The 9 best press-on nails, tested by a beauty writer with a nail obsession

Pros: Large range of nail sizes, affordable, long-lasting 

Cons: Not a totally seamless fit at the cuticle

When it comes to the best press on nails, Olive & June takes the prize for longevity and size inclusivity. They offer a whopping 41 nails in 21 sizes, the largest range on the market by a longshot. These nails are incredibly thick and durable, had no chipping, and stayed put for 18 days — the longest amount of time press-ons have ever lasted on me. They did start to lift a bit at the cuticle after about a week; they still looked just as good, but I found my hair sometimes getting caught in them when I ran my fingers through it. Olive & June also boasts an affordable price range, with many sets costing around $10.

Pros: Natural-looking, large assortment of nails/sizes

Cons: Higher price point, some chipping

Glamnetic has the best press-on nails for a natural, comfortable fit. They fit so well at the cuticle and the application process is seamless. Glamnetic also has a great assortment of designs and offers shorter lengths. I found this set to be very durable and lasted a full two weeks with no lifting, though there was some chipping of the polish after about a week.

Pros: Inexpensive, available at the drugstore, durable

Cons: Some bubbling

These nails fit very seamlessly at the cuticle, making them look extremely natural and feel comfortable. I also appreciate the thickness and durability of these nails. I didn't experience any chipping or lifting throughout the 7 days I wore them. They really do feel and perform like acrylic nails. Because this particular design is sheer, I did notice some slight bubbling of the glue underneath (the packaging claims "no bubbling"), but that could have been due to my application technique or the ridges/uneven texture on my nails.

Pros: Natural-looking, lightweight

Cons: Not long-lasting, limited shape/design options

These nails are so comfortable and lightweight. They're also incredibly natural-looking; I had one friend even mistake them for my real nails. Founded in 2020, Mani Muse is a newer brand, so they have a more limited selection of designs and currently only offer round and almond-shaped nails. They only lasted a few days on me, but I would still repurchase them as they look so natural and are a great option if you need a quick manicure for an event.

Pros: Great for French manicures and unfussy designs

Cons: Instructions a little misleading

Static Nails are reusable pop-on manicures in five shapes: round, coffin, square, almond, and stiletto and are known for their approachable styles in solid colors and multi-colored French manis. Static also comes with light pink glue, which was helpful, but I thought the directions called for too much nail glue. I followed the directions, which said to apply a thin layer of glue to the back of the Static Nail and then a "generous" layer of glue to the natural nail, but I ended up with glue all over the place and on the top of the nail which damaged it. 

Pros: Trendy designs, comfortable fit

Cons: Higher price point, some lifting

Thanks to the eye-catching designs, these are the best press-on nails to wear if you want to receive tons of compliments. Chillhouse press-ons strike the perfect balance between being trendy and fun while still being wearable enough for every day. This particular set is also shorter in length so they are a great option for those who don't like the feeling of wearing long nails. While these nails did last me 10 days, they're not the most durable set I've worn. I experienced some lifting/cracking around the cuticle of one nail around the 7-day mark, but it never fully lifted or fell off.

Pros: Super easy to apply, lots of options for short manicures

Cons: Adhesive system doesn't last as long as glue

imPress nails don't come with glue, so these are perfect for the person who is new to press-on nails and scared of commitment. The pressure-sensitive adhesive is already attached to the nail which makes it super easy to apply, and I found that the Impress adhesive is much stronger than the adhesives that come with brands that offer glue as well. Also, I noticed Impress has a wider variety of designs for short nail manicures.

Pros: Big selection of shapes and designs, thicker than other brands

Cons: Some reviewers say that they run small

The Nailest has the largest variety of nails of all the brands I tested. Of their instant acrylic sets (read-to-ship) they have pretty much any shape, length, color, and finish you can imagine, and they also offer handcrafted sets painted with at least 5 layers of gel polish. They're thicker quality and way sturdier than most press-on nails. As with other brands, I'd recommend not following the directions to apply glue on the faux and natural nails because it results in excess glue, making the nails messy/sticky.

Pros: Lots of variety in shapes, designs, and crystals

Cons: Certain styles may discolor

The Aria is a short, matte, square white mani with a sparkly accent nail of Swarovski crystals, which make them perfect for summer, but I noticed that the white nails became discolored to a light brown over time. So, while you may want to skip the Aria style, I think Marmalade has some of the most creative and dramatic styles (I've got my eye on Mosaic and Ice Queen). I also like the light pink nail glue, which makes it easier to gauge how much glue you're applying. That said, the glue did feel stronger than most, and I damaged one of my natural nails when removing the press-ons, so take caution.

Length: It's best to consider your day-to-day routine when choosing a length of press-on nails. Do you prefer shorter nails, or are you looking for a more elongated style? If you're not used to having long nails or you often work with your hands, for example, they may not be the right style for every day. You can file or clip press-on nails, but definitely proceed with caution, as it may cause damage if you're too aggressive.

Shape: There are many different shapes of press-on nails: oval, round, almond, square, stiletto, and coffin. The shape of the nail will certainly impact the comfort level. For example, a stiletto shape is far more likely to get caught on an open knit than an oval shape. The best part is that press-on kits likely come in a shape that excites you and is incredibly easy to interchange, so if you find you don't like one, you can always try another.

After perusing both my local drugstore and Instagram, I tested nine different brands of nails and chose the "best" set based on how long they lasted. Here are a few other boundaries I applied with each test: