12 Best Epilators for Super Smooth Skin
These work for lasting hair removal, whether you have coarse leg hair, peach fuzz or extremely sensitive skin.
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When it comes to hair removal, everyone has a favorite — but an increasing number of skincare and beauty pros are reaching for epilators, handheld hair removal devices that uses a rotating head equipped with numerous tweezers to pull unwanted face and body hair from the root. In fact, it's the go-to method of hair removal for many Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros!
Choosing the right epilator is key and there are quite a few options out there. The GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab is comprised of beauty pros and chemists who routinely test the latest skincare products for safety, efficacy and ease of use. To find the best epilators, we recently conducted a consumer and laboratory test on a range of epilators from different brands and price points.
What's the best epilator for most people? Our top tested pick for 2023 is the Panasonic Cordless Shaver Epilator for Women, which is great for both beginners and experienced users with the most speed settings and the highest rating in overall satisfaction. The Remington Smooth & Silky Total Coverage Epilator is another more budget-friendly pick that is very effective and compact.
In our tests, a total of 50 women (including new and experienced users) were included and evaluated the tools on ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction. Additionally, noise testing was conducted by partner lab Quiet Mark, who determines a three-star rating logo based on the recorded sound test levels. The recommendations below are a compilation of winners of the most recent and previous tests as well as Lab expert favorites and dermatologist-recommended picks, along with top-rated epilators online, vetted by our editors.
Our top picks:
In addition to the top epilator tools, keep reading to learn about safety, best practices and how to choose the best one for you. If epilating isn't your thing, check out our tips on other hair removal methods, including laser and dermaplaning, as well as our round-ups of the best laser hair and IPL hair removal devices.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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