For a very tight budget, the Philips 2000 works best for small areas. For beginners or sensitive skin, the Philips 8000 hurt the least in this test. For a premium option, the Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex adds auto speed and a flex head, but it seems more fragile.
Top 5 epilators by budget from our test
This video ranks our top epilator picks at several budgets: about $40, $70, $100, and $150. The picks are based on testing, engineering, and comments from viewers over six years.
The review focuses on practical use: how quickly each epilator clears hair, how easy it is to handle, how much it hurts, and where each model makes the most sense.
Ranking menu
- $40: Philips 2000
- $70: Braun Silk Epil 7
- $100: Panasonic ES
- $100: Philips 8000
- $150 epilator: Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex
$40: Philips 2000
The Philips 2000 is the budget pick under $40.
What happened in the test
- On short hair, it hurt less than on longer hair.
- The head is narrow, so the same area needed several passes.
- Because it is corded, it was harder to handle in tricky spots like the back of the legs.
- After longer use, the head started to get hot.
Who is it for
- People on a very tight budget.
- Small areas, especially armpits.
- Short sessions.
Limits
- Not the right tool for legs or full body use.
- The head is too narrow for large areas.
- The cord gets in the way.
- It takes too many passes.
$70: Braun Silk Epil 7
The Braun Silk Epil 7 is the $70 pick and the best deal for the money in this video.
It cleared the same patch of hair in one pass during the test.
What you get
- Two speeds.
- A wider head.
- Cordless use.
- Shower use.
- A lower price than most of the competition.
Who is it for
- People who want the no-brainer pick.
- People who want fast hair removal without paying for the premium models.
- People who care about easier cleaning and repair.
Limits
- It is a little bulky.
- It does not have many comfort features.
- Speed two may be too much for sensitive skin.
The video also says that if you want something that lasts longer than the Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex, the Silk Epil 7 is the better choice. It has fewer comfort features, but it is almost as effective, spare parts are easier to find, and repairs are more straightforward.
$100: Panasonic ES
The Panasonic ES epilator is one of the two picks under $100. It is the speed-focused option.
What stood out
- It has more than 50 tweezers.
- It has a rotating head.
- It removes hair fast, especially on flat areas like the legs.
- The large rotating head moves well over curves.
Who is it for
- People who want speed on the legs.
- People who mostly epilate larger, flatter areas.
Limits
- It is not the most versatile epilator.
- It is harder to control on smaller, more detailed areas.
- It is not as good in areas that need precision or a softer touch.
- The trimmer and precision attachments did not convince the reviewer.
- The accessories pouch and charger did not feel very premium.
Bottom line from the video: excellent for speed on the legs, but not the first pick if you want one epilator that can do everything.
$100: Philips 8000
The Philips 8000 is the gentler under-$100 option.
What stood out
- It uses ceramic tweezers.
- It feels less aggressive on the skin.
- It hurt the least in the test.
- It is easy to hold and easy to handle.
- The handle feels good in the hand.
- The metallic design looks clean.
- It comes with plenty of attachments.
Who is it for
- Beginners.
- People with sensitive skin.
- People who want a gentler experience.
Limits
- It is not the most powerful epilator.
- Because it is gentle, it can miss some hairs.
- It is not the most effective option in the video.
Bottom line from the video: it is the least painful and has the best design, but it is not the most effective.
$150 epilator: Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex
The Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex is the premium pick in the video.
What stood out
- It has auto speed.
- Auto speed adds a third speed that adjusts based on how much pressure you use.
- Auto speed helped a lot with pain in this test.
- The flex head handled awkward areas well, even with very long hair.
- It includes the premium features mentioned in the video: auto speed and the flex head.
Who is it for
- People with a wide budget.
- People who want the best premium feature set in this comparison.
- People who want more comfort features than the Silk Epil 7.
Limits
- It costs more.
- It seems more fragile than the others.
- It is hard to repair or clean inside.
- The video says you may need to replace it after two or three years.
The video also mentions the Braun Silk Epil 9 as a premium option with a classic pivoting head, but says the Silk Epil 9 Flex is the best of the best.
Quick recap of the test ranking
No-brainer pick: Braun Silk Epil 7
It is not the gentlest on the skin, but it works. The wide head removes hair fast, it is easy to clean and repair, and the ergonomics are solid.
Budget pick: Philips 2000
On short hair, it did not hurt too much. The cord and overall design make it harder to use for longer sessions.
Speed pick: Panasonic ES epilator
It works well on the upper legs, especially thanks to its pivoting head. On smaller, more detailed areas, it is harder to control.
Beginner pick: Philips 8000
It is easy to hold, easy to handle, and very gentle on the skin. It is not the most effective, but it hurt the least.
Premium pick: Braun Silk Epil 9 Flex
It has auto speed and a flex head. It costs more and seems more fragile than the others.