Tired of waxing, bored by shaving and fed up with ingrown hairs? In the past few years, a quiet revolution has taken place in the hair removal market, promising to banish stubbly regrowth and take away the pain of waxing and epilation. I’m speaking of the growing number of IPL (intense pulsed light) devices suitable for home use.
Put simply, IPL uses pulses of light to make the hair go into its resting phase (stop growing) and fall out. IPL isn’t a permanent hair-removal solution like electrolysis, but you should see a significant reduction in hair regrowth over time. With the right device, it’s also simple to do at home, fairly quick and almost completely painless.
I tried 10 of the best at-home IPL devices at a range of price points to see which left me feeling soft and smooth without stress or mess.
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At a glance
Best IPL device overall for face and body:
Philips Lumea 9900
Best budget IPL device:
No!No! Plus
Best for ease of use:
Bondi Body v2 laser @home
Best for all skin and hair types:
Silk’n 7
Best laser hair removal device:
CurrentBody Skin laser hair removal device
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Why you should trust me
I’m new to IPL, but over the past 15 years as a beauty journalist I’ve tested my fair share of depilation tools and products. I’ve also been removing hair from parts of my body using other methods for well over 30 years, and I’m always looking for ways to make the process simpler, quicker and less painful.
How I tested
I tested 10 IPL machines, including corded and cordless models. To test, I used each device as directed for three full sessions, focusing on the same place every time and keeping a record of how long it took to treat each area, how the treated area felt afterwards, and how much regrowth was visible after the first, second and third sessions. In my commitment to thoroughness (and almost total disregard for the conventions of summer dressing), I also left a “control” area untreated, to compare regrowth against.
I checked the weight and dimensions of each device and noted how easy each felt to hold and manoeuvre in normal use. I also used a stopwatch to time the flash rate. Finally, I noted the total number of flashes each device can produce – an indication of the product lifetime.
Any devices not returned to the manufacturer after testing were donated for resale to the homelessness charity Crisis.
Here are the seven best IPL devices from my tests.
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The best IPL and laser hair removal devices
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Best IPL device overall for face and body:
Philips Lumea 9900
£449.99 at John Lewis
£436.49 at Amazon
Philips has been in the IPL game for years – the first Lumea model was launched in 2010, and this version came out last year. The Lumea 9900 is particularly versatile, with five power levels and four attachments for use on the face, underarms and body.
Why we love it
The neatest aspect of the Lumea 9900 is the four smart attachments that trigger a suitable light intensity for the selected treatment area when fitted: the body attachment covers larger patches quickly, while the facial attachment triggers a more gentle intensity suitable for sensitive skin. I tested a more expensive version of the 9900 (model BRP958) that comes with a separate mini facial hair remover (handy for treating peach fuzz), but the version linked above also treats facial hair and sensitive areas effectively thanks to the smart attachments that go on the main unit.
The Lumea 9900 can be used with mains power or cordless; I found using it in cordless mode made it easy to reach areas such as under the arms, although the flash rate is faster when plugged into the mains. An optional app helps with recommended settings for your skin tone and treatment area, and a handy treatment schedule tracker.
If you’re primarily looking for a leg treatment, there are cheaper devices here that are also easier to hold – the Lumea’s design is a bit top-heavy and can feel awkward. But if you want to use it on your face and multiple body parts, it’s the most versatile device on our list. I had good results within a few weeks, with less hair growing back than usual.
It’s a shame that … with a flash rate of about two seconds a flash, it takes more time to move the device over a treatment area, so it’s comparatively slow. It takes about 10 minutes to do a half leg with the Lumea, compared with five with faster devices.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No
Flash rate (timed): two seconds a flash when plugged into mains (slower when cordless)
Lifetime number of flashes: 450,000
Power levels: five
Number of attachment heads: four
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Best budget IPL device:
No!No! Plus
£160 at Argos
£160 at Amazon
The No!No! Plus IPL hair remover is an ultra-simple device for anyone unsure about the steep cost of premium options. It’s budget-friendly and does the basics with absolutely zero bells and whistles.
Why we love it
Retailing at £160, the Plus has five intensity levels and attachments for face, body and bikini areas. In three test sessions on my leg, I saw some thinning of the hair and reduced regrowth, although not to the same extent as the more powerful models in our list.
While the device is easy to use, it emits an alarmingly bright flash – there’s a reason a pair of dark glasses is included. It also feels somewhat slight and plasticky in comparison with the sturdy builds of the other devices. This is very much an entry-level device for the IPL-curious; if you don’t fancy spending a ton on hair removal, this could be the one for you.
It’s a shame that … hair regrowth is not reduced by as much as with pricier models; it’s definitely built for value rather than quality.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No
Flash rate (timed): two seconds per flash
Lifetime number of flashes: 300,000
Power settings: five
Number of attachment heads: two, plus one built in
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Best for ease of use:
Bondi Body v2 laser @home
£299 at Bondi Body
Another good choice for IPL and laser newcomers, the Bondi Body’s biggest attractions are its neat size and foolproof ease of use.
Why we love it
The V2 IPL device (note that despite the name, it’s an IPL, not a laser) is among the more compact models in our test. Barely bigger than a typical electric shaver or epilator, the contoured oval unit fits nicely in the palm of the hand and is easy to grasp and manoeuvre. The V2 doesn’t come with extra heads or attachments, but that makes it simple and intuitive to use – just press the flash button and go.
There are eight intensity settings, so the V2 can be used on both sensitive areas and coarser hair – I found level six quite comfortable to use on my leg. Bondi Body recommends use up to twice a week on legs and arms, and I found regrowth on my test leg noticeably reduced over the testing period. It’s also compact enough to join you on your travels.
It’s a shame that … the V2 is limited in which skin and hair colours it can be used with – like many IPL devices (but not all; see the Silk’n below). The three-second flash time is on the slower side, so treating a full area takes longer.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No
Flash rate (timed): three seconds per flash
Lifetime number of flashes: 400,000
Power levels: eight
Number of attachment heads: no additional attachments
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Best for all skin and hair types:
Silk’n 7
£399.20 at Cult Beauty
£399.20 at Debenhams
Many of the IPL devices in our test can be used only on fair to medium skin tones, and with medium to dark hair colours. The big appeal of the Silk’n 7 is its skin colour sensor, which calibrates the treatment to work on a wider range of skin and hair colours.
Why we love it
To test the skin and hair colour detection, I used the Silk’n 7 on my arm hairs, which are a very light blond and not usually suitable for IPL treatment. I also tested an area on my leg to compare with our other models. It took both areas in its stride, and I did notice slower regrowth on my arm and leg over the testing period.
The Silk’n 7 has a long, tapered design slightly reminiscent of a Dust Buster – the one I tested came in a rather glam pale gold colour. The device felt comfortable to hold and easy to use; the rotating swivel head makes it easy to reach the more awkward areas of the body, and there are attachments for face, body and underarm areas. I also liked the optional phone app to help keep track of treatments.
It’s a shame that … the Silk’n 7 is one of the more expensive products in our test – but good value if you have a skin/hair colour combination that the other products on our list can’t handle.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? Yes
Flash rate (timed): two per second
Lifetime number of flashes: 600,000
Power levels: five
Number of attachment heads: three
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Best laser hair removal device:
CurrentBody Skin laser hair removal device
£579.99 at CurrentBody
£579.99 at Amazon
The CurrentBody Skin is the only device here that includes a Class 4 laser diode – a more powerful method of at-home epilation, reflected in the price tag.
Why we love it
Unlike other devices tested, the CurrentBody Skin uses a true laser instead of scattered IPL light. This means the treatment schedule is a bit different: rather than every two weeks or so, the recommendation is to use it three times in the first week and weekly thereafter. While this requires a few evenings dedicated to treatments in the first few days, there were noticeably smoother patches on my test leg after just a couple of weeks.
Instead of flashing, the device emits a gentle pulse of warm red light; I found there was a bit of a knack to seeing when the light had pulsed so that I could move on to the next area. The fan that cools the device is also one of the loudest in our test, and it’s quite heavy to hold in the hand. However, each individual treatment is fast, so you’re not holding it for too long, and after a few weeks you won’t need to hold it very often.
It’s a shame that … it’s expensive compared with other devices on our list, and is heavy to hold – but the fast results speak for themselves.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No
Flash rate (timed): not applicable
Lifetime number of flashes: not applicable
Power levels: six
Number of attachment heads: no additional attachments
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The best of the rest
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Foreo Peach 2
£258.30 at John Lewis £202.95 at AmazonBest for: comfort
Swedish beauty brand Foreo’s cute candy-coloured device is a user-friendly product for anyone nervous about trying IPL. The compact unit has a colourful silicone casing, which is easy to grip and feels soft as it glides over the skin. The large treatment window and fast flash rate of two flashes a second mean you can cover large areas quickly and won’t have to spend long on each treatment. There’s a downloadable app that guides you through the treatment steps, which is handy if you’re new to IPL – although the device can be used without.
It didn’t make the final cut because … while I definitely saw a reduction in regrowth after three sessions, there wasn’t as much as with other devices: Foreo recommends 12 weeks’ use for best results. The app is useful (and free) but pushes you to spend more on subscription plans and upgrades.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No; flash rate (timed): two flashes a second; lifetime number of flashes: 500,000; power settings: five; number of attachment heads: no additional attachments
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Braun Silk Expert pro 5
£409.99 at Braun £409.99 at AmazonBest for: an all-rounder
The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL is a powerful all-in-one device. The big draw here is Braun’s SensoAdapt technology, which continuously adjusts the light intensity to skin tone so that it’s always using the most effective level for fast results. You can also manually select from three power levels, and there are two attachment heads: standard for body, and precision for face and intimate areas. Results after three sessions were very good, and Braun promises up to 95% reduction in hair growth with weekly use in the first four to 12 weeks.
It didn’t make the final cut because … I slightly preferred the Lumea 9900 for ease of use, although this is a sleek and powerful device. The Silk Expert Pro 5 is less effective on light hair or dark skin – so you might also prefer the Silk’n 7 at this price point.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No; flash rate (timed): two flashes per second; lifetime number of flashes: 400,000; power settings: three; number of attachment heads: two
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What you need to know
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What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light – a system that uses pulses of light to heat up the hair follicles and cause the hair to go into its telogen or “resting” phase. This makes the hair shed (or fall out) and grow back more slowly and finer. Laser treatment used in salons also heats up the hair follicles to reduce regrowth, but the light used in IPL treatments is broad-spectrum and safe for use at home.
Although IPL isn’t a permanent hair removal treatment, it will significantly reduce hair growth over time. IPL can also be used as a skin treatment to reduce hyperpigmentation, broken veins and acne rosacea.
How do I use my home IPL (or laser) device?
As an IPL newbie, I was surprised to find that the first step is to remove hair from the target area – this is so that the pulsed light reaches the hair follicle directly rather than burning surface hairs, which can cause discomfort. Use your IPL on dry skin, and avoid using body lotions before a treatment.
If you’re using IPL for the first time, start with a test area to check for discomfort before you do the whole body. Select your power level and use the “flash” button to emit a pulse of light, then move on to the next area and repeat. Some devices have a useful “glide” mode, where holding down the flash button releases pulses continuously as you move it over the body. An IPL device with a faster flash rate will, obviously, cover your chosen treatment area more quickly.
Can anyone use IPL?
The treatment works best on light skin with dark hair; very light blond or grey hair may not respond well, and darker skin tones may be at risk of burns. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure your skin and hair type are compatible. IPL is also not suitable for male facial hair due to the thickness of beard hair.
Avoid using IPL on sore or broken skin or very sensitive areas. If your device is designed for facial hair, follow the instructions carefully and use any special facial attachments included. Never use a body-only device on the face.
Are there any drawbacks to using IPL?
The main drawback is the upfront cost – IPL devices cost more than you’re probably used to spending on hair removal. However, if you tot up the cost of a monthly salon wax (or even at-home waxing and depilation), you’ll probably find that an IPL device costs the same or less after about a year or so. IPL devices are also less painful than waxing or epilation, cleaner than creams, and reduce ingrown hairs and irritation compared with shaving.
How long will my IPL device last?
Below each product in this roundup, we’ve detailed the number of flashes each device is expected to produce over its working lifetime, ranging from 300,000 to 600,000 flashes. What that means in practice will depend on the size of the area you want to treat and how often you treat it. You can expect to use about 100-120 flashes each time you treat a half leg (ankle to knee), with most devices recommending a monthly maintenance treatment after the first eight to 12 weeks of use. If you’re using your IPL on your arms and legs once a month, that means your device should last between 20 and 30 years – plenty of use for the price.
Can I recycle my IPL device?
If you want to upgrade your IPL device before it reaches the end of its natural life, you’ll want to make sure you dispose of your current device sustainably.
If your IPL device still works but you no longer need it, check whether the manufacturer offers a refurbishment or resale programme; you may even be able to trade in your old model for a newer device. Resale programmes are also great for buying if you’re on a budget – manufacturer-refurbished IPLs come with the same statutory guarantees as new products, so they’re safe to use and often significantly cheaper.
If your IPL device no longer works, it can still be recycled under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Some manufacturers and retailers accept devices for recycling at the point of sale, or you can check if your local recycling centre accepts WEEE items. If your local centre can’t take WEEE for any reason, Recycle Your Electricals should be able to help.
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Lise Smith is a beauty and lifestyle journalist who loves getting her hands and hair on the latest in beauty technology. While she usually reviews straighteners, curling brushes and other devices that keep your hair looking fabulous, Lise also knows what to do with a gadget designed to get rid of it
