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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
How much attention have you paid to your nail file? If you’re anything like us, probably not much. It’s just a basic necessity, something stashed in your bathroom cabinet or purse (or that you can never seem to find when you break a nail). But it may be worth investing at least a little bit more time into finding your nail file of choice. Not all are created equal, and each type has its own pros and cons. There are classic emery boards, which are inexpensive and easy to stock up on when you just need to get the job done. If you feel like you want to make more of an investment, glass and crystal options are washable and reusable, not to mention they tend to be gentler, particularly if your nails are peeling or splitting. And if you’re rocking a gel or acrylic mani, you’ll, of course, need an entirely different file. Confused? Don’t be.
We rounded up the best nail files for every purpose below. Dare we say that these have nailed it?
Best Overall
Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator - Buffer Nail File
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Amazon
Great value
Adds shine to nails
Smooths out nails
Packaging could be improved
This four-sided file has four different grits to do it all—shape, smooth, buff, and shine. (All four sides are made from a microfiber material that’s gentle on your tips.) Consider it a one-stop-shop nail tool that makes DIY manis easier than ever. Pro tip: If you’re going to paint your nails, skip the shine step.
Price at time of publish: $14
Type: Emery | Size: Large
Best Budget
Orly Black Board Medium 180 Grit
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Orlybeauty
Durable
Files easily and quickly
Comes in a large pack
Not for gentle buffing
Celebrity nail artist Brittney Boyce, the founder of Nails of LA, calls this classic, inexpensive nail file, “a workhorse that’s found in so many nail artists’ kits.” She adds that it can be used for both natural and gel nails, files quickly, and is super durable. You get a pack of 10 for just $5, so if you lose one, it’s no biggie. To that end, it’s worth picking one up to keep at work, one in the car... you get the picture.
Price at time of publish: $50
Type: Emery | Size: Large
Best Emery Board
Makartt Professional Nail File
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Amazon
Multipurpose
Easy to wash
Good value
Can be a little rough on nails
An Amazon top pick, these have both a 100 and 180 grit, making them great for both shaping nails and taking down length (and using on toes, too). They come in a pack of 10—a total steal, we should add—though if you want to reuse them, they are washable. Just be sure to only file nails in one direction to minimize the potential for peeling or splitting.
Price at time of publish: $15
Type: Emery | Size: Large
Best for Damaged Nails
Diamancel Flexible Nail File
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Amazon
Gentle on nails
Easy to wash
Super durable
Expensive
Turns out that diamonds are both a girl’s and a nail’s best friend. Made with real diamonds, this file also has a fiberglass edge for easy handling. It’s specially made for brittle nails that are prone to breaking or splitting, so you don’t need to worry about causing more damage when you file. Bonus: It’s easily washable with just soap and water.
Price at time of publish: $28
Type: Crystal | Size: Large
Best for Acrylics
ASP Extra Heavy Black Angle Board Nail File 100/180
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Sally Beauty
Works on natural and faux nails
Unique shape is easy to use
Long-lasting
Can be a little rough on nails
A zebra board with two coarser grits, like this option, is best for artificial tips, says Boyce. (FYI, you could also use the 180 side for natural nails but not the 100, which is too rough.) Neither grit gets worn down, and with a diamond shape that has two different shaped ends, it’s easy to file any shape nail and even reach the sides.
Price at time of publish: $2
Type: Emery | Size: Large
Best Glass
Révérence de Bastien The Glass Nail File
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Reverencedebastien
Smooths nails
Gentle on nails
Includes a carrying case
Expensive
Sure, it may be a bit more than you’d usually spend on a file, but consider this a one-time investment that will keep your nails long and strong. The lightweight glass smooths nails without any snags or tears, can be reused, and comes with a convenient carrying case, too.
Type: Glass | Size: Large
Best for Travel
Nail Tek Crystal Nail File With Case Mini
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Nailtek
Fits in a clutch or pocket
Includes a carrying case
Durable
Can be difficult to use
Repeat after us: Thou shalt always pack a nail file when traveling. This one has earned a permanent home in our toiletry bag. Made of high-quality glass, it’s gentle on nails and comes in a mini size that doesn’t take up precious real estate. The fact that it comes in a cute pink case is just an extra bonus.
Price at time of publish: $12
Type: Crystal | Size: Small
Best Colorful
Tweezerman Neon Hot Files 3 Pack
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Amazon
Works on natural and faux nails
Comes in fun neon colors
Good value
Can leave a faint powder residue
If you want to keep it basic, you can’t go wrong with this three-pack of files. The dual-grit surfaces mean they work on both natural and acrylic nails, and the neon hues make it easy to dig them out of any crowded bathroom drawer or makeup bag.
Price at time of publish: $7
Type: Emery | Size: Large
Best Electric
Bellasonic 4-in-1 Rechargeable Electric Nail File Set
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Amazon
Gentle on nails
Ideal for precise filing
Shapes, smooths, and adds shine
Expensive
Make filing easier than ever with an electric file, like this one. Unlike other brands, which feature a rotary head that spins in only one direction, this uses an oscillating option that moves back and forth. It makes for much less friction and ultimately gentler filing. Plus, this also comes with four different discs, with choices for shaping, buffing, smoothing, and shining nails.
Price at time of publish: $80
Type: Electric | Size: Medium
Best for Cuticles
ZEVA Austrian Crystal Nail File
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Amazon
Pushes back cuticles
Chic design
Ideal for use on brittle nails
A little thin
A combo of ceramic, porcelain, and, yep, Austrian crystal make up this file while it shapes and smooths nails. Unique here, though, are the rounded ends, designed to pull double duty and push back cuticles effectively, yet gently.
Type: Crystal | Size: Medium
Final Verdict
The Deborah Lippmann Smooth Operator-Buffer Nail File (view at Sephora) is our favorite overall file, a multi-tasker that not only shapes but also smooths, buffs, and shines. Both the Makartt Professional Nail File (view at Amazon) and Orly Black Board Medium 180 Grit (view at Stixie) are great blackboard classics and also super affordable. And if you’re looking for an option that’s not only going to be gentle on natural nails but also lasts basically forever, the glass Révérence de Bastien The Glass Nail File (view at Révérence de Bastien) is the way to go and well-worth the higher price tag.
What to Look for in a Nail File
The Grit
In traditional files, this refers to how coarse or fine the texture is. “Nail files' grit ranges from 80 to 240. The higher the grit, the finer the file is,” explains Boyce. For gels or extensions, anywhere from 100 to 180 grit is a great choice; for natural nails, 180 is the minimum, she says. Alternatively, glass options are good for natural nails.
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?
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She refuses to leave home without a nail file.
Meet the Expert
Brittney Boyce is a celebrity nail artist and the founder of Nails of LA. With over a decade of experience in the nail industry, Boyce has worked on everything from fashion campaigns to the hands of celebrity clientele.
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 nail files 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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