An epilator pulls hair out by the root rather than shaving it off at the surface, so the results last for weeks, not days — and over time the regrowth comes back finer and sparser. It is the cheapest, most convenient way to get salon-smooth skin at home, once you are past the first few sessions. An extensive test of the leading epilators sorted the best, and these are the top picks, checked against current UK prices.
What to Look For
Tweezers and thoroughness. An epilator works by grabbing hairs between tiny rotating tweezers, so the number of tweezers matters: budget models have around 30 to 40, while the best pack up to 60 tweezers for faster, more thorough passes. More tweezers means fewer strokes and less time spent, and the best heads catch hairs as short as 0.5 mm — far shorter than waxing can manage.
Corded or cordless. Cordless, rechargeable epilators give you total freedom of movement and typically run for around 40 to 50 minutes on a charge — plenty for legs, underarms and more. Corded models never run flat and often deliver relentless power straight from the mains, but the cable restricts how you move and they cannot be used in the bath or shower. For most people, cordless is the more comfortable choice.
Wet and dry use. The best epilators are fully waterproof, so you can use them in the shower or bath. This is not just about convenience: warm water relaxes the skin and opens the pores, which makes epilation noticeably less uncomfortable — a big deal for beginners. If you are nervous about the sensation, prioritise a wet-and-dry model.
Comfort, light and speed settings. Epilation is never painless, but good design softens it: multiple speed settings let you start gently, a bright built-in LED light reveals fine hairs you would otherwise miss, and a well-shaped, ergonomic grip makes the whole job quicker and steadier. A pivoting or flexible head that follows the contours of your body improves both comfort and coverage.
Attachments. The better sets come with genuinely useful extras: a trimming comb, an exfoliating brush to prevent ingrown hairs, a facial cap for delicate areas, and sensitive-area caps for underarms and the bikini line. Check what is in the box, as it can turn a single-purpose epilator into an all-round hair-removal kit.
The Winner: Braun Silk-epil 9 (9-061)
The Braun Silk-epil 9 (9-061) is the best epilator for most people (around £145). The current, stalk-handled version of Braun's flagship removes hair very fast, very gently and very thoroughly, gliding over the skin and lifting even short, fine hairs in a pass or two. It has a long battery life, a bright LED light to reveal stray hairs, and it is fully waterproof, so you can epilate in the shower where it hurts less. It comes with a trimming comb, an exfoliating brush and a storage case. It is not the cheapest, but for speed, thoroughness and comfort it is the clear pick. Check the price on Amazon
Best for Comfort Extras: Panasonic ES-EY90
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The Panasonic ES-EY90 (around £75.99) is the choice if you want plenty of kit for your money. Its head carries two epilation discs with 60 tweezers between them, so it works especially quickly, and it is fully wet-and-dry for gentler use in the shower. The compact, stalk-free shape sits beautifully in the hand and is easy to control around awkward areas. Loaded with comfort extras and attachments, it is a superb, slightly more affordable all-rounder that undercuts the winner while giving little away. Check the price on Amazon
Flexible-Head Alternative: Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex
If you struggle to reach knees, ankles and underarms cleanly, the Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex (around £139.99) is worth the look. It uses the same fast, thorough Silk-epil 9 epilation head but mounts it on a fully 360-degree flexible neck that bends to follow the contours of your body, so it stays flat against the skin and catches more hairs in a single stroke. It is waterproof for shower use and shares the winner's bright light and generous accessories. For tricky areas, the added flex genuinely helps. Check the price on Amazon
Also Tested
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The Philips Satinelle Essential BRE275/00 is the source's budget pick: a corded epilator with lots of power straight from the mains, a bright integrated light and a very light body. The trade-offs are that the cable limits your movement, it cannot be used for wet epilation, and it runs loud. Note that this exact model code is not currently stocked on Amazon UK — the closely related Satinelle Essential BRE285/00 is the version sold here — so check listings carefully before buying.
How to Choose
Decide what matters most to you. For the fastest, most thorough and most comfortable all-round epilator, the Braun Silk-epil 9 (9-061) is the one to buy. If you want the most tweezers and accessories for less money, the Panasonic ES-EY90 is brilliant value. And if reaching every contour is your struggle, the Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex adds a genuinely helpful flexible head. Whatever you choose, favour a cordless, wet-and-dry model with plenty of tweezers and a good light, start on a low speed in the shower, and give your skin a few sessions to adjust — it gets easier and less uncomfortable every time.
Verdict
The Braun Silk-epil 9 (9-061) is the epilator to buy for most people at around £145: fast, gentle, thorough, waterproof and generously equipped. The Panasonic ES-EY90 (around £75.99) is the value champion with 60 tweezers and full wet-and-dry use, while the Braun Silk-epil 9 Flex (around £139.99) adds a flexible head for tricky contours. Root-level hair removal takes a little getting used to, but weeks of smooth skin make it well worth the effort.
