The 4 Best Epilators, Tested by Real People

Mar. 15, 2025

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Hair removal products range from razors towaxing kitsandlaser hair removal devices, and while all of these are effective at getting rid of unwanted body hair, some don’t last very long, and others come at a high cost. If you want to remove body hair without having to shave every couple of days or spend a lot of money on waxes, consider adding an epilator to your hair removal routine.Epilators are hand-held devices that look like electric shavers, but instead of cutting the hair, they use dozens oftweezersto pluck out strands and reveal smooth, stubble-free skin.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 surgeonTo find the best epilators for removing body hair, our PEOPLE Tested team researched and tested 15 devices, carefully considering the number of tweezers, settings, special features, and design details, as well as each model’s overall efficacy. After six weeks of testing, we narrowed down our selections to the four best devices.See our top picks for the best epilators, ahead.Our Top PicksBest Overall:Conair Total Body Epilator at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Upper Lip:Emjoi eRase e6 at Amazon$30Jump to ReviewBest Facial Hair Remover:Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face at Athenaclub.comJump to ReviewBest Dermaplaning Tool:Tweezerman Facial RazorJump to ReviewBest Tweezers:Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers at Nordstrom$28Jump to ReviewBest Body Scrub:Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant at Amazon$32Jump to Review

Epilators are hand-held devices that look like electric shavers, but instead of cutting the hair, they use dozens oftweezersto pluck out strands and reveal smooth, stubble-free skin.

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

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 the number of tweezers, settings, special features, and design details, as well as each model’s overall efficacy. After six weeks of testing, we narrowed down our selections to the four best devices.

See our top picks for the best epilators, ahead.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:Conair Total Body Epilator at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Upper Lip:Emjoi eRase e6 at Amazon$30Jump to ReviewBest Facial Hair Remover:Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face at Athenaclub.comJump to ReviewBest Dermaplaning Tool:Tweezerman Facial RazorJump to ReviewBest Tweezers:Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers at Nordstrom$28Jump to ReviewBest Body Scrub:Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant at Amazon$32Jump to Review

Best Overall:Conair Total Body Epilator at Amazon$60Jump to ReviewBest Budget:Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Investment:Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa at AmazonJump to ReviewBest for Upper Lip:Emjoi eRase e6 at Amazon$30Jump to ReviewBest Facial Hair Remover:Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face at Athenaclub.comJump to ReviewBest Dermaplaning Tool:Tweezerman Facial RazorJump to ReviewBest Tweezers:Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers at Nordstrom$28Jump to ReviewBest Body Scrub:Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant at Amazon$32Jump to Review

Best Overall:Conair Total Body Epilator at Amazon$60Jump to Review

Best Overall:Conair Total Body Epilator at Amazon$60

Best Overall:

Best Budget:Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation at Amazon$20Jump to Review

Best Budget:Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation at Amazon$20

Best Budget:

Best Investment:Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa at AmazonJump to Review

Best Investment:Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa at Amazon

Best Investment:

Best for Upper Lip:Emjoi eRase e6 at Amazon$30Jump to Review

Best for Upper Lip:Emjoi eRase e6 at Amazon$30

Best for Upper Lip:

Best Facial Hair Remover:Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face at Athenaclub.comJump to Review

Best Facial Hair Remover:Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face at Athenaclub.com

Best Facial Hair Remover:

Best Dermaplaning Tool:Tweezerman Facial RazorJump to Review

Best Dermaplaning Tool:Tweezerman Facial Razor

Best Dermaplaning Tool:

Best Tweezers:Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers at Nordstrom$28Jump to Review

Best Tweezers:Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers at Nordstrom$28

Best Tweezers:

Best Body Scrub:Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant at Amazon$32Jump to Review

Best Body Scrub:Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant at Amazon$32

Best Body Scrub:

Best OverallConair Total Body EpilatorPHOTO: Conair$60 at AmazonView on Conair.comStar QualitiesHair didn’t grow as fast compared to shaving after regular useUncomfortable at first, but later became bearable and didn’t cause irritationLightweight, handheld design for easy use on legs and forearmsRed FlagsMakes a loud sound that is slightly irritatingThere were several things about the Conair Total Body Epilator that made it a standout, including its cordless, easy-to-use design, and relatively low price.We tested this device on our forearms and found that its lightweight, handheld design made it super easy to glide across our skin for a quick and effective hair removal process. It 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, the sensation was bearable and didn’t cause any skin irritation.Speed Settings:2 |Number of Tweezers:40 |Type:CordlessPHOTO: People / Patricia HuffsteadPHOTO: People / Patricia HuffsteadPHOTO: People / Patricia HuffsteadBest BudgetSpa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry EpilationPHOTO: Spa Sciences$20 at Amazon$20 at TargetView on Spasciences.comStar QualitiesNo irritation when used on our faces and toesUltra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toesDoubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feetRed FlagsLoses its charge faster than others on our listIf you’re looking for an epilator that is relatively 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 — 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 without causing irritation.While it worked well in other places, we didn’t have as much success on 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. The epilator also lost its charge relatively fast, so we recommend charging it between every use so this doesn’t interrupt your at-home spa day.Speed Settings:1 |Number of Tweezers:32 |Type:CordlessPHOTO: People / Jill Di DonatoPHOTO: People / Jill Di DonatoBest InvestmentBraun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpaPHOTO: UltaView on Amazon$180 at Target$260 at WalmartStar QualitiesHair grew in a bit thinner with regular useReally easy to use, even for beginnersComes with several attachments, so you get a lot for the priceRed FlagsLegs developed some bumps and irritation after first useThe 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, we experienced some discomfort and bumps after the very first test. However, it’s normal to experience slight irritation 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 routine, which we appreciate for the price. After using it more regularly, we saw a significant decrease in our hair texture and its thickness during regrowth.Speed Settings:2 |Number of Tweezers:40 |Type:Battery operatedPHOTO: People / Sophie MendelPHOTO: People / Sophie MendelBest for Upper LipEmjoi eRase e6PHOTO: Amazon$30 at AmazonStar QualitiesCauses very little discomfort and irritation on the upper lip areaCompact size makes it a great option for travelNot a lot of bells and whistles, so it’s great for beginnersRed FlagsLeft our skin feeling a little dryTakes longer to remove peach fuzz along the cheeks and chinIf you’re tired of waxing your upper lip and want something a little more effective thanyour 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 anourishing moisturizer on handafter using.Speed Settings:Not listed |Number of Tweezers:6 |Type:Battery operatedPHOTO: People / Wendy HillPHOTO: People / Wendy Hill

Best OverallConair Total Body EpilatorPHOTO: Conair$60 at AmazonView on Conair.com

Best OverallConair Total Body Epilator

Best Overall

Conair Total Body Epilator

PHOTO: Conair

Conair Total Body Epilator

$60 at AmazonView on Conair.com

Star QualitiesHair didn’t grow as fast compared to shaving after regular useUncomfortable at first, but later became bearable and didn’t cause irritationLightweight, handheld design for easy use on legs and forearmsRed FlagsMakes a loud sound that is slightly irritating

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

Red FlagsMakes a loud sound that is slightly irritating

Makes a loud sound that is slightly irritating

There were several things about the Conair Total Body Epilator that made it a standout, including its cordless, easy-to-use design, and relatively low price.

We tested this device on our forearms and found that its lightweight, handheld design made it super easy to glide across our skin for a quick and effective hair removal process. It 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, the sensation was bearable and didn’t cause any skin irritation.

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

PHOTO: People / Patricia HuffsteadPHOTO: People / Patricia HuffsteadPHOTO: People / Patricia Huffstead

The Conair Total Body Epilator being unboxed on a tabletop

A person holding the Conair Total Body Epilator, while the charging cord and instructions sit on a tabletop

A person’s arm after using the Conair Total Body Epilator

The Conair Total Body Epilator being unboxed on a tabletop

A person holding the Conair Total Body Epilator, while the charging cord and instructions sit on a tabletop

A person’s arm after using the Conair Total Body Epilator

Best BudgetSpa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry EpilationPHOTO: Spa Sciences$20 at Amazon$20 at TargetView on Spasciences.comStar QualitiesNo irritation when used on our faces and toesUltra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toesDoubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feetRed FlagsLoses its charge faster than others on our listIf you’re looking for an epilator that is relatively 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 — 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 without causing irritation.While it worked well in other places, we didn’t have as much success on 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. The epilator also lost its charge relatively fast, so we recommend charging it between every use so this doesn’t interrupt your at-home spa day.Speed Settings:1 |Number of Tweezers:32 |Type:CordlessPHOTO: People / Jill Di DonatoPHOTO: People / Jill Di Donato

Best BudgetSpa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry EpilationPHOTO: Spa Sciences$20 at Amazon$20 at TargetView on Spasciences.com

Best BudgetSpa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation

Best Budget

Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation

PHOTO: Spa Sciences

Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation

$20 at Amazon$20 at TargetView on Spasciences.com

Star QualitiesNo irritation when used on our faces and toesUltra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toesDoubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feetRed FlagsLoses its charge faster than others on our list

Star QualitiesNo irritation when used on our faces and toesUltra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toesDoubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feet

No irritation when used on our faces and toes

Ultra-lightweight design is easy to use, even on small areas like toes

Doubles as a shaver and dead skin remover for feet

Red FlagsLoses its charge faster than others on our list

Loses its charge faster than others on our list

If you’re looking for an epilator that is relatively 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 — 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 without causing irritation.

While it worked well in other places, we didn’t have as much success on 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. The epilator also lost its charge relatively fast, so we recommend charging it between every use so this doesn’t interrupt your at-home spa day.

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

PHOTO: People / Jill Di DonatoPHOTO: People / Jill Di Donato

The Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator in the box

A person using the Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator on their face

The Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator in the box

A person using the Spa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator on their face

Best InvestmentBraun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpaPHOTO: UltaView on Amazon$180 at Target$260 at WalmartStar QualitiesHair grew in a bit thinner with regular useReally easy to use, even for beginnersComes with several attachments, so you get a lot for the priceRed FlagsLegs developed some bumps and irritation after first useThe 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, we experienced some discomfort and bumps after the very first test. However, it’s normal to experience slight irritation 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 routine, which we appreciate for the price. After using it more regularly, we saw a significant decrease in our hair texture and its thickness during regrowth.Speed Settings:2 |Number of Tweezers:40 |Type:Battery operatedPHOTO: People / Sophie MendelPHOTO: People / Sophie Mendel

Best InvestmentBraun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpaPHOTO: UltaView on Amazon$180 at Target$260 at Walmart

Best InvestmentBraun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa

Best Investment

Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa

PHOTO: Ulta

Braun Silk·épil 9 Flex Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa

View on Amazon$180 at Target$260 at Walmart

Star QualitiesHair grew in a bit thinner with regular useReally easy to use, even for beginnersComes with several attachments, so you get a lot for the priceRed FlagsLegs developed some bumps and irritation after first use

Star QualitiesHair grew in a bit thinner with regular useReally easy to use, even for beginnersComes with several attachments, so you get a lot for the price

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 FlagsLegs developed some bumps and irritation after 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, we experienced some discomfort and bumps after the very first test. However, it’s normal to experience slight irritation 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 routine, which we appreciate for the price. After using it more regularly, we saw a significant decrease in our hair texture and its thickness during regrowth.

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

PHOTO: People / Sophie MendelPHOTO: People / Sophie Mendel

The Braun Silkpil 9 Flex Epilator, Beauty Set with FaceSpa in the box

A person holding the Braun Silkpil 9 Flex Epilator, Beauty Set with FaceSpa

The Braun Silkpil 9 Flex Epilator, Beauty Set with FaceSpa in the box

A person holding the Braun Silkpil 9 Flex Epilator, Beauty Set with FaceSpa

Best for Upper LipEmjoi eRase e6PHOTO: Amazon$30 at AmazonStar QualitiesCauses very little discomfort and irritation on the upper lip areaCompact size makes it a great option for travelNot a lot of bells and whistles, so it’s great for beginnersRed FlagsLeft our skin feeling a little dryTakes longer to remove peach fuzz along the cheeks and chinIf you’re tired of waxing your upper lip and want something a little more effective thanyour 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 anourishing moisturizer on handafter using.Speed Settings:Not listed |Number of Tweezers:6 |Type:Battery operatedPHOTO: People / Wendy HillPHOTO: People / Wendy Hill

Best for Upper LipEmjoi eRase e6PHOTO: Amazon$30 at Amazon

Best for Upper LipEmjoi eRase e6

Best for Upper Lip

Emjoi eRase e6

PHOTO: Amazon

Amazon Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover

$30 at Amazon

Star QualitiesCauses very little discomfort and irritation on the upper lip areaCompact size makes it a great option for travelNot a lot of bells and whistles, so it’s great for beginnersRed FlagsLeft our skin feeling a little dryTakes longer to remove peach fuzz along the cheeks and chin

Star QualitiesCauses very little discomfort and irritation on the upper lip areaCompact size makes it a great option for travelNot a lot of bells and whistles, so it’s great for beginners

Causes very 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

Red FlagsLeft our skin feeling a little dryTakes longer to remove peach fuzz along the cheeks and chin

Left our skin feeling a little dry

Takes longer to remove peach fuzz along the cheeks and chin

If you’re tired of waxing your upper lip and want something a little more effective thanyour 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 anourishing moisturizer on handafter using.

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

PHOTO: People / Wendy HillPHOTO: People / Wendy Hill

The Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover in the box on a counter

A person using the Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover on their upper lip

The Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover in the box on a counter

A person using the Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover on their upper lip

All our recommended products go through rigorous testing in our NYC beauty lab and at home, so while you’re shopping for an epilator, consider also adding one of these products our PEOPLE editors love to your cart.

Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for FaceView on Athenaclub.comTweezerman Facial RazorView On Ulta$20$15 at Amazon$18 at TargetAnastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers$28 at Nordstrom$28 at Sephora$28 at UltaNopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant$32 at Amazon$32 at NordstromView on Smallflower.com

Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for FaceView on Athenaclub.com

Athena Club Wax Strip Kit for Face

View on Athenaclub.com

Tweezerman Facial RazorView On Ulta$20$15 at Amazon$18 at Target

Tweezerman Facial Razor

View On Ulta$20$15 at Amazon$18 at Target

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers$28 at Nordstrom$28 at Sephora$28 at Ulta

Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers

$28 at Nordstrom$28 at Sephora$28 at Ulta

Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant$32 at Amazon$32 at NordstromView on Smallflower.com

Nopalera Cactus Flower Exfoliant

$32 at Amazon$32 at NordstromView on Smallflower.com

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 theRemington Smooth & Silky Deluxe Rechargeable Epilatorand theSpa Sciences ELLA 3-in-1 Epilator, Shaver, and Foot Smoothing Tool, come with over 30 tweezers. While theEmjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Removeronly 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, theBraun 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 removalanduse 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

The Emjoi eRase e6 Facial Hair Remover, box, and instructions on a counter

To find the best epilators, our PEOPLE Tested team first reached out to expertDr. 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.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen 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.”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.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.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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

Our Expert PanelDr. Dendy Engelmanis a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic.Dr. Jeannette Grafis a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.Dr. Karan Lalis a double-board certified celebrity pediatric and cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Our Expert Panel

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

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source: people.com

The 4 Best Epilators, Tested by Real People

In This Article

Experts Say

Best Overall

Conair Total Body Epilator

Best Budget

Spa Sciences Ella 3-in-1 Wet Dry Epilation

Best Investment

Braun Silk·épil 9 Epilator Beauty Set with FaceSpa

Best for Upper Lip

Emjoi eRase e6

What to Know About Epilators

Number of Tweezers

Attachments

Wet or Dry Usage

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Expert Panel

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