Updated for 2026 — This article has been reviewed and updated with the latest recommendations.
10 Best Epilators for Hair Removal on Body and Face in 2026
Finding the right epilator can save you hundreds of dollars a year compared to waxing appointments. The technology has improved dramatically, with newer models pulling hair more efficiently and with less pain than ever before. After testing dozens of options across different price points, here are the best epilators you can buy right now.
Quick Comparison
| Epilator | Best For | Tweezers | Wet/Dry | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex | Overall pick | 40 | Yes | $140 |
| Philips Satinelle Prestige | Sensitive skin | 32 | Yes | $100 |
| Braun Silk-epil 5 | Budget pick | 28 | Yes | $60 |
| Panasonic ES-EL7A | Speed | 60 | Yes | $80 |
| Braun Silk-epil 3 | Beginners | 20 | Dry only | $35 |
| Emjoi AP-18 | Thick hair | 72 | Dry only | $45 |
| Philips Satinelle Essential | Travel | 21 | Dry only | $30 |
| Braun Silk-epil 7 | Face epilating | 40 | Yes | $100 |
| Panasonic ES-ED90-P | Versatility | 48 | Yes | $70 |
| Braun Face Mini | Facial hair | 10 | Dry only | $30 |
1.
Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex - Best Overall
The Silk-epil 9 Flex remains Braun's flagship for good reason. Its fully flexible head tilts in every direction, following the contours of your legs, arms, and underarms without you having to twist your wrist at awkward angles. The 40-tweezer head grabs hairs as short as 0.5mm, which means you can epilate far sooner than you could wax.
The built-in SensoSmart pressure sensor flashes red when you press too hard, which genuinely helps reduce irritation.
Battery life runs about 50 minutes on a full charge. It comes with a shaver head, trimmer cap, and facial epilator cap, making it a true all-in-one system. The main downside is the price, but considering it replaces monthly wax appointments, it pays for itself quickly.
2. Philips Satinelle Prestige
Philips takes a different approach with the Satinelle Prestige. Instead of maximizing tweezer count, they focused on a wider head design that covers more surface area per pass. The ceramic disc system stays cool during operation, which helps if you have sensitive skin that reacts to the heat generated by metal tweezers.
The S-shaped handle provides a natural grip, and the cordless design gives you about 40 minutes of use time.
It includes eight attachments for different body areas, including a delicate cap specifically sized for the bikini area. Performance on fine hair is excellent, though very coarse leg hair sometimes needs a second pass.
3. Braun Silk-epil 5 - Best Budget
If you want Braun quality without the premium price tag, the Silk-epil 5 delivers remarkably well.
It shares the same core epilation technology as the more expensive models but trims the extras. You still get 28 tweezers, wet and dry capability, and the MicroGrip tweezer technology that grabs shorter hairs.
What you give up is the flexible head, the pressure sensor, and some of the attachments. For most people, those trade-offs are perfectly fine. The epilation performance itself is nearly identical to the Silk-epil 9.
Battery life is solid at 40 minutes.
4. Panasonic ES-EL7A - Fastest Epilation
Panasonic packed 60 tweezers into this epilator, among the highest counts available. More tweezers means more hairs removed per pass, which translates to faster sessions. If you dread the time commitment of epilating, this model cuts your session time noticeably.
The dual-disc system rotates the tweezers in a pattern designed to reduce the pulling sensation.
It works in the shower, the head pops off for easy cleaning, and the included pouch makes it travel-friendly. One caveat: the large head can be unwieldy for facial use or tight areas like the bikini line.
5. Braun Silk-epil 3 - Best for Beginners
Starting with epilating? The Silk-epil 3 is purpose-built for first-timers. Its 20-tweezer head is intentionally smaller and less aggressive, which means less pain during your first few sessions. It is a corded model, so you never worry about battery life running out mid-session.
The Smartlight LED illuminates fine hairs you might otherwise miss.
At around $35, it is an easy way to try epilating before investing in a higher-end model. The trade-off is dry-only operation and no pivoting head, but for legs and arms, it performs well.
6. Emjoi AP-18 - Best for Thick Hair
With 72 tweezers arranged across its wide head, the Emjoi AP-18 is built for people with thick, coarse body hair.
Where other epilators might struggle and leave behind stubborn hairs, the AP-18 tends to get everything in one or two passes. The Glide Technology feature lifts flat-lying hairs before the tweezers grab them.
It is a corded, dry-only epilator without a lot of extras. No fancy attachments, no built-in light. But if raw epilation power is what you need, this is the one to get.
7.
Philips Satinelle Essential - Best for Travel
Compact, lightweight, and effective enough for maintenance between deeper sessions, the Satinelle Essential is a solid travel companion. It runs on two AA batteries, so you never need to pack a charging cable. The 21-tweezer head handles legs and arms without issue. At around $30, it works well as a secondary epilator for your travel kit.
8.
Braun Silk-epil 7 - Best for Face
The Silk-epil 7 sits between the budget Silk-epil 5 and the flagship 9. Its real strength is the included facial epilator cap. This precision attachment narrows the epilation area for careful work around the upper lip, chin, and jawline. Wet and dry operation, 40-minute battery, and a built-in light round out a well-balanced package.
9. Panasonic ES-ED90-P - Most Versatile
This Panasonic model ships with six interchangeable heads: epilator, shaver, bikini trimmer, foot care buffer, gentle cap, and pop-up trimmer. The 48-tweezer epilator head performs well on both fine and coarse hair. The pivoting head follows body contours smoothly, and the whole unit is waterproof for shower use.
10. Braun Face Mini Hair Remover
If you only need facial hair removal, the Braun Face Mini is a dedicated tool for the job. Its compact, pen-shaped design gives you precise control for upper lip, chin, and cheek peach fuzz. The 10 micro-tweezers are sized specifically for fine facial hair. It runs on a single AAA battery and fits in a purse.
Buying Guide
Tweezer count: More tweezers generally means faster hair removal. Budget models have 20-28, mid-range 32-48, and premium models 40-72.
Wet vs. dry: Wet and dry models let you epilate in the shower, where warm water opens pores and reduces discomfort.
Corded vs. cordless: Cordless gives you freedom, especially in the shower. Corded models never die mid-session and cost less.
Pain management: Your first few sessions will be the most uncomfortable. Epilating after a warm shower and starting with a lower tweezer count both help. After four to six sessions, most people find discomfort drops significantly.
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