According to Dr. Frieling and GH Beauty Lab experts, finding the best epilator comes down to a number of factors:
✔️ Wet and dry use: Most newer epilators can be used in the shower or on dry skin, but be sure to check water-resistance, or waterproofness, before buying.
✔️ Corded versus battery-powered: Battery-operated epilators tend to lose their power with use and time, while corded epilators pack more power.
✔️ Device size: Dr. Frieling suggests using smaller epilators for hard-to-reach areas, including facial hair—like eyebrows, upper lip, and peach fuzz—while a larger device might be best for bigger areas like arms and legs.
✔️ Number of tweezers: Epilator devices can have anywhere from one single tweezer to over 70 tweezers. “Since epilation is already time-consuming, it’s better to go with a higher number of tweezers for maximum efficacy,” Dr. Frieling says. But know that “although more tweezers can make the process less time consuming, it can be more painful per pass since you are plucking more hair at once,” Wnek adds.
✔️ Speed settings: If you have coarse hair, look for epilators with a high speed setting function to quickly power through tougher hair.
✔️ Built-in light: GH Beauty Lab Director Sabina Wizemann recommends “epilators that have a light, which helps when trying to reach areas at the back of lower legs.” The illumination helps you see and nab every last hair.
