Take your DIY mani to the next level.
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Of all of life’s greatest pains, few come close to the moment you leave the nail salon and smudge your fresh set on the commute home or within the first few days because you opted for regular polish instead of a gel formula. If that’s not enough, it’s an even greater pain watching your costly gel manicure chip day after day before your next monthly session. Luckily, there’s a simple fix for this that’s likely been sitting in your Amazon cart for weeks: UV lamps.
The DIY manicure has never been more popular, with options ranging from a quick press-on set to dip powder kits. However, if you’re looking for the long-lasting effects of a gel manicure, consider making a UV nail lamp your next big beauty purchase. Salon pros choose UV and LED lights to cure gel nail polish, skip dry time, and avoid mishaps. With handy features like one-touch buttons, automatic motion sensor shut-off, and timer setting options, these lamps are the only thing preventing you from achieving a salon-level manicure in the comfort of your own home.
Keep in mind that your hands will be exposed to UV rays, so remember to protect your skin by applying sunscreen and moisturizing hand creams beforehand. Ahead, we consulted customer reviews to find the 17 best UV lamps for at-home manicures. Additionally, we spoke with Molly Romah, lead nail artist at NYC-based spa Chillhouse, and dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara to answer all your pressing questions about at-home nail lamps and how to use them.
Gone are the days of twisting and turning your fingers under a five-hand lamp to ensure every corner is dry. This flash cure light from Apres fits firmly in your hands to give each finger the same time to dry before one last cure under a larger lamp. Small but mighty, this nifty gadget holds up to four hours of charge, which makes it the ultimate gift for a fully booked nail tech.
An Apres reviewer said: “I liked this little light. It’s easy to use and I love that it’s rechargeable and wireless. It makes it more convenient to flash cure without having to maneuver the person’s finger into awkward positions. Always had trouble with air bubbles because of this.”
Bypass buttons with the automatic sensors of this popular Amazon pick. An extra spacious drying chamber allows both hands to be cured simultaneously by 36 high-power LED bulbs. The box also has nail accessories such as buffing blocks and nail files to create the picture-perfect mani.
An Amazon reviewer said: “This lamp worked perfectly for my gel fill and gel OPI polish change. I like how it will turn on when you put your hand inside and will stay on for one minute and 20 seconds. It also has the option to use 10, 30, or 60 seconds with the push of a button. It has a nice-sized opening, so I wasn’t worried about messing up my nails (or toenails) when inserting them into the light. It’s not heavy, and the top snaps on or off to make it easy to clean.”
Thanks to 48W high-power LED beads designed for even and quick gel curing, dry time is a breeze. The large opening allows up to five fingernails or toenails to be dried at once and comes with a pink hand pillow at the top to make polishing more comfortable.
An Amazon reviewer said: “This light is a great deal! There are different time settings, and the ‘low-heat’ mode actually feels low heat. The padding on the top is a nice extra touch.”
Big enough for both hands—or both feet—this 150-watt lamp has multiple timer modes, a motion sensor, and detachable plates to ensure every inch of your nail will be dried evenly.
An Amazon reviewer said: “Lamp is very lightweight and made a huge difference in how long my at-home gel polish lasts. I can easily get more than two weeks out of a manicure with just a little chipping. The higher wattage is the key!”
Touted as the “most reliable light ever,” Gelish’s 36-watt UV lamp works best with its Gelish soak-off polishes, but can still deliver fast results in just 60 seconds. Thanks to its Comfort Cure technology, you won’t feel the flash of heat you’ve likely experienced from other UV lamps.
An Amazon reviewer said: “I’ve had my machine for four years now, and it still works great! I’m a professional nail tech, and I’ll definitely rebuy this machine again.”
With a strong 48W light, this lamp also features thoughtful details that’ll make your mani or pedi much easier to complete, including a clear LCD display, four timer settings, and a handy countdown function.
An Amazon reviewer said: “It’s powerful and cures fast yet does not give that burning/hot feeling on my hands. I also like that it has a sensor so you can place both hands at a time, and you don’t have to press anything for the light to turn on.”
Doing your nails means carving out some time for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you want to wait forever for them to dry. Let us introduce you to this 30-watt LED light that’s made to cure all your fingers or toes in 30 seconds.
An Ulta reviewer said: “I am a beginner nail tech, and this is perfect. It cures extremely well, is easy to carry around, and it’s sleek and stylish, too.”
The nail pros at OPI created this 30-watt, salon-favorite lamp using two different light frequencies, a spacious drying chamber, and LG technology. The price tag is worth the professional-grade results.
A Walmart reviewer said: “My clients love how roomy it is inside, the handle is GREAT for moving and handling purposes, and it looks very professional and clean. Also, there’s ample room for clients to rest on top as I polish.”
If nail art is your thing, try this handy nail lamp complete with a phone stand for watching tutorials. The large display timer makes it easy to keep track of curing while you copy and paint. A powerful 168-watt machine, it also has four timer settings for convenience.
An Amazon reviewer said: “I love this light! It’s large enough to easily fit my whole hand or foot. It has an option to select different time settings, or you can just stick your hand or foot into it and it will turn on automatically, which I love, because who wants to be messing with buttons when your nails are wet? It cures my nails quickly and effectively.”
The gooseneck feature on this UV lamp is a godsend for nail technicians who pride themselves on precision, whether for the actual nail itself or nail art.
An Amazon reviewer said: “You can clip this light to any desk/table, and it cures gel nails/tips when you have to hold and do one nail at a time. Super helpful!”
If you like to give every nail its own moment, this mini lamp ensures each one is properly and evenly cured, especially for those who prefer gel extensions. A built-in sensor guarantees you don’t have to fiddle with any on/off buttons either.
An Amazon reviewer said: “This makes it so easy to hold tips in place while curing. I wish I could give it more stars.”
Offering a solid 36 watts of power, CND’s sleek nail lamp is a new and improved version that boasts preset controls for each gel manicure step, no-fail bulbs, and acetone resistance. It’s also designed for easy pedicures, thanks to its removable base plates.
A Walmart reviewer said: “I’ve used this once along with CND gels. Six days and no lifting. I originally used Gelish with a cheap lamp, and my polish lifted and turned yellow. So far, no lifting. It’s very clear and shiny. I highly recommend.”
Don’t let this mini nail lamp fool you. While you can tote it anywhere thanks to its compact size, the six-watt style can get the job done. Plus, it has three versatile time settings and is incredibly affordable.
An Amazon reviewer said: “This little light is small enough to fit inside my nail polish bag and take on the go. It works beautifully, and there is a timer, so there’s no need to stress whether you’ve left your fingers under the light long enough.”
A professional-grade UV lamp, Kiara Sky’s 48-watt iteration is powered by LG technology and rechargeable so that you can work for hours without long, tangled cords getting in your way. Plus, the bubble pink packaging elevates any nail station.
An Amazon reviewer said: “This works so much better than my old nail lamp and dries super fast! Looks so pretty and sleek.”
Powered by a USB cable, this UV lamp is compact and portable enough for travel. The battery lasts up to three hours, so you can cure your nails as you watch, pause, and rewind your favorite movie.
An Amazon reviewer said: “What was I doing before this product? This is one of the best things I’ve purchased in a long time. I love that it has a 30-second and a 60-second setting. It’s easy to hold and works fast. I’m so happy.”
Is there anything cuter than this mini UV lamp shaped like a macaron? This kit also has a mini gel polish, cuticle stick, nail file, and remover wraps.
An Amazon reviewer said: “Took this on vacation; this will be in my emergency travel kit for sure. It’s super easy to use; just apply and cure. No mess, and it doesn’t take up any space in luggage. Gel stays on for a couple of weeks, and it’s easy to take off with the acetone wipes and file that come with it.”
This UV light may be compact, but it cures more than just nails on the go. For those nail artists skilled with embellishments and accessories, this handheld lamp lets you get up close and personal with your nails to keep all rhinestones and charms intact.
An Amazon reviewer said: “It’s great for fixing any mistakes when you’re on the go or even for travel purposes. I tested it out while doing nail art on one of my tip stand holders, and it was amazing. I could focus on one nail without worrying about plugging in my nail lamp and holding it over my nail tip stand. I love the pink color, too.”
“According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, both LED and UV lamps used for nail grooming emit ultraviolet (UV) light,” says Dr. Gohara. “They primarily are sources of UVA, which is a risk factor for aging and skin cancer. That said, the risk is considered moderate and significantly less than the risk incurred from a tanning booth.”
To help minimize potential risks and protect the skin, Dr. Gohara suggests taking a few precautions. “Keep your skin barrier strong by using gentle cleansers that moisturize as they cleanse,” she says. “I love the Dove Deep Moisture Hand Wash, followed by further strengthening of the skin barrier by using a corresponding lotion (she also recommends Dove’s Sensitive Care Hand Cream). Also, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply 20 minutes before your treatment.”
Whether from a UV or LED source, gel nail polish must be cured with UV light. “This light emits UV wavelengths that hit molecules in the gel called photoinitiators, or compounds, that absorb light and convert it into the energy needed to drive the polymerization process,” explains Romah. “When the light from the UV waves bonds with those molecules, it activates them, making the gel cure into a hard plastic.”
According to Romah, the answer really comes down to personal preference. “When you decide to choose between an LED and UV nail lamp, you should focus not only on your budget, but also on what you want to accomplish,” Romah says. Although typically more expensive, LED lamps cure gel nails faster than UV lamps—which can be a plus if you tend to be impatient or short on time. “LED lamps emit narrower UV wavelengths than UV lamps with higher concentration and more energy,” she explains. “These light-emitting diodes target specific photoinitiators in the gel polish, which enables the gel to cure much faster than UV lamps.”
Also, remember that LED lamps tend to last longer, while the bulbs in UV lamps often need replacing. However, not all gel polishes can be cured by LED lamps. “Salons that use strong gels like UV gel, or hard gels, will likely use UV lamps, which cure all gels,” she says. “UV lamps are also more effective at curing clear gel nails.”
As far as Romah’s favorite type of device? “I like LED lamps better because they dry faster, save time on getting gel manicures done, and last longer,” she says. “But that’s also because I only work with soak gels.”
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.
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