Press-on nails can give you a salon-worthy manicure in seconds, but do they actually stand the test of time? We put over 25 pairs through their paces to see.
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The best press on nails of today are leagues above the best press on nails of even 5 years ago. They're no longer just a cheap, flimsy option that pop off after washing your hands or opening a soda can. There's been so much innovation in the industry due to an increasing demand for salon-quality manicures at home.
There are countless brands promising to have the best press on nails, but through an extensive testing process I've found 5 that stand out above the rest. To best test each set, I used the glue that came with it and applied the nails according to the directions, making sure to properly prep my natural nails beforehand. I compared how long the packaging claimed the nails would last to how long they actually lasted, noting any chips or lifting along the way. After tons of testing, I was blown away by Olive & June's press-on set. They lasted a whopping 18 days and are thicker than other sets, so they won't chip.
Ahead, discover the 11 best press on nails for a quick, easy, and inexpensive manicure.
These are the best press-on nails:
Best overall: Olive & June
Pros: Large range of nail sizes, affordable, long lasting
Cons: Not a totally seamless fit at the cuticle
When it comes to the best press on nails, Olive & June takes the prize for longevity and size inclusivity. They offer a whopping 41 nails in 21 sizes, the largest range on the market by a longshot. These nails are incredibly thick and durable, had no chipping, and stayed put for 18 days — the longest amount of time press ons have ever lasted on me. They did start to lift a bit at the cuticle after about a week; they still looked just as good, but I found my hair sometimes getting caught in them when I ran my fingers through it. Olive & June also boasts an affordable price range, with many sets costing around $10.
Best fit: Glamnetic
Pros: Natural-looking, large assortment of nails/sizes
Cons: Higher price point, some chipping
Glamnetic has the best press on nails for a natural, comfortable fit. They fit so well at the cuticle and application process is seamless. Glamnetic also has great assortment of designs and offers shorter lengths. I found this set to be very durable and lasted a full two weeks with no lifting, though there was some chipping of the polish after about a week.
Best designs: Chillhouse
Pros: Trendy designs, comfortable fit
Cons: Higher price point, some lifting
Thanks to the eye-catching designs, these are the best press on nails to wear if you want to receive tons of compliments. Chillhouse press ons strike the perfect balance between being trendy and fun while still being wearable enough for everyday. This particular set is also shorter in length so they are a great option for those who don't like the feeling of wearing long nails. While these nails did last me 10 days, they're not the most durable set I've worn. I experienced some lifting/cracking around the cuticle of one nail around the 7 day mark, but it never fully lifted or fell off.
Best from the drugstore: KISS Salon Acrylic
Pros: Inexpensive, available at the drugstore, durable
Cons: Some bubbling
These nails fit very seamlessly at the cuticle, making them look extremely natural and feel comfortable. I also appreciate the thickness and durability of these nails. I didn't experiencing any chipping or lifting throughout the 7 days I wore them. They really do feel and perform like acrylic nails. Because this particular design is sheer, I did notice some slight bubbling of the glue underneath (the packaging claims "no bubbling"), but that could have been due to my application technique or the ridges/uneven texture on my nails.
Best natural-looking: Mani Muse
Pros: Natural-looking, lightweight
Cons: Not long-lasting, limited shape/design options
These nails are so comfortable and lightweight. They're also incredibly natural-looking; I had one friend even mistake them for my real nails. Founded in 2020, Mani Muse is a newer brand, so they have a more limited selection of designs and currently only offer round and almond shaped nails. They only lasted a few days on me, but I would still repurchase them as they look so natural and are a great option if you need a quick manicure for an event.
Best with crystals: Marmalade Nails
Pros: Lots of variety in shapes, designs, and crystals
Cons: Certain styles may discolor
The Aria is a short, matte, square white mani with a sparkly accent nail of Swarovski crystals, which make them perfect for summer, but I noticed that over time the white nails became discolored to a light brown. So while you may want to skip the Aria style, in my opinion, Marmalade has some of the most creative and dramatic styles out there (I've got my eye on Mosaic and Ice Queen). I also like the light pink nail glue which makes it easier to gauge how much glue you're applying. That said, the glue did feel stronger than most and I damaged one of my natural nails when removing the press-ons, so take caution.
Best for classic styles: Static Nails
Pros: Great for french manicures and unfussy designs
Cons: Instructions a little misleading
Static Nails are reusable pop-on manicures in five shapes: round, coffin, square, almond, stiletto and known for their approachable styles in solid colors, and multi-colored french manis. Static also comes with light pink glue which was helpful, but I thought the directions called for entirely too much nail glue. I followed the directions which say to apply a thin layer of glue to the back of the Static Nail then a "generous" layer of glue to the natural nail, but I personally ended up with glue all over the place and on the top of the nail which damaged it.
Best for unique designs: Clutch Nails
Pros: Lots of fun designs, mostly water-resistant
Cons: May not last as long as others
Clutch Nails styles are so fun, there's really no other way to describe them. Expect bright colors, designs and prints (checker, flames and stars, etc.), holiday themes, and varying lengths. I have to admit that when I tested these nails, I spent nearly all day at the pool about an hour after applying them but they held on really well in so much water. These came with light pink nail glue as well, which I've non-scientifically decided is stronger than the clear glue, so I assume they would have lasted longer had I not been in the pool all day.
Easiest to apply: Impress Press on Manicures
Pros: Super easy to apply, lots of options for short manicures
Cons: Adhesive system doesn't last as long as glue
Impress nails don't come with glue, so these are perfect for the person who is new to press-on nails and scared of commitment. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is already attached to the nail which makes them super easy to apply, and I found that the Impress adhesive is much stronger than the adhesives that come with brands that offer glue as well. Also, I noticed Impress has a wider variety of designs for short nail manicures.
Largest variety: The Nailest
Pros: Big selection of shapes and designs, thicker than other brands
Cons: Some reviewers say that they run small
The Nailest has the largest variety of nails of all the brands I tested. Of their instant acrylic sets (read-to-ship) they have pretty much any shape, length, color, and finish you can imagine, and they also offer handcrafted sets painted with at least 5 layers of gel polish. They're thicker quality and way sturdier than most press-on nails. As with other brands, I'd recommend not following the directions to apply glue on both the faux nail and the natural nail because it results in excess glue which makes the nails get messy/sticky.
How we tested
After perusing both my local drugstore and Instagram, I tested nine different brands of nails and chose the "best" set based on how long they lasted. Here are a few other boundaries I applied with each test:
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
С 1 августа Соцфонд увеличит страховые пенсии россиян
Синоптики спрогнозировали тепло до +28 и грозы в Московском регионе 28 июля
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
Более 12 тысяч жителей Москвы и Московской области получают повышенную пенсию за работу в сельском хозяйстве
Столичные росгвардейцы задержали мужчину, подозреваемого в грабеже
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
Более 12 тысяч жителей Москвы и Московской области получают повышенную пенсию за работу в сельском хозяйстве
Belgee откроет в России 120 дилерских центров до конца 2024 года
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Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
Более 12 тысяч жителей Москвы и Московской области получают повышенную пенсию за работу в сельском хозяйстве
Столичные росгвардейцы задержали мужчину, подозреваемого в грабеже
Начальник Главного управления вневедомственной охраны Росгвардии вручил ключи от автомобиля многодетному отцу-росгвардейцу