When you think about hair removal, you most likely think of the three most common methods: shaving, waxing or lasers. However, you may not know that there actually is a fourth option out there for you, and that option is epilating!
Lots of people are choosing epilators over previous methods of hair removal. For one, you can avoid the dreaded razor bumps that pop up after shaving. Additionally, waxing and laser hair removal can be quite costly.
Though you may be scared about the initial ouch-factor involved in epilating (and that’s a legitimate concern), you just might find yourself throwing out your razors and switching over to epilators after you learn more about them.
- Important Factors to Consider When Buying an Epilator
- Top 10 Best Epilators 2026
- 1. Best Overall Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579
- 2. Best Premium Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-890
- 3. Best Budget Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 3 3-270
- 4. Best Massaging Epilator: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-961V
- 5. Best for Sensitive Skin: Braun Silk-Epil 5 5-280
- 6. Best Exfoliating: Panasonic ES-ED90-P
- 7. Epilady Legend 4th Generation
- 8. Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle
- 9. Remington Smooth & Silky
- 10. Emjoi AP-18 Emagine
- Guide to Buying the Best Epilator for You
- Epilators Could Be Right for You
Important Factors to Consider When Buying an Epilator
Before shopping for an epilator for the first time, it’s helpful to consider the following factors.
Where You Need to Use It
Where you intend to use the epilator will be a key factor in determining which one is right for you. Look carefully over the details related to where they can be used on your body. Some work all over the body, while others are made for specific parts. There are a few that are safe to use on your face, but these work best on thin hairs.
The Power and Speed Settings
People with coarser hair should purchase epilators that have high-speed settings. These quickly power through tough hair. Having a choice of speed settings is ideal for new users to get used to how it feels. Higher quality epilators will usually have varying speed options to help you customize your epilating process.
Corded or Battery-Powered
Epilators that are battery-powered tend to be less expensive. However, though you can move around more easily with them, the downside of a battery-powered epilator is how quickly they lose power. Wet/Dry epilators are always cordless. Corded models are the better choice for people who don’t want to use them in the shower and for people who want it to power up at a moment’s notice.
The Pivoting Head
A pivoting head is ideal in an epilator. It follows the contours of your body as you epilate, so you can get into every curve of your body. The pivoting head also keeps the head as close to your skin as possible so that you will pull out the hair closer to the root, causing less pain and irritation.
The Number of Tweezers
Using an epilator can be quite time consuming, so you should choose one that has a high number of tweezers. That way, you can remove more hair from your skin with each pass across your skin. Cheaper epilators will have around twenty tweezers or less on its head and will be less effective at removing large amounts of hair in one go. This will mean that you have to go over your skin several times, which can cause irritations.
Types of Epilators You Can Buy
While all epilators work in a similar fashion. There are a few different designs, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Spring Epilators
Spring epilators have a coil spring and rotating mechanism that flexes in turns on alternating sides. As you move a spring epilator over your skin, the coils grab the hairs, and the rotating motion pulls them out. These days they are mainly used to remove facial hair.
Rotating Disc Epilators
Rotating disc epilators use small metal discs to remove hair from your skin. The discs rotate quickly and have moving tips that work like tweezers. The tips move close together and grab hairs from your skin, and the rotating motion pulls them out.
Tweezer Epilators
Tweezer epilators are the most common types of epilators you’ll find today. They feature tips that move on plates. When the head rotates, the tweezer tips come together and catch the hairs. They then pull apart to release the plucked hairs.
Features to Look For
Finally, once you know what kind of epilator you need to get the job done, you can shop for features that make life easier. Some buyers like to spend extra for these convenience features while others prefer to save and opt for a more bare-bones model.
Wet/Dry Use Features
There are some epilators that can only be used on dry skin, but there are more modern ones that have the option for shower use. Wet/Dry epilators are typically cordless, and although wet epilation is slower, it does help to lessen the pain experienced as the water softens your skin and opens up your pores.
Additionally, wet/dry epilators are more versatile and convenient to use if you want to save time by epilating during a shower or bath. An added bonus is that you can simply wash your removed hairs down the drain when you’re done!
Light Features
Well-lit rooms are not always enough for effective hair removal. Having a light on it makes it even easier to get to those hard-to-reach, and/or difficult-to-see areas of your body (i.e. the back of your legs, knee caps, etc.). A decent light can also make the shortest and finest hairs super visible.
Massage Features
A massage feature can help to increase the blood flow on the upper layer of your skin before you begin epilating. This will help you feel less pain while removing hairs.
Pain Reduction Features
If you are worried about the pain, you should use a Wet/Dry epilator, so you can use the shower to “warm your skin up,” open up your pores and relax before you begin the process. Look for an epilator that has a sensitive area cap, which also helps to reduce discomfort. Caps are especially important for first-time users.
Additional Attachments
You might want to choose an epilator that comes with removable heads as a long-term investment. You’ll get varied uses out of your epilator that way. Comprehensive epilator packs will come with a selection of caps for different uses that fit over the tweezer heads.
The various caps serve to spread your skin more evenly for more effective hair removal. They also make it possible to use the epilator on your face. Some even come with a shaving head that you can use to trim down long hairs before epilating, making the process quicker and less painful.
Top 10 Best Epilators 2026
1. Best Overall Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579 epilator is 100% waterproof, so you can use it comfortably in the shower or bath. This wet/dry feature makes removing hair more comfortable. The pulsing vibrations also create a more gentle experience.
Its pivoting head hugs every curve on your body for efficient and comfortable hair removal. The head is also 40% wider than its older models, covering more skin surface area and removing more hair in one simple stroke.
The MicroGrip Tweezer Technology features forty tweezers that work in sync with the pivoting head to grab at all those short hairs that waxing often misses. Despite its amazing hair removal capability, don’t fret when you find occasional hair is left behind after epilating.
Included Accessories
Two speed settings means that you can epilate according to your preference. The higher speed setting pulls hair quickly while the lower speed setting works best to remove hair more gently in your sensitive areas.
The Silk-Epil 9 9-579 comes with additional tools: a shaver head, a trimmer cap, a high frequency massage cap, a skin contact cap, a facial brush and a charging stand. Because there are so many caps to choose from, you can use this epilator on pretty much any part of your body, even on more sensitive areas like your face. It is also equipped with a rechargeable battery, making it travel-friendly.
The face cap makes easy work of removing random, pesky hairs on your face. The facial brush exfoliates your skin with micro-oscillations to remove impurities from your pores; it’s also an effective makeup remover! An added SmartLight ensures that even the thinnest hairs are visible.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.
Pros
- 100% waterproof and safe to use in the shower
- Pivoting head is 40% wider than older models, removing more hair in one go
- Comes with several additional tools for shaving and grooming
- Free return policy
Cons
- May occasionally leave unplucked hairs behind
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
The Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-890 is 100% waterproof, so you can use it in the bath or shower. This makes the epilation process less painful, and because it is cordless, you’ll be sure to reach more hair with each stroke.
This epilator can brag about being the world’s first epilator with SensoSmart technology. A red light sensor will flash to let you know when you’re pushing down too hard on your skin with the epilator. This ensures that you use it as efficiently as possible with minimal pain and discomfort.
Though the pain experienced removing hair from these areas of your body is similar to waxing, it takes less time for the pain to go away when you epilate with the Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-890. The epilator vibration works especially well on those follicles with multiple hair growths: you’ll definitely feel the stronger tug to get those pesky, thicker hairs out, but there is less irritation afterwards. Be careful when you use this epilator after charging as the motor may sputter when you first turn it on and use it.
Included Accessories
You’ll get a selection of interchangeable razor and trimmer heads with your purchase: facial cap, massage cap, skin contact cap, shaver head, and trimmer cap. Additionally, the epilator comes with a pouch to store your accessories.
The massage cap is a great addition to help reduce pain during the epilation process while the precision head attachment is specifically designed for the face. A 12V adapter is provided for recharging the reusable battery.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.
Pros
- 100% waterproof
- SensoSmart technology ensures that you epilate gently and safely
- Epilator vibrations make removing thicker hair less painful
- Loads of trimmer/razor heads to choose from
- Free return policy
Cons
- Motor may sputter during initial use after being fully charged
3. Best Budget Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 3 3-270
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
The Braun Silk-Epil 3 3-270 can only be used dry, so if you’re not keen to use an epilator in the shower, this is a great choice for you. It is also smaller in size than other Braun Silk-Epil models, so it will fit comfortably in your hand, giving you a better grip while epilating.
Though the number of tweezers is significantly less than other epilators, you’ll find that it still works efficiently to remove hair from your legs and armpits. That’s why this is a great choice for people who are new to epilating: most people recommend that you start with common hair removal areas like legs and arms to get used to the sensations of your epilator. Please be aware that the lower tweezer count will mean that you have to epilate for longer to remove all hairs to get that smooth, post-shave feel.
Included Accessories
Another reason why this epilator is an excellent choice for beginners is that they keep the head/cap options simple: a trimmer, a razor and a massage roller. The massage roller works especially well to help ease the pain of epilating. In addition to this, the Braun Silk-Epil 3 3-270 has a little flashlight on it to help you spot any stray hairs left behind. This is not battery-operated; it runs on a 12V adapter with a short cord. Some find the cord too short to use comfortably in the bathroom. You have two speed options for epilating.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.
Pros
- Great option for first-timers
- Compact size make it easy to grip
- Simple trimmer/cap options
- Flashlight helps you spot stray hairs
- Free return policy
Cons
- May take longer to epilate than other models
- Cord may be too short to use in the bathroom
4. Best Massaging Epilator: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-961V
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
This epilator features wet/dry functionality, so you can use it in or out of the bath. Similar to the Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579, the 40-tweezer count and 40% wider head will be sure to remove more hairs in a single stroke. New hair growth will stay away for up to four weeks.
The active vibrations you’ll feel while epilating with the Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-961V will help your skin to feel less discomfort during the hair removal process. The epilator head easily adapts to all the curves on your body for added comfort. So don’t fret when you get to those more difficult areas like the underarms and the knees: this epilator has got you covered!
Your follicles may feel sore after epilating with the Braun Silk-Epil 9-961V; however, using a moisturizer afterwards helps to effectively ease this discomfort. Additionally, your legs may not have that silky, “freshly shaved” feeling after epilating, but the hairs it misses are often so fine, they are imperceptible to the naked eye.
When you use it on more sensitive areas like your bikini line, your skin might react more harshly to the process, leaving behind bumps and redness. To combat this, shave down the hairs in this area first before epilating it while in the bath.
While the body brushes help to decrease the development of ingrown hairs, the massage pad helps improve blood circulation, leaving your skin looking amazing.
Included Accessories
This epilator comes with two body brushes, a deep massage pad and multiple razor and trimmer cap options. Which means that you can use this epilator on any area of your body that you’d like! The body brushes are an excellent addition to prevent ingrown hairs, and they help to make epilating in the more sensitive areas of your body less painful. The deep massage pad helps to stimulate blood circulation, making your skin look fabulous.
One charge of the reusable battery charges in one hour and ensures that your epilator will last through 40 minutes of use. The cordless features means that you can safely use this in the shower or bath. Adding to that, the smartlight feature helps you to see even the thinnest hairs for more effective hair removal.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.
Pros
- Use it in the shower or bath
- Epilator head adapts to every curve on your body
- Comes with body brushes, massage pad, smartlight and loads of trimmer caps & razors
- Lasts for up to 40 minutes
- Free return policy
Cons
- May experience sore follicles, bumps, redness and/or soreness afterwards
- Sometimes misses finer hairs on your legs
5. Best for Sensitive Skin: Braun Silk-Epil 5 5-280
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
The Braun Silk-Epil 5 5-280 is waterproof, so you can use it in the shower or bath. This also makes it convenient for you to wash the epilator after use under running water for a more hygienic clean. The ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip while you’re epilating, and the pivoting head helps you remove hairs that are sometimes hard to reach with normal razors.
Having a 40-tweezer count means this epilator will remove even the shortest hairs (even as short as 0.5 mm!), so you won’t have to wait for your hair to grow out before removing it again. However, if you have really coarse hair, it may take longer to remove all your body hair, and it may not remove all of it completely.
Included Accessories
If you have really sensitive skin, this is the best choice for you. This epilator comes with three cap options, a brush, a pouch for storage and a cooling glove. The high-frequency massage system works to stimulate your skin to reduce the pain of hair removal when epilating while the cooling glove helps to soothe your skin afterwards.
There is a SmartLight to help you see even the finest hairs on your skin. The epilator operates on non-stop power, so you can use it until your skin feels soft and smooth to your liking. It is powered by a corded, 12V adapter, and you’ll only need a pin adapter for the country you’ll be visiting to use it while you’re traveling. You have two speed options for epilating.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.
Pros
- Great for people with sensitive skin
- Can remove hairs as short as 0.5 mm
- SmartLight helps you spot fine hairs
- Can use it in other countries with the proper adapter
- Free return policy
Cons
- May not be as effective on coarse hair
6. Best Exfoliating: Panasonic ES-ED90-P
Editor’s Rating:
Special Features
The dual-disk head on the Panasonic ES-ED90-P pivots 30° forwards and backwards to contour to every curve of your body, making hair removal gentle and efficient, even on sensitive areas like your bikini lines. Because the head is wide like the Braun Silk-Epil 9-961V, it can cover more surface area and remove hair more quickly than other models. The 48 rotating tweezer design firmly holds and gently plucks your hair from the root.
Its wet/dry feature makes hair removal convenient for you to use any way you’d like: in the bath or while you’re sitting in your room. You can also use it safely with the shaving gel, foam or bath soap you prefer. The wet/dry feature makes it easy to clean your epilator thoroughly under running water.
Included Accessories
The Panasonic epilator comes in three different colors, with six different attachments: a shaver, epilator head, cap, bikini comb, pedicure buffer and dual-disc epilator head. You also get a travel pouch to store it away conveniently or take it on a trip with you. The shaver head has hypoallergenic blades and foil to keep sensitive skin areas safe while the pop-up trimmer will cut your hairs down to a manageable length. However, some have found that the caps pop off while in use more often than they’d like.
The high-performance motor has two speed options for your convenience, and the rechargeable battery allows you to epilate anywhere you please. It’ll take about one hour for this epilator to fully charge, and it can operate non-stop for up to 30 minutes before it needs recharging. You cannot use it while it is plugged in. There is also a built-in LED light for you to see every hair.
The Panasonic ES-ED90-P removes hair and calluses! The attachable heel buffer will help you shave down dry skin for smooth, beautiful feet.
Customer Service
Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping. You will need to replace the inner blade and outer foil of your epilator’s shaver every two years: Outer Foil (WES9753P), Inner Blade (WES9752P), Outer Foil/Inner Blade Combo (WES9759P).
Pros
- Wide, pivoting head removes hair in hard to reach areas
- Travel pouch is great for convenient storage and portability
- Comes with a heel buffer for foot care
- Three color options