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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
Whether you want a solid hue, ombre nails, French tips, pared-down short nails, a bit more length, or a natural-looking finish, the best acrylic nail kit is all you need. Gel and shellac may have taken center stage in recent years as go-to's for chip-free digits, but the acrylic manicure isn't going anywhere. Beloved by many, the dip-powder approach to augmented nails is more accessible (and affordable) than you think.
Luckily, in the age of DIY, you don't have to spend a fortune at the nail salon to get professional-looking manis and pedis. We spent hours searching for the best at-home sets, including those with dip powders, liquid bonders, sealers, activators, monomers, and top coats, plus files and buffers for that smooth-as-glass finish. Some come with tips too. Our findings? No matter your skill level or budget, there's a kit for you.
Here are the best acrylic nail kits money can buy.
Best Overall
Dipwell Easy Acrylic Dip System Starter Kit
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Walmart
Comprehensive kit
Great for beginners and pros
Good value
Powder doesn't always apply smoothly
DipWell's uber-popular Easy Acrylic Dip System pulls out all the stops for fresh DIY nails. You'll get two little pots of dip powder, a base and a finishing powder, five liquids (a bond, a base, an activator, and two sealers), plus a buffer, a file, and a cuticle tool. If this sounds like too many things, don't sweat it, because as the name suggests, it's designed to be easy-peasy.
The Starter Kit is user-friendly enough for beginners, but advanced dippers shouldn't shy away. With this salon-level system, your manicure will last for up to six weeks—expect your nails to grow out faster than they chip. What's more, each pot contains enough powder for 30 full sets, all the formulas are low-odor, and your nails will cure without UV light.
Price at time of publish: $55
Shades: 3 | Dry Time: ≈ 5 to 10 minutes
Best Budget
Kiss Salon Dip Professional Dipping System
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Amazon
No UV light needed
Inexpensive
No strong odor
Not as long-lasting as other kits
For babes on a budget, we recommend Kiss Salon Dip. It comes with a dip powder, a brush-on gel, an activator liquid, and a set of each white and natural tips. It's super easy to use—no light necessary—and lasts for a solid two weeks.
Price at time of publish: $13
Shades: 1 | Dry Time: 5 to 10 minutes
Best Splurge
Kiara Sky Dipping Powder Starter Kit
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Amazon
Gives professional results
Shimmery finish
Includes several color options
Expensive
If you usually hit the nail salon every couple of weeks, splurging on an acrylic kit will actually save you money in the long run. "The Kiara Sky System has a recycling system that allows for a single use of the product per individual application, so you can discard the unused products after and properly sanitize the container for further use," says nail artist Christine Doan of Gloss House.
Price at time of publish: $96
Shades: 5 | Dry Time: 2 minutes
Best System
Mia Secret Acrylic Nail Kit
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Amazon
Reasonably priced
Includes nail file
Nails adhere easily
Brush is not high-quality
This professional manicure system by Mia Secret checks all the boxes. You'll get a full set of false nails, plus all the tools and treatments you could need to create a customized look.
Price at time of publish: $26
Shades: 1 | Dry Time: ≈ 10 minutes
Best Starter
Color Club Serendipity 21 Day Wear At Home Nail Color Dip Kit
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Walmart
Vegan, clean formula
3 colors
Reasonably priced
Nails look very matte
If you're new to the DIY acrylics game, your best bet is the Serendipity Dip Kit. It comes with three powder colors, plus a liquid bonder, activator, and finish gloss—all free of formaldehyde and phthalates. The gentle formula goes on easy, dries instantly, and lasts for up to three weeks.
Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 8 color kits, multiple shades in each | Dry Time: 5 to 8 minutes
Best Basic
Rossi Dipping Powder Kit
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Amazon
Inexpensive
Easy to use
Multiple brushes included
One color per kit
The Rossi Dipping Powder Kit is ideal for anyone curious about going the DIY route. It comes with all the essentials, including a powder pot and three liquids, and will hardly make a dent in your bank account.
Shades: 6 | Dry Time: 2 minutes
Best for Aspiring Nail Artists
Morovan Acrylic Nail Kit
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Amazon
Comprehensive kit
Reasonably priced
Includes different finishes
Strong odor
If you're thinking of trying your hand at professional nail artistry, practice at home with the Morovan Acrylic Kit. This pro-level system includes 15 powders, a generous bottle of monomer, tips, glue, a gel base, a top coat, a bunch of handy tools, and even a practice finger. Heads up—you'll need to buy a UV light separately.
Shades: 12 | Dry Time: 5 to 8 minutes
Best Neutrals
Azure Beauty Nude Dip Powder Kit
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Amazon
Range of neutral shades
Easy to use
High-quality
Can be rough on nails
Those who gravitate toward neutrals will love the Azure Beauty's Nude Kit. It comes with eight dip powders, ranging from chic brown to blush pink to tawny taupe, and offers a fresh-from-the-salon finish for two whole weeks.
Price at time of publish: $34
Shades: 8 color kits, multiple shades in each | Dry Time: 5 to 8 minutes
Best Pinks
Modelones Pink Acrylic Powder Kit
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Amazon
Beautiful colors
Chip-resistant finish
Powder is easy to work with
Nails are not included
Pink nails are seasonless, and this acrylic powder kit has the prettiest shades, all easy to use and fast-drying. You'll get a pale blush, a ballerina-inspired hue, and a glittery pink with flirty flecks. Use them individually or combine them for an on-trend ombre look.
Shades: 3 color kits, 3 shades in each | Dry Time: 5 to 8 minutes
Best for French Tips
GHDip Dip Powder Kit for French Manicure
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Amazon
Wide color selection
Reasonably priced
Powder applies smoothly
Doesn't include base or top coat
Listen, French tips are back. If you like the natural-inspired but obviously faux look—no shame!—the GHDip Dip Powder Kit has your name on it. It comes with 12 neutral colors, including classic white, plus caramel, taupe, blush, and other tip-worthy tones.
Shades: 8 color kits, multiple shades in each | Dry Time: Up to 15 minutes
Best Glitter
COSCELIA Acrylic Nail Kit
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Amazon
Inexpensive
Fun glitter shades
Generous amount of product included
Powder may clump
Get your glitter on with the Coscelia Acrylic Nail Kit. With 12 sparkly dip powders, two packs of rhinestones, and enough glue to nail—pun intended—any look, this system was made for the glamorous among us.
Price at time of publish: $40
Shades: 12 | Dry Time: ≈ 10 minutes
Best Powder
OPI Powder Perfection Nail Dip Powder
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Walmart
High-quality
Dries quickly
No strong odor
Can be sticky
Once you get into a groove and run out of powder from your original kit, replenish your stash with a few pots of OPI Powder Perfection. "The OPI system is great because you've got the selection of colors that are well known and loved," says Doan. "It's actually easy to use, and so is removal."
Price at time of publish: $19
Shades: 1 | Dry Time: 1 to 2 minutes
Final Verdict
The best option overall is definitely the DipWell Easy Acrylic Dip System Starter Kit (view at Dipwell). It's easy to use, comes with two powders and five liquids, plus all the essential tools, and lasts for six weeks. However, if you want something a bit cheaper, the Kiss Salon Dip Professional Dipping System (view at Amazon) won't disappoint. For aspiring nail artists and anyone looking for a few more bells and whistles, we recommend the Morovan Acrylic Nail Kit (view at Amazon).
Truong’s biggest piece of advice: Be patient. “A good set of nails for a beginner can take up to two hours. Professionals average about 45 minutes to an hour.” So make sure you have the time to practice and apply.
What to Look for When Buying an Acrylic Nail Kit
Dip Powder
All acrylic nail kits come with dip powder, which is essentially a powdered form of acrylic. With the help of a bonder and an activator or a monomer, it solidifies into a molded shape. Basic systems will come with one or two colors, but you can also find more robust kits with a range of neutral and bright hues and even some glitter powders.
Liquids
Additionally, acrylic nail kits come with liquids that typically look a lot like regular nail polish bottles. While each system is different, they often include a base, a bonder, an activator or a liquid monomer, a sealer, and potentially a top coat. To avoid damaging the nail beds, Doan says to look for an EMA (ethyl methacrylate) monomer liquid.
Steps
As mentioned, each acrylic nail kit is different. Some call for a more involved manicure process with several steps and sometimes a drying lamp, while others are quick-drying and require only a few steps. "Traditional salon acrylic manicures are not the easiest [to accomplish at home] or user-friendly, so I would recommend a dip system that allows a better user experience," adds Doan.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust Byrdie?
This roundup was written by Theresa Holland, an experienced commerce writer, and lifelong DIY nail enthusiast. A big fan of consumer tech and beauty innovation, she's dabbled in at-home gel polish, curing lights, and recently, a DipWell Starter Kit. You can check out more stories by Theresa on MyDomaine and Verywell Fit.
Meet the Expert
- Jackie Truong is the co-founder of LeChat Nails.
- Christine Doan is a nail artist and owner of Gloss House.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any acrylic nail kits from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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