Our Best Overall At-Home Gel Nail Kit Is Also Amazon's Choice

We carefully reviewed this article in March 2023 to ensure all picks vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab are in stock and meet the FDA’s Cosmetic Labeling Requirements.

Gel manicures feel like a special, fuss-free treat: Walk into a salon and walk out shortly after with glossy, smudge-proof nails that will last for weeks. Gel nails are different than traditional types of manicures because instead of waiting for your nail polish to air dry, a UV or LED light is used to cure or harden the gel lacquer in seconds. Gel manicures also tend to last longer than regular polishes. But gel manis aren't a luxury exclusive to salons — thanks to at-home gel nail kits, you can DIY your own mani in the comfort of your home.

While all different types of at-home nail kits virtually pay for themselves after one or two uses, the options can range from professional quality to beginner-friendly. To find the best gel nail kits, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros vetted the most popular products on the market, ensuring our recommended picks have clear ingredient labels that follow the FDA’s Cosmetic Labeling Requirements. We reviewed each product’s packaging, including ingredient and warning labels, giving preference to products that clearly advise avoiding skin contact to prevent irritation caused by methacrylates, a known allergen and skin sensitizer included in every gel polish.

Note: All gel nail polishes use methacrylate polymerization technology to obtain the long lasting, chip resistant coating. While the 2005 Cosmetic Ingredient Review Report ruled methacrylates “safe as used in nail enhancements products when skin contact is avoided,” the study concludes that these ingredients are known to be skin sensitizers, so skin contact should be avoided.

Here are the top gel nail kits you can buy, according to reviewers and vetted for safety by our experts.

Our top picks:

Post-mani, we recommend using a hydrating cuticle oil and a top-rated hand cream. And if you are looking for more nail kits to add to your collection, check out our best acrylic nail kits and best press-on nail kits, as well as our guides to best nail stickers and best nail drills for additional accessories.