Best UV nail lamps and best LED nail lamps from a qualified nail tech – a £39 salon-quality lamp took the top spot

The Sun

3 days ago

GETTING a new set of nails, in my opinion, is one of life's little luxuries, and showing off freshly manicured hands can instantly lift your spirits.
With summer in full swing, filled with days out, holidays, BBQs, and plenty of socialising, it's the perfect time to focus on nail care without overspending, allowing you to save your money for all those sunny summer activities.
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The best way to achieve this is by doing your nails yourself.
As a qualified nail technician for the past two years, I've tried and tested numerous kits, lamps, and polishes, ranging from budget-friendly options to high-end products, and from beginner sets to professional-grade toolboxes.
So, I set out to discover whether investing in a high-end at-home kit is cheaper for seasoned nail salon goers or if any Amazon bargains can deliver the same flawless finish.
I tested UV lamps, LED lamps, and even press-on UV nails to see which ones are worth your pennies.
Best UV nail lamps at a glance
How I tested
I used the same nail polish, base coat, and top coat under all the lamps and tested the longevity of the manicure over a 30-day period.
I tested on my own hands as well as my mum's, who is always on the go – gardening, washing up, and generally putting her hands through the wringer.
Over the past two years, I've tried a variety of lamps, and the selection below all offer different features that may suit your individual needs, whether you prefer pedicures to manicures or want to experiment with nail art on yourself.
I also recently tested the best nail strengtheners to find out which ones keep natural nails healthy and strong, and which ones aid the healing process in between, or after, acrylic and gel removal.
Beetles Compact UV LED Nail Lamp: Fast Drying Gel Dryer, £39.99
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BUY HERE
Cons: Short cord, only one timing option, feels flimsy
Rating: 3/5
When I passed my qualification and started practising, I did this with a Beetles lamp.
I'd say that if you're a total beginner or not a massive nail enthusiast at heart and just want one to keep in the house for special occasions, this would be ideal for you.
It would also make a great starter set for a teenage daughter to take to a sleepover or as a gift for someone trying out nails for the first time.
The lamp is reasonably priced at £39.99 and is compact enough to avoid taking up too much space.
It'd also be ideal for travelling abroad and taking on holiday to touch up nails if one started to peel or crack.
However, it is quite flimsy and light to the touch, and it doesn't come with a base.
The light strength, in general, feels weak compared to other lamps, and you definitely need to exceed the recommended 60 seconds to achieve a long-lasting finish and avoid tacky nails.
Despite feeling lightweight and slightly on the cheaper side, it did provide my mum with a pedicure that lasted through a three-week holiday on the beach, in and out of the sea.
Overall, this is the perfect option if you're a beginner, are not looking to spend too much or will only be using it for special occasions.
SUN3 UV LED Nail Lamp, £69.99 £39.98
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SUN3 UV LED Nail Lamp, £69.99 £39.98
BUY HERE
Pros: Affordable, 39 high-power LED beads, high quality, four different time and heat settings, a low meat mode, LED screen for time monitoring, auto on-off feature
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Ah, the SUNUV lamp.
There's no denying that this one truly takes the top spot as the best overall lamp for me for a variety of reasons.
First off, it retails at £70, but it's often on sale on Amazon, and is currently discounted to an incredible £39.98 – a steal for the quality it offers.
While it doesn't come with anything besides the lamp itself, the durability and longevity of the manicures it delivers really impressed me.
It features three different time settings of 10, 30, and 60 seconds, as well as a fourth option: a lower heat, longer-timed 90-second setting, perfect for those with sensitive hands who may find higher heat intensity uncomfortable.
The positioning of the lights ensures even curing, while the sturdy silver base is detachable, making pedicures much easier to achieve.
The SUNUV lamp delivers salon-quality nails from the comfort of your home, and the fact that many salons use this exact lamp speaks volumes about its professional-grade performance.
Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System, £30
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Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System, £30
BUY HERE
Pros: Affordable, portable, you can buy more press-on ones after the pack has finished, come with a French tip, perfect to keep at home for last-minute occasions
Cons: Takes some getting used to at first, could buy a bigger lamp for the full hand if you were looking to do more than UV press-ons for the same price
Rating: 4/5
Press-on nails may feel like a thing of the past, but these Salon X-tend LED Soft Gel System press-on nails are a futuristic twist on a Y2K cult classic.
I trialled these on my mum before she jetted off on a three-week holiday to Turkey, where she spent her time swimming, tanning, and clubbing.
While she did suffer two fallen soldiers, the set held up remarkably well overall.
It comes with plenty of spare nails (30 to be exact) in case accidents happen, along with a decent amount of glue, and you'll only need a very tiny amount for each nail anyway.
I would say this set takes a bit of getting used to initially, but once you master it, it's a quick and effective way to achieve perfectly polished French tips in no time.
Think of it as the first aid kit of the nail world – ideal for those holiday emergencies when you need to fix a finger in a pinch, and they're also great to buy and shove in a drawer ready for a last-minute occasion.
Gelish 18G Plus with Comfort Cure, £418.95
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Gelish 18G Plus with Comfort Cure, £418.95
BUY HERE
Pros: Cures four times faster than UV lamps. high-intensity diamond reflectors for all-around curing, removable pedicure-friendly tray, LED countdown display, three time settings, scratch and acetone resistant
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
The elephant in the room with this lamp is, of course, the price point, which is undeniably wince-worthy.
However, this lamp scores so highly in my opinion (and in the opinions of many nail salons and technicians) due to the multiple ergonomic features that make it worthwhile.
The Gelish lamp really is the big dog of the nail lamp world and is ideal if you're looking to potentially turn your at-home nail painting into a career or want to ditch salon trips altogether in favour of at-home painting.
It's the main lamp you'll see in the majority of salons, and its salon-quality promise is the reason for its higher price tag compared to other lamps.
What I will say is, it will not let you down.
It has an eyeshield as well as SafeLight technology built in, is scratch and acetone resistant, has a removable base, and most importantly, it features high-intensity diamond reflectors that deliver 36 watts of powerful LED curing from all angles, ensuring all nails are evenly cured.
The Comfort Cure technology minimises heat spikes and works to cure gels four times faster than other LED lamps.
If you break down the cost of this investment item, at £80 for both a manicure and pedicure, you will have already made your money back after just five rounds of manicures and pedicures.
Mylee Grande LED Lamp, £55
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Mylee Grande LED Lamp, £55
BUY HERE
Pros: Cures four times faster than UV lamps. high-intensity diamond reflectors for all-around curing, removable pedicure-friendly tray, LED countdown display, three time settings, scratch and acetone resistant
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 5/5
Another trusty favourite of mine, the Mylee Grande is another salon-quality lamp that not only looks sleek and stylish but also packs a powerful punch.
With 15, 30, 60, and 99-second cure times, it offers full control for all treatments, whether a manicure or pedicure and has a detachable bottom tray.
The 15 and 30-second options are ideal for flash curing and nail art, while the 60-second setting is perfect for gel extensions or shellac.
The 99-second low heat mode gradually increases heat, giving a smooth and all-around cure for thicker gels, preventing tackiness.
It boasts Convex Curing Technology and powerful LED bulbs to ensure even light distribution across all five fingers.
It is spacious yet compact, easy to store and travel-friendly, as well as being compatible with brands like OPI, Gelish, and Shellac, offering versatility and durability with a 50,000-hour lifespan.
With automatic sensors, a digital countdown, and effortless set-up, it's the ultimate tool for stunning, long-lasting nails, and better yet it often goes on sale at major retailers as well as on the Mylee site!
Power source: USB-C Dimensions: ‎21.3cm x 17.1cm x 11.4cm Curing time: 15, 30,60, 99 Lamp type: LED
Gel X-Tend Flash Cure UV/LED Lamp, £49.99
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Gel X-Tend Flash Cure UV/LED Lamp, £49.99
BUY HERE
Pros: Portable, 60-second cure, detachable, strong and effective, acetone-resistant finish
Cons: Takes longer due to not covering all nails
Rating: 4/5
Small but mighty comes to mind when talking about the Gel X-Tend Flash Cure Lamp.
It's definitely one for the acrylic girls out there who want to achieve salon length at home.
The lamp is designed for flash curing extensions and tips in place and is therefore not designed as such to cure just a plain gel nail; however, I put it to the test anyway, and it worked surprisingly fast and stayed on for three whole weeks.
The lamp is also great if you're not a fan of sitting in the salon chair for the amount of time that a set of acrylics takes, as the pre-buffed and pre-shaped tips allow you to create gel extensions in a fraction of the usual time.
Rio Salon Pro UV & LED Lamp, £17.50
Pros: Fast curing, sleek design, affordable, 4 different curing time options, UV and LED
Cons: No base
Rating: 5/5
Rio is well-known in the nail lamp scene, and the Salon Pro UV & LED promises a sleek and modern look (and won't take up a lot of space on your dresser).
The actual manicure it produces is flawless, too. There are 15 long-life LED light bulbs inside, which equate to over 50,000 hours, made to cure both UV gels and LED gel formulations. You can even use it on nail extensions.
The gadget has a smart auto sensor which gives you the option of 30 or 60 seconds sure time, or you can simply leave it under the lamp to cure for 90 seconds.
It comes with no base, making it easy to stick your toes under the lamp to give yourself a gel pedi without being too squished.
Best UV nail lamps and best LED nail lamp FAQs
What is the difference between UV and LED nail lamps?
When choosing between UV and LED nail lamps, the main difference is the type of light they use to cure (set) polish and the time it takes.
LED lamps cure gel polish much faster (30-60 seconds) compared to UV lamps (2-3 minutes).
They're also more energy-efficient, generate less heat, and have a longer lifespan, lasting up to 50,000 hours.
However, some LED lamps may not work with all gel polishes due to their narrower wavelength range.
UV lamps are slower but compatible with most UV gel polishes, making them a versatile and reliable choice.
In short, LED lamps are ideal for speed, efficiency, and durability, while UV lamps offer broader compatibility for those happy to wait a little longer.
LED or UV: Which should you choose?
LED lamps are typically thought of as better than UV lamps, for several reasons, as covered above.
UV and LED nail lamps both cure gel polish, but LED lamps are faster, and their LED lamp bulbs last longer.
A lot of lamps use both, such as the SUNUV and Rio lamps included in the round-up above.
Where to buy the best nail lamps in the UK?
At-home professional manicures and pedicures are more popular than ever, so the good news is that the best LED and UV lamps are readily available from a selection of places.
You can shop yours from department stores, designated beauty retailers, nail that product brand websites, and a range of online retailers. Check out our favourites:
Are UV nail lamps safe/ are LED nail lamps safe?
When choosing whether to go for an LED drying lamp or a UV one, you should consider that the former has a faster drying time, giving your nails less exposure to intense light.
Furthermore, UV radiation has been scientifically proven to lead to skin cancer and it can also cause other skin damage, leading to premature ageing.
Generally, though, UV nail lamps are classified as very low risk and they won't burn your nails if you're using one that has been approved for use.
Nail expert and 14 Day Maniassador, Julita Fagan explains: 'UV/ LED lamps are safe for personal use at home. Most gel-based brands will also supply their own version of UV/ LED lamps for purchase.
'It is recommended to use the nail lamp that is associated with the brand of gel products being used.'
For added protection, some people opt to use sunscreen or wear fingerless gloves during use.
Can you use normal nail polish with a UV lamp?
Using a UV or LED lamp to cure regular nail polish won't work as, normal polish dries through evaporation, whereas gel polish contains something called photoinitiators that react to both UV and LED, setting off the curing process.
Trying to cure regular polish with a UV lamp won't work properly and will just leave you with smudged and sticky nails.
How many watts should a nail lamp be?
The wattage of most nail lamps starts from around 32 watts, which is enough to cure your gel nail polish.
Higher wattages are not necessarily going to be the best around, it all depends on the quality of the make.
What UV lamp is best for gel nails
In my opinion, the clearest all-around winner for me is the SUNUV lamp in terms of affordability, features, curing time and durability.
Can you put press-on nails under a UV lamp?
You can't put any old brand of press-on nail under a UV lamp, as, unlike gel nails, which are specifically designed to cure under UV light, press-on nails are usually pre-glued or come with adhesive tabs that don't require or benefit from UV exposure.
Using a UV lamp on them could damage the nails or weaken the adhesive.