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Shoppers Love These Top-Rated UV Nail Lamps for Salon-Grade Manicures at Home
Take your DIY mani to the next level.
I know this might sound crazy coming from a beauty writer, but I truly dread going to the nail salon. Over the past year, something in me changed. Between the extra-long wait times and constantly surging prices, I decided to quit my bi-weekly appointment schedule and opt for weekly press-on sessions from the comfort of my own home. However, while I love my glue-on plastic tips, I was missing the durability of a salon-grade mani. The solution and my latest obsession? At-home gel manicures with a top-tier UV lamp that promises longevity and prevents chipping.
Curing your gel polish with a UV lamp is the most essential step to ensure your nails will stand the test of time. “The light emits UV wavelengths that hit molecules in the gel called photoinitiators, or compounds, that absorb light and convert it into the energy needed to drive the polymerization process,” says Molly Romah, lead nail artist at NYC-based spa Chillhouse. “When the light from the UV waves bonds with those molecules, it activates them, making the gel cure into a hard plastic.” Unfortunately, repeated and frequent exposure to UV rays can be harmful in the long run, so make sure to apply a trusted sunscreen beforehand and hydrate with hand cream afterward.
Our picks for the top UV nail lamps of 2025
To find the best nail lamps on the market, we pored over online reviews, asked pro nail artists for their all-time favorites, and even tested out a few for ourselves. Whether you’re a die-hard DIYer like me or just starting your manicurist journey, these are the 15 best UV lamps for a high-shine, high-quality set of nails.
Pros
- Hand pillow at top
Cons
- Nails may need a few passes
Thanks to 48W high-power LED beads designed for even and quick gel curing, dry time is a breeze. The large opening allows up to five fingernails or toenails to be dried at once, and a pink hand pillow at the top makes polishing more comfortable.
Weight: 2.3 lbs
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My eyes love to wander whenever I’m at a nail salon. Which polish is the best? What lotion are they using for the hand massage? What UV lamp are they using to keep my gel intact for weeks? For the latter question, it’s this Amazon bestseller. I spotted it in my go-to salon and needed it for at-home maintenance ASAP. As much as I love sitting quietly in a salon chair doing my nails for up to an hour, nothing beats doing my nails in the comfort of my home. This lamp cures most gel polishes in a flash—or 10, 30, 60, or 90 seconds, depending on what your nail polish indicates—without any painful hot sparks. The bottom plate is removable in case you want to add some gel polish to your toes for a quick pedi.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Pros
- Reduces heat spikes
Cons
- Sensor can be sensitive
With a strong 48W light, this lamp also features thoughtful details that’ll make your mani or pedi easier to complete, including a clear LCD display, four timer settings, and a handy countdown function.
Weight: 13.44 oz
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s powerful and cures fast yet does not give that burning/hot feeling on my hands. I also like that it has a sensor so you can place both hands at a time, and you don’t have to press anything for the light to turn on.”
Pros
- Reduces heat spikes
Cons
- Can only do one hand at a time
Touted as the “most reliable light ever,” Gelish’s 36-watt UV lamp works best with its Gelish soak-off polishes, but can still deliver fast results in just 60 seconds. Thanks to its Comfort Cure technology, you won’t feel the flash of heat you’ve likely experienced from other UV lamps.
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve had my machine for four years now, and it still works great! I’m a professional nail tech, and I’ll definitely rebuy this machine again.”
Pros
- Made for at-home use
Cons
- Have to cure thumb separately
Celebrity nail artist Miss Pop swears by her OPI UV lamps. “Pretty much every OPI lamp I’ve had has been awesome,” she says. The GELement LED Gel Lamp has a four-finger design, so it may take an extra step to cure your whole hand, but you won’t have to awkwardly squeeze your thumb into the lamp. Plus, it’s equipped with an automatic 60-second timer for easy at-home use.
Weight: 7.23 oz
Battery: Cord plug-in
Our expert says: “This is the consumer version of my favorite pro lamp (the OPI Star Light Gel Lamp). I love it because the light doesn’t spill out of both ends and it’s not flimsy.”—Miss Pop, celebrity nail artist
Pros
- Sleek, foldable design
Cons
- Flimsy
Need a UV lamp that isn’t too clunky to bring on the go? Salon Perfect has you covered with their UV/LED Gel Lamp, which has foldable legs for easy portability. Small but mighty, it uses dual-wavelength technology to cure evenly and deliver a salon-grade glossy finish.
Weight: Unlisted
Battery: Cord plug-in
Salon Perfect rating: 4.5/5 stars
Our expert says: “When I’m traveling and plan to do my own many, I’ll bring this sweet, petite lamp. It’s great for flash curing and curing four fingers at once.”—Miss Pop
Pros
- Professional-level
Cons
- Heavy
For those who don’t want UV light reaching anywhere but their hands, the CND LED Lamp is your perfect match. The professional-level lamp uses patented curing technology and boasts a dome shape that ensures no light escapes.
Weight: 5 lb
Battery: Cord plug-in
Beyond Polish rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “I love this dome lamp. This one really keeps the light on the nails and not all over my studio.”—Miss Pop
Pros
- Five-finger curing
Cons
- Preset timer of 10, 30, and 60 seconds
While the Aprés Beta LED Nail Lamp didn’t make Miss Pop’s top three, she says, “the outside design looks a little better, so points for that.” It even comes in three neutral colorways—black, white, and tan. Looks aside, it has 36 watts of LED light, which is powerful enough to cure most LED gels in just 30 seconds.
Weight: 2.14 lb
Battery: Cord plug-in
Aprés rating: 4.9/5 stars
An Aprés reviewer says: “LOVE THIS LAMP! Solid built, beautiful design. The nude is a pale dusty pink. I travel and this is a hardy little machine!! I’m super happy with the quality!!”
Beyond Pro Rechargeable LED Lamp Volume II
Pros
- Rechargeable
Cons
- Some reviewers wish battery life was longer
A professional-grade UV lamp, Kiara Sky’s 48-watt iteration is powered by LG technology and rechargeable so that you can work for hours without long, tangled cords getting in your way. Plus, the bubble pink packaging elevates any working station.
Weight: 4.55 lbs
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Very nice looking—lots of room in the interior, timing buttons, automatically goes on when hand is put in. If you are serious about nails, I’d say this lamp is worth the price.”
Pros
- Super affordable
Cons
- Curing can take longer
Don’t let this mini nail lamp fool you. While you can tote it anywhere, thanks to its compact size, the six-watt style can get the job done. Plus, it has three versatile time settings and is incredibly affordable.
Weight: 1.76 oz
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Love that it’s super small and it fits inside my purse! Very practical. It works perfectly fine. Perfect for travel. Definitely recommend it.”
Pros
- Great for curing gel extensions
Cons
- Takes longer than a full-hand lamp
If you like to give every nail its own moment, this mini lamp ensures each one is properly and evenly cured, especially for those who prefer gel extensions. A built-in sensor guarantees you don’t have to fiddle with any on/off buttons either.
Weight: 0.25 lbs
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This little UV light was exactly what I needed! I was trying to use the one that I could put my whole hand under, and it made it extremely difficult to use when trying to cure nail gel glue to your fingernail.”
Pros
- Comes complete with tools and accessories
Cons
- Can be time-consuming
Is there anything cuter than this mini UV lamp shaped like a macaron? This kit also has a mini gel polish, cuticle stick, nail file, and remover wraps.
Weight: 0.33 lbs
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Took this on vacation; this will be in my emergency travel kit for sure. It’s super easy to use; just apply and cure. No mess, and it doesn’t take up any space in luggage. Gel stays on for a couple of weeks, and it’s easy to take off with the acetone wipes and file that come with it.”
Pros
- Two-hand dryer
Cons
- Longer drying time
Big enough for both hands—or both feet—this 150-watt lamp has multiple timer modes, a motion sensor, and detachable plates to ensure every inch of your nail will be dried evenly.
Weight: 15.2 oz
Battery: Cord plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Lamp is very lightweight and made a huge difference in how long my at-home gel polish lasts. I can easily get more than two weeks out of a manicure with just a little chipping. The higher wattage is the key!”
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Polish easy to remove
Cons
- May be more prone to chipping than regular gel polish
This lamp comes in an easy-to-use kit complete with a base coat, pale pink polish, and top coat, as well as a polish remover. Although the manicures you’ll be able to achieve with this set look like gel ones, they’ll be as simple to remove as regular polish. Additionally, it’ll only take about 30 minutes to give yourself a full mani, thanks to the fast-acting LED nail lamp.
Wattage: 24W
Battery: Rechargeable with USB cable
Amazon rating: 3.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I wanted a polish that is quick-curing but not a true gel for my toes. After doing the research, I decided to try this brand. I followed the instructions and I’m now two weeks into my home pedi with nary a single chip. Even professional pedis usually start chipping in seven to 10 days for me. I have not yet tried removal but will update if [there are] any issues with that. Otherwise, so far I love this!”
Pros
- Multiple timer settings
Cons
- Sensor can be sensitive
Bypass buttons with the automatic sensors of this popular Amazon pick. An extra spacious drying chamber allows both hands to be cured simultaneously by 36 high-power LED bulbs. The box also has nail accessories, such as buffing blocks and nail files, to create the picture-perfect mani.
Weight: 1.94 lbs
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Battery: Cord plug-in
An Amazon reviewer says: “This lamp worked perfectly for my gel fill and gel OPI polish change. I like how it will turn on when you put your hand inside and will stay on for one minute and 20 seconds. It also has the option to use 10, 30, or 60 seconds with the push of a button. It has a nice-sized opening, so I wasn’t worried about messing up my nails (or toenails) when inserting them into the light. It’s not heavy, and the top snaps on or off to make it easy to clean.”
Pros
- Dries nails fast
Cons
- Can have a bit of a learning curve
Doing your nails means carving out some time for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you want to wait forever for them to dry. Let us introduce you to this 30-watt LED light that’s made to cure all your fingers or toes in 30 seconds.
Weight: 1.98 lbs
Battery: Cord plug-in
Ulta rating: 3.7/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I am a beginner nail tech, and this is perfect. It cures extremely well, is easy to carry around, and it’s sleek and stylish, too.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Mona Gohara is a board-certified dermatologist and Dove dermatologist spokesperson.
Molly Romah is the lead nail artist at NYC-based spa Chillhouse.
Miss Pop is a celebrity nail artist based in New York City.
Is it safe to use UV light on nails?
“According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, both LED and UV lamps used for nail grooming emit ultraviolet (UV) light,” says Dr. Gohara. “They primarily are sources of UVA, which is a risk factor for aging and skin cancer. That said, the risk is considered moderate and significantly less than the risk incurred from a tanning booth.”
To help minimize potential risks and protect the skin, Dr. Gohara suggests taking a few precautions. “Keep your skin barrier strong by using gentle cleansers that moisturize as they cleanse,” she says. “I love the Dove Deep Moisture Hand Wash, followed by further strengthening of the skin barrier by using a corresponding lotion (she also recommends Dove’s Sensitive Care Hand Cream). Also, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply 20 minutes before your treatment.”
Is a LED or UV lamp better for gel nails?
According to Romah, the answer really comes down to personal preference. “When you decide to choose between an LED and UV nail lamp, you should focus not only on your budget, but also on what you want to accomplish,” Romah says. Although typically more expensive, LED lamps cure gel nails faster than UV lamps, which can be a plus if you tend to be impatient or short on time. “LED lamps emit narrower UV wavelengths than UV lamps with higher concentration and more energy,” she explains. “These light-emitting diodes target specific photoinitiators in the gel polish, which enables the gel to cure much faster than UV lamps.”
Also, remember that LED lamps tend to last longer, while the bulbs in UV lamps often need replacing. However, not all gel polishes can be cured by LED lamps. “Salons that use strong gels like UV gel, or hard gels, will likely use UV lamps, which cure all gels,” she says. “UV lamps are also more effective at curing clear gel nails.”
As far as Romah’s favorite type of device? “I like LED lamps better because they dry faster, save time on getting gel manicures done, and last longer,” she says. “But that’s also because I only work with soak gels.”
Should I be concerned about the wattage of LED and UV nail lamps?
According to Romah, most professional LED and UV nail lamps are at least 36 watts, while some have more than 36 watts, depending on the brand. “I just suggest looking for LED lamps with less time exposure to the light,” she says. “It should take five to 30 seconds to cure a base coat and 30 to 60 seconds to cure colors or a top coat.”
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE editors consulted a nail artists to learn about the best UV lamps for nails. They also tested them out, read through countless customer reviews, and evaluated each product on their unique features.
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