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We’re blessed to have more options than ever for our hair removal needs. But when shaving, waxing, lasering, tweezing, threading, or whatever doesn’t work, there’s one tool that might just be able to do the job: the epilator.
But what is an epilator? As Marisa Garshick, dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, describes, it’s a handheld device that works to grab multiple hairs at the root, using a spring, disc, or plate. So think of it like a tweezer on steroids, that whisks out body and facial hair at a wax-like speed.
Shop The Best Epilators
While that may sound painful for some, there are plenty of pros to it. “It can be a good option for someone who is not a candidate for laser hair removal or gets irritation with depilatory creams and shaving,” adds Garshick. So if this has piqued your interest and you’re ready to try one for yourself, we’ve got you. Shop the best epilators we love below.
Pros
- Can be used wet and dry
Cons
- Loud when in-use
Hello, versatility! You can use this two-in-one epilator and trimmer on wet or dry skin. It also features 40 minutes of cordless use and five unique attachments, so you can get exactly the hair-removal experience you've been dreaming of without any breaks. The 32 rotating disks inside the epilator head can snag teensy, tiny hairs, too—we're talking as short as 0.5 millimeters here.
Customer Review:
"This thing gets the job done fast and am hair free for a month. It's very durable and last for many years in. Could not be without it!" — Judy
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Shaver and epilator
Cons
- Can be painful if you're sensitive
Welcome to full-body smoothness. Panasonic's multipurpose epilator can be used on your arms, armpits, legs, and bikini line thanks to its epilation head, shaver, skin-protecting cap guards, and bikini attachment.
Customer Review:
"This one is INCREDIBLE. My skin wasn’t pulled at all, the pain was minimal, and I barely had any bumps. I would give this 100 stars if I could." — Keri
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Best for Beginners
Braun Epilator Silk-epil 3 3-270
Pros
- Compact size
Cons
- Covers smaller surface area
Does your epilator need to be adorable? No, but it doesn't hurt (well, metaphorically speaking). Toggle between the two speed settings and use the built-in light to guide yourself to a smooth, clean epilation.
Customer Review:
"I’ve been using epilators for quite a long time now and this one is so far the best I’ve used. Very easy to use and clean, lightweight, and works very efficiently. My go-to product for hair removal. Definitely recommend!" — Kriti
Pros
- Great for face
- Useful attachments
Cons
- Pricey
Another Braun epilator, this device is made specifically for facial hair removal—and can reach hairs down to .02 millimeters in size. It also comes with a facial cleansing brush and the toning attachment—which can be used to apply moisturizers and serums—so you'll basically use it every single day.
Customer Review:
"This works amazingly! I have been plucking hair for years. For me this was only painful where my facial hair was a little longer, otherwise, I had no pain or pulling at all. It is very simple to operate and only took 1 hour to charge. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking into an epilator." — Penny
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Pros
- Easy-to-use swivel head
- Multiple attachments
Cons
- Pricey
This do-it-all epilator can be used both wet and dry, and on the face and body. Plus, it features a swivel head to get to hard-to-reach areas.
Customer Review:
"This epilator is a life changer. I've never waxed/shaved my legs in my entire whole life until I found Braun Epilator. I was hesitant to buy this at first, but after doing some research about this product, I was convinced to buy one. I'm so happy with the results! I never thought my legs would be this smooth and hair-free looking!" — Marianne
Cons
- May take longer to remove all hair
Compact and under $35, this epilator is both a great deal and a great size. Reviewers swear by its painless removal and slow hair regrowth.
Customer Review:
"I've tried a few different brands and this one works the best for me. Some of them don't get close enough to the skin, or don't have a wide enough area; this one is just right. The charge seems to hold well, too." — Cathy
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Pros
- Gets hard-to-reach hairs
- Great for small areas
Cons
- Can be painful on sensitive skin
This user-loved tool works flawlessly on smaller areas like the face, bikini line, and underarms. Reviewers love its ability to grab short, hard-to-reach hairs—one even said her only regret was not purchasing it years ago.
Customer Review:
"This is a great epilator with a rechargeable battery and works for a long time on one charge. Using without the cord is liberating! LOL It’s really gentle and you can use it on your face and it works on that hard-to-grip downy facial hair. Comfortable to hold and get that 90-degree angle you need for best removal. Great price. I absolutely recommend!" — Elaine
Pros
- Great for face
- Small size
Cons
- Only reaches small areas
The perfect size for facial hair, Epilady's Esthetic epilator grabs those tiny hairs on the chin, upper lip, and cheeks. Plus, its compact size allows for easy on-the-go removal—just throw it in your bag.
Customer Review:
"I was a bit apprehensive to buy this initially. However, the device is easy to use, and performs perfectly. Glad I made the purchase." — Brenda
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Best for Sensitive Skin
Philips Satinelle Essential Compact Hair Removal Epilator
Now 13% Off
Pros
- Good for bikini and sensitive areas
- Ergonomic grip
- Compact
Cons
- Corded
Hadley King, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, loves this epilator for its rounded design and ergonomic grip. It also has an extra cap that can be placed on the head for a more gentle application, making it a great option for the bikini area or sensitive areas.
Customer Review:
"This turned a 30-minute chore into a 5-minute breeze! And it does a better job than tweezers. I wish I had not waited so long. Love it!" — A. Reid
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do epilators work?
Think of epilators like giant, electric tweezers. They grab each hair and pull them out, leaving you silky smooth and hair-free.
Do epilators hurt?
Well, they don't not hurt. Again, they work by pulling out your hair, so there will be a pinching feeling associated with it. However, many users say it's far less painful than waxing, so we'll consider that a win.
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Can I use an epilator in the shower?
Some epilators have wet and dry capabilities, and some don't. Make sure to read the instructions before using around water.
How do you use an epilator?
King says that you need to first let the hair grow out a little so that there's enough length to be picked up by the epilator. Then she recommends doing a gentle physical exfoliation. "Take a warm shower and use an exfoliating body scrub, gloves, mitt, loofah, or brush," she says. "This will help to expose hairs so they can be picked up the epilator and it also helps decrease the risk of ingrown hair."
Then you'll hold skin taut and move the epilator along the area to be treated. When finished, reach for a non-comedogenic moisturizer to soothe the skin.
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What should you look for in an epilator?
King recommends looking for ones that are waterproof; these will be more convenient for your routine and make it easier to clean. She adds that it would be helpful to look for a cordless epilator and ergonomic handle with a small rounded head to make it more comfortable for you to use.
Meet the Experts
- Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology
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For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.