The Best Hair Removal Epilators for Women

Braun Epilator Silk-epil 3

Track Your Tweeze

With a 20-tweezer head and embedded massage rollers, this easy-to-hold epilator gently and efficiently removes body hair.

Best Overall

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While laser hair removal is among the most effective processes out there, it requires time, money, and repeated treatments. On the other hand, razors only offer a temporary fix. Epilators are the perfect in-between option in that they remove hair at its source, resulting in lighter, finer hair over time, but don’t require an expensive salon visit to do so. Compact, easy to maneuver around all the body’s contours, and with massage rollers to help stimulate the skin around the pulling, the Braun Silk Epil 3 is the perfect epilator for first-time users. And because epilators do hurt the first few times you use them — let’s be real, you’re literally pulling your itty bitty hairs out by their roots — this one comes with smart light technology to get the job done faster, making sure you don’t miss any hairs the first time around.

Pros:

• 20-tweezer system to get finer hairs by the roots
• Easy to switch between epilator and razor attachments
• Guiding LED light

Cons:

• Short cord makes it hard to maneuver around a bathroom

Philips Beauty Satinelle Epilator

Portable Pampering

Take this light, compact epilator with you on all your travels for smooth skin on the go.

Most Compact

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If only vacation meant leaving our grooming routines at home right next to our work laptops. Unfortunately, feeling our best on the beach or a night out requires a bit of work on our part. And while it doesn’t always make sense to lug around your bulky at-home epilator, you also don’t have to resort to pulling out your disposables every time you pack your bags. Instead, check out this super-compact option by Philips Beauty. Cordless and easy to clean with its removable head, the Satinelle Epilator is designed to be lighter and smaller than other options, making it the perfect discrete tool for on-the-go pampering.

Pros:

• Two speed settings
• Washable head for better hygiene
• Ergonomic, easy-to-use grip

Cons:

• Doesn’t have a guiding LED
• Makes a louder noise than other epilators

Remington Smooth and Silky Facial Epilator

Facial Fine-Tuning

Cordless and compact for easy maneuvering, this gentle epilator is perfect for hair removal in delicate areas.

Best For Detail Areas

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Razors may get the job done when it comes to simply shaving one’s legs, but for those of us with more peach fuzz or facial hair, we need another option. This is one area where epilators really show their worth, not only in plucking away those hairs but keeping them away for longer, too. But because our faces require gentler tweezing, we prefer to use a finer-tuned epilator like this Remington option. The Smooth and Silky Facial Epilator is cordless and ergonomically designed for better maneuvering around small curves. And while it’s less ideal for tackling bigger areas with thicker hair due to its lower power, this feature makes it perfect for use on more sensitive areas like the face and bikini region.

Pros:

• Great cost value
• Battery-operated (1 AA included)
• Comes with protective cap and brush for cleaning

Cons:

• Doesn’t work as well on thicker hair
• Goes through batteries quickly, so rechargeable ones are recommended

Hangsun Wet and Dry Epilator

Less Pulling, Less Pain

Use this wet and dry epilator on warmed-up skin in a bath or shower to reduce discomfort.

Best Wet and Dry

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Just like regular razors, epilators can work better in the shower and bath. So if you’re like us and have a slightly lower pain tolerance — no shame — we recommend using a wet and dry epilator like this affordable option by Hangsun. Waterproof and cordless for safe use in moist conditions, this epilator is easy to grip for a no-slip, no-cut shower experience. And if you’re a seasoned epilator who can withstand a bit more tingle, then you can use the Wet and Dry Epilator just like you would a normal dry one.

Pros:

• Fast-charging with LED indicator
• Comes with two interchangeable heads, including shaver
• Great cost value
• Works on fine and thick hairs

Cons:

• Can’t be fully submerged

Braun Epilator Silk-epil 7

The Spa Package

From the first preparatory trim to the last delicate tweeze, this ultimate epilator set brings the whole salon process into your home.

Best Premium Product

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Even though we’re all about saving money when we can, many of us still like to go to the salon to get our essential grooming done — there’s something to be said for getting everything done in one place and knowing it’ll be done well. But what if we told you that you could get the same results at home? With this premium epilator set by Braun, you’ll feel like you’re being pampered by several hands at once. From the SensoSmart technology that lets you know how much pressure to apply to your skin to the different caps that let you tackle different areas of the body, we think this epilator’s all-in-one capabilities make it well worth the higher price tag.

Pros:

• Cordless
• Wet epilating capabilities for painless removal
• Comes with seven extra attachments
• Long-lasting battery charge

Cons:

• Higher cost for premium functions
• Attachment descriptions are slightly confusing

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some epilation tips for first-time users?

It can be scary when you first see (and hear) the rotating tweezers of your epilator, but fret not — we have some great tips to make your first epilating experience as painless as possible. Firstly, we tend to epilate in the evenings to give time for the skin to recover overnight. Next, preparation is key. Start by trimming your hairs down to a shorter length. If you’re not using a wet and dry epilator, then exfoliate your skin in warm water to relax it and reduce ingrown hairs. When you start applying the epilator to your skin, hold it naturally and experiment with different angles that feel best — 90° is a good starting point. Move the device lightly over your skin against the direction of hair growth, and remember to moisturize after you’re done for smooth skin in the morning.

What are the long-term benefits of epilating?

While this may sound like a lot of fuss compared to the one-time ease of waxing and the familiarity of shaving, for many of us, epilation is a good option in the long run. As with waxing, you actually damage the hair follicle every time you epilate, which makes the hair grow back thinner and lighter over time. And you’ll most likely get more used to the discomfort of using it, especially if you epilate on a regular basis every few weeks.