9 Best Bikini Trimmers for a Close Shave, Tested & Reviewed
I was blessed with thick hair—in my pubic region, that is (scalp, not so much). This led me on a years-long quest to find the best bikini trimmers for this sensitive area. And trimming is important—not just in the warmer months of the year. In fact, dermatologists recommend
Below, I’ll share my holy-grail pick, along with others worth trying—each reviewed by a Glamour contributor—to assess attachments, features, price points, and effectiveness. I also spoke to dermatologists to answer some of the most common questions about bikini trimming. The Meridian body hair trimmer continues to be my hands-down favorite. It’s intuitive, works on wet or dry skin, is versatile enough to work as a bikini trimmer and a beard trimmer, lasts a long time on a single charge, and costs just $50. PS: Pair them with a good bikini-line exfoliator to stay ingrown-free.
The best bikini trimmers, at a glance
Best Overall: Meridian The Trimmer Original
- What we love: Can be used all over the body wet or dry; achieves a super-close shave; built-in light; ergonomic grip
- Worth considering: Tips easily out of charging dock; battery not as long-lasting as other models
Welcome to my campaign to convert everyone into Meridian electric trimmer fans. You can use it pretty much everywhere—bikini line, beard, balls, armpits—and it does the job without ever nicking your skin, which is crucial, especially for sensitive areas. The ceramic blades stay sharper longer than steel and don’t rust.
Specs
- Attachments: 2 guide combs
- Battery: USB-rechargeable
- Run time: 90 minutes
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour commerce editor, Malia Griggs
“I can easily shift between different length options, whether I want to even out my hair, buzz it, or basically shave it down to the skin sans razor (not all bikini trimmers can achieve such a close shave). I love that it’s waterproof, so I can take it in the shower, and the travel lock keeps it from accidentally flipping inside my toiletry bag. It’s sturdy enough to handle even coarse, curly pubes, and I feel totally comfortable using it all over my bikini region without it ever cutting or irritating my skin. It takes only a minute or two to achieve a full ‘haircut.’ At $50, the Meridian trimmer stands out as one of my top recommendations when people ask about my all-time favorite picks as a shopping editor,” says Glamour commerce editor, Malia Griggs.
Best Budget: Palmperfect Bikini Trimmer
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- What we love: Can be used on wet or dry skin; sleek and compact for travel; slender enough head for the bikini line; only $10
- Worth considering: Tough to remove hair buildup in blades; batteries not included
The Palmperfect Bikini Trimmer is a compact, easy-to-use option that delivers great value. Its dual-sided blades have one side for fine, short hair and the other for thicker, longer hair. It quickly trims the bikini area without tugging on the skin or follicles.
Specs
- Attachments: 1 guide comb
- Battery: 2 AAAs, not included
- Waterproof: Water-resistant
Testing notes from Glamour's Griggs
“I was initially skeptical about a $10 trimmer but was impressed with how well it worked. I used the wider-tooth side as pubic hair trimmer, then flipped it to get a closer shave. The slim head maneuvered smoothly into the sensitive areas of my bikini line, even better more adeptly than some pricier models I’ve tried. It’s cordless, can be used wet or dry (with or without shaving cream), and is perfect for quick touch-ups in or out of the shower,” says Glamour’s Griggs.
Best for Sensitive Skin: Gillette Venus Gentle Electric Trimmer
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- What we love: Easy to use and clean; works wet or dry; good for travel; battery is included
- Worth considering: Bulky shape makes it a little hard to maneuver into nooks and crannies
“Designed to work with thick hair, this personal trimmer has protection fins on the sides for extra caution,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC, who shares that it’s her absolute favorite. “It’s cordless, and can be used either wet or dry–and easy to clean, which is important.” It also weighs just about five ounces, which makes it one of the lighter trimmers on our list.
Specs
- Includes: 1 guide comb
- Battery: 1 AA, included
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour commerce writer, Alanna Martine Kilkeary
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary, praised its easy-to-hold design, its even shave on coarse, thick hair, and how smooth her bikini line felt afterward. “I typically wax at home or use a razor, but this trimmer was simple to use and gave me a close shave that made my skin look like I’d plucked the area,” she says. “I love how easy it was to get the right angle, and it left me with smooth, bump-free skin. The trimmer’s waterproof feature was a huge plus, and I can already see myself taking it on my next beach trip.”
Best for Touch-Ups: Panasonic ES-WR50-P Portable Pen Trimmer
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- What we love: Flexible head easy to guide over contours and into curves; travel-friendly size; can be used wet or dry
- Worth considering: No attachments; not suitable for trimming larger areas
Precision doesn’t get much better than this tiny Panasonic Pen Trimmer, great for cleaning up unwanted hairs in various areas. This sleek, pearly trimmer is designed for precision, with a handle that offers great control, especially around tricky areas.
Specs
- Attachments: None
- Battery: 2 AAAs, not included
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour copy director, Talley Sue Hohlfeld
“The curve of the handle was comfortable to hold, and the molded ‘BODY’ label on the trimmer head helped me remember which side to use,” says Glamour copy director Talley Sue Hohlfeld. The one-sided design can require a bit of adjustment, but short, gentle strokes helped our tester maintain control. She appreciated the flexibility of the head and how easily it maneuvered into tight contours. Its slim, toothbrush size makes it simple to carry in a clutch or gym bag for quick touch-ups on the face, underarms, or bikini line.
Best for a Close Shave: Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Razor (With Trimmer)
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- What we love: Dual-ended design eliminates need for two devices; has moisturizing bands along razor
- Worth considering: Not the most durable; trimmer head is not flexible; battery-operated
LLike the dual-sided functionality of a spork, one end of this hair-removal device acts as a razor and the other as a bikini trimmer. The battery-operated all-in-one design means there’s no need to fumble around for charging cords or swap between products.
Specs
- Attachments: 1 guide comb
- Battery: 1 AAA, included
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour's Kilkeary
Glamour’s Kilkeary initially thought the idea seemed gimmicky, but after giving it a go, she was sold on its design. “The trimmer side is gentle yet effective, quickly cutting hair painlessly, while the razor end’s five blades gave me one of the closest shaves I’ve had in a while,” she says. “I loved how feather-light and maneuverable it is, and the fact that it’s waterproof makes it super convenient for use in the shower. I’ll definitely be incorporating this into my bikini line routine moving forward.”
Best Trimmer/Razor: Fur Trim System
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- What we love: Converts between trimmer and electric razor; built-in light; long-lasting rechargeable battery
- Worth considering: Attachments loosen and pop out while in use; pricey
The recently released Fur Trim is a two-in-one tool that functions as both an electric razor for women and a trimmer with a guide comb that offers three adjustable length settings for a custom trim and a super-close shave.
Specs
- Attachments: 1 guide comb, 1 razor adaptor
- Battery: USB-rechargeable in 2 hours
- Run time: 60 minutes
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour's Griggs
“When I wanted a Brazilian-style shave without waxing, I started with the trimmer function and loved that I didn’t need a separate device. Switching to the razor felt like going from a manual to an electric toothbrush; I didn’t have to move it in short strokes or press hard—just held it lightly and let it do the work. The floating, vibrating head delivered a close shave, especially with shaving cream, and the built-in light made it easy to catch stray hairs around tricky areas. The only downside was that the head isn’t super flexible, which caused a couple of nicks. Still, I found it simple to handle, and the long battery life (lasting four uses over three months before needing a charge) is a huge plus,” says Glamour’s Griggs.
Best for Body: Remington Smooth & Silky Body & Bikini Kit
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- What we love: Affordable; comes with multiple attachments and a shave guard
- Worth considering: Takes a few passes to get a completely clean shave
This multi-piece trimmer comes with a bikini trimmer head, exfoliator brush (to prep skin) and foil shaver (for a close shave). It can be used in or out of the shower, and is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin types because it has a nick-guard. It’s battery operated and also comes with its own travel beauty bag, so it’s easy to pack when you’re on the go.
Specs
- Attachments: 4
- Battery: Double AA
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour's Kilkeary
“I deal with a lot of sensitivity on my bikini line during the colder weather months because my skin is overall a lot drier than usual. On top of moisturizing consistently, I recently switched to this electric bikini trimmer and was super impressed with how effective it was. It didn’t leave my skin feeling irritated or red, rather it was smooth, nick-free and calm. I also noticed less razor bumps and more clarified skin in the area. Overall, it’s a 10/10 from me!” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best Multitasking: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9
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- What we love: Comes with both an epilator head and a shaver head, allowing you to customize your routine; leaves skin smooth
- Worth considering: Expensive
An epilator is a great option if you’re looking to get rid of all hair in the area. This epilator kit and trimmer combo allows you to use either device (the epilator will give you a closer shave and can remove very short hairs, while the trimmer cuts longer hairs) for a customizable cut. It also comes with a cleaning brush to help clean up the area during your shave routine.
Specs
- Attachments: 4
- Battery: Lithium ion
- Run time: 40 minutes
- Waterproof: Yes
Testing notes from Glamour contributor, Emily Tannenbaum
“The Braun bikini trimmer is one of the first electric tools I've felt comfortable using in such a sensitive area. Small but surprisingly mighty, it was completely gentle and unintimidating, while still powerful enough to do the job in one or two swipes without irritating my skin or leaving angry red bumps,” says Glamour contributor, Emily Tannenbaum.
Best Value: Philips Bikini Trimmer 2000 Series
- What we love: Multiple attachments increase its versatility
- Worth considering: May have more more attachments than you actually need; not waterproof
This $40 bikini trimming kit from Philips sets you up everything needed for smooth skin all over your face, body, and bikini line. Included in a storage pouch is a trimmer featuring a head that’s slender enough for shaping the bikini line, with two guide combs for different lengths. There’s also a separate pen trimmer with precise attachments for hard-to-reach areas like the face, underarms, and knees.
Specs
- Included: 2 eyebrow combs, 2 trimming heads, 2 bikini trimming combs
- Battery: 1 AAA and 1 AA batteries, included
- Waterproof: No
Testing notes from Glamour senior analyst, Loneeja Talukdar
“I didn’t expect to love the Philips Bikini Trimmer as much as I do, but it’s become a go-to in my routine,” says Glamour senior analyst Loneeja Talukdar. “It’s small, light, and easy to use. The trimmer glides smoothly, doesn’t pull at the skin, and I didn’t get any razor bumps or irritation. Surprisingly, it works well for shaping eyebrows, which adds to its versatility. The attachments are easy to use, it cleans up quickly, and for the price, it really delivers.”
Other bikini trimmers we tested
- Finishing Touch Flawless Bikini Shaver and Trimmer ($20), a small, battery-operated electric shaver and trimmer with an angled head and a built-in light that helps with tight spots and precise touch-ups. It’s affordable and simple to use but only works on dry skin. Our tester liked the light for visibility but found the angle uncomfortable for left-handed use and experienced some razor bumps after trimming.
- Panasonic Bikini Trimmer and Shaver ($35), a lightweight, battery-operated trimmer that can be used wet or dry. It includes two trimming attachments and a shaver head for close shaves. Our tester appreciated its portability and ease of use but found the directions unclear, struggled with maneuvering the shaver head along the bikini line, and felt it didn’t offer a much closer shave than the trimmer attachment.
- Manscaped Lawn Mower 5.0 ($110), a rechargeable trimmer with a powerful motor, built-in light, and three guide combs. While it provides a close shave (especially for the groin and body hair) and doesn’t lose power as the battery fades, it’s more than double the price of our top pick, the Meridian, which has similar capabilities.
- Bushbalm The Francesca Bikini Trimmer ($65), a sleek trimmer that fits comfortably in your hand and has a 5 hour charge. “I was surprised by how well it worked on my bikini line,” says Glamour executive assistant Monique Wilson. “It came fully charged, so I didn’t have to wait to use it. First, I used it in the shower around my bikini line—no cuts, no pain—then as a body trimmer on my armpits. I have kinky, coarse hair, but the trimmer's strong motor and stainless-steel blades seemed to have no problem removing it.” The basic but reliable trimmer has three grooming length options, and—perhaps most impressively—a five-hour battery life. That’s a real plus, especially as it can be incredibly annoying to try to trim in the shower, only to find the device is dead.
Frequently asked questions
How we tested
We researched expert-recommended and best-selling bikini trimmers before narrowing the list down to 16 models that were tested by 10 contributors (myself included). Each device was used on our bikini lines and bodies, following manufacturer instructions and trying any included attachments. Testers provided feedback based on the trimmer’s overall design, comfort on sensitive skin, ability to navigate curves and tricky spots, effectiveness, battery life, waterproofness, ease of cleaning, and value for the price.
Is bikini trimming better than shaving?
There’s no right answer, really. “If you’re looking to trim your hair a certain length, bikini trimmers will give you a more accurate result,” says Elizabeth Maul, group insights and innovation officer at Bic. Manual and electric razors, on the other hand, will give you a smoother, closer, and cleaner shave (as will waxing, if you’re aiming for that full-on hairless look). Regardless of which route you choose, Maul suggests keeping two things in mind: Make sure that your razor or trimmer is sharp (not blunt) and clean. A blunt razor can lead to cutting, and dirty tools can lead to infections. You’ll also want to be sure you exfoliate before and after hair removal.
How to prevent ingrown hairs
“Ingrown hairs are often inevitable but can be prevented two ways: prepping the skin properly and using the right tools,” says Maul. “The best trimmers (or shavers) to avoid ingrown hairs are those designed to glide easily across the skin and those that prevent hair buildup.” When blades get clogged, they tug at the hairs, making it challenging to get a smooth shave—which lead to ingrown hairs. You’ll want to be sure you clean your trimmer (more on that below) and also that you invest in a good bikini-line exfoliator.
How to prep your skin for bikini trimming
Skin prep is crucial to a smooth shave. Experts recommend using a bikini line exfoliator on your skin before any sort of hair removal (be it trimming, shaving, or waxing) by at least a day—and again one to two days following removal. Doing so removes dead skin, softens the area, and makes it easier for the blades to glide—ultimately helping prevent cuts, razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and other irritations. If you’re using the trimmer on wet skin or hair, soak the area in warm water for a few minutes first.
How to use a bikini trimmer
Some bikini trimmers are meant to be used only on dry skin and hair—and some can be used wet. The trimmer is designed to give your pubic area a haircut (and not to totally remove hair). Removing hair for the first time in a long while? Consider trimming back your pubes with grooming scissors before getting started with the electric tool.
Adjust the trimmer’s guides according to just how close of a cut you want. The trimmer’s comb protects it from fully touching your skin and causing any sort of pain. Once it’s turned on, you can gently move the trimmer’s comb in slow, short strokes across the bikini area. When you’re done shaving, pat your legs dry and apply body lotion or body oil to keep your skin hydrated.
Should you trim your pubic hair wet or dry?
According to Dr. King, you should trim pubic hair when it’s either very dry, or slightly damp. “Do not trim hair when it’s fully wet,” she says, as this will make it harder for the device to properly cut.
How often should you use a bikini trimmer?
The dermatologists we spoke with recommend trimming every 1-4 weeks depending on your preference and how quickly your hair grows. Basically, it’s up to you.
What are common mistakes when trimming pubic hair?
“Using a dull trimmer is a common mistake when trimming hair on the bikini line. Dull blades can tug and snag, increasing the risk of cuts or irritation,” says Dr. King. She recommends using a guard on the trimmer to avoid nicks, razor burn and uneven trimming. It’s also key to prep (with a gentle exfoliator) and wash the skin before trimming to prevent ingrown hairs, and to thoroughly clean your tools to eliminate risk of infection.
How to clean your bikini trimmer
Brush away stray hairs after use (either with the trimmer’s included brush or a dry toothbrush). This prevents clogging (which can lead to razor bumps and skin irritation). If the trimmer is water-resistant, rinse it off, then wipe it down with a clean paper towel.
Meet our experts
- Elizabeth Maul, group insights and innovation officer at Bic
- Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at SkinSafe Dermatology and Skin Care in Beverly Hills
- Rachel Westbay, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
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