Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (2024)

Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (1)

If you prefer to be hair-free (hey, it's a personal choice), an epilator is a surefire way to achieve that silky smooth finish, meaning body hair won't get in the way and snag on your autumn layers layers during runs. So, we've put them to the test in our lab, to help you decide which model to invest in.

With our selection of the best epilators starting from as little as £60, there’s never been a better reason to upgrade from your manual shaver.

Best epilators for runners

    Is epilating better than waxing?

    One isn't necessarily better than the other, so it’s completely down to personal preference. They both provide effective hair removal by lifting hairs from the root; they just use slightly different methods.

    Epilators feature a row of tiny tweezers that pluck the hairs, whereas waxing involves pulling hairs out rapidly by hand. There’s less risk of allergic reaction, infection and scarring with epilating, so if you suffer from sensitive skin, this could be a better option.

    Neither method is totally pain-free, though. Epilators do tend to reach more of the teeny-tiny hairs, which some may argue makes it more painful, whereas waxing tackles only what’s on the top layer of the skin.

    Do epilators stop hair regrowth?

    While epilators do provide long-term results, they won’t magically make your hair disappear forever. An epilator can keep you hair-free for up to four weeks, so if you prefer the smooth look, you can chuck on your running shorts without a second thought.

    When hair does grow back, it will be lighter and finer, so it won’t be as noticeable if you skip a week of epilating.

    How we test

    Our panel of testers tried a range of epilators, assessing how easy each one was to use, how effectively they removed hair, and how much regrowth they spotted over a period of four to eight weeks of use.

    1

    Best epilator

    Braun Silk-épil 9 9-561 Wet & Dry Epilator

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (10)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (11)

    1

    Best epilator

    Braun Silk-épil 9 9-561 Wet & Dry Epilator

    Now 56% Off

    If your arms are aching from your workout, the last thing you’ll want to do is spend an hour holding a heavy gadget. But we found this epilator incredibly lightweight, especially considering how effective it was at picking up the tiniest hairs.

    It features an in-built light that allows you to see any spots you’ve missed and it worked well on both wet and dry skin. Testers did experience some discomfort when going over the underarms and the bikini area, but this is hard to avoid.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included6 head attachments (shaver head, trimmer cap, efficiency cap, precision cap, massage pad, exfoliating brush) and charging stand.

    2

    Best multi-use epilator

    Remington Smooth & Silky EP7 7-in-1 Epilator

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (12)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (13)

    2

    Best multi-use epilator

    Remington Smooth & Silky EP7 7-in-1 Epilator

    Coming with an impressive choice of heads that allow you to do everything from trim your bikini line to exfoliate your feet, this is a great multi-purpose product.

    It did a good job at removing hair and we found it reduced regrowth in just four weeks. It wasn’t too fiddly to use either, and allowed us to get into those hard-to-reach areas that require a bit more dexterity.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included7 head attachments (Ultimate Contour Cap, Massage Cap with Aloe Vera, Detail Cap, Shaver Head, Bikini Comb, Exfoliating Brush & Pedicure Head).

    3

    Best epilator for you gym bag

    Braun Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex 9100 BS 40 Tweezers Gold, White

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (14)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (15)

    3

    Best epilator for you gym bag

    Braun Braun Silk-épil 9 Flex 9100 BS 40 Tweezers Gold, White

    Now 50% Off

    If you’ve got a busy day ahead, this multi-functional gadget will take you from park run to brunch, thanks to its array of attachments. It excels at its primary function, with our whole panel saying it stopped and slowed hair growth during the eight-week trial period. On top of that, the facial cleansing brush head came in handy for a deep cleanse, post-sweat session.

    Testers loved how convenient it was to use — from its agility and versatility to the neat zip-away carry case — and told us its compact design was ‘perfect for travel, or on-the-go.’

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included8 head attachments plus caps (FaceSpa, Shaver Head, Exfoliator, 4 Facial Brushes and 3 Caps)

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    4

    Best for use on wet skin

    Panasonic ES-EL9A-S511 Epilator

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (16)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (17)

    4

    Best for use on wet skin

    Panasonic ES-EL9A-S511 Epilator

    Now 23% Off

    This epilator comes with a handy exfoliator head that will help prevent any painful ingrown hairs. It performed better on wet skin and testers noticed a reduction in hair regrowth after eight weeks of use. The hair that did grow back was also finer and more sparse.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included8 head attachments (epilator head, gentle cap, sensitive area cap, shaver head, pop up trimmer, bikini comb, sonic scrub brush, foot care head), pouch and cleaning brush.

    5

    Best corded epilator

    Braun Silk-Epil 5 Power Epilator

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (18)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (19)

    5

    Best corded epilator

    Braun Silk-Epil 5 Power Epilator

    Now 50% Off

    If you don’t want to spend a lot while you’re experimenting with different hair removal methods, this model is currently reduced to under £60.

    Testers said it was more effective than their usual hair removal method and found the pain was tolerable (apart from the underarm area, which tends to be more sensitive). Just be mindful that, due to the price point, it isn’t cordless, which does restrict movement.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryNo, only dry
    TypeCorded
    Included6 head attachments (shaver head, trimmer cap, sensitive area cap, facial cap, massage cap and skin contact cap) and cooling glove.

    6

    Best epilator for beginners

    Braun Silk-épil 9 9/980 SkinSpa SensoSmart Epilator

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (20)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (21)

    6

    Best epilator for beginners

    Braun Silk-épil 9 9/980 SkinSpa SensoSmart Epilator

    Now 50% Off

    If you want the most high-tech device, this is the one for you. It features a smart sensor that will flash red if you’re applying too much pressure, making it great for beginners.

    It removed hair immediately, and panellists spotted less regrowth over the testing period. It comes with a range of different attachments too, but we particularly liked the exfoliating brush for helping to prevent ingrown hairs.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included7 head attachments (razor, trimmer, massager, optimal skin contact attachment, facial epilator attachment, peeling brush, gentle peeling brush), bikini trimmer with 2 attachments, 1 x AAA battery and a storage bag.

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    7

    Best for long-lasting results

    Philips Wet and Dry Epilator BRE740

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (22)

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (23)

    7

    Best for long-lasting results

    Philips Wet and Dry Epilator BRE740

    Now 32% Off

    If time isn’t on your side, this epilator claims to leave legs smooth in just 10 minutes. Testers found there was less hair regrowth after eight weeks, and it even disappeared completely in some areas on the leg, bikini line and underarms. Overall, this epilator provides an easy epilating experience.

    Key specifications

    Able to use both wet and dryYes
    TypeCordless
    Included8 head attachments (shaving head, trimming comb, bikini trimmer head, bikini trimmer comb, body exfoliation brush, pedicure foot file, delicate area cap, optimal contact cap,), pouch and cleaning brush.

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (24)

    Tested byNora Merik

    Beauty and Grooming Tester

    Nora is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has a master's degree in cosmetic science. She is using her expert knowledge of product development, formulation, product evaluation and market research to test a wide range of hair and beauty products in the beauty labs for Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, ELLE, Men’s Health. In the lab she uses a variety of methods such as the Diastron, The Multi Skin Test Centre, The VISIA Complexion Analyser to test anything from hydration, skin barrier function, pore size and more.

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners (2024)

    FAQs

    Get race ready with the best epilators for runners? ›

    Slow equals sexy.

    Take about 15 seconds from ankle to knee. Going too fast risks breaking the hair which may lead to ingrown hairs.

    Is it better to epilate fast or slow? ›

    Slow equals sexy.

    Take about 15 seconds from ankle to knee. Going too fast risks breaking the hair which may lead to ingrown hairs.

    Is it better to epilate wet or dry? ›

    We recommend that you use most products on dry skin, as wet hair tends to stick more to the skin. Also, if you are aiming to do an on-the-go session, try using the product on dry skin instead. Be certain that your skin is clean and completely dry before using the appliance.

    Which brand epilator is the best? ›

    The Braun Silk-Epil is arguably the most famous epilator on the market and the first in the world with a fully flexible head, which makes for a smooth ride even over those tricky kneecaps and performed best compared to all the others when it came to my bikini line.

    What not to do after epilating? ›

    Epilation Aftercare: Mistakes to Avoid.
    1. Not Treating Your Skin Immediately with Nourishing and Moisturizing Epilation Aftercare.
    2. Sun Exposure.
    3. Not to Exfoliate Before or After Epilating.
    4. Touching Your Skin Too Much.
    Feb 29, 2024

    Should I moisturize before epilating? ›

    If you are epilating dry, your skin should be oil-free and entirely dry to prevent the epilator from just glossing over hairs instead of plucking them. You can use talcum powder to remove oils from the skin.

    Should you epilate first or shower? ›

    Having a warm bath or shower before you epilate will soften the hairs on your body, whilst gently opening your skin's pores. One of the best things about the Satinelle Advanced Wet & Dry epilator is that you can use it in the bath or shower, an instant way to make epilating hurt less.

    How do you prep your skin for epilation? ›

    The secret to effective epilation is exfoliating the skin two days before, which facilitates hair extraction. Choose between an exfoliating glove, an exfoliating cream or even an exfoliating brush… Prepare your skin for epilation by reducing ingrown hairs and removing dead cells.

    What to put on legs after epilating? ›

    Epilation aftercare: keeping your skin soft and smooth

    Treat your newly smooth skin to the care it deserves after epilating. Gentle exfoliation will clear the surface of the skin again to prevent any ingrown hairs. Then, apply your favourite moisturiser to get your skin super-soft and glowing.

    What are the disadvantages of an epilator? ›

    Side effects of Epilators
    • Pain. Epilation involves pulling out hair from the root, so it can hurt quite a lot, especially when done for the first time. ...
    • Redness. A big side effect of epilation is redness and inflammation, because the hair has been pulled out with some force. ...
    • Bumps. ...
    • Whiteheads. ...
    • Swelling.

    Do you epilate up or down? ›

    Always epilate in the opposite direction that the hair grows. For legs, work in an upward motion, and for underarms, go down. If not, the hair will be cut off at skin level instead of being removed from the root.

    Can you epilate pubic hair? ›

    You can also use an epilator to remove coarser hair such as heavy facial hair and bikini or pubic hair. These epilators have more tweezer heads and stronger motors to help manage thicker hair. If you use an epilator for pubic hair, test out a small area first to be sure it doesn't irritate your skin or cause a rash.

    Do dermatologists recommend epilators? ›

    "Epilators can be a good option for someone who is not a candidate for laser hair removal or gets irritation with depilatory creams and shaving," explains Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at New York's MDCS Dermatology.

    Are expensive epilators better? ›

    With any technology products, the more expensive it is the more features and advanced technology it has. Some of the more expensive ones have wider heads and better tweezers for a smoother finish. They also come with extra add-ons like a skin buffer or face epilator too.

    How can I make epilating more effective? ›

    having a warm bath or shower. Preparation is the key to success; this includes preparing your skin before epilating. Having a warm bath or shower before you epilate will soften the hairs on your body, whilst gently opening your skin's pores.

    Why is epilator not removing hair? ›

    Clean the epilator

    Before using your epilator always inspect its head to make sure it looks clean. If you see some hair or debris stuck in the epilating discs of the epilator remove them and wash the head before use. Also make sure your skin is clean and dry before epilating.

    How do you properly use an epilator? ›

    Position your epilator onto the surface of the skin at a 75˚ angle, and slowly move it against the direction of hair growth to remove the hairs. Epilation is much more comfortable when the skin is taut, so stretch the skin you're working on to tighten it.

    How many times do you have to epilate before hair stops growing? ›

    To prevent your hair from growing, you may have to perform between two and four cycles of epilation in conjunction with applying the FRÉNÉSIES cream. In extreme and very rare cases, the treatment may take up to 6 cycles to achieve the permanent results.

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