For nail reconstruction or manicures and pedicures at home, as at the beautician, here are the best professional or portable nail drills to use at home and on the go.
The nail drill is a professional aesthetic tool for treating hands and toenails entirely and efficiently.
The electric bur is essential to remove gel and acrylic polish applied at home or by the beautician. But it also performs many other functions that we would generally have to perform manually with a standard file or pumice stone, taking more time and energy. For example, it removes cuticles and skin, corns and calluses, chapped skin, and even ingrown nails.
So the nail drill is a multifunctional tool for treating the nails and the skin of the hands and feet.
Together with the nail oven, the nail drill allows us to learn how to do a professional manicure and pedicure at home, saving the cost of treatments at the beautician and time in appointments and sessions.
Finally, the nail drill is indispensable for treating the most problematic nails, especially the feet. Unfortunately, nails often cannot be worked with files and drills, and over time they can curl, become incarnate, and create significant disturbances and discomfort.
Likewise, we should eliminate corns and calluses as soon as possible to avoid more severe pain and problems.
Table of Contents
How to choose a nail drill
To choose which nail drill to buy, we consider our needs, how often we intend to use it, and whether we need to take it on a trip.
Among the many models available, we find professional nail drills equipped with a base and handpiece capable of reaching the speed of 35,000 revolutions per minute, useful for intensive use.
We also find portable drills formed by the handpiece only with integrated controls, including cordless rechargeable models. Among these are the models to take on the go to have nails always in place in all circumstances.
A little practice is required to obtain good results, but we will maximize the drill’s functions over time. One of the advantages is using multiple tips of different sizes and sizes, suitable for multiple jobs, including filing and polishing.
Most drills are equipped with universal attachments. In this way, we can start immediately with a simple drill equipped with only the standard nail drill or choose a nail drill complete with a kit with spare tips, but in any case, we can add and change the tips even later according to our needs.
Structure
First, we distinguish nail drills based on structure, size, and portability.
Nail Drill with Base
This type of nail drill includes professional cutters and top-of-the-range drills for domestic use. These are multifunctional cutters suitable for the manicure of hands and feet and the processing of natural or false nails.
The separation between the controls and the handpiece characterizes the nail burs with a base. As a result, we can completely manage the drill by switching on and off, speed adjustment, and direction through the base.
Depending on the type of drill, we can find a digital control panel or a control panel equipped with physical buttons and knobs.
The nail drills equipped with a pedal include this accessory that connects via cable, allowing us to operate and turn off the nail drill more easily while our hands are busy doing the manicure.
Sometimes the base also acts as a container thanks to a particular compartment containing tips and accessories.
Attached to the base, we have the handpiece. It usually does not have controls precisely because they are all installed in the base, but we can find some models where the handpiece is equipped with an on and off button.
Regardless of the materials that make up the base, the handpiece is usually made of metal such as aluminum or steel and always has a non-slip handle.
- Power. These models have a power of about 30-100 watts and must be connected to the electric current via cable. In this regard, we find a nail drill with a voltage of 110-240 v.
- Dimensions and weight. The professional nail drills have a base range from 7-12 inches in length and width for professional models to 6-8 inches in length and width for ultra-compact models. The height hardly exceeds 12 inches. As for the weight, including the handpiece, it can reach 3 lbs and more in the top-of-the-range models. On the other hand, if we want a compact and manageable drill, we can find models that weigh between 1.3 and 2.2 lbs. Carefully consider the handpiece’s weight, which was too heavy, which could make the job difficult. In this case, the handpiece connected to a base can weigh up to 3.5 – 6 ounces.
Portable Nail Drill
The portable nail drill is not equipped with a base, and only the handpiece, manages all the commands. The adjustments of this type of nail drill are less precise, starting with the speed that can be increased or decreased and selecting the number of revolutions.
The advantage of a portable nail drill is the space-saving and the possibility of taking the drill everywhere to have the nails in place.
- Power. The portable nail drill can be powered by electricity and be connected directly via cable. We have a nail drill with power between 30 and 50 watts in this case. The voltage can be 110-240v only. We also find rechargeable nail drills via USB cable among the portable nail drills. Equipped with a lithium battery like mobile phones, this nail drill can be taken anywhere. Naturally, it is necessary to evaluate the recharging time, which can reach up to 4-6 hours. The working autonomy can be 2 hours for most miniature drills and 6-8 hours for medium-sized drills.
- Dimensions and weight. Portable nail drills can take up little space to find measures between 6 and 8 inches in length by 1.5-2 inches in diameter. In addition, we find ultra-compact models slightly larger than a marker that can easily transport in a handbag or clutch among the rechargeable portable nail drills. In this case, the handpiece does not exceed 4.5-6 inches long for 0.7-1 inches in diameter.
Speed and Rotation
The nail drill works by rotating the tip at high speed. The speed is expressed by the number of revolutions per minute and depends on the quality of the purchase drill.
The cheaper models do not exceed 5,000 revolutions per minute, while the top models include cutters that work up to 35,000 revolutions per minute.
The speed must be adjustable, as 35,000 rpm is a maximum working speed suitable only for specific situations. It is advisable to proceed at a much slower speed in many cases, such as when you have brittle nails or act directly on the skin to remove calluses.
Furthermore, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, adjust the speed according to the tip we are using or the sandpaper. The speed regulation is usually made through a knob indicating a minimum and maximum the user will adjust.
Some more sophisticated models may offer precise indications ranging from zero to 35,000 revolutions with 1,000 or 5,000 revolutions per minute intervals. Others instead allow you to select only 2 or 3 speeds, for example, 3000 rpm – 6,000 rpm – 9,000 rpm.
Direction of Rotation
Another essential aspect is the direction of rotation. The best nail drills rotate both clockwise and counterclockwise. In addition, the rotation change can occur during real-time processing with a simple command from the base or directly from the handpiece. On the other hand, in low-cost machines, it is necessary to stop the drill to change the direction of rotation.
LED Light
Some nail drill models have an LED light near the tip, illuminating the work area. Other LED lights are dedicated to operation, such as power-on indication, speed indication, etc.
Dust collection hood
can mount a special accessory made of plastic on the tip of the handpiece to collect the dust caused by the erosion of nails or enamel during processing.
Handpiece or drill
Whether it has a base or not, the handpiece is usually in the shape of a large pen, useful for both left and right-handed use. Remember that anyone must use the handpiece with both the right and left hands to work on both hands.
At the height of the handle, we always have a knurled metal part or a rubber coating. Its purpose is to make the handpiece non-slip work more precisely and safely.
For added comfort, the handpiece can be equipped with a holder. It is a plastic accessory to rest the handpiece during work breaks to prevent the tip from contacting other objects.
The nail burs equipped with a base can have additional cone-shaped support attached to the main body, which is helpful during work and keeps the handpiece suspended with the tip protected when the bur is not in use.
Type of tips and discs
The tips inserted in the handpiece are interchangeable and used to perform different types of work. For example, the assembly can rotate a ring nut to free the tip and, consequently, rotate it in the opposite direction to lock the new tip inserted.
In other cases, we have an interlocking mechanism via a button that frees the tip to be ejected and then blocks the new tip. Most nail drills have a safety system whereby the machine will not activate if the tip is not inserted and locked correctly.
Each nail drill comes with at least one tip, plus we can find real kits of tips and discs to use. The most commonly used materials are steel, sapphire, ceramic, felt, crystal, and sandpaper.
Each manufacturer includes instruction booklets for using each tip correctly and indicating the recommended speed. Let’s now list the most common tips and their use.
- Cylinder drill. Helpful in smoothing the hardest natural nails or for removing gels and acrylics. It is used flat, with the cylinder horizontally. Fine-grained cylinder burs are also used to prepare the nail surface to apply gel polish.
- Flame drill. It helps remove the skin around ingrown toenails to is used very gently.
- Thin tip drill. It requires great precision and is used to lift ingrown toenails. It is a tip to use at minimum speed.
- Rounded or cone tip. Perfect for treating cuticles and underneath the edge of nails.
- Disc. The disc is used to file nails and shorten them. Fine grain is also used to treat heels.
- Felt tip. The felt tips are perfect for polishing natural nails.
- Abrasive paper tapes. The sandpaper removes parts of hardened dry skin, especially the heels, and eliminates the gel.
Noisiness
The nail drills have the particularity of emitting an annoying noise. Therefore, if you intend to dedicate yourself to a complete manicure and often use the bur, opting for a professional and silent product is better.
Vibrations
To perfection, you need a steady hand regarding the hand to be treated and the hand that manages the handpiece.
Paradoxically, some nail drills vibrate due to high-speed rotation. Even though it is a faint vibration, it prevents you from doing a clean job and makes things difficult, especially for beginners.
It also makes the hand very tired. Thus, most high-quality nail drills are built with great attention to this aspect to ensure low-vibration operation.
Overheating
Due to high-speed rotation and friction, the drill tends to overheat. The overheating is felt on the hand holding the handpiece and transferred to the tip resulting in pain in contact with the skin. You must build the drill with an excellent heat dissipation system to avoid overheating.
These holes and slots on the handpiece and metallic materials, such as aluminum, help keep the temperature under control. In addition, if this occurs, nail drills with overheating protection are equipped with an automatic shut-off function.
For our part, we can be careful to use the minimum speed required for each treatment and not work too long with drills that are not of professional quality.
How to use the nail drill
Germs and bacteria of all kinds lurk under the nails, so it is advisable to thoroughly wash your hands under the nails before using the bur. Washing must be quick to avoid softening the natural nails of the hands, which could crack or curl.
Conversely, washing the feet to soften the skin is highly recommended to treat corns, calluses, or tough toenails. Before using the nail bur, the hands and feet must be perfectly dry.
Once you have established the tip for the job, start from the minimum recommended speed and proceed on the nails from the outside to the tip. The drill should be used by approaching the nail or skin for a few seconds, then moving away and starting over.
The movement does not have to be continuous, and the pressure is not excessive. Instead, it is necessary to evaluate the work occasionally before proceeding and apply more pressure only if necessary. Also, don’t dwell in the same spot for too long. It could damage your nails or injure your skin.
Cleaning and Maintenance
To clean the nail drill, always disconnect the electric and USB cable. Then, the outside of the machine, including the handpiece, can be cleaned with a damp cloth and dried immediately.
The part most affected by germs and bacteria is always the tip, which must be cleaned after use, whether used by one person or the whole family.
The best way to clean the tip is to wipe it with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol. This removes the germs, but any trace of nail polish present can use a little acetone.
Avoid shocks and contact with water and other liquids to keep the nail drill efficient.
The Best Nail Drills to buy
Now let’s see the best models on the market chosen by type, characteristics, and price to facilitate choosing the best nail drills for your needs.
- PC120B Multifunctional: Designed with 6 kinds of metal bits (also works with all kinds of...
- Adjustable Speed and Easy to use: 0-20,000RPM with a speed control button, which makes...
- Low Noise and Low Heat: This electro file is with a powerful yet quiet motor. Also, the...
- Multifunctional Nail Drill Kit: With adjustable various speeds and 6 different nail drill...
- Easy to Use, Even for Beginners：Even beginners can use this nail drill machine with...
- Durable, Low Noise and Low Heat: Our electric nail drill is durable, low noise, and low...
- High-Speed Bearings: Our superior nail drill is equipped with a powerful bearing, which...
- Rechargeable & Portable: This cordless nail drill machine comes with a large capacity...
- Low Heat/Low Noise/Low Vibration: Quality aluminum alloy handpiece is made up of powerful...
- PC120I Multifunctional Nail Drill Kit: Comes with 20,000RPM powerful rotary motor and...
- Low Heat & Low Noise & Low Vibration: This nail drill machine is built of a powerful yet...
- Adjustable Speed & Direction: With adjustable speed 0-20,000rpm and F/R direction...
- Nail Drill: Standard USB interface suitable for all USB socket, it’s portable nail drill...
- Electric Nail File Machine: This efile machine is more effective than traditional nail...
- Adjustable Speed and Direction: 0-20000rpm nail filer electric with adjustable speed...
- Multifunctional for Manicure & Pedicure: With adjustable speeds and forward/reverse...
- Cordless & Easy to Use: Say goodbye to messy cords ! Our cordless nail drill is...
- Quiet, Low Heat and 3 Years More Durable: This nail drill is built to last, with an...
- 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝 & 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭...
- 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲...
- 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝...
- High Speed up to 30000RPM: This professional SC320H nail drill is equipped with...
- Top Quality Torque: The efile comes with superior torque to avoid it from stopping...
- Rechargeable and Cordless: With a large battery capacity(6000mAh), you can use this nail...
- Powerful Performance: With speeds up to 20,000 RPM and an easy-to-use speed control knob,...
- Versatile Usage: Comes with 12 professional-grade drill bits, perfect for a wide range of...
- Long Battery Life: Enjoy rapid charging and all-day use, ensuring your nail drill is...
- PC180F Cordless & Recharge: Cordless design, compact and lightweight, only 0.15 lbs, easy...
- 25 Adjustable Speeds, Reversible Direction: Features 25 adjustable speeds 6000-25,000rpm,...
- LED Digital Display & Easy to Use: Intelligent LED digital display, can display the...
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.