Makartt Nail Files 100/180 Grit Review: Worth It in 2026?
Introduction
The Makartt Nail Files 100/180 Grit set is a 10-piece pack of double-sided black emery-board nail files made for controlled shaping and product removal.
Its primary use is shortening and shaping acrylic, gel, dip, polygel, extensions, and thicker nails before refining edges with the finer side.
This Makartt Nail Files 100/180 Grit review focuses on whether the familiar dual-grit design offers enough control, durability, and versatility for regular DIY or salon-style nail work.
The combination is practical, but grit choice matters. The aggressive 100-grit surface is intended mainly for harder artificial material, while the 180-grit surface gives noticeably more control during refinement.
🏆 My Quick Verdict
💡 Best For: DIY users and nail enthusiasts who regularly shape acrylic, gel, dip, extensions, or thicker nails and want both coarse and medium filing surfaces.
⚡ Key Specs:
10 files; double-sided 100/180 grit; black emery surface; firm EVA and PS-board core; washable and reusable design.
✅ Bottom Line: The Makartt set combines fast artificial-nail shaping with a more controlled 180-grit finishing surface. Its main limitation is that the coarse face is unnecessarily aggressive for thin or delicate natural nails.
At a Glance
- The pack contains 10 reusable double-sided nail files.
- The 100-grit face removes enhancement material and length quickly.
- The 180-grit face provides more control for refining edges and shape.
- A firm core helps maintain the filing angle without excessive bending.
- The files are positioned as washable for repeated home or salon-style use.
- Thin or fragile natural nails are better matched with a finer abrasive.
Specifications
| Specification | Verified Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Makartt |
| Pack Size | 10 nail files |
| Grit | 100/180 |
| Grit Type | Coarse and medium |
| Surface | Black emery |
| Core Materials | EVA and PS board |
| Cleaning | Washable/reusable positioning |
Design & Build Quality
The Makartt files use a firm layered board that is designed to resist excessive flex during shaping.
That rigidity is useful when shortening acrylic extensions or correcting sidewalls because the filing angle remains easier to control.
The black emery surface provides two distinct levels of abrasion. According to current product information, the printed side is the finer 180-grit face while the unprinted surface is the coarser 100-grit side.
The rounded end can also make sidewall and near-cuticle positioning easier than a completely square-ended board. New files can have sharp outer edges, so lightly dulling those edges before use is sensible.
Setup, Installation & Ease of Use
- Remove one file from the pack and inspect its edges before placing it against the nail.
- Rub two new files lightly together if the fresh outer edges feel excessively sharp.
- Use the 100-grit surface mainly for shortening or reducing artificial enhancement material.
- Switch to the 180-grit surface when the main shape is established and you need greater control.
- Use lighter pressure rather than forcing the abrasive into the nail or enhancement.
- Clean reusable files according to the manufacturer’s cleaning guidance and allow them to dry fully before storage.
Core Performance & Feature Breakdown
The Makartt set performs best when the two abrasive surfaces are treated as separate tools rather than interchangeable sides.
On acrylic, hard gel, dip, or similar enhancement material, 100 grit can reduce excess length and bulk faster than a fine natural-nail file.
Expert Insight
A 100/180 file is most useful when you deliberately move from coarse shaping to controlled refinement. Avoid treating the 100-grit surface as an everyday natural-nail finishing tool, especially when nails are thin or peeling.
The 180-grit face is the more versatile surface for final edge work. It removes less material with each pass, making shape corrections easier to judge.
NailPrime’s guide to nail-file grit also explains why lower grit numbers cut more aggressively and why finer abrasives are normally preferable for delicate natural nails.
Key Features Explained
100-Grit Coarse Surface
The 100-grit face is designed for faster material removal on enhancements and thicker nail surfaces. It matters because shortening acrylic or reducing bulk with a finer file would require substantially more passes.
180-Grit Refining Surface
The 180-grit face provides a more controlled abrasive for refining the shape after coarse work. It is also the side to consider for careful free-edge shaping when a natural nail is strong enough for this grit.
Firm Board Construction
The EVA and PS-board core keeps the file relatively stable during manual shaping. A rigid board can make straight sidewalls and consistent angles easier to maintain than a very flexible emery board.
Reusable Design
The files are marketed as washable and reusable, which can extend their practical service life. Replace a file once the abrasive becomes smooth, damaged, contaminated, or inconsistent.
Real-World Usability & Maintenance
The ten-file pack is convenient for users who regularly maintain acrylic, gel, dip, or extension manicures. Keeping several boards available also means worn files can be retired without leaving you without a shaping tool.
Use controlled strokes and avoid filing skin around the sidewalls or cuticle area. Fresh file edges can feel sharp, so preparing those edges before the first manicure can improve comfort.
For routine natural-nail care, match the grit to the nail rather than automatically choosing the coarse face. NailPrime’s manicure nail-file guide provides additional comparisons for users who need gentler alternatives.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Dual 100/180 grit handles both bulk shaping and finer refinement.
- Firm construction provides better control than highly flexible boards.
- Ten files provide useful backups for regular enhancement maintenance.
- Washable positioning supports repeated use when properly maintained.
Cons
- The 100-grit surface is too aggressive for thin or fragile natural nails.
- Fresh board edges may feel sharp near surrounding skin.
- A finer file may still be needed for delicate final finishing.
Common Issues & Fixes
The File Feels Too Aggressive
The coarse side can remove material faster than expected. Switch to the 180-grit surface and reduce pressure when you need greater control.
The Edges Feel Sharp
New board edges can scrape surrounding skin during close work. Lightly rub two files together before the first use to soften the outer edges.
Filing Becomes Slow
A worn abrasive requires more strokes and pressure. Replace the file once the surface becomes noticeably smooth or uneven.
What to Know Before You Buy
This is primarily an enhancement-friendly grit combination, not a universal file for every natural nail condition.
If your nails are thin, peeling, brittle, or tender, a finer 180/240-grit or glass file may provide more forgiving everyday control.
The set also does not replace a polishing buffer. Buyers wanting a high-shine finish or multi-step surface preparation may still need separate finer-grit tools.
Who Should Buy It / Who Should Skip It
✅ Who Should Buy It
- DIY users who regularly maintain acrylic, gel, dip, or extensions.
- People who want coarse shaping and medium refinement in one board.
- Users who prefer a firm manual file instead of an electric nail drill.
- Home manicure users who want several replacement files available.
✗ Who Should Skip It
- People with very thin, peeling, or highly fragile natural nails.
- Users who only need gentle everyday edge smoothing.
- Anyone wanting a permanent glass or metal filing tool.
Alternatives to Consider
BTYMS 25 Pcs 100/180 Grit Nail Files
Best For: Frequent users who want a larger bulk supply.
Main Advantage: The 25-piece pack provides more replacement files for regular enhancement work.
Trade-off: The coarse 100-grit surface still requires restraint on delicate natural nails.
Key Spec: 25 double-sided 100/180-grit nail files.
Tweezerman Professional Nail Files
Best For: Users who prioritize natural-nail shaping and gentler finishing.
Main Advantage: The finer 180/240-grit combination is better suited to controlled edge refinement.
Trade-off: It removes heavy acrylic or enhancement bulk more slowly than a 100-grit file.
Key Spec: Three dual-sided 180/240-grit files.
Is It Worth It?
The Makartt 100/180 set makes the most sense for buyers who regularly work with artificial enhancements and want a straightforward manual filing system.
The real value comes from having a coarse removal surface and a more controlled refining surface on the same board. That reduces tool switching during common shaping jobs.
It is less compelling for someone whose only goal is maintaining delicate natural nails. A finer board or glass file would better match that narrower use case.
Final Verdict
The Makartt Nail Files 100/180 Grit 10-piece set is a practical choice for acrylic, gel, dip, extension, and thicker-nail shaping where controlled material removal matters.
Choose it for its useful dual-grit format and firm construction, but reserve the coarse face for suitable surfaces and use a gentler file when natural nails are thin or fragile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Makartt 100-grit side used for?
The 100-grit side is primarily intended for faster shaping and material removal on acrylic, gel, dip, extensions, and other harder nail enhancements. Its coarse abrasive removes length and bulk quickly.
Can Makartt 100/180 nail files be used on natural nails?
The 180-grit side can be used carefully for controlled natural-nail edge shaping, but the 100-grit side is generally too aggressive for thin natural nails. Fragile or peeling nails are better matched with a finer file.
How many nail files are included?
The package contains 10 double-sided nail files. Each board combines a coarse 100-grit surface with a finer 180-grit surface.
Are the Makartt nail files washable?
Yes, the product is marketed as washable and reusable. Clean them according to the manufacturer’s guidance, allow them to dry fully, and replace any file that becomes damaged or excessively worn.
What size nails are these files compatible with?
They are manual emery boards rather than size-specific nail accessories, so there is no fixed nail-size compatibility requirement. The main compatibility consideration is nail material and condition rather than finger size.
Do Makartt nail files have a warranty?
A specific manufacturer warranty for this nail-file set could not be verified from the available product information. Check the current seller and manufacturer terms before purchasing if warranty coverage is important to you.
Affiliate disclosure: NailPrime.com earns a small commission when you purchase through links on this page — at no extra cost to you. Our editorial process is independent: affiliate relationships never influence which products we recommend or how we rank them.
