Getting your nails done can be a relaxing experience, like the thrill of thumbing through a carousel of the best nail colors, soaking your hands in a warm solution for prep, and watching the final look come together under the UV lamp. Then, suddenly, there’s the not-so-relaxing part—the moment when it’s time for your tech to smooth out any kinks and roughness with a nail drill. The buzzing melody of the tool fills the salon, and then comes the scraping ring of the nail drill bit again your nail bed, smoothing any rough parts. You think you’re done, but then the nail professional flips to yet another sized drill bit—wince, repeat, done.
Are nail drills necessary? A nail drill to a technician is what a hammer is to a sculptor—it’s essential to creating a beautiful, smooth canvas for nail art to shine. Instead of manually filing or buffing your nails smooth with a handheld nail file, this handy gadget can do it all in less time. “A nail drill is an electric tool used in manicures and pedicures to shape, file, and smooth both natural and artificial nails. It’s a powerful tool that can remove gel, acrylics, calluses, and dip powder nails. Some areas of an electric file can help with cuticle work by removing excess skin or smoothing around the nail bed, while narrower bits of the tool can be used to clean underneath the nails, removing dirt and debris,” explains April Arabella, a London-based licensed nail art specialist and expert at Cherry Bomb Nails. They’re not all scary, though. Since the tools have a plethora of drill bits in varying sizes, it “allows technicians to adjust the setting based on the type of nail and what they are hoping to achieve.”
Those who frequent nail salons understand how essential the tool is to ensuring your manicure looks flawless and polished. The tool works the same way for DIY nail lovers who prefer an at-home treatment in lieu of a salon visit, but finding quality and durable nail drills to achieve salon-level results is easier said than done. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you by finding the best nail drill models and kits suitable for at-home use.
Best for Precision
Pure Enrichment PureNails 10-Piece Professional Manicure and Pedicure Kit
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We scoured customer reviews and even spoke with licensed nail artists to bring you the 12 best (and safest) nail drills for at-home use.
Pros
- Low, quiet vibration
Cons
- Battery doesn’t last too long
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
Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in cord
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
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!”
Pros
- Multiple drill styles
Cons
- Large design
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 allows you to file in two directions.
Includes: Drill machine, sanding bands, bits, foot pedal
Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
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!”
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Best for Precision
Pure Enrichment PureNails 10-Piece Professional Manicure and Pedicure Kit
Now 29% Off
Pros
- Seven interchangable drills
Cons
- Not for beginners
Master the art of precision with the seven pieces included in this kit, which buffs everything from nail beds to calluses. The drills range in size, from bigger ones for more coverage to tinier tips that get in those hard-to-reach spaces. To ensure professional precision, the drill is also built with an LED light.
Includes: Drill, bits, and carrying case
Battery: Plug-in cord
Walmart rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Walmart reviewer said: “I purchased this item and forgot I had it due to moving. I was also intimidated to try it, which led to further hesitation. I finally got it out, tried it, and I cannot believe I haven’t been using it! This made my home manicure and pedicure sessions a complete professional-like process!”
Pros
- Five speed settings
Cons
- May need something gentler for natural nails
You won’t have to worry about the sanding bands slipping off, as this kit comes with different-size bands for specific drill bits. The rechargeable battery allows for up to four hours of work time, and the drill has five speed settings.
Includes: Drill, bits, sanding bands
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.9/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer said: “You need this nail drill if you do dip powder or gel. It has cut my filing and buffing time in half, if not more! Excellent product. It charged really fast, and it holds a charge long enough to complete all ten nails at home. It comes with a huge variety of files and grits so I had all that I needed to remove old dip powder, and it had a softer grit to buff out the new. Seems easy to use, but I’m a first-time drill user and needed to read the manual to know learn how.”
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Pros
- Cordless design
Cons
- Pricey
With a slew of drill styles and lengths to choose from, this cordless device will properly buff, smooth, and clean your nails. Increase or decrease the speed with the slide of a button to clean artificial or natural nails carefully. Additionally, it has an LED light for better visibility.
Includes: Drill, bits, and carrying case
Battery: Rechargeable
Best Buy rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Best Buy reviewer says: “It is good quality and effective. Don’t need to go to the salon anymore!”
Pros
- LED screen shows battery percentage
Cons
- An Investment
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
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
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.”
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Best Nail Drill for Beginners
Flawless by Finishing Touch Flawless Salon Nails
Pros
- Compact for easy grip
Cons
- Battery doesn’t last too long
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. Six drill heads are included for filing, shaping, buffing, smoothing, and pushing back cuticles.
Includes: Drill, bits
Battery: Rechargeable
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
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.”
Best Handheld Nail Drill Design
Imene Professional Nail Drill Machine Portable
Now 26% Off
Pros
- Belt clip for movement
Cons
- Pricey
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
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
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.”
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Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Not super powerful
This sweet, sleek tool is a one-stop-shop with five interchangeable pieces for precision shaping, cuticle pushing, buffing, and smoothing.
Includes: Drill, bits
Battery: Two AAA batteries
Target rating: 4/5 stars
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!”
Pros
- Fast, smooth speed
Cons
- Doesn’t last too long
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.
Includes: Drill
Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in cord
Sally Beauty rating: 4.1/5 stars
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.”
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Best Nail Drill for Natural Nails
Touch Beauty Nail File Electric 5-in-1 Manicure Pedicure Set
Pros
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- Doesn't have a long lifespan
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.
Includes: Drill, bits, holder
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “This product is easy to use and comes with several different heads for shaping.”
Pros
- No heat sparks
Cons
- Short battery life
This professional-grade drill hits all the right marks, thanks to its portable design, assortment of attachments, and buffing tips. It’s also designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge.
Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits
Battery: Rechargeable
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
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.”
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What are best practices?
Safety is important when using a nail drill, especially since improper use can cause damage and weaken your nail bed, making it difficult to cure gel polishes. “Misusing a nail drill can cause serious damage to your nails, skin, and cuticles. Investing in a good quality tool with adjustable speed settings is key! You should always use lower speeds for natural nails, only using higher speeds when working with gels or acrylics. When applying pressure, use a light touch when working with natural nails, and let the tool do the work. Don’t use the nail drill in one spot for too long, as you need to keep the drill constantly moving to prevent over-filing and building up the heat (which can cause that burning sensation, discomfort, and damage). I always advise working in short, controlled strokes rather than long sweeps for precision and safety,” April Arabella says.
Meet The Expert
Trenna Seney is an NYC-based celebrity nail artist.
April Arabella, a London-based licensed nail art specialist and expert at Cherry Bomb Nails.
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Why Trust ELLE Beauty
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, ELLE editors and contributors pored over reviews to find the best nail drills that are safe enough for at-home use and interview a licensed nail artist for best practices.
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Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
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