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Sometimes you just can't be bothered with chipped nails. Though we're always fans of a fresh coat of traditional polish, we crave a manicure that's prepped to perfection and — most importantly — lasts.
If long-lasting manis are what you seek, consider switching over to at-home gel nail kits. Yes, they tend to be a tad pricier than regular nail polish kits, but with long-lasting, no-chip results that last at least 2 weeks, they’re well worth the price bump.
No longer limited to just salons, these at-home gel nail kits make it easy to replicate a gel mani yourself, so you can save money and time, without compromising on beauty. Get ready to ditch the nail salon and create the perfect l0ok in the comfort of your own home with these must-have gel nail kits.
The Best Gel Nail Kits
How to Shop
Go Formaldehyde-Free
When shopping for gel nail kits, your safest bet is to opt for formaldehyde-free polish whenever possible. Not only will your varnish smell slightly better, but you won’t have to worry about exposing your skin to potentially harmful chemicals.
“Contact with an uncured product, especially if it contains any harmful chemicals, may cause permanent allergic reactions and symptoms that won’t stop even after you switch product,” cautions manicurist and LeChat Nails educator Anastasia Totty. “Pay attention to any odor or unpleasant smell when you open the bottle. Products made and bottled in the USA have much higher safety standards that assure you get the best quality products.”
Finish
Want all of the high shine, or looking to try a matte mani? Some of these kits come with different top coat finishes for texture experimentation, limiting your options. Make sure you pick out a kit with the top coat you'd like to use (some of them come with multiple top coats to choose from). If you purchase the wrong one, you can easily buy a gel polish top coat at any online beauty store or e-retailer.
Essential Tools
“A well-prepped manicure is a very important step in making your gel manicure last,” says Totty. To ensure you have a flawless at-home gel mani, opt for a gel nail kit that includes at least a few basics, such as nail primer, base gel, top coat, a couple of polish colors, and nail polish remover.
She also advises stocking your at-home mani kit with nifty tools, like a nail clipper, cuticle pusher, cuticle nipper or scissors, a 180/100 grit nail file, and 240 grit nail buffer. Luckily, all these products are available on Amazon and cost only a few bucks a pop. And don't worry: You can use these tools whether your fingertips are painted or au naturel.
Although not essential, Totty suggests ordering a fresh bottle of cuticle oil infused with skincare quality ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, vitamin E, or CBD, for a nice dose of hydration and spa-like vibes without the premium price tag.
UV, LED, or Light-Free?
The biggest difference between gel polish and traditional lacquers is that gels are quickly cured under a light, reducing drying time and saving you from post-mani mishaps. But are these lights safe? Well, it depends on your light and how you use it. When gel polishes first debuted, they required UV lights to cure — which we all know isn't safe for our skin.
Thankfully, there are other options besides UV light-curing now. Most gel polish formulas have switched to using LED lights to cure, which aren't damaging to your skin. There are also light-free options, which take a bit longer than usual gels to dry but still have the same long-lasting, high-shine finish.
Ready to become your own nail technician? Then stock up on these top rated gel polish nail kits that were vetted by our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, who read through hundreds of online reviews to ensure they're aligned with Totty's guidance.
1
Best Overall
Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
Key Features
- Rating: 4.5-star average from nearly 13,400 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 6
You simply can't go wrong with this impressive gel nail kit. From its affordable price to the 12 nail tools to complete your manicure, thousands of very enthusiastic shoppers say it's 100% worth the hype. This set also includes six neutral-toned colors to choose from for a pristine, mess-free gel mani at home.
Several Amazon reviewers say this gel nail kit is an absolute must-have because it is extremely easy to use and great for all skill levels. To quote one 5-star review, “It’s absolutely worth the money. I bought this to use in between salon visits and I no longer have to visit the salon. The key is to apply the gel thinly and do the prep work.”
Not only does the polish resistant to regular wear and tear, but reviewers note it'll remain glossy the entire duration of your gel manicure.
More: Dip-Powder Manicure Kits You Can Do at Home
Key Features
- Rating: 4.5-star average from nearly 4,300 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 6
This simple gel nail kit has only the basics you actually need — all at an attractive price, to boot. The brand promises you'll get 10 total applications out of the included gel color, base, and top coat, making this perfect for beginners.
Amazon reviewers use words like “must have,” and “life-changing” to describe this impressive gel nail kit. One reviewer says this kit keeps up with their busy lifestyle, which includes gardening, caring for chickens, hair styling, and a moderately-heavy typing job. However, they were most impressed with how fast it took for the polishes to cure — they gave themselves a gel mani and pedi within an hour.
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Key Features
- Rating: 4.5-star average from nearly 6,200 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 12
Want to go all-out with your next nail design? Thousands of Amazon reviewers say this is a truly epic gel nail kit. In fact, one Amazon reviewer boldly declared that purchasing this gel nail kit was “the best decision ever” because it’s incredibly versatile. Not only does it come with 12 colors to choose from, but it also has all the glitter and rhinestones you need for a shimmery and bedazzled look.
Although the polishes are on the smaller side, Amazon reviewers say this gel nail kit will last for several months. They also suggest applying the varnish in thin layers, letting them cure before adding a new coat.
4
The Big Kit
Gel Polish Pro Kit with Blue LED Light
Key Features
- Rating: 4.1-star average from more than 190 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 6
Amazon reviewers love this kit because it contains everything you need for a gel manicure — a pre-and post-application nail cleanser, nail primer, base coat, top coat, gel polish color, cuticle oil, and, of course, an LED lamp to cure the polish (aka harden it onto nails). There are also several accessories, such as 20 foil remover wraps, buffing sticks and strips, an emory board, and wipes.
Simply follow each step according to the instructions, and you'll have a chip-free manicure in under an hour.
A bonus: Amazon reviewers are obsessed with the LED lamp's automatic timer since they won't have to worry about timing themselves when curing each coat.
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Key Features
- Rating: 4.4-star average from nearly 1,170 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 12
Sure, playing with colors is fun, but what about experimenting with texture and finishes? This massive gel nail kit comes with 36 hues to play around with, plus a base and two top coats — one for a matte finish and one for a classic sheen.
Need more room for experimentation? GELLEN's kit has you covered! You have several glitters to elevate your at-home manicure game and all the nail tools you could ever need, including an LED lamp, brushes and cuticle pushers.
Amazon reviewers say this gel nail kit is consistently great. You only need to use thin layers for 5-star results. “The polish lasts well, applies easily, and looks beautiful,” says one satisfied Amazon review. Other reviewers also appreciate that the kit comes in a cute box, making it the perfect nail gift set as well.
Key Features
- Rating: 4.5-star average from nearly 2,330 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 6
From files to a compact LED light, this $21 gel nail kit has everything you need for shiny, dazzling manicures without breaking the bank. All it takes from you are three simple steps to create a beautiful, damage-proof color that lasts up to 2 full weeks.
One home caregiver awarded this gel nail kit a 5-star Amazon review because it took over two weeks for faint signs of wear to pop up. They note it also withstands handwashing dishes, bathing their pet hedgehog, and deep cleaning at home and work.
The French Manicure gel nail kit is currently sold out, but that's okay because Amazon reviewers can't are obsessed with Pink Chiffon, a glossy and mid-tone pink.
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Key Features
- Rating: 4.3-star average from more than 330 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 2
This salon-style gel kit has all of the prep-and-finish essentials you need to get started, along with an LED lamp that cures polish in just 45 seconds. Each brush also features a laser-cut, domed design that gives you a smoother application and even better control.
Amazon reviewers can’t get enough of Gossip Girl and June Bride, the hot pink and glittery gel nail polishes in the kit. “I have washed dishes, cleaned bathrooms, gardened, and cleaned up after dogs and chickens, and they haven’t chipped,” says one 5-star Amazon review. The Amazon reviewer is so enamored with these gel nail polishes that they threw out their old regular nail polish in favor of these
The only downside: The mini LED lamp can comfortably fit only a few fingers at a time. Luckily, it's just a minor problem for Amazon reviewers who don't mind the tradeoff since their gel mani lasts up to 3 weeks at a time.
Key Features
- Rating: 4.5-star average from nearly 13,400 Amazon reviews
- # of polishes: 20
This gel polish kit comes with a whopping 20 shades to play around with, plus two top coats (classic and matte) and a base coat for a totally customizable look. The best part: It costs around $16!
One nail tech left a 5-star Amazon review because the polishes are very pigmented, and the kit is incredibly easy for beginners to use. Another reviewer loves that each layer of gel nail polish cures in 60 seconds, allowing them to save plenty of time and go about their day as usual.
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package. You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventues.
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
