With summer in full swing and mini dresses back in style, achieving smooth legs and underarms without the mess of waxing or the nicks of shaving is a priority for many. An epilator, an electronic device that uses rotating discs to grip and pull hairs from the root, offers longer-lasting results—up to four weeks—compared to shaving or depilatory creams. Epilators also catch shorter hairs better than waxing and require no ongoing purchases after the initial investment.
Our beauty journalist, Lise Smith, tested six leading epilators, assessing speed, comfort, and results. She allowed hair to grow to about 3mm, exfoliated and warmed the skin before use, and timed each device on a similar body area. Devices were tested wet and dry where applicable, and regrowth was checked after a few days. Here are the top picks.
Best Epilator Overall: Philips 8000
The Philips 8000 Series BRE710/01 impressed with its speed and near-pain-free operation. It stripped the front half of a lower leg in just three minutes, thanks to 32 tweezer discs and a contoured head that clears hairs in one pass. An LED light helps spot short, pale hairs. It is cordless, rechargeable (40-minute battery, two-hour charge), and suitable for wet or dry use. Two speed settings allow customization. The package includes a delicate area attachment, shaver head, trimming comb, cleaning brush, and carry pouch. The head does not flex, making it less maneuverable around ankles and knees, but at £54.99, it offers excellent value.
Best Compact Epilator: Philips 4000
The Philips 4000 Series BRE247 is a compact, corded model ideal for travel. Its small, curved shape fits the palm and provides better control around ankles, though with only 20 tweezers it takes longer—about seven minutes for half a lower leg. It features an LED light, two speed settings, and comes with a shaver head, massage head, exfoliating glove, cleaning brush, and pouch. It is dry-use only and noisier than some rivals. Priced at £79.99, it is a solid choice for those prioritizing portability.
Best Luxury Epilator: Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex
The Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex 3D SE9-041 boasts 40 rotating tweezers and a flexible tilting head for fast, effective hair removal on large areas and contours. It cleared the back half of a lower leg in just over four minutes. A built-in massage roller holds skin taut for comfort. It is cordless, rechargeable (50-minute runtime), and works wet or dry. The non-slip handle is appreciated in the bath. At £139.99, it is the most expensive model and comes with a German two-pin plug requiring a UK adapter. It is not recommended for facial use.
Best Epilator for Speed: Panasonic ES-EY30
The Panasonic ES-EY30 features a wide head with 60 tweezers in two rows, offering three speed settings for rapid hair removal. It cleared the back of a lower leg in under four minutes at the lowest speed, with built-in massage rollers minimizing discomfort. It is cordless, rechargeable, and works wet or dry, with an LED light and speed display. A sensitive cap is included for underarms and bikini areas, but it is not for facial use. Priced at £80, it is powerful but visually intimidating.
Best Epilator for Face: Panasonic ES-EF10
The Panasonic ES-EF10 is a small, battery-operated precision tool with four tweezers, ideal for eyebrows, upper lip, chin, and peach fuzz. It uses a rotating wheel to work against hair growth and is stylish with a lilac matte finish. It effectively removed stubborn chin hairs with manageable pain. It is dry-use only and suitable only for small areas. At £64.99, it is a dedicated facial epilator.
What You Need to Know About Epilators
An epilator removes hair from the root, providing results lasting three to four weeks. When choosing, consider head width, tweezer count, swivel head for contours, multiple speed settings, and wet/dry capability. Pain is comparable to waxing; to reduce it, epilate on 1-2mm hair, exfoliate the day before, take a warm bath, keep skin taut, move slowly against growth, and start on lower speed. Finish with aloe vera or moisturizer. Clean the epilator after each use by brushing out hairs or rinsing if wet/dry; with care, it can last about five years.
