As someone who has spent years trying to find the best bikini trimmer, I know all too well what a considered purchase this is. When choosing a product to remove body hair, the last thing you want is a subpar product that causes irritation.
But it’s not like you can try before you buy, so how do you choose? The woman&home team has tested in excess of 20 bikini trimmers over the years, and have whittled them down to the six in this guide. The decision was based on a number of factors – including how close a shave you get and whether any irritation was caused (see more in our how to choose a bikini trimmer section).
When choosing one of the best bikini trimmers, it's worth remembering pubic hair is more coarse than hair found on the rest of the body, so a device has to be able to have the power and design to cleanly remove it. Discomfort and ingrown hairs are inevitable if not. Managing expectations is important here too – you're never going to get as close a shave as the best razors, but the convenience and comfort these handy the best of these devices can offer are well worth the spend.
“[They] are good for the bikini area because there is less risk of irritation,” confirms board-certified dermatologist Dr Debra Jaliman MD. “They're also less painful to use than both waxing and epilating and can help prevent razor burn.”
The best bikini trimmers, tried and tested
Why you can trust Woman & Home Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
RRP: £27.99 | Shower Safe | Battery operated
Reasons to buy: Great results, excellent price
Reasons to avoid: Takes several passes
I was pleasantly surprised by this Philips bikini trimmer. You get a lot for your money here, with two heads for precision and close shaving, which I found to be really effective. It's a bit more labour-intensive, using the small trimming head for the first pass, but going over the area again with the precision head is really worth it.
The device is shower-safe, however, being battery operated I chose not to use it for a wet shave. It is easy to hold and manoeuvre around the area, and the head is big enough to cover a good area but small enough to be precise. I was worried the battery wouldn't last long but I have used it multiple times and it shows no signs of slowing.
The device gives as close a shave as you're going to get from a bikini trimmer, and has never caused me any irritation. It comes with a small brush for cleaning and a handy storage pouch to keep everything safe and discreet.
RRP: £60 | Shower safe | Rechargeable
Reasons to buy: Comfortable, smooth shave
Reasons to avoid: Limited battery life
If you've got a little more budget to put towards one of the best bikini trimmers, the Philips Lady Shaver Series 6000 is an excellent option. Its rounded trimmer tips and skin stretcher cap provide a gentle shaving experience that doesn't result in any scratches or cuts. I found the shaver easy to use and comfortable to hold, making it easy to reach all areas of the body. The floating foil maintains close contact with the skin for a smooth shave, and it's versatile for both wet and dry use.
This tool also comes with a soft glide cap and exfoliation glove for added convenience. The only downside is its battery life, which provides up to 40 minutes of cordless use and takes a while to charge. But overall, I was impressed by this easy-to-use option that provides a comfortable shave, making it suitable for sensitive areas.
RRP: £119.99 | Shower safe | Rechargeable
Reasons to buy: Excellent bikini styler, hair-free for longer
Reasons to avoid: Takes getting used to
If you're looking for a device that does a bit of everything – bikini trimming, shaving, epilation, skin exfoliation and massage – this model from Braun is a great option. It has four heads, each of which can also be customised. It also has a small bikini styler, which, is hands down, my favourite trimmer of them all. It looks so simple, but it's really all you need, and gives a really close, quick shave if you are in a hurry.
I'll be honest, this device looks a bit scary, particularly if you are new to epilation, and it takes a bit of getting used to. I would be lying if I said using it on such a sensitive area wasn't uncomfortable, but the device's design and attachments make it as pain-free as possible. The large head covers a bit area, and the massage roller more comfortable, but I still experienced some red and a little soreness after, which was expected and settled down really quickly. The more i use it, the less affected the area becomes as it gets used to the hair being removed. And being that it is pulling hairs directly from the root, I was hair free for significantly longer than using a trimmer that simply cuts.
RRP: £30 | Shower safe | USB chargeable
Reasons to buy: Great battery life
Reasons to avoid: Not the best for a clean shave
I love the design of Magnitone's mini lady shaver, it's fun and stands out from all the other traditional bikini trimmers. It's shape makes it really easy to hold, however the wide head wasn't the best for precision shaving. But it did mean I could cover a larger area and therefore the whole process took less time.
I have used this in the shower a few times, and it gives a nice clean trim and shave using the head and trimming edges. I did find it to tug my skin a couple of times, but this is a minor gripe based on the the trimmer being much wider than other more precise offerings. It gave a pain and irritation-free shave between the two features, however it didn't result in the area being completely clean, despite a couple of passes.
A big selling point, aside from the price, is the battery life on this device. It promises 100 minutes of use with each charge, and while I haven't counted the hours, I do know I have used it for months without plugging it in.
RRP: £69.99 | Shower safe | Battery operated
Reasons to buy: Gets into tough spots, precision shave
Reasons to avoid: Battery life better elsewhere
Panasonic's body & bikini kit is one of the best bikini trimmers for different hair types. The attachments included and the high-speed motor powering it means it can tackle volume and thickness easily. I used this particular device after a month's worth of growth, and switched between the trimmer attachment, which gave a gentle shave, and the bikini shaver and comb which offered precision hair removal without any irritation.
The device is lightweight and waterproof, and the design makes it really easy to get into difficult, more sensitive areas delicately. I really like the fact that you can easily trim your bikini line quickly with the default head, but that the extra attention to that area with the other attachments means you can get a closer shave should you have more time. It comes complete with a handy storage pouch too, to keep all the attachments and device discreet and safe. The only downside I found to this was the battery life wasn't as good as some of the others tested.
RRP: £16.50 | Shower safe | Battery operated
Reasons to buy: Multi-tasking design
Reasons to avoid: Button has to be pressed while shaving
Looking for a product that marries a traditional razor and a bikini trimmer? You're in luck, as this dual-sided product pairs a moisture-strip five-blade razor with a battery-powered bikini trimmer to make clean-up super easy and stubble a thing of the past. Fans of a time-saving two-in-one tool (guilty) won't have to worry about irritation rearing its ugly head whenever they reach for this trimmer, as that nifty built-in hyaluronic acid moisture strip did its job hydrating as we went along.
The waterproof bikini trimmer is another treat: It offers four different length options for trimming, so you can keep the hair down there as neat and tidy as you like. If you want to get all of your shaving done in one shot, minimise your shower clutter and give yourself extra peace of mind during shaving, this razor-bikini trimmer duo will make your upkeep much more straightforward.
How we tested the best bikini trimmers
A selection of bikini trimmers we tested for this guide
We tested dozens of options to find the best bikini trimmer for women, using them both wet and dry on various lengths of regrowth. As well as noting factors like price and the overall design, as well as how easy we found each device to use, we also paid attention to the special features Dr Jaliman advises looking out for, which are as follows.
- Waterproof design: If you have in the shower, this is a must. But not all bikini trimmers are waterproof, so make sure to check before you buy. A lot of products these days can be used on wet or dry skin, while others are designed for use in the shower but should be fully submerged. Waterproof trimmers usually cost slightly more, but offer more flexibility over where and how you shave.
- Cordless functionality: Most bikini trimmers are cordless now, as the very nature of the device demands they be easy to hold and use - which is eminently easier without leads.
- Lightweight design: It may sound daft, but the last thing you want is a bulky, heavy device that is uncomfortable to hold while removing hair from such a sensitive area. Luckily, most designs are lightweight and comfortable to hold for long periods.
- Customisable use: Many of the best bikini trimmers also work on other areas. Which is great as you get more for your money. Just make sure if you are buying a bikini trimmer predominantly for that area that it includes the attachments and power you need to get through coarse pubic hair.
- Different comb lengths: To tackle various lengths of hair and regrowth.
The tools that made our edit ticked many, if not all, of these boxes and offered a comfortable and convenient trimming experience. Devices with safety features scored highly and those that included options for other hair removal methods, such as epilation heads and razors, got bonus points.
How to choose the best bikini line hair remover
This really comes down to personal preference, with each of the common methods of pubic hair removal – trimming, shaving, waxing and laser – having their own merits. While using a bikini trimmer is quick, easy and pain-free, the end result is more of a tidy-up over full hair removal.
"Trimmers are great for shaping the hair you do have, whereas shaving or waxing is more useful to remove hair altogether," Aimee Piper, senior skin therapist at Vie Derma, told us. "If you are looking for a smooth, clean result, the use of a trimmer might not be the way to go as you do not get as much of a clean finish compared to shaving or waxing."
Using a bikini trimmer or razor also won't yield as long-lasting results as waxing or the even longer-lasting results of laser. "With trimming, shaving (and sometimes even waxing) you are still likely to see stubble and regrowth after a few days, which is why laser hair removal is a really great option if you are looking to get rid of unwanted hair for good," Piper continued.
How to trim your bikini line safely
- Exfoliate first: It’s a good idea to start some skin smoothing a couple of days before trimming the area. You could use a traditional scrub or even body lotion with skincare acids. Why? Number one, exfoliating removes excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. And number two, it can also lift the hairs so they’re not lying flat to help achieve a smoother shave. Word of warning: don’t exfoliate on the same day as trimming as this can cause irritation.
- Never dry shave: If you use a bikini trimmer or razor on dry skin, there’s no slip and slide which can result in razor burn, nicks, and cuts as well as a stinging sensation. Shaving gels and creams are designed to prep your skin for a seamless shave without any irritation.
- Work in one direction: Do not, we repeat, do not trim the hairs in all directions. If you do, there’s a high chance you will irritate the skin, cause razor bumps and even increase the chance of ingrown hairs. Instead, trim the hairs in the same direction that the hair grows.
- Moisturize after: After you're finished trimming, be sure to apply a generous layer of your favorite body moisturizer. This will not only soften the skin but will reduce the chances of ingrown hairs.
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