Top 6 Best Epilators for Armpits Reviewed

Top 6 Best Epilator for Underarms Reviewed –January, 2024

Everyone is scared by something. For some it’s the dark, for others it’s spiders or snakes. For many women, though, there’s nothing scarier than the thought of ripping their underarm hair out by the roots.

Those who’ve tried waxing know it can be painful, but at least each patch of hair comes off in a fraction of a second and then there’s time to take a deep breath and regroup. Epilating? The idea of a machine that is continually using a group of tweezers to pull out hairs can be downright terrifying.

That is – until you’ve actually given it a try. Yes, you’re ripping hairs out from their roots so it will hurt, but not as much as you probably imagine. Each successive time you epilate it will be less and less painful.

You can lessen the impact by softening and exfoliating the skin first, waxing a week ahead of time so the hairs aren’t as strong, or using any of the safe numbing gels on the market. And the delight of seeing how smooth your underarms turn out will help you quickly forget any of the transitory pain of epilating.

So What Makes Epilating a Better Choice Compared to Other Hair Removal Options?

For convenience’s sake, most women resort to shaving as it is cheap and easy. But shaving can result in nicks and cuts if not done properly, especially in sensitive areas. Some men and women have been using hair removal creams to get rid of underarm hair. However, they have been experiencing little success, and also some cases have been reported where the skin turns dark as a result of burns, caused by the cream being left on the skin for too long. Another option is waxing which can cause a lot of pain and is expensive in the long run.

When you set foot in any store selling Epilators, you will be presented with tens and hundreds of models (well quite a few anyway). Most epilators these days are elegantly designed with specific features and functionalities so if you are not sure what you are looking for you might end up with one that does not serve you effectively. This is where prior research on the features you are looking for would be absolutely handy!  We’ve done all the research, and here are the top 5 best epilators for underarms we’ve found.

Note – Groom+Style has only focused on the high-quality epilators, not those el-cheapo models you pick up at the local dollar store.

1. Braun Silk-épil 9 9-579 Wet and Dry Cordless Epilator

Braun’s Silk-épil line has been a standout in this category for years, with products like the Silk-épil 5 Power and the Silk-épil 7 Wet and Dry. The newer Silk-épil 9 is better than ever, with an epilation head that’s 40% wider than those on the extremely popular models that preceded it.

That means the unit removes much more hair on each pass, and you’re finished more quickly and with less pain or discomfort.

One of the features that remains from earlier Braun epilators, though, is their microgrip tweezer technology; the tweezers are wider and longer than competitive models, and they go deeper to remove those really short, stubborn hairs (as short as ½ mm) which waxing or other epilators can’t grip. The 40 tweezers can be operated at two different speeds: low for a gentle epilation, and high for faster, more efficient hair removal. This unit is designed to provide pulsating vibrations as it works, which adds a level of comfort and relaxation as the hairs are removed from the skin. The head also is able to pivot along with the shape of your armpits (or wherever else you use the Silk-épil), so irritation is kept to a minimum.

There are several different Silk-épil 9 epilators, but the primary difference is the attachments that come with the units. We’re recommending the 9-579 because it comes with everything you need to take a simple epilator and turn it into an indispensable tool. There are four caps you can add to the top of the machine: a trimmer cap for sensitive areas like the armpits (a primary factor in our decision to recommend this model), a high-frequency massage cap which makes the process even more gentle, a facial cap (you can probably guess when this one comes in handy) and the regular skin contact cap. It also comes with a facial cleaning brush which has micro-bristles to remove pore-deep skin impurities and exfoliate, and a shaver head you can attach to use the Silk-épil as a dry shaver.

When you’re using this Braun unit for epilation, though, it doesn’t have to stay on dry land. It’s cordless and completely waterproof for true wet/dry usage. The best place to epilate is in the bath or shower, and you can take the Silk-épil 9 into either one. You clean the epilator just by running it under the faucet. We also like the “smart light” on the unit, which fully illuminates the area you’re working on.

Many epilators are either too rough or too powerful to use on the really sensitive areas of the body, like the underarms. But Braun has taken pains with the Silk-épil to include features and attachments which will make epilation in those areas as pain-free as possible. Whether you decide to purchase this model or any other epilator on our list, it’s a good idea to start slowly and use a numbing cream for your first session. Epilation pain will diminish and disappear over time, but this model minimizes it right from the start.

An older version of the model above that is still available and very reliable is discussed below.

Braun Silk Epil 7 Expressive 7681

The Expressive 7681 has been elegantly designed with stunning features, and its quality is hard to match.

On the technical front, it doesn’t disappoint at all and is considered one of the most powerful machines; 40 tweezers with a close grip to provide the required power. In other words, the Expressive 7681 removes all hair as short as 0.5mm in length.

The 7681 has been designed with three caps: sensitive area cap (for underarm), efficiency cap, and a facial cap. This provides you enough flexibility and allows it to be used to remove facial hair, and of course to remove underarms hair, which is its key strength.

Finally, the Braun Silk Epil 7681 comes with additional accessories such as a trimmer head, massage head, and a shaver. All of these accessories are meant to create a nice sensation, and distract you from the pain of epilating.

2. Emjoi AP-18/AP-18R Emagine Epilator

When you are looking for a workhorse that will epilate quickly and efficiently, the Emagine is the epilator for you. It features a full 72 tweezer heads to speed the work of removing hairs, with proprietary systems which explain why this baby does such a nice job. First, there’s the unusual design of the tweezers, matching every two that open and close with an associated “tweezer disc” to make sure no hairs escape their fate.

Then there’s the Emjoi’s “glide technology” which lifts hairs up high enough that they can be grabbed while the epilator glides easily over the skin, the “lifting fingers” devoted to capturing all of the short and flat hairs most razors and epilators miss (eventually leading to ingrown hairs), and two opposing “staggered heads” which hold the skin tight for easy work and increase the surface area that can be epilated with one pass. There’s also “silver ion” technology to protect from infections that sometimes develop along with ingrown hairs or cuts.

The bottom line is that this is an epilator unlike any other we’ve seen; able to blast through underarm forests or the mix of curly and straight hairs normally found elsewhere on the body without requiring numerous passes, and effective enough to let you go four-to-six weeks before hair starts to grow back. Like the Silk-épil, the Emagine has two operating speeds; it’s also built ergonomically so the epilator fits perfectly in your hand and hugs the curves of your body.

There are two versions of this Emjoi, so be careful which one you purchase; the AP-18R (the violet one) is rechargeable and can operate cordlessly, while the AP-18 (the red one) must be plugged in while you use it.

That aside, the other “drawbacks” are that the unit is not waterproof and must be cleaned by opening the head and using the included brush and that there are no “sensitive area” caps which can be added to the epilator for a gentler feel. You can add a razor head for an extra price.

The corded AP-18 sells for less than the rechargeable AP-18R.

3. Philips HP6576 Satin Perfect Deluxe Epilator

This girly-looking Philips epilator is the company’s top of the line model and the price tag proves it, while their most economical epilator, the 6401 Satinelle, costs a lot less. We definitely believe the extra cost is worth the splurge because unlike the cheaper model, the Satin Perfect comes with three caps, a trimming comb, an active massaging system, and a light.

There are 32 ceramic disc tweezers on this unit, so the numbers aren’t as impressive as the top two models in our rankings of the top 5 best epilators for underarms; so the performance of the Philips isn’t quite as good as that of the Braun or Emjoi. This unit does come pretty close, though – you won’t be dissatisfied once you’ve finished epilating.

The head pivots to follow your body’s lines, an active hair lifter accessory can be used to get under stubborn hairs and lift them up so they can be removed, and there’s a gentle massage system (like the one on the Braun) you can add onto the epilator that smoothes and stimulates the skin while minimizing the pain you feel at first. As with our first two reviewed models, the HP6576 has a slower, gentler speed and a faster, more powerful one.

The included shaving head and trimmer comb gives you the flexibility to use the Satin Perfect as a razor or to trim down your underarm hairs before epilating. You can wash the removable head under running water, but this is not a wet/dry model. They even throw in a pair of lighted tweezers.

Another variant from Philips is :

Philips Satinelle HP6401

If you cannot afford to buy the expensive HP6576, then the Philips Satinelle HP6401 is the most affordable choice as the next best Epilator for your underarms. The HP6401 has been designed not only to remove hair from the armpits but also has the capacity to remove hairs from all over the body, with the exception of the face. Indeed, if you want to remove hair from the roots while avoiding any breakage at the surface of the skin, then, the Satinelle fits the bill perfectly.

The HP6401 comes with an efficiency cap with no other special caps. This implies that the device is a low-priced underarm hair remover, yet offering stunning services.

Technically it comes with powerfully designed 21 tweezers. Though they are of designer quality, our tests have proved that it is not the fastest of epilators. Practically, this makes little difference as it can free your underarm from hair in a matter of a few minutes. To offer freedom of movement, this flagship product from Philips comes with long cords. For better hygiene and easy washing, the head is not only removable but also washable.

4. Panasonic ES-ED90-P Wet/Dry Shaver & Epilator (or ES-ED94 model)

Here’s one of those products which can be used for many different parts of the body, but is well-suited for underarms. The highlight of the Panasonic ES-ED90-P (or the ES-ED94 model which is very similar but sometimes not available) is that it comes with two different 48-tweezer epilator features.

One is the wide, dual-disc pivoting epilation head for use on most areas of the body; the second is a smaller “gentle epilator” cap allowing you to lower the pain level while removing the hair in sensitive areas, including under the arms and “down there” – a very good choice for those just starting out with epilation.

Also included are a shaver head, a bikini comb for trimming bikini lines, and even a pedicure buffer. This unit is a wet/dry model, has a light that focuses on the area being shaved or epilated, and has the same two speeds as our other choices.

5. Epilady Legend 4^th Generation Rechargeable Epilator

Epilady has been continuously improving their products, and the 4^th generation is definitely better than its predecessors. This is a 40-tweezer epilator which uses stainless steel discs as the tweezers. It has the standard two speeds, with the slower one better for sensitive areas like the underarms.

The Legend comes with a “perfect angle guide” cap which helps you find the right angle for the area you’re working on, and it’s not just something they throw in to increase the Legend’s perceived value – it’s almost a necessity. Finding the right angle with this epilator can be a bit tricky because of the unit’s curved, bulky head and tweezers which aren’t located directly at the top of the machine, so the guide lets you discover exactly the proper angle.

The Legend’s performance wasn’t quite up to the level of our top-ranked epilators; it’s often necessary to go over the same areas several times and in different directions in order to grab all of the hair. There’s also no light, there are no extra caps for specialized usages, and the unit has to be cleaned by hand.

6. E-CONORO Epilator For Women

The E-CONORO epilator for women is a versatile and efficient hair removal solution that offers multiple features to make your hair removal experience as smooth and painless as possible.

One of the key features is the 2-speed setting hair shave that allows you to adjust the speed according to your hair and skin type, thus providing a customized hair removal experience.

Additionally, it comes as a 2-in-1 epilator hair removal set that includes an epilator and a shaver head, which means you can use it for both epilation and shaving, giving you more options in achieving smooth skin.

Another feature is the Smart Light and Floating Head Design; the smart light ensures you don’t miss any hair, and the floating head design adapts to the contours of your body for a more comfortable and efficient hair removal experience.

E-CONORO epilator is a great choice for anyone looking for a convenient and effective hair removal solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The list of available epilators for underarms is just endless. However, after careful analysis and significant tests carried out by the Groom+Style Review team for art of shaving comparing the different functions and features, the above have been chosen as the top five best devices for underarm hair removal. Therefore, equipped with this review, you are hopefully more likely to get the right device that will serve your underarms faithfully.

If you are still deciding which hair removal method is right for you then you might want to consider a home laser hair removal device, and by lucky coincidence Groom+Style has are an article on the Top 5 Best hair removal laser devices.