Nail damage in any form is always heart-wrenching! But with the best top coat nail polishes, you need not worry at all! Top coats are extremely vital especially to protect your manicure and nail art to the fullest. These coats, when applied at the top, act as sealants to prevent nail chipping, peeling, and breakage seamlessly.

Top coats safeguard your nails, prevent yellowing, and help nail paints to adhere for a prolonged period. Not just that, in addition to laying a protective shield on your nails, these top coats are of great help to maximize their shine, or to mattify your nail polish. Mary Newman, a nail technician says, “If you take any color of nail polish whether it's a dark color or whether it's a nude, a single top coat actually transforms and enhances the color surprisingly and gives your nails a 3D effect and a silky finish.”

Millions of women worldwide love to do nail art to make their nails look more attractive. A top coat extends the longevity of the nail art, and gives it a desired look with a smoother finish. However, excessive nail-art practices can cause white patches and cracks on the surfaces of art-removed nail plates(1). But in the fantasized world of nail polishes, nail art, and designs, a base, and top coat is something that allows you to preserve it. They keep your nail game going! So, indulge in a relaxing manicure and pedicure, get your finger and toenails painted, and seal their glam with the best top coats that we have brought to you. 

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  Best Overall

  Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Nail Coat

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A clear top nail coat is regarded as the best solution to enhance the color and maximize the shine of your nail art or paint. And, this Fast Dry Nail Coat from Seche Vite is a must-have for those who are nail art lovers. It lends your nails high shine and imparts much-needed strength. A single coat prevents your nails from turning yellow or staining. Plus, you do not need a UV LED nail lamp as it dries quickly.

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Best Chip-Resistant

Sally Hansen miracle GEL TOP COAT

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For giving your nail color a high-shine finish, get your hands on Sally Hansen’s miracle gel top coat. This top coat protects the color of your nail paint straight for 8 days. It is also available in a wide range of shades to suit your tastes and nail art needs. The top coat air dries instantly and requires no UV lamp. For all those who wish to indulge in an at-home manicure, this miracle gel is what you need to seal your nail’s beauty.

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Best Applicator

essie no chips ahead TOP COAT

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Wave goodbye to peeling and chipping of nails with this top coat from Essie. This top coat seals and protects your nail color and is available in seven types, ranging from quick drying to mattifying ones. For a glossy finish, grab this one and be ready to drool over its salon-like results. This nail polish is enriched with acrylic resin and undoubtedly amps up your nail game with a protective formula.

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Best for All Nails

MODELONES TOP GEL AND BASE GEL Combo

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The base coat is as important as the top coat. And if you are looking for both, here’s the duo from Modelones that is a great pick. It contains a base coat for excellent adhesion of your gel nail polish and nail beds and a top gel for a high gloss shine. This top coat protects your nail surface while the base shields your nail plate to prevent damage. Both of these products are long-lasting and enriched with a non-toxic formula. Plus, it has no odor and causes no harm to your nails.

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Best Matte-finish Top Coat

O.P.I Matte Top Coat

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Sometimes just the texture of your nails can make a significant difference in your overall aesthetic, and this top coat lacquer by O.P.I is just perfect for that! Unlike most top coat polishes, this one dries down to a beautiful matte finish and gives a chic, professional look to your nails. Adding on, the unique texture it provides enhances the color of your nail polish without tampering with the tone. Moreover, it prevents scratches or chipping on your nails.

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AIMEILI NO WIPE TOP Coat

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This top coat from Aimeili is free from harmful ingredients and thus helps you maintain healthy nails. Talking about its finish, it gives your nails a beautiful shimmery finish and a mirror-life effect. It doesn’t chip, nick, or smudge. It stays as it is and keeps your nails well-protected. And if you love experimenting with your nails and trying out new designs, this is clearly a must-have.

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Best Long-lasting

GA&EN TOP COAT and BASE COAT

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This top and base coat duo from GA&EN adheres to your nails straight for 14 days. It is infused with purified water, mineral powder, and an extracted natural resin that causes no harm to your nails or cuticles. Both of these bottles have soft bristles for easy, quick, and mess-free application. All you need to do is apply an even coat and dry it off under a UV nail lamp. Tada! Your nails are sealed with a flawless finish!

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Best Beginner-friendly

MAKARTT UV Gel TOP COAT

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Makartt has introduced an impeccable soak-off UV gel top coat to help you attain desirable long-lasting shine. With its mirror-like finish and high gloss effect, we bet you can easily level up your gel manicure just by sitting at home. In addition, this top coat nail polish also prevents the cracking of nails. The texture is smooth and doesn’t feel sticky at all. The bonus — this single coat will prevent the yellowing of your nails.

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Best Texture

VISHINE SOAK-OFF TOP COAT Sealer

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For a smooth and shiny finish, get your hands on this no wipe top coat sealer from Vishine. It is extremely long-lasting and protects your nails from harmful UV damage. The formula of this top coat polish is mild and non-irritant.  It contains a transparent photoinitiator, natural resin, and purified water. Apply a single coat of this top coat on your nail paint or nail art and cure your nails under a UV nail lamp.

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Best Salon-like Effect

O.P.I TOP COAT and NATURAL NAIL BASE COAT Duo

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To enhance the staying power of your nail paint and manicure, splurge on this duo from O.P.I. It consists of a top coat and a base coat. The base coat protects your nail plates whereas the top coat lends your nails the glossy shine that it needs. It also seals the nail color and prevents chipping and scratches. Plus, this also provides 7 days of wear and comes with a non-yellowing formula.

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Best Easy to Dry

Mia Secret ULTRA SHINE FINISH GEL

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Here is your nail’s new BFF! Check out this Ultra Shine Finish Gel introduced by Mia Secret. It is a UV gel polish that lasts for up to 21 days without dulling or cracking. Trust us, this has to be your go-to nail essential to make your nails look as if they are newly done. The coat smoothens your nail surface and leaves no stickiness behind post drying under the UV lamp. It is a versatile top coat that works on natural as well as acrylic nails.

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BELLEBOOST BASE COAT and TOP COATS

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These three Belleboost UV gel polishes are all that you need for eliciting the beauty of your nails, nail art, and manicure. It is a set of 3 that contains one base coat, one matte top coat, and one shiny top coat. Apply a base coat, paint your nails with a nail polish of your desired choice, and then choose if you would like to mattify or intensify its shine. These three products instantly transform the look of nails.

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GAOY GEL TOP COAT

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Gooy makes one of the best top coat nail polishes that you just can’t stop admiring. This gel top coat sets within seconds and lends you a top-notch gloss varnish. It is chip-resistant and prevents daily wear and tear. Cap your nail and nail tips with a thin layer and you are done sealing your nails’ glory. Now, you need not visit a nail salon frequently. Bring home Gaoy’s gel top coat and indulge in a nail art session in the comfort of your own home.

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UNA GELLA FOUNDATION BASE GEL, MATTE TOP COAT, and HIGH GLOSS TOP COAT

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Make your nail art session fun with these three beauties that we found from Una Gella’s store. The base coat protects your nail plate whereas the other two top coat nail polishes give you the option to either mattify your nails or extend their glossiness. With strong control of the brush of the gels, you can take due care of your nails and cuticles. So don’t wait, invest in these and pamper your nails in a pocket-friendly way.

This was the list of the best nail top coats to prevent the chipping of nails. To help you make a better and wiser purchasing decision, we have also brought to you a useful buying guide. Scroll down and check it out.

Now that you’ve seen our product recommendations for the best top coat nail polishes, let us see the following buying guide and steps to use to shop wisely and make the best of the product.

Extends the Life of Your Manicure: One of the main reasons why you might want to consider using a top coat is that it can significantly extend the life of your manicure. We all know the disappointment of spending time perfecting our nails, only to have them chip a day or two later. A top coat acts as a protective barrier, preventing your polish from peeling, chipping, or fading. It helps to seal in the color and keep it looking fresh for longer.

Adds Shine and Gloss: If you're looking for that glossy, salon gel manicure, a top coat is your best friend. It enhances the shine of your nail polish, giving it a professional and polished look. Whether you prefer a natural nail look or a bold, vibrant color, a top coat can take your manicure to the next level by adding that extra touch of shine.

Smooths Out Imperfections: Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our nail polish application can be a little less than perfect. Uneven texture, streaks, or minor imperfections can make our nails look less polished. However, a top coat can help to smooth out these imperfections, giving your nails a flawless and even appearance. It acts as a sort of "eraser" for any application mistakes, leaving you with a smooth and flawless finish.

Speeds Up Drying Time: Waiting for nail polish to dry can be a tedious process. We've all experienced those frustrating moments of accidentally smudging freshly painted nails. Fortunately, using a top coat can speed up the drying time of your nail polish. It forms a hard layer that dries faster than the polish alone, allowing you to get on with your day without worrying about ruining your nails.

Protects Against Stains and Yellowing: Certain nail polish colors, especially dark or vibrant shades, have the potential to stain your natural nails. Additionally, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause your nails to turn yellow over time. Using a top coat can provide a protective barrier, preventing your nails from getting stained or discolored. It keeps your nails looking healthy and vibrant even after removing the polish.

Here are a few aspects to consider before investing in some really good and useful top coats for nails.

Nail Quality: Before you invest in any of the branded or best drugstore top coats for your nails, make sure you consider your nail quality. Check whether your nails are brittle or require any additional nourishment. If your nails are more prone to breakage or get peeled easily, you need a good-quality top coat to strengthen and protect them from frequent breakage. It is also a great idea to consider your manicure duration and nail painting schedules. For additional care of your nails, you may pick a set of one top coat and a base coat. 

Nail Polish Preference: Some women like subtle nail polishes whereas some love shimmery and glittery ones. Ordinary or simple nail polishes do not require multiple top coats but gritty nail polishes that contain shimmer or glitter require a long-lasting top coat that prevents chipping. Hence, it is necessary to consider your type of nail polish so that the purpose of buying a top coat polish is clear. 

Type of Top Coat: There are two types of top coat nail polishes. One is the protective top coat for nails whereas the other is a nail-nourishing coat. The former is designed to protect your nails to the maximum, preventing them from chipping and extending the wear of your manicure. The latter works toward enhancing the quality of your nails by coating them with the necessary moisture and nourishment. Both of these types are good and you can pick any of them as per your nail type. 

Finish Type: There are generally two types of finishes — matte and glossy. As per your preference, you may choose any of them. The matte finish top coat has the power to mattify your nails completely whereas, a glossy top coat nail polish lends your nails an additional shine and smoother finish.  

Drying Time: The drying time of your base or top coat nail polish is of utmost importance. The majority of women vouch for a fast-drying top coat nail polish that protects the nails to the maximum and resists chipping. Ordinary nail lacquers air dry quickly whereas gel-based nail polishes require a nail-drying UV lamp. If you are a nail art enthusiast and own a UV lamp, you may invest in good-quality top coat polishes. If you ask us, an air-drying top coat is always feasible and less time-consuming. 

Formula: Make sure the top coat that you are investing in is chip-proof, long-lasting, non-wipe, and fast-drying. There are also some before and after top coat nail polishes in the market that help you to take due care of your nail and nail art. 

Shade: There are various shades of top coat available for purchase. However, investing in a clear top coat nail polish is always a good option as it suits all nail polish colors and types. 

Certifications: When it comes to any beauty product, including top coat nail polishes, certifications and quality assurance play a significant role in ensuring you are purchasing a safe and reliable product. Look for certifications such as ISO, FDA, or cruelty-free labels, which indicate that the product has undergone rigorous testing and meets the required safety standards. Choosing a certified top coat nail polish will not only give you peace of mind but also guarantee a superior and long-lasting finish.