If you are looking for a budget epilator, the Philips Series 4000 is very reliable and long lasting as it has no battery inside.
If you want the best of the best, the Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex has all the latest innovations (automatic speed, flexible head) and premium features (ergonomic design, pouch, soft touch)
Our top picks
You just stumbled upon the only website that ONLY reviews electric epilators, and we've been doing this for 6 years. In this article, we are very confident in our expertise in telling you what's the best epilator, for YOUR way of using it.
Best Value: Braun Silk-épil 7
The Braun Silk-épil 7 is the no-brainer choice if your priority is to have the most functional device there is. It does not break, it's as fast as the premium options and is easy to repair.
We can't stress this enough: It's our favorite, the no-brainer option for 2026.
Who is it for
- Users who value efficiency over comfort
What we like
- Very easy to clean the inside gears to keep your epilator super clean. (A clean epilator means fewer pimples)
- You can change its battery if needed (tutorial on our website) which makes the epilator virtually usable for life.
- Has the same amount of tweezers as the Silk-épil 9 and 9 Flex, making it just as fast for a far better price.
Limitations
- The body of the epilator is thick, less ergonomic than the thin models (Philips 8000, Silk Epil 9)
Best for Beginners: Philips 8000
The Philips 8000 is great for a first epilator. It has a ton of accessories for you to get used to epilating and learn what you need and prefer. It even comes with a special accessory guide to help you hold the device properly.
Who is it for
- Beginners
- Users with very (very) sensitive skin
What we like
- More gentle than other options overall
- Ceramic tweezers that don't get hot like the metal ones when used for extended sessions
- Very hygienic as it's pretty simple to clean the inside of the head.
- It's half the price of other premium epilators in most countries.
Limits
- It's a gentle epilator, but less effective than the others listed. You might need to go several times on the same area.
- Spare parts (spare head, battery) are not easy to find online.
June 2026 Update
Philips has updated the design of the Philips 8000 / 9000 series. It's an even better epilator with all the same benefits, plus a cleaner design that feels even more premium.
A lot of people are getting confused: the difference between the Philips 8000 and the Philips 9000 is the accessories it comes with. The epilator is the same.
The Philips 8000 is the core wet and dry epilator, while the Philips 9000 comes with more attachments, depending on the exact model number you choose.
Best budget epilator : Philips Series 4000
The Philips Series 4000 is a corded epilator with two speeds.
What we like
- You'll get constant speed. Battery-powered epilators can slow down if the battery is low
- You can use it virtually for life if you clean it well (as there is no battery to replace inside)
Who is it for
- Users on a budget
- Users who only epilate certain areas (like armpits)
Limits
- You cannot use it under the shower.
- When used for a long time the head can get hot and tickle your skin
- It's harder to hold in the hand than models like the Silk Epil 9 flex, that are very ergonomic
For more affordable options, check out our complete guide: Best Budget Epilators 2026.
Best Premium: Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex
If you have a big budget, the Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex has premium features like auto speed, which adapts to how strongly you apply the epilator.
What we like
- The flex head makes it very fast to epilate the whole leg and super easy to reach complex areas
- Premium leather pouch to travel
- Automatic speed feature
Who is it for
- Users who are not price-sensitive (you are okay with changing your device every two years or so)
- Users that travel a lot
- Epilation veterans who want the maximum amount of comfort an epilator has to offer
Limits
- It's a fragile epilator, a lot of people have reported on the comment section of our YouTube channel that their head or battery broke within a year of usage.
- It's hard to clean the inside gears of the head, making it less hygienic over time.
How to Choose an Epilator?
When choosing an epilator, the most important question is: do you want to go corded or not? (plugged in at all times during sessions, or battery powered?)
Are cordless epilators the best?
Short answer: yes
Go corded if:
- You are on a budget or plan to use your epilator only on precise small areas
Go cordless if:
- You like the idea of epilating in the shower to reduce pain or make it less boring.
- You are looking for speed when epilating
- You value an ergonomic handle
See our detailed comparison: Best Cordless Epilators 2026.
What's the best epilator for full body hair removal?
If you epilate the whole body you might be looking for an epilator that has a wide epilation head, like the Silk-épil 9 Flex or the Silk-épil 7. A wide head will provide speed as you'll reach a wide area of hair in one go.
For leg-specific recommendations, see: Best Epilators for Legs 2026.
Limit : According to how much work there is, you might need to charge twice. That's when an epilator with quick charge comes in handy — the Silk-épil 9 and 9 Flex have a 15-minute quick charge that provides 10 minutes of operation time, which should be enough for long-lasting sessions.
Is there a budget friendly option for whole body epilation
The corded options are also good for full body sessions, but you might be slower as you'll have to deal with the cable, and have fewer tweezers to replace the head.
The corded epilators like the Philips 4000 are a bit rougher on the experience side, but are still very functional if you have a small budget.
If possible, I'd recommend a battery-powered epilator. You'll have a far better experience (epilating under the shower, ergonomic handles etc...).
How long will my epilator last?
Corded epilators can last, virtually, for life. Cordless epilators will need a replacement or some battery change at some point.
That's where the Silk-épil 7 is a great option because you can change its battery and head easily. Making it an epilator you can use for a very long time. On our YouTube channel some people have reported using the Braun epilators for 5 to 9 years without any problem.
The secret is to keep it very clean, here is our tutorial on how to clean your epilator.
Specialized Epilator Guides
Looking for something specific? We've created detailed guides for different needs:
- Best Budget Epilators 2026 - Affordable options under $40 and $100
- Best Cordless Epilators 2026 - Battery-powered freedom and shower use
- Best Epilators for Legs - Speed and efficiency for large areas
- Best Epilators for Underarms - Precision and comfort for sensitive areas
Compare All Models
Check out our complete epilator comparison to see specs, ratings, and prices side by side.
