Braun Silk Epil 7 vs 9 Comparison & Review: Which is Better?

by Garrick Dee | Last Updated: June 23rd, 2020

When it comes to epilators, only a few brands can match Braun in terms of quality and performance.

The Emjoi AP-18 may have more tweezers, but it does not have any massage rollers or cordless functionality that the Silk Epil line has.

We’ll be comparing two of Braun’s top of the line variants – the Braun Silk Epil 7 vs. Silk Epil 9.

I’ll be breaking down every feature of these two epilators from the epilating head down to the nitty-gritty like run time.

Braun Silk Epil 7

Tweezers: 40

Epilating head width: 18.9 mm

Run Time: 40 mins.

Shortest hair: 0.5mm

Recharge: 60 mins.

Wet/Dry: Yes

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Braun Silk Epil 9

Tweezers: 40

Epilating head width: 31.5 mm

Run Time: 40-50 mins. *

Shortest hair: 0.5mm

Recharge: 60-120 mins. *

Wet/Dry: Yes

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* The Braun Silk Epil 9-990, 9-985, and 9-980 will run for up to 50 mins but will require 2 hours to recharge.

For both the Braun Silk Epil 7 and 9, there are different sub-models. All these options use the same epilating head, so expect the same performance from both models.

The differences mainly would be the accessories that come along with it.

Comparing the Epilating head of the Braun Silk Epil 7 vs. 9

image source: Bloglovin.com

Both the Silk Epil 7 and 9 have 40 tweezers that work efficiently at plucking hair off the skin.

And each of these variants will have a close grip so both will be capable of picking up fine hair up to 0.5mm long.

Zero-point-five millimeters is barely visible to the naked eye. There’s no need to wait for the hair to grow to lengths visible to the naked eye (or 2mm) to epilate, which is the case for waxing.

The most significant difference between these two would be that the Silk Epil 9 has the broad epilating head that covers more ground.

I’ve gotten some messages asking if the Silk Epil 9 has more tweezers – both have the same number, the difference is the tweezers in the Silk Epil 9 is more spread out.

Senso Smart Technology

Both the Silk Epil 9 and 7 have the Senso Smart technology that tells you how much pressure is required.

It’s basically a pressure sensor on the epilating head that flashes red if it detects too much pressure.

One of the biggest mistakes women make when epilating would be applying more pressure than necessary. Doing so will increase the risk of tweezers pinching the skin.

Pivoting head

Moving both epilators back and forth skin will be easy thanks to the pivoting head feature.

This feature is available when you use the high-efficiency cap that also holds the massage rollers.

Wet/dry functionality

Having wet functionality helps somewhat if you prefer epilating inside the shower.

Just make sure to do so towards the end, not at the start, so the hair follicles are soft and easier to pluck.

Since both of these epilators are cordless, it allows women to use this wet or dry depending on their preference.

Cleaning is also easy because these machines are waterproof. However, please take note that the top-of-the-line Silk Epil 9 SensoSmart isn’t fully waterproof, so you cannot fully submerge this underwater.

Speed settings

These epilators also give you the option to control the speed of which the tweezers spin. Both have two speed settings – high and low.

Women who are just starting out epilating will find the lowest setting more comfortable and, in most cases, enough to pluck the hair.

The high setting would work best on women who want to epilate faster. Turning up the speed, though, will make it more painful.

Visibility in tracking hair

Both epilators have LED lights (Braun calls this the SmartLight technology) to help illuminate the area you are epilating.

The bright LED light will help you track down fine hair. Women who have blond hair will benefit the most with this.

Accessories

The accessories that come will depend on the variant. We’ll look at each of the sub-models plus what accessories are included.

Braun Silk Epil 7 7-561

The Silk Epil 7 7-561 comes with a total of 8 attachments, most notable of which is the bikini trimmer and trimmer cap. It is an excellent option for women looking for a tool that can trim the hair in the pubic area.

Silk Epil 7 521

One of the more affordable options available, but has the least amount of accessories. Women who don’t want the extras and only the epilating features should get this alternative. It has an efficiency cap that helps with plucking hair from sensitive areas like the armpit and pubic area.

Silk Epil 7-880

This variant is the only option in the Epil 7 range that has the SensoSmart technology. If you’re not familiar with it. It’s a sensor on the epilating head that detects pressure and lights up when there’s too much.

Silk Epil 7 7-929 Skin Spa Beauty Edition

Women who are looking for an epilator with exfoliation brushes should go with this option. It comes with two brush attachments designed for exfoliating the whole body.

Braun Silk Epil 9-990

The latest Silk Epil 9 sub-model that has a total of 13 attachments. It’s an excellent choice for women looking for a tool that will not just pluck hair but also exfoliate the skin.

Silk Epil 9-985 Deluxe

This option is one of the more expensive alternatives. It comes with an assortment of exfoliating brushes, a nasal trimmer, and more. This is one of three Silk Epil 9 variants that have a 50 minute run time.

Silk Epil 9-890 with SensoSmart

This variant comes with the SensoSmart technology that detects the amount of pressure applied to the skin. If there’s too much, a red light will flash as a warning. It will run for up to 50 minutes but needs two hours to fully charge.

Silk Epil 9 9-579 Bonus Edition

The Bonus Edition comes with the complete set of caps plus an exfoliating facial brush – excellent for removing makeup and exfoliating the more sensitive facial skin.

Despite being the cheaper option, the Silk Epil 7 has more available accessories, in my opinion. The precision cap, for instance, will work great on the bikini and underarm area – both more sensitive than the legs.

Both have the bikini trimmer that helps with keeping pubic hair at bay.

This is one of my favorite attachments because it will save you money by not having to buy an extra trimmer.

Maintenance costs

The beauty of using an epilator is the frequency or lack thereof.

Experts would recommend using this more often during the initial stages, so your skin gets used to the plucking sensation. After the initial phase, the cycle will vary depending on hair growth.

It could be once a week, one every few weeks, or monthly.

So unlike a razor, you don’t need to use this every day or every other day.

Since the tweezers just pluck out hair and not shave, there are no blades to replace.

The only thing that requires maintenance is the epilating head. Fortunately, this part can last a long time with proper upkeep.

Unfortunately, Braun does not mention in their documentation how often this part needs replacing. Perhaps, it’s a part that does not need replacing when adequately maintained.

Replacement heads are available just in case you need one.

Run time

Both these variants use a Li-ion battery that will take at least one hour to recharge and will run for at least forty minutes.

All Silk Epil 7 variants will have the same 1 hr./40 min. Recharge/run time ratio. For the Silk Epil 9, three options will run for up to 50 minutes and take 2 hours to fully charge. These include the Braun Silk Epil 9-990, 9-985, and 9-980.

What’s the Best Bang for the Buck?

Looking at the value, both epilators bring a lot to the table. Each model offers unique advantages, but it’s hard to say with definition, which is the better option.

In terms of dollar value, the Braun Silk Epil 7 is the less expensive option. But there are other factors to consider when choosing an epilator depending on the need.

Best value for hair removal

If your primary goal is purely hair removal, the Silk Epil 7 offers better value. Depending on the option, the Silk Epil 7 is, in most cases, cheaper. Even if the Silk Epil 9 has a wider epilating head, the Epil 7 has the same number of tweezers that will offer comparative results.

Best value for attachments

Both models have an extensive set of attachments that range from caps to extra tools like such as a bikini trimmer. The Silk Epil 9 has the advantage of having more choices for exfoliation brushes if that is a priority for you. However, the Braun Silk Epil 7 has the advantage of being the cheaper option across the product range.

Best value for technology

There isn’t much of a difference between the Braun Silk Epil 7 and 9 when it comes to technology. These epilators have the same number of tweezers. Depending on the sub-model, each one has the SensoSmart technology that detects pressure that gives you a heads up when there is too much.

The only advantage the Silk Epil 9 has is the wider epilating head. However, it has the same number of tweezers as the Silk Epil 7, so there won’t be much of a difference when it comes to performance.

The verdict: Is the Braun Silk Epil 9 worth extra $$$ over the Silk Epil 7?

There are only a few reasons why you would want to get the Braun Silk Epil 9 over the Silk Epil 7.

One of which would be the wide epilator head that covers more area.

The strange thing though is, both these epilators have the same number of tweezers, which is 40. So technically, it will pluck the same amount of hair.

3 Reasons why you should buy the Braun Silk Epil 7

Despite being the older model, the Silk Epil 7 still remains a popular option for women thanks to the lower price versus the Silk Epil 9. Both these variants have the same number of tweezers and motor, thus have a similar performance.

Click here to check the latest prices of the Braun Silk Epil 7

3 Reasons why you should buy the Braun Silk Epil 9

The Silk Epil 9 comes with more options than any epilator available right now in terms of accessories. Braun also says that this is their fastest option when it comes to hair removal.

Click here to check the latest prices of the Braun Silk Epil 9

If you look closely at the epilator head of the Silk Epil 7, it has more tweezer density while in the Epil 9, it spread farther apart.

More tweezer density means the Silk Epil 7 will work better in close quarters that have more hair density like the armpit.

The wider head of the Silk Epil 9 would do better in areas like the legs or arms.

Another plus for the Epil 9 would be the accessories that come along with it such as the exfoliating brush and bikini trimmer.

If you want these add-ons, then, by all means, go with the more expensive Braun Silk Epil 9.

But if it’s just epilating you’re after and don’t mind not having features like the pressure sensing “Senso Smart” or the add-ons, then save yourself some cash and go with the Braun Silk Epil 7.

You can’t go wrong with either the Braun Silk Epil 7 vs. 9.

Choosing a variant will depend on how much you’re willing to spend and what your preferences are.

To be honest, the Silk Epil 7 is an excellent value for money at just under $90 thanks to all the attachments that include a trimmer.

It is an excellent option if you don’t mind not having the wide epilating head or SensoSmart feature.