The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (2024)

The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (1)

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These days, we're all about DIY beauty and anything with long-lasting results for less time needed in-salon. While you may have mastered the art of doing your own gel manicure or dip powder set during this time at home, acrylic nails could be a great next project, especially if you are looking for something with long wear and lots of shine.

Acrylic nails can be especially beneficial to those with shorter nails. "Using acrylics can be a nice way to add length to your nails, which you cannot do with regular polish," says Jessica Tong, nail artist and Smith & Cult Brand Ambassador in San Francisco. Tong is a fan of at-home acrylic nails but warns that patience is definitely required: "Practice is needed to perfect a medium like acrylic," she says. "It was the hardest skill I learned in nail school." Tong recommends practicing with false or press-on nails a few times to get the hang of it before you try it on your own nails. "If it doesn’t come out perfect the first time, it’s okay," she says.

The most important part of at-home acrylics? Getting the right kit and supplies to do the job well. Here are the best acrylic nail kits for beginners, professionals, and everything in between:

1

Best Overall Acrylic Nail Kit

Gelish Xpress Dip Color Kit

The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (2)

Pros
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (3)Starter kit; contains all essential tools
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (4)Easy to use
Cons
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (5)Pricey

Tong loves this Gelish kit as it "can save you a lot of time by not having to do all of theof shaping and filing," she says. If you are new to doing nail extensions, she recommends doing dip powder acrylicsas it’s "a fast and easy way to achieve the effect of acrylics andget a smooth finish." The kit comes with everything you'll need for the full manicure, plus clear step-by-step instructions on how to use it all.

2

Best Value Acrylic Nail Kit

Kiss Complete Salon Acrylic Kit

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A budget-friendly kit that's easy to use and get salon-quality results? Yes, really! This acrylic set from Kiss is beloved by both Tong and reviewers alike. Tong touted it as the "best value, hands down, for a beginneror a one-time use kit." Walmart reviewers shared that "the instructions are very clear and easy to follow" and the kit is "good quality."

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3

Best Acrylic Nail Kit for Beginners

Beetles Poly Extension Gel Nail Kit

The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (10)

Now 36% Off

Pros
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (11)Simple instructions
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (12)Good for first-timers
  • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (13)Ideal for multiple uses
Cons

    This Beetles kit is another favorite of Tong's for good reason: "LED poly gel press-on extensions like these will add length to nails and are super easy touse, especially for beginners," she explains. MultipleAmazon reviewers agree, including one who "loved this kit" and says "it was easy to use and the instructions were very clear."Another first-time user on Amazon "loved being able to mold the nail as much as I want before setting the gel," and felt that "it’s a good kit to buy to start."

    4

    Best Professional Salon Acrylic Nail Kit

    Kiara Sky Dipping Powders Essentials Kit

    The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (14)

    Pros
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (15)Time-saving
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (16)Good quality
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (17)No smell
    Cons
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (18)Pricey

    In addition to being a one-stop-shop for a long-lasting dip powder manicure, this professional kit from Kiara Sky includes allodorless productsand has a shorterapplication time than other traditional acrylic kits. Tong is a big fan of the brand and feels that they are "high quality products that really work." One Amazon reviewer shares that this system is"quick and easy and the results are beautiful, even the first time you do it."

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    5

    Best Basic Acrylic Nail Kit

    Mia Secret Acrylic Nail Kit

    The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (19)

    Pros
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (20)Compact, travel-friendly
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (21)Budget-friendly
    • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (22)Starter kit; ideal for beginners
    Cons

      While it's fun to have every color option under the sun, when you are just starting out with acrylics, you really only need the basics. This kit from Mia Secret is just that. One Amazon reviewer summed it up perfectly:"If you are new or have only a little experience doing your own nails at home, this kit has everything you need in the perfect size to see if doing your own nails at home is for you!"

      6

      Most Popular Acrylic Nail Kit on Amazon

      WuBeFine 42 in 1 Acrylic Nail Kit

      The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (23)

      Pros
      • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (24)Works for beginners or professionals
      • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (25)Wide range of colors
      • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (26)Great for nail art
      Cons

        Searching for an all-in-one comprehensive acrylic kit? WuBeFine's version is perfect for you. In addition to the essential tools and supplies, it comes with a ton of colors, glitters and sequins at a very reasonable price."The kit comes with everything you'd want to make a great design whether it's ombré nails, glitter, neon or more," one Amazon reviewer shared. "It'sdefinitely a goodvalue for your money."

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        7

        Best Advanced Acrylic Nail Kit

        Mascarry Nail Art Kit

        The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (27)

        Now 10% Off

        Pros
        • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (28)Great color selection
        • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (29)Affordably-priced
        Cons

          Another all-in-one acrylic nail set, this Walmart top-seller by Mascarry has everything you need for a professional acrylic powder manicure. Especially great for nail art and designs, one Walmart user shared that "this kit came with everything" to do a DIY mani at home. This expansive set is great for those who are committed to trying different colors and designs at home.

          8

          Best Acrylic Nail Drill

          Xpreen Portable Acrylic Nail Drill

          The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (30)

          Now 76% Off

          Pros
          • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (31)Small and lightweight
          • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (32)Travel-friendly
          • The Best Acrylic Nail Kits for DIY Manis (33)Professional quality
          Cons

            Nail drills are no joke, but this comprehensive drill set for acrylic nails from Xpreen is good fornail veterans or newcomers alike. It saves time from manual nail filing and is compact, portable, and easy to use. One Walmart reviewershared that it"is very easy to use" and "doesn'tharm my nails", while another loves that"it has a switch on the cord that changes the direction of the way the drill goes, which I really like."

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            Dori Price

            Contributing Beauty Editor

            Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.

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