The Best Epilators for Smooth, Silky Skin

This portable little $20 epilator has both Dr. Howe’s and Dr. Amin’s stamps of approval. “Facial hair is finer, and can accordingly be removed with less trauma and less irritation,” says Dr. Howe. This epilator is made with an 18k gold-plated head, and has a built-in light so you can see what you’re doing, Plus, it’s battery-operated so you don’t need to keep an extra charging cord in your bag. However, reviewers note that it takes a few passes to remove all of your hair due to the smaller size. 

Pros: Derm-Approved; Portable; Costs less than $50; Has a built-in light for easy use; Battery-operated; Can be used on the face.

Cons: Some reviewers found that it wasn’t as powerful as other models on the market. 

With over 10,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this $40 cordless epilator from Braun is one of the best on the market. It’s designed to remove hair that’s four times shorter than hair removable by a razor or wax strip and promises results that last up to four weeks. It’s also outfitted with a few key design features, like a built-in light and a massage-roller tip that’s meant to reduce pain during use. It has two speed settings, too, so you can customize your experience. However, it can only be used dry. 

Pros: Costs less than $50; Top-rated on Amazon; Has a built-in light; Battery-operated. 

Cons: Cannot be used in the shower; Cannot be used on the face.  

If you plan on using your epilator for legs, arms, and everything in between, check out this option from Conair. It has 40 ultra-fine tweezers to catch every little hair. While directions will differ per product, it’s advised that this epilator be used on dry skin and, most importantly, in the direction of hair growth. “It’s important to move the device slowly, in the direction of hair growth, otherwise you may break the hair rather than pull it out from the root,” says Dr. Amin. He recommends holding the skin tight and positioning the device at a 90 degree angle. Pressure should be gentle—don’t push down too hard. 

Pros: Costs less than $50; Dermatologist-Approved. 

Cons: Can only be used on dry skin. 

While a bikini wax is efficient, it requires about two weeks of growth for optimal results. If you want a more immediate solution, add this to your next Amazon order. It comes with five different attachments, all of which have rotating heads that make it easy to get to hard-to-reach areas down there. “This is helpful for contoured, harder-to-reach areas,” explains Dr. Amin. It can be used wet or dry, and comes with a head that measures 12.5 inches for smooth, fast, shaving.

Pros: Comes with multiple removable heads; Can be used wet or dry; Can be used in the bikini line.  

Cons: Costs over $50; Some reviewers said it pinched their skin.  

We should preface this by saying that no form of epilation is going to be effective if it’s done too quickly. That in mind, the wide design of this cordless epilator tool from Phillips lets you cover more surface area at any given time—your legs will be done in about 10 minutes. There are also two speed settings with this one. While both work great, anyone with sensitive skin is better suited to the slower setting. Better yet, it comes with two detachable heads for versatility. 

Pros: Cordless design; Has two speed settings; Can be used wet or dry; Can be used on the whole body; Has a cordless design; Has a rechargeable battery.  

Cons: Costs more than $50. 

This top-rated epilator from Remington has lots of key design features that make it a great buy. It costs just shy of $40, can be used either wet or dry, has an easy cordless design plus a rechargeable battery, and a built-in light so you can see what you’re doing as you go. Reviewers also say it works great on both the face and the body, that it’s great for coarse hair, and that it removes hair in one pass. 

Pros: Costs under $40; Can be used wet or dry; Can be used on the face; Has a built-in light: Has a cordless design; Has a rechargeable battery. 

Cons: Doesn’t last long. 

With 72 tweezers, this is a pretty heavy-duty epilator. It can tackle hairy backs, chests, beards, or legs. And even though it’s specifically marketed for men, there’s absolutely no reason women can’t use this one too—the technology is all the same. In fact, if you’re dealing with super short hair (0.4mm to be exact), this is going to be your best bet. It’ll snag even the tiniest stubble.  Plus, reviewers say it works faster than other, similar models. Some reviewers also note that it hurts more than other epilators on the market. 

Pros: Works fast; Good for short hair; Can be used on the face. 

Cons: Costs more than $50.  

Calling all my sensitive skin girlies! This high-tech gadget is *chef’s kiss* if you’re prone to irritation. There’s a specific cap made for sensitive skin that’s extra gentle. While the instructions will recommend this head for your underarms and bikini line, there’s no reason you can’t use this cap on your entire body. Just make sure you remember to clean the head to avoid infection. It also has two speed settings, and reviewers say that it’s actually not as loud as other models. 

Pros: Costs less than $50; Works fast; Good for sensitive skin; Quieter than other models. 

Cons: Some reviewers say that they need to make multiple passes to get completely hair-free; Quieter than other models.  

This all-in-one epilator device from Braun comes with a specialized face washing brush that will effectively get all the gunk and makeup off of your face before you use it as an epilator, as well as a micro-vibration head that helps your serums, treatment, moisturizers penetrate deeper. As for the epilator attachment? It can grab hairs as short as 0.02mm (AKA – hair that’s four times shorter than what a razor can grab). Plus, it has a cordless design for easy use.

Pros: Comes with a facial cleansing brush; Has a cordless design; Has a rechargeable battery; Can be used on the face. 

Cons: Costs more than $50.