The best UV lamps for nails in the UK 2023

For professional use or at home, the UV nail lamp becomes an essential piece of equipment for an impeccable manicure. Easy to use, it is a modern way to quickly dry nail polish for a shiny and long-lasting result. Dear manicure enthusiasts, find easily the best UV lamp for your nails by following us in this buying guide.

NailStar Professional NS-01 EU 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

NailStar Professional NS-01 EU

The best UV nail lamp in 2021

Here is an excellent UV nail lamp made by NaillStar Professional, the expert in manicure related products. Versatile and ergonomic, the NailStar Professionnal NS-01 EU will not disappoint your expectations.

23,99 £ on Amazon

You will easily find your happiness using the NailStar Professional NS-01 EU UV nail lamp. Your nails will defy those coming out of a professional salon if you use it properly. For a comfortable manicure routine, rely on this quality device with features to suit all your needs. The NailStar Professional NS-01 EU is a promise of quality that cannot be denied.

With its four powerful UV lamps, the nail polish on your hands and feet will dry quickly. The integrated timer allows you to choose the time you need: 120 or 180 seconds, and even extended use if required. The NailStar Professional NS-01 EU does not repel any nail polish marks. Its compact design makes it easy to carry around in case you need to travel or share it with your girlfriends at a sleepover.

Unisun NailDryer002 2
7/10

Best Cheap

Unisun NailDryer002

The best entry-level UV nail lamp

The best UV nail lamp for small budgets is Unisun NailDryer002. Take care of your nails freely with this efficient device that has a lot of interesting options and an appreciable ergonomic quality.

11,59 £ on Amazon

The Unisun NailDryer002 UV nail lamp makes your manicure ultra easy with its intelligent automatic sensor, versatile UV and LED technology, LCD timer and all-purpose power supply. Manicure at home is possible at a low price with the Unisun NailDryer002. Its shell design, however, only accommodates the hands.

The on/off function is activated automatically when you put your hands on or take them off the drying surface. The 2-in-1 UV lamp ensures that your nails dry quickly and the LED bulbs maximize durability. Three timer settings are available to suit your needs: 30, 60 or 90 seconds. The LCD display keeps you instantly informed of how much time you've spent. Finally, the USB power supply makes the Unisun NailDryer002 UV nail lamp convenient for places where the power source is difficult to access.

SUNUV Sun4 3
8/10

Best High End

SUNUV Sun4

The best high-end UV nail lamp

Here is a model of UV lamp for nails with high-end performance: the SUNV Sun4. It would be best placed in your luxury beauty salon, but you can also use it at home.

39,43 £ on Amazon

The combination of both UV and LED technologies make this device versatile and very useful. The treatment of all types of nail polish and gels on your nails will be done easily and comfortably thanks to its innovative lamps and its wide working space, which can accommodate both hands and feet. With the SUNUV Sun4, nail care becomes a pure moment of pleasure.

The device has a Smart Over Temperature protection to protect your skin from the power of UV rays: in this way, the low temperature mode involves a gradual increase in intensity. You can choose between 10, 30, 60 and 99 seconds depending on your manicure needs. The SUNUV Sun4 can be used as a gift at any convenient time, the idea will be very appreciated by the manicure enthusiasts.

SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3 4
8/10

Excellent

SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3

The best modern UV nail lamp

The UV nail lamp offered by SINZONeu has 4 time settings, each of which is suitable for what the user needs. It consists of 42 LED lights and can quickly dry all kinds of gels.

30,39 £ on Amazon

The UV lamp for nails SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3 is among the best lamps of our time. It offers a power of 168 watts. To perfect your varnish, you have 4 time settings at your disposal, 30, 60, 90 and 120 seconds. You can safely put your hand on with a painless mode to choose from. Although this item can handle both hands, if you want optimal drying, it is recommended to put one hand after the other in the machine.

You can also check the progress of your beauty treatment on a large LCD screen. Very comfortable, know that the base of it is removable which provides more comfort to the pedicure and facilitates the maintenance of the device.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best UV lamp for nails

Any specific needs?

The best UV nail lamp in 2021

The best entry-level UV nail lamp

The best high-end UV nail lamp

The best modern UV nail lamp

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best UV lamps for nails

Best value for money Inexpensive High end Excellent
NailStar Professional NS-01 EU 5
9/10
Unisun NailDryer002 6
7/10
SUNUV Sun4 7
8/10
SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
NailStar Professional NS-01 EU
Unisun NailDryer002
SUNUV Sun4
SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3
Here is an excellent UV nail lamp made by NaillStar Professional, the expert in manicure related products. Versatile and ergonomic, the NailStar Professionnal NS-01 EU will not disappoint your expectations.
The best UV nail lamp for small budgets is Unisun NailDryer002. Take care of your nails freely with this efficient device that has a lot of interesting options and an appreciable ergonomic quality.
Here is a model of UV lamp for nails with high-end performance: the SUNV Sun4. It would be best placed in your luxury beauty salon, but you can also use it at home.
The UV nail lamp offered by SINZONeu has 4 time settings, each of which is suitable for what the user needs. It consists of 42 LED lights and can quickly dry all kinds of gels.
Lighting
4 UV lamps of 9 W each
12 UV LED bulbs
36 UV LED light sources
42 LED lights
Minuterie
120 or 180 seconds and constant use
30, 60 and 90 seconds
10, 30, 60 and 99 seconds
30, 60, 90 and 120 seconds
Compatibility
All brands of polishes and gels
All brands of polishes and gels
All brands of polishes and gels
Semi-permanent, gel and nail polish
Utility
Manicure and pedicure
Manicure only
Manicure and pedicure
Manicure and pedicure
Ergonomic features

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - UV lamp for nails

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How to choose your UV lamp for nails

For an impeccable finish to your varnish application, choose the best UV lamp for nails by taking into account the following criteria

#1 - The technology of the lamp

UV lamp technology is used to cure UV gel coatings and semi permanent coatings. The wavelength is expressed in nanometers (nm). In principle, 350 nm is enough for a manicure with UV gels to make it very durable. The varnish dries in just a few minutes.

Among other things, this technology is not compatible with LED gel polishes. In general, you should consider changing your UV lamp on a frequency of four months if you use it regularly.

#2 - The timer

For practical use of your UV nail lamp, you should control the drying time of your gel polish. To do this, the UV nail lamp has a fully adjustable timer to provide you with the exact time needed for your manicure.

The steps available on the UV nail lamp are usually 120 and 180 seconds. This one is also equipped with an automatic sensor that activates the countdown from the moment you put your hand or foot in it.

#3 - The drying time

The drying time of your polish is determined by the power of the UV lamp you get. Note that each brand of UV lamp for nails has its specific use, you should not make a mistake to avoid unpleasant surprises.

The standard drying time on a UV lamp for nails is mainly 2 minutes if the lamp has a power of at least 45 W. So depending on the power, the drying time will be more or less important. Thus for a better efficiency of the device you should prefer a high power UV nail lamp.

#4 - The design

As a latest innovation device, the UV nail lamp should above all have a modern and refined look to match your work table or dressing table without question. As well intended for a domestic use as professional, it must provide a visual well-being effect first, before comforting by its use.

If you adopt it for your hairdressing salon, customers will quickly appreciate your professionalism just by spotting a nice UV nail lamp with efficient performance. For your home manicures, you can only be happy to have this device.

#5 - The ergonomic level

For an appreciable ergonomic level, your UV nail lamp must be compact and light enough to be easily placed anywhere and in order to accompany you when you travel.

Also make sure it can easily hold your entire fingers and toes without touching the polish you just applied. The removable base is an interesting option to support the use of the UV nail lamp.

Some models of UV nail lamps even make it easier to apply nail polish thanks to their flat surface on top where you can put your hand.

How to use a UV lamp for nails ?

For a successful varnish application, it is important to discern the different steps to go through before putting hands or feet under a UV lamp.

  • Cleanliness. Before anything else, you must absolutely clean your hands and feet. For professionals, it's not just a matter of washing them: a scrub and a quick massage go without saying to soften them and stimulate the blood flow.
  • Preparation. For your nails to be properly impregnated with nail polish, preparation rituals are essential: cuticle removal, filing to make the edges even and polishing the surfaces.
  • The application. In general, you should put your hands or feet in the UV nail lamp after each application of gel nail polish, from the base to the final coat. For the drying time, check the instructions of your device but also pay attention to the indications concerning the use of your gel nail polish.

Nothing could be simpler: the UV lamp for nails plays a vital role in the beauty of your hands and feet, you just need to know how to use it and be careful with false manipulations.

The different types of UV lamps for nails

The classic UV lamp for nails

The classic UV nail lamp uses ultraviolet neon lights to dry only UV gel polishes. To maintain the effectiveness of this device, you should change the lamps regularly over a period of four to six months. Keep the Classic UV Nail Lamp in areas not exposed to heat and humidity to maximize its durability.

The classic UV nail lamp has a fairly long curing time compared to other devices of its kind (e.g. LED lamp). However, it is a reliable way to dry UV gel nail polish if you want to obtain a long-lasting result with impeccable aesthetics.

The CCFL UV lamp for nails

What is the CCFL UV lamp? Simply an improved version of the classic UV lamp that uses cold cathode technology to cure your varnishes. The best part about this system is that it is compatible with both UV gel coatings and LED gel coatings. If you get one for your salon or home manicure, you will gain on versatility.

Regarding the time of catalysis, the UV CCFL nail lamp acts moderately, just between the classic UV lamp and the LED lamp, the latter being the fastest. The cold cathode being inexhaustible, the UV CCFL lamp for nails is then practical for intensive use.

UV nail lamp or LED nail lamp?

UV lamp for nails

Clearly, the UV nail lamp is a means of curing UV gel polishes and semi-permanent polishes. For this style of nail polish, a wavelength of at least 375 nm is required to cure properly. Compared to LED lamp, UV nail lamp takes longer to dry because the intensity of the wave emission is relatively lower.

In addition, a UV nail lamp simply cannot ensure the curing of nail polish with LED gels, which will need a higher wave power to give a well-cured result. Otherwise, if you decide to dry your permanent nail polish under UV lamp, you should know that it will take you about two minutes to get a proper finish.

LED Nail Light

LED nail lamp is suitable for drying LED gel nail polish and semi-permanent nail polish as well. Compared to UV nail lamp, it is much more effective in terms of speed. The drying time provided by LED lamp is almost no more than one minute.

Also, in order to comply with the catalysis conditions, you should not use the LED lamp to dry the UV gel nail polish either. Please note that LED lamps have a longer lifetime than UV lamps, which is why their price is much higher.

Verdict

What are these two new technologies of nail prosthesis in reality? Your choice between the UV lamp for nails and the LED lamp for nails will depend on the nature of your nail polish. Indeed, each of these two types of nail dryers has different compatibility criteria that make their specificity.

For a beginner in the field, you can always opt for the UV lamp for nails, effective and very affordable. Otherwise, some more versatile but more expensive nail dryer models combine both technologies.

Why buy a UV lamp for nails?

To save time

In this age of new technologies, you don't have to wait for your nail polish to dry whenever you want. It takes you at least half an hour. With the UV nail lamp, your manicure will be perfect and flawless in just two minutes. You should get this device for quick and easy sessions at home.

For a shiny effect

This is what distinguishes gel nail polish from conventional nail polish. It is also what led to the creation of various practical accessories such as the UV nail lamp. The look of the nail polish on your nails determines the degree of importance you place on your nail care. Having a shiny nail polish thanks to the UV nail lamp will only delight your eyes.

For a neat finish

UV nail polish provides a comfortable look through precise strokes and enhanced colors. With this curing device, you won't have any accidents after a few minutes of manicure: your nails will come out impeccable.

For long-lasting nail polish

No more nail polish that crumbles after a few days! In addition to drying your nail polish, the UV nail lamp hardens it to make it last as long as possible on your nails. You might even get tired of it after a while and just want to change the color.

For a good reputation

On a professional level, defending a reputation requires a significant investment because customers appreciate services that have the right equipment. So, if you own a beauty salon or a manicure shop, don't hesitate to get the UV nail lamp.

The best brands of UV lamps for nails

In our opinion, the best brands of UV lamps for nails in 2022 are :

O’vinna
NailStar
SunUV
Unisun
Moulei

This brand is very recent and specializes in innovative accessories in the field of fashion, hygiene and well-being. It is starting to gain recognition thanks to the excellent value for money of its products.

Recognized on the international scene when it comes to nail beauty, the English brand is never behind on new trends. Its nail dryer lamps are particularly well known.

Millions of professionals around the world trust SunUV in equipping premium quality nail dryers. For all purposes, the brand's devices are reliable and efficient.

Unisun's nail dryer lamps include good quality basic features for home or professional use. You'll invest in compatible, high-performance devices.

Enjoy the home salon experience by getting Moulei nail dryers: practical and powerful, they promise quality results that are on par with professional nail salons.

What is the price for an UV lamp for nails

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
15 £ to 30 £
Mid-range
30 £ to 60 £
High-end
more than 60 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Respecting the weather

In all circumstances and for all uses, it is absolutely necessary to respect the drying time either granted by the timer of your UV lamp for nails, or indicated by any notice of the device or even of your polish.

For hands and feet

When buying your first UV lamp for nails, think of getting a model that is suitable for both hands and feet. Nothing beats versatility and you might as well invest as much as possible on the practical side.

Changing lamps

In principle you should change the diodes of your UV lamp every four months to ensure its perpetual effectiveness. Don't forget to equip yourself at the right time and take advice from experienced manufacturers if you can't do it yourself.

Moderation

Ultraviolet gel manicure sessions should be done in moderation. Of course you want to be perfect right down to your fingertips, but you must also give your nails time to "breathe" in their natural state for at least two weeks.

Sun cream

As we are in the vocabulary of UV rays, so similar to those of the sun, even if those of the UV lamp for nails are much weaker, sunscreen appears to be an ideal protection solution. Thus, you can rub a thin layer of sunscreen on your hands or feet before putting them under the UV lamp.

FAQ

How many coats of UV gel nail polish should ideally be applied?

For a pleasing finish, it is recommended to apply three coats of UV gel polish and to space each application under a UV lamp. If you follow this rule, you will appreciate the long lasting effect of your nail polish over several weeks. Don't forget that before applying the color of your choice you must first apply a base coat to protect your nails.

What would be the negative impacts of the UV nail lamp?

As with everything, the UV nail lamp has its drawbacks if you overdo it. You just have to respect the time recommended on the instructions to avoid any danger. Also check the indications concerning the UV gel varnish that you are going to apply on your nails. Sometimes some inattentions can trigger even allergic reactions.

Why does semi-permanent nail polish peel off easily?

Normally you should enjoy your semi-permanent polish for at least three weeks. If it comes off easily, there can be only two or three reasons: either you used poor quality products, or you didn't respect the number of coats to be applied, or you omitted to dry it under UV nail lamp.

Do marks hold an important place?

The trend right now is to sell manicure kits that include all the basic accessories: polish, nail dryer (in this case UV lamp), false nails, manicure materials, etc. It could be that you have a UV lamp for nails of a certain brand but that your polishes are of a different brand. In this case, you just have to make sure that your UV nail lamp is compatible with the nail polish you buy.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. What is the purpose of a UV lamp for nails?, stylbio.fr
  2. Why do we use a UV lamp during a manicure?, pagesjaunes.ca
  3. LED or UV-LED lamp: how to choose your manicure lamp?, obessio-nails.fr
  4. The 8 Best UV Nail Lamps - Best Nail Lamps 2021, elle.com
  5. What's the difference between an Uv Lamp and a Led Lamp?, picsnails.com
  6. How to Cure a Nail With a UV Lamp, leaf.tv
  7. How UV Lights Dry Nails, health.howstuffworks.com
  8. Which lamp to use to dry classic nail polish?, adoramode.com
  9. 5 Benefits Of Using A Nail Dryer: This Is Why You Should Use One Today, bestnailfile.com
  10. Gel manicures: Tips for healthy nails, aad.org
  11. Amazon.co.uk : lampe uv pour ongle, amazon.co.uk
  12. Lampe UV Ongles | Black Friday fnac, fnac.com
  13. Lampes UV ongles - Black Week Cdiscount Electromenager, cdiscount.com
  14. lampe uv ongles - Votre recherche lampe uv ongles | Boulanger, boulanger.com
  15. Les 7 meilleures lampes UV ongle (2021) | Electroguide, electroguide.com
  16. Quelle quelle lampe UV pour ongles choisir ? - Mes Petits Ongles, mespetitsongles.fr
  17. Lampes ongles UV/Led | PassioneOngles, passioneongles.fr
  18. Lampe LED | Lampe UV | L'Outil Indispensable, bleulibellule.com
  19. Les Meilleures Lampes UV Ongles - Best Comparatif, best-comparatif.fr
  20. La meilleure lampe UV pour ongles en France en 2021 ..., achetezlemeilleur.com
  21. SUN X7 MAX - lampe led UV professionnelle pour ongle ..., studio-beauty.fr
  22. UV and LED lamp for uv gel curing, ongle24.com
  23. nail uv lamp and led lamp - Everything for nails, toutpourlesongles.com
  24. Top 10 Best Nail Uv Lamp 2021 - Comparison ..., institutsbeaute.com
  25. Nail dryers and UV lamps : Amazon.co.uk, amazon.co.uk
  26. How to choose your Nail UV Lamp, formationsprothesisteongulaire.com
  27. How to choose your nail UV lamp ? [Guide 2021 ..., electroguide.com
  28. Are UV nail dryers dangerous for the ..., secheongles.fr
  29. UV nail lamp : principle and use of the UV nail lamp ..., ongles.ooreka.fr
  30. UV and LED lamp for nails and manicure - Gouiran Beauté, gouiran-beaute.com
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
NailStar Professional NS-01 EU 9
NailStar Professional NS-01 EU
Unisun NailDryer002 10
Unisun NailDryer002
SUNUV Sun4 11
SUNUV Sun4
SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3 12
SINZONeu SUN BQ-V3

Lecteurs

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