10 Best Nail Files in the Philippines 2026 | Buying Guide Reviewed By Dermatologist

Manicuristas or nail technicians nowadays prefer to use glass or crystal files. These smoothen rough edges and seal the keratin layers of your nails together, which helps to protect them from splits and breakages. It is especially useful for weak and brittle nails, including babies' nails. 

Glass nail files also last much longer than the common emery board. They are not porous, so they don’t wear down over time and last a lifetime, making them eco-friendly. For this reason, they are also much more hygienic as you can wash them with soapy water and even sterilize them. 

Emery boards are probably the type we are all most familiar with. They are the most affordable albeit disposable option since you can’t wash them clean. They are pieces of cardboard covered with tiny grains of sand, similar to sandpaper, although considerably less rough. 

They whittle the rough edges of your nails with a tearing action that can sometimes be damaging. For this, it is best to file only in one direction. In contrast to glass files, they leave the nail tip open, so water and tiny dirt particles can enter the nail and cause cracks and flaking. And they take a long to decompose, so they are not eco-friendly. 

When dealing with acrylic nails, it is necessary to use an electric nail file. This type is more commonly used in a real nail salon than in a home setting because it takes a lot of skill to use one correctly; otherwise, it might cause damage to the nail plate.

Nail technicians favor electric nail drills because they can quickly remove many products and save around 30 to 50% more time. In terms of using it on natural nails, nail experts are dividedーwith some believing you can but only to prep or finish nails. Nevertheless, you can use its included attachments to buff natural nails and remove dead skin.

Metal files have low grit value, so they are not recommended for natural nails. They can cause real damage and splinter in natural nails because of the harsh metal composition. However, they are very effective and safe to use with acrylic, gel, and other types of artificial nails. 

A coarse grit is the best option for shaping and filing acrylic nails. Out of all nail file grits, this is the sharpest. For this reason, it makes sense to use it on false nails than your natural nail since they are softer to avoid damaging them. 

Plus, we all know the struggle of thinning out thick acrylic nails or shortening their length, so using this type of file can save you time and elbow grease. And if you have pet dogs, this type of grit will also work for their nails! 

If you are just going to trim your nails and are not looking to do anything in particular, then medium grit might be for you. Medium grit is ideal for shaping and smoothing artificial nails and for shaping natural nails. 

This is also a good level for filing toenails. In this regard, think of it as an all-purpose nail file! However, this might be too harsh if you have damaged or brittle nails. So, if that is the case, just pick a nail file with a higher grit value. 

A fine grit nail file is best for shaping and finishing natural nails, particularly if your nails are rather brittle or soft. This is to avoid damaging or splitting your nails as this has a softer file grit. 

Moreover, a fine grit is also suitable for prepping the surface of your nails if you want to apply acrylic or gel nails because it won’t scratch them as much. But it can still provide an even surface for the false nail to adhere to. 

Meanwhile, an ultra-fine is for buffing and polishing the nail surface. Now, this type of grit doesn’t really “file” your nails per se, but it gives a good polished shine on them. This is great if you want to achieve polished nails at home! 

As you can see, the finer a nail file is, the better it is for buffing and polishing your nails. Natural nails are softer and need a higher grit than artificial nails to avoid damage.