MelodySusie Anti-Dust Pedicure Nail Drill PC760G for Thick Toenail Filing

Why it's worth it

A cordless, rechargeable drill with five speeds from 2,200 to 4,600 RPM, eight bits, forward and reverse rotation, and a ring of LED light around the tip. It's built for feet as much as hands, and it runs for hours on a charge.

This is the piece that turns a home pedicure from frustrating into doable. Thick or ridged toenails don't respond well to a file, and callused heels don't respond to much of anything. Owners with genuinely dry, rough feet describe the difference as the main reason they keep it around, and a couple bought it for nail conditions a clipper can't touch.

Battery life is the standout spec. Roughly six hours of use from a two-and-a-half hour charge, in a pen-shaped body with no cord dragging across the table. You can sit on the couch and do a full pedicure without hunting for an outlet. The ring of LED light around the tip is a small thing that matters more than you'd guess when you're working on your own toes.

From our review of 10 nail care kits for home manicures, by Sarah Wright, Editorial Associate

What we like

• +This is the piece that turns a home pedicure from frustrating into doable
• +Battery life is the standout spec
• +Speed is where you should set expectations
• +It also isn't a manicure kit

What to know

• –Replacement bits are hard to source
• –There's no carrying case, which is an odd omission for something marketed for travel
• –It's better on feet than on fingernails