The Best Electric Epilator

Updated on 22 September 2022

After 18 hours of diligent research and putting 6 promising epilators through a series of tests, we have determined that the Braun Silk-épil 9 720 is the most complete and effective epilator.

This comparison is certified 100% impartial and follows our selection process.

Our choice, Best high-end

Braun Silk-épil 9 720

With its extra-large head, this ultra-popular model ensures fast and effective epilation. It can be used dry or in the shower and is equipped with handy features such as a light and a pressure sensor.

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Equipped with a large head with 40 tweezers, this epilator is both effective and comfortable thanks to its contact and massage accessories. It is comfortable to hold and can be used dry or underwater, depending on your preference. It proved to be a real winner in our tests. We also particularly liked the powerful light function to remove even the smallest hairs and the SensoSmart technology, ideal for monitoring the pressure exerted on the skin. The little extras? It comes with a shaving head and features a discreet and feminine design.

 

 

Best budget

Braun Silk-épil 3

This small, attractively priced epilator is already equipped with 2 speeds and a practical, powerful light function. Although it works only on mains, it is still easy to use and comes with some useful accessories.

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With its 20 tweezers, this model offers a basic, yet practical use. Although it can only be used on mains, it is easy to use thanks to a sufficiently long power cable. Thanks to its beginner’s massage bonnet and shaving head, it is quite versatile. During our tests, while we found it to be reasonably effective for a device in this price range, it does seem to break up some hairs rather than pull them out. For a really qualitative performance, we therefore recommend a higher-end model.

 

Best mid-range

Braun Silk-épil 5

This epilator is from a slightly less recent collection, but it still has a place on the market thanks to its really attractive price-quality ratio. Equipped with the Wet & Dry function to use in the shower, it is simple but effective.

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This more basic version of the one we named “Our Choice” has some great features for a reasonable price, and is therefore a great compromise. It can be used in the shower thanks to its battery operation, and is effective on all types of hair thanks to its MicroGrip technology and its 28 clips. Although it does not have the typical SensoSmart and SmartLight technologies of the range, it was still easy to use and effective during our tests. It is ergonomic and non-slip, and feels good in the hand. In short, while it’s not the latest in the Silk-épil range, we think it is still a great price-quality ratio.

 

High-end alternative

Panasonic ES-EL8A

With its double row of discs and its 90° flexible head, this model ensures effective epilation on all areas of the body and can be adjusted to 3 speeds. It is equipped with a thin and ergonomic handle, which makes it easy to use.

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Although it is not the most popular model online, this epilator stands out from the competition thanks to its double disc equipped with no less than 60 tweezers and its 90° flexible head, both of which ensure a very effective epilation. Its three speed levels enable a very good adaptability to the sensitivities of each person. It can be used in the shower and stands out for its ergonomic design and excellent grip, thanks to its slim handle. However, our tests showed that it was not necessarily faster to use than other more traditional models – but it is still very efficient. Moreover, it is equipped with numerous accessories for a complete skincare routine.

 

Our selection

Our choice, Best high-endBest budgetBest mid-rangeHigh-end alternative
Braun Silk-épil 9 720 Braun Silk-épil 3 Braun Silk-épil 5 Panasonic ES-EL8A
With its extra-large head, this ultra-popular model ensures fast and effective epilation. It can be used dry or in the shower and is equipped with handy features such as a light and a pressure sensor. This small, attractively priced epilator is already equipped with 2 speeds and a practical, powerful light function. Although it works only on mains, it is still easy to use and comes with some useful accessories. This epilator is from a slightly less recent collection, but it still has a place on the market thanks to its really attractive price-quality ratio. Equipped with the Wet & Dry function to use in the shower, it is simple but effective. With its double row of discs and its 90° flexible head, this model ensures effective epilation on all areas of the body and can be adjusted to 3 speeds. It is equipped with a thin and ergonomic handle, which makes it easy to use.
£ 85.00 on Amazon £ 36.88 on Amazon £ 54.99 on Amazon See the price on Amazon

 

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How did we test?

To test the electric epilators, we first analysed the design of each model (ergonomics, practicality, non-slip surfaces, build quality, robustness, ease of changing accessories, etc.). Of course, we tested each one of them, as well as all their accessories. We also “got wet” with the models featuring Wet & Dry technology for dry and shower use.

During this process, we thoroughly examined the various functions (practicality of the lighting, pressure sensors and the different power ratings offered). We found no particular problems with noise with any of the devices tested. Finally, we judged their efficiency as well as the autonomy of the battery-powered models.

 

How to choose your epilator?

If you are not into electric shaving and can’t afford (or do not want) to invest in an IPL epilator, then an electric epilator is probably the right choice for you. But with so many models on the market, it can be difficult to make the right choice for your needs.

Épilateurs électriques

We have therefore compiled the useful information you need to know in order to make an informed purchase:

  • Number of tweezers: unlike razors, which cut the hair, epilators use small tweezers to remove the hair. The more tweezers you have, the faster and more effective the epilation. For beginners, about 20 tweezers should be enough, while 40 to 60 tweezers are ideal for experienced users. The most important thing is that they are able to remove the hair from the root without breaking it.
  • Head: The head can be fixed, removable or even pivoting (to fit curves perfectly). Some models include different heads and tips directly – each of which is adapted to a specific area of the body. For example, wide heads are ideal for large areas, while narrower heads are ideal for more sensitive areas.

Panasonic ES-EL8A

  • Features: Most devices have a built-in light function, which illuminates very thin hairs and makes your job easier. Many can also be set to different speeds to suit your sensitivities. Lastly, many models have a pain-relieving system, often consisting of massage rollers that are – obviously – designed to reduce pain.

Philips Satinelle Essential

  • Ease of use: you will need to choose a corded or cordless model. While corded devices generally have more reliable power, cordless epilators offer greater flexibility. Look into their charging time and battery life. With cordless epilators, you can often use them in the shower thanks to the Wet & Dry technology, which is a big plus – especially as epilation under water is often considered more bearable.

Braun Silk-épil 5

  • Accessories: some epilators, often sold as kits (and therefore at a higher price), come with a range of accessories, which may be more or less useful depending on your needs. They may contain, for example, a storage pouch, a cleaning brush, a shaving head for finishing or even a full-fledged bikini trimmer, as well as exfoliating heads to prepare your skin before epilation.

 

Other electric epilators we recommend

Philips BRE285/00 (£43.99 upon publication): basic, but effective. Although it only works on mains, it is handy with its two speed levels, light, removable head and shaving function. It comes with a travel pouch and a massage attachment, which is quite nice considering the price. However, we did notice during our tests that its power button is less ergonomic and that the device tends to break some hairs rather than pull them out.

Philips Satinelle Advanced 8000 (£89.99 upon publication): suitable for epilation of legs, body and face thanks to its accessories. It works with or without a cord and can therefore be used in the shower. It is equipped with ceramic discs, an extra-large head, two speed levels and an Opti-light function for hair removal. Its ergonomic design with an S-shaped handle is particularly popular among users. However, feedback on its actual effectiveness in terms of hair removal is sometimes more mixed, and so is our assessment following our tests.

Braun Silk-épil 7-561 (£124.99 upon publication): can be used in the shower and has a pressure sensor. It adjusts to individual sensitivities in order to provide effective epilation thanks to its 40 tweezers and flexible head. It has a good battery life, and its various accessories are very appreciated. In fact, it is quite similar to the Silk-épil 9 version, except that the head is narrower. Although we haven’t tested it, we can safely say that it is a quality epilator when compared to the performance of other models from the brand.

 

 

Translated by Aylin Akturk 

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