Nothing is more attractive than a woman with a perfect manicure and an outstanding hairdo. A woman’s idea of heaven is a day in the spa dolling up by pampering their bodies and getting their nails done. For this reason, the nail polish industry has exploded and new, innovative products such as nail gel polish have been received with much relish. To get a perfect gel application, you have to use one of the best nail dryers and lamps that will ensure every nail dries sufficiently to prevent smudges.
Gone are the days when one had to wait for so many minutes for nail polish to dry so that the nails may look perfect. Gel polish is easy to apply, dries very fast and lasts for long without the need to re-apply. Curing gel polish can be as fast as 30 seconds using quality LED or UV lamp. So what’s the difference between the two lamps? An LED nail lamp cures faster than the UV one since it uses more narrow wavelengths to cure the gel.
Check also: AW2K’s selection of best hair dryers and hair straighteners.
The best thing about having a nail dryer and lamp is that you don’t have to go to the salon every time you want your nails done since you can do it right from the comfort of your home. However, as the popularity of gel polish lamps has risen, the market has been filled with a lot of imitations that will leave you disappointed. In here, we have a selection of the best nail dryers and lamps from reputable brands that will give you value for money and ensure you get that perfect gel polish finish. Enjoy.
Top 10 Nail Dryers and Lamps Of 2020 Reviewed
1. SUNUV SUN9C LED Nail Lamp
Best LED Nail Lamp
SUNUV is one of the pioneer manufacturers of best nail dryers and lamps and have developed and designed over 20 such products. One of their best sellers is this SUN9C LED UV dual light nail dryer that has a one-button design with 30/60 second timer. It boasts of an auto sensor that turns on automatically and keeps curing for up to 120 seconds without turning off. The drying area is spacious enough to fit the whole foot and hand without leaving some nails out.
With this nail lamp, there will be no need to replace the lamp tube often since it comes with 18 pieces 24W lifetime LED beads with 50,000 working hours. You also don’t need to worry about the purple light that’s common with most lamps since this one has a white light source that will be easy on your eyes.
The dryer works well with all types of gel polishes including UV gels and hard gels. You can choose between white, pink and blue colors. The package includes one nail lamp, a US plug power adapter, one nail polish application, and a user manual.
Pros:
- Works well with all gel types
- Portable and easy to use
- No need to change the 18 piece lamp bulb
Cons:
- Some find the lamp wattage too low
- May have a number of heat spikes
- Not for a busy salon
2. Abody 48W Professional Nail Lamp
Best Bulb Life Span
Upgrade your salon’s manicure/pedicure station with this 48W heavy duty nail lamp that boasts of an incredible 33 lamp heads that have been evenly distributed and provide you with an extended bulb life. It has an automatic sensor that turns on when you place your hand in and turns off once the hand is out; you don’t need to press any buttons. The half-closed fancy design and controlled light are easy on your eyes as you work on your nails.
This nail dryer boasts of 5 timer settings 10s, 20s, 60s, 99s and 120s which is adequate time to cure different types of gel polish. It also features a smart time display which helps you keep tabs on the amount of nail art time. It’s also designed with a large space which allows you to cure both hands at the same time without smudging.
Pros:
- Large space design
- Cures all types of gel polishes
- 5-time settings
Cons:
- Not durable
- Lamp needs unplugging to turn off
- The cord isn’t long
3. Professional Nail Dryer 72W – SUN 5 Pro Best UV LED Nail Lamp for Fingernail & Toenail Gel Based Polishes
Best UV Nail Lamp
Do you know you can now give your nails a professional manicure and pedicure at the comfort of your own home? The Sun 5 Pro 72W UV is a stylish LED Nail Lamp that allows you to give hands and feet a 2-1- treat. You can use this smart nail lamp to cure the majority of the gel nail polish and extensions such as hard gels, CND Shellac, UV/LED gels, OPI, sculpture, guilders, and builders.
The Sun 5 Pro 72W UV Lamp is lightweight, and interestingly, it features a 4 Time Mode function that allows you to choose the ideal time. It also enables you to regulate the heat intensity. You will also love the fact that this lamp is spacious enough to fit both hands and feet comfortably. Because it dries the nails super-fast, you will enjoy a clean, professional finish without the risk of dings and smudges. It has a built-in hand in lamp-on, hand out lamp-off smart sensors.
Pros:
- Spacious enough to accommodate hands and feet of different sizes
- Safe on skin and eyes
- Offers many hours of long lifespan
Cons:
- Not ideal for regular nail polish
- May not dry the finger if you put it on the blind spot
- Does not have a turn-off switch
4. Lumcrissy Rechargeable Cordless UV LED Nail Gels Lamp – 72W 15600mAH Professional Nail Dryer
Lumcrissy is one of the best rechargeable Cordless UV LED Nail Gel Lamp out there in the market. On a 2-hour full charge, you will be able to enjoy a 12-hour working session without any interruption. And besides, you can take it anywhere as you will not need an extension cord. It is perfect for both home and salon use. Lumcrissy has UV LED beads that make it ideal for all types of LED and UV gel polish.
Lumcrissy nail dryer features an adjustable LED Screen that has a two-way observation, which allows the manicurist and the client to view the curing time. With an automatic four touch timing button, you will be able to select the ideal curing time. Additionally, the PC Anti Scratch Panel is designed in a downstream linear design, which makes it durable and easy to clean. It is large enough to fit a hand or foot of any size.
Pros:
- Has a long-lasting battery
- Easy to use and clean
- Cordless and lightweight
Cons:
- A bit expensive as compared to other brands
- Can only fit one hand at a time
- The design is not stylish
5. Chimocee UV LED Nail Lamp
The Chimocee 2 in 1 nail lamp will pamper your nails and cure the gel polish perfectly with its 48W high power capacity and a dual optical wavelength for quick drying of polish. The great thing about this nail lamp is its spacious design which allows you to place both hands and feet at the same time without bumping them on the sides. Since it’s an LED and UV lamp, it works well with all types of gel polish including gem gel, hard gel, top coat and many others.
It also features a 99S painless mode button for 48W to 24W. It also boasts of a smart double curing speed which reduces curing time by over 50%. The smart digital display is also useful when monitoring the curing time. The base is removable for added functionality. It comes with 4-time settings and you can switch between automatic and manual time mode.
Pros:
- Large space for both hands/feet
- Painless mode button
- 2 in 1 nail lamp
Cons:
- Short light bulb span
- Its adapter is a bit weak
- Light maybe too bright
6. CHIMAERA 72W PLUS LED/ UV Nail Lamp
What a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than making your nails in the comfort of your own home. Not only will you save up on money, you would have otherwise used at the salon, but also you will be able to perfect your DIY skills conveniently. This professional all-in-one lamp is large enough to fit both hands at once. Moreover, it is ideal for all types of nail polish regardless of the brand.
CHIMAERA is elegantly designed. It features a 4-time setting and motion sensor with a digital readout that shows the countdown. On top of that, it automatically senses the hand or the foot when you insert it. The 72W and 36 LEDs produce daylight white light that is safer as compared to the ultraviolet light.
Pros:
- Works well with all nail polishes
- Cheap and very easy to use
- Safe for skin and eyes
Cons:
- Dangerous if water or other liquids get into the machine
- Takes a while to cure the nails
- The cord is too short
7. Makartt 48W LED UV Lamp
Best High-End Nail Dryer
Makartt has masterly crafted this professional grade nail dryer to meet all your gel application needs with the ability to cure all types of gel polish. With a 24W power capacity and a wide space, the gel lamp can cure both hands and feet at the same time. It also has a clear LCD time display to help you easily monitor the curing time. For easy cleaning, this nail lamp has a detachable magnetic bottom that quickly slides out.
Pros:
- Detachable magnetic bottom for easy cleaning
- Wide space
- Clear LCD time display
Cons:
- Expensive
- Power adapter needs modification
- Some have complained about safety
8. NailStar Professional Nail Dryer
To get professional salon-like nail application results, then this gel lamp from NailStar is a great choice. It features 2 minute and 3 minute timers to allow maximum flexibility and adequate time intervals for curing. It also has four high powered UV bulbs that allow for even coverage of the nails. It’s also compatible with all types of gel polish. Experience a memorable manicure and pedicure with this portable gel lamp.
Pros:
- Even nail coverage
- Compact size that’s portable
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Complaints of a chemical smell
- Too large
- Lights don’t plug in nicely
9. Melodysusie Nail Lamp
Designed in a classic and elegant black color, this gel lamp looks good and gives you a good look. It has an automatic sensor, three-time settings; 5s, 20s, and 30s with a 48W power capacity that dries nails fast. Made with a special metal that has a special luster with numerous ventilation holes to prevent overheating. It also has a detachable magnetic bottom that makes cleaning it a walk in the park.
Pros:
- Detachable magnetic bottom
- Numerous ventilation holes
- Classy and elegant look
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Not compatible with UV only gels
- Lower wattage than indicated
10. MINI LOP 64W Rechargeable Pro LED Gel Nail UV Light
Best Cordless Design
If you don’t want to be limited to a particular point when doing your nails, then this cordless 64W gel lamp will be great for you. It also comes with a handle for easy portability and features rechargeable 5,000mAH battery. It also boasts of an extended bulb life span with 36 piece durable LED lights.
Pros:
- Cordless
- Rechargeable battery
- Handle for easy portability
Cons:
- Small space for hands
- Not for a busy nail setup
- Takes time to cure nails
How to Choose the Best Nail Dryers and Lamps: The Ultimate Buying Guide
A lady’s idea of heaven is chilling in a spa as she gets her nails done with a group friend as they chit chat on everything and nothing. But one of the worst things that can happen when getting your nails done is smudging which not only wastes time but also messes with the final look. There’s also the issue of chipping which means regular trips to the salon.
However, gel polish application is a lifesaver since it’s quick and easy to apply while providing you with extended service. Due to the popularity of gel polish, the demand for best nail dryers and lamps that hasten the curing process has risen. Best nail dryers and lamps come in many designs and provide different curing processes.
Difference Between UV and LED Lamps
In your quest for a great gel lamp, you will come across two common terms; UV gel lamps and LED lamps. To understand the difference between the two, you need to first appreciate that gel polish fast drying nature is due to exposure to UltraViolet (UV) rays. For a UV lamp, the rays have a wider wavelength so they hit more gel molecules but take time to cure them. For the LED lamp, the rays have a narrower wavelength thus hit specific molecules hence faster curing.
Here are some key differences between the two lamps:
- UV lamps cure all type of gels while LED lamps cure only LED specific gels
- LED lamps to cure faster than UV lamps
- LED light bulbs last longer
- LED lamps are more expensive
Factors to Consider When Buying a Gel Nail Dryer and Lamp
Let’s explore some few things to keep in mind as you go out to shop for an ideal nail lamp:
- Curing Speed – It’s important to get a lamp that doesn’t take forever to dry your nails. As mentioned, LED lamps to dry the nails faster since they use a narrow spectrum while their counterparts the UV lamps can take up to 5 minutes to dry nails. The market now has a combination of both UV and LED lamp which will provide you with a variety of curing speeds. You can also get an idea of the curing speeds by looking at the interval of the preset timers such as 10s, 20s and 60s.
- Lamp Wattage – Power consumption on gel lamps can start from 12W to upwards of 48W. The wattage has an impact on the curing speed of the nail lamp where if it’s higher, the lamp will cure polish faster and more efficiently.
- Size and Space – The gel lamp should be in a compact size that is easy to move around with whether in the salon or at home. The space available for the hands and feet should also be big enough to fit the whole hand without touching the sides which may cause smudging. Better yet, it would be great if space allowed you to place both hands simultaneously which saves you time.
- Bulb Life Span – One common agony with most gel lamps is constantly changing the light bulbs which is expensive and time wasting. Most LED lamps have an extended light bulb lifespan that can last up to 50,000 hours which implies that you may never have to replace the bulbs. The UV lamps usually have a lifespan of about 100 hours which is quite short.
- Type – You will have a choice between LED lamps that cure specific gel polishes, UV lamps that are slower but cure all types of gels or a combination of both that comes with many benefits.
Conclusion
Dolling up your nails has never been much easier with so many options of best nail dryers and lamps in the market. Ensure that you get one that will give you a perfect finish and a beautiful look. We hope that you have spotted the best nail dryer and lamp in here and you will soon be well on your way to having glamorous, beautiful nails.
