10 Best Press-On Nail Sets for a DIY Manicure, Tested, and Reviewed for 2023

Since I tried these press-on nails six months ago, I have barely worn anything else, tbh. The nails themselves feel really sturdy, which is why people constantly ask where I got my nails done when I’m wearing these because they look so natural. And they come in so many different shapes, lengths, and styles—I’ve been loving the special effects line for the “glazed-donut trend” nail look, but I wear the OG Funny Bunny set constantly.

Plus, I gotta shout-out the included glue, because a couple dots on the fake nail and my real nail, and my press-ons easily last a full seven days without lifting at the corners—which is a massive feat as I spend my days furiously typing and prying open packages. Honestly, the glue is so good that removal can be kind of a pain (better than my nails popping off though). I ended up placing an acetone-soaked cotton ball under a plastic nail wrap for about 10 minutes, which loosened the glue right up and made the nails easy to peel off.

• Number of nails: 30
• Included tools: Nail glue, cuticle stick, nail file and buffer, OPI prep pad
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Various (short, medium, and long)

THE REVIEWS: “By far the best glue on nails I’ve ever bought,” writes one tester. “The glue is very strong. The nails stayed on and lasted longer than the other brands that I have used.”

The first time I put these on, I immediately noticed how wide the shape of the nail is, which is legit excellent for my wide nail beds. I have to ~finesse~ most press-ons to fit my nails, but not these. I easily found a set that would fit all of my nails, even right up to the edges where most fake nails don’t reach. And FYI: The key to ensuring your fake nails stay on a long time is to make sure they fit correctly.

“Using a nail that doesn’t fit the arch, aka the apex, of your nail will make it pop off too soon," says nail artist Julie Kandalec. So for me, I just really made sure to push back my cuticles with the included wooden stick to get the nail as close to the edge as possible, which made them fit even better and even helped reduce some lifting when the nails started to wear.

Just note these press-ons are very thin, which I personally enjoyed because it allowed me to file them into my ideal almond shape (which I did for these red ones). But the thinness does make them a lil flimsy, which can limit the length of wear. I chose to use the adhesive tabs and a tiny dab of glue right on my natural nail, which helped increase the longevity and give me a full five days of these nails while I was away on a long weekend trip.

• Number of nails: 24
• Included tools: File, cuticle stick, prep pad, adhesive tabs, nail glue
• Reusable: No
• Length: Medium to long

THE REVIEWS: “I was really surprised at how real these nails look when they’re on,” writes one reviewer. “They were super easy to do and so far have lasted me almost two weeks with no lifting or popping off. I love that they give you enough for two sets of nails. For the price, this is totally worth it. I can have my nails and my coffee shop coffee too!”

Theoretically, if I were planning a one-month excursion across Europe, I wouldn’t even get my nails done before; I’d just stick on these press-ons from Static Nails…because they last that long. In all of my testing, these have far and away impressed me the most when it comes to longevity. After a full two weeks, my nails were still glued on, even after multiple showers, dish-washing sessions, hella hand-washing, and even a dip in the pool, all thanks to the included waterproof glue.

But keep in mind, this glue is super sticky, which can make application a tad messy. To avoid getting glue everywhere, I drip a dot of glue on the center of the fake nail, then at the tip of my nail. Once you press the nail on (and hold for 30 seconds), the glue evenly spreads without spilling out the edges. And if you do get any on your fingers, just dip a Q-tip in acetone, place it on the glue for 20 to 30 seconds, then wipe it up.

• Number of nails: 24
• Included tools: Nail glue, file/buffer
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Medium

THE REVIEWS: “These did not crack or pop off on me at all,” writes one tester in a review. “In fact, I popped these off on my own because my nail growth was becoming too noticeable. Definitely recommend giving these a try!”

Sometimes, I just want to pop on some press-ons instead of painting my nails, and on those days, I always go for the extra-short Olive and June press-on nails. They’re usually around the same length as my natural nails, but they look so much more sleek (and cute? I mean, look at this adorable floral design). I just always cut down and file my nails a little bit to hide them under the press-ons, but otherwise, I find these are some of the simplest, no-fuss fake nails I’ve tried.

FWIW, I also always recommend the Olive and June press-on nail kits to my friends who are looking to dip their toes in the press-on pool, because they’re super beginner friendly. For starters, these come with a whopping 42 nails in 21 different shapes, which will help you find a nail that perfectly fits (and will make your nails look a whole lot more natural in the long run). Plus, the kit comes with everything you need to get started, including a prep pad to clean your nails; a file, buffer, and cuticle pusher to shape and groom your nails; and a lil vile of nail glue.

• Number of nails: 42
• Included tools: Nail glue, cuticle pusher, prep pad, nail file, nail buffer
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Extra short

THE REVIEWS: “I love these nails,” one reviewer writes. “They are so comfortable and feel so natural. They last surprisingly long compared to other press-ons I’ve tried. I’ve got three littles under 4, so these have stood the test of time for sure!”

I’ll def be picking up these cult-favorite Kiss press-ons when I’m perusing the drugstore aisles for an affordable set of press-on nails. They’re on the thinner side, which makes them really easy to mold to the shape and size of my nail beds. I was partial to this simple set, but I also had my eye on so many cool, trendy designs, like jelly nails and rhinestone looks.

Tbh, the included nail glue wasn’t as strong as others I’ve tried, so when I want more durability from my nails, I just use a longer-lasting nail glue (the Kiss Powerflex-Brush-on Glue, which I grabbed on Amazon). With the glue included in this press-on kit, my nails lasted about four days. But with the stronger glue, I was able to stick them back on and squeeze out a few extra days of wear.

• Number of nails: 28
• Included tools: Nail glue, nail file, cuticle pusher
• Reusable: Yes* (*but might not be as durable)
• Length: Various (short, medium, and long)

THE REVIEWS: “I’ve gotten a bit lazy and wanted to try press-ons,” writes one tester. “I saw these and gave them a chance, and they’re amazing. The nails fit my nail bed perfectly. The cuticle seam is thin and blends very well and the tips of the nails are thicker to look like actual extensions and to add strength. They are lightweight, comfy, and don’t bend at all. I do everything in my nails from housework and scrubbing to cooking and working and typing roughly, and these things have held up beautifully.”

If you prefer your press-on nails to look and feel like real nails, then try The Editorial Nail, which was developed by nail artist Gracie J. These press-ons are made of a thicker plastic than any of the others I’ve tried, which mimics how real nails or acrylics would feel. The entire week I wore this set, I couldn’t stop fidgeting with my nails because the texture is so unique. But (!) it’s not just for show either, because it actually makes it way easier to clip and file these press-ons than any of the others I’ve used. I’ve worn these nails twice now—once in the OG almond shape, and a second time in the short squoval shape—because they’re so easy to shape however I want.

• Number of nails: 30
• Included tools: Wooden cuticle pusher, nail file, buffer, spoolie, nail prep wipe, nail glue, adhesive tabs
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Long

THE REVIEWS: “This is my second time ordering these,” writes one reviewer. “I loved my first set so much, I finally wore them out. My nail clients love them too and have ordered them.”

I had no time before a bachelorette weekend to get my nails done, so I hurriedly stashed one of these lil tiny press-on kits from Quickies in my carry on. And lemme tell you, it made doing my nails from an airport lounge ridiculously easy. Truly, I just kept the full set of 24 nails in the bag, then individually found the right nail to match each of mine (less messy than dumping out all of the nails when I’m in a rush), then filed my nail and added a dot of glue on each nail, and boom, that was it.

Then the entire trip, I just kept the little baggie in my luggage in the event that I needed to touch up or reapply another nail (which, surprisingly, I didn’t). And ultimately, everyone on the trip kept asking me where I got my nails done and where they could get a lil bag of Quickies. TBH, I have my bag laying around here somewhere…

• Number of nails: 24
• Included tools: Nail file, glue
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Various (mini, short, medium, and long)

THE REVIEWS: One reviewer writes, “Obsesssssssed with this set! I’ve had soooo many compliments!”

FYI: The biggest 2023 nail trends include lots of geometric shapes, shimmery textures, and bright colors—all of which you can find in Chillhouse’s massive press-on nail assortment. After having tested and reviewed these personally, I can attest that they’re more than just a cute accessory for one night; they’re actually pretty durable and ended up lasting me a full five days before one started lifting.

But if you wanna make them last even longer, follow this tip from nail artist Julie Kandalec: “Clean your nails with 91 percent alcohol before applying your press-ons to dehydrate your nail beds, which will help the glue adhere better.” Then, drip on a generous amount of nail glue so that the glue is evenly distributed across your whole nail when you press it on. Trust me/us—it really works.

• Number of nails: 24
• Included tools: Dual-sided buffer and file, cuticle stick, nail glue
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Short to medium

THE REVIEWS: One review reads, “These press-on nails are such high quality and last a minimum of two weeks for me. They always have the cutest designs to choose from too. Every time I wear them, I get compliments on my nails!”

If your vibe is extra-long nails, you’ve gotta try these from Marsai Martin’s brand, which just happened to win a 2023 Cosmo Holy Grail Award (nbd). “I rarely wear my nails long, but some moments deserve some elevated digits and that’s when I grab these bbs,” wrote Cosmo beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson. Of all the press-on nails I’ve tried, these are definitely the longest, and they’re one of the few brands I’ve found that’s offering this “extra-long” option. But don’t worry, if you wear these a few days and want to file ‘em down a bit or reshape them, you easily can, because the tips are flexible.

• Number of nails: 24
• Included tools: Prep pad, nail file, cuticle pusher, adhesive tabs, and nail glue
• Reusable: Yes
• Length: Long

THE REVIEWS: “I’ve had them on for about a week so far, and they haven’t even attempted to lift or break during my everyday routine,” writes one tester. “I love the fast-drying glue and the sturdiness of the nail tips. Great product for that quick fresh set feel. I will be buying again!”

Nail glue is the GOAT for a super long-lasting manicure, but it can get messy and leave a residue on your nails that you have to majorly file off afterward. If you wanna avoid that altogether, try the viral Kiss ImPress nails, which feature adhesive tabs that make it easy AF to literally just press on and go. I always keep a few packs of these press-ons at home when I’m in a hurry, since I legit just have to match the nails to my shape and press them right on. The adhesive isn’t nearly as sticky as glue, though, so I only get two or three days out of these nails. But worth it for a manicure that legit takes less than three minutes.

• Number of nails: 30
• Included tools: Adhesive tabs, prep pad, file, cuticle pusher
• Reusable: No
• Length: Various (short, medium, long)

THE REVIEWS: “I buy these often for cute, quick wears, and they don’t disappoint,” writes one tester. “Being short stills allows for ease of use with my hands, and they’re cute. Win, win.”