The Very Best Press-On Nails, According To Rigorous Testing

The best press-on nails look surprisingly natural while adding a polished look; a good set lasts a long time. Their designs often look straight out of a high-end salon, without the matching price tag or lengthy appointment. While my own nails are usually unmanicured (in my defense, I have two small children, which makes regular salon appointments unrealistic), I’ve relied on stick-and-go nails since long before I became a mom. Not only do they go on faster and easier than polish, they last in a way that lacquer just doesn’t.

Over the course of a few weeks, I tested seven top press-on nail brands, putting them through the wringer of daily tasks that would wreak havoc on most manicures. I found Olive & June’s The Instant Mani Press-On Nails to be the best overall for their non-damaging application and removal and extensive size range that blows all other brands out of the water. Glamnetic’s Press-On Nails earned a top spot for their vast array of artful designs that include both contemporary and retro-inspired looks in various nail shapes and lengths. (Read my in-depth reviews of the Olive & June press-on kits and Glamnetic nail sets here.)

These are the best press-on nails according to my testing. And scroll down to see more options in the Other Press-On Nails I Tested section.

• Best Press-On Nails Overall: Olive & June The Instant Mani
• Best Press-On Nail Designs: Glamnetic Press-On Nails
• Best Drugstore Press-On Nails: Kiss Gel Fantasy Allure
• Best Reusable Press-On Nails: Chillhouse Chill Tips

Number of designs: 95+ | Reusable: Yes | Size options: 21 per hand | Adhesive: Glue

Best for:

• Non-damaging application and removal
• The widest range of nail sizes
• Those who want an eco-conscious option

Skip if:

• You prefer your mani to last longer (this one offers up to nine days of wear)

Olive & June first launched as the cool go-to manicure spot in Beverly Hills, but now the brand is better known for The Instant Mani, a line of press-on nails that offers the most extensive range of nail sizes. (They’re also made from 94% post-consumer recycled materials.) I see the popular nail kits on every Target run, but this was my first time using one firsthand.

When opening the package, the first thing I noticed was that each set includes a whopping 21 different nail sizes for each hand (so 42 total). Olive & June tested prototypes on more than 1,000 people to design the ideal curvature, wear and fit. Having evaluated other versions alongside these, it was clear that this set offered the biggest size variety, ranging from tiny (which others usually have covered, too) to plenty of larger ones, which I find to be less common with other brands. They increase in size with the slightest difference between each, similar to half sizes in shoes, so they just fit better. I quickly found the perfect fit for my nails.

The kit comes with an extensive manual, which can seem overwhelming at first but is packed with plenty of tips and tricks, plus a place mat with a left and right hand illustration to track your fitted nails. It also includes instructions for both short-term and longer wear, which is a nice option that I haven’t seen another brand offer. I opted for the longest wear method, and my set lived up to the 7-day-or-longer claim.

On day 9, one popped off when I reached for a drawer too quickly and my nail hooked on the back of the handle. Thanks to the brand’s non-damaging glue, my natural nail surface remained totally unscathed; I have a sheen from the adhesive, but there’s no peeling of the top layer, and no broken tip. The sheen wore off over three days or so, but before that it just looked like a clear topcoat. I could’ve removed it with some acetone, but it didn’t bother me whatsoever; if anything, it gave my nails a healthy-looking glow.

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Number of designs: 90+ | Reusable: Yes | Size options: 15 per hand | Adhesive: Glue

Best for:

• An extensive range of nail art designs
• Sturdy, high-quality styles
• A non-damaging option

Skip if:

• You want more size options

I was new to Glamnetic, but I have seen and heard great things about the brand on social media, in consumer reviews and from beauty editor friends. And they were not wrong—the quality of the style I tested was through the roof. The set included the nails (15 sizes for each hand), buffer and nail file, wooden cuticle pusher, prep pad and nail glue. The press-ons are sturdy and have a substantial thickness that makes it clear how you can reuse them a second (or even a third) time; they’re also not so thick that they look like chunky acrylics.

What struck me in the instructions is they don’t prompt you to buff the top of your nail before application. Most other press-on brands recommend this as a first step to help create a stronger grip between your natural nails and the press-ons. I reluctantly skipped the buffing step as directed, thinking this might be detrimental to the brand’s 2-week-wear claim.

The Glamnetic nails held strong through nine days of wear; I cut their life span short in order to observe the removal step and any of its effects. But by the look and feel of them, these nails could have lasted a few more days at a minimum. When I did remove them, I had some residual adhesive, but my nails remained healthy and felt strong. The hardest part about my experience with the brand was settling on a style. There are over 90 to choose from, from solid colors and minimal nail art to metallic finishes and mismatched novelty designs.

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Number of designs: 8 | Reusable: No | Size options: 14 per hand | Adhesive: Glue

Best for:

• High-quality style on a budget
• Chip-proof nails for up to nine days
• A very natural-looking manicure

Skip if:

• You prefer a complete kit with nail-prep solution

As a longtime user of press-ons, I credit Kiss for being my gateway faux mani. Back in high school, I frequently popped into CVS to pick up a box of French-tip nails before heading to a party, a school dance or a date. They were affordable, came in cute designs and transformed my beat-up softball-player hands in minutes. As far as I know, they were one of the only brands offering press-ons at the time. I’ve never looked back since then—including now in my in-depth testing.

Unboxing the pack was nothing new to me; along with the nails, the kit includes a two-sided buffer and nail file, wooden cuticle pusher and nail glue. What was different this time around was my perspective. I’d been testing contenders for weeks, following instructions to a T and going through details with a fine-toothed comb. I immediately noticed how thin the nails felt in comparison to the others. At first I thought it was a quality issue, but after applying them they felt just as sturdy as the others. Plus, since they are thinner, they blended right in with my natural nail bed.

I’m embarrassed to say that I’d never actually read the instructions before, as press-on nails seem fairly intuitive. For the sake of vetting each contender equally, I read them this time and found some inconsistencies: The instructions recommend removing oil and debris with nail polish remover; however, the kit doesn’t actually include any polish remover or alcohol wipes. When I buy a kit, I want every necessary item to be included. They also say to hold each nail in place for 5 seconds to allow it to set. I found it more effective to hold each for at least 15 seconds. Once they were on, however, they stayed on. The brand claims your manicure will remain waterproof, chip-proof and smudge-proof for up to seven days. After nine days, mine looked as good as the day I applied them.

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Number of designs: 39 | Reusable: Yes | Size options: 12 per hand | Adhesive: Glue

Best for:

• Easy removal and reapplication
• A non-damaging option
• Modern, eye-catching designs

Skip if:

• You want a wider variety of styles

Chillhouse has been at the top of my must-try list for some time now; the cute branding, on-trend designs and endless inspo that is their Instagram are far too appealing for me to pass up. The box includes 24 nails, a dual-sided buffer and file, wooden cuticle stick and gentle nail glue. The instructions call for a light layer of glue on the back of the press-on and a generous amount on the natural nail. It does note in a section separate from the instructions to “treat nails with buffer to increase wear time.” I had worked in order of the instructions from steps 1 through 6 and completely missed the buffing tip. But after applying the nails with glue alone, it felt totally secure and looked natural.

The brand claims the mani can last 3 weeks, depending on your application process. Per my testing methodology, I removed them after nine days, and even then they felt as sturdy as they did on day 1. The instructions say to soak your hands in soapy water and olive oil, but I opted for the tear-off method—even with my reckless removal, my nails remained totally unscathed. They had a sheen to them from the glue residue, but there was no sign of peeling or tearing. The back of the press-on also had the same finish, which is the perfect state for reapplication. Had I wanted, I could’ve easily added some more glue, popped the set back on and gone about my day. For another round, I might consider buffing the back to remove the glue residue to help my chances of a longer wear.

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Other Press-On Nails I Tested

I tested seven brands of press-on nails, and three didn’t make the top spots. Here’s more on what I liked and didn’t like about them.

PaintLab Press-On Nails, from $10: While PaintLab’s nails held strong until I manually removed them on day nine, the design on the tips did show obvious signs of wear. It wouldn’t bother me so much if I wasn’t judging them against other brands, but seeing as the others didn’t budge, I had to bump them.

Dashing Diva Magic Press Premium, $12: These pre-painted, pre-glued nails are great for last-minute manis and short-term wear. I don’t recommend them for weeks-long vacations or long-term wear because the sticky backing has some bulk to it, which means they sit ever so slightly off the nail. I experienced some lifting at the cuticle, which by day three had started snagging and getting caught in my hair.

Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicures, from $18: My biggest concern with these was the messy application: The glue doesn’t dry clear like other brands’ does, so it doesn’t clean up well, is messy and leaves a chalky white finish everywhere. And after all of that, these were the first to fall off, just four days in.

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How I Tested The Best Press-On Nails

While there are obvious details to consider, like price point, design and performance, there are other major elements to take into account, like ease of use, fit and the lengths and shapes offered. Here’s what I focused on in my testing.

Ease Of Use: Following the brand’s instructions, I evaluated the adhesive type (glue versus pre-applied sticker backing, for instance), how user-friendly the application was and how long it took to apply. I also factored in whether the kit included everything I needed and if additional shaping or cleanup was required.

Design, Length, Shape: I noted stats for each brand that included the number of nail art designs, available shapes and varieties of lengths offered. The more options offered by a brand, the better.

Fit: In order to get the best fit for your particular nail sizes, it’s best to have a variety of options. I noted the number of nail sizes included in each package across all brands. Olive & June was the most size-inclusive brand, with 42 nails per pack, which was almost double that of most other contenders.

Wear: My daily routine put these nails through the ultimate test of their durability and wear time. As a mother of two, I wash dishes about three times per day, am constantly fussing with toys and car seat buckles and change a lot of diapers. Beyond my personal life, my professional life involves banging my fingertips on a keyboard all day, opening mailers and using my nails to dig into labels and beauty product packaging. If they can last on me, they can last on anyone.

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How To Pick The Best Press-On Nails

Performance and fit are the most important factors to consider before purchasing any press-on nails. You also have to take into account your personal preferences on length, shape and design. Quality and price are some factors to take into consideration as well.

Shape

Press-ons come in assorted shapes to mimic the look of natural nails and acrylic variations. “Some of the most common shapes include round, square, almond, stiletto, coffin and flare,” says Nailing Hollywood artist San Sung Kim, who focuses on avant-garde designs in press-on nails. She says the best way to choose is to consider your personal style; I also love how easy these at-home options are to swap and experiment with.

Length

“Press-on nails come in extra short to extra long and even longer depending on the brand,” says Kim. “Consider the time and occasion and choose the length accordingly.” She adds that while extra long nails may make a bold statement, they can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to wearing them on a daily basis. When settling on a length, keep in mind your lifestyle choices, like work duties, gym patterns, chores and extracurriculars. However, with press-ons you can always cut them down with nail clippers and reshape the tips with a nail file.

Design

There are press-on nails with practically any design you can imagine. You can find sets in classic styles like French tips, more modern looks with geometric shapes, negative-space compositions and embellishments including rhinestones, metallic accents and raised 3D shapes. And if nail art isn’t your thing, press-ons also come in a rainbow of solid colors, from nudes to classic reds.

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My Expertise

As a beauty writer and editor for almost a decade, I’ve written for top women’s magazines including Allure, Elle, Women’s Health, Brides and more. Much of my job includes keeping up with trends, checking out new launches and researching the latest innovations. My obsession with press-on nails began far before I started my career. I wore them throughout high school and even had them on on my first date with my now husband when I was 19 years old. I’m still a fan 14 years later.

I’ve closely followed the evolution of the nail industry and have experimented with a number of application techniques, brands and lengths. Plus, I’ve worn them for every occasion, from my college graduation to weddings. And for a true expert opinion, I tapped nail art expert Kim, who works with press-ons to create avant-garde manis. This tested story was edited and produced by deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees all beauty and grooming content for Forbes Vetted.

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