The best nail files you can buy

Why you'll love it: MAKARTT Professional Nail Files are a cut above your average emery board, with two different grits on each end for a customizable filing experience.

If you’re attached to an emery board, try a 10-pack of MAKARTT Professional Nail Files. Each board has two different grits so you can tailor the experience to your individual nail needs. The 100 grit is great for filing down your nails, while the 180 is ideal for smoothing and shaping.

Each set of 10 emery boards costs less than $8, making this a super affordable option. You can use them on acrylics and they are safe to wash and reuse. They’re also gritty enough to help with at-home gel polish removal.

BestReviews describes these as having "sturdy construction" that "outlasts similar nail files" but cautions that they may be too rough for thinner nails.

The MAKARTT Professional Nail Files also come recommended by Bustle and have a 4.3 Amazon rating based on 900+ reviews.

"I have recently had bad luck with nail files where they would be no good after just one use, but these finally turned my luck around. I've used one of the nail files a few times already and I don't just shape my nails, I use files to take them down in length once they've grown out considerably, and it's still working like new," writes one Amazon reviewer.

Pros: Affordable, pack of 10, two different grits, good for artificial nails and gel polish

Cons: Might be too harsh for thin nails

Buy the MAKARTT Professional Nail Files on Amazon for $7.85

Why you'll love it: The Revlon Compact Emeryl File is strong enough to stand up to artificial nails and stubborn polishes, but gentle enough not to shred your nails.

Metal nail files have a bad reputation for splitting and shredding and being altogether entirely too harsh for most nails. But the Revlon Compact Emeryl File strikes a good balance between grittiness and gentleness.

It claims to be made of a "unique emeryl material" that "helps control splitting." The file is fairly thin and comes to a point at the end that can be used to clean dirt out from under nails. They come in a pack of two for $6.45, making this a great value.

Absolute Health recommends metal nail files for very strong nails like acrylics or those that have been painted with gel polish. If you have thin, natural nails, this material might be too harsh, especially for long-term use. But if most nail files don’t have enough grit for you, this could be a great option. It has a 4.5 Amazon rating based on 200+ reviews.

"I've used these for many years and they last almost forever. I just use it to shave down the sharp bits after cutting my nails. They are sturdy and easy to carry around without fearing they will snap in half," writes one Amazon shopper.

"Good long-lasting nail files. Far superior to traditional disposable emery board - the metal file is thinner than a disposable emery board and this makes it easier to file the edges of the nails," says another.

Pros: Pack of two, affordable, strong, long-lasting

Cons: Metal might be too harsh for brittle nails, same grit on both side

Buy the Revlon Compact Emeryl File on Amazon for $7.44

Why you'll love it: Dedicated at-home manicurists will love the professional quality Beurer Electric Manicure & Pedicure Kit that comes with a nail drill and 10 attachments.

Take your home manicure skills to a whole new level with the Beurer Electric Manicure & Pedicure Kit. This is not your average nail file — it’s an electric nail drill with 10 different attachments that helps you get a professional-level manicure or pedicure while watching Netflix on your couch.

The attachments are made of high-quality, durable sapphire and felt. The kit also includes 10 single-use sandpaper attachments for filing down, an LED light, a dust shield, and a storage case with slots for each item to keep them safe in transit.

This is obviously way more complicated than your average nail file, so if you’re not majorly into nail care, it won’t be for you. But nail professionals and dedicated hobbyists will love the endless possibilities with the Beurer Electric Manicure & Pedicure Kit. The set has a 4.7 out of 5 Amazon rating based on 475 reviews.

"This is an absolutely fabulous set. Even though I get biweekly mani/pedi's, I prefer trimming and shaping my nails myself and this set is perfect. Well worth the price, especially since it is electrical (as opposed to the flimsy battery-operated sets out there). Highly recommend!" says one fan.

Pros: Professional quality, 10 attachments plus sandpaper attachments, customizable, good for using on toes

Cons: Reviewers don’t recommend for artificial nails

Buy the Beurer Electric Manicure & Pedicure Kit on Amazon for $59.57

The best nail clippers you can buy

All nail clippers are not created equal. Sometimes it's worth spending a little more to get that perfect blend of sharpness, comfort, and durability.

Here are the best nail clippers you can buy:

• Best nail clippers overall: Green Bell G-1008 Nail Clippers
• Best nail clippers for travelers: FIXBODY Nail Clipper Set
• Best child-friendly nail clippers: Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clippers
• Best multi-use nail clippers: Nail Clippers for Fingernails by Clyppi
• Best ergonomic nail clippers: Seki Edge SS-101 Deluxe Fingernail Clippers