At first glance, the Silk-épil 9 and the Silk-épil 9 Flex seem nearly identical. Both feature the same number of tweezers, sleek design, and a wide range of accessories. But after digging deeper, I found 4 important differences that aren’t obvious in manuals or product pages.
Speed Settings and Smart Features
The Silk-épil 9 includes three modes: Gentle, Power, and Automatic (Smart Touch). The manual explains:
Smart Touch allows controlling the speed depending on the pressure applied:
Light pressure: Gentle mode for sensitive areas
Normal pressure: Power mode for best efficiency
This makes it one of the most innovative speed control systems in the epilator market.
By contrast, the Silk-épil 9 Flex offers only two speed settings, combined with a pressure sensor. As Braun puts it:
A red warning light signals that you apply too much pressure.
Travel Lock (“Airplane Mode”)
Both models include a travel lock feature. The Silk-épil 9 manual states:
To activate the travel lock, press the power button 3 seconds until a beep confirms successful activation. To unlock the device, press the power button again 3 seconds… Unlocking can also be done via charging.
This ensures the epilator won’t accidentally switch on in your suitcase — preventing battery drain and avoiding awkward surprises at airport security.
Hygiene and Cleaning
Hygiene is often overlooked. In the Silk-épil 9 Flex, the internal gears are harder to access. Over time, these parts tend to trap hair. See our video dedicated to the Silk Epil 9 Flex for more details. As you can see in the video, the classic Silk-épil 9, however, makes cleaning more straightforward:
After use, turn off the appliance and clean the epilation head… If a thorough cleaning is needed, you may hold the appliance with the epilation head under hot running water.
Easier cleaning helps prevent clogged gears, irritation, and pimples.
Comfort and Handling
- The Silk-épil 9 is optimized for fast coverage. Its fixed head makes it easy to glide quickly over legs while maintaining the correct angle.
- The 9 Flex advertises a pivoting head, which helps in tricky spots like underarms and knees.
The manuals reflect this difference in emphasis, with the 9 Flex highlighting “optimized flexibility” for contour areas, while the Silk-épil 9 emphasizes efficiency with large surfaces.
Verdict
If we had to choose between the two, our pick would be the Silk-épil 9. Its automatic Smart Touch mode, easier cleaning, and faster performance make it the more practical option — especially if you can get it bundled with the shaving head accessory.