Braun vs Philips Epilator: Which One is Better?

braun vs philips epilator

So, you want to get your hands on a good epilator.

That’s great!

However, you might be caught in the Braun vs Philips epilator debate since these are two of the most reputable manufacturers in the market.

Many users find it difficult to choose between two of the most popular grooming brands. Both have received raving reviews and are field-tested for efficient hair removal. It’s expected of first-time buyers to wonder which one they should go for.

But don’t fret!

This guide on Braun vs Philips epilator has everything you need to know to make a smart, well-informed decision.

Let’s dive right in!   

Braun vs Philips Epilator

We compared Braun and Philips epilators to round up the differences and help you choose the right product for your needs.

Philips is a renowned brand that entered the beauty and personal care industry with a bang in the late 1980s when it introduced Satinelle, the debut epilator. After almost a year, Braun caught people’s attention with the Silk-épil.

Since then, these big brands have been fighting for the top spot in the crazy epilator scene.

Over the past few years, epilators have evolved greatly. There was a time when people used to rely on single-speed machines for hair removal.

Today, you can easily find advanced devices with multi-speed, rotating tweezer discs for efficient plucking of hair.  

Let’s first talk about Philips epilator because it came before Braun’s machine.

What You Need to Know about Philips Satinelle Epilator

Philips Satinelle collection has been around since 2003. Many of the older models have now been discontinued.

While they were super-efficient and successful in their times, the company had to make way for newer, more advanced variants that you find in the market today.

In this day and age, you will find the HP6422/02 “Essentials” model from the Satinelle range of epilators.

This compact device gets the job done fast without burning a hole in your wallet. It features a simple, sleek design without any fancy accessories.

Philips has brought their A-game when it comes to epilators. It has produced several premium-quality variants over the years.

Users especially loved SatinSoft and Satin Perfect models. However, the company’s most recent flagship machines are the Satinelle models from 2018.

Later came the Philips Satinelle Advanced and Prestige epilators. These cordless devices are capable of removing wet and dry hair. Moreover, they featured a bunch of attachments.

Please note that there is not much difference between the Advanced and Prestige models. The only thing that sets them apart is the accessories in the box. You will find different accessories, depending on the package.

Ideally, you should check the box when selecting the model to ensure you get the best and most useful accessories based on your unique needs, requirements, and preferences.

Many users prefer the Satinelle Prestige model since it has an elegant design with modern functions. Furthermore, the color combination of this epilator is to die for!

The mix of champagne and white gives it a royal look. You can rest assured that it will add to the aesthetic of your beauty and self-care space.    

On the other hand, you will find the Advanced model in a stunning light blue or lilac and white color. The silver trim gives it the perfect finishing touch.

Thanks to the ultra-stylish design, this epilator received the IF World Design Award in 2016.

Considering that Advanced and Prestige are the leading epilator models Philips makes, let’s discuss their features in detail and see how they compare to Braun epilators.

§  Sturdy, Elegant Design

Philips’ Advanced and Prestige epilator models are built to last. Users generally assume that modern epilators with sturdy construction and high-end components would be quite heavy.

However, to their surprise, these epilators are extremely easy to handle, weighing just over a pound.

These user-friendly epilators feature a bright LED bulb to help you spot the tiniest hair strands that usually go amiss under standard lighting.

Thanks to the large 30 mm head and tapered handle, these devices are capable of removing hair from a large surface area.

At the same time, they are easy to maneuver across the body. This means you can enjoy an effortless hair removal process. It won’t be long before you say hello to smooth, shiny skin.      

§  High-Quality Attachments

Depending on the box you pick, you will get different attachments with your epilator. All you have to do is apply a little force to pull off the head of the device before clicking on the chosen attachments.

Typically, users get a shaving head with the Satinelle Advanced BRE635/00 model, which works wonders for gentle hair removal in sensitive areas.

After epilating your legs, you can move to the bikini line and then get rid of those unwanted underarm hair without feeling much pain or discomfort.

In general, different attachments are supposed to suit the needs of different skin types. Usually, the machine comes with an epilator and an electric shaver.

It’s on you whether you want to use the machine the basic way with the head or enjoy a spa-like experience at home with the massaging attachments.

The purpose of the attachments is to make it easier for you to style trim, shave, or style the hair in the underarm area or around your bikini line.

Thanks to the soft brush and massaging attachments, you can enjoy a comfortable, pain-free epilating experience. The massager alleviates the pain by calming the pain receptors throughout the epilating process.

An added benefit of these attachments is skin exfoliation. Apart from this, you don’t have to try hard to get rid of the flat-lying hair. The hair lifter causes every stubborn strand to rise so it can be conveniently removed.   

All in all, you will love the Advanced and Premium epilator models, even if you have extremely sensitive skin.    

§  Safety and Performance Guaranteed

The Philips Satinelle Epilator is easy to use, even if you have never used an epilator before. You can switch it on by clicking the power button once.

If you press it twice, the speed will decrease. With the third click, you can switch the machine off.

The speed adjustment feature is remarkable, as it allows beginners to work their way up to a higher speed. You may also want to keep the speed low when dealing with a sensitive area.

That being said, the textured ceramic epilating discs have hypoallergenic properties, which means they are safe for use for all skin types.

Moreover, the rough texture gives it an exceptional gripping power to ensure efficient removal of the finest hair.

Furthermore, the head of the machine has a slight curve to match the shape of your body and maximize surface contact for easy epilating.

The head is also waterproof, which means you can wash it after every use to maintain hygiene. You will also get a cleaning brush to remove the lodged hair.

What about the Cons?

The only downside of using Philips epilator is that it is loud – but that is the case with most machines out there.

And oh, you can’t the device while it’s plugged in for charging. It usually only takes an hour and a half to fully charge.

Nevertheless, if the battery dies while epilating, you can give it a quick recharge using the 5-minute charge mode.  

Braun Silk Epil 7 Epilator

The Silk Epil 7 and Epil 9 models give tough competition to Philips epilators. However, they come nowhere close to the Philips models in terms of design and elegance. While Epil 9 is the latest variant, Epil 7 still gets raving reviews.   

In addition to performing dry and wet epilating, the Silk Epil 7 serves as an excellent trimmer and shaver.

Like Philips epilator, this ergonomic machine comes with a light to make it easier for you to capture the hard-to-spot hair.  

Since this epilator is cordless, you can use it in the bath for a comfortable and painless experience.

Thanks to the standard 40 tweezers, you can remove even the smallest and finest hair without much effort and enjoy silky smooth skin.

Please note that the Braun epilator has mechanical metal tweezers, which are quite different from Philips ceramic plates.

While both remove hair efficiently, some users report that Braun’s tweezers feel less aggressive on the skin as compared to Philips’ discs.   

§  Attachments and Accessories

What users love the most about Braun’s epilators is its range of attachments and accessories. The machine works well with several attachments for enhanced function.

Again, the attachments you get will depend on the particular model you purchase. You can also buy them separately if you like.

For example, you get a Skin contact cap, a high-frequency massage cap, and a storage pouch with the Silk Epil 7 / 700.

On the other hand, the Epil 7 / 7561 comes with 8 extra attachments, including a trimmer cap, precision cap, bikini styler, facial cap, and a shaver head.

§  Function and Efficiency

The 40-tweezer function makes the Epil 7 incredibly efficient. With these tweezers, you can catch unwanted hair as thin as half a millimeter.

Yes, you heard that right!

While the Braun’s epilator doesn’t have an inwardly curved head like the Philips’ model, it promises greater efficiency with a pivoting head.

This style allows you to catch hair strands on curved, hard-to-reach areas like underarms and knees.

That being said, the Braun’s machine boasts a powerful battery. You can enjoy an interrupted epilating session for up to 50 minutes after fully charging the device.

The machine indicates a low battery with a – sign. You can achieve a full charge in an hour or so.

Like the Philips epilator, the Silk Epil 7 is waterproof. We would recommend using it in the shower or right after taking a bath, as it is easier for dry hair to scatter around.

It is best to quickly wash the hair away while epilating unless you’re okay with making a mess.     

As far as the noise is concerned, Braun’s epilator is as loud as the Philips range. This is because these machines are supposed to have several moving and spinning components, which can’t work without making a sound.

Honestly, you will just have to get used to the noise.

Braun vs Philips Epilator: The Final Verdict

On Amazon, the Philips Satinelle Advanced Epilator currently has a rating of 4.2 out of 5, whereas the Braun Epilator Silk-épil 7-7561 scores 4.4/5.   

Users like Braun’s epilator better than the Philips model. However, both machines are great and they deliver the results they promise.

Many users don’t like the Philips epilator because they think it breaks their hair instead of plucking from the root.

This, however, might be because of their hair type. Fine, blond hair strands are usually susceptible to breaking during epilating as compared to coarse, dark hair.

Some users report that Braun’s epilator catches hair more efficiently than the Philips model in a single pass.

This might be because of the powerful tweezer technology that lifts flat-lying hair strands and plucks them in a swift motion.  

While the curved head of the Philips Satinelle Advanced epilator is great for removing unwanted hair on the legs and arms, it doesn’t work quite well behind the knee and in the underarms region.

On the contrary, Braun’s epilator, with a flat head, easily plucks hair from these difficult areas, allowing for better hair removal across the body.

Now that you know the answer to the burning question, “Braun vs Philips epilator: which one is better?”, you can compare the two options and determine which machine suits your needs, hair type, and skin type best.

Happy epilating!