Gone are the days of twisting and turning your fingers under a five-hand lamp to ensure the entire nail is dried. This flash cure light from Apres fits firmly in your hands to give each finger the same time to dry before one last cure under a larger lamp. Small but mighty, this nifty gadget holds up to four hours of charge, which makes it the ultimate gift for a fully booked nail tech.

With a strong 48W light, this lamp also features thoughtful details that’ll make your mani or pedi easier to complete, including a clear LCD display, four timer settings, and a handy countdown function.

Ace hardwareUV light

Clouds of interstellar gas and dust that form stars are typically at temperatures of about 50 K (that’s about –220oC). They glow at far infrared wavelengths and are brightest at about 100 microns (red line in the graph above).  And the universe itself is filled with radiation corresponding to a temperature of just less than 3 K – very cold indeed – with peak emission in the millimetre wavelength range (blue line in the graph above).

According to Romah, most professional LED and UV nail lamps are at least 36 watts, while some UV lamps have more than 36 watts, depending on the brand. “I just suggest looking for LED lamps with less time exposure to the light,” she says. “It should take five to 30 seconds to cure a base coat and 30 to 60 seconds to cure colors or a top coat.”

Powered by a USB cable, this UV lamp is compact and portable enough for travel. The battery lasts up to three hours, so you can cure your nails as you watch, pause, and rewind your favorite movie.

DIY manicures have become more popular than ever, and brands have been launching dip powder kits and new-and-improved press-on sets to meet the demand. Although you do have to put some work into mastering the process, at-home gel manicures are one of the best alternatives to salon visits. However, one major piece of equipment you must invest in if you want to dive into the gel world is a UV nail lamp. “The light emits UV wavelengths that hit molecules in the gel called photoinitiators, or compounds, that absorb light and convert it into the energy needed to drive the polymerization process,” explains Molly Romah, lead nail artist at NYC-based spa Chillhouse. “When the light from the UV waves bonds with those molecules, it activates them, making the gel cure into a hard plastic.” But it is important to remember that your hands will repeatedly be exposed to harmful UV rays, you should always protect your precious hands and fingers with a top-tier sunscreen beforehand and moisturize them with a hand cream after each manicure.

If you like to give every nail its own moment, this mini lamp ensures each one is properly and evenly cured, especially for those who prefer gel extensions. A built-in sensor guarantees you don’t have to fiddle with any on/off buttons either.

A professional-grade UV lamp, Kiara Sky’s 48-watt iteration is powered by LG technology and rechargeable so that you can work for hours without long, tangled cords getting in your way. Plus, the bubble pink packaging elevates any working station.

Infrared radiation was discovered by William Herschel in 1800. He was studying the heating effect of different colours of light by using a prism to produce a spectrum of colours and thermometers to measure their heating effect. He noticed that the heating effect got stronger as he went from the blue end of the spectrum to the red. In a moment of inspiration, he moved the thermometer beyond the visible red end and found that the heating effect was even greater.

Also, remember that LED lamps tend to last longer, while the bulbs in UV lamps often need replacing. However, not all gel polishes can be cured by LED lamps. “Salons that use strong gels like UV gel, or hard gels, will likely use UV lamps, which cure all gels,” she says. “UV lamps are also more effective at curing clear gel nails.”

Here, we investigated online and read through countless customer reviews to chase down the 15 best UV lamps for at-home gel manicures, from standard lamps you’ve probably seen at your salon to portable flashlights and mini lights that let you focus on one nail at a time. We also consulted Romah and dermatologist Dr. Mona Gohara to find out all about at-home nail lamps and how we should utilize them.

In fact all objects glow (emit electromagnetic radiation), and they do this in the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that depends on their temperature. The diagram below shows how bright objects of different temperatures appear at difference wavelengths.

Bypass buttons with the automatic sensors of this popular Amazon pick. An extra spacious drying chamber allows both hands to be cured simultaneously by 36 high-power LED bulbs. The box also has nail accessories, such as buffing blocks and nail files, to create the picture-perfect mani.

uv lightfor nails in-store

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, editor Sam Peters spoke with trusted nail experts about UV nail lamps. She and beauty writer Carol Lee also searched the internet for top-rated UV nail lamps, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on their features and customer reviews.

The electromagnetic spectrum spans a wide range of wavelengths from very short wavelength and highly energetic gamma rays to very long wavelength and low-energy radio waves. The visible part of the spectrum is only a small portion. Infrared light is the same as the light that we can see except that the wavelength is longer and outside the range that our eyes can sense.

An Amazon reviewer says: “Lamp is very lightweight and made a huge difference in how long my at-home gel polish lasts. I can easily get more than two weeks out of a manicure with just a little chipping. The higher wattage is the key!”

Target UV lightNails

An ELLE editor says: “My eyes love to wander whenever I’m at a nail salon. Which polish is the best? What lotion are they using for the hand massage? What UV lamp are they using to keep my gel intact for weeks? For the latter question, it’s this Amazon bestseller. I spotted it in my go-to salon and needed it for at-home maintenance ASAP. As much as I love sitting quietly in a salon chair doing my nails for up to an hour, nothing beats doing my nails in the comfort of my home. This lamp cures most gel polishes in a flash—or 10, 30, 60, or 90 seconds, depending on what your nail polish indicates—without any painful hot sparks. The bottom plate is removable in case you want to add some gel polish to your toes for a quick pedi.” —Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

This UV light may be compact, but it cures more than nails on the go. For nail artists skilled at applying embellishments and accessories, this handheld lamp lets you get up close and personal with your nails to keep all rhinestones and charms intact.

An Amazon reviewer said: “What was I doing before this product? This is one of the best things I’ve purchased in a long time. I love that it has a 30-second and a 60-second setting. It’s easy to hold and works fast. I’m so happy.”

To help minimize potential risks and protect the skin, Dr. Gohara suggests taking a few precautions. “Keep your skin barrier strong by using gentle cleansers that moisturize as they cleanse,” she says. “I love the Dove Deep Moisture Hand Wash, followed by further strengthening of the skin barrier by using a corresponding lotion (she also recommends Dove’s Sensitive Care Hand Cream). Also, wear a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and apply 20 minutes before your treatment.”

An Apres reviewer says: “I liked this little light. It’s easy to use and I love that it’s rechargeable and wireless. It makes it more convenient to flash cure without having to maneuver the person’s finger into awkward positions. Always had trouble with air bubbles because of this.”

According to Romah, the answer really comes down to personal preference. “When you decide to choose between an LED and UV nail lamp, you should focus not only on your budget, but also on what you want to accomplish,” Romah says. Although typically more expensive, LED lamps cure gel nails faster than UV lamps—which can be a plus if you tend to be impatient or short on time. “LED lamps emit narrower UV wavelengths than UV lamps with higher concentration and more energy,” she explains. “These light-emitting diodes target specific photoinitiators in the gel polish, which enables the gel to cure much faster than UV lamps.”

It is interesting that the basic technique used by Herschel to discover infrared radiation is still used in modern instruments today, including instruments on board the Herschel satellite – the only real difference is a factor a billion or so in sensitivity.

We humans, slightly warmer than room temperature, glow in the mid infrared and we’re brightest at about 10 microns wavelength (black line in the graph).   These days we are all familiar with infrared imaging, which allows us to see in the dark using electronic detectors that record infrared light emitted by warm objects such as people.  The pictures below show SPIRE team member Prof. Peter Ade in visible light (wavelength about 0.5 micron) and infrared light (about 10 microns).

As far as Romah’s favorite type of device? “I like LED lamps better because they dry faster, save time on getting gel manicures done, and last longer,” she says. “But that’s also because I only work with soak gels.”

UV Lighthome Depot

An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s powerful and cures fast yet does not give that burning/hot feeling on my hands. I also like that it has a sensor so you can place both hands at a time, and you don’t have to press anything for the light to turn on.”

The whole region with wavelengths ranging from 1 micron to 1 mm is loosely called the “infrared”, but astronomers tend to break this up into sub-regions:  the “near infrared” (from 1 to 5 microns); the “mid infrared” (5 to 30 microns), the “far infrared” (from 30 to 300 microns) and the “submillimetre” (from 300 microns to 1 mm).  The exact boundaries are somewhat arbitrary, and the exact definitions can vary.

Uv lightnear me for Nails

An Amazon reviewer says: “It’s great for fixing any mistakes when you’re on the go or even for travel purposes. I tested it out while doing nail art on one of my tip stand holders, and it was amazing. I could focus on one nail without worrying about plugging in my nail lamp and holding it over my nail tip stand. I love the pink color, too.”

Clearly, depending on what it is that we want to observe, we need to look in different parts of the spectrum, and no one part will tell us everything. The Earth’s atmosphere transmits well in the visible and radio regions, but it blocks out everything from gamma rays to ultraviolet and most of the infrared.  So to study the Universe at those wavelengths we need to launch space-borne observatories.

UVFlashlight

An Amazon reviewer says: “This little light is small enough to fit inside my nail polish bag and take on the go. It works beautifully, and there is a timer, so there’s no need to stress whether you’ve left your fingers under the light long enough.”

Doing your nails means carving out some time for yourself, but that doesn’t mean you want to wait forever for them to dry. Let us introduce you to this 30-watt LED light that’s made to cure all your fingers or toes in 30 seconds.

An Amazon reviewer says: “Took this on vacation; this will be in my emergency travel kit for sure. It’s super easy to use; just apply and cure. No mess, and it doesn’t take up any space in luggage. Gel stays on for a couple of weeks, and it’s easy to take off with the acetone wipes and file that come with it.”

UV lightfor Resin

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve had my machine for four years now, and it still works great! I’m a professional nail tech, and I’ll definitely rebuy this machine again.”

Don’t let this mini nail lamp fool you. While you can tote it anywhere, thanks to its compact size, the six-watt style can get the job done. Plus, it has three versatile time settings and is incredibly affordable.

The Sun has a surface temperature of nearly 6000 Kelvin (where the Kelvin temperature scale is the same as the familiar Centigrade scale except that the zero degrees C is about 273 degrees Kelvin). Its radiation peaks in the visible part of the spectrum at wavelengths of about half a micron, as shown by the yellow-green line in the graph above.

An Amazon reviewer says: “This lamp worked perfectly for my gel fill and gel OPI polish change. I like how it will turn on when you put your hand inside and will stay on for one minute and 20 seconds. It also has the option to use 10, 30, or 60 seconds with the push of a button. It has a nice-sized opening, so I wasn’t worried about messing up my nails (or toenails) when inserting them into the light. It’s not heavy, and the top snaps on or off to make it easy to clean.”

The nail pros at OPI created this 30-watt, salon-favorite lamp using two different light frequencies, a spacious drying chamber, and LG technology. The price tag is worth the professional-grade results.

Thanks to 48W high-power LED beads designed for even and quick gel curing, dry time is a breeze. The large opening allows up to five fingernails or toenails to be dried at once, and a pink hand pillow at the top makes polishing more comfortable.

Weekly trips to the salon for a regular manicure are a wonderful treat, but it can be hard to make time for them. Gel manicures cost a pretty penny yet last much longer and are less prone to smudging and chipping. The simple solution to all your woes? Getting your hands on your very own UV lamp—and the one for you is just a click away.

An Amazon reviewer says: “This works so much better than my old nail lamp and dries super fast! Looks so pretty and sleek.”

An Ulta reviewer says: “I am a beginner nail tech, and this is perfect. It cures extremely well, is easy to carry around, and it’s sleek and stylish, too.”

A Walmart reviewer said: “My clients love how roomy it is inside, the handle is GREAT for moving and handling purposes, and it looks very professional and clean. Also, there’s ample room for clients to rest on top as I polish.”

Is there anything cuter than this mini UV lamp shaped like a macaron? This kit also has a mini gel polish, cuticle stick, nail file, and remover wraps.

“According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, both LED and UV lamps used for nail grooming emit ultraviolet (UV) light,” says Dr. Gohara. “They primarily are sources of UVA, which is a risk factor for aging and skin cancer. That said, the risk is considered moderate and significantly less than the risk incurred from a tanning booth.”

WalmartUV Light

A Walmart reviewer says: “I’ve used this once along with CND gels. Six days and no lifting. I originally used Gelish with a cheap lamp, and my polish lifted and turned yellow. So far, no lifting. It’s very clear and shiny. I highly recommend.”

Big enough for both hands—or both feet—this 150-watt lamp has multiple timer modes, a motion sensor, and detachable plates to ensure every inch of your nail will be dried evenly.

Offering a solid 36 watts of power, CND’s sleek nail lamp is a new and improved version that boasts preset controls for each gel manicure step, is equipped with no-fail bulbs, and has acetone resistance. It’s also designed for easy pedicures, thanks to its removable base plates.

Touted as the “most reliable light ever,” Gelish’s 36-watt UV lamp works best with its Gelish soak-off polishes, but can still deliver fast results in just 60 seconds. Thanks to its Comfort Cure technology, you won’t feel the flash of heat you’ve likely experienced from other UV lamps.