Do your natural nails ever feel rough or snagged after you file them? It’s a common problem, and often, the tool you use is the culprit. Many people grab any emery board they see, not realizing that the wrong grit can actually damage their delicate nails. Choosing the perfect emery board for natural nails is more important than you might think. If you use a file that’s too harsh, you risk peeling, splitting, and weak spots that take ages to grow out.
Navigating the confusing world of grits—from coarse to fine—can feel overwhelming. You want smooth edges without taking away the strength of your nail plate. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for, from the best materials to the ideal grit numbers for healthy shaping.
By the end of this post, you will know exactly which emery board to choose for beautiful, strong, and perfectly shaped natural nails every single time. Get ready to ditch the nail damage and start filing like a pro!
Top Emery Board For Natural Nails Recommendations
- Buy in Bulk : Each pack contains 10 black straight nail files
- Double Sided : With 100/180 Grit. Designed with a rounded top and double-sided functionality, they feature sandpaper on the surface and foam at the mid-level
- Reusable : These nail files can be used many times
- Product Usage Instructions: The 100 grit side is relatively coarse, while the 180 grit side is finer. For the difference in usage between these two sides, please refer to the third to fifth images on our detail page.
- The dimensions of a single piece are 179mm in length, 19mm in width, and 4mm in thickness
- Dual-sided surface
- Strong and flexible
- Contains 24 files
- Multi-use, Double Sided Grit 180/240 - Higher grit number means smoother file. Cliganic Nail Files designed with double sided grit for multi-use.
- Premium Quality Value Set - Cliganic Nail File Kit is made with top quality emery board, sturdy but safe. This set comes with 12 nail files, each at a perfect size of 7” (178mm) length and 0.16” (4mm) thick.
- Medium Grit (180) - Gentle shaping of gel/acrylic nails of medium thickness and for shaping the free edge of nails. Fine Grit (240) – Finishing on gel/acrylic extensions and filing and shaping natural nails.
- Easy To Clean, Washable – This nail filing tools are very easy to clean and are washable. Simply rinse with soap.
- Size - 7” (178mm) length and 0.16” (4mm) thick.
- Perfect Nail File Size - Half-moon shaped 180/240 grit nail files. Double Sided emery boards for nails - 180 grit files are commonly used to shorten and shape natural nails; 240 grit is commonly used to prep nails, filing weak or thin nails, or buffing. Keep the nails beautiful all the time!
- Essential Nail Art Tools - Pack of 10 professional nail files, these nail filer work quickly to trim or shape the nail with your desired shape or length. These fingernail files are also perfect to remove nail gel in your extended or fake nails. Emory boards and nail files for natural nails, acrylic nails, poly nail gel, artificial nails, manicure and pedicure.
- Premium Quality Material - Durable 180/240 grit emery boardsare made with top quality adhesive tape and emery board materials. Quick work & Easy to clean. These fingernail files could be used many times.
- Necessary Nail Supply in Salon & Nail Care Kit at Home - Great for all your filing needs, Nails, Hobbies, Crafts. Must have in nail salons, professional nail supplies for nail techs and for daily nail art at home.
- THE BEST NAIL CARE GIFT for girls who love nail art, can be stocking stuffers, birthday gift, Valentines gift & Christmas gifts for women!
- Emory Nail File Pack：12 Pieces emery boards for nails per pack. These nail files can easily help to trim and shape the nautral nails with your desired shape or length
- Soft Grit for Natural Nails：medium roughness 180 grit nail file can effectively filing natural nails, will not be too rough to cause damage to the nails
- Light & Thin Emery Boards：This thin emory nail file can easily smooth the edges of natural nails without worrying about scratching the skin and causing pain. There is only one layer of wooden splint in the emory board middle and high quality sandpaper on both side, 0.07in thikness, 7in long, easy to hold, not the compact size
- Washable and Reusable：Quick & Easy to clean by water, could be used many times. You can put finger nail file boards in various places, not only at home, but also in the car, in the office or take them to travel, so that the nails can be kept in perfect condition anytime, anywhere
- Suitable for: Daily nail care, DIY nail art at home, nail party, professional use for nail salon or makeup studio. Also an ideal gift for women or girls
- File size: 7 inches long by .75 inches wide
- This premium quality file is dual sided with 2 grits – Fine/X-Fine - 280/320 Grit
- Gentle enough to remove ridges on natural nail surface and file the edges
- Long lasting, washable, and disinfectable
- Made in the USA
- Includes 20 black double-sided diamond nail files, one side with coarse grit (100), the other with fine grit (180)
- Made of high-quality, durable material, with dimensions of 179 x 19 x 4 mm (7 x 0.75 x 0.16 inches)
- The coarse side is ideal for shaping hard nails, while the fine side is perfect for smoothing and refining nail edges
- Perfect for everyday home use, cost-effective
- Suitable for a variety of nail care scenarios, including shaping and polishing natural and artificial nails
- What A Professional Nail File Set: Teenitor 6pcs Nail File and Buffer Set contains up to 9 different grits files, more choice, more professional. Compare with 4 side buffing block, our nail files set will fine smoothing your nail and provide you excellent salon experience, sturdy and can last for a long time use
- 150/180/240 Nail Files for Acrylic Nails Gel Nails & Natural Nails: File - Start with this STEP 1 to trim your nails to desired length or shapes like Oval, Square, Squoval, Round, Almond, fit for fingernail & toenail. You can also use them to remove top coat of gel nails and acrylic nails(Tips: 150 grit is rough, 180 grit is medium and 240 grit is fine)
- 100/180 & 220/280 Nail Buffer Blocks for Natural Nails: Smooth & Buff - Continue with this STEP 2 to smooth and remove nail ridges, reduce scratches by 100/180 grit nail file buffer, buff nail surface for a finer finish by 220/280 buffing block
- 1000/4000 Grit Nail Filer to Get Shine Nails: Shine - Finish with this STEP 3 to further smooth the nails by 1000 grit side(green side), polish nail surface to create a high gloss shine in seconds by 4000 girt side(white side), which can last one week
- These Emery Boards for Nails Also A Great Choice for Women: Teenitor Nail Files Set are made of emery board and EVC, sturdy and easy to clean, could be rinsed with antibacterial soap & disinfect. A terrific choice for girls, women or elder who love nail care to exchange or sent in Birthday, Valentines Mother's Day, Christmas& Halloween
Choosing the Best Emery Board for Your Natural Nails
Emery boards are simple tools, but picking the right one makes a big difference for your natural nails. A good emery board files smoothly. It avoids snagging or splitting your nails. This guide helps you find the perfect board for beautiful, healthy nails.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for an emery board, check these important features:
- **Grit Level:** This is the most important feature. Grit is how rough the board feels. Lower numbers mean a rougher file. Higher numbers mean a smoother file. For natural nails, you usually want a medium to fine grit.
- **Double-Sided Design:** Most good emery boards have two sides. One side is usually coarser for shaping. The other side is finer for smoothing the edge.
- **Durability:** The board must hold up. Cheap boards fall apart quickly. Look for one that keeps its grit even after several uses.
- **Shape and Size:** Choose a size that fits comfortably in your hand. Some boards are straight; others are curved. Pick what feels easiest to control.
Important Materials in Emery Boards
Emery boards use different materials for the filing surface. The core material also matters for sturdiness.
The filing surface is usually made from one of two things:
- **Sandpaper/Coated Abrasive:** This is the most common type. Fine grains are glued onto a backing. Quality sandpaper lasts longer before the grit wears off.
- **Crystals or Glass:** Glass files are very gentle. They seal the edge of the nail as you file. They are often more expensive but last almost forever. They are excellent for preventing peeling.
The core material holds the grit. Cardboard is the cheapest core. It bends easily. Plastic or wood cores offer better support. Sturdy cores help you file with steady pressure.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of an emery board directly affects your nail health.
What makes a quality board?
- Consistent Grit: A high-quality board has grit evenly spread across the surface. This ensures smooth filing without catching.
- Flexibility (Just Right): The board should have slight give, but not too much. A board that is too flimsy bends too much. This makes accurate filing difficult.
- Water Resistance: Some boards handle moisture better. If you often file after a shower, look for one that doesn’t fall apart when wet.
What lowers the quality?
- Shedding Grit: If the abrasive material falls off onto your nail or hand during use, the board is low quality.
- Rough Edges: The non-filing edges of the board should be smooth. Sharp edges can cut your skin.
- Too Coarse: Using a very low grit (like 80 or 100) on natural nails damages them. These are too harsh.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the board changes which features matter most.
Daily Touch-Ups: If you only need to smooth a hangnail or fix a snag, a small, fine-grit board is perfect. These are often found in travel kits.
Shaping Long Nails: For shaping longer nails, you need a strong, double-sided board. Use the slightly rougher side first to create the desired shape (square, oval, etc.). Then, use the fine side to smooth the tip. Always file in one direction!
Sensitive or Thin Nails: People with weak nails should choose glass files or very high-grit boards (around 300 grit). These tools are very gentle. They seal the nail keratin together, which stops chipping.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Emery Boards
Q: What is the best grit number for natural nails?
A: Most experts suggest using a grit between 180 and 240 for general shaping and finishing natural nails. Very delicate nails might need 300 or higher.
Q: Should I file my nails wet or dry?
A: It is better to file nails when they are completely dry. Dry filing gives you more control. Wet filing can weaken the nail structure, making it prone to peeling.
Q: How often should I replace my emery board?
A: If you use it weekly, replace it every few months. If the filing surface feels slick or dull, it is time for a new one.
Q: Can I use a cheap emery board from a drugstore?
A: Yes, you can use them, but be careful. Cheap boards often have uneven grit. This unevenness can scratch or damage your nail surface.
Q: Are glass files better than traditional emery boards?
A: Glass files are often considered superior because they are very fine and seal the nail edge. This sealing action reduces peeling significantly. However, they are more expensive.
Q: What is the difference between a nail file and an emery board?
A: An emery board usually refers to a board with sandpaper-like grit glued onto a core. A nail file is a general term that includes emery boards, glass files, and metal files.
Q: How do I clean my emery board?
A: For standard boards, gently tap off any dust. Do not soak them in water, as this ruins the glue holding the grit. If you use a glass file, you can wash it gently with soap and water.
Q: Should I file back and forth, or in one direction?
A: Always file in one direction, moving from the side of the nail toward the center. Sawing back and forth creates stress points that cause splitting and peeling.
Q: Are high-grit boards (like 1000 grit) useful?
A: High-grit boards are usually too fine for shaping. They are best used for buffing the surface of the nail to add a slight shine after shaping is complete.
Q: What is the coarsest grit I should ever use on my natural nails?
A: Avoid using anything coarser than 180 grit on your natural nails. Grits below 150 are usually reserved for shaping very thick acrylic or hard gel enhancements.