If what you are looking for is an entry-level, cheap epilator under $40, the Philips 2000 is travel-friendly and reliable, while the Braun Silk-épil 3 adds a shaver attachment for a few extra dollars.
Under $50
Philips 2000
The Philips 2000 is under $30. It's been redesigned in 2026 and we love the new look : very compact, a small travel-friendly epilator.
What you'll get
- An epilator with a head that will allow you to epilate precise areas, like armpits, or the legs
- You don't have to worry about battery, it's corded (meaning it needs to be plugged into the wall at all times)
- The fact that it has no battery makes it very reliable. If you clean it well it'll be usable for a long time
Drawbacks
- The head is quite small, not suitable if you plan on doing full body sessions
- It comes with zero accessories. It's targeted at people that only want to epilate, no shaving and so.
- You cannot use it under the shower, and having a cord might be not very comfortable at times.
Braun Silk-épil 3
It's the Philips 2000 main competitor since the Silk-épil 1 is not available anymore in some countries. The Braun Silk-épil 3 tends to be $10 more than the Philips, around $39.
What you'll get
- Same as before, but it includes a shaver attachment. That can come really handy, for instance when you have broken hair by the epilator that grows again and want to level up everything for the next sessions.
- As it's plugged into the wall, it has constant speed, no decelerations, which could cause more pain or hair breakage.
- It's easy to clean
Drawbacks
- We don't like the design as much as the Philips 2000, it feels bulky
- It has the same inconveniences as every corded epilator: bulky charger and no shower use
- Beware of long sessions, some users have commented on our YouTube channel that the head of the device can get hot if you use it for an extended amount of time.
Under $100
Braun Silk-épil 5
The Braun Silk-épil 5 is a very reliable, and partially unbreakable device. It's the same epilator as the Silk-épil 7 (our #1 choice when it comes to epilators) but less expensive as its head is smaller by a few tweezers.
It's a great choice as you'll have the opportunity to add plenty of accessories on it if you want to upgrade. We rank it as a cheap epilator as it's very easy to clean and repair.
Theoretically if you buy it with a spare battery, and the right tools to clean the inside, you'll have an epilator for life for less than $100.
What you'll get
- Can be used in the shower, it's hard to find at this price point an epilator you can use in the shower. We could call it the cheapest of the premium epilators
- Very easy to clean and repair (plenty of tutorials on our website)
- Battery is replaceable. I repeat, with proper care, this can be a lifetime device
Drawbacks
- Slightly smaller head than the Silk-épil 7, so full body sessions take a bit longer
- A battery means the comfort of shower usage, but bear in mind that this means approximately 30 minute sessions.
This guide is part of our comprehensive Best Epilator 2026 buying guide.
Why do you only recommend three devices ?
Because it's important to stick to known brands, when it comes to devices that touch your skin.
When buying an epilator on a budget, knock-offs from unknown brands might not be the best strategy. We know, there are a lot online, and they could seem like great deals. When choosing an epilator we recommend you focus on well-known brands that'll make sure they follow strict safety rules and have customer services. Among those brands are Philips, Braun, Panasonic.
A cheap epilator from a reputable brand will always be a better investment than a seemingly great deal from an unknown manufacturer, trust us.
Keeping your budget epilator for life
The secret to making any epilator last is keeping it very clean. Here's our tutorial on how to clean your epilator.
Some users on our YouTube channel have reported using their Braun epilators for 5 to 9 years without any problems, all because they kept them clean.
