12 Best Nail Drills for At-Home Salon Results

Before any nail polish or extension application, the nails must be prepped. Nail techs typically go in with a nail drill to “help remove, clean and file the nails,” NYC-based celebrity nail artist Trenna Seney says.

An electric nail drill is typically used for nails. As the name suggests, these gadgets are powered by electricity with tips and attachments that rotate across the nail and cuticle bed to polish and enhance the nail.

While buffers and nail files tend to deliver similar results, nail drills are less time-consuming. “It’s essential if you would like to save time as opposed to filing the nails by hand,” Seney adds. Nail drills are also great at providing precision. “It also helps with cleaning cuticles and getting into the sidewalls.”

Seney advises those who opt for at-home use to make sure they actually know how to operate the device properly. “If the person does not know how to properly use the nail drill, hold it properly and understand the different speeds, nails can be damaged,” she says. Nail drills typically come with several attachment heads that vary in length, width, and functions, so understanding which heads to use for your manicures ensures a seamless (and worry-free) process. “You should also know how much pressure to apply to the drill.”