USB Nail Drill Review: Can a NT$100 Pen Remove Gel?

Who it suits

It suits beginners who want to shape nails or fix lifting gel edges at home and practice with a cheap tool first.

It doesn't suit people who often remove thick gel or need high speed for long sessions, or anyone with thin natural nails. For them, soaking off with remover is safer.

Pros

• Slim pen body that's easy to hold, USB charging, takes little space
• Five bits for shaping, cuticle work and polishing
• About NT$100, a low-risk way to see if you'll actually use one

Cons

• No listed speed figure, and less power than a desktop drill
• A common complaint about cheap pen drills is heat and vibration in longer sessions
• The shop is a reseller, so check warranty and return terms before paying

Where to buy

The portable USB nail drill is about NT$100, with about 479 sold a month. Prices change, so check the amount and color before you pay.

NT$100 | See the lowest price →

UnboxRank compiles official specs and user feedback.

Some images are AI-generated illustrations

Specs

Your gel is lifting at one edge and the salon needs a booking. If you're looking at this USB nail drill, you probably want to know whether a NT$100 pen can remove gel at home, and whether it gets hot.

What the USB nail drill looks like

It's a slim pen in white or pink. A rose-gold slider on the side sets the speed, a rose-gold metal ring sits at the tip, and the bits plug straight into the front.

The five bits are an umbrella polishing wheel, two cylinders of different widths, a cone metal bit and a rounded sanding cap. The cone bit is for nail edges and cuticles, the cylinders and cap smooth the nail surface, and the wheel is mostly for polishing.

Is it strong enough to remove gel?

It has no listed speed, so treat it as an entry-level pen. Shaping, cuticle work and smoothing a lifting gel edge are fine. Taking off a full layer of thick gel takes a long time, and the pen gets warm.

A common tip in Dcard manicure threads on DIY removal: file the top layer thin, then wrap the nails with remover and soak the rest off instead of grinding all the way down. Following that order with a pen like this is much easier and kinder to your natural nails.

Does it get hot or shake?

The seller says it stays cool with low vibration, but heat and vibration over longer sessions are common complaints about budget pen drills. Pause after each short pass to let the pen and bit cool.

Holding the bit in one spot heats the nail and can thin it too much. Many Dcard beginners give the same advice: start at the lowest speed, keep the bit moving and don't press hard.

Check it on arrival

When it arrives, make sure all five bits are there, the pen starts after charging and the speed slider moves smoothly. Try a few seconds on a nail edge at the lowest speed and check that the vibration and sound are normal. If anything is wrong, take photos first, then start a return.

What users say

We couldn't find long-term Taiwan reviews of this pen. These are threads on similar home nail drills: Dcard nail drill safety, Dcard DIY manicure tools, Dcard nail drill picks.

The shared view: beginners should use low speed and keep the bit moving; cheap pen drills are fine for shaping and cuticles, while thick gel needs a faster drill or remover.

How do I clean the bits? Hygiene tips

After each use, remove the bit, brush off the dust and wipe it with alcohol, then let it dry before storing. Keep the bits for your own use instead of sharing them with family, to avoid spreading infection.

Filing creates a lot of fine dust, so work somewhere ventilated, wear a mask if needed and lay paper on the table for easy cleanup. Wash and dry your hands first; wet nails are softer and easier to over-file.

If the skin around a nail is red, swollen or has pus, or you suspect a fungal infection, don't file. See a dermatologist first. People with diabetes heal more slowly and should be extra careful.

Basic steps to remove gel

First file off the glossy top of the gel so the remover can soak in. Then put a cotton pad soaked in remover on the nail, wrap it in foil and wait about ten to fifteen minutes for the gel to soften, then gently push it off with a pusher. Soak any stubborn spots again instead of scraping hard. Afterwards, apply cuticle oil or lotion to help the nails and skin recover.

If the nail surface feels rough afterwards, polish it lightly with the umbrella wheel and apply cuticle oil for a smoother finish.

Pre-purchase checklist

• Pick a color: white or pink
• Confirm all five bits are included
• Check that it charges by USB and which connector the cable uses
• Check warranty and return terms before you pay
• Start at the lowest speed the first time

Similar alternatives

• Desktop nail drills: higher speed and steadier power, usually several hundred to over a thousand NT dollars
• Remover and foil wraps: no machine and gentler on natural nails, but slower
• Manual files and buffers: cheapest, fine if you only want to shape nails