7 UV Nail Lamps to Level Up Your At-Home Gel Manis

ProsTimer mode will automatically shut off at the end of your pre-set timeHas thousands of positive reviews on AmazonConsSome testers note that due to the shape of this, thumbs need to be cured separatelyWhy we love it: Wanna feel like a pro nail artist from the comfort of your couch? Cosmopolitan's video editor Sarah Ng (who has some of the best nails I've ever seen) swears by this UV and LED lamp to do her own acrylic sets. "It's lightweight and super easy to use whenever and wherever I need it," she says. She loves that the lamp has a motion sensor and four timer settings (10, 30, 60, and 99 seconds) that automatically shut off. "It makes for seamless curing without worrying about touching any of your tools," she says.Features at a glanceCuresUV & LED polishTimer settings10, 30, 60, 99 secondsWattage48WPowerCordProsCompact design and 60-min battery life makes it easy to use on the goGreat for curing every angle and side of your nailsConsIt only cures one nail at a time, so it takes time (but it's perf for 3D gel and charms)Why we love it: This individual UV nail lamp is a fave of Cosmo Beauty Editor Beth Gillette. "For gel extensions, this is the best ever ever ever," she attests. What's unique about this UV lamp is that you can use like a flashlight, but it also has a mechanism that folds out so the lamp can stand on its own. That versatility ensures you get an even cure. “The light also bends and extends so I can really make sure to cure every single crevice for the longest-lasting gel mani,” she adds. Plus, have you ever seen a prettier curing light? We think not.Features at a glanceCuresUV polish and gel extensionsTimer settingsN/A (you hold it down Wattage3WPowerUSB, rechargeableAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsThe auto sensors really make using this light a breeeeeezeLeast expensive nail lamp we tested and lovedConsSome reviewers said they needed 3+ minutes for each layer to dry completelyWhy we love it: You won't need to worry about the fuss of extra buttons and settings with this nail lamp. Equipped with an auto sensor and soft lights to protect the skin, this easy-to-use DIY nail lamp will make you feel like a professional (even if you're absolutely not). The hands-free experience really simplifies your entire at-home mani process. But! Even better: It's so affordable. Like, the least expensive UV nail lamp we've tested.Features at a glanceCuresUV & LED polishWattage40W Timer settings30, 60, 99 secondsPowerCordProsCompact size still fits an entire hand or footLong cord is easy to set up anywhereMost often used in salons by professionalsConsSome reviewers find the lamp gets too hotWhy we love it: Yes, this nail lamp is a splurge. But sometimes, it's worth the investment if you want a good-quality product that doesn't break down after a few months. You've probably even seen this exact model at your local nail salon. This Gelish lamp uses 18 LED bulbs and a motion-activated sensor, so you can easily cure five nails at once. But the best part is that it comes with a protective eyeshield, so the light won't damage your eyes.Features at a glanceCuresLED polishWattage36WTimer settings5, 20, 30 secondsPowerCordAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsLightweight and easy to set upLack of bottom makes it easy to use for both manicures and pedicuresConsMany reviewers note they had to let polish cure for at least 2 minutesWhy we love it: Nervous about jumping into the gel polish game? This lamp is the perfect starting point. Not only does it feature powerful LED lights, but it also has two timer settings—30 seconds and 60 seconds—and a sensor that will automatically turn the machine off when it is not in use. This reduces the risk of overexposure and means you can use this baby pretty much hands-free, which allows you to focus on creating sick nail designs.Features at a glanceCuresUV & LED polishWattage36WTimer settings60, 99 secondsPowerCordProsAutomatically turns off when not in useComes with 16 nail files and buffersConsA few reviewers claim the lamp was too strong and hotWhy we love it: If you're like me, then you don't love the idea of spending hours doing your nails. You have a need for speed, and the best way to pick up the pace of an at-home gel manicure is to get a UV LED nail lamp that fits both hands or feet at once. Not only does this lamp have enough room to cure 10 nails in one go, it's got four timer settings, a sensor to power on and off, 57 LED bulbs, and a long cord so you can set it up anywhere.Features at a glanceCuresUV & LED polishWattage180WTimer settings10, 30, 60 secondsPowerCordAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowIs LED better for you than UV?No, LED lamps are not necessarily better for you than UV lamps, and both can damage skin. "UV manicure lamps emit UVA radiation, which is a known cancer-causing agent," says board-certified dermatologist, Karan Lal, MD. “adding that exposure to this radiation may lead to sun spots and damage to the skin.”However, LED lamps also expose you to UV light. It might feel less hot and look less bright than a UV lamp, but LEDs still emit levels of UVA radiation. “Nail lamps use LED bulbs because they are long-lasting and they do not emit heat—but they are still UV light,” cautions board-certified Dornechia Carter, MD. “These are not safer.”Regardless of which type of lamp to decide to purchase, remember to always apply sunscreen prior to painting your nails. This will prevent damage and protect your skin from any harmful rays.Which lamp cures gel polish faster?LED nail lamps will cure gel polish much faster than UV nail lamps. On average, an LED lamp takes 30 to 60 seconds to cure your gel, whereas a UV lamp takes up to two to three minutes. My personal preference is an LED lamp due to it also having a longer lifespan than UV options. However, as noted above, both pose risks.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIs UV/LED harmful to the skin?Yes, both UV-only lamps and UV/LED lamps can be harmful to the skin, especially if used frequently, as both emit UVA radiation. "We don’t have evidence to prove UVA lamps cause skin cancer, but based on our understanding of UVA radiation, the risk exists," Dr. Lal says.Dr. Carter broke down the risk in even more detail: Assuming each gel manicure takes about five separate layers of polish (including a base and top coat), and each layer takes about two minutes to cure (this is a general estimate), she says, “This is a 10-minute tan for the back of the hands.” That amount of time “increases your risk for the signs of aging, such as age spots, thinning, wrinkles, as well as skin cancer.”Due to the increased risk of repeated exposure, Dr. Carter suggests reserving gel manis for special occasions and using long-lasting polishes. And if you use UV/LED nail lamps regularly, then she recommends wearing a hydrating sunscreen, like the EltaMD Sheer Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ or the La Roche Posay Melt-in Sunscreen Milk (which needs to be applied 15 minutes prior to UV exposure), to protect your hands from sun damage and keep them nice and smooth. There are also special gloves for gel manicures with exposed fingertips that will protect the top of your hands, but Dr. Carter wants you to remember, “This does not protect the tips of the nails or nail beds from the potential adverse effects of UV exposure.”How to choose the best UV nail lamp for you:Gel nail polish differs from regular nail polish due to the fact that it is set or cured with ultraviolet light. This ultraviolet light can come from either a UV or LED source, and in the world of gel manicures, not all nail lamps are created equal.What's the difference between UV and LED nail lamps?The key difference between UV and LED nail lamps is the type of lightbulb used. LEDs are usually more energy efficient and emit weaker rays than UV light bulbs. Here’s what that means for your nails:UV nail lamps can cure all LED nail polishes, whereas LED nail lamps can only cure polishes that specifically work with the lamp. This information will be noted on the nail polish. A UV nail lamp takes a few minutes longer to cure the gel polish, whereas the LED nail lamp is much quicker. That said, there are gel nail lamps available with both LED and UV lights to ensure there will be no difficulties curing the polish.If you still don’t know how to decide, start by picking out what brand of gel polish you want to use. Once you’ve hit purchase, take a peek at the label and see what type of light—UV or LED—is needed to cure the polish and go from there.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowMeet the experts:- Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.- Dornechia George Carter, MD is a board-certified dermatologist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. As the founder of Affinity Dermatology, she specializes in preventative skincare and the treatment of common skin conditions, like sun damage, acne, and eczema.Why trust 'Cosmopolitan'?Mary Honkus is a contributing beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience writing about beauty trends and products. You'll never catch her without a flawless manicure, and she's spent years testing nail lamps that make perfecting your at-home manicure a breeze.Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty, with over three years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She’s an expert at researching and writing nail stories, like the best press-on nails and the top nail stickers. She regularly tests and analyzes UV nail lamps on her own nails for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top professionals to assess new formulas and brands.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty, fashion, travel, and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? gotchu. What about how to find the best fashion deals of the season, the softest sheets on the market, or exactly how to use retinol without irritating your skin? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As her 2024 goal, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini NYC has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at that magazine life.