It's hardly a surprise that at-home laser hair removal machines, as well as IPL devices, are often hailed as the most convenient – not to mention pain-free – method of removing unwanted hairs. Sure, shaving takes the crown for its popularity and affordable price, however, it also comes with its own set of issues, such as ingrown hair, itching, irritation and dry skin.
Elsewhere, other ways of hair removal such as epilators or waxing are known to fall short in the pain department. Trust me, as someone who used to get my body waxed for nearly a decade, I always dreaded my appointments, often having to mentally prep myself for the pain (especially when it concerned my bikini area). That is, until I discovered at-home IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).
Sure, IPL devices often come with a high price tag, but they're also equipped with the latest technology, long-battery life and user-friendly software, making the process of hair removal considerably easier and well worth the long-term investment.
So if you're are willing to cast aside your trusty razor, waxing kit or an electric trimmer in favour of a compact IPL machine but can't decide between the sheer number of options out there, we're here to help and answer all your burning FAQs. The GLAMOUR team are well seasoned testers who have tried dozens of at-home laser hair removal devices first-hand, so we took extra care in curating this edit, while taking into consideration all the pros and the cons – no gatekeeping.
SKIP TO: What does IPL stand for? | What's the difference between IPL and laser? | How laser hair removal works | Is laser hair removal at home safe? | Does it work on everyone? | How can you prepare for a treatment? | The best at home laser hair removal devices.
Best laser hair removal machine at a glance – our top picks:
- Best laser hair removal machine overall: SmoothSkin Bare+ Ultrafast IPL Device Exclusive Collection, £149
- Best laser hair removal machine for sensitive skin: Philips Lumea Prestige IPL Hair Removal Device, WAS £509.99 NOW £399.99
- Best cordless laser hair removal machine: Sensica Sensilight Pro with RPL Technology For Permanent Hair Reduction, £299
- Best laser hair removal machine for legs: Braun Silk·expert Pro 5 PL5124 Women’s IPL, WAS £599.99 NOW £320
SmoothSkin Bare+ Ultrafast IPL Device Exclusive Collection
Philips Lumea IPL Series 8000 Hair Removal Device
Sensilight Pro with RPL Technology For Permanent Hair Reduction
Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5
Meet the experts:
- Chloé Fallon, IPL beauty expert at Philips
- Barbara Taylor, senior practitioner at Pulse Light Clinic
What does IPL stand for?
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. IPL laser hair removal is arguably the most effective hair removal technique around (even more so than your epilator) – namely because it’s a permanent hair removal system for both legs and hard-to-reach areas.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
IPL is widely considered to be one of the most pain-free hair removal methods, but this ultimately depends on you and the device you're using. Nowadays, many laser hair removal tools has built-in cooling technologies, which makes those quick bursts of light as painless as possible. Naturally, you should also always look to start off on the lowest settings possible to see how you react.
How we tested the best laser hair removal devices:
Each of the devices below scored highly when marked against ease-of-use, versatility, pain felt during use, attachments and how quickly we saw results on different skin types. As well as testing the most popular IPL devices such as the Silk N' Infinity, the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, the Tria Hair Removal Laser 4X and the JOVS Venus Pro Skin Rejuvenation and IPL Hair Removal Device, we've made a conscious effort to check the latest customer reviews and spoke to dermatology experts. Below, you'll find the 11 products that made the cut. (Find out how we test here).
