Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5

What's the difference between the Philips Lumea Prestige and the Braun Pro 5 IPL? I've tested them both so come learn all in this comparison review...

What’s the difference?

These two devices deserve a thorough comparison because they both excellent choices. And it's hard to decide between them because theyre chock full of premium and clever features. I know because I've tried and tested them both. Well, thankfully, you're in the right place and this Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 comparison review will walk you through the differences and help you choose the best one for your needs. Off we go...

Quick summary…

Here's a very quick comparison of the key info about the Philips Lumea Prestige and the Braun Pro 5 IPL. There's more information 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.
Prestige
"A powerful & most comfy & precise at-home IPL, and my overall favourite."
Pro 5 IPL
"A powerful, fast & no-faff at-home IPL hair removal device"

4.9

💰💰💰💰

✔️ Face
✔️ Small bits
✔️ Legs
✔️ Large areas

CurrentBody
UK 100-day
money back guarantee

4.7

💰💰💰💰
✔️ Face
✔️ Small bits
✔️ Legs
✔️ Large areas
UK
100-day
money back guarantee
The Prestige and Pro 5 IPL 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
  • Very easy to use
  • Quality materials & build
  • Strong & long power cords
  • Flashes to last decades
  • Fast sessions
  • Precision flash windows
  • Storage bags/case
  • Similar low to high IPL power range
  • Many more IPL flashes than you’ll ever need
  • Same safe skin tone & hair colour ranges
  • They won’t flash if your skin is too dark
  • They match the intensity to you skin tone
  • Various size & shape flash windows for different body areas
  • They give long-lasting results after your start-up sessions
  • Both have long UK money back guarantees
  • Clinically proven & CE certified

What’s different?

  • The Prestige gun-shape is most intuitive & precise
  • The Prestige is larger & heavier
  • The Prestige works cordless & on mainspower
  • The Prestige flash windows have chips & filters to target different body hair types
  • The Prestige flash windows are curved to fit your body contours
  • The Pro 5 gives faster sessions
  • The Pro 5 matches the intensity to your skin tone before every flash
  • The Pro 5 has a gentle & extra gentle mode
  • The Prestige has a check & set sensor function & manual intensity controls
  • The Braun Pro 5 IPL is FDA-cleared, whereas the Prestige is not

The Philips Lumea Prestige and Braun Pro 5 IPL 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.

Quality & lamp lifetime

Photo of the Lumea Prestige and Braun Pro 5 boxes side by side with lifted lids.
Compact, neat and attractive packaging for both, but the Braun IPL has less plastic.

Both devices have neat, attactive packaging with clear, concise information and comprehensive user manuals. Philips are just a tad more comprehensive around tanning and shaving vs waxing.

And both have a storage pouch. I prefer the Braun’s because it stores everything, including the powerpack and cable. This means less protective plastic in the packaging ♻. You also get a Venus razor with the Braun Pro 5. That’s a nice extra to ensure you get a super-smooth shave.

p

TIP: Don’t throw away the boxes! Store the devices in them and in a draw to protect them from any knocks and bumps

The materials and build-quality of both are excellent – the best you can buy. They feel solid, robust and expensive. Even the 2 metre-long power cables with each are excellent quality. They’re thick and supple and won’t tangle or twist. And the handle shape of each device keeps the cord out of the way. So, you don’t get tied up in knots.

Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 both have strong and supple cords, but the Prestige's is detachable.
Thick, supple, quality mains cables stay out of the way and don’t tangle.

The power cable on the Braun Pro 5 is fixed into the device so the weight of the power pack won’t pull it out as you work (the previous models problem).

The Prestige has a different cable design, so the power pack isn’t an issue. It’s a snug, secure fit which easily detaches too. And that’s because you can also use the Prestige cordless. More on that later.

And there’s no need to worry about the flashes running out either. The lamp lifetime is superb for both devices. Here’s how they compare:

Device & Model

Lamp lifetime

Philips Lumea Prestige 9000 series

450,000 flashes

15+ years of monthly use

My score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Braun Pro 5 IPL (all models)

400,000 flashes

15+ years of monthly use

My score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Philips Lumea Prestige (older models)

250,000 flashes

15+ years of monthly use

My score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The latest 9000 series Prestige models have the most amount of flashes and can treat the most surface area of your body. But all these devices and models score 5 out of 5 stars from me. The reason being ALL give you many more flashes than you’ll ever need.

Each gives plenty flashes for over 15+ years of monthly full-body top-up sessions. And it’s very unlikely you’ll need these continuous monthly top-ups. That’s because once you’ve done around a year of maintenance top-ups, your skin stays smooth for several months at a time, and even up to one year. So, you’ll probably only need a couple of top-ups per year! Therefore, you’ll never use up all those flashes!

Both devices come with a 2 year warranty and UK 100-day money back guarantees. Read the Braun T&Cs here: Braun UK & Ireland Pro 5 IPL money back guarantee, and buy the Prestige from CurrentBody UK for a 100 days guarantee.

Shape & design

The shapes are very different, and therefore, so is how you manoeuvre and grip each device.

The Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 are very difference in shape, size and profile.
The shape, size and ergonomics of the devices are both quality but very different

The Prestige’s gun-shape is intuitive. It feels relaxed with a secure grip on the long, tapered handle, which also gives excellent leverage. The trigger is easy to find because there’s a braille-like flower on it. Press it comfortably with your index or middle finger, or thumb if you rotate your grip. The controls and the flash window are easy to see.

But it’s much heavier than other devices at 560g. That’s because of the rechargeable lithium battery inside. However, the gun-shape is perfectly balanced and secure to grip. I find there’s no strain as you rotate and pivot your wrist. It’s comfortable and easy to work around your body.

Photos showing the various comfortable grips of both the Braun Pro 5 and Prestige IPL devices
Each device feels very different. But both are intuitive, ergonomic, comfortable, and easy to position.

In contrast, the Braun Pro 5 IPL is compact and light-weight. But not flimsy. The sleek wand-shape is well-balanced and fits perfectly in your hand. At just 285g there’s no risk of strain or tiredness. It’s easy to manoeuvre around your body. The flash button is large and easy to press. There are varied grips suited to different body areas. But it’s very comfortable to handle.

The controls on the Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 are both clear and simple, bubt the Prestige has more buttons because it's manually controlled.
The easy to operate and see at a glance controls on top of both devices.

Both are superb – the best available. But for me, the gun-shape of the Prestige is slightly more comfortable and easier to use.

Corded vs cordless

The Braun Pro 5 works on mains-power only. This means you get non-stop operation and can finish your zapping in one session without need to recharge any battery. Get yourself set up comfortably with privacy, a mirror and an extension cable. Off you go.

The Prestige works on mains-power. But it gives you extra flexibility using it cordless too.

Side profile shots of the Braun Pro 5 and Prestige in hand side by side showing the Prestige without the mains power cord.
The Prestige also works cordless for small, awkward or private areas. You get around 30 mins of battery.

Just remove the cord for smaller and/or hard to reach places. So, you can nip into the bathroom, lock the door and zap that ladytache. Or flash your bits. Literally.

However, you get only 30 mins of power from each battery charge. Therefore, it’s best suited for small areas only.

Power & safety

Both devices have a similar IPL intensity range and both have impressive safety features. Here’s a quick Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 comparison of the two:

Power & Safety comparison

Prestige

Pro 5 IPL

2.5 to 6.5 J/cm2

3 to 6 J/cm2

5 energy increments

10 energy increments

Skin tone sensor

Skin tone sensor

Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark

Maually select intensity &

Checks & matches intensity to your skin tone

Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark

Checks & matches intensity to your skin tone before every flash

Manually lower the intensity if it stings

Use Gentle or Extra Gentle mode if it stings

Skin contact sensor 
(prevents accidental flashes)

Skin contact sensor 
(prevents accidental flashes)

UV filter

UV filter

Clinically proven

CE certified

FDA-cleared

Clinically proven

CE certified

FDA-cleared

The Lumea Prestige with a power range of 2.5 to 6.5 J/cm² and the Pro 5 IPL with a range of 3 to 6 J/cm², are the highest-powered at-home IPL devices available. So, they’re super choices if you have light skin and can use the highest levels. That’s because the higher levels give the fastest, longest-lasting results after the start-up regimen. you’ll still need top-ups, but less frequently than with lower powered devices.

1 to 10 white intensity indicator lights on the Braun Pro 5 IPL.
The Braun Pro 5’s 1 to 10 white intensity level indicator lights. They illuminate to show which level the sensor has selected.

The Prestige has 5 intensity levels in that range. But the Braun Pro 5 has 10. This means the Pro 5 has more increments for a more precise match to dvaried skin tones I to V on the Fitzpatrick rage. And selecting the right one is easy too, because of the advanced skin tone sensor.

Both have advanced skin tone sensors

To recap, both the Braun Pro and Prestige are safe for light to dark skin, but not the darkest. And their skin tone sensors protect darker skin.

Like other skin tone sensors, they check your skin tone and won’t flash if it’s too dark. But they also do more to keep you safe, albeit in slightly different ways.

Close up photo of the sensors next to the flash windows, and how each device illuminates red to show the skin tone is too dark for safe treatment
The 2 small skin tone senors on the Braun IPL (left) and the single sensor on the Prestige (right) won’t flash and illuminate red if your skin is too dark.

The Prestige recommends the best of the 5 intensity levels for your skin. Place on your skin and press the 🔎 button. The skin tone sensor checks and highlights your best skin tone intensity. This takes the stress out of choosingyour intensity. And on more sensitive areas you can still manually lower it a notch too.

Close up photo of the skin tone sensor button and manaual up / down arrows to control the intensity levels on the Lumea Prestige.
On the Prestige: The magnify glass button activates the sensor, and you can manually control the intensity with the up / down arrows.

The Braun Pro 5 auto-selects the best of the 10 intensity levels, before every flash. It’s the perfect balance of power and safety in every flash, straightforward and simple. And a neat feature if you have different tones across body areas. All you need do is position and zap.

If it feels too intense you can select one of the gentle modes. Gentle mode shifts it down a few intensity levels, and extra gentle drops it to the lowest level (1).

Close up photos of the white intensity indicators and gentle mode button and lights on the Braun Pro 5.
On the Braun Pro 5: The sensor scans and selects the best of the 10 intensities before every flash, and the gentle modes reduce the intensity.

I think the Braun Pro 5 is best if you have varied skin tones across your body areas. Because there’s no need to faff about with checks and levels. It does it all for you.

Flash windows

There are various models of the Prestige and Pro 5 IPL, and they come with different flash windows. The Prestige has total 5 different windows and the Pro 5 IPL has 3 different windows. Here’s a quick overview of the full range of flash windows by model for Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5:

Device

Flash windows

Philips Lumea Prestige

Large curved-in (full legs, torso, arms)

Small flat (face, fingers, toes)

Medium curved-out (underarms)

Medium curved-out (bikini)

Medium curved-out (bikini & underarms)

Braun Pro 5 IPL

Large wide (torso, upper legs)

Medium standard (lower legs, underarms)

Small precision (face, bikini)

close up photo of the body attachments on the Prestige and Braun Pro 5. The Prestige is bigger.
Prestige large vs Pro 5 IPL standard flash windows: Both excellent for zapping large areas.

All these flash windows are varied shapes and sizes to better fit different body areas. But the Prestige’s flash windows are even better for 3 reasons:

#1 Two of the flash windows have added clear or red filters in the flash window to adapt the light energy so it’s more comfortable on face and coarse, stubborn hair in bikini areas.

#2 Most of the windows (excluding the facial window) are also curved to better fit your body contours. This makes it easier to get a flash, and works particularly well with the large body attachment for fast and easy leg zappings.

#3 And lastly, all the windows have unique chips which, when inserted into the device, adapt the IPL light energy to match different body areas and hair types.

There’s no comparison data showing how much more comfy or better results are with these features. But they do sound rather special (which I guess is the point). However, the contour hugging curves do make it easier to flash and get thorough skin coverage.

Here’s how the Prestige windows compare by body area to the Pro 5 IPL flash windows:

Flash windows comparison

Prestige

Pro 5 IPL

Large

4.1 cm2

Curved-in

Wide

4 cm2

Flat

Face

2 cm2

Flat

Clear filter

Precision

1.65 cm2

Flat

No filter

Underarms

3 cm2

Curved-out

Standard

3 cm2

Flat

Bikini

3 cm2

Curved-out

Red filter

Precision

1.65 cm2

Flat

No filter

Precision

3 cm2

Curved-out

Red filter

All the Prestige models come with the large curved body and small flat face window. Some models also have either the medium size precision window for both bikini and underarms, or the separate bikini and separate underarms flash windows. Check out this Lumea Prestige models comparison to see which model has which.

All the Pro 5 IPL models (excluding the PL5014) come with the medium-size standard and the small precision/face flash window. Some also have the wide flash window, and the rest have the wide and an additional precision flash window which you can use on your bikini line. Check out this Braun Pro 5 IPL models comparison review to see which model has which.

Do you need all these flash windows?

Probably not.

Both devices’ flash windows work well. But really, you get everything you need with both the Pro 5 and Prestige models that have a larger window for body areas and a small window for face and uneven areas, or where precision is important (e.g. bikini area).

The medium-size 3cm2 (1 by 3 cm) and small 1.65cm2 (1.1 by 1.65 cm) flash windows with the Braun Pro 5 IPLare the important ones, and all you really need to zap your full body.
The most important flash windows with the Braun Pro 5 IPL models
The large curved 4.1 cm2 (1.5 by 3 .5 cm) and small 2 cm2 (0.8 by 2.5 cm) flash windows with the Philiops Lumea Prestige are the important flash windows, and all you really need to zap your full body. The curved leg window makes flashes easy and consistent.
The most impoartant flash windows with the Lumea Prestige. The bikini/precision window is handy, but not essential.

The Pro 5 IPL wide flash window gives slightly faster coverage on upper legs and torso. However, it’s still fast to cover these areas with the 3 cm2 standard flash window. The standard flash window is also easier to position and flash on lower legs, so I prefer to keep zapping it on my upper legs too, rather than stop and swap to the wide window. It’s easy on bikini line, arms and underarms too.

You can also opt for a Pro 5 model with two precision flash windows, if you fancy. You can use one on your face and the other on your bikini line. But unless you have a skin condition you want to contain, there’s really no need for two identical flash windows.

With the Prestige, I like the idea of the added filters and configured flashes for hair types, but in practice I don’t feel any difference in sensation when using them by body area. But I do love those body-hugging curves, especially on legs. They make close skin contact so it’s easier to glide and flash. It even helps on knobbly knees!

I love the large, curved-in body attachment on the Prestige. Easy flashes on legs, arms, torso and underarms.

It’s possible to zap your underams and bikini line with a combo of the large body and the smaller face window too. However, the medium-sized curved-out precision or bikini attachement (both the same shape and with the added clear filter) does come in handy, especially on the bikini line. But it’s not essential.

In summary, with both devices you don’t need the extra flash windows, especially if there’s a big difference in price. A larger body and smaller face flash window do the job very well indeed.

Which gives the fastest treatments?

Both are fast and super choices for treating large areas or your full body, but the Braun Pro 5 IPL is fastest. Here’s a quick comparison:

Speed of sessions comparison

Prestige

Pro 5 IPL

Face, small bits, legs & large areas

Face, small bits, legs & large areas

Flashes every 2 seconds

Flashes every 0.6 to 1.2 seconds

Steady & consistent flash intervals

Flashes slow slightly at first

Then flash rate varies depending on skin contact

10 mins per full leg (high)

40 mins for whole-body

9 mins per full leg (high)

27 mins for whole-body

For both devices, keep the flash button pressed for continuous flashes as you glide the flash window along your skin.

With the Braun Pro 5 IPL on the highest intensity levels, I can do a thorough full leg in around 9 mins, and my full body in 27 mins. It has slightly faster flashes and a smoother gliding motion over your skin. than the Prestige.

However, the speed of the flashes can vary a bit. This is determined by skin colour, (it’s faster on the lower IPL levels) and also how close the sensors are to your skin. If it’s not totally flush, the flashes come a little quicker. So, you need to keep good contact to keep the flashes consistent. Otherwise, you can glide too far or not far enough in between flashes. It takes a tiny bit of practise.

With the Lumea Prestige, on the highest intensity level, I can do a thorough full leg in around 10 mins, and my full body in under 40 mins. I find on legs it’s a smooth, quick glide motion where you need to pause slightly for each flash. It makes for a controlled, consustent glide-and-zap rhythm.

There’s not much in it. You can easily finish a full body session before getting tired or bored.

Photo of the Braun Pro 5 and Prestige showing the difference in size
The Prestige flash repetition rate suits the size and ergonomics of the device. The Braun is small and lightweight and can be manoeuvred at speed to match the flashes.

The shape and design of both devices matches their speed and maneouvrability. The Braun Pro 5 is small, light-weight and handy so you can keep-up with the fast flashes. The Prestige combines precision with slightly slower flashes matching the weight and bigger gun-shape design. You need concentration with both to ensure full coverage with no gaps and missed hairy bits!

The Prestige and Braun Pro 5 IPL are amongst the fastest home IPL devices you can choose. But if speed is most important to you, the Braun Pro 5 is the clear winner.

Treatment schedules & results

Use the Prestige for 4 or 5 sessions, 1 every 2 weeks (taking up to 8 weeks) to get smooth skin. A whole-body session takes around 40 minutes.

Use the Braun Pro 5 between 4 to 12 weekly sessions until you have smooth, hairless skin (typically 6 sessions). A whole-body session takes around 30 minutes.

During your start-up phase, you’ll notice hairs grow slower, softer, finer and lighter after a few sessions. 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 the course. And speed of results can differ by body area too.

Then, switch to top-up sessions. With both the Prestige and the Pro 5 IPL you’ll need these every month or two. It’s very important to stick with them. If you do, and after you’ve done several, you’ll find you can go many months between top-ups.

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

Both the Prestige and Braun Pro 5 IPL devices are amongst the lowest effort at-home devices to get and maintain smooth, hair-free skin. With a bit of organisation, both are easy to commit to for silky smooth skin results.

Philips Lumea Prestige vs Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 comparison summary

Both the Prestige and the Braun Pro 5 are awesome! Perfect for small and large areas, face and full body sessions.

It’s a tough one! How to decide?! Both the Prestige and Braun Pro 5 are premium and powerful devices for all body areas, and two of my recommended best buys. Choose the Prestige for the comfy gun-shape, precise control and cordless option. Or choose the Pro 5 IPL for light-weight and super-fast sessions. They’re both top choices.

Here’s a quick summary table of the spec, test and performance data above and then a round-up of the pros and cons to help you decide:

Everything comparison

Philips Lumea

Prestige

The flagship Philips Lumea Prestige at-home IPL is super for face, small bits legs and large areas.

Braun

Pro 5 IPL

The Braun Pro 5 is a popular choice because it’s quality, straightforward, fast and very easy to flash.

Face, small bits, legs & large areas

Face, small bits, legs & large areas

💰💰💰💰

💰💰💰💰

Clinically proven

CE certified

FDA-cleared

Clinically proven

CE certified

FDA-cleared

2-year warranty

2-year warranty

UK CurrentBody
100-day
money back guarantee

UK
100-day
money back guarantee

Mains-power

Cordless / battery 

Mains-power

Large curved-in body flash window

Small flat facial window

Curved-out bikini, underarms & precision windows (varies with some models)

Standard medium flat body flash window

Small flat precision window 

Large wide flat window (some models)

Additional small flat precision window (some models)

560g

285g

250,000 or 450,000 flashes

15+ years of monthly use

400,000 flashes

15+ years of monthly use

2.5 to 6.6 J/cm2

5 energy increments

3 to 6 J/cm2

10 energy increments

Skin tone sensor

Skin tone sensor

Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark

Maually select intensity

Checks & matches intensity to your skin tone

Won’t flash if your skin’s too dark

Matches every flash to your skin tone

Feels warm to hot.

Feels warm to hot.

Lower a notch if it stings

Gentle & extra gentle modes

10 mins per full leg (high)

40 mins for whole-body

9 mins per full leg (high)

27 mins for whole-body

4 to 5 sessions (1 every 2 weeks) then top-ups every month or so.

Results last months after 1 year of top-ups.

4 to 12 weekly sessions, then top-ups 4 to 8 weeks.

Do all 12 sessions for your longest lasting results and less frequent top-ups.

Superb quality

Comfy, ergonomic gun-shape

Curve-hugging easy-flash windows

Cordless option

Helpful check & match intensity

Fast, steady & precise

Excellent quality

Light-weight & comfy

Easy flashes

Foolproof, selects intensity for you

Perfect for varied skin tones around your body

Fastest sessions 

It’s quite big & heavy (but balanced)

Latest models are very expensive

Extra flash windows don’t warrant a higher price

Flash speed varies when gliding on legs

View Prestige & 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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