How to Choose the Best Epilator for You, According to Experts (2024)

According to Jackie Spagnuolo, A.G.N.P., aesthetic nurse practitioner of Beauty Nurse NYC, this epilator offers both dry and wet usage, making it versatile. “It also includes multiple attachments for different body parts and has a built-in LED light for better visibility.” Plus, this pick earned the top ranking in the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab’s most recent epilator test, due to “receiving the highest scores for effectively removing hair from lower legs, underarms and bikini line and for not irritating skin after epilation.”

What the reviews say: “As someone who’s owned several epilators over the years, this is the best one I’ve come across! I love the TWO wider tweezer rollers! Makes it super fast, and believe it or not, much less painful. It’s got three speeds and is super powerful.”

With a recommendation from Brendan Camp, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, this budget-friendly pick is a great choice if you don’t want to make a big investment in your hair removal device just yet. Dr. Camp also points out that this pick comes with two different speeds for fine or coarse hair. Plus, the head is removable for easy clean up.

What the reviews say: “It removes hair easily and lasts for a long time. I don’t have to do my legs so often and can still wear shorts and dresses without worry! One thing I hate to do is shaving, so this epilator is great and affordable!”

Known for its wide head, this epilator covers more skin with each pass, making hair removal faster, says Spagnuolo, who recommends this device. “With a pivoting head and various attachments for different body areas,” this pick is the total package, she says. Plus, this epilator is multi-functional, that allows you to epilate, shave, or trim with its fully-flexible head. And if you want to use it in the shower, this device is 100% waterproof, per the brand.

What the reviews say: “It got EVERYTHING and it didn’t even give me bumps or red spots. My legs and arms are so smooth now! The battery lasted through all of that and still doesn’t need to be charged.”

Possibly the most versatile pick on our list, this epilator comes with seven attachments so you can switch between face, body and sensitive areas. Once charged with the included cord or powered by batteries, you can use it on dry skin or in the shower. Like the other Braun epilator on our list, this pick also allows you to epilate, shave, or trim depending on how you’d like to use it. And while this device is less affordable than other choices on our list, reviewers say it’s worth the investment.

What the reviews say: “I like that it’s waterproof so I could use it in the shower if I wanted (which the brand claims helps with pain). I like that it has a light as well to make seeing hairs a bit easier! It was easy to hold and not cumbersome!” —Prevention deputy editor, Emily Goldman

Per Spagnuolo, this model is praised for its ergonomic design and dual-speed settings, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. It also includes a variety of attachments, which Spagnuolo points out makes it especially convenient given its compact size.

What the reviews say: “I have used this epilator for several years and it works perfectly. I save a lot of money with this product—forget about razors! It removes hair very well, and I have smooth and hair-free skin for about 2.5-3 weeks.”

In addition to hair removal, this product comes with a number of attachments such as an exfoliating brush, a callus remover, and a hair trimmer, says Dr. Camp, who recommends the device. Along with its multi-purpose capabilities, this epilator also features ceramic hypoallergenic tweezers, making it an ideal choice for sensitive skin areas. And with up to 40 minutes of run time, you can use it all over in one go without having to plug it in.

What the reviews say: “This thing is a dream, I will never use creams, razors, waxing, etc…again. I used the device at the end of last week on my legs and armpits and I’m still smooth as silk. So nice not to have razor burns or cuts :) Highly recommend for beginners!”

Think about where on your body you want to use the device. Not all epilators are suitable to be used everywhere on your body. Especially, if you intend to use an epilator on your face, be sure to look for a device that is specifically designed for facial hair removal as opposed to general body hair use.

Consider wet vs. dry use. Some discomfort is unavoidable when using an epilator, but wet epilation can be less painful than dry, says Mona Gohara, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut. Some devices are compatible with both wet and dry use, which can also be convenient if you are used to hair removal being part of your everything shower routine.

Keep cleaning convenience in mind. Keeping your epilator clean is crucial to avoid skin infections, says Spagnuolo. “Most modern epilators come with detachable, washable heads to maintain hygiene,” so look for these options when available.

Epilators are devices designed to remove hair from the root by mechanically grasping multiple hairs simultaneously and pulling them out, says Dr. Gohara. Per Dr. Gohara, here are the different ways that they work:

Tweezing mechanism: Epilators have a rotating head with multiple small metal plates or tweezers. As the head rotates, these plates open and close rapidly, grasping and pulling out hairs from the root.

Motor function: The motor inside the epilator powers the rotating head. Different epilators have varying speeds, allowing users to adjust the intensity based on their comfort level and the area being treated.

Kristin Gunn, B.S., C.L.T., L.M.A., celebrity esthetician and owner of Halcyon Skincare and Beaux Medspa, points out that there are also epilators that use a fine wire to go under the skin to send an electric current to destroy the root, but she notes that “these are a lot more painful to use!”

​​Epilators can be used on all hair types and skin types, including coarse, thin, dry, and oily, says Gunn. They can be used essentially anywhere there is hair growth, but keep in mind that sensitive areas like the bikini area, face, and underarms might be a little more painful, she notes. “Some epilators are stronger than others to help manage thicker hair, like heavy facial hair and pubic hair. If you’re using an epilator on pubic hair, you can test it out on a small area first to make sure it doesn’t irritate your skin,” Gunn suggests.

Epilators often come with various attachments for different body areas, Dr. Gohara points out. “For example, a smaller cap for facial hair, a wider cap for larger areas like legs, and exfoliating brushes to prevent ingrown hairs.” Coarser hairs tend to respond best to epilators, she notes.

Epilators can be painful, similar to rubber bands snapping against your skin, says Gunn. “Since you are removing hair from the root, there is no way around some discomfort.” However, the pain will usually lessen over time as your hair thins, and your body adjusts.

Pain levels can vary depending on individual pain tolerance and the area of the body being treated, notes Spangnuolo. “Generally, using an epilator can be somewhat painful, especially for first-time users or on sensitive areas.” However, the pain often decreases with regular use as the hair grows back finer and the skin gets accustomed to the process, she explains.

Good news: many modern epilators also come with features to reduce discomfort, such as massage rollers, cooling gloves, or built-in cooling mechanisms, points out Dr. Gohara. “Some models are also designed for use in water, as wet epilation can be less painful.” Still, you can always expect a little pinch as the hair is being removed at the root.

Depending on how quickly your hair grows, you can typically enjoy two to three weeks of smooth skin between epilating, says Gunn.

Dr. Camp notes that some recommend using an epilator more often when you are first starting out, such as once or twice a week. “Over time, your hairs will become thinner and less dense, so you will not need to epilate as often,” he explains.

Epilation is similar to waxing as both remove hair at the root, says Gunn. “Both methods will give you long-lasting results up to 4 weeks.” Some say epilation can be more convenient because you don’t need to wait for your hair to regrow, Gunn points out. “If you wax, you have to wait for hair to grow long enough, which can mean several days of hiding your legs or armpits before your treatment.”

Compared to waxing, epilation can also be more convenient since it can be done at home without the need for sticky wax or strips, says Spagnuolo. While they offer similar results in terms of smoothness and duration, some people prefer epilators for their convenience and cost-effectiveness over time, she adds.