Best Press-On Nails: The 2024 Glam Beauty Awards
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Gazing down at a fresh manicure is one of life's greatest pleasures, but getting your nails done isn't always the most enjoyable process. Regular visits to the salon can quickly add up in cost, and not being able to check Instagram for prolonged periods of time isn't exactly anyone's idea of fun. Painting your nails at home seems like the obvious solution, but DIY manicures often lead to other problems. From bubbles in your nail polish to instant chips and cracks, there are countless ways that even the most simple set can go disastrously wrong. However, there's another way to get the nails of your dreams without hurting your wallet or watching paint dry: press-on nails.
Press-on nails have come a long way in recent years, and it has become increasingly difficult to tell them apart from a salon manicure. While plasticky French tips were once the only option available in the nail-care department, there are more exciting styles than ever to choose from these days. Lucky for you, there's no need to spend your hard-earned dough weeding through them all. I tested dozens of the latest releases on the market to find the 2024 Glam Beauty Awards winners, crowning five kits the best press-on nails around.
Best Overall: Static Nails
As soon as I laid eyes on Static Nails' press-on kit, I knew they were bound to be something special. Static's unique packaging gives you a literal window into each nail, allowing you to assess the quality and fit before trying them on. The company offers a vast assortment of styles, from holographic coffin tips to viral velvet nails. I went with the brand's Sexy Red Round set, consisting of short, natural-looking nails in a cherry-red glaze. For $18 at the time of writing, they may not be the most economical option around — but the results spoke for themselves.
Anyone who has ever used press-ons knows the pain of clamping down nails only to have them pop off moments later. But this wasn't the case with Static Nails. In fact, what impressed me most about the set was how well they adhered to my natural nails. Double cleansing, dishwashing, and other press-on-threatening tasks didn't make them budge an inch. Furthermore, each tip fit my nails like magic, creating a stunning mani that appeared to be straight from the salon. Of all the press-on kits I tried, Static's were by far the most visually impressive and durable — a win-win for those wanting to save time and cash while keeping their fingertips fresh.
Purchase the Sexy Red Round kit from Static Nails for $18.
Best Sustainable Press-On Nails: Bessie Nails
There are many reasons to love Bessie Nails, but let's start with the basics. Unlike many of its competitors, this up-and-coming company is on a mission to make press-ons that don't cause damage to your natural nails. Plus, the BIPOC-owned brand even donates a portion of all sales to One Percent for the Planet, a non-profit organization that promotes sustainability. On top of that, all of Bessie's press-on products and paper packaging are made from recycled materials, so you can breathe easy knowing they're an environmentally conscious choice. And though we often associate natural beauty brands with mature, stripped-down styles, Bessie breaks the mold in this area, too.
I was pleased to see tons of on-trend offerings from the line, including psychedelic rainbow press-ons and graphic French tips. For my test run, I chose Daisy 5, a sweet springtime manicure with tiny daisies printed on each rounded nail. Every Bessie kit comes with everything you could possibly think of to support the integrity of your nails, from vitamin E-infused glue to a generously sized tube of rose strengthening cuticle oil. I'm pleased to report that Daisy 5 looked stunning in person, and its $22 price tag is still considerably cheaper than the average nail salon visit. Best of all, Bessie's press-ons are a snap to take off with the included acetone-free remover, and I was amazed at how healthy my nail beds seemed after using them.
Purchase the Daisy 5 set from Bessie Nails for $22.
Best Budget Press-On Nails: Paintlab
If you're on the hunt for knockout nails that don't cost a fortune, look no further than Paintlab. Retailing for $14.99 per kit, Paintlab's press-ons are a gorgeous alternative to higher-priced options. Each box comes with 24 reusable nails, and the chic sets can last for up to two weeks. Many of Paintlab's offerings are on the funkier side — like Gummy Bear Almond and Holy Guacamole II — but they also carry plenty of elevated choices, too. After some serious deliberation, I settled on Tortie, unique almond press-ons with an eye-popping vintage design.
Aesthetically speaking, Paintlab's tortoiseshell press-on nails were one of my favorites. They surpassed my expectations in several ways, especially considering their reasonable price point. The classic black and gold print is universally flattering, and their ergonomic shape hugged each nail like a glove. That said, Paintlab's pressies may feel a touch too thin if you're used to wearing thicker gel or acrylic nails. Still, you can easily get around this with a layer or two of a thick clear top-coat if you wish. And good news for all you beauty fans on a budget: At the time of writing, Tortie is on sale for $9.99, so it's a fantastic time to give them a try.
Purchase the Tortie kit from Paintlab for $9.99 (regularly priced at $14.99).
Best Quick Press-On Nails: Sally Hansen
In terms of at-home nail care, Sally Hansen is one of the most recognizable names in the game. For over half a century, the brand has churned out cult-favorite products, like its signature Hard As Nails treatment. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the company is also a leader in the press-on category. Available in several different designs, Sally Hansen's Perfect Manicure is a brilliant press-on nail kit that lives up to its title. The DIY line includes everything from kitty cat French manicures to color-blocked square tips, but I chose a solid, tapered style called Rose & Shine.
Whether you're a fan of adhesive nail tabs or glue-on tips, you can't go wrong with Sally Hansen's kits, priced at $9.99. Each Perfect Manicure box comes with both options, plus a nail file, prep pad, and cuticle stick. I found the Rose & Shine pressies very easy to apply, though the nail glue ensured a more secure fit than the adhesive tabs. My only qualm was that some nails seemed slightly irregularly shaped, but it was easy enough to fix them with the provided nail file. Without filing, the Perfect Manicure had the quickest application time, making it ideal for those on the go.
Purchase Sally Hansen's Rose & Shine kit from Amazon for $9.99.
Best Drugstore Press-On Nails: Kiss Bare But Better
Breaking a nail may be synonymous with jokes about vanity, but losing one of your talons is a truly traumatic experience. If your fear of popped tips is holding you back from experimenting with press-ons, then it's time to try Kiss on for size. Between the nail-care brand's trendy assortment of styles, affordable prices, and durable adhesives, you'll never have to worry about manicure malfunctions again. I've used Kiss products in the past with great success, so I was thrilled to try the coffin-shaped Bare But Better variety of press-ons, an elegant set of jelly nails with coral undertones.
Retailing for just under $8, these pretty press-ons were easily the most affordable option that I tried. Most importantly, they look incredible on — each nail is uniformly shaped, and their unique coffin shape is hard to stop staring at. Beyond that, they perform exceptionally well for a drugstore brand, holding up to excessive hand-washing and careless clawing. The Kiss kit also offers more bang for your buck, providing 28 nails to choose from versus the standard 24. The only drawback is that nail glue is the sole adhesive included, and I greatly prefer the brand's gentler adhesive tabs. If not for this, Bare But Better would easily take first place in the press-on nails category.
Purchase Kiss Bare But Better in Nude Glow from Amazon for $7.97.