Professional Nail Curing for Salons & Home – My 5 Favorite Nail Dryers of 2020

How to Find the Perfect Nail Drying Lamp

Every manicurist, be it the successful salon owner, or an enthusiastic DIYer, needs a decent nail dryer to dry – otherwise known as a nail lamp – to cure their creations. There are hundreds of models out there, so how do you pick the one that’s right for your requirements?

When it comes to drying nail polish, the main decision is whether to get a UV or an LED lamp. Both have their pros and cons

Ultra Violet (UV) Lamps

UV gel polish is a type of nail polish that is set by UV wavelengths hitting the molecules in the gel and activating them. Working well on all gels, drying lamps can take up to 2 minutes to dry the polish, creating that glossy shine we all love. These lamps are cheaper than the LED versions, but the bulbs will need replacing more frequently, depending on how often you use it.

LED Lamps:

These drying lamps can be more expensive than the UV lamps, but cure in approximately 30 seconds, so are much quicker – great if you’re in a rush or have a list of clients. More energy efficient, the bulbs will never need replacing, but they will only cure gel nails that are formulated specifically for LED technology. The range of suitable gels is expanding rapidly though, and the newer soak-off gel polishes are perfect for an LED lamp.

The other thing to consider is size. I prefer a lamp that fits all five fingers, but remember that thumbs can take longer, so doing them all together can be easier than doing the thumb separately – just sit there a couple of minutes longer. A dryer that is spacious enough for two hands at once, or feet if you plan to do pedicures, is well worth seeking out.

Here’s my take on the best nail dryers.

1) LKE UV Nail Dryer

What Makes It Great

This quick-drying lamp looks sleek and professional, and with three-speed settings controlled via an LED display panel, it can dry nails efficiently. Smart Touch technology activates the lamp as soon as a hand is placed under it, and stops instantly on removal. This automatic sensor ensures that you don’t waste energy, or risk botching your still-tacky polish by switching the dryer on. It really does work rapidly, and my nails were dry in well under a minute. It has plenty of room for toes, too!

Where It Could Be Improved

It would be nice if this came with an integrated hand rest, but for the money, this is great.

9.7Expert Score
The Final Verdict

Energy and time-efficient, this is a really good, budget-friendly hand dryer, for home or salon use.

Nail UV Led Lamp,LKE Curing Lamp 40W for Gel Nail Polish Nail Light Nail Art Equipment for Nail Salon Nail...

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$22.99 $39.99

2) MagicUV 48W UV Nail Lamp

What Makes It Great

Lightweight, but deceptively hard-wearing, this nail dryer is large enough for hands and feet – though not at the same time, unless you’re a yoga master! With an auto-sensor for switching on or off without pressing any buttons, it has three timer settings, displayed on a large, easy to read LED screen. The inbuilt temperature gauge regulates the internal temps. Plus, it comes with accessories – a manicure kit and a nail buffer!

Where It Could Be Improved

The cable is a little short, meaning I could only use it in a few places; however, the pros far outweigh the cons.

9.5Expert Score
The Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a decent nail drying lamp, look no further. Perfect for manis, and pedis, at home or in the salon. This is easy to recommend.

MAGICUV 48W UV LED Nail Lamp. Professional Nail dryer for home Use For Gel Polish, Perfect For The Coronavirus Quarantine.

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$36.74 $59.99

3) SUNUV UV LED Nail Dryer

What Makes It Great

Market leaders, SUNUV, have designed a nail dryer with a high tech look. Sleek and efficient, this combines LED and UV lights in order to cure all polishes. This is an awesome idea, and eliminates the need to stick to one specific type of polish – I love this. It has a large LCD screen, auto-switch on/off, and four-time settings; it also includes a low heat mode and a double power option for extra speedy curing.

Where it Could be Improved

It’s a little tight if you wish to dry both sets of nails at once, however with the double power option, doing each hand separately is still quicker than many lamps.

9.7Expert Score
The Final Verdict

With the revolutionary use of both UV and LED lights, this is an awesome nail dryer, and a must for home or salon.

SUNUV 48W UV LED Nail Dryer for Gels Polish With Sensor (White)

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Last update was on: April 5, 2020 7:05 pm
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4) Terresa UV LED Nail Dryer

What Makes It Great

This super-powered nail dryer by Terresa works 50% faster thanks to the 72W of power it possesses. The removable base allows pedicure curing, and it has Smart Memory technology, three timer settings, and a low heat mode, controllable via a large LED display. With enough room for both hands, this is a decent drying lamp.

Where It Could Be Improved
Many models have auto-sensors enabling them to switch on/off automatically, however, this dryer doesn’t.

9.8Expert Score
The Final Verdict

A smart looking nail dryer, this UV LED from Terresa would be an ideal addition for a salon or home. Quick, efficient and stylish, you can’t go wrong.

UV LED Nail Dryer, Terresa Upgraded 72W Curing Lamp, Professional Nail Cure Light with 3 Timer Setting, Automatic Sensor for...

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Last update was on: April 6, 2020 6:09 am
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5) Abody UV LED Nail Lamp

What Makes It Great

If a nail dryer can be glamorous, this is! As glossy as the shiniest nails, it’s prettily pink and stylish. The large circular LCD display is an attractive feature, and it has four inbuilt timer settings, a low heat mode and an automatic on/off sensor. Spacious enough for both hands, the removable base plate allows for pedicures, too.

Where It Could Be Improved

The only flaw I’ve found with this drying lamp is that the cord is too short. I added an extension cord and cured (pardon the pun) the problem.

9.6Expert Score
The Final Verdict

Any salon, or DIYer would benefit from this awesomely efficient, super stylish nail dryer.

Abody Nail Lamp 48W UV LED Nail Dryer, Gel Nail Lamp with 5 Timer Setting, Automatic Sensor, LCD Display, Memory...

Last update was on: April 5, 2020 1:05 pm
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$25.98 $32.38

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