Then, when they come back for another manicure, I use these next nail drill bits to file off all of my client's gel polish color.

If you're overwhelmed already, fear not. If you've already got the basics of e-filing down, here's the ultimate list of the best nail drill bit for your needs and skill level . But if you're new to the world of e-filing, make sure to keep reading 'till the end! I'll show you the best nail drill bits for gel removal and cuticle prep, with a detailed list of their pros and cons!

Can you imagine left-handed me trying to file my clients gel off for a whole almost two years with right handed gel removal bits and wondering why it was faster when everyone else did it??

Electric filing, also known as e-filing, is in my professional opinion, an essential skill for nail technicians to learn and let me tell you why.

Lastly, even though I am a left-handed nail tech, I own both right and left-handed nail drill bits for when I am doing my own opposite hand.

I don’t use this bit nearly as often as the Russian Flame, but when I DO use it is usually when I am in a huge rush or my client needs to get out of there much quicker than usual.

I switch between the T-Rex and the Flame nail drill bits often. It really just depends on how far away from my hand is to reach for it in the salon.

I am someone who builds up my client's nails with base gel. And by building up, I mean creating an apex to add strength and body to my client's nails. This creates a strong and thicker layer of base gel.

Long story short, if you already have a professional nail drill machine (also known as an electric nail file, e-file for short) or are just starting your research, you'll know that picking the right nail drill bit can be confusing.  So I will hopefully be your guide for all of this kinda confusing e-file nail drill bit talk!

Once you have experienced and practiced the perks of using a professional nail drill, I swear you'll never think about using a manual nail file for nails ever again!

So the point of me writing this article is to take you through a SUPER simple guide on the best nail drill bits and all of the ones I use in my salon for cuticle prep work and gel nail removal!

And heads up! If you want to get even more in depth and knowledgeable  on why your gel manicures are lifting, chipping, etc. here is a great online class dedicated to you!

You can also use code NT10 for everything on this website including the e-file and bits for a 10% discount. I really recommend investing in the highest quality e-file that you can because:

However, if you are a gel manicure DIYer and hobbyist and not planning to heavily use your e-file but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a nicer one, here is a great alternative for your at home gel manicure kit on my amazon store!

If you are a DIYer looking for what you might need for your kit, search no more! Click here for my easy blog post on all of the gel nail polish supplies you need for your at-home gel kit!

The specific electric file that I used in the salon got discontinued but below is the updated version from the same company!

Think about how your wrists and fingers would feel after years of salon work if you are constantly hand filing product to remove it, and hand filing to refine it, etc. Our hands are our most precious tools, we have to take care of them!

You are my savoir Katie. As a leftie that has been professionally doing nails for years I just started hearing about leftie bits earlier this year. It’s never been so obvious to me that I live in the Midwest

Now, this is similar to the T-rex nail drill bit. But, the teeth are a little more compacted inward. This nail drill bit also has a thinner and tapered form.

This one I don’t use as often just because of the shape of it, but  I can tell you this is the exact style of nail drill bit I used during my whole first year as a nail tech! Here is why:

I absolutely needed this I can’t thank you enough . Drill bit information is so hard to find and many times so vague, this has helped tremendously.

An electric nail file is a tool specifically designed to file nails, shape nails, remove acrylic nails, gel polish, and refine and remove cuticles. I am so grateful that I took the time at the very beginning of my career to learn about e-filing nails because I know it has saved me so much physical body pain.

So why not take care of them by letting an electric nail file do the bulk of the work for you in half the amount of time?

I never knew where anyone got their e-files or bits and which ones were good or bad, so I was literally just left in the dust to just experiment and guess. Then on top of ALL of that, I had no idea that most nail drill bits were for right handed users only!!!

I do have the occasional client come in with maybe dip powder or acrylic from elsewhere that I need to remove, but these bits I am listing do that trick for you as well!

Of course, once you get your e-file, you’ll start to see that there are SOOOO many different nail drill bits available. So many. From cheap to expensive, and from sharp to dull. Nail drill bits also come in assorted shapes and sizes and can be made of materials like metal, ceramic, or carbide. We won’t get into the nail drill nitty gritty for now because remember, I just want to make things simple for you.

So let’s get into it. I remember when I first started doing nails I was SO overwhelmed with all of the different types and options of drill bits. And on top of that, I always felt like it was hard to find brands to buy from!

And heads up! If you want to get even more in depth and knowledgeable  on why your gel manicures are lifting, chipping, etc. here is a great online class dedicated to you!

First, my service list includes natural nail gel manicures with the occasional nail extension gel repair. This means that I only remove gel polish off of my clients.

That way when I remove gel polish, I don't have to worry about my nail drill bit touching or damaging the natural nails for the rest of the grow out.

I use this bit on every client. I have used this cuticle bit for maybe about 3 or 4 years now. It seriously does all of the work for you and I cannot recommend it enough!

So, if you are looking for the best nail drill bits, as well as enhancement removal and cuticle refining, you have come to the right place!

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And heads up! If you want to get even more in depth and knowledgeable  on why your gel manicures are lifting, chipping, etc. here is a great online class dedicated to you!

Listen, I know the e-file thing seems so intimidating at first. But, I can promise you, investing in this skill and these nail drills are SO helpful to your body, your service times, and your patience!

And I am also including e-file bits that have options for both left AND right handed users! You would be surprised at how many bits there are that don’t have left handed options. So fear not, you are in great hands here.

Using nail drills should not be a scary experience for you or your client. They are here to help you easily clean and prep your client's nails! Practice makes perfect, I promise! Remember, we all started somewhere.

My name is Katie Masters. I am a nail artist with my own private salon in Santa Monica, CA. and I have been doing nails for over 6 years now!

Please note that this article contains affiliate links I may earn a commission from. Anything you buy from this list, you can use code NT10 at checkout for a discount as well!

With all that being said, when I am filing off my clients' gel polish color with nail drills, I am never touching the natural nails again for the most part unless it is completely lifted!