This article was updated in November 2023 to reflect recent deals and discounts, to ensure you get the best price for your device, as well as the top-rated expert pick.
It's obviously a personal choice, but if you’re looking to keep hair at bay for longer (because, let’s face it, who has the time for a weekly shave), you may want to consider your hair-removal options.
Waxing, shaving, plucking, IPL — there are so many ways to achieve a fuzz-free body these days that it can be tricky to navigate the ever growing jungle of hair removal methods.
Sure, shaving is pain-free, but it lasts two days max. Lasering is basically a financial investment at this point, and getting in your monthly wax appointments is like trying to buy Glasto tickets. Which is why you may want to turn your hand to epilating.
We tried a range of epilators in the Women's Health Lab to see which ones provided the best long-term results. Keep scrolling to find out why some devices really delivered on their hair-free claims, or grab a sneak peak below.
Best epilators for fuss-free hair removal
1
Best epilator
Braun Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex Beauty Set Epilator 9-100
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2
3
Best compact epilator
Braun Silk-épil 5 Power Epilator for Hair Removal
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4
Best multi-use epilator
Remington EP7700 7-in-1 Cordless Epilator
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5
Best for use on dry skin
Philips Satinelle Wet & Dry Epilator Series 8000 BRE740/11
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6
Best epilator for beginners
Braun Silk-pil 9 Epliator
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7
Best for use on wet skin
Panasonic ES-EL9A Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator
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How does an epilator work?
Akin to waxing, epilators work by removing hair from the root. They use tiny tweezers that rotate to constantly pluck the hairs from your skin as you move the device over your body.
Because it works in this unique way, an epilator can pluck lots of hairs at once — even the small, fine hairs in hard to reach areas. Unlike shaving, which cuts hairs on the skin's surface, epilators remove the entire hair from the root, meaning it will take longer to grow back, leaving you smoother for longer.
How long does epilating last?
Most skincare experts agree that it if used both regularly and correctly, the results can last up to four weeks, which is a hell of a lot longer than shaving. Generally, you can expect to go at least three weeks without stubbly legs or pits. So it's a great gadget to invest in for the summer months when you've got more skin on display.
Does epilating hurt?
This really depends on your pain threshold and the area you are epilating. Bikini lines and underarms can be more painful than legs because the skin is more sensitive here. It's a good idea to open the pores up first by having a hot shower or bath. Some epilators can even be used in the shower.
How often should you epilate?
This totally depends on your body hair and the brand of epilator you're using. However, as mentioned above, most people can expect to go hair-free for around three to four weeks.
And as with all beauty products, consistency breeds results. Getting into a routine with your epilator will help your skin get used to this type of hair removal and the more you do it, the finer your hairs become so it gets quicker, easier and less painful. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect – and epilating is one area where keeping at it pays dividends.
How we test
Every product that features a Women’s Health Lab Approved logo below has been tried out by a panel of testers, to see how effective they were at removing hair.
Our testers reported back on how much regrowth they spotted over a period of four and eight weeks of continued use, and how easy each device was to use.
1
Best epilator
Braun Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex Beauty Set Epilator 9-100
This ergonomic, versatile epilator is the overachiever of its category. Among the arsenal of eight (potentially OTT) attachments is a face spa, an exfoliator, a traditional razor and a range of face brushes and caps.
Not only does it look très chic compared to the competition, but every member of our panel said it slowed down hair regrowth over the eight-week trial period, with immediate smoothness for all, too. From a technical perspective, it also excelled in our tests, navigating those pesky hard-to-reach patches while proving less bulky and more agile than others.
Where’s the catch? Some said the battery life could have been better — being queen bee is tiring work, after all.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 8 head attachments plus caps (facespa, shaver head, exfoliator, 4 facial brushes) |
2
Best lightweight epilator
Braun Silk Epil 9 9-720 Epilator
After a weights sesh, the last thing we want to do is go home and hold a heavy epilator while we de-fuzz. This lightweight option does the job sans the arm ache, while the built-in light helps you catch even the tiniest of hairs.
We found there was some discomfort around the bikini line and underarm area (which were never going to be a walk in the park), but other than that, the pain level was more than tolerable. It also works equally well on both wet and dry skin.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 6 head attachments (shaver head, trimmer cap, efficiency cap, precision cap, massage pad, exfoliating brush) and charging stand. |
3
Best compact epilator
Braun Silk-épil 5 Power Epilator for Hair Removal
This diddy epilator comes with a number of attachments, including a shaver head and trimmer cap. We found it was more effective than our usual hair-removal method and it was okay pain-wise (except on more sensitive areas, such as the underarms).
It is corded, which limits its mobility, but for the price it’s a great, compact option.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | No, only dry |
|---|---|
| Type | Corded |
| Included | 6 head attachments (shaver head, trimmer cap, sensitive area cap, facial cap, massage cap and skin contact cap) and cooling glove. |
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4
Best multi-use epilator
Remington EP7700 7-in-1 Cordless Epilator
4
Best multi-use epilator
Remington EP7700 7-in-1 Cordless Epilator
Including a wide variety of attachments, this model tackled everything from de-fuzzing our bikini line to exfoliating our feet! It was effective at removing hair immediately and we noticed regrowth reduced after just four weeks, without causing any redness or irritation.
It was straightforward to use, even in those hard-to-reach areas, earning it a thumbs-up from our testers.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 7 head attachments (Ultimate Contour Cap, Massage Cap with Aloe Vera, Detail Cap, Shaver Head, Bikini Comb, Exfoliating Brush & Pedicure Head). |
5
Best for use on dry skin
Philips Satinelle Wet & Dry Epilator Series 8000 BRE740/11
5
Best for use on dry skin
Philips Satinelle Wet & Dry Epilator Series 8000 BRE740/11
If time isn’t on your side, or you just don’t have the patience, this gadget promises to provide smooth results in just 10 minutes.
We found it lived up to this claim, providing quick, effective hair-removal, especially for those using it on dry skin. We saw regrowth reduced after eight weeks too, with hair disappearing completely in some places.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 8 head attachments (shaving head, trimming comb, bikini trimmer head, bikini trimmer comb, body exfoliation brush, pedicure foot file, delicate area cap, optimal contact cap), pouch and cleaning brush. |
6
Best epilator for beginners
Braun Silk-pil 9 Epliator
This model features a unique ‘smart’ sensor, which flashes red if you’re applying too much pressure, making it ideal if you’re a first-timer. It did a great job at removing hair immediately and managed to reduce regrowth over the testing period.
It also comes with a variety of customisable heads — we particularly loved the exfoliating option for helping to prevent any painful ingrown hairs.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 7 head attachments (razor, trimmer, massager, optimal skin contact attachment, facial epilator attachment, peeling brush, gentle peeling brush), bikini trimmer with 2 attachments, 1 x AAA battery and a storage bag. |
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7
Best for use on wet skin
Panasonic ES-EL9A Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator
7
Best for use on wet skin
Panasonic ES-EL9A Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator
This was most effective when used on wet skin — making it a great option if you’re worried about any discomfort — and our testers saw a reduction in hair regrowth after eight weeks of use.
As an added bonus, the hair that did grow back was noticeably finer and more sparse, making it less obvious if you skip a treatment.
Key specifications
| Able to use wet and dry | Yes |
|---|---|
| Type | Cordless |
| Included | 8 head attachments (epilator head, gentle cap, sensitive area cap, shaver head, pop up trimmer, bikini comb, sonic scrub brush, foot care head), pouch and cleaning brush. |
Tested byNora Merik
Beauty and Grooming Tester
Nora is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has a master's degree in cosmetic science. She is using her expert knowledge of product development, formulation, product evaluation and market research to test a wide range of hair and beauty products in the beauty labs for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, ELLE, Men’s Health. In the lab she uses a variety of methods such as the Diastron, The Multi Skin Test Centre, The VISIA Complexion Analyser to test anything from hydration, skin barrier function, pore size and more.
