Hair removal is a common topic of conversation within our Mumsnet community, whether you want to simply tame a few loose wisps or enjoy a totally smooth finish.
But what method works for you? Shaving can lead to nicks and razor burns, while waxing may prove painful, and hair removal creams can cause irritation.
That’s why epilating is so popular with our Mumsnetters. The electrical devices make light work of unwanted body hair, achieving a close and clean finish in next to no time (and they're more affordable than IPL hair removal devices). The handheld tools are designed to remove hair from the root and the results can last weeks - which is perfect if you’re heading on a hot weather holiday.
Best epilators, at a glance
Best overall epilator: Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex, £130
Best budget epilator: Braun Silk-épil 3, £38
Best for pain-free results: Pluxy Epil Pro 3.0, £12
Best facial epilator: Braun FaceSpa Pro, £170
Best travel epilator: Gurelax Epilator, £21
Best wet and dry epilator: Philips Satinelle Wet & Dry, £62
But which epilators are the best on the market? Our Mumsnet community always provides their unfiltered and unbiased reviews, sharing an array of models that are tried and tested.
Like many things to do with personal care, epilators aren’t a one-size fits all and sensitive skin types may need to err on the side of caution. Dr Anatalia Moore, award winning aesthetic doctor, tells Mumsnet while epilation is safe for all, inflammation-prone skin may experience redness or swelling straight after as the act of pulling the hair causes microtrauma to the skin.
"Hydrating our body by drinking enough water, helps reduce inflammation and promote cellular processes to work efficiently."
She adds: "Technique during epilation is key. Pulling the skin taught to ensure the hair is pulled out entirely and avoids breakage, and then generally keeping skin moisturised and exfoliated will help avoid ingrown hairs or irritation."
With that in mind, here are a few other things we recommend you consider when exploring epilators.
The area of use. If you’re using on sensitive areas, such as your bikini line or face, you’ll want to ensure you use a model designed for that specific purpose.
The power source. Some epilators are cordless and powered by charge, which makes them portable and easy for when you’re on the go.
The versatility of the product. If you just need something for your bikini line or upper lip hair, you may be content with a specialised product. But there are plenty of epilators which offer an array of attachments, such precision caps and shaver heads, so you can achieve a full-body experience.
Your pain tolerance. Some of our Mumsnetters claimed epilating was painful at first, but it gets easier with each use. There are some products specifically designed to be pain-free, such as the Pluxy tool.
Your budget. Some models are pricier than others, but at-home hair removal is usually cheaper in the long run than regular waxing. There are also cheaper options, such as the Braun Silk-épil 3.
Your hair thickness. Wispy hairs may not require such a powerful device, but if you’ve got thick or coarse hair, it’s worth checking reviews to ensure the epilator is powerful enough to deliver that clean finish.
How we’ve tested and chosen the best epilators
With countless epilators available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming - which is why we’ve done the hard work for you and testing is underway of products in this roundup.
We lean on our trusted Mumsnet community, as well as real customer reviews to assess each product’s effectiveness and unique selling points. From budget buys to close shaves and portable wonders, here’s our pick of the best.