How to choose your perfect at-home laser hair removal device
What do you want!?!
What makes for the best at-home laser or IPL hair removal device?
You see, the word ‘best’ can mean several different things. Maybe you want all the latest fancy features, the most gentle sensation, the cleverest safety features, super-speedy sessions, reassuring clinical proof for the most effective device, or simply the most affordable options you can buy?
Well, whatever you’re looking for, this is the place to find it. I’ve tested loads of at-home devices, so I can compare them and make helpful recommendations.
All the brands I test & recommend are top quality because they're...
Clinically proven
Studies show they're safe & effective
Safety checked
CE certified and/or FDA cleared
Trusted brands
Strong reputation & customer service
And I've also curated shortlist recommendations sorted by your most common requirements and desires. Check out the lists below...
I want…
I want the very best
These are the top-of-range at-home IPL devices you can buy, and with a premium price tag too.
My top 3 IPL recommendations each have an ergonomic, advanced design, quality materials, and helpful features to ensure your most comfy, fast, precise and easy hair-zapping sessions. They also tend to be the most powerful IPL devices. This means if you have lighter skin tones and can use the highest intensity levels, you’ll need fewer and less frequent top-up sessions after finishing the start-up stage.
Use the links below to read the summary pros & cons on my best IPL round-up. Or you can see how they compare to each other in Prestige vs Pro 5, and Pure vs Pro 5.
I want a device safe for dark skin
These devices use gentle IPL safe for dark skin, combined with other energies to make sure it works on your hairs.
Most IPL and laser hair removal devices aren’t safe for the darkest skin tones (Fitzpatrick types V & VI). However, there are some which combine IPL with other energies so they are much more effective at safe and low IPL levels, which usually wouldn’t work.
There’s a whole article about the science behind it all here. Or use the links below to read the summary pros & cons for my top IPLs safe for the darkest & black skin.
I want a device that works on fair hair
These devices use IPL combined with Radio Frequency. Both work together to heat up your hairs, but don't need dark melanin pigment to work.
At-home laser and IPL works best on dark hair colours. So, if you have light blonde, red or grey/white hair many of the available devices may not work for you.
However, there is a special type of IPL combined with Radio Frequency energy which is clinically proven to work on fair hairs. It works without dark melanin pigment. You can learn how it works here.
Or use the links below to read the summary pros & cons for my top IPLs which work on fair hair.
I want the most affordable at-home device
These devices are the most affordable options from trusted & established brands with solid customer service & warranties.
There are a few ways to find an affordable at-home IPL hair removal device. You can find bargains amongst older brand models, or even the latest models going second-hand and in good condition on e-Bay.
If you do want to buy new, you’ll find devices with a more basic shape and design, but still decent build quality to get the job done.
- Silk'n Infinity
- Braun Pro 3 IPL
- Sensica Sensilight IPL - review coming soon!
I want something that’s easy to fit in
These devices have the fastest flash rates, and handy designs so you don't spend aaaaages tiresomely zapping.
At-home IPL hair removal used to be a slow and tedious process demanding hours of concentration. But nowadays, the latest machines are sooo much faster to zap your hairy areas.
With some, you can do your whole body (that’s face, underarms, bikini line, and whole legs) in under 30 minutes. So, if you need something that’s fast, easy to fit in and stick with, choose one of these little beauts…
I want a long money back guarantee
Ahhh savvy shopper. There you are! Money back guarantees are very reassurring, because if for any reason you don't get along with your device, you can return it within the guarantee period for a refund. Magic.
There are several options which come with money back guarantees. However, with most these differ by country. Smoothskin is the only brand to offer a long 90-day Worldwide guarantee on the Pure and Bare+. you can't go wrong with that.
Here are the devices which offer money back guarantees:
Related posts
Best home IPL hair removal for blonde, red, grey & white hair
This guide explains why most home devices won’t work on fair hair, how a few do work, what each is like to use, their pros & cons, & results you can expect.
Best home IPL hair removal for dark skin
This guide explains why most home devices aren’t safe for dark skin, the science behind those that are, what each is like to use, their pros & cons, & results you can expect.
Philips Lumea Prestige review
The Philips Lumea Prestige is the comfiest and most precise device I’ve tested. It’s safe for light to dark skin, and works on dark hair. I love the corded or cordless gun-shape, curved windows, fast sessions and clever itensity matching sensor. Expensive but worth it, it’s my favourite IPL device.
Permanent facial hair removal with at-home laser & IPL
Struggle with facial hair and want a long-lasting more permanent solution to plucking? Learn about the best laser & IPL hair removal for your face in this guide…
Smoothskin Pure vs Braun Pro 5 IPL
What’s the difference between the Smoothskin Pure vs Braun Pro 5 IPL? I’ve tested them both so come learn all in this comparison review…
Iluminage Precise Touch & Me Chic review
This small handheld device uses combined IPL & RF tech, which makes it safe for the darkest skin too, and it works on fair hair. This model is best suited to face and small areas.
Smoothskin Pure & Pure Fit home IPL review
The Smoothskin Pure is the best value premium at-home IPL money can buy. The clever skin sensor auto-adjusts each powerful flash to match your skin tone, so it’s super-safe for light to dark skin. It’s point-and-zap, light-weight and nimble, and with speed mode on legs it takes just 19 minutes for a whole body zapping. It’s the easiest and fastest home IPL I’ve ever tested. 😍
Iluminage Touch & Me Sleek review
This machine uses combined IPL & RF tech (called Elōs), which makes it safe and effective for all skin tones including the darkest, and it works on fair hair too. This model is suited to face, small and large body areas.
Popular Categories
Hair removal
Anti-ageing & Skincare
Period pants
Radio Frequency
Red & NIR Light
