Best bikini trimmers quick picks
Anyone who’s ever endured a too-painful bikini wax, a string of stubborn ingrown hairs or itchy razor burn knows there’s no perfect, one-size-fits-all solution to hair removal, but the best bikini trimmers for women can offer a convenient option for at-home upkeep. A quality bikini trimmer is affordable, easy to use and oftentimes travel-friendly, making it an attractive option for anyone looking for an easier, more sustainable and less expensive way to groom.
“Trimming provides a gentler option than waxing, sugaring and lasering, and can be perfect for people that experience pain, irritation, nicks or bumps from the other options,” says Dr. Isfahan Chambers-Harris, trichologist and founder of Alodia, a clean, clinical scalp and hair care line.
Even more, they offer a great option for anyone who may not have the additional time or discretionary budget to spend on expensive appointments, says Laura Schubert, CEO of Fur, a skin care brand that specializes in pubic hair health. Plus, many of them are water-resistant, making it easy for anyone who usually shaves to switch up their shower routine.
“No grooming routine is ‘better’ than any other, per se, but trimming is a great option for people who deal with extreme skin sensitivity,” she adds. “If you plan on grooming in the shower, look for a trimmer that is water-resistant and has a spotlight so you can see what you’re doing.”
How do you use a bikini trimmer?
A bikini trimmer works the same way as a women’s razor, with the added benefit of protecting against nicks or cuts for the sensitive area. Trimmers are typically electric and will have guards to protect the skin in order to prevent irritation. Because of this buffer, they may not cut as closely as a typical razor. An added benefit of an electric trimmer is that you don’t have to use a pre-shave product like shaving cream.
Dr. Purvisha Patel, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, says any razor used on the bikini area “should be sharp and preferably more than one blade, that makes the chances of getting a smooth shave with the least amount of passes better.”
Whatever bikini trimmer you choose, there’s one tip to keep in mind:
“Always shave with the grain; this is in the direction of hair growth,” Patel says. “Shaving against the grain leads to a sharp edge of the hair that, when the hair grows back, can cause inflammation, occlusion of the hair follicles and create shave bumps.”
How to prevent ingrown hairs when using a bikini trimmer
Ingrown hairs are caused when the hair follicle is disrupted from shaving or another irritant that causes the hair to grow inward. In order to prevent them, dermatologists say to always shave in the direction of hair growth, use shaving cream with a razor and exfoliate the area to get rid of dead skin cells that might clog the hair follicle and cause ingrowns. Check out our guide to getting rid of razor bumps to get all the dermatologist-approved tips.
Do I need shaving cream/gel when using a bikini trimmer?
Most electric trimmers don’t require a shaving cream or gel, but if you choose to use a manual razor you’ll definitely want to lather up. “You do not need anything special for the bikini area, but you can look for products designed for sensitive?skin,” Patel says. The dermatologist says regular soap or body wash may be too drying for the skin around the bikini area, and says to go for a creamy body wash or shaving cream. She recommends the Top 2 Toe body wash from her own brand, which she says “is designed for?body?shaving, as it has bakuchiol, acids, zinc and tea tree oil to help decrease the chance of shave bumps by decreasing inflammation and killing bacteria and fungus.”
Ahead, 14 of the best trimmers on the market, according to experts and reviews.
Best bikini trimmers
“For when you're traveling or on vacations, my favorite is the Philips Bikini Genie Cordless Trimmer,” Chambers-Harris says. “It’s cordless, compact and doesn’t use a charger, so it’s perfect.”
Philips is known for its effective and efficient OneBlade razors, and its portable and rechargeable intimate groomer is another great option. The trimmer is designed with a skin protector to prevent nicks and ingrown hairs. It also comes with a comb attachment to keep a bit of the hair's length as you shave.
“For home use, my favorite is the Fur Trimmer,” Chambers-Harris says. “It’s pricey, but I like the fact that you can customize your shaving lengths, you get a very close shave and it has a light.” Schubert agrees, adding that many trimmers on the market are gendered. “The ones ‘for men’ and are barbershop inspired — black and chrome, powerful, not water-resistant,” she says. “Or they are ‘for women’ and are pink, battery operated and not powerful. This is simply a trimmer for people with hair, which is all of us.”
This trimmer is one of our beauty editor’s favorite grooming products, which she found after it went viral on TikTok. Reviewers say its “design is absolutely genius” and if you’re looking for an “affordable body razor that’s waterproof, [has a blade you] can replace ... and [has] detachable combs for length control, this is the one.” However, if you’re looking for something particularly narrow, just keep in mind that it’s for both men and women.
Reviewers give this waterproof trimmer 5 stars for the way it glides along the bikini line and trims hair in one quick pass. It comes with one guard and holds a battery charge for weeks, according to one customer.
This Conair trimmer is a budget-friendly pick that’s great for less coarse hair. One reviewer says she was “surprised how well it works! Great little trimmer for small areas.” Plus, its cordless design makes it easy to use in the shower.
“Having adjustable trimmers is also important so that you can customize to your liking,” Chambers-Harris says. With thousands of 5-star reviews, this trimmer, which comes with four different attachments for various length preferences, is “great for intimate areas.” Its cordless design makes it travel-friendly too.?
According to one reviewer, this wet-and-dry trimmer “was easy to use, didn’t clog or get stuck with hair easily and helped trim to a manageable length.” It comes with a removable guard that helps lightly trim without any residual bumps.?
Thanks to its R-shaped, rounded tip and ceramic blade, this bikini trimmer is great for a close shave without nicks or irritation. It can be used wet or dry and charges on a dock just like your cordless electric toothbrush. Reviewers overwhelmingly remarked on its quality feel.?
This sleek, fan-favorite rechargeable trimmer comes with three interchangeable heads, an eyebrow detailing head, a rotary facial shaver head and a trimmer head for a super-close shave in any area. Plus, one of its nearly 10,000 5-star reviews raves over how great it is for sensitive skin: “I was so tired of … getting instant razor burn and discomfort, [so] I decided to start trimming,” says one reviewer who uses it on her bikini line. “I can easily say this is the best hair trimmer I’ve ever used!”
While customers remarked that this angled dry shaver and trimmer isn’t for in-shower or everyday use, it’s a great travel option thanks to its compact design.?
Perfect for even the most sensitive of skin, this wet/dry electric razor and trimmer has three high-speed blades to groom even the coarsest of bikini lines without irritation or pain. Its built-in spotlight means you get a clear view of hard-to-reach areas, even in the shower. One reviewer loved “how close and well the razor shaves my legs, bikini and armpit areas. I have coarse hair and my skin is dry … but there is no redness or irritation after shaving. The razor is comfortable and easy to hold and manipulate as I shave.”
Sure, this trimmer is decidedly masculine in name and branding, but the 3.0 isn’t only as quiet as can be — it also handles curves beautifully. Plus, it can be used wet or dry and boasts a cordless, rechargeable battery with an hour and a half of life, which means you can go a full month before having to charge it again.
With dozens of 5-star reviews, this trimmer is a great option for anyone who prefers to trim in the shower. “This razor works great, and I can use it wet or dry,” one reviewer says.
