The 12 Best Nail Polish Top Coats of 2024

Best Overall Top Coat

Ardell Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat

Best Overall Top Coat

Ardell Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat

Pros

• Affordable
• Dries fast

This top coat has over 30,000 satisfied customer reviews and dries in seconds, so you can run out the door without the fear of chipping or destroying your just-finished manicure.

Customer review: “I have been using this topcoat for the better part of 20 years, it is a quality product for someone that does their own nails, and you cannot beat this price.” —Mokitty87

Nail Artist Favorite

OPI Top Coat

Nail Artist Favorite

OPI Top Coat

Pros

• Non-yellowing
• Prevents smudges

This cult favorite may not give your polish the shine of a gel, but it creates a thicker film that makes your manicure less susceptible to scratching or chipping.

Customer review: “My new go to clear polish/topcoat. I like the plumping effects that helps regular polish look a little more high quality in a bit more like gel polish.” —Bryna Gallegos

Best Chip-Resistant

Chanel Le Gel Coat

Best Chip-Resistant

Chanel Le Gel Coat

Pros

• Hydrating

Cons

• Pricey

Chanel’s Le Top Coat is a cult-favorite pick, but the fashion house’s newer Le Gel Coat features film-forming agents that act like resin for your polish, to lock it in place. Plus, camellia oil in the formula adds tons of shine and hydrates the nails and cuticles around them.

Customer review: “Great coat! keeps my manicure in great condition for a long time! Been using le gel coat for years!” —Margot

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Best Splurge

Hermès Les Mains Hermès Top Coat

Best Splurge

Hermès Les Mains Hermès Top Coat

Pros

• Long-lasting
• High-shine

Cons

• Pricey

If you’re looking to splurge, look no further than Hermès. Not only is the bottle all kinds of chic, but the formula mirrors natural light to deliver a high-shine, curved-depth effect.

Bazaar associate beauty editor Katie Intner says, “This smooth polish gives a gorgeous shine that lasts for days.”

Best Matte Pick

Essie Gel Couture Matte Top Coat

Best Matte Pick

Essie Gel Couture Matte Top Coat

Pros

• Long-lasting

This Essie polish gives a gel finish without the need for UV light or harsh acetone to remove it. One swipe gives your polish a velvety-matte look that lasts for weeks.

Customer reviews: “I’ve never tried a product that instantly made my nail polish matte in just under a minute. It goes on very easily and I love the style of the bottle. It has a step-to when doing your nails and I like that it doesn’t clump when putting it on top of a nail polish.” —Jhmesico

Best Everyday Top Coat

Dior Top Coat

Best Everyday Top Coat

Dior Top Coat

Pros

• Speed-drying

Cons

• Pricey

When polish appears dull, reach for this Dior top coat, which dries in seconds and has a wide brush to paint your entire nail in one swipe. Plus, isn’t the bottle just so pretty?

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Best Pearly Finish

Pleasing Pearly Tops Polish

Best Pearly Finish

Pleasing Pearly Tops Polish

Pros

• Can be worn alone

If you want to protect your color and get that Hailey Bieber–inspired glazed-doughnut finish, then opt for Pleasing’s Pearly Tops Polish. The pearlescent formula gives nails a subtle sheen that looks amazing on its own—or elevates any color underneath.

Best Drugstore Formula

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

Best Drugstore Formula

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

Now 25% Off

Pros

• Easy to use
• Affordable

Made to dry in under 30 seconds, this top coat has acrylic polymers that hardens to protect both the paint and nail themselves from any breakage.

Customer review: “I love the Insta-dri polishes. They go on smoothly and easily and do dry quickly. With the Insta-dri clear top coat applied every other day or so, my self manicure on my natural nails lasts about a week.” —lisa

Best Vegan Pick

Londontown Kur Gel Genius Quick-Dry Top Coat

Best Vegan Pick

Londontown Kur Gel Genius Quick-Dry Top Coat

Pros

• Prevents polish bubbles
• Long-lasting

Cons

• Pricey

This vegan top coat is more on the expensive side, but worth every penny. The polish sets when exposed to sunlight, so your color will stay pigmented even after a weekend at the pool.

Customer review: “My manicure lasted for over a week. I tested this for a month. It lasts from 6-8 days. I am thrilled!! I have tested every single product out there. Not a fan of tips, dips or no chip. They all torture your nails. This is a regular manicure polish. I bought the base and to only. AWESOME!!! 5tars!!!” —Mary Budler

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Best UV-Protecting Pick

Butter London Hardwear Shine UV Top Coat

Best UV-Protecting Pick

Butter London Hardwear Shine UV Top Coat

Now 30% Off

Pros

• Lightweight

Cons

• Reviews say it takes a while to dry

Even your polish can benefit from UV protection. Ensure your color never fades with Butter London’s Hardwear Shine UV Topcoat. The formula is as light as, well, butter, but gives a luxe shine and is smudge-free.

Customer review: “Love the shine. Looks like nails are still wet and wears much better than OPI or Essie brands. More expensive but worth it.” —karen

Best for Preventing Color Fade

CND Vinylux Weekly Long Wear Top Coat

Best for Preventing Color Fade

CND Vinylux Weekly Long Wear Top Coat

Pros

• Strengthens nails

Polish color can fade and look lackluster over time, but this CND top coat increases its strength as the nails are exposed to light, for the ultimate layer of protection.

Customer review: “Love this product. It helps my polish stay on for over a week. Dries fast too.” —Rochelle M

Best Gel Formula

Lights Lacquers Totally Gelly

Best Gel Formula

Lights Lacquers Totally Gelly

Pros

• Best plumping polish
• Good for nail art

Seal in any design with this no fuss, gel-like formula, which has a plumping effect that makes nails look extra glossy. The best part? There’s no need to seal in your manicure with an LED light, as you do with typical gel polishes.

Customer review: “I’ve been wanting some longer lasting polish that looks professional! So far so good!” —Kristin

Izzi Friedman is a salesperson, content creator and creative currently based in NYC. She is passionate about beauty, fashion and lifestyle.

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