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May 18, 2023

13 Best UV Nail Lamps in 2023 — LED Nail Polish Lamps

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise. Because a mani shouldn't break the bank. There are two things you should know about me: (1) I'm always

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.

Because a mani shouldn't break the bank.

There are two things you should know about me: (1) I'm always in desperate need of a fresh manicure (s/o to my chipped, dry nails that def need a nail strengthener and cuticle oil), and (2) I am the CEO of money-saving beauty hacks. Press-on nails? Tried that. Nails wraps? YUP. DIY acrylic nails? Don't even get me started. Basically, I've done everything to get out of paying upwards of $40 a nail appointment, and THEN I discovered the UV nail lamp for gel nail polish. Two words: Game changer.

A UV lamp works by using either LED or UV lights to cure gel nail polish, leaving it stronger and more chip-resistant just like at the salon (but cheaper and often less difficult to remove yourself). But because there are so many options (some of which aren’t even effective), I chatted with board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, to get his expert opinion on the best UV nail lamps of 2022. But first, let me introduce you to a few of my top faves...

Interest piqued? Cool, because I've got a ton more where that came from. And because I know the struggle of online shopping, I have taken the liberty of providing you with a variety of UV and LED nail lamps. So without further ado, here are the 13 best nail lamps for an at-home salon gel mani that'll save you some big bucks. It's time to dive in.

Not only is this DIY gel mani kit totally adorable—the lamp is shaped like a macaron—but it's mini, and everyone knows the cutest things come in the smallest packages. If you're looking to dip your fingers in (hehe) the gel lamp world, consider opting for this kit that has everything you need to get it goin'.

THE REVIEW: "I have been using Le Mini Macaron for over a year now I have around 15 colors. This product works extremely well if you use the polish as directed. I have purchased many of the kits for friends and family as well and they all love this product too!" writes one tester.

You know anything that has a spot for your phone is totally practical in this modern day. I mean how else are you supposed to watch a DIY gel mani tutorial on YouTube?! With a designated phone holder, this UV and LED nail lamp has a four-mode timer.

THE REVIEW: "It works just like the salon lamps! If you are looking to do your own nails, this is the lamp you want!" reads one customer's review.

This UV and LED nail lamp works for each and every type of gel nail polish, meaning you'll have no issues curing any polish. The lamp also comes with four timer settings (10, 30, 60, and 99 seconds) that will automatically shut off at the end of the processing. Oh, and not to mention, the nail lamp has basically a 5-star rating from over 13,000 thousand happy customers.

THE REVIEW: "The best purchase of my year. It came well packaged, and with good instructions that really were not even needed because it's so easy to figure out. It's lightweight, it plugs into the wall, and there's no heat up time," writes one customer.

You won't need to worry about the fuss of extra buttons and settings with this nail lamp. Equipped with an auto sensor and soft lights to protect the skin, this easy-to-use DIY nail lamp will have your mani lookin' professional.

THE REVIEW: "Works like one in the salon! I don't have time to go get my nails done and don't have time to wait for regular nail polish to dry, so I love being able to do my own gel manicure at home on my own time," writes one tester.

Most nail lamps only have enough room for one hand, but you won't have that problem with this nail lamp roomy enough to fit both hands (or feet) with ease. The LED lamp also comes equipped with a large LCD screen that shows the amount of time left in the curing process.

THE REVIEW: "I absolutely love this product! I was nervous at first but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I used a UV gel top coat—and added some bling to my nails and feet—and it worked just like the salon if not better," reads one tester's written review.

This OPI gel nail lamp will cost ya a pretty penny but think about all the money you will save from those trips to the salon. In fact, many professional nail salons use this very lamp. Seems like a winner, huh?

THE REVIEW: One satisfied customer says, "my clients love how roomy it is inside, the handle is GREAT for moving and handling purposes, it looks very professional and clean, and there is ample room for clients to rest their hands on top as I polish."

This plug-in LED nail lamp uses a metal cover to prevent the nails from that burning feeling you may get with other nail lamps. Due to the open design, this lamp is also incredibly suitable for pedicures as well as manicures.

THE REVIEW: "They stopped selling the OPI one that I'm sure you see in all the nail salons. I found this one, and as a Nail Tech, it's just as great as the famous OPI one. Love it and it's worth every penny!" writes one customer.

If you're taking the salon home, you're going to need to remove the old gel polish before your fresh set. With this nail lamp, not only will you have access to a quick curing lamp, but you'll also get a nail drill to help you remove those bbs when it's time.

THE REVIEW: "I like this kit—my nails look more professional. The lamp is easy to use and it has an included nail drill. It's very cost-effective, and I recommend it," writes one customer.

With almost a 5-star rating, this holographic nail lamp works to cure gel polish with both UV and LED lights. The roomy size allows for both hands to fit, and the removable magnetic base makes can cure toes as well. According to a happy review, this light is a holy grail product.

THE REVIEW: "I wanted to get this for a while, and I’m really happy with it. It’s very spacious and easy to use, and it looks nice too. I was surprised at how light it is, and of course, it works like a dream!" writes one tester.

This nail lamp is fully powered by LED lights and the lamp is cordless and rechargeable, offering a 30 percent longer battery life than most competitors. To top it off, this LED lamp also comes with a built-in motion sensor activation.

THE REVIEW: "Love, love, love it! I got it as a gift so I can do my own gel nails. It works great. Love that it can be used without the plug. Love the settings! Very professional!" reads one customer's review.

If you're someone that travels a lot and always wants to ensure that your mani stays in tip-top shape, this compact cure mini gel lamp is just the thing for you. This LED lamp is the perfect tool to keep on hand in those emergency nail chipping scenarios.

THE REVIEW: "This lamp is a must-have. Perfect to take with you and it is a powerful little thing—love that you can fold it and close it," reads one customer's review.

If you're in the market for a fully LED nail lamp, this one by Red Carpet Manicure is for you. The LED lights work to cure each coat of your nail polish in thirty seconds per round.

THE REVIEW: "If you have ever gotten a gel mani before and know how the process works, then this is for YOU. I did it exactly how my salon does, and ended up with a perfect manicure. I kept thinking the whole time how much money I was going to save in the long run with this!" reads one customer's review.

This sleek and lightweight nail lamp works for both traditional UV gels and LED gel formulations, offering 30 and 60-second timer options. The dome shape design allows for maximum space when curing the nails.

THE REVIEW: "This lamp is a must! It's portable and lightweight, so it stores away nicely. I’ve used multiple lamps over the years and this is really one of the best in terms of product design," writes one customer.

Depending on the salon or manicurist, and the type of LED gel polish used, it could be either or. Because this is the case, there are gel nail lamps available that have both LED and UV lights to ensure that there will be no difficulties curing the polish.

Gel nail polish differs from regular nail polish due to the fact that it is set or cured with ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light can come from either a UV or LED source, and there are a few differences between the two. Let me break it down for you:

"UV manicure lamps emit UVA radiation which is a known cancer-causing agent," says Dr. Lal, adding that exposure to this radiation may lead to sun spots and damage to the skin. Because of this, it is a common misconception that LED nail lamps are better alternatives to UV ones. However, "LED lights emit a variety of wavelengths—some of which include the same wavelengths as UVA," says Dr. Lal. This means that LED lamps aren’t necessarily a 'safer' alternative. Let's jump into the science...

"A study published in 2014 by JAMA Dermatology identified major differences in energy in the various commercial UVA lamps; they also noted the energy emitted by the UVA lamps is low and not enough to cause DNA damage," says Dr. Lal. However, most people who get gel manicures do so often, and Dr. Lal notes that this repetitive exposure to UVA radiation is dangerous. "We don’t have evidence to prove UVA lamps cause skin cancer, but based on our understanding of UVA radiation, the risk exists," he says.

If you want to limit exposure—which is always smart—you should protect your skin beforehand with sunscreen. If you want to be extra safe, some UV protectant nail gloves are a great idea as well.

Siena Gagliano is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has two years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing nail stories, like the best press-on nails and the top nail stickers. She regularly tests and analyzes UV nail lamps on her own nails for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top professionals to assess new formulas and brands.

Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.

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