12 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits (2024): Sponsorship-Free ...

12 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits (2024): Sponsorship-Free ...

Given the abundance of options for at-home gel kits on the market, choosing the most suitable one can be quite a challenge. To assist you, we have thoroughly investigated and reviewed the top at-home gel nail kits available.

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Each gel polish kit was assessed on various criteria, such as pricing, packaging, effectiveness of the top and base coats, color selection, longevity, gel polish remover, and the kit's contents, allowing us to deliver an extensive review of each option.

Our assessments are entirely free of sponsorship. Rest assured, we receive no commissions from any brands referenced here. (This distinguishes us from numerous magazines and review websites in the same niche.)

By the conclusion of this guide, you'll be equipped to make a knowledgeable choice on the ideal gel nail kit for your needs, be it for professional usage or DIY gel nails at home.

Our selections for the 12 best at-home gel nail kits are:

Key Features to Consider in an At-Home Gel Nail Kit

All-Inclusive Application Tools

The best at-home gel nail kits should encompass all necessary tools for immediate gel nail application and removal, while also ensuring aftercare for healthy nails.

Essential Items in the Kit: (1) UV/LED lamp, (2) gel top coat, (3) gel base coat, (4) at least 1 gel polish color

Gel Polish Removal Tools

A comprehensive gel nail kit should include all the equipment necessary for removing gel polish, eliminating the need for salon trips.

Necessary Items: (1) gel polish remover OR (2) nail file, (3) nail buffer, (4) acetone, (5) cuticle pusher/wooden stick, (6) aluminum foil

Variety of Colors

Choosing your desired colors instead of being limited to a preset selection offers a more personalized experience.

Essential Items: at least 1 gel polish color

Pre-and Post-Care Items

A gel nail polish kit with aftercare accessories promotes healthy nail growth and allows for repeated applications without causing harm.

Essential Items: cuticle oil

1. Overall Best: S&L Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit

Advantages Disadvantages

Salon-quality kit

Short USB cord

Effective in applying and removing gel polish

No wall charger included

Freedom to select gel colors

Durable for 2-3 weeks with no chipping

Convenient for travel

No back plate on UV Lamp

Includes gel polish remover

Includes cuticle oil

The S&L Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit offers a complete salon-grade experience, incorporating everything necessary for the application, removal, and aftercare of your gel manicure. In contrast, many other kits primarily focus on application alone.

A standout feature of the S&L kit is its all-encompassing premium toolkit and products. It includes a 15ml / 0.5 fl oz bottle of non-wipe off gel polish that delivers a high-gloss, shiny finish lasting 2-3 weeks without chipping or peeling.

Customers can select any gel color alongside the kit, which is a notable advantage compared to other brands offering predetermined shades.

The kit also features the Easy Gel Polish Remover, which effectively removes gel polish within just 5 minutes, thereby eliminating the need for acetone or additional tools such as aluminum foil.

Furthermore, the compact and travel-friendly 24W LED/UV lamp solves an often-encountered issue with other nail lamps.

The curing lamp has been uniquely designed without a backplate, which maximizes space for nails to cure while reducing the risk of accidental damage from contact with the back of the lamp.

The kabuki-like brushes on the gel polish bottles were also carefully designed for high-precision application.

Priced at $56, the S&L Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit features everything needed for multiple uses, including base, top, jasmine scented cuticle oil, and color gel polish in 15ml / 0.5 fl oz bottles of your choice.

In summary, the S&L Gel Nail Polish Kit provides exceptional value due to its high-quality gel polishes, thoughtfully designed packaging, and user-friendly experience.

2. Best Value: "Shell We Dance" by Sally Hansen

Advantages

Disadvantages

Appealing packaging

Dull finish

Convenient brush design

Weak acetone strength

Simplified application process

Peeling after 1 week

Available in major retail stores

Narrow and cramped lamp

Pleasant scent

Heats up quickly

Cures effectively in 30 seconds

No cuticle oil included

Small bottle size

The Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit "Shell We Dance", priced at $59.99 (originally $79.99), is distinguished by its attractive retail packaging. The kit comprises all essential tools for a gel manicure.

Nonetheless, the kit utilizes a wipe-off top coat, which is not favored by professional nail technicians as it adds an unnecessary step to the application process. A wipe-off top coat necessitates users to wipe away a sticky residue after curing with a UV/LED lamp.

This additional step can be tedious and messy, making the manicure more susceptible to peeling.

Moreover, the acetone provided in the kit is of subpar strength, meaning it operates slower in dissolving gel polish and prolongs manicure removal.

Further issues with the kit include the lack of cuticle oil, cotton, and aluminum foil. The kit includes a 6W LED lamp, which heats up rapidly and has a confined design.

The narrow and shallow structure of the lamp presents the risk of touching the back and potentially ruining your application. Thumbs must also be cured independently, which adds to the curing time.

Pricing for Sally Hansen's starter kit seems reasonable considering it incorporates base and top coats in 4ml / 0.14 fl oz sizes along with a color in 7ml / 0.24 fl oz bottles. However, the volume of gel polish contained is limited.

In conclusion, while the Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit features appealing attributes and is widely available at major retailers, its lackluster performance and various drawbacks might deter those in search of a more efficient at-home gel manicure experience.

3. Best Lamp: "Z-Nude" by The Beetles

Advantages

Disadvantages

Non-wipe off top coat

Challenging to spread

Glossy and shiny finish

Difficult to apply

Spacious lamp design

Some shades may be too light

Easy-to-use brush

Strong odor

Generous polish quantity

Chipping after just one week

Tools in bag can become scratched

We were pleasantly surprised by the distinctive attributes and variety available in the Beetles Z-Nude Gel Nail Kit, priced at $47.99 (as of publication) on Amazon. This kit includes 6 colors ranging from nudes, pinks, to greys, making it a standout in terms of color variety.

However, we encountered challenges while testing. The polish was somewhat thick and gooey, complicating application efforts. While the top coat offers a matte, non-wipe off finish with a high-gloss shine, some colors lacked adequate pigmentation, resulting in transparency.

Additionally, the polish emits a strong odor, and our gel nails began to chip after one week of application.

On the brighter side, the extensive 48W LED/UV lamp included with the kit offers ample space for both hands and feet. It operates with a motion sensor and comes with a 60s preset timer, along with a low heat/gradual cure function for 99 seconds, ensuring a safer and more user-friendly experience.

The Beetles kit also contains various tools including a nail file, buffer, sponge file, metal cuticle pusher, and trimmer, all conveniently stored in a bag. While the tools are straightforward to utilize, the polish containers may lead to scratches due to the bag storage.

We were disheartened to find that the sponge file, marked as 100/180 grit, was less coarse than anticipated.

The primary issue encountered with Beetle's kit is the absence of acetone, cotton, or aluminum foil, limiting its utility for removal. This results in it not functioning as a complete all-in-one kit.

Despite these drawbacks, we believe that the Beetles Z-Nude Gel Nail Kit offers excellent value for the included materials. However, the lack of guidelines for unfamiliar tools may overwhelm certain users.

Overall, the Beetles Z-Nude Gel Nail Kit is colorful and unique, making it a fantastic value for its cost.

4. Best Ethical Kit: Starter Kit by Manucurist

Advantages

Disadvantages

Clean, ethical ingredients

High price point

Extensive color range

Chips easily

Vegan and cruelty-free

No strong pigmentation

Simplified polish removal

Tacky top coat

Spacious lamp

Strong odor

Extended curing time

While the Manucurist starter kit boasts ethical credentials, featuring vegan and cruelty-free products with clean ingredients, it comes at a steep price of $145, which is above the average for gel manicure kits.

The kit does include a roomy lamp that accommodates all five fingers at once, but unfortunately, the color options lack pigmentation and are of a liquid consistency, resulting in the difficulty of achieving an even finish. The gel nails resemble regular nail polish, losing their shine swiftly and chipping easily.

The base and top coats are user-friendly; however, the color polish's liquid texture complicates even application. Coupled with a long and stiff brush makes precision around the cuticles a challenge.

Moreover, the curing process is protracted, necessitating 2 minutes per coat, a notably longer duration compared to other kits we analyzed.

In summary, despite its ethical promises, the Manucurist kit fails to deliver optimal performance, evidenced by the gel polish's quick chipping and shine loss. Additionally, its strong chemical odor adds to a less than satisfactory overall experience.

5. Best Color Variety: Gel Nail Starter Kit by Modelones

Advantages

Disadvantages

Affordably priced gel nail kit

Shades differ from advertisements

User-friendly brush design

Thick polish consistency

Relatively odor-free

Gel polish clumps over time

Easy removal of manicure

Dull finish post-curing

Peels within 2 days

Small bottle size (7ml)

The Modelones Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit, retailing on Amazon for $31.99, is a wallet-friendly option for at-home gel manicures. However, the kit's overall performance leaves much to be desired.

Firstly, the gel colors presented diverge significantly from their photographic representations, leading to potential disappointment. The consistency of the gel is thick and challenging to apply smoothly, often yielding an uneven finish. Despite the user-friendly brush, the base coat tends to be overly watery while the gel polish proves overly thick, impacting application success.

Furthermore, the finish is not as lustrous as expected, appearing dull instead. The colors fall short in terms of boldness, mainly due to the gel polish’s texture. Additionally, the bottle sizes are small, merely 7ml, and not filled to maximum capacity.

On a positive note, the removal of the gel manicure is relatively simple. Nonetheless, peeling occurred just two days following application. The required curing time exceeds the necessary 120 seconds, and the topcoat remains tacky. Such shortcomings indicate a lack of durability rather than ease of removal.

In conclusion, while the Modelones Gel Nail Starter Kit is budget-friendly, it faces numerous challenges including color discrepancies, texture issues, and inadequate longevity, ultimately resulting in a less satisfying experience.

6. Best Salon-Quality: Gel Beginner Starter Kit by Bioseaweed Gel

Advantages

Disadvantages

Lasts 2-3 weeks with no chipping

High price tag, questionable value

Patented gel mask nail remover

Items poorly packaged

Spacious lamp design

Lacks acetone

Motion-sensor activated lamp

Gel remover ineffective

Generous polish volume

No cuticle oil included

When reviewing the Bioseaweed Gel Beginner Starter Kit, we first noted the high cost, $246.50 (as of publication), which is considerably steep compared to other gel kits reviewed. The packaging appeared dreary, as items were simply packed into a cardboard shipping box.

This kit provides two color selections in nude, pink, red, or white, along with an UNPOLISHED Gel Mask nail remover. However, we found that removing gel polish with this method requires 3-4 applications, each lasting about 4 minutes, which is far longer than traditional acetone methods.

The included lamp seemed to offer salon-quality features, featuring a detachable magnetic bottom tray for pedicures, timing via motion sensor, and a low heat gradual cure function.

Nail files, a brush, lint-free wipes, and pre-cut foil with cotton pad wraps for easy application are also part of the kit. However, it's crucial to point out the absence of cuticle oil, a key component for before and after care.

Overall, while the polish's finish and durability were commendable, we perceive the kit's overall value to be lacking due to unsatisfactory packaging, limited color options, and a less effective nail polish remover that may detract from customer satisfaction.

7. Best Travel Kit: Le Mini Macaron Rose Gold Gel Manicure Kit

Advantages

Disadvantages

Cute and compact design

Strong chemical odor

3-in-1 formula

Lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping

High gloss finish

Cures one finger at a time

Includes lint-free wipes

Difficulty handling bottle cap

Travel-sized friendly

3W LED lamp

Removable lamp bottom

Low gel polish volume

The Le Mini Macaron Rose Gold Gel Manicure Kit offers a compact, travel-friendly solution for at-home gel manicures at a price of $38 (as of publication). The kit prides itself on offering a long-lasting high gloss finish that endures for 2-3 weeks.

The 3-in-1 formula presents efficacy in achieving durability; however, it unfortunately produces a strong chemical scent.

Moreover, the small size of the 3-in-1 base/color/top coat (8.5ml / 0.29fl oz) and the oversized bottle cap make applying polish, particularly near the edges of the nails, quite challenging due to precision concerns. The lack of ergonomic design complicates the application process.

This kit contains acetone, cotton wipes, a double-sided nail file and buffer, a plastic cuticle stick, and 12 lint-free wipes for both preparation and removal. However, it lacks cuticle oil for proper pre-and post-care.

Featuring a 3W LED lamp with a USB cord and 30-second curing time per finger, the total curing process for all ten nails amounts to approximately ten minutes. While the lamp features a removable magnetic bottom for pedicure functionality, we found the overall curing time impractical and inefficient.

In summary, the Le Mini Macaron Rose Gold Gel Manicure Kit features unique attributes, such as a compact design and effective 3-in-1 formula, though the strong chemical smell, unwieldy bottle cap, and individual finger curing present significant inconveniences.

8. Best 2-in-1: Sensationail Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit

Advantages

Disadvantages

Compact interior packaging

Dull finish

User-friendly brush application

Peeling after one week

Motion-sensor activated lamp

Low polish bottle volume

Quick curing time

Wipe-off top coat

Convenient 2-in-1 base/top coat

Cramped lamp design

Risk of nails touching back of lamp

The Sensationail starter kit features a convenient dual-function base/top coat that provides the ease of purchasing one product instead of separately sourcing base and top coats.

While this dual function is beneficial, the 2-in-1 base coat is underwhelming in volume (3.69ml / 0.125 fl oz) and doesn't deliver the glossy finish we anticipated, even with the use of its wipe-off top coat.

The starter kit contains a 5W LED/UV lamp complete with a lengthy USB cord and a wall charger. It has a swift curing time of 30 seconds per layer but is limited to a single setting of 30 seconds, lacking preset time options like 30/60/90 seconds. The lamp does feature motion sensors, but its small, shallow design can lead to touch contact with the back of the lamp, which may compromise the final results.

The kit's sleek, clean packaging also comes with a double-sided nail file and buffer, as well as a wooden stick, along with a 14.6ml/0.49fl oz "gel cleanser." However, the stiff bristles of the brush hinder precision application across wide areas.

Overall, while the Sensationail Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit is affordable at $23.99 (at time of publication), its low polish volume and stiff brush prove limiting, affecting its usability.

9. Best Kit Supplies: Gellish Intro Starter Kit

Advantages

Disadvantages

Retail availability

Wipe-off top coat

High gloss finish

Weak acetone strength

Durable for 2-3 weeks without chipping

Time-consuming gel removal

Generous acetone volume

Cramped lamp design

Complete start-to-finish package

Rigid brush bristles

The Gellish Intro Starter Kit is available in retail outlets and comprises an LED lamp, soak-off gel remover, and gel nail polish, delivering a complete start-to-finish experience. Its compact and user-friendly packaging ensures clarity in understanding the instructions.

However, while the bottles are labeled, they may require memorization as the instructions can be less intuitive. The 6W LED/UV lamp cures layers in 45 seconds, but the presence of a backplate complicates application, resulting in contact that can damage nails. Thumbs must be cured separately, lengthening application time.

In the kit, you'll find a 60ml / 2 fl oz bottle of "artificial nail remover" with poor acetone strength, requiring more time for gel polish removal compared to alternative products. Amenities include a 9ml / 0.3fl oz bottle of "nourish" cuticle oil, 100/180 grit nail files, a plastic buffing stick with buffing tabs, a wooden stick, and a 60ml / 2 fl oz bottle of "nail surface cleanse."

While the quantity of materials is generous, we found the brush bristles awkwardly rigid, making the polish application process cumbersome and less efficient.

In conclusion, the Gellish Intro Starter Kit offers a cohesive start-to-finish solution for $99.99 (as of publication), although certain limitations exist.

10. Best Shade Options: Gellen Home Gel Manicure Kit

Advantages

Disadvantages

Includes both gloss and matte top coats

Polish finishes are dull

Lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping

Poor acetone quality

The lamp has a removable bottom tray

Absence of gel polish removal tools

Spacious lamp design

Lack of tool instructions

Motion-sensor activated lamp

Wide-spreading brush bristles

The Gellen Home Gel Manicure Kit offers impressive value for its contents and colors, priced at $39.99 (as of publication). Nonetheless, it fails as a complete start-to-finish kit due to the absence of gel polish removal tools.

A defining feature of this kit is its 72W LED/UV lamp, which provides ample space for hands and feet and includes preset timers of 10/30/60 seconds, alongside a low heat/gradual cure function for 99 seconds. However, it heats quickly.

Along with the kit are an 8ml / 0.27fl oz bonus matte top coat and a regular gloss top coat of 10ml / 0.33 fl oz. Unfortunately, the gloss top coat does not provide the anticipated shine. The kit also features a rose-scented cuticle oil pen, notable for its ease of use with soft bristles.

The color options within the kit—nudes, pinks, and whites—utilize 6ml / 0.21 fl oz bottles, affording more variety than the conventional 9ml / 0.3 fl oz bottles. Also included are a 100/180 grit nail file, a sponge file, and a metal cuticle pusher as well as trimmer, which are all straightforward to work with.

In terms of durability, the polish lasts effectively for 2-3 weeks without chipping.

To summarize, the Gellen Home Gel Manicure Kit delivers an excellent value given its variety of colors and materials, although the lack of comprehensive instructions could pose a challenge for novices. Still, the kit excels in terms of color options and the lamp quality.

11. Best Polish Brush: Gel Polish Pro Kit by Red Carpet

Advantages

Disadvantages

High-quality, shiny finish

Wipe-off top coat

Lasts 2-3 weeks without chipping

Small, cramped lamp space

Compact, organized packaging

Higher price point

Soft bristles that support easy application

Complex bottle labeling

Complete start-to-finish kit

Thumb must be cured independently

Overall, the Red Carpet Gel Polish Pro Kit, listing at $79.99 (as of publication), caters to users who seek a glossy finish that lasts up to 2 weeks. This kit encompasses several products, including a distinct wipe-off top coat that sets it apart from many on the market.

Nevertheless, the 6W LED lamp is too compact and shallow, creating obstacles during the nail treatment. The lamp's tight space resulted in nails repeatedly contacting the back, impacting the overall outcome. Also, curing the thumbs individually increases total time.

Additional items in the kit feature 100/180 grit nail files and a plastic buffing stick, which were precise yet required more effort to treat all 10 nails compared to other tools.

One issue arose: the prep/primer bottle was delivered unsealed, indicating poor quality control as it arrived empty.

While the variety of tools in the kit is commendable, it only provides sufficient materials for approximately 2 full applications.

Moreover, we observed that product labels such as "Purify" and "Erase" were closely aligned with similar Gellish products but were simply relabeled.

In summary, the Gel Polish Pro Kit presents itself as a solid option for gel nails, albeit with a higher price point and limited quantities.

12. Noteworthy: ASP (All Season Professional) Soak-off Gel Polish Complete Starter Kit

Advantages

Disadvantages

High gloss, shiny finish

Utilizes a wipe-off top coat

Durable for 2-3 weeks, no chipping

Includes a dehydrator/cleansing wipe

Wattage of lamp is undisclosed

No timer on the lamp

Compact lamp design

No gel polish removal tools included

The ASP starter kit contains a Passionate Pink gel polish, a wipe-off top coat, an LED lamp, and a conditioning soak-off solution. Testing revealed that the gel polish can endure for approximately 2 weeks without chipping and produces a glossy finish.

However, the kit is deficient in essential prep and gel polish removal items such as cotton, foil, cuticle stick, filer, and buffer. Pricing for ASP's complete kit is $98.99 (as of publication).

The kit encompasses an LED lamp for curing, albeit without disclosing wattage and lacking a timer, creating uncertainty around optimal curing times.

Similar to various lamps examined, this curing lamp's limited design makes it hard to avoid back contact, which could ruin the result. Additionally, thumbs must be cured separately, leading to additional time consumption during the application.

Ultimately, the ASP (All Season Professional) Soak Off Gel Polish Complete Starter Kit might not be the most suitable option for those in search of a fully functional, user-friendly starter kit.

Essential Advice Before Attempting Gel Nails at Home

Firstly, it's crucial to understand that applying gel nails necessitates specific supplies: (1) a UV or LED lamp, (2) a gel top coat, (3) a gel base coat, and (4) gel polish.

To successfully execute gel nails at home, it's crucial to have all necessary tools and supplies for both application and removal. This includes acetone, cotton balls, and a nail file for gel nail removal, or you can opt for dedicated gel polish removers for a quicker and easier experience.

Are Gel Nail Kits Worth It?

Investing in gel nails proves advantageous, especially from a financial standpoint over time. A typical nail salon visit costs $45-$60, amounting to $540-$720 per year if you go monthly. In comparison, a starter gel nail kit from S&L Beauty Company retails for around $75, which is approximately equivalent to just one-and-a-half salon visits.

Although the up-front investment of a gel nail kit may seem costly, it reaps long-term savings compared to frequent salon visits. The convenience of maintaining a kit at home eliminates scheduling challenges, allowing for frequent color changes with ease. Ultimately, the ability to create professional-quality nails at your own pace enhances the overall convenience of the experience.

If you wish to know more, please visit our website Roniki Builder Gel.