If you frequently visit the salon for gel manicures, you already know expensive they can be. Gel manicures can be done at home. You simply need the right tools and willingness to do it yourself. A gel manicure kit saves you not only time but also tons of money. If you want to try your hand at at-home gel manicures, you will need a beginner-friendly kit. For your reference, here are some of the finest gel nail kits to choose from.
11 Best At-Home Gel Nail Kits For Salon-Quality Gel Manicures
1. SensatioNail Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
Need a fancy manicure that lasts for up to two weeks? Try the SensatioNail Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit. This kit is suitable for beginners and pros and comes with an LED nail lamp, gel cleanser, gel primer, base and top coat, gel polish, cotton pads, nail buffer, and manicure kit. This polish is gentle on your nails. It is recommended to apply rosehip seed oil or any essential oil on the nail bed before applying the gel nail polish. The nail polish dries in a few seconds with the LED nail lamp and lasts for up to two weeks without flaking off.
Pros
- The LED nail lamp dries the nail paint in seconds
- Comes with all the necessary tools required for a DIY gel manicure
- Suitable for beginners and manicure experts
- Lasts for up to 2 weeks
- Does not peel off
Cons
- May weaken your nails after removal
2. Makartt Poly Nail Gel Kit
This best-selling nail art kit is a lot more than a normal gel manicure kit. The Makartt Poly Nail Gel Kit comes with a gel nail extension and enhancement trial kit. This kit is perfect for manicure experts and can be used for DIY gel nails and at salons. It comes with clear nail extension gel, natural and light pink nail extension gel, base and top coat gel, dual forms, dual-ended nail brush, a spatula, a nail file, and an instruction guide. You can create some interesting and long-lasting nail art extensions using this all-in-one kit. The gel dries very quickly because of the LED lamp, and the nails become stronger and more flexible compared to other extensions. These nails are lighter than the acrylic and UV builder gel. The manufacturers also claim that these gel nails last up to a month.
Pros
- Great for manicure experts, nail technicians, and DIY manicure lovers
- Great value for money
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- Difficult to remove
- May weaken and tear your natural nails
3. Gellen Gel Polish Kit – Ladies Elegance
This mega kit gives you a long-lasting, salon-finish manicure at home. The Gellen Gel Polish Kit comes with a UV light and 4 elegant nail colors to give you the best manicures at home at a reasonable price. The kit also comes with stunning nail art rhinestones that will make your manicure pop. The kit also comes with a 24W LED lamp that perfectly cures all kinds of UV/gel-based products. If you apply it properly, the manicure lasts anywhere between 14 to 21 days. To hydrate and nourish your cuticles, the set also comes with a revitalizing nail and cuticle oil.
Pros
- Comes with all the necessary manicure tools
- 24W lamp dries and completes the manicure within minutes
- Lasts up to 14-21 days
Cons
- Does not work efficiently after 3-4 uses
- Improper removal of this gel manicure can weaken the cuticles and natural nails
4. Ophanie Electric Nail Drill Set
This is a complete starter kit for nail technicians and women who love to get acrylic gel nails at home. This electric drill set by Ophanie comes with a professional nail drill machine, 5 carbide drill bits, 6 original drill bits, 26 nylon wheels, 1 nail cutter set, a brush, 1 AC adapter, and a manual in English. This is a portable and travel-friendly kit you can carry anywhere. The speed is adjustable, and it is quick and easy to operate. The drill machine does not make noise and has a fast motor for best results.
Pros
- Multipurpose set
- Noiseless and super fast drilling machine
- Portable and travel-friendly
- Ideal gift for manicure lovers and nail technicians
Cons
- Not rechargeable
- Does not come with a detailed manual or guide
5. Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Starter Kit – Red My Lips
Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Starter Kit has changed the game for manicure lovers and fanatics. This amazing kit has everything that will make you shift from regular nail polish to gel nail polish. With this kit, you can get up to 10 gel manicures at home that last up to two weeks. The starter kit includes cleanser pads, base coat, top coat, a remover, an LED light, and application accessories. Just with two coats of this nail enamel, your nails look freshly manicured and glossy for two weeks. The brushes spread easily and offer great coverage. The nail polish glides beautifully on the nails, preventing that thick and bulky look.
Pros
- Each manicure lasts for two weeks
- Glossy and shiny finish
- Comes with 3 shade choices
Cons
- The LED lamp is not highly durable
- Difficult to remove
6. Sally Hansen Salon Pro Gel Starter Kit – Shell We Dance?
Here’s another Sally Hansen product that offers long-lasting and salon-quality gel nails. This travel-friendly kit has a cleanser, base coat, top coat, remover, an LED lamp, and application accessories. Use the three vibrant base coats for the perfect gel manicure. A manicure done with this kit has a rich glossy finish and lasts longer than regular nail polish. The lamp dries the nail polish in minutes.
Pros
- Offers salon-quality gel manicures at home
- Lasts up to 2 weeks
- Suitable for beginners, nail technicians,and manicure lovers
- Comes with three vibrant base coat shades
Cons
- The LED lamp is not highly durable
- Difficult to remove
7. Leafu Modelones Gel Nail Starter Kit
Leafu Modelones Gel Nail Starter Kit is a gift-worthy manicure kit that will inspire you to start doing your nails at home. This is an affordable and high-quality product to consider if you love manicures. It is a small kit but includes everything you need for at-home manicures. The kit includes a nail cutter, cuticle oil, a nail file brush, a nail dust brush, a nail buffer, a polishing file, a double-sided cuticle pusher, a cuticle fork, a nail separator, a cleaner pad and a remover wrap. The gel nail polish glides beautifully on the nails and dries quickly with the help of the LED lamp. The folding nail curing lamp can be charged with a laptop or a charger. The gel colors allow you to choose from your favorite shades.
Pros
- The top coat seals the nail polish and secures it for up to 2 weeks.
- 6W mini lamp dries the manicure quickly
- Affordable
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- Not suitable for damaged or broken skin/nails
- Needs to be removed carefully
8. Gellen Gel Polish Starter Kit – Peach Pinks
The Gellen Gel Polish Starter Kit comes with a 24W LED lamp, base coat, top coat, and all the necessary application tools. This 32-piece manicure kit is a great gift idea for manicure fanatics. The manicure lasts for up to 2 weeks. The vibrant gel nail polish shades will get you addicted to this mini starter kit.
Pros:
- The 24W LED lamp dries nails quickly
- Great top coat that seals the nail polish with a glossy finish
- Lasts up to 14-21 days
Cons:
- Does not dry quickly
- Not very durable
9. Gellen Gel Nail Starter Kit – Caramel Reds
Try the amazing Gellen Gel Nail Starter Kit in the Caramel Red shades to create a holiday-ready look. This kit comes with a delicate gift box, nail art rhinestones, a 24W LED lamp with LED display, gel nail polishes, top coat, base coat, striping tapes, and all the necessary manicure tools. The top and base coats create a luxurious gel manicure and last long. The rhinestonesare great for doing nail art.
Pros
- Lightweight kit
- The 24W LED lamp dries nails quickly
- Lasts up to 14-21 days
Cons
- Does not dry quickly
- Not very durable
10. Gelish Mini Soak Off Gel Nail Polish Complete Starter Kit
Gelish Mini Soak Off Gel Nail Polish Complete Starter Kit is perfect for manicure enthusiasts. This kit comes with an LED lamp to cure the manicure. The kit comes with 5 vibrant gel nail polishes, a surface cleanser, nail remover, and Gelish Basix kit. The manicure dries within 30 seconds of application due to the powerful LED lamp. The brush has customized bristles to offer smooth and smudge-free application. The gel nail polish is supposed to last for up to 3 weeks.
Pros
- High-quality starter kit with 5 pretty nail polishes
- Lasts up to 3 weeks
- Does not flake
- Customized bristles allow full coverage and better gliding
Cons
- Very small kit
- Travel-sized lamp does not fit all the 5 fingers
11. Saint-Acior Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit
Saint-Actor Gel Nail Polishes are not only easy to apply but also easy to remove. The starter kit comes with a powerful 36W LED UV curing lamp that cures your nails within seconds. The 10 vibrant and gorgeous nail polishes will steal your heart. The kit also comes with top and base coats to seal the nail polish with a glossy and rich finish. This manicure stays untouched and offers a mirror shine for up to 2 weeks.
Pros:
- Perfect starter kit for someone who wants to switch from traditional nail polishes to gel-based manicures
- Cures the nails within seconds
- Easy to apply and remove
- Lasts for more than 2 weeks
Cons:
- Lamp is not highly durable
- Takes a few trials for first-time users
Gel manicures are very gentle onyour natural nails. The polish remains untouched and glossy for a couple of weeks with the same shine and no peeling. However, before you choose the right kit, make sure that you are aware of what you need. Choose a beginners or mini kit if you are a newbie to gel nail polishes. Spend money on the drill kits and mega gel manicure kits only if you are are a pro at DIY manicures.