The best at-home gel nail kits for a glossy, long-lasting mani

Wanting to cut back on nail salon trips or without having to give up on a long lasting manicure? The best at-home gel nail kits make achieving a two-week, chip-free fresh set easy without stepping foot into a salon. 

These kits bring the nail bar to you and are equipped with everything you need to get a glossy mani at home. Never tried a DIY manicure before? Even if you're not used to doing your own nails, at-home gel nail kits are surprisingly easy to use. We're seeing a big trend in at-home beauty treatments in 2024, with everything from home gel nail kits to the best red light therapy devices now easily available and relatively affordable. 

Many of today's kits contain all the instructions you need to learn how to do gel nails at home for a basic, hard-wearing manicure, while experienced users will find it fun playing around with everything from glazed nails to chic French tip nails. If you never have any time to book in for a fresh set, or you've been meaning to invest in one of the best at-home gel nail kits that offer a chip-free, long-lasting manicure, these are our top picks. We're confident these will turn any in-salon devotee into a DIY manicure convert.

The best at-home gel nail kits, chosen by our beauty experts

Want to cut down on nail salon appointments? This is the best at-home gel nail kit you can invest in. This set includes everything you need for prep and application and also comes with a gel removal solution. It's super simple to use and has clear instructions for beginners, so whether it's your first time trying your hand at doing your nails yourself or you're already skilled in nail art, this kit will have you feeling like a pro in no time, with two weeks of salon-worthy nails to prove it. 

"I first invested in a Mylee lamp a few years ago, and it's the best at-home gel nail kit in my opinion. It's super simple to set up, and with only a few easy steps to follow, I was quickly converted to an at-home mani. I've lost count of the times I've recommended this set to my friends. It's great for a quick top-up of a glossy top coat in between salon sessions, and the gel polishes have lasted me much longer than I anticipated," says our tester Dionne. 

The Manucurist Green Flash Starter Kit is an excellent option for those who want to achieve salon-quality results at home. It is perfect for both beginners and professionals who wish to take their gel kit with them wherever they go. Manucurist is one of the best nail polish brands on the market and the French brand prides itself on its vegan and cruelty-free formula. Leading a change in the industry, they swap harsh ingredients for eco-friendly, natural alternatives in their polishes that still provide salon worthy shine. 

Worried about damaging your nails while doing them yourself at home? You don't need to worry with these formulas, made with bio-sourced ingredients meant to protect your nails. This kit doesn't just come with a nail polish remover but also nail clips for a salon-worthy experience and super easy removal. Curing time is a bit longer with this kit, needing two minutes under the lamp for each layer, but if you follow their instructions, it should take only half an hour to perfect your manicure at home. 

One of the best affordable options for an at-home gel kit, SensatioNail's nail kit has all the basics you need for an at-home gel manicure. Although it's one of the less pricy picks on our list, the kit contains everything you need for application. 

You won't have to push a button to activate the LED light as it's motion-censored,  which is super handy, but it does take longer than some other models we've included, such as the Mini Macaron, to cure the nails with this specific lamp. Still, as long as you've got the time set aside, this is a great all-in-one kit for beginners on the fence about investing in an at-home gel kit. "I found this one quite difficult to use because the instructions were a bit more tricky to follow, and it has steps that I'm not used to while doing an at-home mani, like the gel primer. So it took me a bit longer to get the results I wanted and I found it chipped after seven days," says our tester Dionne. 

The 14 Day Mani kit is an excellent at-home nail kit that provides a salon-quality manicure but is super easy to use. One of the kit's key features is its lamp, which uses both UV and LED light, ensuring that your nails will dry quickly and last for at least two weeks while keeping an incredible shine. The kit has all the essentials to do a great manicure at home, and the video on their site makes it super easy to use. 

"14 day mani polishes are my favourite to use as the bottle is really user-friendly; even as a beginner I found it easy to apply polish from the shape of the bottle lid to the easy to apply brush," says tester Dionne. With its fast and foolproof polish application, you'll achieve a professional-looking manicure in just a few simple steps. 

Beginners require a no-fuss kit that's easy to use and offers long-lasting results. Cue this starter set from Red Carpet Manicure, which comes with a base coat, top coat, polish, and cuticle oil to keep this often-forgotten about area hydrated. 

During testing, there were a few things we loved about this kit: how shiny our nails looked, how quick it was to cure, and how long the manicure lasted. We did notice the polish included was a bit watery, but it was nothing a quick shake couldn't fix. Like a few others on our list, you have to remember to use the sanitising solution on the nails after using the light, but overall, this is a great set for at-home gel manicure newbies.

If you're just dipping your toes into the world of DIY gel manicures and aren't quite ready to splurge on a kit, consider this one from Le Mini Macaron. Not only does it come with an under £40 price tag, but it's also extremely convenient to take with you on the go. For one, you won't have to worry about packing a bulky LED lamp, as the one included cures one finger at a time. 

Most importantly, it doesn't sacrifice drying time for portability – it cures nails in 30 seconds, which gave us ample time to swipe the polish on other fingers as we dried one. We love the fact that the set comes with nail care, application, and removal products (including a cute mini file to nail your squoval nails shape) to guide you from start to finish.

What to consider when shopping for an at-home gel nail kit: 

• What's included: The best at-home gel nail kits come with everything you need to achieve a salon-worthy mani. According to Thea Green, founder of Nails.INC, this means, "a base coat, as this will help your manicure last longer and give a professional finish". A top coat and an LED light for curing the gel polish are also essential. Aside from this, check to see what colors are included  – it's not worth spending money on shades you won't wear. "Know what you like – for a gel color you are committing to wearing it for a few weeks," agrees Green. Finally, some kits include extras such as nail files, cuticle sticks, pads for removal, and oils. If you really plan on replacing in-salon visits with DIY gel nails, Anastasia Totty, LeChat Nails educator, advises that "soak-off accessories will complete the kit."
• Price: While there are several affordable options, you get what you pay for when it comes to at-home gel nail kits. That being said, Green notes that many expensive kits are for professional use only. "Consider something middle of the road, and also think of the money you are saving on pricey salon visits," she says. Totty advises that while more expensive kits may include more colors and accessories, as long as you get all of the basics you can always buy more colors to complete your collection later on.