Updated September 21, 2023: New product choices and further information on what to look for in a top nail lamp are included in this guide to the best nail lamps.
Being patient is a virtue, yet it’s not always easy to be patient when painting your nails. Ask anyone who enjoys a do-it-yourself manicure, and they’ll tell you that waiting for your tips to dry entirely, or reapplying polish if you ding a digit before it’s fully dried, is the worst part of a manicure or pedicure. Fortunately, lengthy wait times after polish application are a thing of the past thanks to the best UV nail lamps.
UV lamps are the secret to successfully recreating salon-quality manicures at home, not merely as a treatment for impatience. These cutting-edge gadgets not only drastically reduce drying time but also cure gel polish and properly apply add-ons like nail gems. They are powered by professional-grade UV rays and/or LED lights that are carefully positioned to adequately dry each nail. These kinds of gadgets are available on Amazon in a wide variety, so anyone looking to advance their artistic abilities can buy and use them without needing to be a professional nail artist.
To create this ranking of the top LED lights, we talked to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tracy Evans, StyleSeat nail tech Salina Néou, and celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.
2023’s Best Nail Lamps
Best General Best for gel, Sunuv UV LED Nail Lamp: UV LED nail lamp LKE Gel
UV LED Lady Misty Nail Lamp
Luminoza Makartt UV Nail Lamp
Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit is the best gel kit.
The Kempa Mini UV LED Nail Dryer is the best portable nail lamp.
The Gelish Harmony Professional Salon LED Light Lamp is the best professional.
UV LED nail lamp from MelodySusie
UV LED SunX4 Gel Polish Dryer from Jewhitney
UV Gel Nail Lamp by Sunrich
Aokitec Portable UV LED Lamp, Best Price
UV LED nail lamp from Wisdompark
UV LED nail lamp from Easkep
Gel-Nail UV LED Flashlight XFZM
Professional UV LED nail dryer Ovlux
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UV LED nail lamp from Sunuv
Optimal LED nail lamp
On Amazon, nail polish curing lamps are the number one seller.
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
The Sunuv Gel UV nail lamp, with 48 watts of power and 33 LED beads and a curing time of more than 50,000 hours, consistently and effectively dries gel nail polish and is appropriate for all brands of polish and extensions. This Amazon best-seller offers four timed settings, can accommodate five fingers or toes at once, and includes an automatic sensing mechanism to provide a secure at-home manicure experience. It has received over 26,100 five-star reviews on Amazon.
What customers are saying: “This was affordable but so wonderful.
This is excellent, and I’ve been doing my nails for a few weeks. Even though the top coat needs to be cleaned with alcohol, it has held up incredibly well and really prepared my nails for long-lasting gel nails.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $22.99
optimal gel nail lamps
Amazon’s Selection
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
The LKE gel UV LED nail lamp was designed for an easy user experience and features a sophisticated automatic sensor feature so the treatment will start and stop when you’re ready. Its curved shape shields your eyes from UV rays, and its gentle light guards against skin discoloration. It’s the top UV lamp for gel nails on our list, with over 39,000 ratings that are all five stars.
Reviewers’ comments: “First time using a gel nail light. It boasts excellent sensing features and is very user-friendly. With just a 60 second cure, it’s not hot and works great! Amazing value and storage-friendly size.
Amazon Top-Quality Store Makartt Luminoza UV Nail Lamp Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
Do you enjoy creating nail art at home? Your designs will remain spotless with the Makartt UV Nail Lamp. You won’t have to worry about scratching a freshly painted nail while covering the following one because this nail light cures one to two nails at once. (At home, gel extensions can be applied with ease.) It is practical and adorable thanks to its four pre-programmed timers, two-hour battery life between charges, and lotus-flower design.
What customers have to say: “Works wonderfully and is really convenient as it is rechargeable and cordless. I frequently require an additional outlet when doing my nails, but not with this.
I enjoy that I only have to hold my hand under the light to do one finger instead of my entire hand. I think it sets the gel more quickly than my larger unit, and I’m happy with my purchase.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $25.99
Best Gel Nail Kit Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit
Amazon’s Selection
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
which nail salon in your area is the best? your residence A professional gel nail kit featuring everything you need to prepare, paint, and cure your nails is the Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit. 32 bottles of gel nail polish are included, along with a base coat, two top coats, a pair of files and buffers, and a UV nail light. It has received over 7,500 reviews with five stars from both novices and experts.
What consumers are saying: “I am very glad I purchased this!!! You can get more than 30 different colours of gel nail polish, a lamp, and all other necessary supplies for less than $40.
You’ll have the light, all the other tools you’ll need for your gel manicure, as well as more than 30 different colours of gel nail polish. This is going to save me a ton of money going forward because gel manicures normally cost $30 to $40 in my neighborhood. I gave one of the shades a try, and I think the hue is lovely. I’m eager to experiment with the other colors. The light provides a variety of timing choices, which is excellent, and the application is simple. Get this package if you want to avoid spending money on nails.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $45.99
Amazon Top-Quality Store: Jewhitney UV LED SunX4 Gel Polish Nail Dryer Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
If customer reviews influence your choices, this UV nail light from Jewhitney is one to take into account. It currently has over 35,000 ratings on Amazon alone. The dryer is described as being appropriate for use in both salons and homes, and its professional quality is evident in its features. The UV lamp employs a dual LED light source to simulate sunlight and is built with the customer’s safety in mind. It has automatic sensors that turn the light on and off. Additionally, the system automatically senses internal temperature and changes to low-power operation when the lamp overheats before going back to normal when it cools.
Its timer settings range from 10, 30, 60, and 120 seconds, and because it is powered by USB, it may be used with USB adapters, laptops, PCs, power banks, and wall chargers.
What customers have to say: “This nail lamp functions beautifully! I needed a bigger lamp so that both my hands and feet could fit under it because I make my own gel nails at home. The lamp I needed was here. The three time settings are fantastic because various gels require various times. My toes and the entirety of my hand fit beneath the bulb, and my nails dried properly. If you do gel nails at home, I would strongly recommend this product.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $9.99
Top-Quality Store for Wisdompark UV LED Nail Lamp on Amazon Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
The Wisdompark UV LED nail lamp is not a small lamp and does not have a handle. However, because of its svelte and light weight design, it is still regarded as a portable gadget. In reality, the lamp’s open form, which makes it simpler for hands and feet to fit within, is what makes it a tempting purchase. Additionally, the device is significantly simpler to clean because to the open design. White light, which is less damaging to the skin and eyes than red tints, is also included in the lamp. The lamp may be turned on or off using one of its three adjustable timer settings (30, 60, or 90 seconds) and a sophisticated auto-sense feature.
What reviewers are saying: “This is excellent for beginners. Simple to use and comprehend. sufficient volume and width for hands or feet.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $8.89
The best portable UV nail lamp is the Kempa Mini UV LED Nail Dryer.
Amazon’s Selection
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
The Kempa mini UV LED nail dryer, an Amazon Choice nail light, is ideal for manicures on-the-go because of its small size and ability to fit inside a beauty bag or purse when disassembled. Its light beads use cutting-edge dual optical wavelength technology and have a lifetime of 50,000 hours without endangering the eyes or skin. With this nail air dryer, select from four time options to create a personalized gel curing experience.
What reviewers are saying: “The portability of this small gel nail lamp makes it stand out. Whether I’m on vacation or just dropping by a friend’s house, its compact size makes it convenient to bring along.
It is quite portable for me. Another nice feature is the USB power cable, which makes charging it a breeze.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $7
MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp: Amazon’s Best Selection Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
The MelodySusie UV LED nail lamp, which has a powerful and LG dual light source, emits a wavelength between 365 and 405 nanometers to cure and dry gel nail paint swiftly, evenly, and properly. This finest LED lamp for gel nails has four time options, using energy-efficient, environmentally friendly LG chip technology, and can cure gel nails up to 50% faster than comparable products.
What people are saying in the reviews: “I’ve had this lamp for over 3 years, so I went on Amazon seeking for a new light that would have a low heat setting (as recommended by Tik tok lol). To my amazement, this inexpensive lamp includes a low heat setting.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $33.99
UV LED Lady Misty Nail Lamp
Amazon’s Selection
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
The Lady Misty UV LED Nail Lamp, a popular (and affordable!) option on Amazon, is among the simplest to use on our list. With 18 LED lamps for even, quick drying, it has a touch-screen display, three pre-set timers of 30, 60, and 90 seconds. For people who commonly struggle with sensitivity when using LED nail lamps, its low-heat setting option is appropriate.
What customers are saying: “I purchased a pack of gel polish along with this personal UV lamp. I applied many coats to the polish to make it thicker, and each round of curing took 99 seconds.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $9.99
What people are saying: “I’m glad I made this purchase. This gadget is utilized at my salon. Although it is expensive, I have already recovered some of the cost by forgoing weekly gel purchases. PS: There is no drying time required and gels are just as simple to paint as regular nails. The only thing to be on the lookout for is that you really need to figure out a way to remove your gels without damaging your nails.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $209.
Also Think About a Sunrich UV Gel Nail Lamp for Travel
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
We are well aware that one of the Sunrich UV gel nail lamp’s appeals is that it resembles a boombox. Despite being reminiscent of ’90s entertainment, the lamp’s form makes it portable, allowing you to take it on trips or to a friend’s house. Sunrich employs 120 watts of power, which is 80 percent more than its rivals, to cure nails. Additionally, because its base is detachable, customers can cure gel on their toes.
What customers are saying: “I didn’t realize that when I bought it, but this UV lamp is very simple to use, and I adore the motion detecting feature! I like how the bottom can separate to for my feet to be able to use it. Additionally, I have successfully used this to cure epoxy resin. I adore my buy!”
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $29.99
Best Cheap Nail Lamp: Aokitec Portable UV LED Lamp
4.5/5 ratings for the Amazon Top-Quality Store badge on Google
Don’t be deterred by the price of this portable UV lamp from Aokitec. The device’s inexpensive pricing does not correspond to its good quality, according to the over 6,000 reviews on Amazon. Similar to the aforementioned Kepma tiny, the Aokitec dryer is portable and ideal for travel as well as for apartments with little storage. The device heals nails in 45 or 60 seconds at a time with less heat than a more powerful lamp. Furthermore, it’s not an issue if your complete hand doesn’t fit beneath the lamp at once.
Just treat your thumbs independently of the rest of your fingers.
What customers have to say: “I adore this lamp! It works incredibly well and is incredibly portable. The light itself and the size are excellent, but the legs are a touch flimsy.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $6.99
Easkep UV LED Nail Lamp: Top-Rated Amazon Store Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
The Easkep UV LED nail lamp provides an even, thorough cure. To ensure that the entire nail dries evenly, this clever device has 24 lamp beads on its edges and 12 lamp beads on top of its interior structure. Additionally, Easkep’s lamp cures gel manicures twice as quickly as a conventional 80-watt lamp thanks to its 120 watts of high power. The dual light source device has pre-set timers that run from 10 seconds to 99 seconds. It also has an infrared sensor and temperature protection to shield users’ hands from any burns.
Reviews generally agree that this lamp is excellent. Because it is strong, you need to spend less time under it to cure nails.
Before purchasing like three others that aren’t even close to as effective, I wish I had seen it and paid attention to wattage. Excellent lamp at an excellent cost. Highly suggested!”
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $24.99
Undoubtedly, the most inventive product on this list is XFZM. For full mani-pedis, it won’t replace a real lamp, but it’s the ideal option for touch-ups while you’re on the road. The flashlight is the very definition of a portable, pocket-sized device. You may always have this tiny lamp on hand for quick healing by keeping it at your desk or in your overnight bag. It is made of purple LED lamp beads that operate at phototherapy speed and consume less power than a 12W lamp.
“Really nice for flash curing gems and gel,” comment the reviews. Because of its compact size and higher concentration, it may be used fast. I adore it.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $9.99
Top-Quality Store for Ovlux UV LED Professional Nail Dryers on Amazon Google’s ranking: 4.5/5
With its professional-grade technology and 36 LED lamps with a combined lifespan of 50,000 hours, the Ovlux Professional nail drier takes the salon into your house. It includes four time options, different heat settings, and infrared heat sensors that detect when your hands and feet are within. It is large enough to fit both of your hands and feet and is compatible with the majority of gel nail paints.
What customers are saying: “Came really quickly and was just as described. I had previously ordered and got the Sun 5 model, which I found to be satisfactory. The improved version is likewise good. Nice and roomy for the feet or both hands. I enjoy the buffers and files that were included. Thus far, so good.
Price at the time of this article’s publication: $34.99
LED versus UV nail lamps
The sort of radiation that LED (light-emitting diode) and UV (ultraviolet radiation) lamps release, in Néou’s opinion, is one of their primary differences. UV lamps are primarily invisible and mimic sunlight. While UV and other unseen light sources can be present in LED lights, they are still visible. Which lamp is therefore the wiser purchase?
Briefly put: Each kind of bulb has advantages and disadvantages. Kandalec, for instance, claims that “LED lamps cure nails much faster than UV lamps,” in as little as 30 seconds, whereas UV lamps might take as long as three minutes. Although not all gel polishes are compatible with LED lighting, Néou notes that this can limit the polishes you can use.
According to her, UV rays can cure practically any gel.
According to Kandalec, if you’re buying a lamp based on what the pros use, salons typically go with the lamps that match the product line that their expert nail artists favor, such as CND, Gelish, The Gel Bottle, and Kiara Sky, which all have their own products. Conclusion: Your personal preferences will ultimately determine which lamp you select.
How Safe Are UV Nail Lamps?
Dr. Evans claims that “the light emitted by a UV lamp falls within the UVA spectrum and can cause cellular damage, photoaging, and brown spots on the skin.” The same is true for LED lighting, even if some consider this substitute to be safer.
However, other nail technicians, like as Kandalec, contend that strolling to the mailbox exposes you to more UV radiation than a full visit for nails. There is a lot of misinformation out there, she claims, which leads to unneeded customer confusion.
Nevertheless, whether you use a UV light or an LED lamp, it is imperative that you shield your hands and feet before each curing since using a nail lamp exposes your skin to UV radiation. To avoid absorption and damage, cover exposed skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher or stock up on a pair of UV-protective gloves.
The Qualities of the Best Nail Lamps
Polish compatibility: The majority of nail lamps are made for home use curing gel nail lacquer, although they also hasten the drying of normal polish. Before buying, double confirm the lamp’s compatibility with your desired polish on the manufacturer’s website.
Counting LED beads: Most LED nail lamps should have between 10 and 20 beads. To ensure proper curing and drying, make sure the beads are evenly distributed inside the lamp’s inner arch.
timed settings: You may dry and cure your nails without being concerned that the lacquer will feel tacky thanks to lamps with a variety of timed settings. When you slip your hand, options with automated sensors will start the timer.
Be aware that each application of gel nail polish normally has to cure for between 30 and 60 seconds.
Size: If you’re DIYing nail extensions or intricate nail art, look for a lamp that dries each nail separately so you can meticulously cure each toe before the lacquer or tip slips. Look for arching nail lamps that will snugly accommodate your entire hand for simple coats of gel polish.
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Discover the Experts
Celebrity manicurist and proprietor of Julie K Nail Atelier in New York City, Julie Kandalec. She has training in dancing, color, painting, and sketching because she has always been an artist. Julie’s talents range from a clean, natural nail to ornate, custom-designed nails. She is renowned for her soft touch, composed demeanor, and meticulous attention to detail. Presently, numerous celebrities, including Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne, and others, often use Julie’s work in major publications, beauty ads, and on their fingertips.
