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."
Boyce's top pick uses 39 strategically placed LED lights to simultaneously cure fingers and toes with a removable magnetic bottom plate. It also offers 90 minutes of continuous use time per charge and comes in three stunning shades (pink, teal, and white).
Pros: Cures all five fingers or toes at the same time
Cons: Offered at a high price point
Power: Battery operated
Wattage: 900 FX
Timer Settings: N/A
Customer Review: "I love this lamp! It’s super easy to use and the fact that it’s cordless is a major plus, very convenient. I’ve already used it to cure gel polish, and builder gel. It was a cinch! I highly recommend it."
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
The SunUV Sun3 UV LED Nail Lamp uses dual optical wavelengths and 39 durable LED beads to uniformly cure all kinds of UV and LED gel nail polish. It features a "double power" button to cure polish quickly, a smart sensor, and a low heat mode suitable for sensitive skin (best for curing builders and hard gels).
Pros: Designed with an auto on/off feature for quick and easy operation
Cons: None
Power: Cord plug-in
Wattage: 48W
Timer Settings: 10s, 30s, 60s, 99s
Customer Review: "I needed to upgrade my UV LED light since I enjoy doing my nails at home. I decided to give this one a try and am not regretting it at all. It amazed me how [quickly] my nails cured after putting them under the UV LED light. I would highly recommend this light for anyone who has been doing their nails at home, or are looking to start."
Best for Instant Results: Revel Nail Spectra Gel UV/LED Nail Lamp
This low-heat, lightweight UV LED nail lamp offers four time settings for gel and dip powder manicures. It also provides fast and efficient curing to help you achieve salon-quality nails in minutes. It also helps combat UV damage to the skin since it uses low-heat LED technology that won't damage your skin or nails.
Pros: Can evenly and smoothly dry all nails on one hand together
Cons: Does not have a portable design for ease of use
Power: Cord plug-in
Wattage: 36W
Timer Settings: 10s, 30s, 60s, 99s
Customer Review: "Large enough to cure all my nails at once and even great for pedicures. It comes with a built in sensor that will detect my hand and turn on automatically. I was able to achieve amazing results that look like salon level work. This is a great product with an incredible affordable price."
Best Splurge: Gelish Pro LED Light
The Pro LED Light lamp can be used on the hands and feet since it has a removable tray as part of its lightweight, compact design. It has a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours and is crafted with LED lightbulbs that won't need to be replaced. The lamp is also acetone-resistant and durable, making it ideal for frequent use by professionals and beginners.
Pros: Has a removable tray that makes it easy to cure both hands and feet
Cons: Does not dry and cure polish quickly; requires multiple cycles
Power: Battery operated
Wattage: 30W
Timer Settings: 30s, 60s
Customer Review: "I had bought cheaper ones in the past but they do not cure the nails as well as this one. I am able to do gel or polygel nails with this and it takes no time at all to cure my nails. 5/5 recommend! It is like going to a nail salon at your own home."
Best for Beginners: SunUV Sun 9C UV Nail Lamp
This lamp has a dual light source, shortens curing time, and cures all gels. It's portable and easy to use, and it's crafted without a bottom plate for manicures and pedicures. It has an automatic sensor that saves users from having to press buttons with uncured nails in between sessions. It also stands out because lightweight, compact, and easy to clean.
Pros: Designed to evenly polish on fingers and toes (has no bottom plate)
Cons: Does not dry and cure polish quickly; requires multiple cycles
Power: Cord plug-in
Wattage: 24W
Timer Settings: 30s, 60s
Customer Review: "I rarely write reviews, but this product was great. Very easy to use and most importantly cured my polishes very well. there is a 30 second and 60 second timer. for the topcoat, I would cure twice just to be safe and going on two weeks my nails haven’t chipped or lifted. very satisfied with my purchase."
Best Budget: MelodySusie P-Plus30F LED/UV Nail Lamp
MelodySusie has many high-quality curing lamps for salon-quality nails in minutes, but the P-Plus 30F LED/UV Nail Lamp offers high quality at a low price point. Not only can it cure all gel nail polishes quickly, but this one also features ventilation holes that prevent overheating and provide maximum heat dissipation.
Pros: Features an acetone-resistant body for durability
Cons: Customers have expressed concern about a "rattling" sound inside
Power: Cord plug-in
Wattage: 36W
Timer Settings: 30s, 60s, 99s
Customer Review: "Works great for my gel polish! It only turns on when your hand is inside and shuts off when you remove it. It has three timer settings, 30, 60, and 90 seconds. It’s lightweight and easy to use. I have only been using it for about a week but I’m pleased with it so far. For the price, I have no complaints."
Best Portable: DND Cordless Rechargeable UV-LED Lamp 48W
The most recent version of DND's best-selling cordless rechargeable lamp includes low and high heat modes for better controlled curing, four time settings for easy use, and nonslip, pedicure-friendly buttons. This one is also scratch- and acetone-resistant. It's wide enough to cover all five fingers and toes.
Pros: Features low and high heat modes so polish will cure evenly
Cons: None
Power: Battery operated
Wattage: 48W
Timer Settings: 45s, 50s, 60s, 9s
Customer Review: "Beautiful lamp with many great features love the fact that it’s cordless and so easy to keep it clean and maintain I would buy it again."
Best for Sensitive Hands: MelodySusie UV LED Nail Lamp 48W
The MelodySusie 48W LED UV Nail Lamp uses powerful LED beads that emit a 365nm 405nm wavelength to quickly and evenly dry gel polish. It also features four timers with a smart auto sensor that can be set according to the specific time needed to cure different polishes, and a low heat mode for a gentle curing option perfect for sensitive skin. It also happens to be the perfect side for manicures and pedicures.
Pros: Has a curved design that makes it easy to cure both hands and feet
Cons: Motion sensor is extremely sensitive
Power: Cord plug-in
Wattage: 48W
Timer Settings: 15s, 30s, 60s, 90s
Customer Review: "I have used this approximately 10 times and am happy with my purchase. I always use the 90 sec timer to cure my gel polish and have not had any issues. I love that it is larger and I can fit my whole hand/foot in it so there is no need to cure thumbs separately. The polish stays on until I am ready for a change! So far, I am happy with my purchase and would recommend this."
Best for Individual Nails: Apres Gel-X Omni Light
There are also a number of handheld UV lights that can be used to cure individual nails with a lower wattage. The Aprés Gel-X Omni Light, for example, can be used either as a flash cure wand or a standing self-cure light by simply pointing the light and pressing a button to cure each nail. It can also be conveniently charged by a USB for up to 60 minutes of use.
Pros: Can be charged by USB and work for up to 60 minutes
Cons: None
Power: Battery operated; USB charging system
Wattage: 3W
Timer Settings: N/A
Customer Review: "This little guy packs a punch for flash cures. Came in my kit and I had to write a review just for it! Easy to use, great battery life! Effective and efficient. The feet are sturdy to hold it upright even if the table gets bumped, love that it’s easy to grab and tilt the neck if I’m doing my own nails or someone else’s. Just wish it came in the nude or more color."
Best for Touchups: Airsee Cordless UV Nail Lamp
This high-quality UV lamp can quickly cure nail polish and gel top coats in seconds. This lamp also uses a 400mAh battery for 90 minutes of use, a USB port for easy charging, and comes with a 270-degree rotating folding stand that offers hands-free use of the lamp. That said, it should be noted that some customers have voiced concerns over certain nail polish formulas taking longer to cure.
Pros: Can be used for up to 90 minutes when fully charged
Cons: The lamp's UV light does not fit securely in the stand
Power: Battery operated, USB charging system
Wattage: 3W
Timer Settings: 20s, 60s
Customer Review: "I do really like the small design, basically because I've just started on doing my own gel polish manicure. So if I can only do a nail at a time, that works for me as I work slowly, since I'm still learning. It's totally easy to use and I love the fact that it's cordless, you do get the cable for charging it."
Best Handheld: MelodySusie Handheld UV Light
Looking for another hands-free UV lamp that comes with a stand? Get your hands on this one. Another one of our MelodySusie favorites, this UV light has a lightweight and compact design, making it the perfect choice to slip into your bag while on the go. It should also be noted that it's ideal for fast-curing rhinestone glue and creating other eye-catching 3D gel nail designs.
Pros: Features an innovative square spotlight design
Cons: N/A
Power: Battery operated, USB charging system
Wattage: 3W
Timer Settings: 20s, 60s
Customer Review: "This light is amazing! It cures nail glue so fast! It’s cute, easy to use, and works as it should! The battery lasts quite a while too. I haven’t had to recharge it yet and I’ve used it with two sets of nails."
How We Chose
As with all ofBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing '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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