Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 models comparison

The Braun Pro 5 IPL is a top quality at-home device, one of the most powerful and comes out top in most of my tests. It’s one of the best. Here’s a quick summary of my full Pro 5 IPL review, then we’ll move on the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 models comparison:

Braun Pro 5 IPL Review Summary

The Braun Pro 5 IPL is a super choice for silky-smooth skin on your face and small or large body areas. The clever tech matches the powerful IPL to your skin tone so it’s super simple and safe, with a gentle mode too. It’s top quality, easy, fast and gives excellent results too. You can try it with a UK 100-day money back guarantee. 

Here’s a quick recap of my test results and pros and cons of the Braun Pro 5 IPL:

Lamp lifetime

⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

One of the best with IPL flashes lasting 15+ years of monthly use. More than you’ll ever need.

Ease of use

👍👍👍👍👍

Mains-powered, fast, light-weight & nimble. Perfectly balanced safety & power in every flash. Easy flashes with small window for face & tricky areas, and wide window for faster coverage on legs.

Effort & Results

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Silky skin after 4 to 12 weekly sessions, then top-ups every month or so to stay smooth. One of the lowest effort home IPLs.

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Pros

• Foolproof, super-safe plug-and-go operation
• Compact, lightweight, robust & elegant
• Fast sessions – one of the best
• Powerful IPL adjusts to your skin tone before every flash
• Gentle & extra gentle mode for stingy bits!
• Very easy to flash all round your body
• Precision attachment for tricky upper lip
• Easy flashes on knees, shins & ankles
• Clinically proven, CE certification & FDA-cleared
• UK 100-day money back guarantee

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Cons

• Extra flash windows don’t warrant a higher price
• Flash speed varies when gliding on legs
• Expensive at full RRP, but offers are common

But what’s the difference between the models PL5347, PL5257, PL5223, PL5149, PL5137, PL5124, PL5014 yadda yadda?

Let’s begin…

Differences between the Braun Pro 5 models

All the Pro 5 IPL models have exactly the same shape and weight, IPL power range, gentle modes, lamp lifetime, speed of sessions, treatment schedules and clever tech which matches every IPL flash to your skin tone. The differences between them are the price, flash windows, storage pouches and type of Venus shaving razor you get with each. There’s also one model which comes with a Braun Face Mini hair remover.

The latest models have improved controls on top for choosing standard, gentle or extra gentle mode. They have a clear ‘+/-‘ button to cycle through the modes along a scale from ‘feather’ icon on the left to ‘bright sun’ on the right. The three modes are indicated by three white lights; extra gentle (1), gentle (2) to standard (3).

Braun have given it a new, fresher name – SkinPro 2.0. But it’s still the same SensoAdapt™ tech as in the older models, which selects the best match IPL intensity for your skin tone, before every flash. Gentle mode lowers the range selected a couple of notches, and extra gentle lowers it to the lowest IPL intensity (level 1).

The older previous models are the PL5014, PL5124, PL5137, PL5223 and PL5117.

The new models are the PL5347, PL5387, PL5257, PL5223, PL5149, PL5140. And just for a dash of confusion Braun also have updated PL5124 and PL5137 models on their website. So, double check you get the right one if you want the latest design (look for the updated controls and new style storage pouches. More on these below).

So next, here’s a table with the key spec and perfomance data applicable for ALL the Braun silk Expert Pro 5 models:

And now a bit more detail about the differences.

Different flash windows

There are 3 different flash windows with the Pro 5 IPL models. They are different sizes and shapes to better flash different body areas.

First, there’s the gold-coloured medium-sized standard flash window. This is 1 by 3 cm so a total of 3 cm². This flash window is a super allrounder size and shape for zapping legs, arms, underarms, torso, bikini line, neck and jawline. It takes a little practise to get a flash on your upper lip area.

Next, there’s the small, white precision window. This is 1.1 by 1.65 cm so a total size of 1.65 cm². This flash window is a helpful addition and makes it easier to flash your upper lip, fingers, toes and gives extra precision around the delicate bkini area. Some models come with two of these attachments. One has a ‘+’ marked on it so you can tell them apart, and keep one for face and one for bikini line.

Finally, there’s also a white, wide flash window. This measures around 4 cm² and covers a bigger surface area with each flash so it’s good on torso and upper legs.

All the Braun Pro 5 IPL models come with the standard flash window. Most (exluding the PL5014) come with one precision window too.

Some models come with the wide flash window, and some with the wide flash window plus one extra small precision window.

Here’s a quick list to confirm which model has which windows:

Do you need all the flash windows?

Nope.

You get everything you need with the standard window for all body areas and the small window for face and uneven areas, or where precision is important (e.g. bikini area).

The latest and more expensive Pro 5 IPL models come with also either the wide, or the wide and an extra precision flash window. But you don’t need these to get the job done. So. if you wish to save some pennies, check prices before you choose which model to buy.

Storage pouches, razors & extras

The latest Pro 5 IPL models also have varied colour vegan leather storage pouches which come in different colours (grey, black and red). There’s even a fancy vanity case with one model. And they come with either the Venus Extra Smooth or Venus Extra Smooth Swirl razor.

The older models PL5124 and PL5117 come with a different design and suedette grey storage bag. The older type PL5137 has a white and gold woven fabric storage bag.

All the storage bags do a good job of protecting the Pro 5 IPL device, and keeping the flash windows and power cable together. For extra protection from knocks, keep it in a draw. And both razors are rather splendid at getting a close shave.

There’s one model (PL5149) which also comes with a Braun Face Mini hair remover, which is a nice touch to avoid shaving your face before your sessions. Or you could try an inexpensive dermaplaning tool.

Here’s a summary of the storage cases, razors and extras by model.

All the Pro 5 IPL models come with the UK 100-day money back guarantee from Braun. And they’re all brilliant, easy and effective at-home devices for face, small bits, legs and large areas. You’ll pay more for the newer models with all the extra flash windows. But if you want a bargain, pick up the earlier Pro 5 IPL models (PL5124, PL5137, PL5117) which are still available. They’re just as powerful, fast, easy and results are just as good.

View Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL deals

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