Best Epilators for Smooth Skin

Every method of hair removal has its disadvantages.

Tweezing takes up so much time, incorrect shaving causes razor bumps, waxing can be very painful, and lasering usually breaks the bank.

If you have tried all of these methods and none of them satisfies you, it may be time to invest in an epilator.

An epilator is a handheld electronic device that hastens what a tweezer can only do for hours on end.

We have compiled a list of five of the best epilators available on the market. Check them out and try one for yourself.

Epilator Reviews: Top 5 Picks

1. Braun Silk-épil 9 SensoSmart 9/890

The Braun Silk-épil 9 is an epilator, a shaver, and a trimmer all in one smart device.

The Braun Silk-épil 9 is a grooming essential you shouldn’t miss if you want smooth, silky, and radiant skin on your legs.

It comes in several variants, and they mainly vary in the included attachments. For this segment, we will look at the rose gold Silk-épil 9 with SensoSmart.

Product Highlights

Braun’s SensoSmart is an innovative pressure sensor technology that guides your epilation to ensure that you apply the right amount of pressure.

With the right amount of pressure, you can remove even more hair in a single stroke.

The extra-wide head on the epilator provides broader coverage for hair removal, guaranteeing long-lasting smooth skin for several weeks.

The device also comes with a high-frequency pulsating massage system and a pivoting head to make your epilating sessions more comfortable.

Extra features include smart light, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and two switchable speed settings.

The Good

The Braun Silk-épil 9 SensoSmart is cordless. It is a wet-and-dry epilator, which means you can use it in the bath or shower.

Another advantage of the Silk-épil 9 SensoSmart is its comprehensive accessory set.

It comes with a Silk-épil 3in1 body trimmer, which is essential for precise hair removal.

Additionally, you will receive a high-frequency massage cap, a shaver head and trimmer, skin and facial contact caps, and a cleaning brush.

The Bad

The only disadvantage we could identify with this device is its retail price, being far more expensive than the other options.

If you think that anything below 200 bucks is chump change, then the Braun Silk-épil 9 is your best bet for epilation.

Read our reviews of the other Braun epilators: Braun Silk Epil 3 Epilator and Braun Silk Epil 5 Wet and Dry Epilator.

2. Philips Beauty Satinelle Essential

The Satinelle Essential is a corded compact epilator from the Philips hair removal product line.

It comes with a cleaning brush for easy maintenance and a sensitive-area cap for narrowing down areas of epilation.

Product Highlights

The Satinelle Essential has an efficient epilation system that pulls out the hairs from the root.

It works like a charm and leaves your skin stubble-free and smooth for weeks.

The device offers two epilation speed settings for a more personalized hair removal process.

Use the slower setting to remove thinner and shorter hairs and the faster option for thicker strands.

The slower speed setting enables you to remove hair as short as half a millimeter gently.

Its sensitive-area cap allows for more gentleness while removing hair from delicate areas, such as the armpits and bikini lines.

The Good

We like that the Satinelle Essential has a profiled, ergonomic grip.

Its rounded shape perfectly fits in your hand, ensuring comfortable handling during your hair removal sessions.

The Bad

We don’t like that the Satinelle Essential requires a power outlet nearby to operate. It’s also not fully waterproof.

You can only wash the epilation head for easy cleaning and extra hygiene.

You also have to detach it from the device.

3. Emjoi eRase e6

The Emjoi eRase e6 is another compact epilator like the Satinelle Essential.

Being cordless and using only two AAA batteries, it offers more portability.

However, if you want something with a broader epilation area from Emjoi, you might want to check out several versions of the Emjoi Emagine.

Product Highlights

With the eRase e6, you benefit from Emjoi’s eRase Glide Technology, which pulls out unwanted hair in just seconds.

It has six tweezers strategically distributed around its discs to ensure accurate removal of hair from the root.

The device also features a safety shutoff setting, which engages automatically every time you press it too hard against your skin.

The Good

The Emjoi eRase e6 boasts a revolutionary epilating system that can remove the finest hairs as short as 0.3mm.

Its tweezers open and close 180 times every second to work with exceptional precision.

The Bad

A downside to the Emjoi eRase e6 is its narrow epilation coverage.

It only has a three-disc system, which means you have to spend more time removing hairs from wider areas of your skin.

Also, since you will spend more time epilating, you need to be ready with extra AAA batteries in your kit.

4. ElectriBrite Mini

If you want something compact, cordless, requires no battery replacements, and has more tweezers, the ElectriBrite Mini is an excellent choice.

It may cost a few bucks more than the eRase e6, but the more extensive feature set more than makes up for it.

Product Highlights

The ElectriBrite Mini has nine tweezers that can quickly remove unwanted hairs from their roots, leaving you with long-lasting smooth skin.

It runs on a rechargeable battery that can last up to 30 minutes of continuous operation.

This device also comes with a smart light that illuminates your epilation area.

You won’t have to worry about casting shadows over a patch of skin that requires hair removal.

The Good

We liked that it comes with a washable epilation head and a cleaning brush.

You won’t have to tweeze the hairs from the device after epilating them from your skin.

The Bad

A disadvantage of the ElectriBrite Mini is its required operation angle.

You have to hold the device at a 90-degree angle towards your skin to remove unwanted hair efficiently.

You also need to hold your skin taut to prevent the device from pinching you.

5. E-Conoro 2-in-1

We present the E-Conoro 2-in-1 for those who might need a more affordable option similar to the Braun Silk-épil 9.

The E-Conoro is both an epilator and shaver, featuring interchangeable heads for complete hair removal and trimming.

Quality-wise, it isn’t anywhere near the Silk-épil, but it handles well and gets the job done.

Product Highlights

In addition to the two interchangeable heads, the E-Conoro 2-in-1 comes with a headcover, a cleaning brush, a facial brush, and a dust-proof pouch.

Also, since it uses a rechargeable battery, it includes one power adapter.

The device allows continuous usage of 40 minutes on battery power.

However, you can also use it while plugged into a wall outlet.

The E-Conoro epilator head has 30 tweezers that can remove hairs as small as 0.5mm.

It also has a built-in LED light that can illuminate your path of epilation.

The Good

While the epilating head requires a 90-degree angle of operation against the skin, it sits on a pivoting attachment.

As long as you apply enough pressure to the device, it can efficiently remove hairs no matter what angle you align the handle.

The Bad

Like many affordable epilators, the E-Conoro epilator head will require you to hold your skin taut if you want to remove unwanted hair quickly.

Epilator Buying Guide

Since epilators vary in design, you might want to analyze the specs sheet beforehand to get what you need.

Aside from considering your budget, every bit of functionality and accessory is ultimately your choice.

Study the following list to know what to look for in a good epilator.

1. Type and Quantity of Hair Removers

There are three types of epilators today: rotating disc type, tweezer type, and spring type.

The first epilators used a spring or steel coil mechanism to pluck hairs out of your skin, but they were not as efficient as the tweezer and rotating disc types.

When choosing an epilator, get one with a coverage wide enough for hair removal.

An epilator with a broad rotating head has more tweezers or spinning discs to remove more hairs in a shorter amount of time.

2. Multiple Speed Settings

You will find epilators that only operate at a single-speed setting, but the best ones will provide additional speed options.

Most of us will feel sensitive to hair removal, especially during our first tries.

With that said, slower speed settings entail a gentler approach to removing hair, while faster speeds allow quicker and more efficient grooming sessions.

3. Wet and Dry Flexibility

While most epilators only work on dry skin, many devices allow wet and dry applications.

A wet-and-dry device will come in handy for speedy grooming and cleanup in front of a lavatory.

You will also find completely waterproof epilators that work well while you’re in the shower or bathtub.

These devices are the ultimate option for an in-bath grooming solution.

They will enable you to take advantage of hot water and humidity, which opens up your pores and hair follicles for a less painful process.

4. Power Source

An epilator can either be corded or wireless.

Some wireless options require you to replace batteries now and then, while others have built-in rechargeable batteries.

Most quality waterproof epilators are of the wireless kind, as we wouldn’t want to use a plug-in electronic device while we are around water.

The only downside of a wireless epilator is the chance that it will run out of battery juice while you’re still removing hairs.

Look for indications regarding charging durations and wireless operating intervals so that you know when to plug it in and fill up the batteries.

5. Size and Portability

For obvious reasons, a wireless epilator is more portable than a corded one.

However, smaller devices tend to do away without a built-in battery, which means you will always need its wall adapter wherever you go.

A smaller epilator also means fewer tweezers or rotating discs.

While it may be lighter and would fit almost any pocket on your travel bag, it will take you more time for your grooming sessions.

6. Lighting and Other Accessories

Sometimes, our shadows and body parts get in the way of light during a hair removal session.

Instances include removing the hairs from the hind legs and armpits.

A surmountable solution is to have an epilator with a built-in light, such as a small LED or flashlight directed towards the epilator head.

Additionally, you might want a device with accessories that diversify its functions.

Some epilators come in sets with accompanying trimmers, shavers, trimmer combs, contact caps, and hairbrushes.

With such accessories, you can decide whether to epilate, trim, or shave a part of your body.

7. Maintenance Requirements

Removed hairs can get stuck on an epilator’s head, tweezers, and rotating discs.

These hairs can get in the way of efficiently removing more hairs as you go along with your routine.

As such, you should get an epilator that is at least washable so that you can rinse the hairs off quickly.

Some epilators come in sets with cleaning brushes that can help you clean the device effortlessly.

Epilator FAQs

1. Are Epilators Bad For Your Skin?

It depends on how sensitive your skin is. Any hair removal method has its ups and downs, and epilating is just one other method to which you can adapt.

Some people will experience skin irritation and redness after using an epilator, especially during the first few tries.

The best time to use an epilator is at night or a few hours before leaving the house.

Side effects such as skin redness typically go away after a couple of hours, resulting in clear, smooth skin.

Some epilators will recommend an operating angle with respect to hair growth.

If you end up improperly using your epilator, it can cause skin scarring and ingrown hair.

Keep your epilator clean at all times, especially before starting a hair removal session.

Using unclean hair grooming tools can result in folliculitis and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

2. How Bad Does An Epilator Hurt?

If you have tried hair waxing, epilating can be equally painful.

Like waxing, an epilator removes hair by pulling out several hair roots simultaneously.

However, your pain tolerance can drastically improve as you get used to the practice of removing hair with an epilator.

Again, for those with sensitive skin, epilating for the first time can be scary and agonizing.

The tip to reduce or eliminate the pain is by epilating only after applying some heat.

A warm bath or shower will soften your hair and open up the pores on your skin, making epilating easier and more tolerable.

Another way to decrease the pain from an epilator is by reducing the operating speed for a gentler experience.

3. Is Epilator Better Than Waxing?

While the pain with epilating is somewhat similar to what you can feel while waxing, the former offers several advantages.

Both waxing and epilating are effective forms of hair removal.

That said, waxing requires more extended waiting periods before the next session.

The reason behind this requirement is that your hair should grow to a longer length so that the wax can effectively remove it.

Since epilating uses mechanical tweezers, it can typically remove even the shortest of hairs from the root.

An epilator firmly grabs, grips, and pulls the hairs close to its base on your skin surface.

Unlike waxing, epilating can protect the cells of surface-level skin.

When it comes to comparing costs, purchasing an epilator can be an initial outlay.

Nevertheless, it is yours to keep and use whenever, whereas waxing will require regular replenishment of personal wax or recurring appointments with a professional.

4. Can I Go Out in the Sun After Epilating?

If you are someone who loves sunbathing on a beach, you probably already know how to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Prolonged sun exposure can be harmful, especially if you have just been through a hair removal session such as epilating.

Since the area you just treated becomes reddish and sensitive, it becomes more prone to irritation.

The heat from the sun can worsen the problem by burning or starting a rash over the exposed area.

Aside from this complication, epilation leaves the pores open, making them susceptible to environmental agents that might cause an infection.

The most practical approach you can take is to epilate at least a day before you bask out in the sun.

Also, always consider applying sunblock or moisturizing cream.

5. How Often Should You Epilate?

The results of epilation will always vary from person to person.

How often you should epilate depends on how successfully you remove all the unwanted hair after a single session.

Generally speaking, you can expect to have smooth skin for up to four to six weeks after epilating.

If you’re new to this practice, the chances of not removing all the unwanted hair are far more significant.

You might notice that you can only tolerate a small amount of pain, which means you have to go over the process more often.

As you get better at removing more hair every session, your skin stays smooth and hairless over more extended periods.

Final Thoughts

If you want to invest in a reliable personal hair removal system, the best epilator you can choose is the Braun Silk-épil 9 SensoSmart.

It packs everything you will possibly need for the best epilating, shaving, and trimming experience, all in one slick package.

However, if you need something more compact, we suggest you go for the Philips Satinelle Essential.

It may not be a cordless option, but its durability will surely give you a long haul of hair removal sessions for a very long time.