The best IPL and laser hair removal devices in the UK for quick and easy grooming at home, tested | Beauty
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Tired of waxing, bored by shaving and fed up with ingrown hairs? In the past few years, a quiet revolution has been taking 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) and laser 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 such as 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 13 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.
At a glance
Why you should trust me
I’m new to IPL, but I’ve tested my fair share of hair removal tools over the past 15 years as a beauty journalist. I also have more than three decades of personal experience tackling body hair, from shaving to waxing and beyond, and I’m always on the lookout for methods that make the process quicker, easier and less painful.
How I tested
I tested 13 IPL machines, including corded and cordless models. I used each device as directed for three full sessions, focusing on the same area 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, against which I could compare regrowth.
I checked the weight and dimensions of each device and noted how 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 could produce – an indication of the product lifetime.
Any devices that weren’t 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.
The best IPL and laser hair removal devices
Best IPL device overall for face and body:
Philips Lumea 9900
Philips
Lumea 9900
from £570
What we love
Foolproof smart attachments that select the best settings
What we don’t love
Top-heavy design and slower flash rate than other IPLs
Philips has been in the IPL game for years – the first Lumea model was launched in 2010, and this version came out in 2024. 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 best feature of the Lumea 9900 is its four smart attachments that trigger a suitable light intensity for the selected treatment area. The body attachment covers larger patches quickly, while the facial attachment triggers a more gentle intensity suitable for sensitive skin. I tested a 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 fit on to the main unit.
The Lumea 9900 can be used with mains power or cordless; I found the cordless mode best for reaching areas such as under the arms, although the flash rate is faster when the unit is plugged into the mains. An optional app helps with recommended settings for your skin tone and treatment area, and also includes a handy treatment schedule tracker.
If you’re primarily looking for a device to tackle leg hair, 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
Attachments: four – body, face, bikini and underarms
Note: the Lumea 9900 is not designed for use without attachments
Philips
Lumea 9900
from £570
What we love
Foolproof smart attachments that select the best settings
What we don’t love
Top-heavy design and slower flash rate than other IPLs
Best budget IPL device:
Bondi Body v2 Laser @home
Bondi Body
v2 Laser @home
£134.50
What we love
Easy to use with a clean, simple design
What we don’t love
Slower flash means this takes longer to treat large areas
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 here. 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 any 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 6 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 … like many IPL devices – but not all; see the Silk’n below – the V2 is limited in the range of skin and hair colours on which it can be used. The three-second flash rate is on the slower side, too, 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
Attachments: no additional attachments
Note: the single treatment window of the Bondi Body v2 is suitable for use on body, underarms, bikini and lower face – not near eyes
Bondi Body
v2 Laser @home
£134.50
What we love
Easy to use with a clean, simple design
What we don’t love
Slower flash means this takes longer to treat large areas
Best for all skin and hair types:
Silk’n 7
Silk’n
IPL 7
from £399.20
What we love
This IPL treats the widest range of skin and hair colours
What we don’t love
Expensive, but worth it if you have dark skin or light hair
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 Dustbuster – the one I tested was 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 the 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 it’s 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 a second
Lifetime number of flashes: 600,000
Power levels: five
Attachments: three – body, underarm/bikini and face
Note: the Silk’n 7 is not designed for use without attachments
Silk’n
IPL 7
from £399.20
What we love
This IPL treats the widest range of skin and hair colours
What we don’t love
Expensive, but worth it if you have dark skin or light hair
Best laser hair removal device:
Tria 4X hair removal laser
Tria
4X hair-removal laser
£549.99
What we love
Good results in just a few treatments
What we don’t love
Small treatment window means treatments take longer; heavy
The new version of the Tria 4X, launched late last year, is the only device here that includes an 810nm diode laser for faster, more powerful at-home epilation.
Why we love it
Unlike the other devices in this list, the Tria 4X uses a true laser instead of scattered IPL light. What this means is that instead of flashing, the device emits a pulse of warm red light similar to that used in salon laser treatments, and beeps reassuringly with each successful pulse. As with most of the devices in this roundup, the Tria 4X cannot be used on either very dark skin or very light hair – in fact, the 4X’s built-in Skin Sensor will only allow the device to be unlocked if your skin tone is treatable.
Once the device is unlocked, there are five power levels to choose from, shown clearly on the 4X’s LCD screen; levels 3 and 4 felt comfortable on my skin. The treatment window is smaller than that of other laser devices I’ve tried previously, and I found I needed to keep careful track of where I’d treated so I didn’t miss any spots. Tria recommends six treatments carried out every fortnight; I noticed a definite reduction in growth sooner than this, with smooth patches visible on my test leg after just three treatments.
This second-generation Tria 4X has an updated design to improve grip; it nevertheless feels heavy to hold compared with other devices here. However, I did like that it’s cordless, which made it easy to use on tricky areas such as the backs of my legs – and after the initial treatment phase, you shouldn’t need to use it more than once a month for maintenance.
It’s a shame that … the treatment window is small, making the Tria 4X good for smaller areas such as face and bikini – but leg and body treatments take longer to carry out. It’s also noticeably heavier than other devices here.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No
Flash rate (timed): not applicable
Lifetime number of flashes: not applicable (laser)
Power levels: five
Attachments: no additional attachments
Note: the single treatment window of the Tria 4X is suitable for use on body, underarms, bikini and lower face – not near eyes
Tria
4X hair-removal laser
£549.99
What we love
Good results in just a few treatments
What we don’t love
Small treatment window means treatments take longer; heavy
The best of the rest
Ulike Air 10
What we love
Chic, comfortable design; built-in cooling system works well
What we don’t love
Not cordless so slightly tricky to use in some body areas
Best for: fast hair removal
The Kim Kardashian-endorsed Ulike Air 10 is a neat, compact device sporting a curved design that feels comfortable to hold. It’s super stylish for an IPL device – I tested the Air 10 in metallic violet, but there’s also a pretty pearl white option. It’s not too heavy in the hand and is very simple to operate, with just one built-in treatment head covering all body areas, including underarms and bikini line. I really liked the one-touch stubborn hair removal mode, designed for thicker hairs, and the built-in skin-cooling system, which keeps the device cool during use and makes treatments more comfortable.
The Ulike’s fast flash rate means it treats large body areas quickly and with ease, and the device can be used three times in the first three weeks and then once or twice weekly, for fast results. I saw a reduction in hair growth after three weeks, with full results expected in 12.
It didn’t make the final cut because … the Ulike Air 10 isn’t cordless, which makes it slightly awkward to manoeuvre around the backs of the knees, and also means you need to stay near a plug socket throughout treatment.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No; flash rate (timed): four flashes a second; lifetime number of flashes: 900,000; power settings: four – normal, fast, high-intensity and stubborn; attachments: no additional attachments
Note: the Ulike Air 10 is suitable for use on body, underarms, bikini area and face
What we love
Chic, comfortable design; built-in cooling system works well
What we don’t love
Not cordless so slightly tricky to use in some body areas
Foreo Peach 2
What we love
Silicone casing feels soft and comfortable; useful app
What we don’t love
App pushes paid upgrades; slower results than other IPLs
Best 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. 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; attachments: no additional attachments.
Note: Foreo Peach 2 is suitable for use on body, underarms, bikini area and face
What we love
Silicone casing feels soft and comfortable; useful app
What we don’t love
App pushes paid upgrades; slower results than other IPLs
Braun Silk Expert Pro 5
Braun
Silk Expert Pro 5
from £600
What we love
Good all-round IPL device for face and body
What we don’t love
One of the more expensive IPLs on our list
Best 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 … It’s a sleek and powerful device, but I preferred the Lumea 9900 for ease of use, or the Silk’n 7 for the widest range of skin/hair colour compatibility.
Suitable for dark skin/light hair? No; flash rate (timed): two flashes a second; lifetime number of flashes: 400,000; power settings: three; attachments: two – standard and precision.
Note: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 is suitable for use on body, underarms, bikini area and lower face
Braun
Silk Expert Pro 5
from £600
What we love
Good all-round IPL device for face and body
What we don’t love
One of the more expensive IPLs on our list
What you need to know
What is IPL?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light – a system that uses pulses (or flashes) of light to heat up the hair follicles and cause the hair to enter the telogen or “resting” phase. This makes the hair shed, or fall out, and inhibits regrowth, meaning hairs come back slower and finer. Although IPL isn’t a permanent hair removal treatment, with repeated use hair regrowth reduces significantly.
IPL vs laser hair removal
Both IPL and salon laser treatments reduce hair regrowth by heating the hair follicle to disrupt future growth. The difference lies in the type of light used: professional salon laser treatments use focused, high-energy lasers that target hairs more precisely, and so tend to deliver faster results. IPL devices use broad-spectrum light and are designed to be safe for at-home use.
Some at-home treatment devices use a lower-energy laser that’s suitable for home use, and which can produce both faster and longer-lasting results than IPL. We’ve included one at-home laser device in our roundup, the Tria 4X.
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.
How many sessions do I need to get results?
The exact number of treatments needed to see results from your IPL (or laser) device will depend on a combination of factors, including the power of the device (and the power setting you choose), how quickly your hair normally grows, and the consistency of treatments.
Since IPL works by targeting hair during its growth phase, you begin with treatments between one and three times a week to catch each growth cycle in turn. You may start to notice finer regrowth within two to three weeks, as hairs that would normally be visible above the skin enter their resting phase.
After six to eight weeks, regrowth will be noticeably reduced; most manufacturers recommend weekly sessions for 10 to 12 weeks to ensure all hairs have been treated, after which you move to a monthly schedule of maintenance treatments to keep regrowth minimal.
How often can you use at-home IPL?
To avoid the risk of skin irritation (and because IPL is only effective on hairs in the anagen growth phase), many devices recommend no more than weekly treatments during the first 12 weeks. Where more frequent treatments are possible, we’ve noted this above.
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 – we’ve included one device above (the Silk’n 7) specifically designed for a wider range of skin and hair tones. Note that IPL isn’t suitable for male facial hair due to its thickness.
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 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 400,000 to 900,000 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 to 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.
For a working device, 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.
For more, read our guide to the best epilators for leg, underarm and face grooming and the best fake tan for a streak-free glow
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
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