These 6 Gel Nail Kits Make At-Home Manis a Breeze (2024)

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TL;DR

As far as at-home gel nail kits go, the Morovan Nail Kit is hard to beat. The kit comes with everything you need for a DIY mani, and the finished product is so shiny and long-lasting that it rivals a salon set. For something more affordable, the SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit is a solid choice that dries quickly and lasts longer than our usual at-home manicures with regular polish.

Our Top Picks

Included Shades: 8 | Dry Time: 2 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Morovan Poly Gel Kit impressed us across all categories, including drying time, finished appearance, longevity, ease of removal, and nail integrity after removal. The only downside is that there’s a slight learning curve when applying the nails. That said, the directions were thorough yet concise, so we knew what to do each step of the way. This manicure kit comes with nail dehydrator, primer, base and top coat, grooming tools, drying lamp, and eight colors. You'll also get extension gel and foil for shaping. Once we got the desired shape and length, the drying process was a breeze but the best part? Our nails looked just as good two weeks later. Shiny and vibrant without any cracks or chips. The removal process was a piece of cake too. After soaking them in acetone, the gel scraped right off. And while our nail plates were somewhat brittle, they weren't completely wrecked; nothing a little cuticle oil couldn't solve.

Danielle, tester: “This kit is a good starter for those interested in gel extensions. In addition to a modest selection of nail embellishments—decals, blue holographic sequins, and rhinestones—there’s an 18-page booklet with illustrations. And I loved the fact that the LED lamp came with three timer settings.”

Included Shades: 1 | Dry Time: 3 minutes | Cruelty-Free: No

When we tested this kit, we loved the gel, which dried quickly with the included lamp and the finished product. Though the brand promises up to 14 days of wear, it began chipping after about seven days. While it may not last as long as a salon mani, you can expect it to hold up longer than classic nail polish. While this wasn't the most user-friendly set we tested, we think it'll be easier after the first go-around. Since the directions are confusing, you'll want to read through all the steps before starting.

Meg, tester: “This is a good kit for a solid week of use. If you're like me and chip your nails the day after getting a manicure, this set would be a good in-between and a cheaper way of doing gels at home versus paying to get them done in a salon.”

Included Shades: 2 | Dry Time: 1 minute | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Need something for on-the-go use? This portable kit earned perfect scores for ease of use, drying time, overall look and nail integrity post-removal. It's like a little party in a box—fun and user-friendly, even for beginners. Since the lamp is so small, you'll need to dry your thumb separately. Still, we were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the gel dried and hardened. The smooth, shiny results exceeded our expectations. However, the gel started peeling within a couple of days, and it was entirely gone shortly after. (You might get better results if you properly prep your nail plates and apply thinner coats.) Our nails weren't damaged afterward, though, and while the longevity was disappointing, we still think Le Mini Macaron is a great choice for travel.

Alicia, tester: “I feel like the quality of the gel and the curing process covered up a lot of my sloppy mistakes. I also liked the cuticle tool, which helped me get the gel on my skin and cuticles off despite my not-so-great application.”

Included Shades: 1 | Dry Time: 30 seconds | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For gel nail novices, we recommend Sally Hansen. The brand's beginner-friendly starter boasts a three-step process and a 30-second dry time. Once cured, our nails were hard and smooth without any tackiness. Though our tester, Toni, noticed one small bubble, the pro-level polish and top coat delivered extra-shiny, streak-free results. While it promises up to two weeks of wear, the gel started peeling once she cleaned her kitchen. Her nail beds were slightly brittle afterward, but an extra dose of hand cream was enough to correct the damage.

The other thing to note is that the set comes with only one shade, but you can buy more individually. Although it might not be ideal for folks who work with their hands, we still think it's a good choice for those interested in exploring at-home, light-cured nails.

Toni, tester: “It was so simple! It was only three steps—quick and easy to apply—but overall this product did not last long. One thing to keep in mind if you do a lot with your hands.”

Included Shades: 12 | Dry Time: 90 seconds | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For a more comprehensive set, go with Gellen. The brand's starter kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to the straightforward instructions. It comes with a base coat, 12 bottles of gel lacquer, a top coat, several grooming tools, nail embellishments, and a UV drying lamp. While it says to dry each coat for one minute, we found that leaving our nails in a little longer allowed them to fully harden without any tackiness. We were very pleased with the results, specifically the stunning color and smooth, exceptionally shiny finish. The manicure did end up chipping after about six days, however this feature-rich set is an excellent value.

Lina, tester: “The finish is extremely shiny, and the color is beautiful (I tested color 119). Overall, the polish dried smoothly, but it was a bit of a gloppy application, which may have affected the edges chipping after five to six days.”

Dry Time: 15 minutes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Essie's Gel Couture Polish was also a hit in our lab. It's not exactly a kit, though the two-step system only works with this specific polish and top coat. The lacquer applies evenly and sets without dripping. After swiping on two coats of polish followed by the top coat, we simply let our nails dry for the recommended 15 minutes—no lamp needed. Once dry, we were basically rocking a professional manicure. And at the two-week mark, our nails were still evenly coated and looked perfect from a distance. The gel also came off easily with a regular nail polish remover and didn't damage the nail plates in the process.

Lucy, tester: “After two+ weeks, there is very minimal chipping. The tips and polish at the base of the nail are starting to wear away, but the polish is still evenly coated—I'm so impressed.”

FAQ

• How do you use an at-home gel nail kit?

  Whether you're using a gel or poly gel kit, start with clean, washed hands, then prep your nails by wiping them with an alcohol pad to help remove the natural oils. Apply one coat of primer, then the base coat. The base coat usually needs to be cured for 30 to 60 seconds, depending on the brand, says Aaron, but your best bet is to follow the instructions of the particular products you’re choosing. Apply two coats of color, curing in between coats, and finish with one layer of topcoat. If the topcoat leaves behind a sticky residue, simply wipe it off with another alcohol pad, suggests Aaron.

• Is gel bad for your nails?

  In short, no. “The application and use of the kit are safe, but what isn’t always safe is the removal process, which needs to be done properly,” cautions Aaron. "Don’t peel the gel off your nails—when you do this, you’re removing layers of your nail along with it. This will make your nails thinner and weaker. What can also be damaging is if you don’t use a removal product that fits quality standards and may contain harmful chemicals.”

  Another concern is that the UVA light emitted from gel lamps can contribute to sun damage on your hands and skin cancer over time. That's why we recommend applying sunscreen or wearing UV gloves while giving yourself a gel manicure. If you really want to limit your UV exposure, you can use a gel polish that doesn't require curing.

• How do you remove gel nails?

  As mentioned above, Aaron stresses the importance of not peeling off the polish, as this will peel away layers of the nail plate and end up damaging the nail. Start by filing the top of the nail until you see a white, chalky color, she says; this indicates you’ve filed through the topcoat. Then soak your nails in pure acetone for seven to 10 minutes, finishing by scraping off any polish with a cuticle pusher. She says that you should keep in mind that you may need to resoak several times.

• How long do gel nails last?

  If applied properly, Aaron says that gel nails typically last up to two weeks.