The 10 Best Press-On Nails of 2024, According to Our Testers and Editors

Best Overall

Static Nails Reusable Pop-On Manicure

$20 at Amazon $18 at Ulta View on Nordstromrack.com

The Static Nails press-on set proved to be a favorite for its simple application, whimsical design, and durability. Our team liked the natural and classy look of the nails, as well as the shape and size of each nail.

These nails earned a near-perfect score for application and overall look, meaning we thought the quality replicated what you’d find at a salon with the ease of home application. And these nails held their own even after testing was complete. We wore these nails for over a week, doing household tasks like laundry and washing the dishes, and only one nail popped off during that time.

To remove, we opted to peel them off — which took about 15 minutes. Our only complaint was the glue, which sometimes stuck on the top of the nail and made the application slightly messy (though simple to accomplish!).

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: Yes (up to 18 days or 6 times for shorter wear) | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Dual-sided file/buffer, glue

Best Overall (Cheaper)

Dashing Diva Magic Press Press-On Nails

$9 at Amazon $9 at Sallybeauty.com $8 at Jcpenney.com

Earning a perfect score in every test we ran, the Dashing Diva nails are lightweight on your fingers but durable enough to last. These nails were easy to prep and had a strong adhesive that kept them in place. They didn’t falter after repeated hand-washing and lightly bending the edge of the nail to test the adhesive. We loved the look and felt they were comparable to salon-quality nails.

The only slight inconvenience is that these nails aren’t reusable, so once they fall off, they can’t simply be reapplied. However, the set comes with 30 nails in 12 sizes, a prep pad, a nail file, and a wooden manicure stick to help with the application. Given the price (and ease of replacement!), we think these nails are a solid choice for those on a budget who want salon-quality nails at a reasonable price.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Shiny | Adhesive: Pre-glued adhesive nail tab | Included Tools: Prep pad, nail file, wooden stick

Best Editor Favorite

Kiss Nails

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $9 at Ulta

We've tested a range of press-on nails, but one our team particularly loves is the Kiss Bare but Better Nude Nails. We find a Kiss set will last about a week and a half, so you’ll get a good amount of use out of them before moving to your next look.

The Kiss brand also had a special spotlight at this year's New York Fashion Week where a custom set of nails was presented at the Sergio Hudson fashion show — a combination of the Voguish Fantasy Sculpted French Nails and Kiss Nail Rhinestones designed by celebrity nail artist Gina Edwards.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: File, manicure stick, glue

Best Kit

Olive & June Press-On System

$10 at Target $10 at Walmart View on Oliveandjune.com

For a little extra oomph on your nails, look to Olive & June The Press-On System. Going above a single set of nails, this kit provides high-quality press-on nails, a host of nail grooming tools and serums, a removal kit, and a pouch to keep it all organized. We loved the design and sheen of these nails, as well as the sturdy material, which is made from 94 percent post-consumer recycled materials.

With top scores in most of our tests, this set of nails survived the sink test and remained in place after our team washed their hands three times. We chose to soak our nails when we were ready to remove them, and the process took about 25 to 30 minutes.

The only hiccup was the glue involved in the application process — which created a bit of a mess. We only struggled to apply one out of 10 nails, and the others adhered easily.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: Yes | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Pouch, glue, nail clipper, file, buffer, cuticle pusher, cuticle serum, nail strengthener, removal kit

Best Damage-Free

ManiMe Stick-On Gels

$12 at Amazon View on Manime.co

One of the trickiest parts of press-on nails is ensuring you don’t damage your nails in the process, and these nails from ManiMe ensure an easy application and removal. Despite being stick-ons, these nails hold up surprisingly well against water and everyday use. They stayed on after multiple rounds of washing with hot water. To remove them, you should soak them in hot, soapy water for about 10 minutes before peeling them off. Acetone works to remove any residue as well.

The only flaw we could find is when you buy the sample sizes, they are harder to apply for a perfect fit. While our testing team used the sample sizes, the custom option fits much more seamlessly. All you have to do is send in a photo of your nails and the press-ons are 3-D-printed to match. You can also modify the fit with nail clippers and seal with a top coat for a glossy finish.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies, some matte, some glossy | Adhesive: Pre-glued adhesive gel on each nail | Included Tools: Prep pad, nail file, wood stick

Best Designs

Paint Lab Press-On Nails

$13 at Amazon View on Paintlabbeauty.com

With more than 30 different press-on nail designs in an assortment of bold and brilliant colors, PaintLab has a nail set for each taste preference. This nail set was easy to apply and received a perfect score in our strength of adhesive test. Despite the top-notch fusion, you can remove these nails by soaking them in warm, soapy water and using the included wooden nail stick to peel them off from the side.

While these nails are highly durable and you can enjoy them for a few weeks, they are not reusable. However, given the low price and wide availability, you can get another pair in no time at all.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies, some matte, some glossy | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Dual-sided nail file and buffer, wooden cuticle stick, nail glue

Best Variety

KISS imPRESS Color Press-On Manicure

$8 at Amazon

For those looking for an assortment of color options, Kiss Impress has over 300 solid colors and designs to choose from, including a Taylor Swift red, ballet pink, and sophisticated navy. Thirty-three nails come in every set, so you can find the right fit for each of your nails. This set comes with an adhesive tab on each nail, so you simply peel off the backing and press the nail on.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes, shapes, and colors | Finish: Varies, some matte, some glossy | Adhesive: Pre-applied adhesive | Included Tools: Prep pad, nail file, manicure stick

Best User-Friendly

Chillhouse Chill Tips Reusable Press-On Nails

$16 at Amazon View on Chillhouse.com $11 at Asos

Our team loved how easy these nails were to apply. You match up the sizes, apply glue to the press-on and your nail, and press down to secure the nail in place. Senior commerce editor Erika Reals says she normally leans away from acrylic/fake nails from a functional standpoint, but when she used Chillhouse Nails for a few trips last summer, she was taken by surprise. “Everything you need comes in the package: 24 press-ons, dual [nail] filer/buffer, cuticle stick, and nail glue,” says Reals.

During testing, we were impressed with how well these nails did when we washed our hands — not one nail came off during the sink test. It's common to get some nail glue on your skin when applying these nails, but it comes off easily. Reals also appreciated the "on-trend designs" and how you can easily clip them to your desired length.

Damage-Free: Yes | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: Yes | Customizable: Yes, 24 nails in different sizes to find the right fit | Finish: Some matte, some glossy | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Dual-sided buffer, cuticle stick, nail glue

Best Adhesive

Glamnetic Press On Nails

$15 at Amazon $15 at Sephora View on Ulta

Known for false magnetic lashes, Glamnetic has released several styles of press-on nails, which our team found to be user-friendly and durable. The set also includes everything you need, with the glue, file, cuticle stick, and even a storage box.

PEOPLE commerce writer Alyssa Brascia says she appreciates how these nails “ensure that you'll always get the look and length that you want at a fraction of the price.” Our team noted that the glue created a small mess during the application, and while the nails held up beautifully, they are somewhat tricky to remove — you really have to soak the nails prior.

Damage-Free: Mostly | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: No | Customizable: Yes, multiple sizes and lengths | Finish: Glossy | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Storage box, nail glue, double-sided nail file, cuticle stick, alcohol pad

Best for Travel

Quickies Press-On Nails

$30 at Getquickies.com

If you like to bring your nail options on the go, the sets from Quickies are perfect for travel (and super user-friendly). PEOPLE commerce editor Madison Yauger loves these since they’re super easy to apply. She met a slight challenge with the sizing because she has really narrow nails, but she was able to find options that fit well to complete the manicure.

The nails also held up at home, testing against the same measures in the lab — surviving a rigorous hand washing and not being too difficult to remove. That said, these are definitely long-lasting if you want them to be. There’s also a good inventory of designs, lengths, and sizes for a more customized experience.

Damage-Free: Mostly | Waterproof: Yes | Reusable: Yes | Customizable: Yes, different lengths, sizes, and designs | Finish: Glossy | Adhesive: Glue | Included Tools: Nail file, glue