An epilator can transform your hair removal process by producing long-lasting results and leaving your skin feeling silky soft. As not all epilators are equal, finding the best epilator will depend on your individual needs and requirements. The following reviews and buyers guide will help you find the best epilators to suit your hair removal routine.
1. Braun SensoSmart Silk-épil 7 Epilator (Top Pick)
The Braun SensoSmart Silk-epil 7 is a cordless, waterproof Epilator that is designed to help you get the best results by using smart pressure sensors to prevent excessive pushing. Using the right amount of pressure helps to prevent irritation of sensitive skin and reduces unnecessary strain on the epilator.
The pivoting head moves with the natural curves of your body allowing you to tackle trickier spots with ease. This glide technology makes epilating your face, body and legs easier. The epilator can be used wet or dry and it has a cordless battery life of up to 50 minutes. There’s also a smart light that helps you properly see the area you are working on.
The set comes with a trimmer and shaver heads so you can use the best-suited attachment for the area you are epilating. There are 2 speed settings to choose from, one is extra gentle which is ideal for use on sensitive areas and the other option is more efficient. Either setting helps you tackle even very short hairs with ease. The results are long-lasting too and you can expect up to 4 weeks of silky smooth skin.
What We Like:
- Pressure sensor prevents too much pushing
- Comfortable to use
- Works well on short hairs and sensitive skin
- Suitable for face, body and legs
What We Don’t Like:
- Users may find it takes a couple of sessions before getting the full effect
2. Philips Corded Epilator (Best Value)
The Philips Corded Epilator offers some of the best value for money on the market. This model makes epilating easy with its rounded ergonomic handle, built-in light and accessories.
There are two speed settings to choose from so you can personalise the treatment to suit you. Although this epilator is corded, the head is removable so you can easily wash it under running water after use.
The set comes with a delicate area cap for more gently removing hairs from underarm or the bikini area. There is also a massage cap that helps to ease the epilation sensation which may be good for people with a low pain threshold. The included travel pouch is great for storing and transporting the epilator. This corded epilator allows you to personalise the experience to suit you and you will not see any grow back for weeks after use.
What We Like:
- Comes with two additional caps for more sensitive areas
- Comfortable to hold and use
- Two speed settings
What We Don’t Like:
- Corded use only
3. Braun Silk-épil 3 Epilator, Massage Rollers and Bikini Trimmer
The Braun Silk-epil 3 is ideal for removing fine, short hairs. The included massage rollers make this model a great option for beginners who may be concerned about the pain of epilating for the first time.
The removable massage rollers help to give a more gentle epilation and the 20 tweezer system removes hair from the root for long-lasting smoothness. There are two settings to choose from; slow speed and high speed.
The epilator has an LED light that illuminates your skin so you can see even the finest hairs that are otherwise easily missed. The set comes with a bikini trimmer to gently remove hair around delicate areas including the bikini line. You can only use this product when it is plugged in but you can remove the epilator head to easily and thoroughly clean it after use.
What We Like:
- Ideal for beginners
- Includes massage rollers for a more gentle experience
- Comes with a bikini trimmer
What We Don’t Like:
- Basic features
4. Remington Smooth and Silky Epilator Tweezer System
The Smooth and Silky Epilator from Remington is a great value option that is comfortable to hold and easy to use.
It has been ergonomically designed to glide over skin and comes with a comfort barrel that massages to provide a more gentle experience. The 40 tweezer heads can remove hair that is just 0.5mm long and will leave you with smooth skin.
There are 2 operating speeds so you can choose between gentle or efficient epilating. This product needs to be connected to mains power to work. For convenience, the head can be removed for easy cleaning after use.
What We Like:
- Works on fine, short hairs
- Good value for money
- Ergonomically designed
What We Don’t Like:
- Cannot be used cordless
5. Braun Face Epilator SE851V
The Braun Face Epilator is a slim, attractive looking model that is versatile and convenient to use. You can use this epilator wet or dry as it is completely waterproof.
This facial epilator removes hair by the root and the head has interchangeable attachments to suit your needs. The set comes with a face brush for facial cleansing and a massage pad for smoother skin. The attachments are really easy to click on and off so switching them takes just seconds.
The sleek design makes this easy to hold and control as you move it around your face. It’s not too dissimilar to handling an electric toothbrush or mascara wand. The product uses an AA battery so there are no cords to get in the way.
What We Like:
- 3 treatments in 1
- Sleek design
- Comes with face brush and massage pad attachments
What We Don’t Like:
- Short battery life
Epilator Buyer’s Guide
The best epilators are efficient, comfortable to hold and handle hair removal with ease. Below are key considerations to keep in mind when choosing between epilator models.
Tweezers
The epilating process relies on tweezer technology to work effectively. The general rule when it comes to the number of tweezers in an epilator is “the more the merrier”. The more tweezers there are in the spinning head the more efficient the model is going to be. Budget options tend to have around 20 tweezers while higher-end options will have twice that amount. Of course, it’s not just the amount of tweezers, make sure their gripping ability and function are properly working too.
Size
The width of the epilation head is important as it is the amount of surface area that will be covered on each pass. If you are looking at an epilator for face, eyebrows or lip then a smaller width is better as it gives you more control and precision. If you are looking at epilators for your leg hair then a wider head is better as it means you can cover more area in less time and with less effort.
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Attachments
Many epilators come with one or more attachments to deal with hair removal in different areas like face, legs or bikini, the most common attachments are:
- Epilator head
- Shaver head
- Trimmer head and guard
- Exfoliation attachment
- Massage pad
- Cleaning brush
- Protection caps
Some epilators are designed for just epilating while others can also exfoliate and massage the skin.
Corded or Cordless
A cordless epilator tends to be the better option as it gives you more flexibility and freedom to move around without the restriction of the power socket or cable. Cordless can usually also be used wet and dry which means you can use it in the shower or bath or when your skin is wet.
A corded epilator is a more powerful option that maintains consistent power as you use it. You also don’t need to worry about the battery life or running out of power while you are using an epilator that is corded.
Wet / Dry Epilators
A waterproof option allows you to use it wet and dry. Some users find epilating is less painful if they do it in or after a shower or a bath when their pores are open and hair is soft thanks to the warm water. Epilators that can be used wet and dry also give you the freedom of applying shaving gel if you want to.
A wet epilator is usually a great choice for beginners. Some users prefer to use epilators on dry skin as they feel the dry shaver produces better results, this is down to personal preference but if you will be using it dry then you may be able to save money by choosing a dry-only option.
epilator FAQs
Is epilator better than waxing?
Using an epilator is the fast, more convenient and more cost-effective option. There are fewer side effects such as ingrown hairs and redness seen in epilating but the hair removal of both techniques will last the same amount of time as they are doing the same job.
How often should you epilate?
The frequency depends on the area of the body and personal hair growth rate. Generally, every 2-3 weeks is a good average and if you have just started epilating then you may find doing it more often will produce better long term results.
