TL;DR
Our favorite epilator is theRemington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator. It’s affordable, easy to use, delivers long-lasting results, and helps thin the hair in between sessions. If you’re looking for a multipurpose tool to invest in, we recommend theBraun Silk·épil 9 Flex Epilator, Beauty Set with FaceSpa. And if you want one specifically designed for the face, go for theFaceSpa Pro Facial Epilator Kit.
Shaving, waxing, and tweezing may be some of the most talked about hair removal methods, but they’re not your only options. Think of epilating as a souped-up, electronically-powered version of tweezing using a small device known as an epilator. “Epilators use rotating tweezers on a spinning wheel that grab multiple hairs and pull them out at the root,” explains board-certified dermatologist Dr. Stacy Chimento, M.D. This process takes much longer for new hair to grow back. And the hair that does grow in comes in thinner than before, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, M.D. You can do it from head to toe, be it on your face, your bikini line, your legs—you name it.
It’s not the most comfortable (it can even be painful), particularly for areas like the face and the bikini line, where the skin is more sensitive, Dr. Chimento points out. To maximize results, “try shaving one to four days before using one since you want the hair to neither be too short nor too long,” Dr. Chimento suggests. We put more than a dozen highly-rated options to the test over six weeks, evaluating each based on ease of use, comfort, effectiveness, and features, and ahead, we’re sharing the ones that impressed us the most.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best for Sensitive Skin:
Best Features:
Best Compact:
Best for Travel:
What We Like
Lightweight and easy to hold
Cordless
Delivers long-lasting results
Works to thin the hairs between sessions
Can be used on wet or dry skin
What to Consider
Causes some redness and itching on legs
Target Areas: Arms, legs, underarms, back, bikini | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless rechargeable battery
We suggest epilator newbies start with an affordable option to see how they get on with this type of hair removal before potentially investing in a more pricey tool. This one is budget-friendly and effective. Admittedly, the first session felt like hundreds of strong zaps and shocks against the skin, which was quite uncomfortable, though we’re happy to report that it became less painful with each session.
It effectively removed the hair, yielding smooth skin and a hairless result that lasted nearly two weeks. It did create some redness and itching on the legs where the hairs were particularly thin though it worked beautifully on the underarms—even eliminating the five-o'clock shadow that often appears after shaving. It can be used on wet and dry skin, which is super convenient, and we did feel that the discomfort was slightly diminished when using it on warm, wet skin. There are two speeds available, so you can choose the one that suits you best. It also comes with a massaging cap and a precision head to help target small or hard-to-reach areas.
Bridget, tester: The device is easy to hold, it's lightweight, and the head pivots well. It's fairly similar to a hand-held electric shaver in shape, size, and weight."
What We Like
Has a sensitive skin attachment
Delivers long-lasting results
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Relatively affordable
What to Consider
Can only be used on dry skin
Target Areas: Legs, bikini, underarms | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless/rechargeable
There’s no denying it, epilating is uncomfortable and even painful for most people—at least in the beginning. For those with sensitive skin, it can feel pretty unbearable. During testing, we discovered that this option was the least painful but still got the job done. That’s not to say it wasn’t uncomfortable, it certainly was, but it was more bearable than most options on the list, due in part to the sensitive skin attachment that it comes with. The design is lightweight and ergonomic, making it easy to glide across the skin, and it worked to thoroughly remove hair for a smooth result that lasted about two weeks.
Patricia, tester: "I did notice that the hair came in slower than it does when I shave. It took a little over two weeks to see minimal regrowth."
What We Like
Comes with multiple attachments
Flexible head is easy to maneuver
Nice for large surface areas
What to Consider
Created some redness and bumps right after use
Results could be more long-lasting
Target Areas: Face, underarms, bikini | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Battery-operated
You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on an epilator, but this tool comes with multiple attachments—like a shaver head and massage pad—which add to its value. Aside from the additional attachments, the main head is flexible, making it effortless to maneuver across the skin and use on curved parts of the body. The epilator's cutting-edge SensoSmart technology, which allows you to use it in the shower or the bath, applies just the right amount of pressure and is a real game changer.
Like most epilators, we found it to be pretty painful—think burning and tingling—though these sensations subsided quickly after use. It createdrednessand bumps, which is also not uncommon for epilators, but it worked to effectively remove the hair. Once the bumps subsided, the results were soft and smooth. It also has two speed settings, so you can use the more intense one on less sensitive parts of the body and the more gentle one where you’re more sensitive.
Sophie, tester: "The epilator is pretty easy to use; there are a ton of different heads and attachments that were a little challenging to figure out what to do with, even when referring back to the directions. Ultimately, I tried a couple of different heads and ended up sticking with the largest/most classic one."
Best Features
Philips Beauty Epilator Series 8000
What We Like
Has additional features, like exfoliating brush and hair trimmer
Delivers long-lasting results
Can be used on wet and dry skin
What to Consider
Can be a bit overwhelming to set up and learn different features
Bulky head doesn’t rotate, so it doesn’t glide over knees and bends well
Target Areas: Arms, bikini, underarms, legs | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 32 | Type: Cordless
We love a multipurpose product, especially when the price tag is higher. This epilator from Phillips does what it promises—effectively removes hair for results that last up to four weeks. It also comes with additional features, like an exfoliating brush, a callus remover, and a hair trimmer. Like the other epilators we tested, it was painful during the hair removal process and did create some bumps, especially on the legs, but it worked to thoroughly remove hair that didn’t grow back for a few weeks. One of our testers who experienced bumps from this tool said when she put a cool compress on her skin right after using it, it helped to reduce the bumps quickly and keep her skin comfortable.
As for the additional features, they’re nice to have, especially when you have time for a full skincare and hair removal routine. The exfoliating brush helps to smooth and prep skin for the removal process, and the callous smoother helps to achieve a softer overall result. The initial setup can feel a bit overwhelming when there are so many attachments in the box, but once you get a hang of it, it’s pretty easy to use.
Dana, tester: "It was easy to use, but it took me a few different tries to find the right amount of pressure to apply on my legs. The most challenging element really was just the pain."
What We Like
Compact
Easy to use
Nice for small areas
Comes with a brush head for cleansing and exfoliating
What to Consider
Results could be more long-lasting
Created some bumps
Target Areas: Face | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: Not listed | Type: Cordless rechargeable
If you’re looking to take a break from shaving, dermaplaning, and waxing your face, this facial epilating tool is something to consider. The compact design is great for targeting small areas, such as in between your eyebrows and above your upper lip. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, and we were pleased with how well it removed hair. Though it wasn’t nearly as painful as other options on our list, it did create some redness and bumps, which is something to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin. While the results weren’t much longer-lasting than waxing, we appreciate that this tool can remove hair shorter than the hair you can target with waxing. Bonus points for coming with a cleansing brush that gently exfoliates the skin before epilating.
Wendy, tester: "It's small and fits perfectly in my hand. I also have arthritis in my hands, and it wasn't too heavy, nor did it hurt my hands to hold up while using it. It's very easy to use around my brow area. It's small enough for spot removal, so I just glided it to the places where I wanted to remove excess hair."
What We Like
Double-heads make it easier to cover large surface areas
Delivers long-lasting results
Simple to use
Plug-in means there’s no charging necessary
What to Consider
Not great for targeting small areas
Creates some bumps and irritation
Target Areas: Legs, underarms, bikini, chin, upper lip | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 72 | Type: Plug-in
We recommend taking this tool with you on your travels if epilating is your hair removal method of choice. This one has a cord, so you can easily plug it into a wall socket no matter where you are. It’s simple to use and effectively removes hair, especially on larger areas of the body like the legs, arms, bikini area, and underarms, thanks to the dual heads with 72 tweezers among them. It’s not ideal for use on small areas like the upper lip and in between the eyebrows, but considering how well it works on most areas, this isn’t a deal breaker for us. We did experience some pain, bumps, and mild irritability while testing, but these side effects vanished quickly, and the result was smooth and hair-free skin. This effect lasted much longer than shaving or waxing—we could go a full two weeks in between sessions.
Katie, tester: "This device is lightweight and easy to handle. The double heads on the device cover more ground, and the head is curved to help get it closer to stray hairs. However, its size made it a bit difficult for the upper lip (small area to cover) and armpits (it's difficult both due to how curved the area under the arm is and the fact that hair tends to grow in different directions in that area)."
What to Look for When Buying an Epilator
- Tweezers: The tweezers are what ultimately get the job done. As you're probably aware, not all tweezers are created equal. While quality matters, with epilators, it's often more about quantity. The number of tweezers on the rotating head will vary, but the best options typically have more.
- Speed Settings: Some epilators operate simultaneously, although many have multiple speed settings. If you're sensitive to hair removal (who isn't?), slower settings can be gentler. On the other hand, if you want an efficient option for quicker hair-removal sessions, look for an epilator that can be set to a faster speed.
- Wet/Dry Use: Most epilators are intended for use on only dry skin. That said, some models are designed for wet and dry use, which can come in handy if you multitask while getting ready in the morning. You can find completely waterproof options that allow you to achieve smooth legs and armpits right in the shower or bath. Warm water and humidity may make the process easier and less painful.
- Powder Source: There are two types of epilators: corded and cordless. Some cordless options have rechargeable batteries, and others require batteries to be replaced. For obvious reasons, cordless epilators are more portable than their plug-in counterparts, although there's always the chance that a cordless epilator will run out of power mid-session.
How We Tested Epilators
We believe in using the products we recommend, so we prioritize testing them in real-life settings and in our NY-based Lab.
- Epilators Tested: 14
- Testing Period: Six weeks
- Methodology: Epilators were tested on all skin types and tones.
- Factors Considered: Features, attachments, power chord length, weight, design, comfort, overall results, value.
FAQ
How do you use an epilator?
Before actually using an epilator, it’s important to prep your skin and hair properly. As Dr. Chimento mentioned, you’ll want to shave a few days before epilating to ensure your hairs are the right length for the tool to work effectively. Dr. King also recommends physical exfoliation before epilating: “Take a warm shower and use an exfoliating body scrub, gloves, mitt, loofah, or brush. This helps expose hairs so they can be picked up by the epilator. It also helps decrease the risk of ingrown hairs,” she explains. When you’re ready to begin, hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle against clean skin without pressing it in, then use your other hand to hold your skin taut and slowly pass the epilator in the direction of your hair growth. When you're finished, moisturize your skin to minimize irritation.
How do epilators work?
Epilators work similarly to waxing or manual plucking in that they remove hair at the roots. When you run the device along your skin, the tiny tweezers on the wheel grab the hairs and then remove them as the wheel continues to rotate.
Do epilators hurt?
Since the device pulls hair away at the root, there's an expected "ouch" factor. But like most other forms of hair removal, many people find it less painful after multiple sessions.
Meet Our Experts
We asked experts to discuss important things to consider when purchasing an epilator. Those experts included:
- Dr. Stacy Chimento, M.D., FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami.
- Dr. Hadley King, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology and is a Clinical Instructor of Dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since waxing is her preferred method of hair removal, she relied on expert input, consumer reviews, and her past experience covering epilators to compile this list.
Alyssa Kaplan is an associate editor at Byrdie. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any epilators from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.