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    We Tested 15 Epilators to Find the Most Effective Hair-Removing Devices — Our Favorites Start at Just $20

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    We Tested 15 Epilators to Find the Most Effective Hair-Removing Devices — Our Favorites Start at Just

    Hair removal products range from razors to waxing kits and laser hair removal devices, and while all of these are effective at getting rid of unwanted body hair, some don’t last as long, and others come with a high cost. If you want to remove body hair without having to shave every couple of days or spend a lot of money at a salon on waxing, consider adding an epilator device to your hair removal routine. 

    Epilators are hand-held devices that resemble the look of an electric shaver, but instead of cutting the hair, they incorporate dozens of tweezers to effectively pluck out strands and reveal smoother, stubble-free legs, arms, armpits, and more.

    Experts Say

    “Epilators can reach short hairs that a razor or waxing might not remove effectively, and the results from epilating tend to be smoother and longer-lasting than with shaving, making it a desirable option for those who want less body hair maintenance.” — Dr. Dendy Engelman, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon

    To find the best epilators for removing body hair, our PEOPLE Tested team researched and tested 15 devices, carefully considering their number of tweezers, settings, special features, and design details as well as their overall efficacy. After six weeks of testing, we narrowed down our selections to the seven best devices. 

    See our top picks for the best epilators, ahead.

    PHOTO:

     Amazon


    Star Qualities

    • Feels similar to an electric razor; easy to hold and maneuver

    • Comes with different caps to customize hair removal

    • Hair appeared thinner and a little more sparse with every use

    Our top pick for the best epilator overall is the Remington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator. We love this one because it’s not only a great budget-friendly option, but it also comes with two different speed settings and a massaging cap and precision tip to get a more customized hair removal experience. 

    At first use, this epilator caused quite a bit of discomfort and redness on our legs, which is normal for epilators (especially if it’s your first time). That being said, the massaging cap helped alleviate some of the pain, and with regular use, we built up a tolerance for this type of hair removal. The initial redness was worth it, though, because this device worked really well. We were most impressed by how effective the epilator was at removing armpit hair, which tends to be darker and more coarse. 

    In addition to its effective removal process, this cordless epilator is also waterproof, making it super easy to incorporate into our shower routine. We actually enjoyed using the hair removal device in the shower more than outside of it because we found that the warm water helped soften our skin and made the process a little less painful. 

    Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless

    Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation

    PHOTO:

    Spa Sciences


    Star Qualities

    • No irritation when used on our faces and toes

    • Its ultra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toes

    • Doubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feet

    If you’re looking for an epilator that is relatively more affordable, we recommend the Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Epilator, Shaver, and Foot Smoothing Tool. This epilator is more than a hair removal tool. In addition to its epilator cap, it also comes with a shaver and foot-smoothing attachment (which our tester raved about). We tested this epilator on our face and toes and found it easy to maneuver around small and awkward areas, and it didn’t cause any irritation. 

    While it worked well on our face and toes, we didn’t have as much success with our legs. Since the epilator features fewer tweezers than others on our list, it didn’t work as well at picking up all of our leg hair, so our legs weren’t as smooth as we would have liked. Additionally, the cordless epilator loses its charge relatively fast, so we recommend charging it between every use so that it doesn’t interrupt your at-home spa day.

    Speed Settings: 1 | Number of Tweezers: 32 | Type: Cordless

    Braun Silk·épil 9 Flex Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa

    PHOTO:

    Ulta


    Star Qualities

    • Hair grew in a bit thinner with regular use

    • Really easy to use, even for beginners

    • Comes with several attachments, so you get a lot for the price

    Red Flags

    • Doesn’t come charged, so make sure to charge it before your first use

    • Legs developed some bumps and irritation after first use

    The Braun Silk·épil 9 Flex Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa is our top pick for the best investment category because, while it costs over $150, it has excellent value. This hair removal kit comes with two epilators — one for the body and one for the face — plus seven attachments, including a body massage pad and a skin vitalizing pad for some R&R in between hair removals. 

    Similar to others on our list, the first initial test of this epilator was a bit spicy, and we experienced some discomfort and bumps after trying it out. However, it’s normal to experience bumps when you’re new to epilating, so we weren’t too concerned about that. This epilator is very user-friendly (even if it’s your first time), and all of the attachments make it possible to customize your process, which we appreciate for the price. After using it more regularly, we saw a significant decrease in our hair texture and found that it grew thinner and thinner each time.

    Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Battery operated

    Braun FaceSpa Pro Facial Epilator Kit

    PHOTO:

    Ulta


    Star Qualities

    • Compact enough to shape eyebrows

    • Comes with a cleansing brush attachment

    • Fits comfortably in the hand, even with arthritis

    • Much more comfortable than waxing

    Epilator tools also work great on the complexion, especially for shaping the eyebrows. We tested the FaceSpa Pro Facial Epilator Kit and found that its compact size and efficacy make it the best option for facial hair. Our tester — who has arthritis in both hands — raved about this epilator for its lightweight design and comfortable hold.

    When testing it out on their eyebrows, they found it was a much more comfortable experience compared to eyebrow waxing. In addition to its ability to shape the brows, the cordless epilator also features a face-cleansing brush attachment, so you can get multiple uses out of the device, which is always appreciated. 

    Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: Not listed | Type: Cordless

    Conair Total Body Epilator

    PHOTO:

    Conair


    Star Qualities

    • Hair didn’t grow as fast compared to shaving after regular use

    • Uncomfortable at first, but later became bearable and didn’t cause irritation

    • Lightweight, handheld design for easy use on legs and forearms

    For an easy-to-use, cordless option, we loved the Conair Total Body Epilator. We tested this device out on our forearms and found that its lightweight and handheld design made it super easy to glide across our forearms for a quick yet effective hair removal process. The epilator features 40 tweezers and two settings (we preferred the fast setting), and with regular use, we found that our hair didn’t grow in as fast compared to when we shave. 

    The sound of this device was on the loud side, and, honestly, we were a little scared of using it at first because it sounded a bit aggressive. However, it was actually a lot more gentle than we thought, and despite being a little uncomfortable, it was bearable and didn’t cause any skin irritation. 

    Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless

    Emjoi Epilator

    PHOTO:

    Amazon


    Star Qualities

    • Noticed a reduction in hair growth after just two weeks

    • Device’s curved head can get closer to the skin

    • Becomes more comfortable after the first few uses

    Red Flags

    • Plug-in device; you need to be near an outlet

    • Not waterproof, so you can’t use it in the shower

    At first, using an epilator on the legs can be painful. However, after the initial test, we found that the Emjoi Epilator was not only the best at removing leg hair but also not nearly as painful as some of the others we tested. Within the first two weeks of using this epilator device, we noticed a reduction in hair growth, which made the maintenance a lot easier (and less painful). 

    Since this epilator is a plug-in device, it’s not waterproof, and you are limited to using it near an outlet. However, you don’t have to worry about it dying halfway through the hair removal process, which is a perk. 

    Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 72 | Type: Corded

    Amazon Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover

    PHOTO:

    Amazon


    Star Qualities

    • Causes little discomfort and irritation on the upper lip area

    • Compact size makes it a great option for travel

    • Not a lot of bells and whistles, so it’s great for beginners

    If you’re tired of waxing your upper lip and want something a little more effective than your favorite dermaplaning tool, the Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover is our top pick for this category. The facial epilator features a more compact size, making it easy to use on smaller areas (and a good option for travel, too).

    Since it’s on the smaller side of the spectrum, the device takes longer to use on larger areas, such as peach fuzz around the cheeks and chin. However, it only took around 10 minutes to target the hair on our upper lip. 

    Compared to other devices we tested, this epilator didn’t cause a ton of irritation or discomfort on the upper lip area while testing, though it did leave the skin above our lips a little dry, so we recommend having a nourishing moisturizer on hand when using. 

    Speed Settings: Not listed | Number of Tweezers: 6 | Type: Battery operated

    What to Know About Epilators

    Number of Tweezers 

    When shopping for the best epilators, Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine, says first to consider the number of tweezers in an epilator design. “Epilators range from one tweezer to more than 50 tweezers,” she explains. “I recommend looking for an epilator with at least 30 tweezers.” 

    Most of the devices on our best epilators list, including the Remington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilator and the Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator, Shaver, and Foot Smoothing Tool, come with over 30 tweezers. While the Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover only comes with six, we still found it was highly effective at removing upper lip hair. 

    Attachments 

    Some epilators come with different attachments that can help you customize your hair removal experience. With this in mind, Dr. Graf recommends looking for epilators with several attachments to make the process a little easier and more enjoyable. Our top pick for the best investment device, the Braun Silk·épil 9 Flex Epilator, comes with two epilators (one for the face and one for the body) with seven different attachments that allow you to customize your hair removal and use it as a facial tool, too. 

    Wet or Dry Usage 

    Some waterproof epilators can be used wet or dry. According to Dr. Graf, both are effective at removing hair, though beginners might benefit from using an epilator in the shower as this is usually less painful and gentler on the skin. 

    People / Wendy Hill


    Behind the Scenes

    To find the best epilators, our PEOPLE Tested team first reached out to expert Dr. Karan Lal, a double-board certified pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist, to learn more about the benefits of epilators, how they work, and how they compare to other hair removal methods such as waxing, shaving, and laser hair removal. From there, we researched and tested 15 epilator devices, carefully considering their number of tweezers, settings, special features, and design details to determine which ones are worth trying. 

    • Prep: Over the course of a six-week testing period, we put each epilator through extensive testing. First, our testers shaved one to three days before the testing period began so that hair was long enough to get picked up by the device. Then, they exfoliated their skin and moisturized to prep the skin for the hair removal process.
    • Removal: Once ready, we timed how long it took to remove hair on each body area tested and took extensive notes on the overall experience, including pain levels, potential irritation and side effects, and how easy the devices were to maneuver around trickier areas such as the upper lip and toes. 
    • Results: After the six-week testing period, we made note of the overall difference in hair texture and grow rate and compared our notes to determine which epilators were the most effective at removing hair. The products with the highest overall ratings earned a spot on this PEOPLE Tested list of the best epilators.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Is an epilator better than waxing?

      When it comes to waxing vs. epilating, Dr. Engelman says one method is not necessarily better than the other and that each has their pros and cons. “While it can be painful, [epilating] presents fewer risks than waxing,” Dr. Engelman notes, explaining that waxing can cause irritation, redness, and folliculitis and also potentially lead to photosensitivity, burns, rashes, and more. “However, waxing is usually preferred for more sensitive and smaller areas — like the face and bikini line — because these areas may be too sensitive to tolerate epilating or too small to maneuver the epilator effectively.” 

    • Do dermatologists recommend epilators?

      This depends on the dermatologist, but both Dr. Engelman and Dr. Graf recommend epilators as a form of hair removal. “I sometimes recommend epilators if someone is sensitive to shaving, waxing, or hair removal creams or possibly isn’t a candidate for laser hair removal,” says Dr. Graf.

      Dr. Engelman notes that people can get excellent results from epilating. However, it’s important to consider some factors, such as pain tolerance (as epilating can be quite painful), when determining the best hair removal method.

    • How painful is an epilator?

      Epilators can be painful, but this depends on the person as some say it’s more painful than waxing, and some say it’s not as painful as waxing. “As a guideline for a first-time user, I would expect epilating to be about as painful as waxing,” says Dr. Engelman. She explains that, over time, the pain from epilating might dull as “most people tolerate the pain better over time and with consistent use,” so your first time might be your most painful time.

    • How often should you use an epilator?

      When first introducing an epilator into your routine, Dr. Graf says some use it weekly. However, over time, you might be able to use it less frequently as hair can take around three to four weeks to grow back after epilating.

      “Depending on how fast your hair grows and how hairless you like to be, you may need to epilate more or less often than every three to four weeks,” says Dr. Engelman.

    Why Trust PEOPLE?

    Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When covering the best epilators, Jessie first began by reviewing the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to learn more about their experiences with all 15 devices tested. From there, she considered the overall results, pain and discomfort levels experienced, and prices. She also reached out to top dermatologists Dr. Dendy Engelman and Dr. Jeannette Graf to learn more about what to look for in epilators and what makes an epilator device the best of the best. 

    Our Expert Panel

    • Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic.
    • Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.
    • Dr. Karan Lal is a double-board certified celebrity pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

    What Is PEOPLE Tested?

    We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

    But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

    In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

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