The Best Gel Nail Polish of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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OPI Gel Color gave us a salon-worthy manicure with the lasting power to match
People / Jessica Juliao
The put-together effect of a glossy gel manicure is enough to believe someone has it all figured out. While that might not entirely be the case, they might be onto something.
“Gel nail polish is a longer-lasting alternative to standard polish,” explains Natalie Minerva, an OPI Global Nail Ambassador and the lead nail artist on Euphoria. It either air dries or “cures'' under a UV or LED light, leading to “quicker dry times and an overall thicker, more durable wear.” Sounds great! But how do you know which gel product or brand to use? After all, it’s hard enough to pick a color.
We put in the work and tested 20 gel nail polishes in the PEOPLE Tested lab and at home for two weeks, rating each for its application process, overall look, longevity, and ease of removal. So whether you’re looking to skip the salon or simply indulge in some self-pampering, these are the gel nail polishes to reach for next time you’re looking to master your own polished gel manicure look at home.
Best Overall: OPI GelColor Polish
Pros
The base-coat brush had short bristles that helped create a thin, even foundational layer before applying the polish.
The color was vibrant and opaque in just two coats.
The gel remained chip-free for a week, and even lasted through holiday activities.
It easily came off with nail remover in only 10 minutes.
Cons
This could be difficult for beginners since it’s a professional-grade formula with a thicker consistency, comes with minimal instructions, and requires a UV lamp for drying.
If you visit your local nail salon, you’ll likely find an all-you-can-polish buffet of OPI’s GelColor lining the walls with dreamy pinks, punchy reds, and more — all with cheeky names enough to make you blush. Our best overall gel is certainly a pro favorite, and we can’t help but agree for many reasons: It comes in 606 shades (and counting) with seven different finishes, and from our lab and real-world testing, it looked just as great on as it does in the bottle.
Our tester was impressed by the vibrant, opaque finish of her shimmery nails, mentioning it would take more than two coats to achieve the same effect with a traditional polish. She noticed some minor chips after the first week, but chalked it up to her learning curve with the gel’s thicker consistency. Her manicure otherwise "looked perfect," even noting it stood up to holiday baking, washing dishes, and wrapping presents.
She was also pleased by how easily this polish came off, requiring only 10 minutes wrapped in nail remover-soaked cotton balls, and how her natural nails seemed to feel stronger after testing. OPI Global Nail Ambassador Natalie Minerva echoed this by calling it a “great soakable soft gel that’s long-lasting,” the “soakable soft” part being key for a less damaging removal process versus a non-soakable hard gel.
While the application might take some practice for beginners, we think this is a winner for anyone wanting to achieve a lasting, salon-look manicure from the comfort of home.
Shades: 606 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes
Related: The 12 Best Cuticle Oils of 2024 for Ultra-Nourished Nails, Tested and Reviewed
Best Budget: Essence Gel Nail Color
Pros
This thick formula easily glides on and spreads to the shape of your nail for a smooth, even finish.
The nail color only requires one coat as opposed to two.
This formula doesn’t require a UV lamp to cure, taking an extra step out of the application process.
Cons
This polish chipped after two days and was nearly gone at the one-week mark, so it's not as durable as others we tested.
The bottle doesn’t feature any instructions, which could lead someone to apply more coats than necessary.
Who doesn’t love paying less without sacrificing quality? This low-cost option from Essence scored high for its ease of application and overall look in part to its thick, workable consistency that spreads and dries evenly across each nail, making it foolproof against errors and messes common to DIY gel manicures. This is particularly ideal for those with smaller nail beds as it takes shape to the surface in just one swipe. We also noticed it smells noticeably more pleasant than other gels we’ve tried.
During our real-world testing, we found it remained shiny and smudge-free, but it began to chip like regular nail polish after two days and almost completely came off at the end of the first week. We used acetone-soaked cotton balls at the end of the testing period to remove the remaining polish, a process that took much longer compared to the others we trialed. All in all, this budget-friendly product is great for anyone looking to save money on salon gel manicures or ditch their at-home UV lamp.
Shades: 16 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best Application: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro
Pros
This formula’s thick consistency and broad brush applicator makes it easy to apply.
It dries quickly without the use of a UV lamp, leaving you with a salon-quality manicure.
The removal process was quick and painless.
Cons
The polish and shine only lasted about a week.
This is slightly more expensive than the others we tested.
If you’re in a pinch before an event or vacation and can’t make it to the salon, consider the Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro for a smooth, shiny gel manicure with minimal time and effort. Our tester, who had never used gel nail polish, gave this formula a perfect application score both in the lab and at home, attributing it to its thick and creamy consistency, straightforward and beginner-friendly instructions, and the lack of UV light necessary to dry nails. She also praised the broad brush applicator, allowing her to paint two or three nails at a time before returning to dip in the bottle.
“I like that the polish dries super quickly, so even with a base coat, two color coats, and a top coat, the process still wasn't time-consuming, and I could quickly go back to typing on my laptop without fear of the polish smearing everywhere.” The professional-quality finish was so good that we wanted to touch it just to admire the texture.
Our only quip is that we wished it had remained glossy and chip-free beyond the first week of wear. The removal process was easy with the lighter polish soaking off in 5 seconds for each nail using the brand’s removal product. The darker shade required some light filing before soaking in the remover and fully came off after 10 seconds. Overall, we’d recommend this to anyone wanting a high-quality, easy-to-use polish that lasts longer than a non-gel product.
Shades: 85 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best Fast-Drying: Maybelline New York Fast Gel Fast Drying Nail Lacquer
Pros
The UV-lamp-free dry time only took 1-2 minutes per coat.
The cuticle-shaped brush provided ease and accuracy.
This is an affordable option.
Cons
It has a thinner consistency than other fast-drying polishes we’ve tried, resulting in a less opaque color than hoped.
This gel is not as long-lasting as others we tested.
The Maybelline Fast Gel Nail Lacquer lives up to its name — it’s fast. We only had to wait 1-2 minutes for each of the two gel layers to dry before swiping on the top coat, which easily applied without smudging the color — an overall process that took no longer than 10 minutes. The applicator’s wide bristles and round end definitely helped, too, as it allowed us to get as close to our cuticles as possible without touching.
This formula has thinner consistency than other fast-drying options we’ve tried, so it might not be as beginner friendly, but as long as you wipe the brush along the rim of the bottle after each dip you should be able to find the right amount for each nail size. Though our manicure only lasted 3-4 days before chipping around the corners, the remaining polish can easily be removed with a non-acetone solution in about five minutes time.
This fast-drying option is great for anyone leading a busy, on-the-go lifestyle and wants (or needs) their hands to look polished in a hurry.
Shades: 18 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best High Shine: Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish
Pros
This formula has a noticeably smooth and shiny finish.
It dried quickly without needing to cure under a UV lamp.
Cons
The gel only lasted a couple of days before chipping.
One of the advantages of gel over traditional polish is its high-gloss finish, which is what we found with this Nails Inc formula containing the brand’s “revolutionary plasticizer technology.” The application was as smooth as the overall look, leading this to be one of the few we tested to earn a 5/5 rating in both categories. After a couple streak-free swipes and only a few minutes to dry, our tester noticed how lustrous and high-coverage her nails appeared, putting it above others she’s used before.
While her nails overall remained shiny, the gel began to chip the day after leaving our testing lab and became unwearable by day four, eventually lending itself to an easy removal process. She compared its longevity to a traditional nail polish, though she sees its value as a way to achieve a short-term lustrous nail look from home.
Shades: 14 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best Kit: Dazzle Dry Nail Lacquers System Kit
Pros
This dried quickly without the need to cure under UV light.
Our manicure lasted longer than two weeks without chipping or signs of wear.
Each bottle is numbered by step as a visual application guide.
Cons
This kit doesn’t include tools or physical instructions beyond the first step.
It’s on the pricier side, especially if you’re unsure which color to choose.
An at-home gel nail kit might be your ticket from novice to nail pro. This five-piece system from Dazzle Dry includes a nail prep solution to prime and strengthen nails, a base coat, your choice of color, a top coat, and the brand’s ‘Revive’ formula, which is only necessary to restore an overly thick consistency. Each bottle is numbered by step, though it doesn’t include detailed instructions (however, you can find these on the brand's website).
Each layer dried in two minutes, leaving our tester’s nails shiny and smooth. She did feel like the pigment looked sheer, so depending on your color choice, it might be worth adding an additional coat of color beyond the suggested two.
We were impressed that this kit scored nearly perfect in all four categories, being only one of three tested to receive top marks for longevity. Our tester’s manicure lasted beyond two weeks with “no chipping or visible signs of wear and tear.” The damage-free removal process took 15 minutes, which might have been shorter with some light filing before soaking in acetone.
Overall, we’d recommend this kit to anyone desiring an easy, salon-worthy manicure without visiting the salon. The price is a little steep, especially if you’re unsure which color to choose, so we suggest trying the mini flight sets first to find your favorite hues before committing to the full-size bottles.
Shades: 150 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best Color Payoff: Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour Nail Lacquer
Pros
This formula gave an opaque, pro-grade look without a salon visit.
It only required one coat of color to appear opaque.
Cons
This gel-like polish doesn’t require curing, though it took three minutes per coat to dry under an LED lamp.
It only lasted five days before chipping.
We picked the Londontown Lakur Enhance Color Nail Polish for its professional-quality look and lack of chemical smell. Our tester loved the red color she chose, noting its opaqueness with only one coat. The application was easy and beginner-friendly, though each base, color, and top coat took nearly three minutes to dry under an LED lamp. It’s worth noting that this gel-like formula doesn’t require curing like the brand’s UV gels (Londontown doesn’t sell UV/LED lamps), but we used a different LED lamp, which proved tricky.
The manicure remained shiny and smudge-free, but only lasted five days before she noticed a nail peeling. Rather than removing all 10, she removed the loose polish and reapplied. At the end of testing, she peeled off most of her nails before soaking what was left in acetone.
Overall, this is a great option for those who love to paint their own nails or looking to dupe a salon-looking manicure from home and feel confident with their touch-up skills.
Shades: 151 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes
Best No-Cure: Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish
Pros
This formula’s application is easy thanks to its thinner consistency.
It dries relatively quickly without the use of a UV lamp.
Cons
This doesn’t come with a base coat, which might help prevent color stains.
Essie gel polishes are a salon favorite, but now we can say their Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish is an at-home tester favorite, too! We credit the easy, UV light-free application to the thinner formula; it feels like a regular nail polish but doesn't chip as easily or fast. This manicure lasted a week before any signs of wear, proving superior to traditional manicures that often chip within days.
Our tester only wished this two-step application included a base coat as she found some color stains post-removal as a result of wearing brighter and dark polishes. Overall, this gel polish offers the best of both worlds, providing the weightless feel and cure-free application of traditional polish with the longer wear time of a cured gel without UV exposure.
Shades: 16 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Best Sheer: Orly GelFX Gel Nail Color
Pros
This formula is more translucent than opaque, making it buildable to your desired finish.
The UV lamp’s automatic sensor made it easy to use and helped perfectly time each application.
Cons
There’s a potential learning curve for beginners using this thick formula.
This does require a UV lamp, which adds an extra step and can exposure skin to UV radiation.
If fashion’s quiet luxury involves understated basics, then consider the nail version as sheer polish that reads effortlessly refined — something you can achieve with this glossy gel from Orly.
Our tester had some challenges with their application, seeing pooling at the edges of her nails when she first applied in the testing lab. This led her to change her approach with the at-home application, where she saw a significant difference in the look of her manicure. The thick formula may require a learning curve for application, but our tester noted that it also helps the nails look thick and shiny. The key is to carefully apply thin coats between curing.
Her manicure lasted almost seven days with one popping off and some minor chips, but otherwise looked the same as day one. Since the color requires up to three coats to achieve an opaque finish, this is a great option if you want that low-key polished look from home without any complicated steps.
Shades: 37 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes
Best Luxury: Dior Vernis Gel Shine & Long Wear Nail Lacquer
Pros
This formula dries so quickly without needing a light lamp to cure.
The application process is simple and beginner-friendly.
It comes with a higher price tag, but the vibrant color payoff and smooth texture give the look and feel of luxury.
Cons
On the flip side, the fast dry time can make it a challenge to rework any mistakes.
The polish lacks the longevity we’d hoped for, considering the price.
Our splurge-worthy pick is the Dior Vernis Nail Polish. It spreads evenly across each nail and dries so quickly without a UV lamp you’ll want to create thin, even initial strokes to avoid any bumps getting locked into place. The overall application process was beginner-friendly both in the lab and at home with our tester taking her time at home just to be safe about said bumps, noting no issues either time. We were blown away by its vibrant color and thick yet incredibly smooth texture that concealed some nail ridges from a previous set of acrylics — resulting in a perfect overall-look score.
Though, it missed the mark when it came to longevity: Three fingers chipped during some routine dish washing the day after applying in the lab, followed by the remaining nails chipping two days later. We found the same longevity issue in our at-home testing, which is disappointing considering the designer price tag and luxurious look and feel. Having said, this is a great option if you have the time and money to invest.
Shades: 23 | UV Lamp Required: No
Related: The 10 Best White Nail Polishes of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best with Light: Madam Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish
Pros
The jelly-like consistency was easy to apply and gave nails a creamy, salon-like finish.
The instructions were straightforward and user-friendly.
This formula was durable against snags and lasted the full two weeks.
Cons
The small UV/LED lamp we used made it difficult to cure all five nails simultaneously.
For those who prefer the curing process, this Madame Glam Soak-Off Gel Polish is a great option. Our tester described the thick jelly-like consistency as “a dream” and raved about the creamy, salon-quality finish. Among the 12 gels we tested, this product has the second-most colors available with 438 to choose from.
The portable-sized UV/LED lamp we used was on the smaller size, making it difficult to cure all five nails at the same time, though the brand sells several different lamp sizes worth considering. Otherwise the process was as easy as clicking one button and the instructions were clear and straightforward, recommending two minutes to cure under UV light and 30 seconds for LED light.
This gel’s durability and lasting power came to light during our real-world testing when it helped reinforce a small rip in our tester’s natural nail and held up against a snag on her suitcase. Her mom even gave it a go and noted no chips or dullness over the full two weeks. Just as claimed, the gel came off in 15 minutes with acetone-soaked cotton balls and foil. Our tester usually wears DIY Gel-X Nail Extensions and was “most impressed” by how easily this came off in comparison.
Shades: 438 | UV/LED Lamp Required: Yes
Best for Beginners: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish
Pros
The minimal, easy-to-follow steps, high color payoff, and accessible price make this an ideal option for first-time gel users.
It dries pretty quick without a UV lamp, recommending five minutes per layer of polish.
Cons
The thicker consistency made applying the second layer of polish slightly more tedious than the first.
Newcomers to gel nail polish can breathe a sigh of relief, for this Sally Hansen formula requires minimal steps to mastering a top-tier at-home manicure. Our new-to-gel tester was very happy with her glittery manicure after applying two coats of color and one layer of top coat, saying her nails looked “vibrant” and “strong without feeling heavy.”
The trickiness came when adding the second layer, which required more focus to maintain evenness. This came up again during the at-home application where she found it helps to let nails dry for 15 minutes to avoid smudges. Her nails lasted longer than her routine polish with only one chip at the two-week mark, but she preferred the easier removal process of traditional formulas. Overall she noted “this is really solid for its value,” and great for anyone seeking a simple, long-lasting gel nail option.
Shades: 122 | UV/LED Lamp Required: No
Related: The Best Press-On Nails from New York Fashion Week and Our Own Testing
Others We Tried
Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Nail Enamel: For those seeking fewer application steps, we suggest this 2-in-1 color and base coat option from Revlon that doesn’t require a UV or LED lamp. We loved its straightforward instructions and lasting power against household chores. Our tester even mentioned her nails feeling stronger after removing the polish.
V Beauty Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit: If you’re looking for highly pigmented color in just two coats, we recommend this V Beauty kit, which includes a base coat, top coat, and your choice of color. This vegan, cruelty-free formula recommends curing each layer for 60 seconds under the brand’s cordless LED lamp (sold separately).
People / Jessica Juliao
Things to Consider Before Buying Gel Nail Polish
Technique
How you apply gel nail polish can determine the overall look of your manicure. A helpful rule of thumb for painting thin, even layers is to “apply the bulk of the gel to the middle of your nail, then pull it to the tip,” suggests Minerva. “Then, finish by moving the polish back toward the cuticle.” If you’re new to applying gel nail polish, it’s worth considering the Deborah Lippman Gel Lab Pro, Essence Gel Nail Color, and Nails Inc Gel Effect Nail Polish, all of which scored a perfect 5/5 when tested for ease of application in the lab and at home.
Care and Maintenance
Durability is one of the biggest perks of gel formulas, but there are also things we can do to help maintain and even extend the life of our manis. Minerva recommends using cuticle oil to moisturize nails and surrounding skin, and wearing gloves to do the dishes to avoid exposure to hot water, which can cause the polish to prematurely lift around the edges. “I also like to trim my nails like you would your hair with split ends,” she shares, as a way to jumpstart nail growth and avoid any snagging from uneven edges.
To care for and maintain your natural nails, Minerva suggests giving them a break from gel polish for a few weeks every couple of months to prevent damage and thinning. “Common signs our nails need a break include sensitivity to applying new products or breaking at a faster rate.” New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian echoes the importance of a “nail holiday,” sharing how “healthy nails are necessary for optimal quality of life. We need them to scratch, pick, open, and manipulate physical items needed for day-to-day functioning.”
UV Exposure
It takes 30-60 seconds to dry one coat of gel nail polish under a UV or LED lamp, but there’s concern long-term UV exposure can prematurely age skin and cause skin cancer. “Ultraviolet damage is dangerous and carcinogenic,” says Dr. Nazarian. She explains that although the amount emitted from these lamps may be very little and skin cancer around the nails is uncommon, “People who sit under the lights weekly or biweekly are certainly increasing their lifetime risk to some degree.” If you wear gel nail polish that requires a lamp, Dr. Nazarian recommends applying two-fingers-length of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to the back of both hands before curing. The Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish and Maybelline Fast Gel Nail Lacquer are also great options for achieving a fast-drying gel manicure without the curing process.
Proper Removal
It’s tempting to pick gel nails off at the first sight of imperfection, but resist! “Scraping and scratching the nail plate can increase brittleness and breakage,” Dr. Nazarian explains, ultimately weakening nails over time. For proper removal, visit your local salon or, as Minerva suggests, wrap your gel nails in acetone-soaked cotton balls and foil for 10-15 minutes. “Immediately after removing the polish, use Vaseline on the nails and surrounding cuticles to improve the nail barrier and maintain water content.” Dr. Nazarian adds. “This decreases additional loss of hydration into the environment and reduces brittleness.”
People / Jhett Thompson
How We Tested Gel Nail Polishes
After conducting market research on popular gel nail polishes, each of our testers selected from 20 brands to sample its gel nail polish colors and, if applicable, the base coat, top coat, and a UV lamp in our PEOPLE Tested lab and again at home over a two-week period.
Application: We arrived at the lab with bare nails, wiping each with an alcohol-doused cotton pad to prep and clean off residual oils before taking our ‘before’ photos. We first applied a dehydrator and primer for the UV-light formulas, letting each layer dry for one minute. We then used thin vertical strokes to apply one base coat layer, two layers of gel nail polish, and one top coat layer, allowing each to cure under the UV lamp for the time advised by the manufacturer. Non-UV light formulas followed the same steps but swapped the curing process for five minutes of air drying between layers. If the polish felt tacky or sticky after completing this process, we used a cotton pad with rubbing alcohol to gently wipe nails.
Overall Look: Next, we took ‘after’ photos to document our newly manicured nails and assessed them based on color opaqueness and personal satisfaction (i.e., did the color turn out as anticipated?), plus the formula’s coverage and consistency (i.e., whether it appeared shiny and smooth vs streaky, thick, or bubbly.).
Longevity: Then, we took our respective products home to repeat the application process and test their lasting power against everyday life. We took photos at the end of each week to note any chips, bumps, scratches, and/or dullness.
Ease of Removal: At the end of each week, we removed our gel nail polish by gently filing the top layer, soaking a cotton ball or pad in nail polish remover, wrapping it around each nail, and securing it with aluminum foil. After waiting 20-30 minutes, we removed the foil and cotton ball/pad and used a nail file to gently buff away any leftover polish. We took ‘after’ photos and noted any discomfort from the removal process, the difficulty, if at all, the length of time it took, and any visible damage to our natural nails as a result.
People / Jhett Thompson
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand of nail polish is the best?
Our overall top pick for the best gel nail polish is the OPI GelColor. We loved its durability and professional-grade look, not to mention it’s from one of the most iconic nail brands thought to have brought "personality" to the industry. With its timely collection launches, clever product names, like Haley Bieber’s beloved “Funny Bunny” used to create her famed glazed donut nails, and high-performance products seemingly on every salon wall, it’s fair to say OPI has its well-manicured finger on the pulse of nails and culture. That being said, the “best” nail polish brand may vary depending on your personal preferences, like color, finish, and price, among other factors.
Which type of gel is best for nails?
Minerva says a soft gel is the best for nails since it can be removed or “soaked” off with acetone, reducing damage to your natural nails that can occur from aggressive filing and buffing away polish. She recommends our top overall pick, the OPI GelColor, which tested perfectly for ease of removal and left our tester’s natural nails feeling strong after.
Which gel nails last longest?
“A hard gel is typically the longest-lasting because it’s not soakable by acetone,” says Minerva. Because of this, hard gel nail polish can last up to a month, though it’s recommended to only be removed by a professional nail technician.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Kate Watson is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE with seven years of experience writing fashion and beauty content. For this story, she analyzed and reviewed the PEOPLE Tested team’s lab and real-world insights. Kate extensively researched all things gel nail polish before interviewing celebrity nail artist Natalie Minerva for her best gel nail tips and practices. She also spoke with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarian to learn more about the safety concerns regarding UV lamps, gel nail polish ingredients, and the importance of proper removal.
Meet Our Experts
Natalie Minerva is a celebrity nail artist to Addison Rae, Kaia Gerber, and others. She is an OPI Global Ambassador based in Los Angeles, best recognized for her work on the show Euphoria.
Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology in Manhattan.
What is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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