Catching up With the Filing – A Closer Look at Electric Nail Files

Now, I won’t lie, I love everything about manicures – from the gorgeously slick colors to having pretty, enviable nails and even looking at the hardware required to create amazing designs. That hardware includes the electric components of your mani kit, such as nail curing lamps or electric nail files. Even if you are not a professional nail tech, it’s a great idea to have these items in your personal kit as they make creating awesome designs that much easier and quicker.

Electric nail files have really taken off in the last year or so, and are especially useful for safely removing gel or acrylic nails; however, there are several points to consider before you settle on a drill that’s fit for your purpose.

What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Nail File

First things first, decide what you want your new file to do. Do you need it for pedicures, as well as manis? Just for filing nails, or for removing polish too? How hard will it have to work?

Once you’ve established that, you need to consider how much power your file will need.

Even if you’re not a nail tech, it’s worth getting one that offers between 15,000 and 25,000 revolutions per minute (RPMs). Falling between these brackets means it will not only be able to provide a decently filed finish for natural, acrylic or fibreglass nails, but also remove polish, even when it’s thickly applied. If you know you’re only going to be filing natural nails, look for a model that offers around 10,000 – 15,000 RPMs.

Next, it needs to be comfortable for you to hold and adjust easily without interrupting your flow, especially if you’re a professional tech who’s working on nails all day.

Many electric files come with a knob for altering the speed; however this can be awkward, so most salons choose a model that adjusts the speed via a foot pedal.

The type of electrical cord can be a factor, too, with straight cables being preferable to the coiled versions. Coiled cables can be a nuisance and are more likely to get tangled up with things.

What Does an Electric Nail File Kit Include?

Most electric nail files come prepackaged with a selection of bits, some of which may be more useful to you than others, so it’s a good idea to check out what files are included. A good starter kit could include:

• A rubberized natural nail bit
• A tapered barrel carbide bit
• Barrel bits in a variety of sizes
• An under-the-nail bit (UTN)
• A pedicure bit
• A VP Safety bit
• Some kits also come with a mandrel bit and a mix of sanding bands (the bands are single use only)

Here’s my pick of the best selling electric nail files!

1) MelodySusie Electric Nail File

What Makes it Great

Made by MelodySusie, this electric nail file carries all their hallmarks of quality – hard wearing, comfortable to hold, and quiet to use. With a nicely accessible speed control, it can easily achieve the speeds necessary for removing acrylic polish safely. The low vibration, forward and reverse directions and suitability for either left or right handed operators, all make this a great addition for the DIYer or professional tech.

Included in the kit are mandrel bits, sanding bands, barrel and under-the-nail bits, a safety bit and more, and being a standard 3/32” size, extra bits can easily be acquired.

Where it Could be Improved

The grip on the file shaft could be a little better, however with the addition of a couple of elastic bands, this was soon rectified.

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2) Ejiubas Electric Nail File Set

What Makes it Great

This set includes 6 filing bits, 50 nylon wheels, and is a lot of bang for your buck. The file itself is ergonomically designed, has both forward and reverse settings, and comes with a neat little carrying box. With efficient heat dissipation, minimal vibration and low noise, it removed my acrylic nails effortlessly, leaving the nail beds perfect. After a quick buff and file, mani addict that I am, they were ready to receive a new coat of polish.

Where it Could be Improved

With the power switch on the cord, it’s a little inconvenient, but not enough to put me off.

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3) WeiYi Electric Nail File

What Makes it Great

Suitable for pedicures as well as manis, WeiYi’s addition to the electric nail file market is, like most other files, pen shaped for comfortable handling.  Included in the kit are 100 sanding bands, and 6 filing bits; being the standard 3/32’’ size, however, purchasing more bits is easy. It’s a comfortable weight, feels solidly reliable and removed both gel and acrylic polishes as though they were nothing, with no heat or noise.

Where it Could be Improved

Although Weiyi describe this electric file as no vibration, there was a little buzzing that I could feel through my hand as I worked; but this doesn’t change my mind about its placement in my top three electric files.