Amazon might not be the first place you think of when buying a fresh set of fake nails, but it's a very convenient place to start for those searching for a good deal. As always, read up on those reviews, and use customer photos as a point of reference of what to expect. Ahead, find the best Amazon press-on nails in a variety of lengths, colors, shapes, and designs for $20 or less.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the best way to apply press-on nails?
- How do you remove press-on nails?
- Are there any limitations to press-on nails?
- Meet the experts
Best Overall Press-On Nails: Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure
The Static Nails Reusable Press-On Set won a 2022 Best of Beauty Award for an innovative design rooted in reusability. You can pop 'em on and off up to six times, which is pretty darn cost-effective considering they can be donned on your digits for up to 18 days. The non-damaging glue is meant to dissolve over time, so you don't risk ripping off layers of your nail when it's time to remove. We love this sagey Light Green set to complement all skin tones for spring and summer.
For the Person Who Uses Their Nails as Tools: Glamnetic Press-On Nails
If nothing ruins your day quite like a chipped nail, Glamnetic's Press-On Nails will spare you that heartache. This almond-shape set lasts up to three weeks and is uber-durable; one reviewer was even confident enough to wear the holographic Winter Storm color (seen above) to their wedding because they had previously bought them and knew that the "glue holds them on strongly enough to last the night." Now, that's amore.
For the Trendsetters: The Nailest Luxury Instant Acrylic Press-On Nails
The Nailest's Acrylic Press-On Nails are perfect for people with high standards who can't be bothered to sit at a salon for extended periods of timeand don't have the patience required to file each nail with patience and precision. These press-ons are an easy way to achieve the stiletto silhouette in 10 minutes or less, with reviewers swearing that they're durable andfarless fragile than your natural nails. The gilded and marble-inspired Grayson set pictured above is our opulent favorite.
For the Minimal Girlies: Kiss Nails Bare But Better
If you hate filing and cutting your own nails and prefer a barely-there nude color, check out Kiss's Bare But Better TruNude Fake Nails. We get it: it's annoying to pay for a manicure when you're opting for ultra-light, neutral colors, but this set offers a salon-quality finish with a $9 price tag that won't break the bank. In fact, that's why the Bare But Better collection earned itself a 2022 Best of Beauty Award. It's not often you'll find long, coffin-shaped sets for that cheap.
For the Gel Mani Devotee: OPI xPress/On Press On Nails
OPI xPress/On Press On Nails have a gel-like finish that mimics the lasting power of a professional gel mani, offering a wear time of up to 14 days. (Some reviews say they lasted three weeks!) And you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to design: The quirky "Taste Like Strawberries" set pictured above features your favorite summer fruit while "Editor in Chic's" chrome-like finish looks like it waltzed off Hailey Bieber's TikTok account.
For the Person With a Playful Sense of Style: PaintLab Press On Nails
Intricately detailed manicures will no longer require sighs of frustration, the stench of acetone, or a steady hand, thanks to PaintLab's Press-On Nails. The designs are truly endless, ranging from coquettish bows and Tumblr-era checkered prints to a slew of fruit-inspired sets. Bluey, seen above, is great for 70s-era vibes or your next beach weekend. With summer just around the corner, who wouldn't want cheerful tips on their nails?
For the French Tip Lovers: Dashing Diva Magic Press Nails
Dashing Diva Magic Press Nails will likely be the reason you finally nail your at-home manicure and nix those hours-long salon visits. The clean, Parisian-inspired Urban Chic print above is particularly stylish, and the gold accents make the French tips pop. These stiletto-shaped press-on gel nails come with everything you need:12 sizes to custom fit your nails, a prep pad, a nail file, and a wooden manicure stick to ensure the adhesive stays put for up to seven days.
For the Wedding Guest: Kiss Impress Press-On Manicure
The Kiss Impress Press-On Manicure impressed us so much that we awarded it a 2020 Best of Beauty Award. Oh, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is a fan, too. While there are countless colors and designs to choose from, we love Flawless's (pictured above) muted eggplant vibe with a few pops of multicolored sparkles. Each kit includes 30 nails with pre-applied glue, an alcohol prep pad to ensure the best possible adhesion, a nail file, and a wooden stick to push back cuticles. It's basically foolproof.
For the Compliment Magnet: Allkem Beauty Extra Long Press-Ons
As far as monochromatic sets with major length go, the Allkem Beauty Extra Long Press-Ons simply nail it. Choose from bright reds, yellows, and blues in glossy finishes and either stiletto or coffin styles. We're partial to Electric Blue (pictured above), which gives us coastal Greece vibes. One reviewer says she always receives compliments on "the shape and vibrancy of these nails." Each 20-piece set comes with 10 different sizes to ensure the perfect fit for each finger. Just be sure to pick up a bottle of strong nail glue, since this set doesn't come with any.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to apply press-on nails?
A lineup of professional nail artists, including Eun Kyung Park, Gina Edwards, and Miss Pop have previously shared their expert tips to keep your manicure looking as fresh and lasting as long as possible. After you match each nail to the properly-sized press-on, push your cuticles back (many kits will come with a wooden tool) and wipe your nails clean with alcohol, so oils don't prevent proper adhesion. From there, ensure the edges of each press-on lie flush up against the edges of your natural nail and seal it all in with glue—concentrate it in the center of the nail so it doesn't spill over to the edges and onto your skin—or the provided double-sided glue stickers.
How do you remove press-on nails?
Removal should be just as simple as application, as long as you are patient with soaking glue stickers in warm water. Miss Pop previously said she usually takes hers off after a long shower. "Don't try to rip them off side to side; it can hurt." Instead, she advises pulling the nail down and outward. Glued-on tips can be removed by soaking your hands in acetone. Miss Pop previously recommended clipping the excess length at the tip and soaking them off "like you would a gel manicure with foil, cotton balls, and an acetone-based remover."
What are the limitations to Amazon press-on nails?
Even though many press-on nails come with 20-30 tips, usually there are only about 10 sizes. Just like fashion has a size inclusivity problem, so do press-on nails. Whether you have very wide nailbeds, clubbed thumbs, or super tiny nails, you might struggle to find a perfect fit—especially if you have a particular shape or design you're after. Brands like Chillhouse and Olive & June are quite size-inclusive but aren't available on Amazon. Many custom sets are available on Etsy, but again, you won't necessarily get the affordability and shipping speed you would on Amazon.
Meet the experts
- Gina Edwards, a nail artist and manicurist based in New York City
- Miss Pop, a nail artist based in New York City
- Eun Kyung Park, a nail artist based in Seoul