-wellness-focused one. A competitive triathlete and racing fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he also spends summer weekends as an ISA-certified surf instructor and Red Cross professional water rescuer with Laru Beya Collective in Rockaway Beach, which helps kids master and delight in their own backyard — the ocean. It has taught Oakley that “optimizing body and mind” flourishes precisely at the wellspring of community.
CJ Abellon
Editor
CJ Abellon has served as a senior editor for publications focusing on health, wellness, and children's education. She has covered topics ranging from health conditions like bunions, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and heart disease to parenthood and product reviews.