With the price of a salon manicure rising exponentially, more of us than ever have turned to doing our nails at home. The key to that signature salon finish? A good nail file.
If the cuticle snippers scare you and you’re not great at nail polish application, everyone can appreciate a set of nice smooth, tidy nails. But, for something that’s seemingly such a simple job, there’s actually a lot of variation in the nail file sphere.
Certainly, there are different materials and different shapes but, rest assured, we’ve done our research on which textures will leave your paws looking pretty and pristine. For instance, metal files can be too harsh and can cause splintering, so we’ve avoided those here; our picks are either traditional emery board (card and sand), crystal (also sold as glass), or sandstone.
We’ve also covered the filers that cleverly combine buffing (for the top of the nail) with filing and polishing capabilities. And, because emery boards need replacing every three to six months, we’ve even found some brands that offer refills. So scroll on for our top picks and, remember, always file in one direction to prevent splitting.
How we tested
Reviewing them on bare nails, gel nails and sensitive nails (post-gel removal), we paid attention to the durability, effectiveness, eco-friendliness and ease of use of the following nail files. We also considered value for money and, ultimately, looked for the files that afforded us the simplest and most salon-worthy nail maintenance.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Aside from being an established writer, Pippa Bailey has covered all sorts of beauty tools, from foundation brushes to blackhead removers. And, when it comes to nail-specific beauty, she’s quite the expert, having reviewed nude nail polishes, the best pedicure products and more. Below, find her top nail file picks.
