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Your solution to quick cuticle care. Precision Gun Drilling
Perhaps the most intimidating part of getting your nails done is the moment the technician whips out their best nail drill to begin the smoothing process. It can go one of two ways: Either your nail tech will be equipped with the proper drill to buff and sand away any rugged parts of your nail, or you'll feel a burning sensation from excessive friction from the e-file. Having the right tools to prep your nails can make all the difference, regardless of how many of the best nail polishes you own, or your skill level when it comes to gel nail kits and dip powder sets. Consider investing in an electric nail drill for pro-level results without the pricey salon visit.
As the name suggests, these gadgets are powered by electricity with tips and attachments that rotate across the nail and cuticle bed to polish and enhance the nail. “Nail drills are essential if you would like to save time as opposed to filing the nails by hand,” says NYC-based celebrity nail artist Trenna Seney. And they’re great at providing precision. “They also help with cleaning cuticles and getting into the sidewalls,” she adds.
To top it all off, they’re powerful enough to cut down on calluses and remove acrylics and gels so you can easily apply a fresh set.
Many drills come with various speed settings and can be intense, so proceed with caution if you’re new to using one. Begin with a low, slow setting, and pair the drill with the correct drill tip for the best experience.
Ahead, we scoured customer reviews and polled Seney for the 13 absolute best (and safest) nail drills for at-home use. Scroll on to incorporate these electric manicure files into your manicure routine.
With a slew of drill styles and lengths to choose from, your nails will be properly buffed, smoothed, and clean with the help of this cordless device. Increase or decrease the speed with the slide of a button to carefully clean artificial or natural nails. Additionally, it has an LED light for better visibility.
Includes: Drill, bits, and carrying case
A Best Buy reviewer says: “It is good quality and effective. Don’t need to go to the salon anymore!”
Marked as Amazon’s Choice, this nail drill set makes you feel like you've stepped foot into your own salon. The machine comes with a foot pedal to make the process easier, and also gives you the option to file in two directions.
Includes: Drill machine, sanding bands, bits, foot pedal
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m a licensed nail tech, and I love this drill so far, as I’ve only used it for a short time running it around my cuticle area. I love how it doesn’t stall with pressure even at a low or medium speed! I love that it has variable speed and has a forward and reverse! Especially for my own use to do my toes and or right hand! One more thing....I love that it fits all my bits!”
Offering six drill bits and a reverse motion option, it doesn’t get better than this portable nail drill with over 53,000 glowing Amazon reviews. Customers mention this drill has a nice cord length, rests easily in the hand, and is quiet in all settings, too. Even a self-proclaimed professional nail artist calls this her favorite tool. Not only that, you just can’t beat the price.
Includes: Drill, bits, sanding bands
An Amazon reviewer says: “First off, I liked the price. Secondly, easy to hold and handle. Made doing nails near perfection in much less time than manual filing. Smaller bits made for great finishing around nail beds and cuticles. Great buy!”
Nothing hurts worse than your nail tech's nail drill losing its battery life in the midst of a session. Good thing Kiara Sky's nail drill offers up to 10 hours of battery, plus an LED screen that helps you track its juice in big, bold numbers to skip the embarrassment. Even better, it's portable and rechargeable for nail techs taking their business on the go.
Includes: Drill, bits, and table stand
An Amazon reviewer said: “Absolutely love this drill!!!! It comes with the best drill bit I have used by far. Makes it so much easier when filing and don't have to change bits to finish my nails.”
This cordless, rechargeable nail drill features three speed settings, nine filing attachments, and a built-in lightbulb for a perfect mani or pedi.
Includes: Drill, bits, carrying case
An Amazon reviewer says: “I am really impressed with this cordless nail drill. It has a couple great speeds and is gentle on your skin. Comes with a few different types of attachments and a nice little case to keep everything together. I now use it every time I file, buff, and cut my nails.”
This complete set has a variety of attachments and buffing tips, plus a nail clipper for extensions. The nail drill itself has adjustable speed and rotation settings as well.
Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits, nail clip
An Amazon reviewer says: “Really easy for beginners to use, and the instructions it came with are truly helpful. I was able to use it on my feet without cutting myself, which I was really excited about. The fact that this isn’t connected to a big bulky machine makes it so much easier to maneuver. The cutter helps trim the fake nails really easily. You adjust the settings on the cord to however fast or slow you want the drill to operate.”
Don’t let the compact design fool you—this drill packs a powerful punch. Practice your skills with a user-friendly kit that doesn’t break the bank and is strong enough to remove acrylic or gel. Included are six drill heads for filing, shaping, buffing, smoothing, and pushing back cuticles.
An Ulta reviewer says: “I started doing my nails at home during lockdown, and when I picked up this tool, it made everything so much easier! I use it to take off my gel mani and prep and buff before I do anything else. It’s honestly fantastic and well-priced, in my opinion. Highly recommend for any beginner looking to start doing their nails at home.”
Whether you’re using it for your natural nails, gel, or acrylic, this battery-operated drill comes with six tips that are both gentle and effective.
Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits
An Amazon reviewer says: “The drill handpiece is slim yet ergonomically comfortable for those who may have dexterity or arthritic problems. It’s compact and portable and perfect for the DIY nail enthusiast or technician. The drill control box is slim, lightweight, cordless, and rechargeable. And, it’s equipped with a belt clip to allow for freedom of movement.”
An investment worth every penny, this powerful nail drill is beloved by professionals and amateurs alike. It’s built to work fast and also includes a reverse option.
A Sally Beauty reviewer says: “I love the fast speed of this drill, and I have never had any issues using it. I’ve had my drill for well over two years and love it. It’s very lightweight and has many drill bits that you can buy to turn your drill into whatever you want your nails to look like.”
Gentler than a traditional nail drill, this electric nail file was designed for precise nails and cuticle grooming while eliminating the burning sensation caused by traditional nail drills. Choose between four interchangeable heads for shaping, buffing, smoothing, and shining.
Includes: Drill, discs, USB charger and cable, storage holder
An Amazon reviewer says: “I needed a file that had different levels of grit but that was easy and convenient to use. This tool is high-functioning but fun and isn’t complicated. Makes the removal of my gel polish a breeze and doesn’t damage my nails in the process.”
This sweet, sleek tool is a one-stop-shop with five interchangeable tools for precision shaping, cuticle pushing, buffing, and smoothing.
A Target reviewers says: “I can use the gentle shaping tool to file my cuticles more safely than trimming with a clipper. I used it on my older parent’s toenails that have thickened, and it helped a lot!”
Labeled Amazon’s Choice, this portable, cordless set has it all. This nail drill offers five tip attachments and even a built-in UV light to set your polish.
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product is easy to use and comes with several different heads for shaping.”
This professional-grade drill hits all the right marks, thanks to its portable design, an assortment of attachments, and buffing tips. What’s more, it’s designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge.
Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits
An Amazon reviewer says: “Easy to read instructions. Easy to charge, change bits, and use. Fits well in my hands. Not too heavy. The bits that come with it work well and are of good quality.”
Before any nail polish or extension application, the nails must be prepped. Nail techs typically go in with a nail drill to “help remove, clean, and file the nails,” Seney says.
An electric nail drill is typically used for nails. While buffers and nail files tend to deliver similar results, nail drills are less time-consuming.
Seney advises those who opt for at-home use to make sure they actually know how to operate the device properly. “If the person does not know how to properly use the nail drill, hold it properly, and understand the different speeds, nails can be damaged,” she says. Nail drills typically come with several attachment heads that vary in length, width, and functions, so understanding which heads to use for your manicures ensures a seamless (and worry-free) process. “You should also know how much pressure to apply to the drill.”
Trenna Seney is an NYC-based celebrity nail artist.
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com and a nail enthusiast. Sam Peters is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over five years of experience covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle topics.
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
Sam Peters is a Senior Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Her writing has appeared in WWD, Footwear News, Real Simple, PopSugar and Bridal Guide, among others. She enjoys unpacking the latest trends and testing and reviewing some of the most innovative, emerging products on the market.
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