The 16 Best Nail Lamps for a Salon-Quality Manicure at Home, According to Experts
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.
Updated March 5, 2024: This article on the best LED and UV nail lamps was updated with new product picks and additional insights how to use a gel nail lamp from a celebrity manicurist. Our editors are currently testing nail lamps from top Amazon brands for consideration in this article.
More from WWD
August 2024: The Latest Beauty Executive Moves at Oura, Estée Lauder, Dae and More
Addiction Tokyo to Unveil New Fall Collection at Bloomingdale's Pop-up
Patience is a virtue, and one that doesn’t come easy when you’re painting nails. Ask anyone who loves a DIY manicure, and they’ll tell you that the worst part of a manicure or pedicure is waiting for your tips to dry completely — or reapplying polish if you ding a digit before it’s fully dried. Luckily, the best UV nail lamps will set your gel manicure in a matter of minutes.
UV nail lamps aren’t just the solution to a lack of patience; they’re the key to successfully replicating salon-quality manicures with gel nail polish at home. Powered by professional-grade UV rays and LED lights that are strategically placed to sufficiently dry and cure gel polish, nail lamps not only significantly decrease drying time, but also ensure your handiwork ends with lacquered, long-lasting tips. The best LED nail lamps will also allow you to level-up your manicure if you so choose, too, as they quickly adhere nail enhancements like soft gel tips or nail gems. Beauty lovers on TikTok have put at-home nail lamps in the spotlight — searches for DIY gel manicures at home have garnered over 246 million views on the app.
You don’t have to be a professional nail artist to purchase or operate nail lamps: Amazon has a wide selection of nail lamps, which are great for anyone hoping to take their artistry to the next level. While the standard dome-shaped nail lamps are abundant on Amazon, you can also find a slew of newer offerings for convenience in your at-home salon. You can find flashlight-style lamps that target one nail at a time — great for sealing in nail art one digit at a time — as well as manicure kits that come with skin-protecting gloves and accessories like files and buffers.
The at-home nail lamp category is expanding by the minute, so selecting the right device requires research and careful consideration. With the help of celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec, StyleSeat nail technician Salina Néou, and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tracy Evans, we’ve done that work for you, compiling this list of the best LED nail lamps and UV nail lamps. Below, discover the best options to take your at-home gel manicure to new heights, just in time for all of your spring nail color looks.
Top Nail Lamps of 2024
Best Gel Kit: Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit
Best Professional: Gelish Harmony Professional Salon LED Light Lamp
Best Budget: Aokitec Portable UV LED Lamp
Best Portable Nail Lamp: Gaoy Handheld UV Light for Gel Nails
Sign up for WWD Shop’s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.
Related:
Celebrity Nail Trends
Best Press-on Nail Kits
BEST LED NAIL LAMP
Sunuv UV LED Nail Lamp
#1 Bestseller in Nail Polish Curing Lamps on Amazon
Over 19,000 five-star Amazon reviews
What’s included: One hybrid UV/LED nail lamp, power adapter, and a gel nail polish application manual
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$39.99 $49.99 20% off
Offering 48 watts of power and 33 LED beads with over 50,000 hours of curing time, the Sunuv Gel UV nail lamp is one of the best LED nail lamps on our list, uniformly and efficiently curing gel nail polish and suitable for every brand of polish and extensions. Able to fit five fingers or toes at once, this bestselling Amazon beauty product is equipped with four timer settings and has an automatic sensing feature to ensure a safe at-home manicure experience. Over 19,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon vouch for its value, durability, and results.
What testers say: “Been doing my nails at home since gel manicures run around $50 a pop these days. This works like a champ and was inexpensive. Dries nails fully with one 60 second setting. I only use the 60 second and sometimes the 90 second setting. The 90 second setting starts at a lower intensity when your nails are feeling more sensitive from removal.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $39.99
BEST GEL NAIL LAMP
Lke Gel UV LED Nail Lamp
Amazon’s Choice
Over 40,000 five-star Amazon reviews
What’s included: One UV and LED nail lamp with a power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$17.97 $21.99 18% off
Created for a simple user experience, this best gel nail lamp has an easy-to-navigate LED screen and smart automatic sensor feature so the treatment will begin and end when you’re ready. Its curved design protects your eyes from the UV light, while its soft light prevents skin discoloration. With over 40,000 five-star reviews, it’s undoubtedly one of the best UV lamps for gel nails you can find.
What testers say: “First owner of a gel nail lamp. It is very user friendly and has good sensor features. Not hot but works great with just 60 sec curing! Amazing price and compact for storing. Was skeptical at first, but I highly recommend for personal use.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $17.97
BEST GEL NAIL KIT
Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit
Amazon’s Choice
What’s included: One LED nail lamp, 32 gel nail polish colors (including base and top coats), nail scrubber brush, toe separators, nail clipper, cuticle oil pen, five buffing and filing tools, nail remover wraps
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$45.99 $49.99 8% off
The best nail salon in your neighborhood? Your house! The Jodsone Gel Nail Polish Kit is a professional gel nail kit that’s complete with everything you need to prep, paint, and cure your nails. You’ll get a whopping 32 bottles of gel nail polish, plus base coat, two top coats, a set of files and buffers, and a UV nail lamp. Over 7,500 five-star reviewers recommend it for rookies and pros alike.
What testers say: “I am so happy I bought this!!! Less than $40, and you will have more than 30+ shades in gel nail polish, the lamp and all the other tools you will need for your gel manicure. It typically costs $30 to $40 to get gel mani done around the area I live in, so this is going to save me a lot of money from now on!! I tried one of the shade, and the color is very pretty. I can’t wait to try the other colors. Easy application, and the lamp has multiple timer options which is nice. If anyone is looking to save your money on nails, get this kit!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $45.99
BEST PORTABLE UV NAIL LAMP
Kepma Mini UV LED Nail Dryer
Amazon’s Choice
Over 8,000 five-star Amazon reviews
What’s included: One UV and LED light nail lamp; USB cable (adapter not included)
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$6.99 $9.99 30% off
An Amazon Choice nail lamp with over 8,000 five-star ratings, the Kepma mini UV LED nail dryer is perfect for manicures on-the-go thanks to its compact design, which can easily fit inside a makeup bag or purse when folded down. Providing a 50,000-hour lifetime, its light beads adopt advanced dual optical wavelength technology without causing damage to the eyes or skin. Choose between four time settings to create a customizable gel curing experience with this nail air dryer.
What testers say: “What sets this mini gel nail lamp apart is its portability. Its compact design makes it easy to travel with, so whether I’m on vacation or visiting a friend’s house, I can easily take it with me. The USB power cable is also a great feature, allowing me to charge it effortlessly.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.99
BEST PROFESSIONAL LED NAIL LAMP
Gelish Harmony Professional Salon LED Light Lamp
What’s included: One LED nail lamp; power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$119.99 $199.99 40% off
Boasting salon-grade results courtesy of its LED-accelerated technology, the Gelish Harmony Professional salon LED light lamp provides the fastest curing in the industry, efficiently and evenly drying gel nail polish in just 30 seconds under the LED lamp and two minutes under the UV light. Perfect for nail salon owners or manicure enthusiasts who want to create salon-quality gel manicures and pedicures at home, this professional UV nail lamp comes equipped with three time settings, a patent-pending feature that limits light exposure to your eyes, and a curved interior design to guide the fingers for correct placement. Plus, this best professional nail lamp has an acetone-resistant and magnetized tray that’s easy to clean between each use.
What testers say: “This has been a great purchase. My salon uses this same machine. It is pricey, but I have already made up for it by not paying to get gels every other week. PS: Gels are just as easy as painting nails that are not gel and there is no downtime for drying. The only watch-out is that you really need to figure out a technique to remove your gels so you don’t damage your nails.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $119.99
BEST AFFORDABLE NAIL LAMP
Aokitec Portable UV LED Lamp
What’s included: One mini UV and LED nail lamp; USB power cord (adapter not included)
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$6.99 $9.99 30% off
Don’t let the price of this portable UV lamp from Aokitec throw you off. According to its over 6,000 reviews on Amazon, its low price tag does not reflect the quality of the device, which is high. Similar to the aforementioned Kempa miniature, Aokitec’s dryer is pocket-sized (identical to a computer mouse) and therefore perfect for travel — not to mention for living spaces with limited storage. The device cures nails with less heat than a larger lamp, but still gets the job done in 45 or 60 seconds at a time. And if your entire hand doesn’t fit under the lamp all at once, no problem. Just cure your thumbs separately from your other fingers.
What reviewers say: “I love this light! It is so compact, easy to travel with, and works really well. The legs are a little flimsy, however the light itself and the size is great!!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $6.99
Easkep UV LED Nail Lamp
What’s included: One UV and LED nail lamp, hand-protecting gloves, power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$24.99 $29.99 17% off
For an even, complete cure, there’s the Easkep’s UV LED nail lamp. This smart device features 12 lamp beads on top of its internal structure, as well as 24 lamp beads on its sides to ensure the entire nail dries seamlessly. Plus, with 120 watts of high power, Easkep’s lamp cures gel manicures twice as fast as the standard 80-watt lamp. The dual light sourced device runs on pre-fixed timers (from 10 seconds to 99 seconds), features an infrared sensor and temperature protection to guard users’ hands against potential burns. What’s more, the set includes fingertip-less gloves to protect your hands from the bulbs without smudging your mani.
What testers say: “This is a very good lamp. It’s powerful so you spend less time under it to cure nails. I wish I’d seen it and paid attention to wattage before buying like 3 others that aren’t nearly as effective. Great lamp for a great price. Highly recommend!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $24.99
Xfzm UV LED Flashlight for Gel Nails
What’s included:
Power source:
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.99 $14.99 33% off
This UV light for gel nails is arguably the most innovative device on this list with a flashlight-style silhouette. It won’t take the place of an actual lamp for full mani-pedis, but it is the perfect solution for on-the-go touchups. The flashlight is the literal definition of pocket-size and portable. Stash it in your overnight bag or keep it at your desk — you can always have this miniature lamp on you for curing on the fly. It’s comprised of LED purple lamp beads but that work at phototherapy speed, outsourcing the equivalent of a 12W lamp.
What testers say: “Really nice for flash curing gems and gel! It’s so small you can use it quickly and it’s more concentrated. I love it!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp
What’s included: One UV and LED nail lamp with a power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$33.99
Featuring a high-powered dual light source, the MelodySusie UV LED nail lamp emits a wavelength ranging between 365 and 405 nanometers to cure and dry gel nail polish quickly, evenly, and sufficiently. Equipped with four time settings and utilizing energy-saving, environment-friendly LG chip technology, this best LED lamp for gel nails can shorten curing time by up to 50 percent compared to similar models. It has a bigger footprint than similar options on our list, making it great for those who tend to bump their nails on the interior walls of standard sized nail lamps, as well as those who want to do an at-home gel pedicure.
What testers say: “Have had this lamp for almost 3 years now, so I went on Amazon looking for a new lamp that would have a low heat setting (as recommended by TikTok). To my surprise this affordable lamp has the low heat mode already! I’ve gone through war with this lamp and it’s still amazing. So happy I bought this years ago and definitely recommend for anyone on a budget.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $33.99
Jewhitney UV LED SunX4 Gel Polish Nail Dryer
33,000 five-star Amazon reviews
What’s included: One UV and LED nail lamp; USB cord (adapter not included)
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.99
This UV nail lamp from Jewhitney has over 33,000 five-star ratings on Amazon alone, so if tester reviews affect your purchases, it’s one to consider. The dryer is suitable for both at-home and salon use, and its professional quality reflects in its features. The UV lamp is designed with the customer’s safety in mind, featuring automatic sensors that turn the light on and off, and uses a dual LED light source that imitates the sunlight. The device also detects internal temperature automatically and adjusts itself to low-power operation when the lamp overheats and returns to normal when it cools. Its timer settings include 10, 30, 60 and 120 seconds, and the device is USB-powered, meaning it’s compatible with laptops, computers, power banks, wall chargers and USB adapters.
What testers say: “This nail lamp works wonderfully! I do my own gel nails at home, and I needed a larger lamp that both my hands and feet will fit under. This lamp met my needs. The three time settings are wonderful because different times are needed for different gels. My nails dried perfectly, my entire hand fits under the lamp, and my toes fit under there as well. I highly recommend this item if you do gel nails at home.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
BEST PORTABLE NAIL LAMP
Gaoy Handheld UV Light for Gel Nails
Amazon’s Choice
What’s included: One handheld UV light with a USB charging cord
Power source: Rechargeable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.99 $12.99 23% off
Low wattage is the name of the game for at-home gel manicures: This allows the polish to cure slowly and lends some malleability to the finish, which is essential for a longer-lasting manicure (hardened polishes tend to lift around the edges). Gaoy’s Handheld UV Light delivers just that with its marker-shaped design, allowing you to move the light around each nail to gently but effectively set the polish in place. The rechargeable design holds enough battery life for 40 minutes of continuous use, which is plenty to cure your base, color, and top coat nail polish on each digit.
What testers say: “10/10 buy this product. It is completely compact and works BEAUTIFULLY! I used it to cure gel over my dip manicure at home and it took 2 minutes. It charged very quickly and didn’t die while I was using it. The product itself seems sturdy and the packaging is sleek. I couldn’t be more happy with it.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
Beetles Mini UV Light for Gel Nails
Over 8,000 five-star Amazon reviews
What’s included: One mini UV gel nail lamp; USB cable (adapter not included)
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
Whether you’re glamming on-the-go or are short on space for your beauty tools, Beetles’ Mini UV Light is here to save the day. This mini UV lamp for nails cures your nails one at a time, but does its job quickly for an efficient at-home mani. Nail lamps that dry your nails individually (rather than all five fingers at once) are ideal for those who DIY at-home nail enhancements like soft gel nail extensions or intricate art, as it allows you to perfect your placement then set each nail design in place. It features a preset 60-second timer, taking the guesswork out of how long you need each nail to bask for a gorgeous result.
What testers say: “This is an amazing product. I mainly wanted the LED light but I did just a clear coat on my nails to strengthen my natural nails and this is a life saver!! It takes no time at all and I just made sure to do two coats of polish with double dry time to be sure. Once I was done I used some alcohol to get the tacky substance off of the nail and they look great. Did exactly what I needed it to do and saved me some time and money!!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $12.68
Aoraem LED Nail Lamp
What’s included: One LED nail lamp with a USB cord (adapter not included)
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$7.99
Praised by reviewers for its durability and convenience, the Aoraem LED Nail Lamp has a unique gooseneck design that allows you to adjust the angle of the light to evenly cure the edges of each nail. It features a clamped base to securely fix the nail lamp on a desk or the end of your countertop for easy at-home use. And you can click through four levels of intensity for different stages of your manicure, allowing you to go soft on the color nail polish and up the intensity to seal in the top coat with shine.
What testers say: “I have had every kind of cheap, portable nail lamp there is, each worse than the last. Don’t waste your money. This one actually works, and while it may not be as durable as a pro lamp, it’s 20 times as durable as any other home lamp I’ve used. It’s an LED in the right wavelength spectrum, and cures fast. I like the flexible neck and that it clips onto a tabletop and stays put.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $7.99
Le Mini Macaron DIY Gel Manicure Kit With Nail Lamp
What’s included: One mini LED nail lamp, one gel nail polish, cuticle stick, nail lamp, and gel polish remover wraps
Power source: USB cable
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
An excellent option for gel nail beginners, Le Mini Macaron’s kit comes with everything you need for an at-home gel manicure, including a tiny nail lamp to cure your nails one at a time. The set also includes essentials for nail prep and gel nail removal, including a cuticle stick, buffer, and gel nail polish remover wraps, plus one gel nail polish (that comes cutely coordinated with the color of your nail lamp). Once you buy this starter set, you can re-up on the brand’s gel nail polish individually as needed — the edited range of polish colors are $12 a pop on Amazon. Testers love this kit for travel, as the whole set is small enough to stash in a weekend bag.
What testers say: “It’s really easy to use compared to some of the other gel sets out there. I saw a lot of comments about chipping and peeling — personally, I used to have this issue when I first started using gel. And then I realized that after I buffed/cleaned my nails, it was really important not to touch anything (and I mean anything!!). Just immediately start painting the color. Because any bit of oil or little dust is going to affect the manicure. Once I started doing this, it works like a dream! I love how quickly it dries and then I’m out the door.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $37.99
Lady Misty UV LED Nail Lamp
Amazon’s Choice
What’s included: One UV and LED nail lamp; power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$9.99
A top-rated budget-friendly choice on Amazon, the Lady Misty UV LED Nail Lamp is one of the simplest to operate on our list. It features a touch-screen display and three pre-set timers of 30, 60, and 90 seconds, with 18 LED bulbs for even, fast drying. Its low-heat setting option is ideal for those who frequently deal with sensitivity when using LED nail lamps, and also helps to seal the color to the contours of your nail beds to prevent the polish from lifting.
What testers say: “I bought this personal UV lamp along with a pack of gel polish. I did multiple coats to make the polish thicker, and it took one to two rounds of 99 seconds of curing each time. It was super simple and the quality of the nail feels long lasting. I have a newborn baby and I’m a nurse so I use my hands for the worst of the worst and it has held up! The lamp is light weight, easy to use and plug in, small and portable, and definitely works better than expected.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $9.99
ALSO CONSIDER FOR TRAVEL
Sunrich UV Gel Nail Lamp
Amazon’s Choice
Over 7,500 five-star reviews
What’s included: One UV nail lamp; power cord
Power source: Plug-in cord
Amazon Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.5/5 stars
$25.99
The Sunrich UV gel nail lamp is so spacious that some testers report they can fit both hands in the nail lamp at once. This is great for those who want a fast mani with minimal dry time — it also uses 120 watts of power to cure nails 80 percent faster than competitors. The base of the nail lamp is removable, which allows you to remove it and easily place it over the feet for a gel pedicure. It’s also easy to operate, with four pre-set time settings (ranging from 10 to 120 seconds) and an LCD display.
What testers say: “This UV light is so easy to use and love the motion detection feature, I did not know about that when I bought it! Love that the bottom can detach to be able to use it for my feet. I have also used this to cure epoxy resin and it works great! Love this purchase!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $25.99
Are UV Nail Lamps Dangerous?
According to Dr. Evans, “The light emitted by a UV lamp falls within the UVA spectrum and can cause cellular damage, photoaging, and brown spots on the skin.”
However, Kandalec notes that everywhere we go we incur UV exposure — even on a cloudy day, “you get more exposure walking to your mailbox and back than in an LED nail lamp.” Kandalec adds that with gel manicures, “you’re typically in and out with less than five minutes of UV exposure once every few weeks.”
A 2020 review published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology focused on patients aged 40 years or younger with a history of gel manicures diagnosed with skin cancers on the hands and nails. The research found little to no carcinogenic risk of UV lamps, but encourages the use of broad-spectrum sunscreen prior to gel manicures.
For those who want to be extra cautious, particularly if you have a history of skin cancer, you can also stock up on a pair of UV-shielding gloves (Amazon has plenty of well-rated options) to prevent UV absorption.
LED vs. UV Nail Lamps
According to Néou, one of the main differences between LED (light-emitting diode) and UV (ultraviolet radiation) lamps lies in the type of radiation the bulbs emit. UV lights imitate sunlight and are mostly invisible. LED lights are visible, but can contain invisible light sources, including UV. So, which lamp is the better purchase?
In short: There are pros and cons to each type of lamp. For example, Kandalec explains that “LED lamps cure nails much faster than UV lamps,” in as little as 30 seconds, while UV lamps can take around three minutes to cure nails. However, Néou points out that LED lamps can restrict which polishes you can use, as not all gel polishes are compatible with these devices. UV lamps, she says, can cure almost any gel.
If you’re basing your purchase on what the pros use, Kandalec says salons tend to stick with the lamps that go with the product line their professional nail artists prefer such as CND, Gelish, The Gel Bottle and Kiara Sky, which all have their own products. Bottom line: Which lamp you choose will ultimately depend on your personal preferences.
What to Look for in the Best UV Nail Lamps for Gel Nails
Compatibility with polish: Most nail lamps are designed for curing gel nail polish at home, however these lamps also speed up the drying process with regular polish. Double check the lamp’s manufacturer website before purchasing to ensure that it’ll work with your preferred polish.
Number of LED beads: Expect most LED nail lamps to have 10 to 20 beads. You’ll want to make sure that the beads are well-dispersed throughout the lamp’s inner arch for even curing and drying.
Timer settings: Lamps with multiple timer settings allow you to dry and cure your nails without worrying about the polish feeling tacky. Options with automatic sensors will start the timer as soon as you slip your hand under the lamp. Note that gel nail polish typically requires a minimum of 30 to 60 seconds of curing time per coat.
Size: Those who are DIY-ing extensions or complex nail art should seek out a lamp that dries nails individually, so you can carefully cure each digit before the polish or tip slips. For simple coats of gel polish, look for arched nail lamps that will comfortably fit your entire hand.
Power source: According to our in-depth research and reviews of customer feedback, plug-in nail lamps are the most long-lasting options on the market. Testers noted that many rechargeable nail lamps lost their longevity after a year of use, though the portability is worth considering for those who take their manicures on-the-go.
How We Selected the Best UV and LED Nail Lamps
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To select the best nail lamps on the market, our editors began the research process by fielding interviews with three nail experts, including esteemed manicurists. We also spoke with a board-certified dermatologist to understand any risks of repeat exposure to gel nail lamps over time. Using their input and advice, we created a list of the top 50 nail lamps available for everyday shoppers, then combed through customer reviews and researched special features and settings to narrow it down to the top 16 nail lamps on the market. Our list includes a range of nail lamp designs, including rechargeable and handheld options that cure a single nail at a time up to standard dome-shaped lamps that you’d see in your nail salon. Any nail lamps with negative reviews about their value or safety features were eliminated from our list. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Experts
Julie Kandalec is a New York City-based celebrity manicurist and owner of Julie K Nail Atelier in NYC. Always the artist, she is also trained in painting, drawing, color, and dance. Known for her gentle touch, calm demeanor, and precise attention to detail, Julie’s specialties vary from a clean, natural nail to elaborate, custom-designed nails. Julie’s work can now be seen in major publications, beauty campaigns, and regularly on the fingertips of Jessica Chastain, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne, and many more.
Salina Néou is a Los Angeles-based nail technician with StyleSeat. Néou is experienced with nail art, gel extensions, and more.
Dr. Tracy Evans is a board-certified dermatologist, a skin cancer specialist, a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and a trusted provider of cosmetic procedures. She works diligently to balance the important connection between the medical and aesthetic qualities of skin. By using holistic approaches when possible and focusing on overall health and wellness, Dr. Evans helps her patients achieve radiant, glowing skin that bring out their confidence.
Meet the Authors
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits beauty, fashion and lifestyle stories. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, including the nail lamps you need for amazing at-home manicures. Sullivan updated this article on the best UV and LED gel nail lamps in March 2024 with additional expert insight and new product picks.
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
1. Sunuv Gel UV Nail Lamp
Offering 48 watts of power and 33 LED beads with over 50,000 hours of curing time, the Sunuv Gel UV nail lamp uniformly and efficiently cures gel nail polish and is suitable for every brand of polish and extensions. Able to fit five fingers or toes at once, this style is equipped with four timer settings and has an automatic sensing feature to ensure a safe at-home manicure experience.
Pros: Has four timer settings. Cures five fingernails or toes simultaneously. Uses non-ultraviolet white light that is safe for eyes.
Cons: Needs to be charged consistently.
Sunuv Gel UV Nail Lamp
2. LKE Gel UV LED Nail Lamp
Created for a simple user experience, the LKE gel UV LED nail lamp has an easy-to-navigate LED screen and smart automatic sensor feature so the treatment will begin and end when you’re ready. Its curved design protects your eyes from the UV light, while its soft light prevents skin discoloration. It works best with gel polishes that contain UV.
Pros: Smart sensor will automatically turn on LED lights when hand is placed inside. Lightweight. Curved design protects eyes.
Cons: Can’t be used with all types of polish.
LKE Gel UV LED Nail Lamp
3. Kempa Mini UV LED Nail Dryer
The Kempa mini UV LED nail dryer is perfect for manicures on-the-go thanks to its compact design, which can easily fit inside a makeup bag or purse when deconstructed. Providing a 50,000-hour lifetime, its light beads adopt advanced dual optical wavelength technology without causing damage to the eyes or skin. Choose between four time settings to create a customizable gel curing experience.
Pros: Very travel-friendly. Dual optical wavelength allows for a variety of nail polish to be used. Four timer settings.
Cons: Powered by an on/off button versus a sensor.
Kempa Mini UV LED Nail Dryer
4. MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp
Featuring a high-powered and LG dual light source, the MelodySusie UV LED nail lamp emits a wavelength ranging between 365 and 405 nanometers to cure and dry gel nail polish quickly, evenly and sufficiently. Equipped with four time settings and utilizing energy-saving, environment-friendly LG chip technology, this nail lamp has been found to shorten curing time by up to 50% compared to similar models.
Pros: Super fast curing time. Environment-friendly chip technology. Cures nail evenly.
Cons: Curing time depends on the gel used, which can get confusing.
MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp
5. Beetles UV LED Nail Lamp
Whether it’s to follow a nail art tutorial while you work or stream a show as you wait for your tips to dry, it’s likely that your phone is nearby and in use when you treat yourself to an at-home mani-pedi. Although you could lean your device on a pile of books or prop it up against bottles of polish, this UV LED nail lamp comes with a built-in phone stand on its surface to save you the hassle. The high-tech nail dryer and curer runs on 630 nanometers of red light, which reduces the risk of wrinkles on your hands. It also operates on an adjustable timer you can set to 30, 60 or 90-second sessions and is compatible with most brands’ poly gels, base coats, topcoats, hard builder gels, rhinestone glues and more.
Pros: Built-in phone stand to scroll while you cure. Adjustable timer. Works with most brands' gels, polishes and glues.
Cons: Can be tricky to clean the interior.
Beetles UV LED Nail Lamp
6. Lumcrissy UV LED Professional Nail Dryer
Perfect for nail salon owners, the Lumcrissy Professional LED nail dryer is a 64-watt powered nail lamp that is built with a heat-absorbing zinc alloy metal cover to protect eyes and extend the bulbs’ lifetime. Compatible with all gel polishes and extensions, the nail lamp features strategically-placed bulbs to evenly distribute heat and eliminate “dead zones,” has four time settings and is equipped with an automatic sensor and LED screen for safe and easy usage.
Pros: Easy to clean. Limits light exposure to eyes. Compatible with all gel polishes and extensions.
Cons: Not cordless; needs to be plugged in for use.
