Fiona McKim
As someone who 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 – the top tools will provide a painless user experience.
But it’s not like you can try before you buy, so how do you choose? Fortunately, the woman&home team has tested in excess of 20 bikini trimmers over the years, whittling that number down to the top six featured in this guide. This 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 later on in this guide).
When choosing one of the best bikini trimmers, it's worth remembering that pubic hair is coarser than hair found elsewhere on the body, so a device has to be able to have the power and advanced 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.
“[Trimmers] 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.” On that note, let's dive in to the best buys...
Best bikini trimmer deals
Recent updates
These deals are checked daily and we will continue to do so to ensure that all of the products below are still in stock, still discounted and, most importantly, are the very best deals around at the moment.
The best bikini trimmers, tried and tested
RRP: £27.99 | Features: Shower safe, battery operated
I was pleasantly surprised by this Philips bikini trimmer. You get quite a lot for your money here, with two heads for precision and close shaving, which I found to be really effective. It is 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, while the head is big enough to cover a good area but small enough to be precise. I did have concerns 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.
Reasons to buy: Great results, excellent price
Reasons to avoid: Takes several passes to trim
RRP: £39.99 | Features: Shower safe, rechargeable
If you've got a little more budget to put towards the best bikini trimmer, 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, being designed 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 and one of the best lady shavers for intimate areas.
Reasons to buy: Comfortable, smooth shave
Reasons to avoid: Limited battery life
RRP: £119.99 | Features: Shower safe, rechargeable, epilator and bikini trimmer bundle
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 comes with a small bikini styler, which, is hands down, my favourite trimmer of them all. It might look 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 does looks a bit scary at first, particularly if you are new to epilation, and the process 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 it's possible to be. The large head covers a big 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 as it pulls the hairs directly from the root, I was hair free for significantly longer than using a trimmer that simply cuts.
Reasons to buy: Excellent bikini styler, leaves you hair-free for longer
Reasons to avoid: Takes some getting used to
RRP: £30 | Features: Shower safe, USB chargeable
I love the overall design of Magnitone's mini lady shaver; it's fun and stands out from all the other traditional bikini trimmers. This shape makes it really easy to hold, however the wide head wasn't the best design for precision shaving. That said, 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.
Reasons to buy: Great battery life
Reasons to avoid: Not the best for a clean shave
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 | Features: Shower safe, battery operated
Looking for a multi-tasking product that marries a traditional razor with a bikini trimmer? You're in luck, as this dual-ended product pairs a moisture-strip five-blade razor with a battery-powered bikini trimmer that makes clean-up super easy and stubble a thing of the past. (Not to mention, being two tools in one gives it some money-saving appeal, too.) Fans of a time-saving two-in-one tool also don'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 of smoothing 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.
Reasons to buy: Multi-tasking design
Reasons to avoid: Button has to be continuously pressed while shaving
How we tested the best bikini trimmers
A selection of bikini trimmers we tested for this guide
We tested dozens of different tools to find those that are truly 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 that Dr Jaliman advises looking out for, which are as follows.
- Waterproof design: If you prefer to shave in the shower, this is a must. However, not all bikini trimmers are waterproof, so make sure to check a potential purchase is before you buy. A lot of products these days can be used on either wet or dry skin, while others are designed for use in the shower but should not be fully submerged under water. 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 far easier without any wires.
- Lightweight design: It may sound obvious, but the last thing you want is a bulky, heavy device that is uncomfortable to hold while you're removing hair from such a sensitive area. Luckily, most designs are lightweight and therefore 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: These are handy to tackle various lengths of hair and regrowth.
The tools that made our final 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, also got bonus points.
How to choose the best bikini line hair remover
This is really a case of your personal preference, with each of the common methods of pubic hair removal – trimming, shaving, waxing and laser – all 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 adds.
How to trim your bikini line safely
- Exfoliate first: It’s a good idea to do some skin smoothing a couple of days before trimming the area. You could use a traditional physical scrub or one 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. A 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.
- Moisturise after: Once you're finished trimming, be sure to apply a generous layer of your favourite and best body moisturiser. This will not only soften the skin, it will also reduce the chances of ingrown hairs.
-
As a big fan of bows, Keira Knightley’s latest look really wowed me – here’s how to make the trend work for youI genuinely gasped when I saw it
-
The surprising but 'wise' decision Kate Middleton and Prince William made to protect Princess CharlotteThe couple's careful choice when Princess Charlotte was born has been dubbed 'wise' by a royal commentator for this sad reason
