15 Best Manicure Sets and Kits for Getting Perfect At-Home Nails
Your DIY spa day just got waaay easier.
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Right now, I’m living with a drab, grown-out gel manicure because I absolutely despise getting my nails done (yup, even as a beauty editor). I obviously love how pristine dip manicures or acrylic nails look, but I just can’t deal with sitting in the chair for an hour or two while the magic happens. So after many years of dreading the salon—and learning my way around gel nail polish remover—I’ve officially switched to the DIY side with the help of the internet’s best manicure sets.
If you’re new to manicure sets, know that they can be as minimal or equipped as you want, like a set that has professional-level gel manicure tools (like a nail drill and UV nail lamp), or a set with a chic glass nail file and a full set of nail polishes. So if you’re like me, and you’d rather do the work at home than trek to the salon, know that you can definitely get a screenshot-worthy finish with one of my favorite manicure sets below.
Our top picks for the best manicure sets of 2022
Itching to do your nails now? Same (seriously, gotta get this month-old gel mani off me immediately). Grab one of the manicure sets below, and then keep reading for all the details on how to choose the right manicure set for your needs and ~nail goals.~
Pros
- Dries in less than five minutes
Cons
- Some reviewers say the bottles are small for the price
This system—which includes minis of Dazzle Dry’s liquid nail prep, base coat, polish, and top coat—claims to dry in under five minutes. So when I first tested it out, I (obviously) had to time it myself. And I kid you not, in two minutes, I could scratch my nails, bang them against the table, and vigorously wash my hands without messing up my manicure. Basically, this kit from Dazzle Dry is for the impatient and lazy everywhere.
THE REVIEWS: According to one tester, “Fast drying and lasts a week! Quick and simple to use. Great small kit for travel. Will be ordering the full size for home manicures. Highly recommend!”
Pros
- Comes with minis for every step in the manicure process
- Base and top coat are 10-free
Cons
- Doesn’t include colored nail polish
When my nails feel brittle, dry, and bumpy from months of getting dip-powder manis and UV gels, I take a few weeks off, then reach for this all-in-one manicure set. It comes with nine different tools and formulas to remove polish, shape and paint your nails, and clean up your cuticles. I especially love the hydrating base coat and cuticle oil, which help save my nails when they hate me.
THE REVIEWS: “I decided to start doing my own nails after a few subpar nail salon experiences,” writes one reviewer. “This kit has been a fabulous way to start. I love everything in it, and my polish lasts so much longer than it did after salon visits.”
Pros
- Comes with 18 stainless-steel pieces in a sleek pouch
Cons
- Some tools are a little dull, say reviewers
If you base your purchases off Amazon reviews, you’ve found your new manicure set in this one, which has over 24,000 positive reviews (!). Testers rave that this affordable, 18-piece set has legit everything you could ever possibly need for doing your nails at home, like scissors, cuticle trimmers, three sets of clippers, two files, tweezers, and more.
THE REVIEWS: “This has everything you need to take care of your hands and feet,” one tester writes. “It's in a nice solid case, and the latch works perfectly. Perfect size for traveling or camping.”
Pros
- Comes with 600 clear press-on nails
Cons
- Reviewers wish the included glue was stronger
Even though I am legit obsessed with gel nail extensions, I can’t always handle the price tag. Which is where these clear press-on nails come in—they’re a somewhat similar option that I can do at home using a kit that includes all the essentials. You just shape the press-ons with the included trimmer and file (hi, my favorite coffin nail shape), stick them on with the included nail glue, then paint on your fave nail polish or nail art.
THE REVIEWS: “The pack came nicely packaged with everything needed to do my nails quickly and easily,” writes one reviewer. “I hate going to the nail salon, and this has completely solved my problems. I had no difficulty filing them to the shape I wanted and using the cutting tool to cut them down to the length I wanted.”
Pros
- Silicone tool helps you create quick French tips
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a nail brush for clean-up
I can barely draw liquid eyeliner in a straight line, so the idea of French tips at home? Out of the question. Or, it was, until I found this manicure set that includes a squishy silicone tool that creates precise French tips simply by painting the tool and pressing your nail into it. It also comes with two full-size polishes in sheer pink and opaque white, so you can really DIY the look without stress.
MY REVIEW: I love the look for a French manicure, but I have the shakiest hands and can never get a straight line. This kit made it so easy to just dip my fingernail into the polish on the silicone tool and get a little French tip. I even experimented using the tool with other polishes to get colorful tips!
Pros
- Hydrating soak, scrub, and hand cream leave hands super soft
Cons
- Nail polish not included
The key to nails that look seriously good all the time? Soft, moisturized hands, which you can easily get with this manicure kit from Pear Nova. Inside, you’ll find a hand and foot soak, a scrub, a moisturizing hand cream, a soy nail-polish remover, cuticle oil, base and top coat, and a glass nail file that’ll have your hands and nails feeling extra healthy before (and after) your mani.
THE REVIEWS: “This is the best quality nail care set I’ve ever bought,” writes one reviewer. “The butters leave my skin moisturized and smell so good. As a teacher, I don’t have the time to go to salons, so having this in my home is a must! I love all things Pear Nova!”
Pros
- Various tools help you create graphic nail art
Cons
- Doesn’t include instructions
If your entire camera roll is basically just screenshots of trending nail art, you need this manicure set from Amazon that’s filled with a mix of gemstones, 15 (!) different nail-art brushes, nail-dotting pens, four shades of nail foils, and 10 rolls of nail-striping tape to create truly every possible nail-art look you could want, including elaborate squiggle nails or simple accent nails.
THE REVIEWS: “This package is filled with everything my little teenage manicurist needs,” one reviewer writes. “She had excellent results the first time using it! Yes, it’s that easy. Great value for great results.”
Pros
- Manicure lasts at least 10 days
Cons
- Some testers say the removal process took 45+ minutes
Thought you had to go to a salon for a dip manicure? Nope! This simple kit comes with a neutral-colored powder, a file/buffer, a base coat, applicator, top coat, replacement brushes, and a v-handy powder tray to create a long-lasting dip manicure at home. But if you also want to try other nail shades, you can use all of these products with other dip powder (like if you’re into green nails, i.e., my fave).
THE REVIEWS: “I absolutely love this little kit,” writes one tester in a review. “It’s super easy to use, even on your non-dominant hand, and the process is so quick! I cleaned up my cuticles and used the kit on my fingers/toes with a color I already had. The whole process was done in 30 minutes, and they look salon approved. Totally recommend buying this.”
Pros
- Everything fits inside the palm-sized case
- Less than $10
Cons
- Scissors aren’t sharp enough for some testers
Say hello to the ultimate one-and-done kit for touching up your mani when you’re out and about. This manicure set holds everything in a sleek steel and pink case that’s just the right size for stashing in your carry-on bag (aka more space for the essentials, like another pair of shoes). Inside, you’ll find three sets of clippers in varying sizes, a file, cleaners, and nail scissors.
THE REVIEWS: According to one reviewer, “I went on a two-week vacation and forgot my nail accessories. I bought this for $9 and was so surprised at the quality of each tool. Everything is very secure in the pink kit. I ended up using it for more than just the nail things, like clipping tags off new clothes and as an eyebrow tweezer.”
Pros
- Mini LED lamp is USB rechargeable
- Comes with four gel polishes
Cons
- Testers say there’s a learning curve if you’re used to regular polish
Yup, you can actually give yourself a gel manicure at home. Step one: Pick up this mani kit from Le Mini Macaron—it's got four gel nail polishes, a nail file and cuticle pusher, and a mini LED lamp for easy curing. Plus, it's cute enough to keep out on display (no need to shove it in your bathroom drawer and lug it out whenever you wanna do your nails).
THE REVIEWS: “This kit is amazing,” writes one tester. “My nails look like I just got them done at the salon, and I get compliments ALL THE TIME.”
Pros
- Includes a nail polish topper to make applying polish easier
- Get to choose the nail polish of your choice
Cons
- Some testers say the polish chips in one to two days
If you’re brand new to doing your own nails (welcome!), you’ll appreciate that this manicure set from Olive and June comes with everything. Think: cuticle serum, nail polish remover, clippers, files, a nail polish of your choice, and more. But the best part for nail newbs? This set comes with The Poppy, which is Olive and June’s nail polish topper that gives you a better grip on the polish and makes brushing on your polish way easier.
THE REVIEWS: “During the pandemic, I stopped going to nail salons and gave myself messy manis,” writes one tester in a review. “After six months with Olive and June, I learned that my cuticles just needed love and training and I could be a damn good painter."
Pros
- Mini tools are quite sharp, says testers
Cons
- Plastic case can break easily
I’m sorry to my friends who’ve had to deal with me whining when my nail breaks and I desperately need a file or clippers to fix it. I now have this portable Tweezerman kit that fits in even my tiniest purses and includes mini clippers, a cuticle pusher, and a nail file for quick touch-ups on the go. But TBH, reviewers say the mini tools are so good, they keep a second set at home for their regular manis.
THE REVIEWS: According to one review, “I got this originally to keep in my purse or in my car, but I found myself quickly wanting it when I'm at home too. I like it much more than any of the many full-size kits I've gotten in the past. If you want this for on the go, buy a second one at home too!”
Pros
- Comes with two sets of clippers for fingers and toes
Cons
- Tools are very sharp, which were difficult for some testers to use
Wanna do your nails and toes? You get a whopping seven pieces in this manicure set, including two sets of stainless-steel clippers for your fingernails and toenails. Open up the zippered pouch and you'll also find tweezers, cuticle pushers, and even a glass nail file for a simple at-home pedicure.
THE REVIEWS: “This is a fantastic manicure set,” reads one review. “Each tool is very well made, sharp, and solid. Very impressed with the quality of this set.”
Pros
- Reviewers love the vanilla scent of the cuticle oil and cream
Cons
- Cuticle pusher can be hard to use for some testers
If your cuticles are in need of a serious pick-me-up, consider this manicure set the answer. It's stocked with a cuticle remover, repair cream, cuticle oil, and a stainless steel cuticle pusher. Whip out this bb once a week for the ultimate nail-refreshing experience.
THE REVIEWS: “I have very dry cuticles from having anxiety and constantly picking at them,” writes one tester. “This product helped me out so much! It made my cuticles soft and smooth—no dry skin, no need to pick.”
Pros
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons
- Reviewers dislike the strong chemical smell
Okay, the fact that this acrylic manicure set is $12 is kinda incredible. It comes with 40 tips, acrylic liquids and powders, nail glue, and sculpting brushes and files to help you get an easy, long-lasting mani at home. Make sure you start by cleaning your nails with remover, then follow the included instructions to a T (patience is key!).
THE REVIEWS: “My nails were in need of some TLC, so I decided to try out the nail kit rather than go to the salon,” one review reads. “I really loved how easy the process was, and the quality was pretty great overall. With the price of this kit, it could really save you money and time in the long run.”
What do I need for a manicure?
To do a manicure, you really only need a nail file and clippers to shape your nails, along with the nail polish of your choice. But if you want to ~take it up a notch~, a cuticle pusher and trimmer will help you clean up your cuticles and make your mani look way more professional. And if you want to mimic the salon experience, top everything off with hand cream and cuticle oil for moisturized, soft hands.
How to choose the best manicure set:
Consider what type of manicure you want
If you’re looking to do a basic manicure with regular polish, you’ll only really need a manicure set with a few tools to shape your natural nails (like a file, a buffer, and clippers). But if you’re interested in trying out a gel manicure or dip-powder nails, you’ll need a kit specific to those methods, like one that includes a UV lamp or activator liquid.
Take stock of the tools you’ll actually use
Some nail sets come with everything under the sun, which is great, if you think you’ll actually use them. If you’re more into a quick touch-up and still prefer to get your nails done at the salon, you might appreciate a simple manicure set with just a file, clippers, and a cuticle pusher. But if you’re trying to make the switch to doing full-blown manis while you’re binge-watching Dexter for the eighth time (okay, don’t @ me), a kit with multiple clipper sizes and tools for trimming your cuticles could come in handy.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail stories, like fall nail colors. She’s an authority in all nail categories, but is an expert when it comes to manicure sets, thanks to years of doing her own nails at home. She regularly tests and analyzes nail polish and nail care for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top nail artists to assess new formulas and brands.
Mekita Rivas is a freelance beauty writer at Cosmopolitan with three years of experience writing beauty stories, like cellulite creams and the best eyelash glues. She chose the best manicure sets based on personal testing, ratings, and reviews.
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years, and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including callus removers and nail polish sets. She looked at product reviews and ratings to come up with her manicure set picks.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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