13 Best Nail Drills for At-Home Salon Results

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No matter how much of a veteran you consider yourself to be when it comes to getting your nails done, a little bit of anxiety always tends to bubble up the moment your manicurist pulls out the nail drill. The buzzing melody of the tool fills the salon, then the scraping ring of the nail file and buffer, smoothing any rough parts of the nails before the nail technician goes in with the best nail polishes. If you are a salon regular, then you’re no stranger to the tingly feeling of the drill due to excess friction. On the other hand, if you prefer to DIY your manicure, then you know the struggle of finding quality tools to get salon-worthy results. Either way, investing in the right tools to prep your nails for polish is a necessity if you want a perfect set every time.

Nail drills or e-drills are electric nail files that work as an alternative to filing by hand, quickly smoothing your nails to provide an even base to apply your polish. They usually come with various tips and attachments, all with different functions, from buffing to filing to even cleaning your cuticles. All of which are essential steps to achieve a flawless manicure. These powerful drills are great for removing gel polish, acrylic nails, and even calluses. Most tools come with speed settings as well. So, if you are a beginner, it’s best to work your way up over time, practicing with each setting until you get the hang of it.

We scoured customer reviews and even spoke with celebrity nail artist Trenna Seney to bring you the 13 best (and safest) nail drills for at-home use.

Rechargeable Manicure/Pedicure Device

With a slew of drill styles and lengths to choose from, your nails will be properly buffed, smoothed, and clean with the help of this cordless device. Increase or decrease the speed with the slide of a button to carefully clean artificial or natural nails. Additionally, it has an LED light for better visibility.

Includes: Drill, bits, and carrying case

Battery: Rechargeable

Best Buy rating: 4.8/5 stars

A Best Buy reviewer says: “It is good quality and effective. Don’t need to go to the salon anymore!”

Beyond Pro Portable Drill (Light Blue)

Nothing hurts worse than your nail tech's nail drill losing its battery life in the midst of a session. Good thing Kiara Sky's nail drill offers up to 10 hours of battery, plus an LED screen that helps you track its juice in big, bold numbers to skip the embarrassment. Even better, it's portable and rechargeable for nail techs taking their business on the go.

Includes: Drill, bits, and table stand

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Absolutely love this drill!!!! It comes with the best drill bit I have used by far. Makes it so much easier when filing and don't have to change bits to finish my nails.”

Flawless Salon Nails

Don’t let the compact design fool you—this drill packs a powerful punch. Practice your skills with a user-friendly kit that doesn’t break the bank and is strong enough to remove acrylic or gel. Included are six drill heads for filing, shaping, buffing, smoothing, and pushing back cuticles.

Includes: Drill, bits

Battery: Rechargeable

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I started doing my nails at home during lockdown, and when I picked up this tool, it made everything so much easier! I use it to take off my gel mani and prep and buff before I do anything else. It’s honestly fantastic and well-priced, in my opinion. Highly recommend for any beginner looking to start doing their nails at home.”

Portable Electric Nail Drill

Offering six drill bits and a reverse motion option, it doesn’t get better than this portable nail drill with over 53,000 glowing Amazon reviews. Customers mention this drill has a nice cord length, rests easily in the hand, and is quiet in all settings, too. Even a self-proclaimed professional nail artist calls this her favorite tool. Not only that, you just can’t beat the price.

Includes: Drill, bits, sanding bands

Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in cord

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “First off, I liked the price. Secondly, easy to hold and handle. Made doing nails near perfection in much less time than manual filing. Smaller bits made for great finishing around nail beds and cuticles. Great buy!”

PureNails Luxe Rechargeable Manicure Set

This cordless, rechargeable nail drill features three speed settings, nine filing attachments, and a built-in lightbulb for a perfect mani or pedi.

Includes: Drill, bits, carrying case

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I am really impressed with this cordless nail drill. It has a couple great speeds and is gentle on your skin. Comes with a few different types of attachments and a nice little case to keep everything together. I now use it every time I file, buff, and cut my nails.”

Makartt Nail Drill Electric Nail File Machine

Marked as Amazon’s Choice, this nail drill set makes you feel like you've stepped foot into your own salon. The machine comes with a foot pedal to make the process easier, and also gives you the option to file in two directions.

Includes: Drill machine, sanding bands, bits, foot pedal

Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I’m a licensed nail tech, and I love this drill so far, as I’ve only used it for a short time running it around my cuticle area. I love how it doesn’t stall with pressure even at a low or medium speed! I love that it has variable speed and has a forward and reverse! Especially for my own use to do my toes and or right hand! One more thing....I love that it fits all my bits!”

Professional Nail Drill Machine Portable

Whether you’re using it for your natural nails, gel, or acrylic, this battery-operated drill comes with six tips that are both gentle and effective.

Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “The drill handpiece is slim yet ergonomically comfortable for those who may have dexterity or arthritic problems. It’s compact and portable and perfect for the DIY nail enthusiast or technician. The drill control box is slim, lightweight, cordless, and rechargeable. And, it’s equipped with a belt clip to allow for freedom of movement.”

4-in-1 Rechargeable Electric Nail File

Gentler than a traditional nail drill, this electric nail file was designed for precise nails and cuticle grooming while eliminating the burning sensation caused by traditional nail drills. Choose between four interchangeable heads for shaping, buffing, smoothing, and shining.

Includes: Drill, discs, USB charger and cable, storage holder

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I needed a file that had different levels of grit but that was easy and convenient to use. This tool is high-functioning but fun and isn’t complicated. Makes the removal of my gel polish a breeze and doesn’t damage my nails in the process.”

Nail Grooming Sets

This sweet, sleek tool is a one-stop-shop with five interchangeable tools for precision shaping, cuticle pushing, buffing, and smoothing.

Includes: Drill, bits

Battery: Two AAA batteries

Target rating: 4/5 stars

A Target reviewers says: “I can use the gentle shaping tool to file my cuticles more safely than trimming with a clipper. I used it on my older parent’s toenails that have thickened, and it helped a lot!”

Pro Power 520 Electric Filing System

An investment worth every penny, this powerful nail drill is beloved by professionals and amateurs alike. It’s built to work fast and also includes a reverse option.

Includes: Drill

Battery: Non-rechargeable, plug-in cord

Sally Beauty rating: 4.1/5 stars

A Sally Beauty reviewer says: “I love the fast speed of this drill, and I have never had any issues using it. I’ve had my drill for well over two years and love it. It’s very lightweight and has many drill bits that you can buy to turn your drill into whatever you want your nails to look like.”

Nail File Electric 5-in-1 Manicure Pedicure Set

Labeled Amazon’s Choice, this portable, cordless set has it all. This nail drill offers five tip attachments and even a built-in UV light to set your polish.

Includes: Drill, bits, holder

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This product is easy to use and comes with several different heads for shaping.”

Electric Nail Drill Professional Portable

This complete set has a variety of attachments and buffing tips, plus a nail clipper for extensions. The nail drill itself has adjustable speed and rotation settings as well.

Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits, nail clip

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Really easy for beginners to use, and the instructions it came with are truly helpful. I was able to use it on my feet without cutting myself, which I was really excited about. The fact that this isn’t connected to a big bulky machine makes it so much easier to maneuver. The cutter helps trim the fake nails really easily. You adjust the settings on the cord to however fast or slow you want the drill to operate.”

Portable Nail Drill Machine

This professional-grade drill hits all the right marks, thanks to its portable design, an assortment of attachments, and buffing tips. What’s more, it’s designed to offer up to eight hours of battery life on a single charge.

Includes: Drill, sanding bands, bits

Battery: Rechargeable

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Easy to read instructions. Easy to charge, change bits, and use. Fits well in my hands. Not too heavy. The bits that come with it work well and are of good quality.”

What are nail drills used for?

Before any nail polish or extension application, the nails must be prepped. Nail techs typically go in with a nail drill to “help remove, clean, and file the nails,” Seney says.

What kind of drill do you use for nails?

An electric nail drill is typically used for nails. While buffers and nail files tend to deliver similar results, nail drills are less time-consuming.

Do nail drills damage nails?

Seney advises those who opt for at-home use to make sure they actually know how to operate the device properly. “If the person does not know how to properly use the nail drill, hold it properly, and understand the different speeds, nails can be damaged,” she says. Nail drills typically come with several attachment heads that vary in length, width, and functions, so understanding which heads to use for your manicures ensures a seamless (and worry-free) process. “You should also know how much pressure to apply to the drill.”

Meet The Expert

Trenna Seney is an NYC-based celebrity nail artist.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com and a nail enthusiast. Sam Peters is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over five years of experience covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle topics.

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