The Best Nail Dryer - 2021
We looked at the top 9 Nail Dryers and dug through the reviews from 61 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Nail Dryers.
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Our Picks For The Top Nail Dryers
Works with 3 Types of PolishThis nail dryer has all the features you could want with three timer settings, a wide opening and LED lights for gel manicures.
Professional QualityThis professional quality nail dryer leaves you looking like you just came from the salon.
Easily PortableSince this nail dryer is portable, you can use it at home or take it to a friend's house.
Fun And ColorfulThis nail dryer features a changeable top and LED bulbs for a long life.
Super VersatileThis nail dryer has all the fixings with digital display, auto shut off/turn on and a removable bottom plate.
Efficient DryerThis nail dryer is an economical and effective pick.
Why we recommend these nail dryers?
Products Considered
Products Analyzed
Expert Reviews Included
User Opinions Analyzed
The Best Overall
LKE Gel UV LED Nail Lamp Dryer
Our Take
Love going to the salon to get your nails done? This value-packed nail dryer features three buttons for different types of polish drying. The digital display is easy to read and the 21 LED lights work great to dry the gel polish.
Our Nail Dryer Buying Guide
Having well-manicured nails all the time would be every woman’s dream. However, it’s so time-consuming to paint nails and for many women, time is hard to find. Whether you are a businesswoman, a homemaker or both, you need your nails to dry in a flash. The best way to do that is to invest in the best nail dryer. Discover the time you’ll save when you start using a nail dryer on your freshly painted nails.
Before you go buying the first nail dryer you see, you’ll want to know a few things about nail dryers and how they work. There are two main types of nail dryers, LED nail dryers that are used for gel manicures and UV nail dryers that are mainly for shellac polish but will also work on gel polish. Both dryers emit UVA rays that will cure or dry your nail polish. The LED nail dryers are lined with tiny LED bulbs along the top of the dryer and as the light waves hit the photoinitiators in the gel, they dry really fast. The UV nail dryers feature fluorescent tube lighting which emits wider wavelengths and takes a bit longer to cure the gel. Although the UV nail dryers can dry the gel polish, it will take roughly 5-7 minutes to dry it rather than 3-5 minutes under the LED nail dryer. Therefore, the time saved from an LED dryer is quite significant, making it the best nail dryer for gel manicures. In the end, the type of dryer you choose depends on the kind of polish you prefer to use.
Once you’ve found what type you want to purchase, take some time to consider how and why you’ll use a nail dryer. There are a few reasons you might want to buy that nail dryer you’ve been eyeing: less drying time; efficiency if you are a professional nail artist; you can dry shellac at home; the finish is much nicer than air-dried nails; your manicure will last significantly longer and you will have much less smudging. In addition, they are super easy to use. Most nail dryers have timers you can set with sensing technology such as the SUNUV LED UV Nail Lamp. With the right nail dryer, you will certainly find enough time to get the finished, professional nails that you want in your everyday life without an expensive salon visit.
Simplemost Fun Fact
Wherever there is exposure to UV rays, there is cause for pause and reason for research. After multiple studies, it was found entirely safe to use UV and LED nail lamps even regularly. The levels of UV emitted are so low, it does not pose a cancer risk.
The amount of UV rays emitted from nail dryers is the same as sitting in the sunlight for 1-3 minutes and even if repeated every day (which you most likely are not doing your nails every day) it would take significantly more than that to cause cancer.
The back of the hand is much more resistant to UV rays than the human back and is considered to be the most UV-resistant body part.
The Nail Dryer Tips and Advice
- Look for a nail dryer that’s sturdy and built to last.
- Find a lightweight nail dryer for easy portability.
- Check the electric usage on it if you are concerned about it increasing your utility bill upon frequent use.
- Read the manufacturer’s warnings and suggestions to ensure you get the right type of polish for that particular dryer.
- You’ll want a curved smaller opening to protect your eyes from the UV rays.
- Choose a dryer with several timer settings and opt for a sensor timer so you don’t have to push any buttons with wet nails.
