Men’s body hair can be thick, dense and harder to remove than fine hair that is why choosing an epilator for men is not the same as picking any random hair removal device. If you want to remove chest hair, back hair, leg hair or arm hair from the root, you need a model with enough power, good grip, comfort features and a design that works on larger body areas.
An epilator uses tiny rotating tweezers to pull hair from the root. Compared with shaving, it usually gives longer lasting smoothness because the hair is not just cut at the surface. Compared with waxing, it can be more convenient for at home maintenance because you are using a reusable device but there is one honest warning. Epilation can hurt, especially for men with coarse body hair. If your chest or legs have thick hair, the first session can feel intense. The best approach is to trim first, start slowly, choose the right body area and use a device that matches your pain tolerance.
This guide covers the best epilators for men’s body hair in 2026, including picks for chest, back, legs, coarse hair, sensitive skin, wet use plus budget buyers.
Quick Comparison: Best Epilators for Men’s Body Hair
| Category | Best Pick | Best For | CTA |
| Best Overall for Coarse Body Hair | Emjoi Emagine AP 18 | Thick chest, legs and arms hair | See Price on Amazon |
| Best Premium Pick | Braun Silk épil 9 Flex SkinSpa | Men who want better control and comfort | See Price on Amazon |
| Best Wet and Dry Pick | Philips Epilator Series 8000 | Shower use and beginner comfort | See Price on Amazon |
| Best for Legs and Curves | Panasonic ES EL9A | Legs, knees, ankles and body contours | See Price on Amazon |
| Best for Sensitive Skin | Braun Silk épil 7 Wet and Dry | Men who want gentler epilation | See Price on Amazon |
| Best Budget Pick | Philips Satinelle Essential BRE235 | First time users testing epilation | See Price on Amazon |
Can Men Use Epilators on Body Hair?
Yes, men can use epilators on body hair. The best areas are usually legs, arms, shoulders, chest and some back areas. The challenge is that men’s body hair is often thicker than women’s body hair, so epilation may feel more painful. Most epilators are marketed toward women, but many models can still work for men’s body grooming if the head size, power and attachments match the area. The important thing is to avoid using a full size body epilator on areas where it is not suitable, such as full beard growth or very delicate intimate areas.
If you need a broader overview before choosing a product, the best epilators for men 2026 guide is the main pillar article for male hair removal options.
Best Epilators for Men’s Body Hair Reviewed
1. Emjoi Emagine AP 18: Best Overall for Coarse Men’s Body Hair
The Emjoi Emagine AP 18 is the strongest pick for men with coarse or dense body hair. If your main problem is thick hair on the chest, legs or arms, this is the model that makes the most sense from a power point of view. Emjoi lists the AP 18 with 72 tweezers plus dual opposed heads. The brand says it removes hair from the root, with smooth skin lasting up to 6 weeks. That high tweezer count is the main reason this epilator is useful for thick body hair. It can remove more hair per pass than many smaller epilators.
For men, fewer passes matter. Repeating the same area again and again can increase redness, bumps and soreness. A powerful tweezer system can help when used slowly and correctly. This is not the gentlest beginner model. If you have sensitive skin or very low pain tolerance, start with a wet and dry epilator instead but if coarse hair is your biggest issue, the Emjoi Emagine AP 18 is a serious option.
Pros:
- 72 tweezers are useful for dense body hair
- Good option for thick chest, legs and arms hair
- Dual opposed heads help remove more hair per pass
- Strong pick for men who find basic epilators weak
- Corded design means no battery anxiety
- Better for coarse hair than many beauty focused models
Cons:
- Can feel intense for beginners
- Not a wet and dry epilator
- Official stock can vary by retailer
- Less comfortable for sensitive skin
- Not ideal for face or delicate intimate areas
Best for: Men with coarse body hair who want strong hair removal power.
Amazon CTA: See Price on Amazon
2. Braun Silk épil 9 Flex SkinSpa: Best Premium Epilator for Men
The Braun Silk épil 9 Flex SkinSpa is the best premium choice for men who want a more comfortable full body grooming experience. It is especially useful if you want better control around curves rather than only raw power.
Braun’s Silk épil 9 Flex range features a flexible head and is designed to catch hair as short as 0.5 mm. Braun also positions the range as wet and dry, which means it can be used in the bath or shower where supported by the model. For men, the flexible head is a major advantage. Chest, shoulders, knees, ankles and arms are not flat surfaces. A head that follows curves can help maintain contact with the skin, which reduces missed areas.
The SkinSpa style kit also helps because body grooming is not only about removing hair. Men with coarse hair should think about exfoliation, trimming, aftercare and regular maintenance. A premium kit makes this routine easier.
Pros:
- Flexible head works well around body curves
- Good for legs, arms, shoulders and chest
- Wet and dry design can improve comfort
- Catches very short hair
- Useful attachments support a full grooming routine
- Better control than many fixed head epilators
Cons:
- More expensive than basic epilators
- May not feel as powerful as Emjoi for very dense hair
- Attachments may feel unnecessary for simple users
- Still painful on thick male body hair
- Not suitable for full beard epilation
Best for: Men who want a premium body epilator with better comfort and control.
Amazon CTA: See Price on Amazon
3. Philips Epilator Series 8000: Best Wet and Dry Epilator for Men
The Philips Epilator Series 8000 is a strong choice for men who want a wet and dry epilator. It is especially useful if you are nervous about pain and want to try epilation in warm water. Philips describes the Series 8000 as a wet and dry epilator for legs, body and feet, with cordless use and accessories depending on the kit. The BRE740 version uses Double Action Technology with long ceramic tweezers to grip hair as short as 0.5 mm.
Philips also notes that some Series 8000 models use 32 ceramic tweezers made of hypoallergenic material that glide with less friction and more skin contact. This is useful for men who want a smoother experience rather than the strongest possible pull. For men’s body hair, this model is best for legs, arms and general body maintenance. It may need more passes on very dense chest hair compared with Emjoi but it is easier to recommend for beginners who want comfort.
Pros:
- Wet and dry use is beginner friendly
- Ceramic tweezers are designed for smoother contact
- Cordless design is easy to move around the body
- Good for legs and arms
- Better comfort choice than aggressive dry only models
- Useful for men who want shower epilation
Cons:
- May need more passes on thick chest hair
- Not as powerful as 72 tweezer models
- Larger head may feel awkward in small areas
- Accessory kit varies by version
- Not ideal for full back use without help
Best for: Men who want a shower friendly epilator with better comfort.
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4. Panasonic ES EL9A: Best Epilator for Men’s Legs and Body Curves
The Panasonic ES EL9A is a smart pick for men who mainly want to epilate legs, arms or areas with curves. It is especially useful around knees, ankles, calves and shoulders. Panasonic describes the ES EL9A as a wet and dry epilator with a 30 percent wider head, double discs and 60 tweezers for efficient hair removal. The model also includes several attachments for full body needs.
Another Panasonic listing notes the ES EL9A has a 90 degree pivoting head that moves along body contours. This helps around areas where a fixed head can lose contact. For men’s legs, this design is useful because leg hair can be dense and body shape changes around knees and ankles. A wider head plus pivoting movement can make the session more efficient.
Pros:
- Wide head helps cover larger areas faster
- 60 tweezers give strong body hair performance
- Pivoting head works well around curves
- Wet and dry use adds comfort
- Good for legs, knees, ankles and arms
- Multiple attachments add grooming flexibility
Cons:
- Not the best for small detail areas
- Bigger head may feel awkward on chest edges
- Can be more expensive than simple models
- Not ideal for full back hair without another person
- Sensitive users still need slow technique
Best for: Men who want a strong epilator for legs, arms and curved body areas.
Amazon CTA: See Price on Amazon
5. Braun Silk épil 7 Wet and Dry: Best for Men with Sensitive Skin
The Braun Silk épil 7 Wet and Dry is a better option for men who want gentler epilation instead of maximum power. If your skin gets red easily, this model is easier to recommend than a very aggressive epilator. Braun describes the Silk épil 7 range with wet and dry use, massage roller cap, 40 MicroGrip tweezers plus gentle and power modes. These features matter because sensitive skin needs control.
For men, gentle mode can help when starting on areas like arms or lower legs. The massage roller cap can also make the pulling sensation feel less sharp. Wet use can be useful if dry epilation feels too intense. This model is not the strongest for very dense chest hair. But for men who want to start carefully, it is a good balance of comfort and performance.
Pros:
- Better choice for sensitive skin
- Wet and dry use can improve comfort
- Massage cap helps reduce harsh feeling
- Gentle and power modes give more control
- Good for legs and arms
- Less intimidating than high power models
Cons:
- Not the strongest option for coarse chest hair
- Still painful during the first sessions
- Not as flexible as Silk épil 9 Flex
- May need extra passes on dense hair
- Not suitable for full beard epilation
Best for: Men with sensitive skin who want controlled body epilation.
Amazon CTA: See Price on Amazon
6. Philips Satinelle Essential BRE235: Best Budget Epilator for Men
The Philips Satinelle Essential BRE235 is the best budget style choice for men who want to test epilation before buying a premium model. It is simple, corded and compact. This model is best for legs or arms, not heavy chest or back grooming. If you want to try epilation for the first time, it can help you understand whether root level hair removal is something you can tolerate because it is a simpler device, it does not have the comfort features of wet and dry models. Men with thick hair should trim first and start on a small area. If you already know your hair is dense, this may feel underpowered compared with Emjoi or Panasonic.
This is also the type of option readers may compare when looking for best budget epilators under $40, although actual Amazon prices can change at any time.
Pros:
- Simple beginner friendly design
- Usually more affordable than premium kits
- Corded power means no charging required
- Compact and easy to store
- Good for testing epilation on legs or arms
- Easy option for occasional use
Cons:
- Not wet and dry
- Fewer comfort features
- Not ideal for dense chest hair
- May need more passes on coarse hair
- Not suitable for back or large body sessions as a main device
Best for: Men who want a low cost way to test epilation.
Amazon CTA: See Price on Amazon
Best Epilator by Body Area
Best Epilator for Men’s Chest Hair
For chest hair, choose a powerful epilator if your hair is dense. The Emjoi Emagine AP 18 is the strongest pick because of its high tweezer count. Braun Silk épil 9 Flex is better if you want more comfort and control. Trim chest hair first. Do not epilate long hair directly. Work in small sections, hold the skin taut and stop if the area becomes too irritated.
Best Epilator for Men’s Back Hair
Back hair is tricky because you may not be able to reach the area properly by yourself. An epilator can remove back hair, but most men will need help from another person to keep the skin taut and move the device slowly.
For back hair, a wide head model like Panasonic ES EL9A or Philips Series 8000 can help cover larger areas. But if your back hair is very dense, Emjoi may be stronger. Do not rush back epilation. Poor angle and repeated passes can cause irritation.
Best Epilator for Men’s Legs
Legs are the easiest body area for men to start with. Panasonic ES EL9A is excellent for legs because of its wider head and contour movement. Braun Silk épil 9 Flex is also strong because the flexible head helps around knees and ankles. If you are a beginner, start with lower legs before moving to thighs.
Best Epilator for Men’s Arms
Arms are usually manageable, especially if hair is not extremely thick. Philips Series 8000 is a good comfort pick. Braun Silk épil 7 is better if your skin is sensitive. Move slowly because arm hair can grow in different directions.
Best Epilator for Shoulders
Shoulders have curves, so a flexible or pivoting head helps. Braun Silk épil 9 Flex and Panasonic ES EL9A are the strongest choices here. Use a mirror or ask for help if you cannot see the area clearly.
How to Use an Epilator on Men’s Body Hair
Step 1: Trim First
This is the most important rule for men. Do not epilate long chest, back or leg hair. Long hair pulls harder and makes the session more painful. Use a body trimmer first, then epilate once the hair is short enough for the device to grip cleanly.
Step 2: Exfoliate Gently
Exfoliate the area gently before epilation. This helps remove dead skin buildup. Cleveland Clinic explains that ingrown hairs can happen after shaving, tweezing or waxing when hair grows back into the skin, with common areas including legs, armpits and pubic areas. Since epilation also removes hair from the root, gentle skin prep and aftercare are important for reducing bumps.
Step 3: Start With Legs or Arms
Do not start with chest or back if this is your first session. Legs and arms are easier because you can see the area, stretch the skin and control the device.
Step 4: Hold Skin Taut
Loose skin can make epilation hurt more. Stretch the skin with your free hand. If you are epilating back hair, another person may need to help.
Step 5: Move Slowly
Move the epilator slowly so the tweezers can catch hair properly. Rushing can cause missed hairs, which leads to repeated passes.
Step 6: Soothe Skin After
After epilation, use a gentle fragrance free moisturizer. Avoid heavy workouts, tight clothing, perfume body sprays or harsh exfoliants right after use.
Epilator vs Waxing for Men’s Body Hair
Epilator vs waxing is an important comparison for men because both remove hair from the root. Waxing can be faster for large areas like chest or back, especially when done by a professional. Epilation is more private and reusable at home.
Waxing may be better before a vacation or event because a professional can clear large areas quickly. Epilation may be better for regular maintenance because you can do smaller touchups whenever needed. For men who dislike salon appointments, an epilator is more convenient. For men who want the fastest full back result, waxing may still be easier.
Epilator vs Shaving for Men’s Body Hair
Shaving is fast and painless for most men, but stubble returns quickly. It can also cause itching when thick body hair grows back. Epilation hurts more because it removes hair from the root, but smoothness usually lasts longer. The tradeoff is clear. Choose shaving for speed. Choose epilation for longer lasting results. If you have very low pain tolerance, start with trimming or shaving. If you want longer lasting smooth skin, epilation is worth trying on legs first.
Mistakes Men Should Avoid
- Do not epilate long body hair without trimming
- Do not start with chest or back on your first session
- Do not press the epilator hard into the skin
- Do not rush across dense hair
- Do not go over the same area too many times
- Do not use a body epilator on full beard growth
- Do not epilate irritated, sunburned or broken skin
- Do not apply harsh fragrance products right after use
- Do not skip cleaning the epilator head
- Do not expect the first session to feel painless
Who Should Buy an Epilator for Body Hair?
An epilator is a good choice if you want longer lasting smoothness than shaving and do not want repeated waxing appointments. It works best for men who are willing to learn the technique and tolerate some discomfort.
You should consider an epilator if:
- You want smoother legs or arms for longer
- You want to reduce frequent shaving
- You want a reusable grooming tool
- You are comfortable with some pain
- You can trim before epilation
- You want private at home body hair removal
- You want to maintain chest or shoulder hair regularly
You may want to avoid epilation if:
- Your pain tolerance is very low
- Your skin gets severe irritation easily
- You want completely painless hair removal
- You want to remove full beard hair
- You cannot reach your back safely
- You have active skin infections, rashes or open cuts
Amazon CTA: Choose the Right Body Hair Epilator
If your body hair is thick, choose power. If your skin is sensitive, choose comfort. If you are new to epilation, choose wet and dry use or start with a low cost beginner model.
See Men’s Body Hair Epilators on Amazon
Final Verdict: Best Epilator for Men’s Body Hair
The best epilator for men’s body hair is the Emjoi Emagine AP 18 if your main problem is thick, coarse hair. Its 72 tweezer design makes it a strong pick for chest, legs and arms. The best premium choice is the Braun Silk épil 9 Flex SkinSpa because its flexible head gives better control around curves. The best wet and dry option is the Philips Epilator Series 8000 because it is easier for beginners who want shower use. For legs and curved areas, the Panasonic ES EL9A is excellent because of its wider head and pivoting design.
For most men, the smart routine is simple. Trim first, start with legs, move slowly and use aftercare. Epilation is not painless, but the right device can make men’s body hair removal easier to manage at home.
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FAQs
Can men use epilators for body hair?
Yes, men can use epilators on suitable body areas such as legs, arms, chest, shoulders and some back areas.
Is epilation good for chest hair?
Epilation can work on chest hair, but it can hurt if the hair is thick. Trim first and start with a small area.
Can I use an epilator on back hair?
Yes, but back hair is hard to reach alone. You may need another person to help keep the skin taut and move the epilator properly.
Which body area should men epilate first?
Men should usually start with lower legs or arms because these areas are easier to see, stretch and control.
Does epilating men’s body hair hurt?
Yes, it can hurt, especially if the hair is coarse. The first session is usually the hardest.
Should men trim before epilating?
Yes, trimming first is very important. Long body hair pulls harder and can make epilation more painful.
Can I use an epilator on my beard?
A regular body epilator is not recommended for full beard removal. Beard hair is usually thick and deeply rooted, so it can be extremely painful.
Is waxing better than epilating for back hair?
Waxing may be better for full back hair because a professional can remove large areas quickly. Epilation is better for private at home maintenance.
What is the best epilator for coarse men’s hair?
A high tweezer model like Emjoi Emagine AP 18 is a strong choice for coarse men’s body hair.
How do I prevent bumps after epilating?
Trim first, exfoliate gently, move slowly, avoid repeated passes, keep the device clean and moisturize after the skin calms.
