Independent Reviews

Expert Review

Updated February 2026

Top 5 IPL Laser Hair Removal Devices of 2026

We tested over 20 home IPL devices across 16 weeks to find the best options for permanent hair reduction, so you don't have to.

Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Dr. Sarah Mitchell Dermatology Researcher
📋 20+ devices tested · 16 weeks of testing
Our #1 Pick
Silk Pro 2.0 IPL Device

Silk Pro 2.0 — IPL Laser Hair Remover

4.9/5 (1,247 reviews)
999,999 flashes Results in 8 weeks 55% OFF

After extensive testing, the Silk Pro 2.0 delivers the best combination of performance, value, and ease of use. With nearly 1 million light pulses and visible results in just 8 sessions, it outperformed devices costing 3–4× more.

£199.99 £89.99 Save 55%
Check Availability on Official Site →

If you're tired of the endless cycle of shaving, waxing, and plucking, you're not alone. Professional laser hair removal promises permanent results, but at £400+ per session and up to two hours per visit, it's neither practical nor affordable for most people.

That's why at-home IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) devices have exploded in popularity. They use the same light-based technology as professional treatments, but at a fraction of the cost — and you can use them from the comfort of your own home.

We spent 16 weeks testing over 20 of the most popular IPL devices on the market, evaluating them on effectiveness, comfort, value for money, build quality, and ease of use. Here are our top 5 picks.

Quick Comparison

🏆 #1 Silk Pro 2.0 #2 Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 #3 Philips Lumea IPL 9000 #4 Ulike Sapphire Air3 #5 no!no! Pro
Rating ★ 4.9 ★ 4.3 ★ 4 ★ 3.8 ★ 3
Flashes 999,999400,000450,000N/AN/A
Results In 8 weeks12 weeks12 weeks12 weeks16+ weeks
Price £199.99 £89.99 £412 £469 £349 £179
Best Deal → View → View → View → View →

Detailed Reviews

#2
Braun Silk Expert Pro 5

Braun Silk Expert Pro 5

IPL Hair Removal System

4.3/5 (892 reviews)
£412.00
Flashes 400,000
Session Time 15–20 min
Results In 12 weeks
Lifespan 15 years

Braun's Silk Expert Pro 5 is a solid performer from a trusted household name. Its standout feature is SensoAdapt — a skin tone sensor that automatically adjusts flash intensity for safety across different skin tones. It also includes a precision head for tricky areas like the upper lip and bikini line. The main drawback? At £412, it costs four times more than our top pick, offers fewer flashes, and takes longer to show results.

Pros

  • SensoAdapt skin tone sensor for safety
  • Precision head for smaller areas
  • Well-known trusted brand

Cons

  • Significantly more expensive at £412
  • Fewer flashes than Silk Pro 2.0
  • Longer sessions required
  • Results take 12+ weeks
#3
Philips Lumea IPL 9000

Philips Lumea IPL 9000

Series Hair Removal

4/5 (654 reviews)
£469.00
Flashes 450,000
Session Time 15–20 min
Results In 12 weeks
Lifespan 18 years

The Lumea 9000 is Philips' flagship IPL device and the only cordless option in our top 5. It features an integrated UV filter for added skin protection and connects to a companion app that builds a personalised treatment plan. Build quality is excellent, as you'd expect from Philips. However, it's also the most expensive device we tested at £469, and the app dependency feels unnecessary for what is ultimately a straightforward treatment process.

Pros

  • Cordless design for convenience
  • Integrated UV filter for skin protection
  • Smart app connectivity

Cons

  • Most expensive option at £469
  • Bulkier design than competitors
  • App required for personalised plan
#4
Ulike Sapphire Air3

Ulike Sapphire Air3

IPL Hair Removal

3.8/5 (421 reviews)
£349.00
Flashes N/A
Session Time 10–15 min
Results In 12 weeks

Ulike has made a name for itself with its sapphire cooling technology, which keeps the treatment window cool during flashing — making sessions noticeably more comfortable than most competitors. The brand reports a 90% hair reduction rate, and the device has a sleek, modern look. Our concern is the lack of transparency around flash count and lifespan, and we found results varied more across different skin and hair types than with higher-ranked devices.

Pros

  • Sapphire cooling technology reduces discomfort
  • 90.37% hair reduction reported
  • Sleek modern design

Cons

  • Flash count not disclosed
  • Results vary significantly by skin type
  • Less effective on finer hair
#5
no!no! Pro

no!no! Pro

IPL Hair Removal

3/5 (203 reviews)
£179.00
Flashes N/A
Session Time 20+ min
Results In 16+ weeks

The no!no! Pro takes a different approach — it plucks hair at the root rather than relying purely on IPL light technology. At £179 it's relatively affordable, and it's simple enough for beginners. However, it scored lowest in our testing by a significant margin. Sessions are slower, results take 16+ weeks to become noticeable, and the plucking mechanism can be uncomfortable on sensitive areas. For the price difference, our top pick offers a far better experience.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly price point
  • Plucks hair at the root
  • Simple to use

Cons

  • Lowest rated in our testing
  • Results take significantly longer
  • Can be uncomfortable on sensitive areas
  • Outdated technology compared to rivals

How We Tested

Dr. Sarah Mitchell

Dr. Sarah Mitchell

Dermatology Researcher

With over 12 years of experience in dermatological research, Dr. Mitchell specialises in light-based skin therapies and consumer device evaluation.

🔬
Device Selection

We sourced 20+ IPL devices from major retailers and direct-to-consumer brands across the UK market.

📊
16-Week Testing Protocol

Each device was tested over 16 weeks following manufacturer guidelines, with results documented weekly.

📝
Multi-Factor Scoring

Devices were scored on effectiveness, comfort, ease of use, build quality, and overall value for money.

🔍
Independent & Unbiased

Our reviews are editorially independent. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Ready to ditch the razor?

Our #1 pick, the Silk Pro 2.0, is currently 55% off. With nearly 1 million flashes and visible results in 8 weeks, it's the best value in at-home hair removal.

£199.99 £89.99
Get 55% Off Silk Pro 2.0 →

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