The 10 Best Epilators to Buy in 2024 (2024)

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.

Contents [ show ]

  • Important Factors to Consider When Buying an Epilator
    • Where You Need to Use It
    • The Power and Speed Settings
    • Corded or Battery-Powered
    • The Pivoting Head
    • The Number of Tweezers
    • Types of Epilators You Can Buy
    • Features to Look For
  • Top 10 Best Epilators 2024
    • 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
    • 10. Emjoi AP-18 Emagine
  • Guide to Buying the Best Epilator for You
    • Benefits and Drawbacks of Epilating
    • Epilating vs. Other Hair Removal Methods
    • What to Look for When Choosing the Best Epilator for You
    • Common Questions About Epilators
    • Tips for First-Time Epilator Users
    • Tips for Lessening Pain While Epilating
  • 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 2024

1. Best Overall Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579

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Why we like it: With several caps to choose from with the Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579, you can be sure to remove all your unwanted hairs from any part of your body.

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

2. Best Premium Pick: Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-890

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Why we like it: Unlike other Braun Silk-Epil epilators, the 9 9-890 comes equipped with SensoSmart technology that alerts you when you press too hard on your skin, ensuring safe and gentle epilation.

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

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Why we like it: This epilator is great for first-timers! There are three simple head/cap options to choose from, a smart light to help you spot stray hairs, and it is compact in size for a more comfortable grip.

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

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Why we like it: The body brushes and massage pads that come with the Braun Silk-Epil 9-961V are superb!

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

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Why we like it: Like the Braun Silk-Epil 9 9-579, the Braun Silk-Epil 5 5-280 has a great massage system design to help make the epilating experience more comfortable.

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

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Why we like it: Not only can you use the Panasonic ES-ED90-P to gently and efficiently remove your body hair with its six different attachments, you can also use it to exfoliate your feet!

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
  • Free return options

Cons

  • Caps may pop off the epilator while in use

7. Epilady Legend 4th Generation

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Why we like it: The impressive 31,000-tweezer rotation a minute means that the Epilady Legend 4th Generation will remove body hair from anywhere gently and quickly, ensuring smooth skin for up to six weeks.

Editor’s Rating:

Special Features

With a 31,000-tweezer rotation a minute, Epilady Legend removes your body hair from your legs, arms, underarms, bikini area and face directly from the root for smooth skin that can last up to six weeks. The epilating head is also wide for fast and efficient hair removal with each stroke. It is suitable for all hair types. The handle has a wonderfully ergonomic design with gripping rubber points, so your hands won’t slip while you’re epilating. The tweezers will be less effective after one year of continual use.

Included Accessories

This epilator is rechargeable and can still be used while corded. The charge will last up to sixty minutes, which is enough time to fully epilate two areas of your body. There are also two speed options for you to choose from at your convenience.

Customer Service

Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.

Pros

  • 31,000-tweezer rotation a minute removes loads of hair
  • Rubber gripping points makes the handle non-slip
  • Can use corded or cordless
  • Free return policy

Cons

  • Tweezers will be less effective after the first year

8. Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle

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Why we like it: The Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle is a super quiet epilator at 72 dBA, making epilating gentle on the ears.

Editor’s Rating:

Special Features

The 21 tweezers in the Philips Beauty epilator means that you can effectively remove hair without too much discomfort. Like the Braun Silk-Epil 5 5-280, this epilator can remove hairs as short as 0.5 mm! You will get ingrown hairs if you epilate on long hair, so be sure to trim your hair down first before using it.

The rounded shape of the Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle fits easily in the palm of your hand. This means that you will have a firm grip on it while epilating, ensuring a safe experience. Its compact size also makes it super travel-friendly. You can easily remove the cap and rinse it underwater for a nice clean.

Included Accessories

The two speed settings help you to epilate with as little pain as possible, and the lower sound level (72 dBa) means you won’t be irritated with a constant, loud buzzing noise while you epilate. Use the lower speed with an efficiency cap to remove hair from your most sensitive areas. The efficiency cap also ensures that you remove more hair with each stroke. The head is washable and easy to clean up.

The corded design means you’ll be able to use the Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle without having to stop and recharge it. It works with 240V and 110V plugs, making it more travel-friendly.

Customer Service

Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.

Pros

  • Removes hairs as short as 0.5 mm
  • Compact size and ergonomic handle for firm grip
  • Compatible with 240V and 110V, making it travel-friendly
  • Very quiet motor at 72 dBa
  • Free return policy

Cons

  • Can cause ingrown hairs if you don’t trim first

9. Remington Smooth & Silky

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Why we like it: If you’re looking for something compact and easy to use, the Remington Smooth and Silky is your best option. It is an excellent epilator for hair removal, especially on the face and underarms.

Editor’s Rating:

Special Features

The six tweezers on the Remington’s narrow head ensures a gentle feel on the skin, especially when removing hair from sensitive areas like your face. You’ll find that your sensitive areas are less irritated after using this epilator. It works best on your face and underarms.

The Remington Smooth and Silky is compact in size for precision hair removal. It also makes it easy to travel around with. If you have particularly pesky and/or coarse hairs, you’ll need to use handheld tweezers in addition to the epilator. Otherwise, you may end up having more ingrown hairs than you’d like.

Included Accessories

This epilator works while cordless, so you can move it more freely for more efficient hair removal. It is battery operated, and your purchase will come with 1 AA battery.

The protective cap guards the epilator head for safer storage. There is a brush that you can use to remove hairs from the epilator’s head after use.

Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.

Pros

  • Best for face and underarm hair removal
  • Compact size is great for travel and storage
  • Battery-powered for more freedom in movement
  • Free return policy

Cons

  • Will need to use handheld tweezers with this epilator

10. Emjoi AP-18 Emagine

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Why we like it: The cord is approximately 2.5 meters long, making it easy to move your epilator around as you need.

Editor’s Rating:

Special Features

The 72 tweezer heads on the Emoji AP-18 Emagine rotate in opposite directions to remove more hair. The patented glide, “lifting finger” technology lifts and removes your shorter hairs more easily and makes it harder to develop ingrown hairs. These two features working together help you to remove more hair with each stroke.

Each disc on the epilator head has one fixed disk and two that open and close to help stretch your skin and make epilating feel more comfortable. Some have found the motor to be too loud.

The body is ergonomically designed to ensure a firmer grip, and its silver ion design provides antimicrobial protection, keeping your skin safe from infection. The curved shape of the head means that it will hug all of your body’s curves for more effective hair removal. The epilator’s body may break after 6-12 months of continual use.

Included Accessories

An epilator, cord, carrying bag, cleaning brush, exfoliating pad and manual come with your purchase. The Emoji epilator has two speed settings for your convenience. Like the Philips Beauty HP6401/50 Satinelle, is also corded, so you can use it non-stop without having to take time out to recharge the battery.

If you’re worried about free movement, don’t: the power cord is about 2.5 meters long, so you can move around with ease.

Customer Service

Your purchase comes with a free return policy that does not require you to pay for return shipping.

Pros

  • Long power cord for ease of use
  • Removes short hairs and prevents ingrown hairs
  • Antimicrobial protection in the epilators help prevent infections
  • Comes with carrying bag, cleaning brush and exfoliating pad
  • Free return policy

Cons

  • Motor may be too loud for some
  • Body may break down after 6-12 months of frequent use

Guide to Buying the Best Epilator for You


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If you want to know more about using an epilator to ger rid of unwanted hair, keep reading below!

Benefits and Drawbacks of Epilating

After long-term use, you can count on having super-smooth, hair-free skin for several weeks as opposed to the handful of days you get between shaving sessions. Regular shaving can lead to rashes, nicks and cuts, all of which rarely occur when using an epilator.

It’s also just more cost-effective: you can clean and reuse epilators for years, and though the initial cost of purchasing one is high, you won’t have to keep buying packs of razors or keep scheduling those costly wax appointments.

They are also super travel friendly, and if that’s not enough, consider this: your hair will most likely grow back finer and less dense after prolonged use!

The Drawbacks

Epilators are not for everyone. The upfront cost of purchasing a good epilator can put a sizable dent in your wallet. Epilating can also be a fairly painful process when you first use them, so you’re going to have to power through. Also, if you don’t use your epilator correctly, they can cause ingrown hairs.

If you have particularly sensitive skin, you may find that you experience some redness after epilating (moisturizing afterward will help). You’ll also need a dedicated amount of time to remove hair with an epilator, so you can’t use it right before stepping out the door. And sorry guys—epilators are not suitable to use on men’s facial hair.

Epilating vs. Other Hair Removal Methods

Shaving

Hair that’s shaved will grow back faster than hair you’ve removed with an epilator. This results in more time spent shaving compared to epilating, so if you’re not a fan of shaving everyday, an epilator is the better choice. Shaving will also result in more money spent over time to replace old razors.

Though shaving is less painful than epilating, you are more likely to catch your skin and develop rashes or bumps. However, you will still experience a certain level of discomfort and soreness in your skin after using an epilator that you won’t after shaving. You may also still be prone to developing ingrown hairs when using an epilator.

Waxing

Waxing is similar to epilating in that it removes your body hair from the root. Both methods of hair removal leave you with silky-smooth skin that can last for weeks and weeks! The downside? They can both lead to ingrown hairs.

When you wax, your hair needs to be long (at least ¼ inch long), so the wax can grab hold of your hairs more securely. Epilation works better when your hair is trimmed down. This means that you’ll have to wait for your hair to grow back over a longer length of time before you can wax again. Not ideal for people who want to rock the hair-free look everyday.

Laser Removal

Laser hair removal is a good option for people who want to remove hair from their body for longer periods of time or who want to get rid of their hair permanently. However, this is a time-consuming and expensive commitment compared to epilating, and it also comes with its negative side effects: redness & irritation, skin crusting and potentially even eye injuries. Do your research before going down this route.

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Epilator for You

Here is some more in-depth information to help you make an informed buying decision.

Where You’ll Use It

Where you intend to use the epilator will determine which one is right for you. Carefully look over the details concerning where you can use any given epilator. Some epilators can be used all over the body, while others are made specifically for arms, legs, bikini lines and/or underarms only.

There are a few that are safe to use on your face, but these are only really useful on thin facial hair.

Power and Speed Settings

People with coarser hair should purchase epilators that have high-speed settings that can quickly power through tough hair. If you are new to epilating, having a choice of speed settings is ideal so that you can get used to how it feels on your skin. Higher quality epilators will usually have varying speed options to help you customize your epilating process.

Corded vs. Battery-Powered

Epilators that are battery-powered tend to be less expensive than corded ones. However, though they do give you the freedom to move around more, the downside of a battery-powered epilator is that they lose their power more quickly.

Wet/Dry epilators maintain power to work off the cord. If you don’t plan on using your epilator in the shower, going for a corded model is the better choice. They will always be powered up and ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Pivoting Head

A pivoting head is an ideal design for an epilator. It will follow the contours of your body as you epilate, meaning that you can get into every curve of your body with the epilator. The pivoting head will mean that you can also keep the head as close to your skin as possible so that you will pull out the hair closer to the root. This will cause less pain and irritation.

Number of Tweezers

Epilators can have one to seventy tweezers. Using an epilator can be quite time consuming, so it is recommended that you 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.

Some cheaper epilators will have around twenty tweezers or less on its head which means they will be less effective at removing large amounts of hair in one go. This will, in turn, mean that you have to go over your skin more than once to remove all hairs which can cause irritations.

Added Special Features

For those who are willing to pay extra, here are some special features that can improve your epilating experience.

Wet and Dry Use

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

You can’t always count on a well-lit room to show where you’ve missed removing hair with your epilator. Having a light makes it even easier to remove hair from 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 hair more visible, so you won’t have any patches leftover at the end.

Massage Function

If you end up choosing an epilator that has a massage function, your skin will thank you! This 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 with your epilator.

Pain Reducing Capabilities

If you are worried about how much pain will be involved in epilating, it is recommended that you use a Wet/Dry one. This will allow you to “warm your skin up,” open up your pores and relax you before you begin the process. Additionally, you should look for an epilator that has at least one sensitive area cap which is designed to help reduce your level of discomfort. The caps are especially important for first-time users.

Additional Attachments

Though it’s not necessary for everyone, you might want to choose an epilator that comes with removable heads. Overall, it’ll serve more as a long-term investment since you will get varied uses out of your epilator. Comprehensive epilator packs will come with a selection of caps for different uses that fit over the tweezer heads. The various caps may 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 which is useful to trim down long hairs before epilating, making the process easier and less painful for you.

Common Questions About Epilators

What Exactly Is Epilating?

Epilation is a type of hair removal method that pulls hair from your skin at its root. It mechanically plucks hairs from your skin like a tweezer in large batches. As a result, epilating destroys your hair follicles over time which results in your hair growing back thinner or not at all. Epilators can grab the tiniest hair growths, so you don’t have to go through a “growing-out period” before epilating like you would for waxing.

How Do Epilators Work?

As mentioned before, epilators remove hair from its root. It essentially works like several tiny rotating tweezers that pluck large sections of hair simultaneously. They can even remove hairs that are fine and/or hard to reach!

Does it Hurt to Use an Epilator?

If shaving is your go-to method, epilating will initially be uncomfortable for you. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to power through the pain, but over time, you’ll get used to the sensations. Eventually, it starts to hurt less and less. Of course, this all depends on your tolerance for pain. If you are new to epilating, check out these tips to help you through the process.

Are There Any Risks in Using Them?

Epilators are a generally safe way to remove hair from your body. Though it is uncomfortable and painful in the beginning, you have less risk of developing nicks, cuts and razor bumps on your skin. Just make sure to move the epilator slowly and deliberately over your skin to avoid potential irritation or redness.

Also, make sure to move the epilator with the direction of your hair growth. Moving it against your hair growth could break the hair rather than pull it from the root, resulting in ingrown hairs and infections.

How Often Should You Epilate?

How often you use your epilator will depend on the type of body hair you have and the kind of epilator you’re using. In general, you can expect to be hair-free for approximately 3-4 weeks. Pretty awesome, right?

How Long Does Hair Stay Gone After Epilating?

Though you can expect smooth, hair-free skin for up to four weeks after epilating, it is important to know that this depends on where you’ve removed the hair and the type of hair in general. For example, the hair on your legs and underarms may grow back slower than your pubic hair. The most important thing to understand is that body hair grows in cycles, meaning you can expect different sections of body hair to grow back at different times. It will take about a week of epilating daily to get rid of most of your hair the first time you use it.

Tips for First-Time Epilator Users

  • Exfoliate your skin with warm water to relax it before epilating.
  • Exfoliating your skin before epilating will reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
  • Start with your legs on a low setting to get used to how epilating feels.
  • Hold your epilator at a 90° angle to the area where you’re removing hair.
  • Hold your skin firm with your free hand to avoid developing ingrown hairs.
  • Don’t press the epilator down too hard on your skin; a light touch is better.
  • Use your epilator regularly to help lessen the painful sensations over time.
  • Don’t forget to moisturize your skin after epilating.
  • Evenings are the best time to epilate because you’re more relaxed and irritations will go away by the morning.
  • If you’re using an epilator on your face, make sure to clean it thoroughly with a good toner so you’re less likely to break out.
  • Use a smaller-sized epilator for areas on your face (i.e. eyebrows, upper lip, etc.).
  • Always clean your epilator after using it to reduce the possibility of infection: remove lingering hairs with water and disinfect with alcohol.

Tips for Lessening Pain While Epilating

Here are some helpful hints for reducing the pain you feel while using your new epilator.

Use Ice

Cover a Ziploc bag filled with ice with a thin cotton towel. Place this bag on the area where you plan to epilate for 10-20 seconds. Afterwards, use the epilator while your skin feels cold. Continue this process for all areas of your body where you’ll be using the epilator.

Soak Your Skin

A warm shower or bath can work wonders! Be sure to soak your whole body for at least 25 minutes before you epilate and follow that with exfoliation. This will ensure that your hairs are soft and your pores are open. If you’d like, you can lather up each part of your body with a smooth soap before epilating. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin after you’re done.

Remember: The Shorter the Hair, the Better

You don’t have to wait for your hair to grow back completely! The shorter your hair is, the better the epilator will work at removing it from the root. The ideal length for epilating is when your hair is about 2-3mm long. If it’s grown out longer than this, you’ll want to shorten the hair down with a shaver before you epilate.

Epilators Could Be Right for You

Epilation is an excellent way to remove hair and enjoy longer periods of silky, smooth skin! Although epilating can be painful at first, you may find yourself happier with the long-term results in comparison to other methods like shaving and waxing.

So now that you know what to consider before buying an epilator of your own and what kinds of epilators are out there, you can choose the right one for you.

The 10 Best Epilators to Buy in 2024 (2024)
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