Best Nail Polishes August 2026
Finding the right nail polish can be a challenge with so many colours, finishes, and types available. This guide helps you compare the best options on the market, from classic lacquers to strengthening treatments. Our rankings are based on independent data, helping you find the perfect match for your nails and style.
Last updated: 14 August 2026
The list is unchanged since the last update.
Nail Polish: Top 5
1
OPI Nail Lacquer 15ml
from £4.9511 stores
from £4.95
11 stores
2
Essie Original Nail Polish 13.5ml
from £3.447 stores
from £3.44
7 stores
3
OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener (15ml)
from £7.908 stores
from £7.90
8 stores
4
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish 14.7ml
from £3.206 stores
from £3.20
6 stores
5
OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum 9ml
from £10.996 stores
from £10.99
6 stores
OPI's Nail Lacquer is a classic and versatile choice, known for its high-quality formula and extensive shade range. It dries quickly and helps fill in ridges for a smoother application. With options for different effects like glitter, matte, and gel, you can find a finish for any occasion.
Pros
Quick-drying formula
Fills in nail ridges for a smooth finish
Vast selection of colours and effects
Versatile as a base, colour, or top coat
Cons
Not a dedicated strengthening treatment
Can be more expensive than some other brands
Essie's Original Nail Polish is a salon-quality favourite, beloved for its trendy colours and reliable, quick-drying formula. It offers a wide selection of shades and effects, from classic creams to sparkling glitters. The brush is designed for a smooth, streak-free application, making it easy to achieve a perfect manicure.
Pros
Quick-drying formula
Wide range of classic and trendy colours
Known for a precise, easy-to-use brush
Multiple effects like gel and glitter available
Cons
Slightly smaller bottle (13.5ml)
Lacks a specific ridge-filling feature
OPI Nail Envy is a dual-purpose product that works as both a nail strengthener and a basecoat. It's designed for those with weak or damaged nails, helping to build resilience with continued use. Available in several shades, including clear, it can be worn alone for a natural look or under your favourite polish.
Pros
Strengthens and conditions weak nails
Doubles as a protective basecoat
Available in clear and tinted shades
Quick-drying formula
Cons
Limited colour range vs. regular polish
Not an opaque colour lacquer
Sally Hansen's Miracle Gel delivers the high-shine, long-lasting look of a gel manicure without needing a UV light. This hybrid polish is known for its durability and chip-resistance when paired with its special top coat. With a vast palette of colours, it's a popular choice for an at-home gel effect.
Pros
Gel-like finish without a UV lamp
Long-lasting and chip-resistant
Easy to apply
Wide range of available colours
Cons
Requires its specific top coat for best results
Slightly smaller bottle than OPI (14.7ml)
OPI's Repair Mode is a breakthrough bond-building nail serum designed for intensive nail care. Unlike traditional hardeners that coat the nail, this serum penetrates the surface to repair and strengthen from within. It is an ideal treatment for severely damaged nails needing deep restoration.
Pros
Bond-building serum for deep nail repair
Penetrates the nail to repair from within
Aimed at restoring severely damaged nails
Cons
Smallest bottle size in the list (9ml)
Does not provide a polish-like finish
No quick-dry feature listed
Compare specifications
| Type | Nail polish, Hybrid nail polish | Nail polish | Conditioner | Nail polish, Hybrid nail polish | Conditioner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colour | Black, White, Silver, Brown, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Gold, Green, Beige, Pink, Purple | Black, White, Silver, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Gold, Green, Beige, Pink, Purple | Black, White, Grey, Blue, Red, Gold, Transparent, Beige, Pink | Black, White, Silver, Grey, Turquoise, Brown, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, Gold, Transparent, Green, Beige, Pink, Purple | Black, Red, Transparent, Pink |
| Effect | Glitter, Matte, Gel, Metallic, Neon, Holographic, Chrome | Glitter, Matte, Gel, Metallic, Neon, Holographic, Chrome | Glitter, Matte, Gel | Glitter, Matte, Gel, Metallic, Neon, Chrome | — |
| Features | Quick dry, Ridge filling | Quick dry | Quick dry | Quick dry | — |
How we create the list
The ranking is updated monthly and is based on data we collect from our own platform. Products that rank highly are popular among our users while also maintaining high quality according to editorial expert assessments. Specifically, we weigh how many users follow the product via price alerts or lists, how it is rated by experts and users, as well as how much traffic it generates to stores and how well it is represented in retail. The texts on this page are AI-generated and created to give you a quick and clear overview. No products are paid placements – the ranking is driven solely by data.
