The 13 Best Nail Glues for Salon-Grade DIY Manicures At Home

Best Overall

Nailene Ultra Quick Nail Glue

$5 at Amazon $7 at Walmart $5 at Ecosmetics.com

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

With its durability and ease of use, this nail glue ranks high in our books. It dries quickly—in five seconds or less—and keeps fake tips or press-ons in place for at least two weeks. Reviewers rave that this nail glue lasts through it all, including daily activities like washing dishes and making the bed.

But bear in mind a high-strength formula also means it'll be a little harder to remove your acrylics when you're ready to replace them. You might need to use nail polish remover to dissolve some of the adhesive or gently pry them off with a cuticle pusher. Also worth mentioning: The squeeze tube is pretty small and doesn't contain as much glue as others on this list—but you don't need much, and you can get two for under $10.

Best Value

Beauty Secrets Drip & Clog Proof Nail Glue

$23 at Walmart $7 at Sallybeauty.com

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.37 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This nail glue contains at least twice as much product as most others we found, so you'll definitely get a good bang for your buck. But that's not the only reason to buy it. As the name suggests, the fine-tipped nozzle prevents drips when applying the adhesive, while a special cap ensures it never clogs. We also like that the formula quickly bonds to the nail and lasts up to two weeks.

Best for Press-Ons

NYK1 Super Strong Nail Glue

$10 at Amazon $13 at Walmart View on Nyk1.com

Active Ingredients: Cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.27 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This UK brand is a celeb favorite for on-the-go manicures. We love its precision brush applicator, which is ideal for press-on and French tip application. The user-friendly, long-lasting, water-resistant formula dries quickly and holds up through it all—including frequent handwashing and strenuous tasks. It can be tricky to remove, but this is really just a testament to how well it works.

Best for Split Nails

KISS PowerFlex Ultra-Hold Precision Nail Glue

$16 at Amazon $5 at Ulta $3 at Walmart

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Split, cracked, or broken nail? It happens to the best of us. That said, you'll be glad to have this nail glue on hand next time you need a fix. A tiny bit does the trick, and the narrow nozzle helps with precise application. "Repair your broken nail with a patch combination of nail glue and a tea bag or a thin paper towel," says Romah. Of course, you can also use this product to apply acrylics.

Best for Acrylics

Makartt Quick Nail Glue

$7 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Accomplishing acrylic nails at home is no easy feat, which is where this Makartt nail glue comes into play. Its brush offers easy, even application with no lumps, bumps, or clumps. Like the best nail polish brushes, all you need is one swipe to evenly coat each nail. And even though it dries quickly, it gives you just the right amount of time to set everything into place. What's more, it can be used to apply press-ons or gems and fix broken nails, too.

Best Fast Drying

IBD 5 Second Brush-On Nail Glue

$4 at Sallybeauty.com View on Ibdbeauty.com

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.17 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At-home manicures are all about saving time. Still, it can be hard to be patient while everything dries, which is why we love this nail glue from IBD. As the name suggests, the on-the-go formula dries in just five seconds. In addition to applying a fresh set of nails or tips, it's great for reapplication and fixing broken nails in a pinch. Plus, it has the seal of approval from Edwards. "I use this in conjunction with ridge filler powder for a quick fix—it's very consumer-friendly," she says.

Best for Wraps

Big Bondini Plus All Purpose Nail Glue

View on Unitedbeautysupply.com

Active Ingredients: Not listed | Size: 0.14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Nail wraps are an alternative to gels, dips, acrylics, and regular nail polish. They're essentially thin adhesive strips you wrap around each nail bed, then file down to achieve the proper fit and shape. Big Bondini Plus is a multipurpose formula you can use not only for fake nails and tips but also for wraps. While nail wraps usually come with a sticky backing, swiping on a thin coat of this glue before applying them can ensure they stay put and help them last longer.

Best for Beginners

Young Nails Brush On Glue

$14 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.5 oz Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Are you a nail glue newbie? This beginner-friendly option from Young Nails is easy to apply with the attached brush. Not too thick nor too runny, the medium viscosity formula is quick-drying but not so quick that you'll feel flustered trying to position each nail. The overall design helps minimize mistakes, and if you do mess up, no sweat! Just use a bit of soap and warm water to remove the glue. You'll become a nail pro in no time.

Best Long-Lasting

INFILILA Professional Nail Glue

$7 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.23 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

This pro-level, salon-quality nail glue isn't messing around. The quick-bonding, remarkably reliable adhesive promises to last up to 30 days—there's a good chance your natural nails will grow out before your fakes pop off. Just a heads up, it's meant to be applied to the fake nail rather than your nail bed. Besides acrylics and extensions, you can use it to embellish your nails with rhinestones or fix cracks and splits.

Best for Gems

Dashing Diva Fast Bond Glue

$17 at Amazon $14 at Sallybeauty.com

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.75 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Want to add a little sparkle to your nails? This fast-drying, quick-bond nail glue is technically meant to provide long-lasting staying power for full-cover acrylics and press-ons. However, the thick gel formula, squeeze-on application, and precision tip make it a stellar choice for nail gems. It can also be used to fill gaps and seal cracks.

Best Pen

KDS Nail Tip Glue

View on Nailcompany.com

Active Ingredients: Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Size: 0.16 oz Cruelty-Free: Not listed

Worried about a nail popping off midday? Keep this nail glue pen in your bag just in case it happens when you're out and about. With a narrow nozzle and a fine tip, it offers convenient and precise application. The best part? It won't open up or spill, thanks to the secure cap. This nail adhesive also dries super fast, so you'll be on your way quickly after fixing your nail.

Best for Rhinestones

Makartt Nail Rhinestone Glue With Brush & Pen Tip

$10 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.27 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This dual-headed nail glue has a precision brush on one side and a fine pen tip on the other, making it easy to deposit tiny dots where you want to apply rhinestones, crystals, gems, or charms. You can count on your nail embellishments to stay put for a couple of weeks. However, since this is a resin adhesive, it has to be cured with a UV lamp. The brand makes a pretty affordable mini nail-drying lamp designed for one finger at a time. If you're willing to go the extra step with a UV lamp, this precision-tipped glue is your best bet for adding three-dimensional embellishments.

Best for Tips

Infeling 28 Days Long Lasting Solid Gel Glue

$9 at Amazon

Active Ingredients: Resin | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For those applying fake tips or nail extensions at home, this nail glue is the way to go. Boasting a high-viscosity formula, the unique "solid gel" creates a super sticky base where you can press on the tips. You won't have to worry about the extensions sliding around or slipping off after you position them, but as a resin glue, it needs a UV lamp to cure.