Gel Manis at Home Are Shockingly Easy—10 Expert-Approved UV Lamps That Save You Time and Money

As someone who grew up getting my nails done twice a month with my mother like clockwork, I’ll confess that I never feel complete without a clean and polished manicure. This sentiment became even more relevant once I started my career as a beauty editor, since I began spending the majority of my time writing about all the best products I have the opportunity to test. My hands are put on display as they dance across the keyboard, making all the little chipped corners and faded colors hard to ignore in the long term. I do whatever I can to stay on my nail upkeep, which has led me to make one life-changing discovery that helped me cut down on time and deliver a stunning finish every time: UV lamps.

Those of us who have frequented nail salons may recognize that they help harden gel polishes and keep your manicure looking fresh until your nails grow out, but what they actually do and how they do it may pose somewhat of a mystery. If you, like me, are planning to do a major revamp of your nail care routine with salon-quality products, you’re in the right place.

Below, I’m sharing the best beauty editor and expert-approved UV and UV/LED lamps that will help you achieve flawless nails without breaking the bank, and what you need to know about using them.

What Are UV Lamps?

You may have seen these used at your nail salon to finish off your manicure, but do you know how these tools add a shiny finishing touch while helping nails last? UV nail lamps use ultraviolet light to cure and harden gel polish to the nail bed through polymerization, a chemical reaction that requires ultraviolet light to solidify and bond gel polish to the nail bed. While they’re generally considered to be safe when used as directed, prolonged exposure can lead to a myriad of notable health risks like premature skin aging (age spots, wrinkles, thinning, and wrinkles) and cancer.

To combat the health risks triggered by UV light exposure every time you slip nails beneath UV/LED lamps, don’t skip applying ultra-hydrating sunscreen to skin at least 15 minutes before UV light exposure. After your manicure, coat your hands with a hydrating hand cream to keep skin soft and supple. If you decide to pick up the special gloves designed to protect the tops of your hands from the effects of UV light exposure, know that many popular designs commonly feature exposed fingertips and nail beds.

Are UV or LED Lamps Better?

If you’re not sure if you should be using UV or LED lamps as part of your at-home manicure routine, there are some simple ways to differentiate them. One of their most notable differences is the type of lightbulb used to get the job done. LEDs emit narrower, weaker rays than their counterparts, making them longer-lasting, energy-efficient, and faster at drying gel polish. UV lamps can cure all LED nail polishes and can cure gel polish evenly, however, it takes longer. If you can’t decide what would work best to achieve the best manicure, there are a number of lamps available that feature UV and LED lights (UV/LED).

What Gives the Best Results?

Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce—the talent behind TikTok- and Instagram-viral manicures of everyone from Kylie Jenner to Megan Fox—uses UV/LED lamps to bring the stunning nails to life. “I’m always bouncing between sets, so I need tools that are portable, reliable, and actually perform,” she says. Her top pick for a nail lamp is Orly’s Cordless Gel Lamp LED 900FX ($200). It’s designed for use with all gel nail products (including builder), and features a sensitive skin-worthy low heat mode, digital timer, and long-lasting lithium-ion battery. “[It’s] cordless (yes please), comes in three colors so I can match my setup, and the heat spike mode? Total game changer. It gradually builds power so clients don’t get that sudden sting when curing—comfort is everything,” she explains.

Of course, learning how to use LED lamps to deliver the best results can take some trial and error. Luckily, Boyce has some easy-to-follow advice for anyone who’s planning on trying their hand at an at-home gel manicure but isn’t quite sure where to start. “Make sure your whole hand is fully inside the lamp—thumb, too!” says Boyce. “If the light doesn’t hit it right, it won’t cure properly and can lead to wrinkles or early chipping.”

Keep scrolling to discover our edit of the ten best UV and UV/LED nail lamps that nail artists, beauty editors, and happy customers agree deliver flawless manicures with minimal effort (and even less time fixing smudges, chipping, and dullness). Sure, you can still show up for your standing appointment at the salon for long-lasting nails, but now you can also do it yourself from the comfort of your couch.

The Best UV Lamps, Listed

• SunUV Sun3 UV LED Nail Lamp
• Gelish Pro LED Light
• MeoldySusie P-Plus30F LED/UV Nail Lamp
• DND Cordless Rechargeable UV-LED Lamp 48W
• Apres Gel-X Omni Light

Best Overall: SunUV Sun3 UV LED Nail Lamp

Best for Instant Results: Revel Nail Spectra Gel UV/LED Nail Lamp

Best Splurge: Gelish Pro LED Light

Best for Beginners: SunUV Sun 9C UV Nail Lamp

Best Budget: MelodySusie P-Plus30F LED/UV Nail Lamp

Best Portable: DND Cordless Rechargeable UV-LED Lamp 48W

Best for Sensitive Hands: MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp 48W

Best for Individual Nails: Apres Gel-X Omni Light

Best for Touchups: Airsee Cordless UV Nail Lamp

Best Handheld: MelodySusie Handheld UV Light

How We Chose

As with all of Who What Wear’s helpful buying guides and reviews, edits are based on original testing and expert recommendations. This time around, to determine which UV lamps could quickly cure gel polish for shiny, long-lasting results, I took note of lamps I’ve used recently in the comfort of my own home, as well as those that my manicurists have used for those dream-worthy manicures. I also made sure to consider customer reviews (the good and the bad), as well as expert guidance, and the products that have been going viral for their high performance among other beauty enthusiasts.

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Since 2006, Who What Wear has been a digital fashion, beauty, and lifestyle publication and community where people can discover the latest brands, trends, and must-have products to help define and evolve their personal style. Think of Who What Wear as your most trusted style and shopping resource.