These 6 Epilators Deliver Super Smooth Skin (And Are Great Alternatives to Laser) (2024)

If you’re new to epilating, it’s not a bad idea to start out with an affordable option to see how you get on with this type of hair removal before potentially investing in a more pricey tool. This one is both budget-friendly and effective, making it our best overall pick. Admittedly, the first session was painful, like really painful (this isn’t uncommon for epilators). It felt like hundreds of strong zaps and shocks against the skin, which was quite uncomfortable, though we’re happy to report that it became less painful with each session. Aside from the discomfort, we were impressed with how well it worked. It effectively removed the hair, yielding smooth skin and a hairless result that lasted nearly two weeks. We found that it did create some redness and itching on the legs where the hairs were particularly thin, though it worked beautifully on the underarms—even eliminating the five o'clock shadow that often appears after shaving. It can be used on wet and dry skin, which is super convenient, and we did feel that the discomfort was slightly diminished when using it on warm, wet skin. There are two dual-speeds available, so you can choose the one that suits you best. We also appreciate that it comes with a massaging cap and a precision head to help target small or hard-to-reach areas.

Who It’s For

Whether you’re new to epilating or you’re simply looking for a wallet-friendly too, we think this one from Remington is a great option. It delivers on its promise to remove hair and deliver smooth results, and it’s also cordless, lightweight, and easy to operate, making it ideal for beginners.

Target Areas: Arms, legs, underarms, back, bikini | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless rechargeable battery

Though it’s not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars on an epilator, this tool comes with multiple attachments—like a shaver head and massage pad—which add to the value. Aside from the additional attachments, the main head is flexible, making it effortless to maneuver across the skin and use on curved parts of the body. We think the epilator's cutting-edge SensoSmart technology, which allows you to use it in the shower or the bath, applies just the right amount of pressure and is a real game-changer. Like with most epilators, we found it to be pretty painful—think burning and tingling—though these sensations subsided quickly after use. It created redness and bumps, which is also not uncommon for epilators, but it worked to effectively remove the hair. And once the bumps subsided, the results were soft and smooth. We also appreciate that it has two speed settings, so you can use the more intense one on less sensitive parts of the body and the more gentle one where you’re more sensitive.

Who It’s For

If epilating is your hair removal method of choice, this tool could be a worthy investment for you. Aside from working to effectively remove hair, the fact that it comes with a shaver as well as a massage pad makes it a multi-purpose tool. The shaver head can be used on sensitive areas, and the massage pad is nice for stimulating the skin and blood flow.

Target Areas: Face, underarms, bikini | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Battery-operated

There’s no denying it, epilating is uncomfortable and even painful for most people—at least in the beginning. For those with sensitive skin, it can feel pretty unbearable. During testing, we discovered that this option was the least painful while while still working to get the job done. That’s not to say it wasn’t uncomfortable, it certainly was, but it was more bearable than most options on the list, due in part to the sensitive skin attachment that it comes with. The design is lightweight and ergonomic, making it easy to glide across the skin, and it worked to thoroughly remove hair for a smooth result that lasted about two weeks.

Who It’s For

If you have sensitive skin but you’re interested in trying epilating, this is a solid choice. It comes with a sensitive skin attachment, and unlike some other options, we didn’t experience itching or bumps when using it. It’s also a nice option for beginners thanks to the simple design and relative affordability.

Target Areas: Legs, bikini, underarms | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 40 | Type: Cordless/rechargeable

We love a multi-purpose product, especially when the price tag is on the higher end. This epilator from Phillips does what it promises to do — effectively remove hair for results that last up to four weeks — but it also comes with additional features, like an exfoliating brush, a callous smoother, and a hair trimmer. Like the other epilators we tested, it was painful during the hair removal process and did create some bumps, especially on the legs, but it worked to thoroughly remove hair that didn’t grow back for a few weeks. One of our testers who experienced bumps from this tool noted that when she put a cool compress on her skin right after using it, it helped to reduce the bumps quickly and keep her skin comfortable.

As for the additional features, they’re nice to have, especially when you have time for a full skincare and hair removal routine. The exfoliating brush helps to smooth and prep skin for the removal process, and the callous smoother helps to achieve a softer overall result.

Who It’s For

If you’re looking for a multi-tasking tool that removes hair for long-lasting results while also prepping and smoothing the skin, this is a great one to consider. Note that the initial setup can feel a bit overwhelming when there are so many attachments in the box, but once you get a hang of it, it’s pretty easy to use.

Target Areas: Arms, bikini, underarms, legs | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 32 | Type: Cordless

If you’re looking to take a break from shaving, dermaplaning, and waxing your face, this facial epilating tool is something to consider. The compact design is great for targeting small areas, like in between your eyebrows and above your upper lip. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, and we were pleased with how well it removed hair without being too painful. Though it wasn’t nearly as painful as other options on our list, it did create some redness and bumps, which is something to keep in mind if you have sensitive skin. While the results weren’t all that much longer-lasting than with waxing, we appreciated that this tool can remove hair that’s shorter than the hair you can target with waxing. Plus, we give it bonus points for coming with a cleansing brush that works to gently exfoliate the skin prior to epilating.

Who It’s For

Those looking to remove unwanted facial hair without shaving or waxing should absolutely consider this effective gadget from FaceSpa. It’s excellent for removing hair in small areas, it’s quick and simple to use, and it comes with a facial cleansing brush for an added bonus.

Target Areas: Face | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: Not listed | Type: Cordless rechargeable

If epilating is your hair removal method of choice, we recommend taking this tool with you on your travels. While a cordless option might be more convenient at home, forget the batteries or charging cable in your toiletry bag, and you’ll be left on vacation with a tool that won’t do you any good. This one has a cord, so you can easily plug it into a wall socket no matter where you are. It’s simple to use and effectively removes hair, especially on larger areas of the body like the legs, arms, bikini area, and underarms, thanks to the dual heads that have 72 total tweezers. Because of this, it’s not ideal for use on small areas like the upper lip and in between the eyebrows, but considering how well it works on most areas, this isn’t a deal breaker for us. We did experience some pain, bumps, and mild irritability while testing, but these side effects vanished quickly, and the end result was smooth and hair-free. Most importantly, the results lasted much longer than with shaving or waxing—we could go a full two weeks in between sessions.

Who It’s For

Whether you’re looking for a tool to take on the go, or you prefer epilating with on dry skin and don’t mind a cord, this is a fantastic option for you. It’s effective, it gets the job done relatively quickly thanks to the dual heads, and the results last for a full two weeks.

Target Areas: Legs, underarms, bikini, chin, upper lip | Speed Settings: 2 | Number of Tweezers: 72 | Type: Plug-in

FAQ

• How do you use an epilator?

  Before actually using an epilator, it’s important to prep your skin and hair properly. As Chimento mentioned, you’ll want to shave a few days before epilating to ensure your hairs are the right length for the tool to work effectively. King also recommends physical exfoliation before epilating: “Take a warm shower and use an exfoliating body scrub, gloves, mitt, loofah, or brush. This will help to expose hairs so that they can be picked up by the epilator, and it also helps decrease the risk of ingrown hairs,” she explains. When you’re ready to begin, hold the epilator at a 90-degree angle against clean skin without pressing it in, then use your other hand to hold your skin taut and slowly pass the epilator in the direction of your hair growth. When you're finished, moisturize your skin to minimize irritation.

• How do epilators work?

  Epilators work similarly to waxing or manual plucking in that they remove hair at the roots. When you run the device along your skin, the tiny tweezers on the wheel grab the hairs and then remove them as the wheel continues to rotate.

• Do epilators hurt?

  Since the device pulls hair away at the root, there's an expected "ouch" factor. But like most other forms of hair removal, many people find that it becomes less painful after multiple sessions.