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Body hair can be a sensitive subject. In the case of the bikini line, that is quite literally the case. Luckily, options abound when it comes to hair removal options for cleaning up stray pubic hairs poking out from your bikini line — waxing, sugaring, epilating and even lasering.
But if you're short on time, money or pain tolerance, good ol' fashioned shaving or trimming is definitely the most accessible (and least intimidating!) method for hair removal, whether you're planning to go for a full Brazilian or just clean up the edges. Ahead, our favorite choices for the best bikini trimmers on the market.
Our top picks:
Getting the best bikini line shave really comes down to using the right tool. Unlike a razor, a bikini trimmer features floating blades that trim your surface pubic hair without pulling at your skin, so it's ideal for sensitive skin and a great choice for those who are looking for a painless experience. "Trimmers cut and shape hair to a certain length, while razors and epilators provide a smooth finish on the skin by shaving and pulling hair from the body," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. Trimmers can also offer far more precision than a standard razor.
The regularly tests all kinds of hair removal tools, from waxing kits to razors, and while we haven't yet run a full cross-category test on bikini trimmers, our beauty editors and skincare pros researched the top-reviewed bikini trimmers and vetted them with our Beauty Lab analysts to narrow down the best of the best.
You can read more about how we chose the best bikini trimmers — plus everything you need to know to shop for one — at the end of this guide. Looking for more ways to get your skin soft and smooth? Check out our guides to the best body lotions and the best facial razors for your money.
Pros
- Dual-ended razor and bikini trimmer in one
- Provides close shave
- Nick-free hair removal
Cons
- Power button can be finicky
If you like the idea of having both a razor and a trimmer at your disposal, this dual option is perfect for you. In a recent GH Beauty Lab test of 442 hair removal products, this razor came out on top for being easy to use, removing hair in one easy stroke and not causing any nicks, though some noted the power button wasn't optimal. "I loved having the trimmer attached to the regular razor," one tester remarked. "It made it convenient and easy to use, saving me time by not having to switch from one razor to another. It worked very well, and provided a close shave."
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Easy to use
Cons
- Loud
This dual blade trimmer has a wide tooth blade for thicker, coarser hair, and a precision blade for shorter, finer hair. Though some reviewers have found it to be loud, for just around $10, this pick is versatile and doesn't irritate the skin. "You can use this for a trim or a true smooth shave, depending on if you use the guards or not," says one reviewer. "This trimmer is easy to use, and more importantly, easy to use safely."
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Pros
- Compact size
- Comes with cleaning brush, three attachments and travel pouch
Cons
This trimmer is cordless and compact, making travel a breeze. "I always had a hard time finding a trimmer that works, as some of them are irritating and pull the hair, but this one [is] perfect," says one reviewer. "This trimmer trims the hair smoothly without pulling the hair."
Pros
- Lighted
- Sold with batteries
Cons
- Doesn't provide the closest shave
Reach for this bikini trimmer if you want to touch up your hair growth; it gives a clean, uniform shave, though it's not an incredibly close shave. This lighted option is easy to use and gets into the smallest nooks and crannies. "I love that this trimmer has a light, making it so much easier to see where I'm going," our Beauty Assistant shares. "It has just one switch to turn it on/off, so it's pretty much foolproof."
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Pros
- Provides very close shave
- Adjustable
Cons
With an angled trimmer head, this device helps you get the closest shave possible. The trimmer head also comes in five adjustable positions, so you can adjust based on how close you want your hair shaved. One reviewer says it all: "Not to be too graphic, this thing can clear a rainforest."
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Four different attachments
Cons
This Remington bikini trimmer comes with an exfoliating attachment to help prevent ingrown hairs from the start. Reviewers say that it dramatically improved the amount of ingrown hairs they experienced. "It trims very close to the skin so the hair is really short and takes longer to grow back," one reviewer says. "The exfoliator is also fantastic, it definitely keeps those ingrown hairs far away from me."
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7
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Pros
- Provides close shave
- Blades made of hypoallergenic foil
- Comes with four attachments
Cons
To truly customize your shave, this trimmer comes with tons of different attachments — it has a micro shaver, a precision epilator, a precision comb and a micro trimmer. The blades are made using hypoallergenic foil to reduce irritation. "I looked for a long time trying to find a bikini trimmer that didn't bite back," one reviewer says. "This is it! I couldn't be happier. Very close trim but no grabbing or cutting in sensitive areas."
Pros
- LED light to guide your shave
- Comes with stand for easy access
- Non-irritating
Cons
Briori's trimmer is easy to control and fits perfectly in your hand. It also comes with an LED light for an easy shave. This razor is also virtually knick-free, with many reviewers saying that unlike other trimmers they've used, this one never causes any cuts. "The rechargeable battery lasts FOREVER," one reviewer raves. "The light is a nice element if you have a dim shower and need to see close up."
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Pros
- Easy-to-learn design
- Compact
Cons
It's all about precision with this compact trimmer. Its sleek design makes it foolproof, even for those who have never used a trimmer before. "It gave me a very smooth cut, it's very easy to use and lightweight," says one reviewer. "It doesn't pinch when cutting. It even comes with a handy travel bag."
Pros
- Easy to use
- Simple and efficient design
Cons
A great beginner bikini trimmer, this small and sleek product is non-intimidating and easy to use. Wizemann likes that "it can be used in a shower or bath. It trims hair without pulling or tugging at 90 degrees and shapes the hairline when flat," she says.
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Pros
- Can use on dry skin
- Non-irritating
Cons
Unlike many razors, this bikini trimmer is meant to be used for removing hair on dry skin. "This product is fabulous," raves one reviewer. "I received it today. I opened it, had my legs shaven and smooth in about three minutes. I love this little thing!"
Pros
- Works on various body areas
- Flexible head
- Minimal pain
Cons
- Pricey
Epilators are a bit different than your typical trimmers. Aside from being significantly more expensive than trimmers, epilators remove hair at the root (like waxing or tweezing), while trimmers remove hair at the surface level (like shaving). You can pull your skin taut to minimize the ouch factor. This device came out on top in the GH Beauty Lab's epilator testing, earning perfect scores for tweezing hair in one pass, pulling hair without breaking it, not hurting skin, being easy to clean and leaving skin hair-free for at least one week. Plus, the unique flexible head makes it easy to get to those hard-to-reach spots, too. "I am totally a convert to the epilator and I'm ditching my razor," a reviewer raves.
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How we choose the best bikini trimmers
For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab has regularly tested all kinds of hair removal products from waxing kits to razors and epilators, and has solicited unbiased feedback from our panel of consumer testers to find the best of the best. While we haven't yet run a full cross-category test on bikini trimmers in particular, to create this list we researched the top-reviewed bikini trimmers online, then vetted the top-rated ones with our Beauty Lab analysts, who have a deep knowledge of the best body hair removal products on the market.
Is a bikini trimmer better than a razor?
If properly used, bikini trimmers are less irritating and result in fewer nicks, cuts, and razor burns, notes Wizemann. "Bikini trimmers are designed to cut hair anywhere from two to eight millimeters in length, but unlike razors, they are not meant to touch or scrape the skin," she adds.
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Are bikini trimmers safe to use?
Yes, but because the skin around the bikini area is more sensitive than the rest of the body, dermatologists say it's important to make sure you're prepping your skin before bikini hair removal, and caring for it correctly afterwards. Here's some advice on how to shave your bikini line safely from top dermatologists and the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts:
✔️ Never dry shave. Unless your trimmer is specifically designed for dry shaving, that is. "To minimize cuts and nicks, we suggest taking a bath or a shower to soften pubic hair (which can be coarser and tougher) for easier cutting or shaping," advises Wizemann. If you're using a trimmer designed for wet use, exfoliating then smoothing on shaving cream beforehand will reduce friction and razor burn, and help you get a smooth shave. Note that some bikini trimmers aren't meant for wet use, so confirm your device's water resistance before using near water or in the shower.
✔️ Shave in the direction of hair growth. "In general I recommend that people try to shave in one direction," says Nada Elbuluk, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California. She recommends shaving in the direction of the hair growth — going against the grain may seem like it results in a closer shave, but it only makes you more susceptible to razor burn and ingrown hairs.
✔️ Avoid repeatedly going over the same area with the trimmer. "This can increase irritation," says Dr. Elbuluk. Also, you'll want to avoid using a dull razor. Dermatologists recommend changing your razor every two to three weeks, depending on how often you shave.
✔️ Be sure to clean the blades often. "This will prevent hair and shaving cream from clogging up the area between blades," says Danusia Wnek, a chemist at the Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab, allowing for the smoothest shave possible.
How do you prevent ingrown hairs when using a bikini trimmer?
When it comes to shaving delicate areas, it's common to end up with angry, irritated ingrown hairs or razor bumps. "You can also try using a salicylic acid wash in the area to help with exfoliating the skin prior to shaving," says Dr. Elbuluk. We recommend trying Cerave's SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin. And don't forget to moisturize after — this will also help prevent ingrown hairs by softening the hair follicle.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn joined Good Housekeeping in 2022, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed print and digital beauty editorial content. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair removal products, including razors, trimmers, dermaplaning and hair removal processes like sugaring and waxing.
For this article, she interviewed Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann, who develops laboratory protocols using specialized lab equipment, conducts product testing across hair and skincare categories and oversees large consumer studies. Nada Elbuluk, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California.
Catharine Malzahn
Beauty Assistant
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Reviewed bySabina Wizemann
Beauty Lab Director
Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.