11 best lamps for drying gel polish - the perfect manicure at home

Well-groomed nails are an important part of the image of any representative of the fair sex. Some people prefer to do their own manicure, while others trust exclusively to professionals. In any case, every woman wants to get a beautiful and durable nail coating. At the moment, the most durable manicure is using gel polish; this coating requires drying in special devices.

Photo: dhgate.com

At the moment, there are 4 types of lamps for drying gel polish:

• Ultraviolet lamps.
  They are usually indicated by the UV icon. They were the very first to appear and their principle is the polymerization of gel polish using special fluorescent light bulbs.
• LED bulbs.
  They are usually indicated by an LED icon. In them, the hardening of the coating occurs with the help of LED light bulbs.
• Lamps with a cold cathode spiral.
  They are usually identified by the CCFL icon. In fact, this is an improved version of a UV lamp; it contains a heating element - a cold cathode.
• Hybrid lamps.
  They come in ultraviolet + LED (designated UV+LED) and lamps with a cold cathode spiral + LED (designated CCFL+LED).

What you should pay attention to when purchasing:

• Device power.
  As a rule, you can find devices on the market with a power of 9 to 90 W. Devices with a power of about 48 W are considered optimal; they quickly dry the coating and prevent the material from “wrinkling” in the lamp.
• Lamp size.
  There are devices designed for 1 finger, and there are those that fit the entire palm. Thus, by choosing the right size of the device, you can reduce the manicure time.
• A set of necessary functions,
  such as a timer, display, ability to switch power, removable bottom, motion sensor, blind spot and rear wall. For manicurists, a full set of these options will be important, while for home use you can consider a device with a minimal set of programs.

We present the rating of lamps for drying gel polish 2022. The best 11 models that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

The best UV lamps for drying gel polish

A distinctive feature of ultraviolet devices is low energy consumption and the ability to fix any type of gel polish. However, compared to other devices, such lamps require a longer drying time for the coating (on average about 2 minutes) and frequent replacement of heating elements. When choosing an ultraviolet varnish polymerization machine, as a rule, users should pay attention to the power of the device. It was these lamps that were the first to appear on the market and were loved by many women.

3 UV planet nails 36W Tunnel Econom

The top three is opened by the UV planet nails 36W Tunnel Econom ultraviolet lamp.
has been officially supplying German brand products to the domestic market since 2005. All of the manufacturer's products undergo rigorous quality and safety testing. The device has a power of 36 W and contains 4 light bulbs. Plus, it is equipped with mirror reflectors that allow you to polish the gel polish quickly and evenly. The automatic timer is set to 2 minutes, from which we can conclude that the coating will become durable after such a period of time. The shutdown button and timer are located on the back wall of the device.

The body is made of plastic and the manufacturer offers a wide range of lamp colors - everyone can choose the optimal color for the interior of an apartment or salon.

Users note the good ergonomic properties of the UV planet nails 36W Tunnel Econom lamp; the hand fits completely into the window, without the risk of displacing the coating by accidentally touching it. In addition, many are pleased with the budget price and large selection of colors.

Pros:

• Stylish.
• It is convenient to hold your hand in the lamp.
• Mirror reflectors.
• You can set a timer.
• Many color options.

Minuses:

• The varnish takes a long time to dry.

Lamp UV planet nails 36W Tunnel Econom

2 UV Runail GL-515

The second place in the rating is occupied by the UV lamp Runail GL-515.
Many nail service professionals call the products of this company the most recognizable among domestic nail service devices. For more than 12 years, the Runail brand has been working in the beauty equipment industry, constantly expanding its product range. The UV lamp Runail GL-515 polymerizes gel polish in 2-3 minutes, it is also equipped with a timer to automatically turn off after 120 seconds. It is worth noting that there is a continuous operation mode and, in fact, a timer. The power is standard, 36 W, the manufacturer equipped the device with 4 ultraviolet lamps. The bottom can be removed if necessary. The case material is plastic, you can choose one of five rich colors: blue, yellow, green, red and purple. The manufacturer's warranty period is 3 months.

Among those who tried the device, most liked it. Users note reliability, long service life and low cost. The UV Runail GL-515 lamp is perfect for a beginner and is convenient for independent use.

Pros:

• Budget.
• Suitable for a beginner.
• There is a timer for 120 seconds.
• Beautiful colors.
• Removable bottom.

Minuses:

• Dries gel polish in up to 3 minutes.

UV lamp Runail GL-515

1 UV TNL Professional

The best among ultraviolet devices for gel polish is the UV TNL Professional lamp.
The TNL Professional company, which began its journey in the beauty industry market in 2008 with 9 bottles of gel polishes, was able to rapidly increase its momentum. Today, the brand’s assortment includes more than 7,000 products. The power of the UV TNL Professional lamp is 36 W, the kit includes 4 ultraviolet lamps for polymerizing gel polish. A mirror display will help dry the coating evenly on all sides. The bottom can be removed if necessary. The automatic timer can be set for 2 minutes, this time is enough to dry most gel polishes. The manufacturer provides the ability to choose one of five colors of the plastic case: black, purple, red, white, pink.

Buyers note the simple and reliable design of the device, the long service life of the heating elements, and ease of use. The hand easily fits inside the device. Also, most consumers noted the absence of unpleasant sensations during use. For many, the lamp lasts longer than 5 years.

Pros:

• Small size.
• Convenient to dry varnish.
• Stylish design.
• Doesn't bake nails in the lamp.
• It lasts a long time.
• Budget.

Minuses:

• Not very convenient control buttons.

UV lamp TNL Professional

Review of CND Shellac UV lamps for shellac

If you are using CND gel polishes, they can be cured in any UV shellac lamp, but it is best to invest in one device specifically designed for curing these shellacs.

• The CND UV lamp has a power of 36 W and has an internal fan to speed up curing.
• This lamp is designed specifically for drying shellac and has timers for the base coat, base color and top coat.
• Although you can use other UV lamps to dry your gel nail polish, the machine made by CND is guaranteed to dry your shellac in the recommended amount of time. It uses four bulbs of 9 W each.
• The CND Shellac UV Lamp is designed to dry fingers with one hand, and you can place all five fingers inside this shellac UV lamp at the same time.
• The disadvantage of the device is its high price (about 6,300 rubles), but it guarantees high-quality results.

We recommend: Gel polish and shellac: the difference between coatings and the difference between gel polish and other types of gel products

Other lamp features:

• lamp replacement indicator;
• ergonomic design;
• convenient handle for transportation;
• two-meter detachable cord;
• easy to clean;
• compactness: 27.31×19.69×11.43 cm;
• weight: 1.36 kg;
• one year manufacturer's warranty.

The best LED lamps for drying gel polish

In such devices, polymerization of the coating occurs using LED light bulbs. LED lamps last longer than their ultraviolet counterparts and polymerize the coating faster (as a rule, they only need up to 1 minute). They also emit less harmful ultraviolet radiation, but, unfortunately, they are not suitable for all gel polishes. When LEDs fail, you will often have to buy a new device. In most cases, manufacturers do not provide the possibility of replacing the heating element.

3 LED Solomeya 60S micro

The top three is opened by Solomeya brand products.
I would like to say a few words about the manufacturing company. This is an English brand that has been producing cosmetic products since 1999. The manufacturer has its own production facilities and laboratories. The small-sized LED Solomeya 60S micro lamp is convenient to take with you anywhere; it can easily fit into a handbag and will not take up much space on a cosmetic shelf. Despite its small size, it is able to dry the coating in 30-60 seconds. The default timer is set at 60 seconds and is activated with one button on the top panel of the device. An undeniable advantage is that it is powered by a USB cable; the lamp can be connected both from the network and from a laptop - thus, the coating can be done under different conditions, both at home and while traveling, wherever you find yourself. The buyer is offered 3 colors to choose from: crimson, white and pink.

The lamp fits 2 fingers, some people find this confusing because... manicure takes longer than when working with a large device. For others, this method is more convenient, because this way it is easier to monitor the coating so that it does not flow onto the cuticle and control the drying process. Most consumers believe that, despite its toy appearance, the LED Solomeya lamp dries the coating no worse than its expensive counterparts.

Pros:

• Dries gel polish well.
• It is convenient to control the drying process.
• Convenient to take with you.
• Doesn't take up much space.
• USB powered.

Minuses:

• Only fits 2 fingers.

LED lamp Solomeya 60S micro

2 LED Runail 9 W

The Runail company produces not only high-quality UV lamps for drying coatings, but also excellent LED devices.
That is why the LED Runail 9 W lamp occupies second place in our rating. The 9 W manicure machine has 3 LED bulbs that can make the coating last for just 30 seconds. The lamp has the shape of a rainbow, is light and compact, and at the same time, it can be used to dry 5 fingers at once. You can do both manicure and pedicure. Comfortable rubberized feet prevent the device from slipping during use. The Runail company offers a rich palette of colors for the plastic case, including gold, blue, silver and other color options.

Unlike many analogues, the LED Runail 9 W device provides the ability to replace lamps, which extends the possibility of using the device.

Most buyers noted the quick drying of gel polish, ease of transportation of the lamp, beautiful design and relatively low cost, as well as the optimal location of the bulbs. It is the correct arrangement of the lamps that distinguishes it from cheap Chinese analogues.

Pros:

• Stylish design.
• You can dry 5 fingers at once.
• High-quality drying of the coating.
• Fits in your handbag.
• Possibility to replace lamps.

Minuses:

• The timer is only for 30 seconds.

LED Runail lamp 9 W

1 LED TNL Professional

The best LED device for drying gel polish was the LED TNL Professional lamp, costing only 400 rubles.
The device, with a power of 18 W, dries the coating in just 30 seconds, which makes it the undisputed leader in the rating. The service life declared by the manufacturer is 35,000 hours, which, you see, is a lot! The shape of the device is elegant, arched. The rich palette of body colors allows you to choose one of seven proposed options: white, gold, red, soft pink, hot pink, silver and black. On the side of the device there is a stylish company logo.

The LED TNL Professional lamp copes well with hard materials, this is noted by most consumers. It is also important that, despite the small dimensions, you can place your entire palm in the device and quickly dry the coating on all fingers at once. Those who are always in a hurry appreciate this advantage. The only nuance that confused buyers was the short power cord, but this problem can be solved with the help of an adapter.

Pros:

• Dries hard surfaces quickly.
• Doesn't take up much space.
• Graceful.
• It lasts a long time.
• Dries the varnish evenly.
• Cheaper than analogues.

Minuses:

• Short power cord.

LED lamp TNL Professional

Which is the best lamp for shellac: comparison of LED and ultraviolet lamps

In order for you to decide which lamp is best for shellac, you should find out the features of two types of lamps: LED and ultraviolet (UV).

Features of ultraviolet lamps for nail extensions:

• Drying shellac (gel polish) : yes.
• Drying acrylic nails : yes.
• Basecoat curing time : 10 seconds.
• Curing time for shellac of the selected color and topcoat : 120 seconds.
• Automatic motion sensor : no.
• Timer function : 120 second timer. Some models have adjustable timers.
• Is it harmful to the skin : not proven. To minimize the possible risk, before drying your nails, apply sunscreen to your hands or wear special gloves (with cut fingers) to protect from ultraviolet rays.
• Lamp replacement period : every 6-12 months.
• Portability : Bulbs need to be removed from the device before transport.

We recommend: Shellac and gel polish: what is the difference and the main advantages of shellac

Features of ice lamps for nail extensions:

• Drying shellac (gel polish) : yes.
• Drying acrylic nails : no.
• Basecoat curing time : 10 seconds.
• Curing time for shellac of the selected color and topcoat : 60 seconds.
• Automatic motion sensor : yes.
• Timer function : Adjustable timer function. Range from 30 to 300 seconds (default 180 seconds).
• Is it harmful to the skin : no.
• Lamp replacement period : every 25,000 hours. This is about 5 years of continuous work or 50 thousand drying of gel polish.
• Portability : These lamps are more convenient for travel, there is no need to remove the LEDs.

The main advantage of LED lamps is the rapid curing of shellac.
They are more durable and smaller in size and weight than UV lamps, do not heat up and are shock resistant (of course, if you are not planning to hit with a hammer). They don't get hot like UV lamps and don't overheat, so there's no danger of damaging your nails. The disadvantage of LED lamps is the inability to “process” acrylic. Decide for yourself which lamp is better for shellac, based on the purposes for which you intend to use the device.

Whichever option you choose, it will help you on your way to mastering the perfect technique for applying shellac at home and will pay for itself in no time.

The best LED/UV lamps for drying gel polish

Hybrid LED/UV lamps can dry any coating in just 10-60 seconds; they act much faster than their analogues. They combine LED and ultraviolet radiation. Also, such devices do not heat up during prolonged use and are considered safer. At the moment, it is the combined devices that are most popular both among nail service professionals and among those who like to do their own manicures. Despite its high power, the hybrid lamp has low power consumption.

5 LED-UV planet nails Wave plus

The LED-UV Planet Nails Wave Plus device is in fifth place in the ranking.
The 36 W lamp is equipped with 21 LED heating elements. Here the timer can be started for 10, 30, 60 or 90 seconds. After the specified time has elapsed, the self-shutdown mode is activated. When the hand is placed inside, the sensors are activated and the device automatically starts working. The device has a small touch display that allows you to track time. The lamp has an arched shape and a lightweight design. You can move it from place to place without difficulty. The weight of the coating dryer is only 264 grams. The lamp can easily cope with most modern types of gel polishes, but some, for example, such as Luxio and Gelish, are not subject to it.

Those who have acquired a hybrid device from Planet Nails note the durability of the structure, easy and quick drying of the coating, ease of use and beautiful lightweight design. But some are upset by the fact that not all types of coating are polymerized in a lamp.

Pros:

• Touch screen.
• Various timer.
• Dries gel polish well.
• Quick effect.
• The hand fits completely into the device.

Minuses:

• Not suitable for some types of gel polish.

LED-UV lamp planet nails Wave plus

4 LED-UV TNL Professional L48

TNL Professional has created an excellent hybrid lamp for drying gel polish coating.
The LED-UV lamp TNL Professional L48 takes fourth place in our rating. The advantages of the model include the presence of a special fan, which makes the manicure process more comfortable. It is worth noting the touch system for turning off the device, as well as an extensive choice of timer operating times - 10, 30 and 60 seconds. Lovers of bright colors have plenty to roam around. The color of the plastic body can be golden, red, crimson, black, purple chameleon, pistachio chameleon and others. A real haven for creative individuals! For easy disinfection of the device, it is possible to remove the bottom.

According to buyers, the TNL Professional L48 LED-UV hybrid lamp is so powerful that it allows you to dry not only polish, but also any nail extension materials. Manicurists appreciated the ability to select the radiation exposure time once; the next time you turn it on, the device remembers the settings and automatically reproduces the same light exposure interval. However, there are also those girls who are not comfortable drying their thumb in the machine, because... The light bulbs are located near the back wall of the device.

Pros:

• Exclusive body colors.
• Availability of a fan.
• Setting the timer.
• Convenient controls.
• Copes with most coatings.

Minuses:

• It is not convenient to dry your thumb.

LED-UV lamp TNL Professional L48

3 LED-UV Beurer MP48

The top three among hybrid lamps for drying gel polish is opened by a device from Beurer.
The German brand began to conquer the market back in 1930. At the moment, the company is engaged in the extensive production of all different devices, including those for beauty and health. The products are manufactured in Germany, Hungary and China, and are distinguished by increased requirements for the quality and safety of finished products. In the Beurer MP48 LED-UV lamp, 18 LED lamps are responsible for high-quality drying of the coating, and thanks to the mirror inner surface of the device, the coating hardens evenly on all sides of the nail.

The design is very laconic, reminiscent of a tunnel, the round control button is located on the top wall of the device. The timer can be programmed for 30 seconds, 1 or 2 minutes. In order to comply with hygiene requirements, the lower tray of the device can be removed and processed. This option is especially appreciated by manicurists who have to work with a large flow of a wide variety of clients.

Most women noted the convenient drying of gel polish on their hands and feet, as well as the good quality of the device. The advantage is that there is no burning sensation in the lamp and it is gentle on the skin.

Pros:

• Convenient to dry your fingernails and toenails.
• Removable tray.
• Minimalist design.
• Simple controls.
• German quality.

Minuses:

• The price is higher than analogues.

LED-UV lamp Beurer MP48

2 LED-UV TNL Professional Mood

The second place is occupied by the products of the TNL Professional brand.
The LED-UV TNL Professional Mood hybrid device for polymerizing gel polish does an excellent job of fixing hard gels for extensions, gel polishes, biogels and other materials used to give a beautiful look to the nail plate. The manufacturer promises to reduce the exposure time to the coating and save up to half the time allotted for painting nails. The declared service life is quite impressive - 50,000 hours. This device is gentle on the skin of your hands and does not harm your eyesight. The timer can be set to 30, 60, or 90 seconds. There are 12 light sources on the inner walls of the device for uniform drying of the coating. The buyer has a choice of 6 colors: classic black and white, as well as gold, red, pink and fuchsia.

Buyers fell in love with the TNL Professional Mood LED-UV lamp for its optimal power, convenient timer, small size and the absence of the effect of “shrinking” the coating during the drying process.

Pros:

• Dries well on different types of coatings.
• Convenient timer with memory effect.
• Small size.
• Durability.
• The varnish “does not shrink” in the lamp.

Minuses:

• When unplugged from the outlet, the timer settings are reset.

LED-UV lamp TNL Professional Mood

1 LED-UV Sunuv 5

The leader in the rating is the LED-UV SUNUV 5 lamp, costing from 1,300 rubles.
The combined device for drying the coating has a power of 48 W and allows you to quickly cure almost any type of varnish, including hard materials for extensions. The timer can be set to 10, 30, 60 and 99 seconds. There is a touch sensor - the device automatically starts when your hand is placed in the window. The manufacturer has specified a lamp life of 50,000 hours. The plastic body is available in simple white, black, or soft pink colors. Thanks to the wide window of the device and the absence of blind spots, covering your arms and legs is very convenient.

Buyers fell in love with the LED-UV SUNUV 5 lamp for its stylish design and good coating drying results. Most girls noted the minimal polymerization time of even thick layers of material, as well as the absence of a burning sensation in the lamp. The only drawback is the short cord, but most users don't mind this. For the high-quality results of drying gel polish, consumers consider the device one of the best among its analogues.

Pros:

• High quality result.
• Uniform drying.
• Quickly polymerizes varnish.
• Suitable for all types of coating.
• Great work resource.

Minuses:

• The power cord is short.

LED-UV lamp Sunuv 5