15 Best Nail Drills & Efiles For DIY Nails

These are the best nail drills for doing your own nails at home with more control and less time spent filing by hand. A nail drill can shape extensions, smooth gel polish, clean up cuticles, and prepare nails for a fresh set. The right drill has adjustable speed settings, a comfortable handpiece, and bits made for specific nail tasks. This guide shares helpful details to help you choose a nail drill that fits your manicure needs.

And of course they are a must have for at home manicures or when you need a simple touch up before going to the nail salon. Reaching for a smaller drill is an easy and efficient way to buff your nails and to prepare your nail bed for your gel, acrylic nails or polish.

You can even use these nail drills to remove builder gels, nail art stickers and use for your press on nail business to prep the nail tips. They are also used for removing polygel nails and acrylic nails.

We will be discussing:

• The best nail drills for DIY nails at home
• Professional efiles for at home nail studios
• Nail drills for press on nails
• Portable nail drills for on the go
• The best drills for prepping gel nails, acrylic nails and natural nails
• Nail drills for a manicure or pedicure

What is a nail drill or efile?

A nail drill, also called an efile, is a small electric tool with a spinning bit used to file, shape, and smooth nails. It can help remove gel polish, shape acrylic or builder gel, smooth nail surfaces, and tidy the skin around the nails. Most nail drills have adjustable speeds and interchangeable bits for different nail tasks.

Best nail drills and efiles

1. Professional Nail Drill by MelodySusie

This efile from MelodySusie has a high speed up to 30000 RPM so it will have enough power to get through acrylic and gel nails. One thing to note is that this nail drill is made with  high-quality bearings, which allows the efile to move smoothly at a high speed. The speeds can be adjustable simply by rotating the control knob easily. If you are a beginner or need a drill for at home use, then this drill will be perfectly fine for that.

Another reason why this file works well is the torque, as long as you are applying proper pressure onto the nail, the drill won’t stop. You get several bits in this set and so that you can start working with it right away. Made from aluminum alloy, this file also has proper ventilation holes to dissipate the heat.

• professional electric nail drill with high quality torque
• rechargeable & cordless
• fully charged in 2-2.5 hours
• 10 hours of working time
• lcd screen
• forward & reverse
• up to 30,000 rpm
• low noise, heat & vibration

2. Electric Nail Drill Set by Subay

Whenever I am making nail art tutorials, I usually reach for this nail drill from Subay. You will see it on my YouTube channel sometimes. It’s super easy to use and the wand fits into a small hand very easily. As far as nail drill machines go, this is a budget friendly option that performs great. There’s lots of speed options to get the perfect speed just by turning the dial.

You can use this file for prepping natural nails, acrylic nails, gel nails. And of course it has a forward and reverse.

• forward & reverse
• up to 20,000 rpm
• low noise, heat & vibration
• good for at home nails

3. Portable Electric by Airsee

The forward and reverse rotation directions are exactly what you need for right-handed or left-handed use. This portable nail file has an adjustable speed and direction control up to 35,000 rpm. This portable efile from Airsee is smooth on the nail and the smaller design makes it comfortable to use for small hands.

Customers love that this is lightweight and easy to tuck into your bag or nail kit. It has a pretty good speed bearing and motor. And gives off a low heat, noise and low vibration. This nail drill comes with lots of different pieces with several sizes of shank drill bits and lots of extra sanding bands.

• forward & reverse
• up to 20,000 rpm
• low noise, heat & vibration

4. Efile by COSLUS

This is a fully portable drill that is perfect for on the go. You can use this drill for easy removal of acrylics & gel nails and also nail jewelry. And the low setting is gentle enough to use for polishing and can gently remove builder gels. It is a good choice for beginners and also experienced nail artists who need a small backup drill in their home or salon.

You can expect this cordless nail drill to operate for up to 8 hours after a full charge. It will, however, need 3-4 hours on the charger to fully charge. This drill has low heat, low noise and low vibration.

• 2 color choices
• USB interface
• forward & reverse
• up to 30,000 rpm

5. AZ GOGO Electric File

This efile is made with high speed bearings that have the CE Certificate. And like all of the efiles on this list has an adjustable rpm speed. It’s easy to go back and forth using the forward & reverse direction. You will love how portable this efile is and it can be fully recharged in just over 2 hours.

You will get continuous operation of this drill up to at least 6 hours before having to recharge. And so you don’t have to guess how long you have, this efile displays the percentage that is left on the charge, so you can know exactly how much time you have left on the file. 

The size is quite small so if you have small hands, you might like how it feels, especially if you have a long day ahead of you filing. Also, the handpiece is made from aluminum so it will disperse heat and should last for a very long time. 

Another thing that you should take note of is the sound, this drill is very quiet and is pretty smooth with a slight vibration.

• rechargeable
• cordless
• fully charged in 2.5 hours
• 6-8 hours of use with charge
• forward & reverse
• up to 30,000 rpm
• low noise
• slight vibration

6. MelodySusie Lightweight Nail Drill

Customers are raving about this drill from MelodySusie and the fact that it is pretty powerful and easy to use. This drill has a compact controller, so that will save space on your work table. The bit holders are very handy, you can easily reach for the right size bit.

Use this nail drill to fix nail cracks, or buff out natural nails. And just like all nail drills, be sure to adjust the speed slowly going from a low to high when you are using this drill.

• lightweight
• good for beginners
• foot pedal
• forward & reverse
• up to 30,000 rpm

7. Coslus Pedicure Nail Drill

The COSLUS Professional Pedicure drill is a handy pick for doing your feet and nails. It has adjustable speeds and is a good beginner friendly drill. The compact cordless design is helpful for doing your nails at the table, in your favorite chair, or while traveling. Use the included bits and sanding bands for shaping, smoothing, and removing nail product.

8. Nail File System by MMase

A smooth and quiet efile machine from MMase that can be used on gel, acrylic, natural nails and even silk wraps. This drill is great for home use but you might find it heats up too much to be used constantly in a spa or business setting. Totally ok for an extra, or gift idea for those who love to do your own nails at home.

9. Small Hand & Foot Electric Nail File by Polamd

If you are looking for an affordable electric file that you can just slip into your handbag or keep in your nightstand, then this is a good one. You can use this efile on your natural nails and also on your feet to remove calluses and corns.

It has a rechargeable battery and can be used cordless which is great for those times when you need a quick touch up.

• good for trimming and smoothing
• rechargeable
• cordless
• 3 hours to fully charge
• up to 2 hours on charge
• 5 speeds

10. Lavinda Professional Nail Drill

Here’s a great choice for a professional salon or at home nail art studio. The professional rechargeable nail drill machine by Lavinda. What makes this super high quality is the brushless motor. This is going to give you a high precision manicure with really good torque, while keeping this nail drill low noise and vibrations.

• brushless motor
• rechargeable
• cordless
• up to 10 hours with a full charge
• up to 35,000 rpm
• low vibration

11. Rechargeable Nail Drill by Makartt

This drill by Makartt has a 35,000rpm motor that will hold a charge for about 6 hours. This efile takes about 2 hours to fully charge. This portable nail drill comes with high quality bearings so it will work smoothly. Will remove acrylic & gel polish and will easily polish the natural nail too.

• lightweight
• good for beginners
• rechargeable
• up to 6 hours of working time with full charge
• forward and reverse
• up to 35,000 rpm
• low heat & low vibration

12. Beetles Nail Drill

I have used Beetles gel products a ton over the years, and they are always easy to find when I am stocking up on nail supplies. You can pretty much find whatever you need in their shop, including gel polish, prep products, nail tools, and their nail drill. Their nail drill is a handy addition when you want to shape, smooth, and prep your nails at home.

This drill is portable and rechargeable with 35,000rpm.

• rechargeable
• portable
• fully charged after 2 hours
• 10-12 hours of working time with full charge
• forward & reverse
• up to 35,000 rpm

13. Onail Nail Drill And Dust Collector

This ONAIL nail set puts three helpful tools together for doing gel or acrylic nails at home. It includes a nail dust collector, an AI UV LED nail lamp, and an electric nail drill for shaping and smoothing nails. The dust collector picks up filing dust while the lamp cures your gel polish. I love having the main tools together when I am sitting down to do a full manicure.

14. Kiara Sky Beyond Pro Nail Drill

Kiara Sky Beyond Pro Drill is an efficient tool for both professional and amateur users alike. It has a 10 hour battery life and intelligent heat and speed settings with adjustable drill rotation at two speeds up to 35,000RPM.

• used by professionals
• good for beginners
• rechargeable
• up to 35,000 rpm
• low heat & low vibration

15. Kiara Sky Purple Drill

The Kiara Sky Beyond Pro portable nail drill is on the pricier side, but customers are giving it good reviews. It is a pretty pick for anyone who likes doing nails at home and wants a compact tool on her nail table. I like that it gives you what you need for shaping, smoothing, and prepping your nails before a fresh set.

Tips When Using An Efile or Nail Drill

If you’re new to using a nail drill or efile, there are a few things you should keep in mind to get the best results.

Keep your nail drill or efile clean.

Clean your nail drill after each manicure to remove nail dust, gel, and product buildup. Turn it off, take out the bit, and wipe the handpiece with a soft cloth. Clean each drill bit as directed by its maker, then let it dry fully before putting it away.

Be careful not to overdo it when drilling or filing

Use a light touch and let the nail drill do the work. Start with a low speed, especially when you are working on your natural nails or near your cuticles. Keep the bit moving gently across the nail instead of staying in one spot. A little filing goes a long way when you want smooth, even nails. It’s very easy to cause damage to your nails using a drill so do be very careful.

Hold the nail drill or efile correctly.

Hold your nail drill like a thick pen, with a relaxed grip and your fingers close to the handpiece. Rest your working hand or pinky finger against a steady surface for extra control. Keep the drill bit at a gentle angle as it touches the nail. This makes it easier to guide the efile smoothly while shaping and filing.

Use the right bit for the job.

Each nail drill bit has a different purpose, so it helps to choose one that matches the step you are doing. Sanding bands are helpful for shaping and smoothing, while a small rounded bit can tidy the cuticle area. A ceramic bit works well for removing gel or acrylic product. Read the bit label before you start, then use a low speed until you feel comfortable.

Moisturize nails after drilling or filing.

After filing, massage a little cuticle oil into your nails and the skin around them. Filing can leave behind fine dust, so wash your hands first and dry them well. A nourishing hand cream also feels lovely after a manicure. This small step leaves your nails and cuticles soft, hydrated, and ready for polish.

I hope you found this article about electric nail drills helpful and that you have now found the perfect efile for your manicures.

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