You’re probably asking yourself what is the best nail lamp in the market; well, let’s find out. Gel nails are the best way to give your hands an impressive look without waiting long for them to dry because of nail lamps. LED/UV Lamps can cure your gel nails in less than 2 minutes, giving you more time to make additional nail art or unique nail decoration. Curing refers to the prosses of drying gel nails. The chemical reaction activated by a light source quickly dries your nails, so they don’t crack or even tarnish immediately after application. This quick-drying feature is one of the significant benefits of a gel manicure or pedicure. Therefore, whether you are doing your own nails at home or with a nail technician, the best way to make them look flawless is by choosing and having the best LED Lamp for gel nails. Discover the top-quality nail lamps below, so you will not waste time or money looking for the perfect LED Light when you buy one.
CND Lamp

Overall Rating
The CND Lamp from CND, the best pros, is easy to use with a simple design, no assembly required, pre-prepared controls for each service step, and no lamp replacement. Additionally, acetone resistance. As a result, you can submit an ergonomic and dynamic gel nail service for quick and gorgeous results.



Feature
- Due to its simple design, CND Lamp can fit in small spaces and is easy to maneuver.
- Ergonomic-Curse full nail edges from the highly effective reflection mirror inside the lamp.
- Functional- The removable plates make CND Lamp unique, which means the pedicures are easier to conduct.
- Power Cord-The new Led advantage is the existence of a power supply cord on the back instead of on the bottom, which makes the service smoother and more favorable.
- Adaptable-The power cord can be removed, which means plug adapters can be interchanged.
- One year full manufacture warranty gives the CND Lamp an extra advantage when you compare it to other lamps.
Review Highlights
I purchased a much cheaper LED/UV lamp on Amazon during the pandemic. My polish kept peeling off after 1-3 days! No matter what settings or how long I left my nails under. Since I knew my old salon used CND lamps, I purchased one of these more expensive lights. I have done a lot of reading on the lamps, and there is quite a science to using them. You should use the manufacturer’s instructions and the polish they recommend for that lamp.
Gelish Touch LED (Light With USB Cord)

Overall Rating
Comparing Gelish Touch Led with other LED Lamps takes application speed to another level. It is a portable curing light ideal for soft gel tips and quick gel nail repairs. Merge fast, even flash curing into your services with focused LED Beam technology to finish complete sets in 20 minutes or less or use single gel curing. This makes this product worth buying, especially for busy professionals.



Product Feature
- Touch-activated for easy use.
- Rechargeable many times.
- Ergonomic 360 freedom.
- 3 watts.
- 30-seconds cure.
- A battery charge indicator.
- USB cable included.
“When used in conjunction with 18G LED Lights.
Product size
- Height (include base) 17.25″ (43.815 cm)
- Weight 1.8lb (817 g)
- Base W:2.75″ (6.985 cm) D: 3.75″ (7.62 cm)
Review Highlights
Gelish Touch LED arrived in a week, and I ordered it from Amazon. Perfectly packaged, and it works! I love that it charges with a USB and extends the cord. (You just need the charging block) It’s portable and cures in 30 seconds, making it super easy for quick touch-ups on a single nail or fast cure gel X system before putting hands in a more oversized lamp for the final cure. The timer is 30 seconds, and you touch it with your pinky to turn it on so your hands are free to hold onto your nail to cure. I’ve always wanted one of these lamps. It will come in handy doing my nails myself. I’d have to say it’s sturdy and built very well, so it’s worth the price! Hope it lasts a long time as well.
OPI Star Light

Overall Rating
The new drop-resistant gel lamp with uniform curing is engineered to last 2 years limited warranty guaranteed. It is operative, secure, and precise. Ergonomically designed and tested in collaboration with nail pros. Moreover, some of its main advantages curing gel colors, carving gels, and details for nail art. This LED lamp offers uniform light output. Its mirrored interior provides even drying across all 5 fingers and toes. This lamp offers impressive results with perfection.



Features and Benefits
- Manual or an auto mode with a hand detector to activate the preset timer.
- Rubber feet for resilience.
- Resistant to functional damage after accidental drops.
- Sturdy construction made with 58% metal and 25% OPI Resist Polymer
- Resistant to acetone
- Thanks for the gray exterior, which prevents showing nail dust or dirt.
- This Lamp has designed for your favorite gel hues, setting details for nail art, and curving gels.
- Uniform light output and mirrored interior provide even curing across all 5 fingers and toes.
- Ergonomically designed and tested in collaboration with nail pros around the world.
- Two years limited warranty guaranteed.
- Limited to professional nail technicians only.
- Made in the USA.
Usage
The flat plate directs the hand to the proper placement for finesse curing. When clients insert a hand, they should feel for the 5-finger stopper guide, which features 4 grooves for fingers and a pad for thumb placement. There is dissimilarity to the OPI’s older lamps, in this lamp, the finger plugs are made to melange in with the plate’s flat surface to ensure clients are comfortable and relaxing.
Guide for using the Light
Firstly, plug the adaptor cord into the back of your lamp, then plug it into an outlet. plunk the power switch ON–the time automatically sets to 30 seconds. After that, select your required time using the 5, 30, 60, and 90 sec. The buttons are below the screen. To prevent the beeping noise, press the “3s” button to shift between tone and silent mode.
Review Highlights
I was delighted it is precisely the same as the demonstration photo and the description. The product is good quality, lightweight, and easy to disassemble and clean. It does its job excellently and has 5, 30, 60, 90 seconds timer modes, activated when you insert your hand, perfect drying, and fixing. After all, what makes me fall in love with this product is the auto-off feature after 30 seconds of inactivity. It is really worth buying.
Apres Rechargeable X-Lite Cordless LED Light

Overall Rating
The X-Lite is the best way to cure the Gel-X set. It is a stylish compact product. In addition, this LED light serves 6W of power to flash cure Gel-X tips or 3D charms with breeze and relief. It is also rechargeable with a power cable, it can be fully recharged only in 2 hours, and it also conserves energy by automatically powering off after five minutes of inactivity. This product will be the best friend of any nail technician in the coming days.



Features
- Rechargeable, portable LED light.
- 6 watts LED lamp.
- perfect for flash-curing Gel-X or setting a 3D crystal design on an individual finger.
- Fully recharged in just two hours.
- The full charge has enough power for 2 hours of use.
- USB cable included.
- Batteries are not needed.
Guide
“Requires a power source”, plug it into a wall outlet with the included wire, or plug it into a portable battery pack for the most convenient use. Press and hold the top of X-Lite for 3 seconds till the light flashes 3x times. Press the top once to turn it off and on. X-Lite will turn off automatically after 5 minutes of idling. To manually turn off, press and hold the top of X-Lite till the light flashes 2x times.
Review Highlights
convenient but a little too small
I purchased this light and took it with me as I traveled. I love how quickly it cures, I like the idea of the size, but I wish I could fit 4 fingers in at once, I expected to do the thumb separately, but I did not expect to have to do my pinky separately, so that adds more time. As a result, I think it is a little bit annoying, but otherwise, it’s perfect.
Apres Omega Mini Flash Cure Light

Overall Rating
Apres Omega Mini Flash Cure Light is easy to be used, stylish, and functional, it is also smooth and slim in design. Moreover, This product is powered with a charge hold of four hours, flash cure Gel-X tips, splendors, and nail art with ease and confidence. Above all, the magnetic base can be easily attached to the Alpha 2-in-1 LED lamp or the Apres magnetic light stands, allowing for easy self-curing.



Feature
- Cordless which makes the use easy and convenient and effortless.
- Rechargeable battery that can stand for four hours while using.
- 2 watts cure, easily cures charms or nail art.
- A battery indicator helps you to know exactly how much charge you have “Blue, Orange and Red”.
- Four hours to fully recharged.
Instruction and warning
Omega Mini Flash Cute light is only compatible with provided magnetic USB charger or can be charged on an Alpha 2-in-1 lamp. Does not charge on any older versions. Improper usage, charging, and/or storage may permanently damage the unit.
Review Highlights
I Love my mini flash cure, especially because it’s PINK, and it’s so Cute only downside is it doesn’t have a switch for the on and off button, it does way too fast I will be sad if they come up with one later and I have to rebuy again.
Overall rating is obtained from google products review as of August 16th, 2022.
Apres Beta LED Lamp

Overall Rating
Such as all Apres Products that fit the beginner nail lover or a professional nail technician, Beta LED Lamp is offered in a resistant shell of black, nude and white. Beta is also prepared with three varied timer settings ( 10, 30, and 60 sec), with a removable magnetic base and a USB port.



Feature
- Complete coverage for 5-finger curing.
- Preset timer with the button-lock function of 10, 30, and 60 sec with a gradual power upswing at 60 sec to reduce heat spikes.
- 36 watts — powerful enough to cure most LED gels in 30 sec.
- Acetone-resistant shell.
- Extra USB port to power external devices.
- Pedicure-friendly with magnetic removable base plate.
- Not cordless or rechargeable.
- Fits all budgets and all needs.
- One-year warranty.
Review Highlights
This thing is awesome, and so is the price. I have always used Uv/LED lamps from Amazon, which weren’t great. This Beta cures the thickest gels in 30 seconds. How have I lived so long without this? Oh, and for people like me who bought the après flash cure light, the Beta has a USB port to charge your little light whenever you’re not using it, so it’s always charged. 😍
Apres Beta LED Lamp VS. Alpha 2in1 LED Light
Compare by | Beta LED Lamp | Alpha 2in1LED Light |
---|---|---|
Resistance | Acetone resistant shell | Acetone resistant shell |
Built-in handle | No built-in handle | A Built-in handle |
Connection | Not cordless or rechargeable | Cordless or rechargeable |
Coverage | Full coverage for 5-finger curing | Full coverage for 5-finger curing |
Watts | 36 watts, cure most LED gels in 30 sec | 36 watts, cure most LED gels in 30 sec |
Timer mode | Preset timer with the button-lock function of 10, 30, and 60 sec. | Custom curing timer 5s, 20s, 30s, and 45s w/ button lock function |
LCD Screen | LCD demonstrates countdown timer | LCD display countdown timer |
Duration of the energy rise | 60sec gradual power upswing reduces heat spikes sensations | 45s gradual power upswing reduces heat spike sensations |
USB Port | Additional USB port | Additional USB port |
Base Plate | Magnetic removable base plate, appropriate for pedicures | Magnetic removable base plate with finger guide, convenient for pedicures |
Guarantee | One-year warranty | One-year manufacture warranty |
Magnifying Lamps
Magnifying Lamps are used for eyelashes extensions and facial treatment to help focus. Also, they are used for close-up inspection, design, or small part assembly work with added illumination for optimal visibility. A magnifier lamp enables the user to see precisely what they are doing in intricate detail due to the combination of magnification and light, reducing the risk of eye strain and visual fatigue.
Disclosure: Review Highlights are modified versions of public reviews to deliver accurate facts and valuable information from the salon’s perspective.
FAQ
Most importantly, you should know that not all lamps are created equal, it is important to know the wattage, dry time, and reviews of each LED lamp before using it.
Uv light on average takes 8-10 minutes of dry time. On the other hand, LED lights can cure gel nails on an average of 30-90 seconds. Therefore, LED lights are better for gel nails.
For gel nails to cure correctly, you need a LED lamp with a minimum wattage of 24-36 watts. Higher wattage led lamps will help lessen the time of curing gel nails.
It ranges from $15- $100+.
You will find a few similarities between them, like both in 3 watts, and both can be rechargeable. For dissimilarities, CND Lamp is one year guaranteed at variance to the Touch LED from Gelish.
From my personal experience with Omega Mini Flash Cure Light from apres that the battery goes down quickly. Moreover, the Rechargeable X-Lite cordless LED Light from Apres cons. It is a little bit small, so your 5 fingers can’t be done together.
For me and from a nail technician’s perspective, star Light from OPI, besides its glamour and excellent design, is a stylish, dynamic product and for a gray exterior that prevents showing nail dust or dirt, and this is what makes it unique from other lamps, but what makes me feel annoyed is that it is only for professional nail technicians.
11 Comments
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says:
I’m glad Après has launched the new Beta LED Lamp. This lamp works perfectly for nail salons since it needs to be connected to power. The Alpha lamp works better for mobile nail technicians.
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says:
If you are applying tips to your nails, Touch LED from Gelish is a MUST. It is activated/deactivated by touch and you can see your whole finger and overlayed tip while you hold it on with your other hand when you’re under the light. It’s much easier to get all the air bubbles out and get the tip straight because you can see what you’re doing. You’ll still need a full cure after you’ve done all 5 nails, but this is EXCEPTIONAL at flash cures.
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says:
I love the CND gel nail lamp. I started doing my nails with this perfect light. After reading all the reviews on various lights and consulting a nail technician, I found this one to be the best value. I have used this lamp at least ten times so far and have been pleased with how well it cures my nails. A sturdy product that I would recommend.
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says:
I love Apres Beta LED Lamp. I use this lamp on my nail, it was amazing. I bought one because I like to do my nails by myself and I wanted to get a better lamp than the UV lamp.
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says:
This little lamp makes it so much easier to cure your tips or full-covered nail tips. I can actually see the tip and make sure it’s not crooked! I highly recommend this lamp as it is extremely convenient and perfect for a beginner as well as a professional nail tech. 💅
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says:
I’d tried different mini-curing lamps, and with everyone I tried, I’d still get air bubbles, or the nails would be crooked as I was trying to maneuver the nail under the lamp. A favorite Youtuber was using Apres Omega Mini Flash Cure Light and, based on her video reviewing the product, I bought it. It’s the best mini-curing lamp I’ve tried! My nail application is perfect.
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says:
I finally found my dream nail LED lamp that is practical enough to be used in my nail salon. The Apres Beta LED Lamp works perfectly on my customers’ nails, and I am eventually pleased to see my customers finish their nails swiftly and to their satisfaction. Thanks for this perfect lamp.
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says:
I decided to order OPI Star Light after much reading and research, and I’m pleased I did that. This LED works just like it says, and after following the instructions, I did my own gel nails, and they turned out awesome. What makes me feel thankful for this product is that my polish has lasted two weeks and my nails still look like they were just done. This was definitely a good buy, and I recommend it.
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says:
As a nail technician who goes to customers’ homes to provide nail services, and after trying many LED lamps, I found that the Apres Omega Mini Flash Cure Light is one of the most effective ones I have ever used, as it works perfectly and quickly on nails.
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says:
For a gel nail polish user, the Apres Omega Mini Flash is a big improvement over all older appliances designed for gel polishes. It has more protective features and dries faster. So, for any individual who wants to save on gel manicures and do it themselves to save a great deal of money at a spa, this is an appliance you will welcome.
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says:
The OPI Star Light is the best gel lamp I have ever used. It’s the same lamp my nail tech uses, and it works really great.