10 best epilators 2024, tested and reviewed
When it comes to removing unwanted hair (should you want to), epilators are underrated. They had a reputation in the past for being painful, but those days are gone, friends. Now, the best epilators are the favoured hair removal method for many members of the GLAMOUR office.
Epilators mean no more trying to squeeeeeze in a salon appointment between the office, doctor's appointments, the school run, and grabbing coffee with that friend you haven't seen since the the start of the new millennium. Best for at-home use, they are an easy and efficient way to wave goodbye to body hair (we repeat, if you want to).
Not only that, but they just might be the solution to all your hair-removal stresses – including ingrown hairs, bumps and rashes. If you tend to accidentally nick yourself, epilators are your new best friend (or your BHBF - that's body hair best friend, natch). Yep: if you're not attached at the hip to your laser hair removal at home, or twice-weekly self-care routine of using your razor, an epilator could be a worthwhile investment for long-lasting hair-free results.
But how do you even begin using an epilator when you hardly know anything about them, and what is the best epilator to buy when there are so many on the market? Help is on the way! We’ve rounded up all the info you need to know before spending the big bucks, so you can have silky soft limbs in no time.
SKIP TO: Our full product reviews | Why you can trust our reviews | How to choose the best epilator for you | What are the benefits of epilating? | Is epilating or waxing better? | Can you epilate public hair?
Best Black Friday epilator deals
- Braun Silk-épil 9 Epilator With Electric Shaver & Trimmer, WAS £279.99 NOW £129.99
- Braun Silk-épil 5 Epilator, WAS £119.99 NOW £79
- Philips Epilator Series 8000, WAS £189.99 NOW £99.97
Meet the experts:
- Nina Prisk, skin and aesthetics expert and founder of Update Aesthetics.
How to choose the best epilator for me
“All epilators are different, so it’s important to consider your unique hair and body needs to find the one that's best for you,” says Nina Prisk, skin and aesthetics expert and founder of Update Aesthetics.
“Firstly, decide if you want a wet or dry epilator, as many people like using wet ones in the shower or bath. Also, which part of the body you want to use the epilator on is important, because some come with attachments for use on different areas of the body, such as the bikini line or face,” she says.
Nina continues that it’s a good idea to look at the number of tweezers the epilator has, as this can impact how fast and effectively it removes hair. “More tweezers can mean faster hair removal, which can also mean less pain, because you’re not having to go over the same areas multiple times,” she explains.
How we test epilators
We take product testing very seriously. Like you, we want to have the best experience when we use any product — because life's too short to waste your time, money and effort, and be left disappointed by products that just. don't. work. We've researched the best epilators on the market, taking into account each device's pros and cons, included accessories, battery life and more, so you can make an informed decision about which epilator is truly best for you.
Scroll for our full edit of the best epilators for ultra-smooth skin…
Philips Satinelle Essential BRE285/00
Why we love it: If you've flown blissfully away on holiday and realised you want, not need, a quick shave before jumping in the pool, this small but mighty device has your back (and your bikini line). Removing hair as short as 0.5mm, it features two speed settings to remove thinner and thicker hairs to reveal smooth skin for up to 4 weeks.
- Pros: Small and compact, 2 speed settings, a built-in light.
- Cons: Works best on leg areas and requires a firm grip to ensure you get hold of all the hairs first time.
- Battery life: Mains powered.
- Accessories included: Shaving head and comb, trimming head and bikini comb, massage cap, exfoliation glove, pouch.
- Wet and dry? Dry.
Braun Silk-Épil 9, Epliator for Long Lasting Hair Removal
Why we love it: This one is for those looking for an epilator that does the lot, with salon-like results. Used for shaving and trimming delicate areas and epilating everywhere else (face, legs, forearms, armpits, you name it) this is your one-stop-shop. And with a “OH MY… AMAZING” Boots review, you can bet that this is worth your hard-earned pennies.
- Pros: Removes hairs as short as 0.5mm, waterproof, quiet.
- Cons: The wide head can be a little awkward to run over knees and ankles.
- Battery life: After charging it can be used up to 50 minutes.
- Accessories included: Shaver head, trimmer head, pouch, charger, skin contact cap, face precision cap, bikini styler, 2 bikini styler combs, body deep brush, gentle exfoliation brush, cleaning brush.
- Wet and dry? Both.
Braun Silk-épil 5 5-820 Epilator for Women for Gentle Hair Removal, White/Pink
Why we love it: With 28 inbuilt tweezers, this nifty tool is going to give you a clean, smooth result. But what makes it ideal for beginners is that it features a high-frequency massage cap, which ensures that the vibrations reduce any painful sensations. It also uses Micro-Grip tweezer technology, which is said to remove hairs as short as a grain of sand. We'll take it.
- Pros: Waterproof, 2 speed settings, Micro-Grip tweezer technology.
- Cons: You'll need a shaver plug outlet or adapter.
- Battery life: Between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on intensity of usage.
- Accessories included: Shaver head, trimmer head, skin contact cap, bikini styler, pouch, cleaning brush, charger.
- Wet and dry? Both.
Philips Satinelle Wet & Dry Epilator Series 8000 BRE740/11
Why we love it: Powerful yet still tame enough for sensitive skin, this wet and dry offering from Philips is ideal for those who prefer to epilate in the bath or shower. It's designed specially to be gentle, with 32 ceramic hypoallergenic tweezers that glide over the skin with ease, causing less friction and ‘ow’ moments. Plus, it's great for your whole body, with a body exfoliation brush and foot file also included.
- Pros: Cordless, waterproof, gentle, can be used on the face and body.
- Cons: A little noisy and may require a couple of goes, on especially short hair.
- Battery life: Up to 40 minutes of continual use.
- Accessories included: Shaving head, trimming comb, trimming head, bikini comb, body exfoliation brush, pouch, pedicure foot file.
- Wet and dry? Both.
Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex 9100 Beauty Set, White/Gold
Why we love it: With a flexible head and micro-grip tweezer technology that uses 40 tweezers, this epilator provides smooth skin for weeks rather than days. Its convenient ergonomic handle features an anti-slip grip, so it's ideal for epilating in the shower. Plus, it also uses SensoSmart technology, which guides you with a red light to ensure you apply the right amount of pressure.
- Pros: Waterproof, with a 40% wider head than a standard epilator to remove more hair in one stroke.
- Cons: Takes two hours to charge.
- Battery life: Up to 50 minutes of continual use.
- Accessories included: Shaver head, trimmer cap, beauty sponge, cleansing brush, cleaning brush, charging cable, pouch
- Wet and dry? Both.
Philips Satinelle Prestige Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator
Why we love it: Said to be the brand's fastest epilator yet, Philips have come through with this quick and easy device that bids adieu to pesky hairs quicker than you can say ‘epilate’. It contains its quickest disc rotation so far (2200RPM) and can extract hairs up to 4x shorter than waxing can. *Cancels salon appointment*
- Pros: Waterproof, inbuilt light, comes with many attachments for the face and body, extra-wide head.
- Cons: Better on coarse hairs (like those on your lower legs) than fine ones (like on your thighs).
- Battery life: Up to 40 minutes of continual use.
- Accessories included: Mini facial cleanser, body exfoliation brush, electric foot file, body massager, shaving head, bikini trimmer head, bikini trimmer comb, trimming comb, pouch, cleaning brush.
- Wet and dry? Both.
Braun FaceSpa Pro Facial Epilator
Why we love it: Cleansing, toning and epilating in one, this nifty tool delivers an upgraded skincare experience that's akin to visiting the salon. The epilator attachment gently removes facial hair, then cleanses with the sensitive facial cleansing brush. Finally, add on the MicroVibration head and your preferred serum to tone - and when you’re finished, you can store everything inside its own storage case.
- Pros: A 3-in-1 cleansing, toning and epilating experience, with 10 micro-openings to capture even the finest hairs, portable.
- Cons: Facial cleansing brush isn’t sturdy enough for an exfoliating cleanse.
- Battery life: 90 minutes cordless use.
- Accessories included: Sensitive facial cleansing brush, MicroVibration toning head, a bronze cap, stand, charger, beauty storage case.
- Wet and dry? Both.
Panasonic 5 in 1 Body and Bikini Kit Women's Epilator
Why we love it: Boasting 5 interchangeable attachments, this offering meets all of your grooming needs for the body and bikini area. Gentle, but still trimming coarser hairs with ease, it stars a high-speed, powerful motor that ensures a clean finish, while its skin guard attachment keeps delicate areas safe.
- Pros: Cordless, compact, all-in-one device.
- Cons: Not rechargeable.
- Battery life: Battery powered.
- Accessories included: Bikini trimmer, shaver and comb, body trimmer, skin guard.
- Wet and dry? Both.
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Braun Silk-épil 5 Power Epilator 5-625
Why we love it: If you've ever been half way through epilating only for the battery to give up the ghost, this is for you. With no charging needed, it comes with 2 speed settings, a massage cap for gentle epilation and an in-built light for those extra hairs that you might have missed otherwise.
- Pros: Gentle, uses vibrations to reduce pain sensations, Micro-Grip tweezer technology.
- Cons: Only plugs into a 2-pin bathroom shaver socket.
- Battery life: Corded for non-stop power.
- Accessories included: Shaver head, trimmer cap, cleaning brush.
- Wet and dry? Dry.
Panasonic ES-EY90 Wet & Dry Epilator
Why we love it: Standard epilator just not cutting the mustard (or your hairs)? Try this one, which stars double discs with 60 tweezers (the most on this list) which a) catches any hairs that the first disc missed, and b) catches more hair in a single stroke. With a gentle cap to keep the discs off your skin, and a built in LED light that flashes if you press too hard, this epilator will ensure a fuss-free, efficient experience.
- Pros: Waterproof, 3 speed settings, 90° pivoting head.
- Cons: Can be a little painful and a little noisy.
- Battery life: Approximately 30 minutes of continual use.
- Accessories included: Sonic scrub brush, bikini comb, gentle cap, small epilation head, shaver head, foot care head.
- Wet and dry? Both.
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How good are epilators for hair removal?
“Unlike some hair removal methods, such as shaving, epilating does offer relatively long-term hair removal, typically for up to four weeks depending on your ethnicity and your hair type,” says Nina. “It's not permanent though; for permanent hair loss, laser hair removal is usually preferable.”
Is epilating better than waxing?
It's time for a quick biology lesson, if you will.
“In order to understand if epilating is better than waxing, it’s useful to understand more about the hair growth cycles which consists of three main phases, anagen, which is the growth phase, catagen, which is the transition phase, and telogen, which is the resting phase,” explains Nina.
“Waxing removes hair from the anagen phase, which is when it’s in active growth. After this it usually takes around four to six weeks to reach that phase again, and this is when you’ll see the hair growth,” she continues.
The expert reveals that epilating removes hair at any stage of growth, but that epilators usually work best when hair is at least 1mm long. “Epilators remove hair directly from the root, similar to waxing. However, they’re more efficient because waxing faces the risk of pressing hair flat against the skin, which can make them harder to remove,” she says.
Nina adds that with waxing, you need to wait for hair to re-grow in between, so you may find epilating more convenient. “This is because epilating allows you to remove hair when it is shorter, unlike with waxing.”
What features should I look for when choosing an epilator?
Nina advises to look for features that suit your specific usage needs.
“So if you prefer to use your epilator in the shower, look for one that can be used wet. And look to see if it has attachments that can be used on different parts of the body if that's what you require too.”
And this is important — the expert says to always look for a reputable brand, check customer reviews, and make sure you buy from a trusted source. “All of these things will help to give you peace of mind.”
Can you epilate pubic hair?
Yes, you can, but there's a ‘but’.
“Most people find that laser hair removal is preferable in this area,” says Nina. “This is a more effective way of reaching the hair, and it also offers more long-term results.”
After more skincare and hair removal content? Head this way for the best women’s razor and in this direction for tried and tested laser hair removal devices. We also reveal the best waxing kits, face shavers for women, shaving cream for women and face wax strips.
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