Braun Silk Expert 5 vs Braun Pro 5 IPL

What's the difference between the older Silk Expert 5 and the latest Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL devices from Braun? I've tested them both so come learn all in this comparison review...
Braun pro 5 vs Barun 5 older model IPL review

by | January 29, 2020

What’s the difference?

In this comparison review learn what's different between the older Silk Expert 5 and the latest Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL devices from Braun. Both are excellent, powerful allrounder devices for zapping your face, small and large body areas. They give fast treatments and are super-simple to use, but the Pro 5 has a handier shape and design, and extra flash windows for easier zappings. Read on to see how they compare for lamp lifetime, ease and comfort, and smooth results.

Quick summary…

The Braun Pro 5 IPL launched in the UK March 2019. It replaces the older Braun Silk Expert 5 IPL, and with it Braun fixed some of the earlier model's criticisms. Here's a very quick comparison of the key info about the latest Braun Pro 5 IPL and the older Braun Silk Expert 5 IPL. There's more on what they're like to use and loads of helpful photos down below too. Skip to the end if you just want a quick comparison of the features and performance data from my tests.
Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 IPL
"A fast, powerful, nimble & no-faff premium at-home IPL hair removal device"
Braun Silk Expert 5 IPL
"A fast, powerful & slightly larger & less handy design, with fewer features than the latest model."

4.7

💰💰💰

✔️ Face
✔️ Small bits
✔️ Legs
✔️ Large areas

UK
100-day
money back guarantee

4.5

💰💰💰
✔️ Face
✔️ Small bits
✔️ Legs
✔️ Large areas
❌ No
money back guarantee
Boo
The Pro 5 and Silk Expert 5 are safe for the same skin tone range and they both work on dark body hairs.

Safe skin tones:

Hair colours:

What’s the same?

  • 2-year warranty
  • Super-simple to use
  • Quality materials & build
  • Strong & long power cords
  • Same low to high IPL power range
  • Many more IPL flashes than you’ll ever need
  • Same skin tone & hair colour ranges
  • They match the intensity level to your skin tone
  • They won’t flash if your skin is too dark
  • Both have a gentle & extra gentle mode
  • They give long-lasting results after your start-up sessions
  • Clinically proven, CE certified & FDA-cleared
  • Manufactured in Wales, UK by Cyden Ltd

What’s different?

  • The Pro 5 is slightly smaller & lighter, so easier to handle
  • The Pro 5 IPL gives faster sessions
  • The Pro 5 has a precision flash window for easier flashes on small & uneven areas
  • The latest Pro 5 models also have a larger wide flash window for torso & upper legs
  • The Pro 5 has a fixed power cable so you can’t accidentally pull it out mid-session
  • The Pro 5 comes with a protective storage pouch
  • Some of the Silk Expert 5 models come with bonus Braun devices such as a facial cleansing brush

The Braun devices 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.

Photo collage of the precision attachment, IPL and fixed power cord and storage pouch.
Braun corrected the criticism made to the earlier model (except the missing cleaning cloth!)

Here’s a quick roundup of the key differences between the Braun Silk Expert 5 vs Pro 5 IPL devices.

Size & weight

Both models have the same ergonomic shape and large flash button. But the Braun Pro 5 IPL is 15% smaller and 25% lighter than the previous model. This makes a big difference. It fits better in the hand, and so is more comfortable to hold and easier to manoeuvre.

The Braun Pro 5 IPL is smaller and weighs 285g vs the Braun 5 at 340g
The Braun Pro 5 IPL (left) fits more comfortably in your hand and is easier to manoeuvre and position around your body
The size of the flash windows (body attachment) is the same for both models at 1 cm x 3 cm

Styling & cord

The Braun Pro 5 has updated styling. The colours change from white and bronze with silver accents to a soft white and matt-gold with gold accents.

The gold and white Braun Pro 5 IPl (left) and the white, bronze and silver Braun 5 IPL.

Both models are mains-powered with a 2 metre long power-cord giving plenty of room to move around. However, the Braun Pro 5 power cord is fixed into the base of the handle. This stops the weight of the power pack pulling it out during your treatments.

The Braun Pro 5 IPL power cord is fixed into the handle base (left). The Braun 5 IPL is detachable and can come out during use.

The cord itself is better quality too on the Braun Pro 5 IPL. It’s thicker and more supple. There’s nothing wrong with the cord on the Braun 5 IPL (I don’t find it tangles). But on the Braun Pro 5 it’s just better!

Lamp lifetime

The older Braun 5 model comes with 300,000 flashes. This gives enough flashes for over 15 years of monthly whole-body sessions. The later Braun Pro 5 models come with more, at 400,000 flashes. So, you’ll get even more sessions from the IPL bulb.

However, the compound effect of at-home IPL means that after several top-up sessions you can go even longer between sessions. So, most people can eventually go several months without needing a top-up. Therefore, both the older and latest Braun models give way more flashes than you’re ever likely to use.

More flash windows

Most of the Braun Pro 5 IPL models also have a smaller face/precision flash window. You simply pull out and push on the different flash windows.

The smaller precision attachment with the Braun Pro 5 IPL.

This is a very helpful addition to get good contact for easy flashes on the jawline and upper lip. (It’s also easier on fingers and toes too). The older model requires a bit of faffing and face-pulling to get a flash and cover all your skin. But, it’s still possible and gives the same results.

And the very latest Braun Pro 5 models also have a wide flash window. This is slightly larger than the standard flash window and so is faster to cover upper legs and torso in flashes. See how all the Braun Pro 5 models compare here.

The Braun Pro 5 is faster

Sessions with the Braun Pro 5 IPL are faster than with the older Braun 5.

  • The Braun Pro 5 flashes come every 0.6 to 1.2 seconds
  • The Braun 5 IPL flashes every 0.9 to 1.9 seconds

They’re fastest on the lowest intensities.

Both give fast treatments. I can do a full-body session in under 30 minutes with the Braun Pro 5 and around 45 minutes with the Braun 5. So, you’re done before you get bored or tired. But the Braun Pro 5 is super-quick. It’s one the fastest available. Therefore, it’s easier to fit in around a busy day and commit to the regimen.

Price

Both models promise the same hair reduction results. So the price of each is worth checking before you decide.

The Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of the Braun Pro 5 is £524.99 to £599.99. Today it’s on offer at around £250. That’s super value.

The RRP of the Braun 5 is £399.99 to £499.99. And you can get it on offer around £230. That too is a fine deal for a good device. Prices may drop further to sell leftover stock now that the Braun Pro 5 has arrived. You could pick up a bargain.

View Braun Silk Expert & Braun Pro 5 IPL deals

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Laura Gladman
I'm a bit obsessed with at-home beauty devices. It's a habit I've had for around 9 years now. I love the science, testing and reviewing them, and sharing my experience and feedback on my site Wearebodybeautiful.com. I'm also a crazy dog lady, and I don't care.

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