Best Nail Drills for Beginners in 2024
When you have the right tools, nail prep is easier and faster. For example, filing nails by hand can be quite tedious. A nail drill gets the job done a lot faster. Moreover, a drill can clean cuticles, remove calluses, and take off gels and acrylics. It’s a real time and effort saver. That’s why we’re going to talk about the best nail drill for beginners.
How to Choose a Nail Drill?
A quick search will show you hundreds of nail drills for sale. How do you know which one is best for your needs?
Before you look at the price tag or the color, look at the specifications. These guidelines will help beginners find the best nail drill:
- How many speeds does the drill offer? If you plan to do more than buff your nails, you’ll want multiple speed settings.
- Does it have forward and reverse? This feature is handy when you work on yourself and need to switch hands.
- How ergonomic is it? A balanced, thin, lightweight wand attached by a cord to a power base is a lot easier to control than an all-in-one drill.
- Does it matter if it’s portable?
- What’s the battery life if it’s cordless?
- Does it come with accessories like drill bits?
You might also appreciate clear instructions and a warranty in case something goes wrong. If you purchased from a major manufacturer, you’ll more likely to get customer service when you need it.
Here’s an example of a salon-quality nail drill suitable for pros and beginners alike:
LAVIS Nail Drill
Why is this the best nail drill for beginners? It checks all the boxes.
For one, the wand is comfortable to hold and easy to control. That’s essential when you’re just starting out learning how to use a drill.
And then, not only does it have variable speed control, but it also offers forward and reverse with the flick of a switch. It’s easy to work on yourself because you can switch hands. Plus, the different speed settings let you tackle everything from removing acrylics to smoothing calluses.
You can check the display to see the speed you’re using when you find the sweet spot. Then, use the smart play/pause control to keep your settings. It won’t stall out on you even on tough jobs.
Moreover, the drill has a brushless motor and that’s very good news because it’s quiet and vibration-free. Not only that, but brushless motors last a long time and are very power efficient. In fact, this drill runs up to 10 hours per charge.
Finally, the casing is a durable aluminum alloy that comes in 7 gorgeous colors. Don’t worry, it’s acetone-resistant, too.
It sounds great, doesn’t it? Compare it to the competition below.
Kiara Sky Portable Nail Drill
This quiet, compact nail drill is professional-grade. However, it’s a worthwhile investment (just like the drill above) if you do a lot of manicures. The price averages out over time because of the savings of doing your nails at home.
It's cordless with 10 hours of battery life. Furthermore, it offers variable speed control (up to 35,000 RPM) with a forward and reverse switch.
We understand if these premium nail drills don't fit in your financial planning right now. Maybe you're just starting out doing your own manicures or not certain about using a nail drill in the first place. Not to worry, we have other nail drills including a budget option.
How Do You Use a Nail Drill?
The key to using a nail drill is to start slow. Once you remove the nail, you can’t put it back. Therefore, take it easy and use gentle pressure. Start by practicing shaping your nails before you try removing polish.
What’s more, learn about the different drill bits so that you get the best results. Here’s a quick explainer.
The Different Types of Drill Bits
Mandrel is a barrel-shaped bit that holds a sanding band.
Sanding bands are paper tubes with sandpaper in different grits like coarse, medium, and fine.
Carbide bits are long-lasting as they are many times stronger than steel and handy for removing acrylics. These metal tips come in different shapes depending on their function. (More on that in a moment). Don’t use them on the natural nail!
Ceramic bits don’t heat up as much as sanding bands or metal tips. They come in different grits, too.
Diamond bits are coated with natural or synthetic diamond particles which makes them the most durable bits.
Barrel bits are for backfill cutting and shaping nails.
UNC under the nail cleaning bit does just what it sounds like. It can also be used to drill holes in extensions for nail art.
Cuticle cleaner safety bits with a pointed but rounded tip remove excess cuticle tissue.
Cone bits clean the sidewalls and under the nail.
Tapered barrel bits are good for prepping sidewalls and infilling.
Flame bits take care of hangnails and help remove cuticles. Ball shape bits have a similar function and can smooth hard skin around the nail.
Backfill bits help touch-up manicures that have grown out. They are also called maintenance bits.
Here’s a selection of useful nail drill bits:
7pcs Nail Drill Bits with Storage Case
The kit includes diamond and carbide bits along with a mandrel for sanding bands. It has everything you need for prepping nails.
How to Maintain a Nail Drill and Bits?
When you finish using the drill, it will likely be dusty. Wipe it off with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t use liquids to clean it.
If it feels warm, let it cool down for a few minutes before putting it in the storage case.
Remove the bits and toss out the sanding bands if they are worn or torn. Feel free to reuse them if you’ve only use them on yourself. Otherwise, use clean bands for each additional person you work on.
As for the metal, diamond, and ceramic bits, you can clean them in two ways. First, use a cleaning brush to remove debris.
Second, disinfect them according to the instructions that came with them. This may involve a brief soak in alcohol or acetone.
Conclusion
If you like doing your nails at home or want to provide manicures for others, a nail drill makes the work easier. Soon, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. We hope our tips on choosing the best nail drill for beginners helped you find exactly what you need today.
