While nail files can be an essential grooming tool for reshaping the nails, not many are aware of the fact that they are equipped with so many features including contouring, buffing, shining, and whatnot! Today, I gladly present to you the best nail files, which have been tried, tested, and approved by me before finalizing. After all, it is your hands and feet that people notice first, and it surprises me when many of us pay the least attention ‘em!

While I admit that not all nail files are made for everyone and every purpose, I mentioned which one will be best for whom! The nail files, that are mentioned below, are durable, easy to use, easy to clean, and durable. As per my expertise, I can safely claim that they are designed perfectly to work on acrylic nails or fake nails apart from natural ones. Each type has its pros and cons, and I didn't mind revealing them! Thus, it is your time to pick one without hesitating. Read on the product recommendations.

• 1
  Best for Beginners

  HeeYaa Professional Double-Sided Nail Files - Pack of 10

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The double-sided nail file from HeeYaa is a grit nail file, which is crafted using emery black paper, specially curated to make your manicure and pedicure session perfect. The product is super easy to hold and trim the nails for the perfect shape or length. Furthermore, the grit made of fine-quality adhesive tape, ensures that it files the nails without damaging the surface. What's more? Well, it's easy to clean! Just wash it under running water and you're good to go!

Type: 100/180 double-sided grit nail files

Size: 5.91 x 2.36 x 0.5 inches

2

Best Professional-friendly Set

Teenitor Nail File Buffer- Pack of 6

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Teenitor comes with a set of 6 nail files, made of acrylic material, to help you buff your nail just like a professional! While 3 files among them can be used to trim, contour, and give a desired shape to your nails, 2 files are used for buffing, and the last one is ideal to use as a shiner. Addedly, the files are ideal to remove gel or extended nails and give you smooth and shiny nails. Made of top-quality emery board material and EVC, the files are easy to clean right after use! 

Type: EVC+ Emery board nail trimmer, buffer, shiner

Size: Package dimension- 7.32 x 4.72 x 0.65 inches

3

Best to Refine Shape

Makartt Nail File- Pack of 10

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The pack of nail files by Makartt comes with double-sided different grits for different uses. While the 100 grits can be used for artificial coarse nails, the other side of 180 grits is ideal for faux and natural nails. The products offer excellent flexibility while you use them without damaging the nails or the surface. Apart from personal uses, long-lasting nail files are widely used among users for their beloved pets. The 6-inch size is also ideal to carry in your bag so that you can shape your nails while traveling or on a flight.

Type: 100/180 Grit emery boards double-sided files

Size: 6.96 x 0.79 x 0.16 inches

4

Best Easy-to-use Unit

FANDAMEI Nail File And Buffer - Pack of 20

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Fandamei comes with a nail file and buffer set consisting of 8 pieces of multi-colored sanding buffer block, 8 pieces of black nail files, 2 pieces of green cushioned boards, and 2 pieces of 7-way buffer! Made of high-quality materials, each piece is flexible and easy to use even for beginners. It is an ideal kit to reshape, contour, buff, and polish your nails without a hassle or visiting a parlor. And oh, each item is reusable and washable!

Type: 20 pieces of professional manicure tools

Size: Package dimension- 7.77 x 7.36 x 1.13 inches

Quick tip:

Always trim your nails in the desired shape before starting filing!

5

Best High-quality Material

Revlon Shape ‘N’ Buff Nail Buffer

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Revlon’s Shape ‘N’ Buff manicure tool works in both ways to contour your nails while refining the shape at the same time! It is an all-in-one solution to get perfectly shaped shiny and smooth nails that you get only from professional manicure services! With 4 buffing surfaces, each for different styles, it is now more than easy for you to create long-lasting, superior quality nails. Plus, the unit is super easy to use and control for the ergonomic design!

Type: All-in-one shaping & buffing tool

Size: 2.94 x 0.83 x 8.13 inches

6

Best for Pet Grooming

Canvalite Professional Nail Files - Pack of 10

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Canvalite comes with a reusable double-sided nail file, made of emery board featuring 100/180 grits, for reshaping and buffing your nails. While 100 grits are made for artificial nails, 180 grits can buff natural nails like a pro. It is coated with high-quality sandpaper, and filled with eco-sponge that won't bend like other average nail files. The strong PP board needs special mention to provide you with the desired durability. Also, it is super easy to use and maintain!

Type: Double-sided emery board nail styling tool

Size: 7.13 x 5.2 x 1.18 inches

7

Best Heavy-duty Material

Treamlyn Rough Nail File - Pack of 10

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If you are looking for a nail file that will withstand the strong acrylic nails, Treamlyn’s nail file is the answer for you! Specially crafted for coarse nails, the heavy-duty nail file works excellently well for natural nails as well! 100 grits can be used for faux nails while 180 grits are ideal for natural nails. Thanks to the top-quality adhesive tape, it is more durable than average nail files. From mild filing to smoothing up nail edges, the units take the upper hand at doing everything single-handedly!

Type: Heavy duty emery board nail files

Size: ‎7.2 x 5.28 x 0.35 inches

8

Best Design Unit

Onsen Secret Japanese Nail File

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Who doesn't love a nail file that is aesthetically pleasing as you work on your nails with it? Because the Onsen Secret Japanese nail file does it all! From providing you with smooth nails to being your travel buddy, the acrylic nail files are just ideal for getting contoured and smooth nails that you see only on Instagram! Made of an emery board, it shapes, restores, and strengthens damaged nails for a healthy look. They are also super easy to use which makes it a convenient product to add to your shelf!

Type: Double-sided disposable nail files

Size: 2 x 0.68 x 5.87 inches

9

Best Durable Material

Nail Tek Double-sided Crystal File

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Say adios to jagged nails with this double-sided crystal file from Nail Tek that allows you to keep your nails trimmed and smooth! It gently shapes your nails while refining the coarse surface or pointy ends for a beautiful and flawless outcome. Furthermore, the double-sided surface allows you to buff the free edge of the nail without splitting ‘em. Made of high-quality material, it is also easy to wash, sanitize, and sterilize to avoid bacteria spreading.

Type: Double-sided file with fuchsia companion case

Size: 3.82 x 0.87 x 0.87 inches

10

Best Travel-friendly Files

Tweezerman Neon Hot Nail Filemates Model - Pack of 3

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I am absolutely in love with these neon nail files from Tweezerman, considering they  are super eye-catchy and do their job quite well! Each file features 100/180 grits that beautifully shape and buff both acrylic and natural nails! Apart from that, they are good nail files to make the surface smooth and shiny so that you can apply your favorite nail paint without lag. And oh, the files come with a carry case which further ensures the protection and ease of traveling. 

Type: Neon gritty nail files

Size: 2.8 x 2.6 x 8.4 inches

11

Tropical Shine Nail Files - Pack of 3

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Tropical Shine offers you 3 pieces of nail files that come with 3 different colors to serve the purpose of buffing, smoothing, and filling! With grit counts ranging from 600-100, one unit is heavily-coarsed to work on acrylic nails while another one is medium-coarsed to contour or reshape natural nails. Adding on, the third one is finely-coarsed to smooth your nail surface. Each nail file is washable and can be disinfected with a sterilizer for further safe use.

Type: Nail files for natural and acrylic nails

Size: 8.5 x 1 x 0.17 inches

12

P2P Nails Colorful Nail File Strips - Pack of 12

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If you are looking for cutesy nail files that catch your attention while you work with them, look no further, because here I introduce P2P nail files that come in a pack of 12. The nail file strips work beautifully on your fingernails and toenails to buff and smoothen the nail surface so that you can apply your favorite nail paint without any hassle. While the 180 grit counts on one side of each nail file are ideal for natural nails, the 100 grit counts are excellent for acrylic nails!

Type: Double-sided filers for shaping and smoothing 

Size: 6.97 x 1.97 x 0.79 inches

13

Bliss Kiss Simply Crystal Nail File

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This nail file by Bliss Kiss is one of the best crystal nail files out there. which is made of premium Czech glass! It also comes with a case and sleeve for ease of carrying and use. It claims to smoothen your jagged edges and prepare your nails for your manicure sessions. Furthermore, the life-long filing surface is designed to serve you for the longest possible time without wearing or tearing like cheap files. They are also easy to disinfect with soap water or UV light for further use.

Type: Crystal nail file to smooth and buff

Size: ‎6 x 0.25 x 0.6 inches

14

BELLASONIC 4-in-1 Electric Nail File Set

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Bellasonic offers you 4-in-1 nail file sets that are designed to minimize the damage caused in your nails during the buffing and smoothing process. The oscillating head goes back and forth creating lesser friction while minimizing burn than other average brands with rotary heads. Now, let me reveal what you get inside the package — 4 interchangeable discs for smoothing, shining, buffing, and shaping, a USB cable and charger, a storage cradle, an instruction booklet, and the wand itself!

Type:  Nail file set with a unique oscillating head

Size: ‎8.94 x 5.71 x 2.44 inches

15

Diamancel Luxury Diamond Nail File

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The diamond nail file comes with medium grit, which is specially designed for average thick nails! It claims to be made of real diamond dust, to ensure the durability and the most abrasive nature of the units. Furthermore, it has 180 grit units. which can be used on natural and acrylic nails to trim, buff, shape, and contour. The professional-grade unit is widely used in posh salons to give the ultimate result super quick! Plus, it is very easy to clean, sterilize, and sanitize for future uses. 

Type: Medium grit file for average thickness nails

Size: 1.5 x 0.2 x 7.2 inches

Quick Tip:

You can use 70-80% alcohol to sterilize your glass nail files after using them.

Now that you have checked out the products, take a look at how you can pick the best one among them.

Below are the parameters to consider the best nail file.

a) Grit: The grit plays an important role in picking the right nail file! The grit of maximum nail files ranges from 80-240. Now, the higher the grit counts are in a nail file, the finer the result will be! While lower grit counts are best for artificial hard nails, finer grit counts are best for natural nails.

b) Type: Before investing in one, take a close look at the material. While the budget-friendly and easy-to-go options are the files, made of an emery board, the crystal and glass nail files are the one for you if you are in the mood to splurge or want to get salon-like nails.

c) Durability: Most of the nail files, made of fine sandpaper and emery boards are designed and pasted together using glue, which may not last long before bending or falling apart. On the other hand, glass or crystal nail files are a great option that can serve the purpose of the longest possible time if you store them carefully after use.

Now, take a look at how you can use a nail file like a pro.

Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: First thing first, before filing the nails, start with dry nails to minimize breakage.

Step 2: It is always a good idea to clip the nails first before trimming or filing.

Step 3: Now, holding the file flat, i.e., horizontally, start reshaping the nails. Always remember to use only one angle during filing is preferable to minimize breakage or damage and to keep brittle nails at bay!

Step 4: After starting from a corner, go to the middle, and then file the rest of the nails. Remember, one side at a time!

Step 5: After filing and reshaping the nails, you can buff the surface to smoothen the bumps and texture.

Step 6: If you have a shiner, you can use it as well to bring the gloss vibe to your nail surface.

Now, it is time to take a look at how you can clean the nail files for better durability and safe use.

Below are the steps you can follow to clean your nail files.

a) Emery Boards: Emery boards usually deteriorate in nature with time or when wet. So, cleaning them with running water or soap water is never a clever option. It is always best to replace them after a few uses.

b) Glass Or Crystal Files: Glass or crystal files last very long if they are properly cleaned and sanitized after use. You can submerge the unit in 70-90% alcohol after each use to ensure that they are bacteria-free.

c) Electric Files: Electric files often come with rotary heads that you should sterilize after each use.