Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 vs 5 IPLs: what’s the difference?

The Braun Pro IPL models use intense pulsed light energy (IPL) to damage and disable your hair follicles, slowing and then stopping hair regrowth. Periodic top-up treatments keep your skin smooth. Learn more about how home IPL works here.

Keep reading for photos and an in-depth comparison of the Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 vs 5 IPL lamp lifetime, design, operation and features, speed, safety and power, effort and results.

See also: how does the Pro 5 compare to the latest Pro 7 IPL?

Braun Pro 5 vs Pro 3 IPL comparison table

Here’s a quick look at the compoarison spec for the Braun Pro 5 IPL and Pro 3 IPL.

Quality & long-lasting

These models are exactly the professional, long-lasting and top-notch quality you expect from Braun. And I think amongst the best home IPL devices you can buy.

The packaging is attractive and neat, and clearly shows all the key information. I love the Pro 5 uses very little plastic packaging. Instead, it secures everything inside the tidy storage pouch. It’s a thoughtful, simple and eco-friendly touch.

Both models feel and look expensive. They have the same excellent build quality, strong and durable materials with robust construction. So, rest assured they’re built to last. They come with a 2-year warranty.

And there’s no need to worry about running out of flashes either.

Based on my standardised calculations they both give enough for 200+ full body sessions. After the start-up phases this equates to 15+ years of whole-body sessions (face, underarms bikini line, full legs). Although the Braun Pro 5 gives more, they both still score 5 stars because you get many more flashes than you’ll need to maintain your smooth.

You also get a UK 100-day money back guarantee with both models. So, if you decide it’s not for you, return it within the guarantee period for a refund. It’s extra reassurance if you change your mind.

Shape & design

The shape and design of both models is near identical with just a few minor differences. The first of which is styling. The Braun Pro 3 IPL is white with lilac trim, whereas the Pro 5 gets the grown-up, more expensive looking white with gold trim.

Both share the same-size, curvy, ergonomic wand-shape. They’re compact and lightweight but not flimsy. The second difference is the Braun Pro 3 IPL is slightly lighter than the Pro 5, presumably because it has less tech inside. The Pro 3 weighs 260g versus 285g for the Pro 5.

They work on mains-power, each with long and flexible power cords. The angled handles keep the cords out of the way as you work. They’re fixed into the handle too, so the weight of the power-pack won’t pull them out mid-zapping. A smaller cable connects to the powerpack and plugs into the mains. So, there’s plenty slack if you work next to an outlet.

Both fit perfectly in hand, are very comfortable to hold, well-balanced and handy to manoeuvre around your body. So, there’s not much to choose between these models here.

Flash windows

Both models have a medium-sized, multi-purpose flash window measuring 1cm by 3cm (3 cm²). They give precise, easy flashes on most body areas. However, it’s a bit tricky to position on the smaller upper-lip and around the jawline. So, most models also have a smaller precision window measuring 1.1 cm x 1.5 cm (1.5 cm²). This is easier to position on smaller, bony or awkward areas.

And if that wasn’t enough (which i think it was), the latest Pro 5 IPL models has even more heads. You get an additional precision head (so you can keep one for your face) and a new wide head. This is slightly larger than the standard, medium-sized head. So, in theory, it means you can cover large areas like your torso or tops of legs even faster. But it’s just millimeters bigger so doesn’t make much difference. I think the Pro 5 and Pro 3 do an excellent job without these extra heads.

Maybe Braun felt left out and wanted as many heads as the Philips Lumea Prestige. Who knows.

Safety & power

Rather unsurprisingly, both models are also proven clinically safe and effective. They also have the same safety features. Here’s a quick comparison of the power & safety creds for the Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 vs 5 IPLs:

The skin sensors keep your eyes safe. Unless covered by skin they won’t flash, so stopping accidental flashes into open space potentially into your eyes. And they protect your skin with a built-in UV filter.

And both models have a skin tone sensor. They check your skin and won’t flash if your tone is too dark. But they’re even more helpful than that. For safe skin tones, they also auto-adjust the IPL intensity to your best match. They do this before every flash. So, you needn’t stop and faff to guess which level to use. They’re simple, super-safe and straightforward to use.

And now for the first of the two key differences between the models…

Although both models are safe for light to dark skin (types I to V) they each have a different IPL intensity range.

• The Braun Pro 5 has higher-power IPL over a broader range with 10 intensities ranging from 3 to 6 J/cm²
• The Braun Pro 3 has low to medium power IPL over a small range with 3 intensities ranging from 3 to 4 J/cm²

OK, but what does this mean?

Lighter skin tones can safely use higher IPL intensities. And it’s widely agreed higher IPL intensities give longer-lasting smooth results. This means going longer between top-ups. Therefore, the Braun Pro 5 is a particularly compelling choice if you have light skin tones and may be worth the extra cash to you.

However, you can’t safely use these higher intensities on darker skin tones. That’s because you have more dark pigment in your skin which gets hot under strong IPL. It can cause pain and even burns and scarring. So, darker skin won’t benefit from this high-power IPL in the Braun Pro 5. Instead, the skin tone sensor only selects the safe to use lower and gentler IPL intensity levels for dark skin.

The Braun Pro 3 is a much better match for darker skin tones. That’s because its three gentler IPL intensities are the safest maximums for medium and dark tones (up to type V). So, you needn’t pay more for a high-power IPL device when you can’t use the high intensities anyway.

• Light tones (types I to IV) can use levels 1 to 3 (maximum 4 J/cm²)
• Darker tones (type V) can use the gentler levels 1 and 2 (lowest 3 J/cm²)

So, does this mean the Braun Pro 3 is a bad choice if you’ve light skin tones?

No. you’ll be able to use level 3 and it’ll still give you smooth skin. But once you are smooth, you may need slightly more frequent top-ups than compared to the Pro 5. But by how much more it’s not possible to say. You can read this article to understand the compound effect of home IPL sessions.

Gentle modes give extra control

If you’re concerned the IPL flashes may sting, both models give you added control with gentle modes.

The Pro 5 has an ‘extra gentle’ mode too. This selects the lowest IPL intensity at 3 J/cm². It’s extra control, especially if you have darker skin. The Braun Pro 3 doesn’t have this extra gentle mode. However, it doesn’t need it because it operates at lower intensities over a much smaller range. The gentle mode does the job here.

Which gives the fastest sessions?

And now for the second key difference between models. The Braun Pro 5 gives faster sessions. Here’s a comparison of the speed of sessions for the Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 vs 5 IPLs:

First, let’s look at what Braun say, then how each model performs in my speed tests.

The Braun Pro 5 gets top billing here. Braun say it’s ‘safe, fast & effective”. But, of the poor old Braun Pro 3, they say it’s only “safe & effective”. Come on Braun Pro 3, keep up!

So, I was rather surprised when both the Braun Pro 5 and the Braun Pro 3 ranked amongst my top devices for speedy sessions. Here’s what I found:

The Braun Pro 5 IPL is one of the fastest home IPL devices. You get up to 125 flashes per minute on the lowest intensity level (or extra gentle mode). And that’s very fast with a flash roughly every half second! However, as it heats up the flashes slow a bit, but they still come in under a second. This means a smoother, no-pause glide motion across your skin. Braun say you can flash a full leg in 5 minutes on the lowest intensity. My tests average 7 minutes per full leg.

On the highest intensity level, gliding is less smooth because the flashes come every second or so. I also find the flash rate varies, so it takes a bit of focus. My tests found a full leg takes around 9 to 10 minutes and that’s still one of the fastest high-power home IPLs out there.

The Braun Pro 3 IPL is a close runner-up. You get up to 60 flashes per minute on the lowest intensity level which is roughly a flash every second. The speed is consistent because it doesn’t get as hot. Gliding isn’t totally smooth, but it’s still quick. Braun say you can flash a full leg in 9 minutes on the lowest intensity and my tests match that. Flashes are slightly slower on full power and it takes 11 minutes per full leg.

So, both models give very fast sessions. The Braun Pro 5 is the fastest, but the Pro 3 isn’t tardy either. With both models you can zap your whole body (full legs, bikini line, underarms and face) in 30 minutes or less. So, you’re done before you can get bored or tired.

What do they feel like?

With both models you’ll hear the cooling fan whir and a small pop with each flash. And the flashes are bright. They’re harmless to your eyes but you can wear sunglasses to ease any irritation.

The flashes on the highest intensity feel hotter with the Pro 5. That’s because the intensity is 6 J/cm² vs 4 J/cm² with the Braun Pro 3. Therefore, the Pro 5 can sting more, especially on sensitive areas. It’s a bit uncomfortable, but bearable and you can use gentle mode to ease it. In comparison, I find the Pro 3 flashes warm without any stinging at all.  

Treatment schedule vs results

The treatment regimen for both Braun models is identical.

Use them both for between 4 to 12 weekly sessions until you have smooth, hairless skin (typically 6+ sessions).

Because the Pro 5 IPL has slightly quicker session times, you’ll spend less time overall than with the Pro 3 IPL. With the Pro 5 too, if you have fair skin and can use the higher IPL levels, you’ll also need top-up sessions less frequently. That’s because the Pro 5 has more hair zapping power on the highest levels than those with the Pro 3.

During your start-up phase you’ll notice hairs grow slower after a few sessions. Hair also feels softer, finer and lighter. Shaving is easier without vicious stubble, rash or ingrown hairs. Eventually bald patches appear and get bigger. You may see these results very quickly, or slower and more gradually over 12 weeks.

Once you’re smooth switch to top-ups. Braun recommend every month or two with both devices. However, if you use the lowest intensity levels with either model you may need more regular top-ups to stay smooth. For example, one every 3 or 4 weeks. Overtime and after several top-ups most people find they can go longer in between them.

Related: learn why top-ups are crucial & more about long term results

To sum up…

Both these Braun models are excellent choices because they’re very easy to use. The Braun Pro 5 IPL gives quicker sessions, and if you have fair skin and can use the higher intensity levels, it’ll give slightly longer lasting results too. But the Braun Pro 3 is more affordable and still one of the quickest home IPLs you can buy. The low to medium IPL range suits darker skin tones, but it still works on fair skin with a few more sessions.

Here’s the scores breakdown from my tests, and the key pros and cons for Braun Silk Expert Pro 3 vs 5 IPLs, to help you decide:

View Braun Pro 3 & Pro 5 IPL deals

Please shop via my links below to support furture reviews. These are affiliate links so I earn a small commission when you buy (but your price stays the same). And I really appreciate your support 🙏!