Comparison · Updated
Best polygel nail kits: 5 compared for beginners and pros
Polygel — acrygel in Europe — is the hybrid between acrylic and gel: a tube product you press out with a slip solution, shape on a dual form, and cure in a lamp. Most people shopping for it in the U.S. are buying a kit, and kits differ more than the tubes do: some include slip solution, forms and a lamp, some include none of them. The U.S. field is also smaller than the marketing suggests, because several brands techs assume sell polygel do not. This ranking only includes products we found in a working United States cart, with what is actually in each box.
By The Nail Product Lab editors. Independent ranking for the United States. Some links may earn a commission. How we score products is on the Methodology page.
Quick answer
Our number one polygel is Gelish PolyGel: the only one here from a full professional U.S. nail house, with cover pinks, whites and clear restocked through the CosmoProf and SalonCentric accounts salons already hold. Its Trial Kit was $37.46 on sale ($49.95 list) on gelish.com on September 30, 2026. For a first kit, Makartt’s All-in-One kit ($29.99 on sale) is the one to learn on if you already own a lamp, and the Beetles Gentle Treatment starter kit ($39.99) is the most complete box, lamp included. Modelones Golden Fall ($34.99) also includes a mini lamp and has the biggest restock catalog. Aimeili PK01 ($24.99) is the only kit here that publishes a HEMA-free and TPO-free claim. Elegelli does not make a polygel.
Product specs come from the brands. This ranking uses editor handling plus specs, kit contents and prices published for U.S. buyers, re-checked on September 30, 2026. Some outbound links may earn us a commission if you buy through them. That does not change a ranking. Prices are what we observed for U.S. customers and can change without notice.
At a glance
Compare the 5
| Rank | Product | Why it ranks | Watch-outs | Size | U.S. price | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Gelish · PolyGel | Professional house: cover pinks, whites and clear for a finished set without color on top · Restocks through the U.S. distributor accounts salons already hold | Five core shades on gelish.com, fewer than the consumer brands · Trial kit has one shade and no forms or lamp; the Master Kit was out of stock | Tubes $39.95 list; Trial Kit $49.95 list (Natural Clear, slip solution, tool) | See listing | Professional |
| #2 | Makartt · All-in-One Poly Gel Nail Extension Kit | Sold on the brand’s own U.S. store and on Amazon.com · Kit bundles slip solution, forms, base and top, so nothing but the lamp is missing | No lamp in the box · Contents are shown in photos only; confirm them in the live listing | Six-tube kit with base, top and slip solution · no lamp | See listing | Home studio to junior professional |
| #3 | Modelones · Golden Fall Poly Nail Gel Kit | Complete kit, lamp included, at $34.99 · Largest restock catalog here: 75 poly nail gel items on the brand store | Not a professional distribution brand; no dealer account behind it · The 15 ml slip bottle runs out fast | 6 × 15 g · 15 ml slip solution · 8 W mini lamp | $34.99 | Home studio to junior professional |
| #4 | Beetles · Gentle Treatment Poly Gel Starter Kit | Most complete box here: polygel, slip solution, forms, base and top, file and lamp · 30 ml of slip solution, double the Modelones kit | The 6 W mini lamp is slow; plan to upgrade before you take clients · No HEMA-free or TPO-free claim on the polygel | 6 × 15 g · 30 ml slip solution · 6 W mini lamp | $39.99 | Beginner to home studio |
| #5 | Aimeili · Poly Nail Extension Gel Kit PK01 | The only kit here with a published HEMA-free and TPO-free claim · Lowest kit price in this ranking | No lamp, base coat or top coat in the box · Sold as kits only: no single-tube restock of a favorite shade | 6 × 15 ml · slip solution · no lamp | $24.99 | Beginner to home studio |
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- Why it ranks
- Professional house: cover pinks, whites and clear for a finished set without color on top · Restocks through the U.S. distributor accounts salons already hold
- Watch-outs
- Five core shades on gelish.com, fewer than the consumer brands · Trial kit has one shade and no forms or lamp; the Master Kit was out of stock
- Size / specs
- Tubes $39.95 list; Trial Kit $49.95 list (Natural Clear, slip solution, tool)
- U.S. price
- See listing
- Level
- Professional
-
#2 Makartt · All-in-One Poly Gel Nail Extension Kit
- Why it ranks
- Sold on the brand’s own U.S. store and on Amazon.com · Kit bundles slip solution, forms, base and top, so nothing but the lamp is missing
- Watch-outs
- No lamp in the box · Contents are shown in photos only; confirm them in the live listing
- Size / specs
- Six-tube kit with base, top and slip solution · no lamp
- U.S. price
- See listing
- Level
- Home studio to junior professional
-
#3 Modelones · Golden Fall Poly Nail Gel Kit
- Why it ranks
- Complete kit, lamp included, at $34.99 · Largest restock catalog here: 75 poly nail gel items on the brand store
- Watch-outs
- Not a professional distribution brand; no dealer account behind it · The 15 ml slip bottle runs out fast
- Size / specs
- 6 × 15 g · 15 ml slip solution · 8 W mini lamp
- U.S. price
- $34.99
- Level
- Home studio to junior professional
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#4 Beetles · Gentle Treatment Poly Gel Starter Kit
- Why it ranks
- Most complete box here: polygel, slip solution, forms, base and top, file and lamp · 30 ml of slip solution, double the Modelones kit
- Watch-outs
- The 6 W mini lamp is slow; plan to upgrade before you take clients · No HEMA-free or TPO-free claim on the polygel
- Size / specs
- 6 × 15 g · 30 ml slip solution · 6 W mini lamp
- U.S. price
- $39.99
- Level
- Beginner to home studio
-
#5 Aimeili · Poly Nail Extension Gel Kit PK01
- Why it ranks
- The only kit here with a published HEMA-free and TPO-free claim · Lowest kit price in this ranking
- Watch-outs
- No lamp, base coat or top coat in the box · Sold as kits only: no single-tube restock of a favorite shade
- Size / specs
- 6 × 15 ml · slip solution · no lamp
- U.S. price
- $24.99
- Level
- Beginner to home studio
Ranking
Our 5-product shortlist
Gelish
PolyGel
Gelish PolyGel is the only polygel in this ranking sold by a full professional U.S. nail house. On September 30, 2026, gelish.com listed five core shades (Cover Pink, Light Pink, Bright White, Soft White and Natural Clear) at a $39.95 list price per tube, on sale for $29.96, plus a PolyGel Trial Kit ($49.95 list, $37.46 on sale) with Natural Clear, slip solution, a PolyTool and a tube key. The Master Kit was out of stock. That matters for a salon: shade continuity, a documented cure in a Gelish LED, and restock through the same CosmoProf and SalonCentric accounts you already use for color. If you already run Gelish color, this keeps prep and cure inside one system.
Why it ranks
- Professional house: cover pinks, whites and clear for a finished set without color on top
- Restocks through the U.S. distributor accounts salons already hold
- Trial kit includes the brand’s own slip solution
- Cure times published for Gelish LED lamps
Watch-outs
- Five core shades on gelish.com, fewer than the consumer brands
- Trial kit has one shade and no forms or lamp; the Master Kit was out of stock
- Professional distribution: less convenient than a marketplace order
Makartt
All-in-One Poly Gel Nail Extension Kit
Makartt sells polygel on makartt.com as well as through Amazon.com. Its All-in-One Poly Gel Nail Extension Kit (Neutral Colors) was $29.99 on September 30, 2026, on sale from $36.99. The listing text does not spell out the contents; the product photos show six tubes, base and top coat, a dual-ended brush and spatula, a file, forms and a 50 ml slip-and-cleanser bottle. There is no lamp, so it suits someone who already owns one. This is consumer and junior-tech pricing rather than a salon-exclusive house, which is exactly why it is a sensible kit to learn on before you spend on a professional line.
Why it ranks
- Sold on the brand’s own U.S. store and on Amazon.com
- Kit bundles slip solution, forms, base and top, so nothing but the lamp is missing
- Low cost of entry to find out whether polygel suits your hands
Watch-outs
- No lamp in the box
- Contents are shown in photos only; confirm them in the live listing
- Ships within the U.S. only, excluding Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. territories
Modelones
Golden Fall Poly Nail Gel Kit
Modelones is the other direct-to-customer brand with a deep polygel catalog: its store filter listed 75 poly nail gel items on September 30, 2026, sold as kits and single tubes. The Golden Fall kit was $34.99 that day for six 15 g tubes, 15 ml of slip solution, 48 dual forms, a dual-head brush, 7 ml base and top coat, and an 8 W mini lamp. Same caveats as Makartt: convenient U.S. shipping and low entry pricing, but it is not a professional distribution house and shade names do not map to a salon system.
Why it ranks
- Complete kit, lamp included, at $34.99
- Largest restock catalog here: 75 poly nail gel items on the brand store
- Single tubes as well as kits, so you can restock one shade at a time
Watch-outs
- Not a professional distribution brand; no dealer account behind it
- The 15 ml slip bottle runs out fast
- An 8 W mini lamp is a starter tool, not a salon lamp
Beetles
Gentle Treatment Poly Gel Starter Kit
Beetles is a widely sold consumer gel brand in the U.S., and it sells this polygel starter kit on its own store: $39.99 on September 30, 2026 for six 15 g tubes, 30 ml of slip solution, 48 dual forms, a double-ended brush-and-spatula pen, a 7.5 ml base and top set, a file and a 6 W mini lamp. That is everything a first set needs, lamp included, with twice the slip solution of the Modelones kit. The mini lamp is a starter tool, though: small and slow compared with a salon lamp. The polygel page makes no HEMA-free or TPO-free claim.
Why it ranks
- Most complete box here: polygel, slip solution, forms, base and top, file and lamp
- 30 ml of slip solution, double the Modelones kit
- Sold on the brand’s own U.S. store, shipped by UPS or USPS
Watch-outs
- The 6 W mini lamp is slow; plan to upgrade before you take clients
- No HEMA-free or TPO-free claim on the polygel
- Consumer line: kit contents change between listings
Aimeili
Poly Nail Extension Gel Kit PK01
Aimeili is the only polygel kit in this ranking that publishes a HEMA-free and TPO-free claim: the PK01 page carries a “HEMA/TPO Free” badge, and the brand FAQ says its gels are HEMA and TPO free. On September 30, 2026 it was $24.99 on aimeili.us with free U.S. shipping advertised, for six 15 ml tubes, slip solution, a dual-forms pen, a file, 100 nail-tip molds and 50 form stickers. There is no base coat, top coat or lamp in the box. As with every badge on this site, HEMA-free is the brand’s claim, not our lab result.
Why it ranks
- The only kit here with a published HEMA-free and TPO-free claim
- Lowest kit price in this ranking
- Slip solution, forms pen and 100 tip molds included
Watch-outs
- No lamp, base coat or top coat in the box
- Sold as kits only: no single-tube restock of a favorite shade
- Stock was low when we checked; confirm price and availability in a U.S. cart
Takeaways
What to remember
- Gelish PolyGel is our top pick: the only polygel here from a full professional U.S. house.
- Before price, check three things in a kit: slip solution, dual forms, and whether a lamp is in the box.
- Beetles and Modelones kits include a mini lamp; Makartt and Aimeili do not.
- Aimeili is the only kit here with a published HEMA-free and TPO-free claim.
- Aprés, Kiara Sky and Young Nails do not sell polygel: their U.S. catalogs returned no polygel product when we checked.
Who it’s for
This comparison is for you if…
- Beginners buying a first kit who want to know what is actually in the box.
- Techs who want acrylic strength without monomer odor.
- Techs who sculpt on forms, dual forms, or tips and want extra placement time.
Method
How this ranking was built
Written by The Nail Product Lab editors. Last updated . This comparison is for licensed nail technicians and salon or suite owners who buy professional products in the United States.
Verdict: Our number one polygel is Gelish PolyGel: the only one here from a full professional U.S. nail house, with cover pinks, whites and clear restocked through the CosmoProf and SalonCentric accounts salons already hold. Its Trial Kit was $37.46 on sale ($49.95 list) on gelish.com on September 30, 2026. For a first kit, Makartt’s All-in-One kit ($29.99 on sale) is the one to learn on if you already own a lamp, and the Beetles Gentle Treatment starter kit ($39.99) is the most complete box, lamp included. Modelones Golden Fall ($34.99) also includes a mini lamp and has the biggest restock catalog. Aimeili PK01 ($24.99) is the only kit here that publishes a HEMA-free and TPO-free claim. Elegelli does not make a polygel.
Every product, including Elegelli, is scored on the same five points:
- Hands-on use by the editors on a real table
- Published specs from the brand (size, cure, INCI when posted)
- Handling for daily salon or suite work
- United States availability and a working buy URL
- Value in USD, including price per ml or fl oz when both sizes are known
This ranking uses editor handling plus specs, kit contents and prices published for U.S. buyers, re-checked on September 30, 2026.
No brand pays for a position. Some outbound links may earn a commission. Read the Methodology page and the Transparency page.
Buying guide
How to choose before you buy
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between polygel and builder gel?
Builder gel is more fluid and can self-level. Polygel is denser, stays where you put it, and is shaped with a brush or spatula. Both cure in an LED or UV lamp.
Can I soak off polygel with acetone?
Usually no. Treat it like builder or hard gel and e-file it down. Only soak if the brand’s instructions say the product is soak-off.
Do I need a special liquid to apply polygel?
Yes. Slip solution or, if the brand allows it, 99% isopropyl alcohol. Check before you buy; proprietary slip adds cost.
Which polygel brands are easy to buy in the U.S.?
Gelish sells PolyGel on gelish.com and through professional distributors. Makartt, Modelones, Beetles and Aimeili sell kits on their own U.S. stores, and Makartt and Modelones are also widely listed on Amazon.com. Aprés, Kiara Sky and Young Nails did not list a polygel on their U.S. stores when we checked. European professional acrygels such as Didier Lab, Victoria Vynn, Peggy Sage, Makear and Semilac had no U.S. storefront we could treat as in stock for American techs.
What is the best polygel kit for beginners?
If you already own a lamp, Makartt’s All-in-One kit is the one to learn on. If you own nothing yet, the Beetles Gentle Treatment starter kit ($39.99 on September 30, 2026) puts polygel, slip solution, forms, base and top, a file and a 6 W mini lamp in one box. Plan to upgrade the lamp before you take clients.
Do polygel kits come with a lamp?
Some do. Of the kits ranked here, Beetles (6 W) and Modelones Golden Fall (8 W) include a mini lamp; Makartt, Aimeili and the Gelish Trial Kit do not. A mini lamp is fine for learning on your own hand. For clients, use a full-size UV LED lamp.
Is there a HEMA-free polygel?
Yes. Aimeili’s PK01 kit carries a “HEMA/TPO Free” badge, and MelodySusie and Madam Glam sell single polygel tubes they describe as HEMA-free. None of the Gelish, Makartt, Modelones or Beetles polygel pages we read make that claim. HEMA-free is a brand claim about one ingredient, not an allergen-free guarantee.
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