We Tested 18 Tweezers — These 5 Are the Best at Plucking Every Hair

Our Testing Process

To start, we spent about a week researching the top-rated tweezer tools on the market. After honing in on online ratings, we spent 24 hours putting the 18 most popular tweezers to the test. We had each of our testers try the tweezers so that they could analyze the performance of each one and write down their insights during the process. In doing so, our testers rated each pair of tweezers on a scale of 1 to 5 for three key categories: ease of use, grip, and overall performance. Once the data was collected, we were able to narrow down the original pool of products to the five best tweezers.

What to Keep in Mind

Tip Shape

Each tip shape serves different purposes. Pointed tips are the most precise and are especially helpful in removing hair stubble, ingrown hairs or splinters (our favorite is the Tweezerman Point Tweezer). Because of the fine tip, these types of tweezers generally provide more control when plucking. Slanted tips, on the other hand, offer more flexibility in plucking stray hairs. According to eyebrow expert Joey Healy, these types of tips are great for grooming eyebrows. No matter what tip shade you choose, Healy recommends looking for a pair that has good "bounce back." A term Healy made up for tweezers with a bit of resistance, but still close all the way. We've all tried tweezers that were difficult to open and close and it made tweezing even more of a pain.

Size and Material

When shopping for tweezers, you'll also want to factor in size and material. "You want to find a tweezer that feels comfortable in your hand," Healy says. "For me, I prefer full-length tweezers versus short mini ones. In addition to a variety of lengths, tweezers also come with both wide and narrow grip options for your fingers and thumb to rest on while plucking. Lastly, look for a pair made of stainless steel. This material won't rust, is easy to clean, and is the most hygienic option.

Extra Features

Tweezer tips can be sharp, so it's important to protect yourself from being poked when searching for them in your kit. Consider looking for options that come with protective covers (like our Best Overall pick, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tweezers). These coverings are designed to fit over the sharp point of the tweezers to prevent injury and ensure that the tips don't become dull after repeated contact with other tools in your stash. "Tweezers won't dull because of your skin," Healy says. "What will dull them is dropping them on the floor, throwing them in a cosmetics bag, or putting them in a drawer where they bounce around and hit other things."

Your Questions, Answered

What are tweezers used for?

Tweezers are primarily used for grooming eyebrows and removing stray facial hairs. They can also be used to remove splinters, thorns, and glass from the skin.

Are tweezers good for hair removal?

Tweezers are good for hair removal because they pull the full hair from the root and the bulb from the follicle. And, according to Healy, the result is better than other hair removal alternatives. "Sometimes, with threading or waxing, the hair can break and cause painful ingrowns," he says. "But with tweezing, you pull each hair one at a time in the direction of the hair growth so that it doesn't break or turn and grow back into the skin."

Because tweezing involves plucking small hairs one by one, it can be tedious and only practical for limited areas like the eyebrows, chin, and nose, or to clean up stray hairs where another removal technique has been used. For a multipurpose option, consider the Benefit Grooming Tweezer & Brush for a full brow-grooming experience.

How do you use tweezers for hair removal?

Before starting, make sure your hair, skin, and tweezers are clean and dry. To remove hair with tweezers, it's recommended that you use a mirror in bright lighting. "Hold the tweezers in your dominant hand and a brush or spoolie in your other hand," Healy explains. "Then, comb through the brows and use the tweezer to pull individual hairs, one by one." The best lighting for tweezing, believe it or not, is often your car in the daylight. So let's not judge if we see someone parked plucking their eyebrows — they're onto something.

How do you reduce pain while plucking eyebrows?

According to Healy, tweezing can be a little painful — especially in the winter if your skin is dry, or during that time of the month. "It's less painful to pluck after the shower, when your brows will be a bit more pliable and softer, making it less painful to tweeze," he says. Using counter-pressure can be helpful, too. "If you pluck a hair, try putting your finger on it right away — it can help take away the sting," he shares.

What Is InStyle Picks?

Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in exchange. Put simply: InStyle Picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too.

Want more product recommendations? From best-in-class concealer to the black pants you need for work, check out all of our InStyle Picks content.