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6 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits to Save You Time and Money
The best at-home gel nail kits make it easy to get salon-quality results without salon-level prices. With the right tools and a little practice, anyone can achieve a glossy, long-lasting manicure that holds up for up to two—sometimes even three—weeks. Most kits include everything you need to cure from the comfort of your home, like an LED lamp, nail prep tools, gel polish, and base coats and topcoats. Plus, the latest innovations even offer peel-off base coats or one-step polish formulas for easier application and removal.
For starters, “people should look for kits that match their skill level,” says Tom Bachik, a nail artist based in Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris. “Some gel kits are three-step, including a base coat, color, and top coat, while others are only two- or even one-step, meaning there is no base coat and the whole process is easier.” If you’re new to gel, a simple system is a great place to start. For seasoned DIYers, a more advanced kit can offer longer wear and more polish options.
With consistent use and proper technique, especially when it comes to curing and removal, at-home gel kits can deliver pro-level shine, durability, and satisfaction. Whether you’re squeezing in a mani during your lunch break or you love switching up your nail look often, there’s a kit that fits your lifestyle.
Our Top Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit
Why it’s worth it: If speed is the name of your game, the star of Le Mini Macaron’s Gel Nail Polish Kit is a teeny-tiny LED lamp shaped like (you guessed it) a macaron that cures your polish in just 30 seconds per finger. Compact enough to stash in your bag or leave on your desk, it’s perfect for quick touch-ups when one nail mysteriously chips faster than the rest (you know the one). Paired with the included three-in-one gel formula (a base, color, and top coat in one handy swipe), this kit delivers the glossiest, salon-like shine with ease. While our tester found the polish didn’t last as long as hoped, its fool-proof application completely made up for it—touching up a chipped nail was quick and effortless. The lamp works for pedicures too; all you have to do is flip the magnetic top around.
“This was my first foray into at-home gel polish, and I was genuinely surprised by how easy Le Mini Macaron was to use—no base coat, no top coat, and I could even plug the USB lamp into my laptop. As someone who can’t really shape my nails to save my life, I’m not giving up salon visits just yet, but I loved how travel-friendly and fuss-free this kit was. It did start chipping after a few days, but honestly, as a mom of two who’s constantly doing dishes, I’m extremely tough on my nails, so I still think it’s pretty impressive.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, 3-in-1 gel polish, nail file, remover wraps, cuticle stick
- Cure time: 30 seconds for each color application
- Lasts: Up to 3 weeks for 3 coats of color; 7–10 days for 2 coats
Best for Beginners: Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
Sally Hansen
Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit
Why it’s worth it: A tried-and-true favorite, the Salon Gel Polish Gel Nail Color Starter Kit makes at-home manicures beginner-friendly and virtually foolproof. This all-in-one kit includes an LED lamp, base and top coats, color polish, and remover,” says Elle Gerstein, a nail artist based in Long Island, New York. “It delivers chip-resistant shine for up to two weeks and is great for gel beginners.” Each layer cures in just 30 seconds under the included LED lamp for a quick, salon-quality finish. Bachik also praises the brand’s extensive Salon Gel Polishes, noting it’s “one of the widest available,” so you can experiment with a variety of shades that are fully compatible with the system.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“I’m by no means great at painting my nails, gel or not, but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy all of the steps (base, polish, and topcoat) were. And can we talk about how gorgeous this blue (Tidal Wave) is? I may’ve gone a little overboard with curing (I’m constantly opening packages, vigorously scrubbing my scalp in the shower, and generally not careful with my nails), but I think it was the right move because my nails had minimal chipping a week later—just some small missing areas that, from a distance, you can barely clock. While I still relish a salon mani (I just don’t have the budget to treat myself to them very often!), this is a very welcome alternative—even if my handiwork is very subpar to that of a pro.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, gel base, gel nail color in “Shell We Dance”, gel top coat, nail cleanser pads, acetone remover, nail file
- Cure time: 30 seconds for base coat, 30 seconds for each color application, 30 seconds for top coat
- Lasts: Up to 2 weeks
Best for Advanced Users: Olive & June Gel Mani System Set
Why it’s worth it: Olive & June’s The Gel Mani System is made for anyone who wants their polish to go the distance. The brand promises up to 21 days of wear, which beats out most other at-home kits in the longevity department. It comes with everything you need for a gel mani at home: a pro-grade LED lamp, remover, cuticle tools, base and top coats, and more. (No polish included in this kit so that you can pick your perfect shades, like its Summer Brights collection, separately.) You’ll also receive the brand’s Peelable Base Coat, a genius option for those who love gel shine but dislike the removal process. Simply peel it off when you’re ready to switch up your look, without the need to soak or scrape it off.
However, it takes a bit of practice, and prep is critical: You have to make sure your cuticles are gone and nails perfectly buffed—and as our testers found, thin coats are critical. However, “even in my less-than-perfect first attempts, I found the kit to be easy to use and loved the results,” says content director Kara McGrath. “The polish is very shiny and self-levels, so if I don’t paint it on completely evenly, it all works out once the curing happens—basically, it reduces the chances that I end up with the telltale “bubble” look of an amateur gel manicure.
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Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“I love Olive & June’s regular nail polishes, which is great because I love to DIY my nails. Unfortunately that meant that I went into this with a lot of false confidence. I found the gel a little tricky to work with—it was thicker than traditional polish, which made it extremely easy to over-apply—and the process, with curing every time after applying base coat, each of the two layers, and topcoat, was longer than I expected. I did love the result, although it came out a little bubbled, and appreciated that my nails held up through two weeks of bathing my toddler, cooking, and swimming.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, nail file, buffer, clippers, the poppy nail polish holder, cuticle serum, remover pot, peel off base coat, gel base coat, gel top coat
- Curing time: 1 minute for base coat, 2 minutes for each color application, 1 minute for top coat
- Lasts: Up to 3 weeks
More gel manicure kits we love:
Easiest Removal: Nails.INC x Sensationail GelLED Gel Nails Manicure Starter Kit
Nails.INC
Gel LED Gel Nails Manicure Starter Kit
Why it’s worth it: If you cannot resist peeling off your gel polish (guilty), the Nails.INC x SensatioNail GelLED Gel Nails Manicure Starter Kit was made for you. It delivers a pro-style mani, yet lets you peel it off (safely!) when you’re ready for something new. The secret is the base coat, which creates a smooth barrier for easy, soak-free removal. “This sleek kit doesn’t just come with polish and a lamp—it includes all the essential manicure tools like a nail file, buffer, and cuticle pusher that you need for a quality mani,” says Gerstein. You’ll also find a traditional gel base and top coat if you’re after even longer-lasting wear.
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, peel-off gel primer, peel-off base coat, base coat, top coat, cleanser/remover prep, gel polish in “Pink Chiffon,” nail file, buffer, cuticle pusher, foil wraps
- Cure time: 15 seconds for 2-in-1 base/top coat, 30 seconds for each color application, followed by 15 seconds for top coat
- Lasts: Up to 2 weeks
Best Nail Effect: Dashing Diva One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit
Dashing Diva
One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit
Why it’s worth it: If you’re mesmerized by a shimmery, light-shifting nail look, the Dashing Diva One Gel Magnetic Starter Kit brings it to life using actual magnetism to create a multidimensional “cat-eye” effect. And, the best part is that it’s incredibly easy to use. “This system is a no-base, no-top coat system that cures under LED light in just 60 seconds,” says Gerstein. The kit includes magnetic gel polish, a Power Magnet tool that activates the shimmer effect, a compact LED lamp, and all the necessary prep essentials. Be sure to cure one nail at a time to lock in the perfectly placed magnetic effect.
The Dashing Diva Magic Off+ Remover is sold separately, but it’s well worth the extra click. Its damage-free, bubble-off formula lifts your polish cleanly and effortlessly, like, well, magic.
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, gel polish, magnetic effects tool, 2 prep pads, 2 manicure sticks, nail file, mini nail buffer
- Cure time: 1 minute per nail
- Lasts: Up to 2 weeks
Best All-in-One: Red Carpet Manicure Ultimate Gel Polish Pro Starter Kit
Red Carpet Manicure
Ultimate Gel Polish Pro Starter Kit
Why it’s worth it: This sleek, travel-ready train case is stocked like a pro’s kit, giving you everything you need to pull off a flawless gel manicure at home or on the go. Inside the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Train Case, you’ll find all the prep essentials: a primer to help polish adhere, a smoothing base coat, hydrating cuticle oil, plus cleanser and remover to keep nails fresh before and after your mani. It also comes with a compact LED lamp, top coat, a classic gel polish shade, and all the tools to file, shape, and clean up your nails like a total pro. Consider it your complete gel routine, perfectly packed and ready to roll.
The compact LED lamp fits four fingers at a time, so just cure your thumbs separately for the best, most even results.
- What’s included: LED nail lamp, Purify nail cleanser, Revitalize cuticle oil, Prep primer, Structure gel base coat, Brilliant gel to coat, Erase remover, gel nail polish, emery board, buffing block, cuticle pusher, wooden sticks, polish removal foils
- Cure time: 30 seconds for base coat, 30 seconds for each color application, 30 seconds for top coat
- Lasts: Up to 3 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of doing gel nails at home?
Doing gel nails at home can be fun and cost-effective, but there are a few important risks to consider. “The biggest risks are over-curing or under-curing the gel with the UV light, which can lead to damage or allergic reactions, and improper removal, which can weaken or peel the natural nail,” says Gerstein. She also notes that “the removal process and tools can cause a ton of damage if not used safely.” To minimize risk, it’s essential to follow instructions closely, use high-quality products, and avoid picking or peeling unless the product has a specific peel-off formulation. Taking breaks between manis, using a nail strengthener when you need it, and protecting your hands during curing can also help keep nails healthy.
What is the downside of having gel nails?
While gel nails deliver long-lasting shine and a chip-resistant finish worthy of any nail salon, they do come with some trade-offs, whether you’re getting them professionally done or attempting at-home manicures. “They can be drying or damaging to the natural nail if not applied or removed properly,” says Gerstein. Skipping breaks between manicures can lead to thinning or brittle nails over time. “The constant on and off can be the biggest issue,” she adds. That said, with proper application, gentle removal, and the occasional breather, you can enjoy gel polish (salon or DIY) without compromising your nail health.
Meet the experts
- Tom Bachik, a nail artist based in Los Angeles, New York City, and Paris
- Elle Gerstein, a nail artist based in Long Island, New York
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best at-home gel nail kits, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Rethink your next trip the the salon with these at-home mani essentials:
