UPDATED FOR 2026
Looking for the best IPL hair removal device for home use? We’ve compared the leading IPL systems from Philips, Braun and other major brands on performance, treatment speed, skin-tone detection, attachments, ease of use, comfort and value.
Our top choice: Philips Lumea 9900 Series
Compare the best IPL devices
See how our four recommended IPL devices compare on the features that matter most.
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| Feature | Philips Lumea 9900 | Braun Skin i·expert | Braun Pro 5 | Ulike Air 10 |
Best for | Best all-rounder | Smart guidance | Premium value | Cooling & comfort |
| Skin-tone sensor | ✓ SmartSkin | ✓ Automatic | ✓ Smart SkinProtect | ✓ SkinSensor |
| Cordless use | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| App guidance | ✓ SkinAI app | ✓ Personalised guidance | ✓ Braun IPL app | — |
| Active cooling | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Sapphire Ice Cooling |
| Treatment speed | Lower leg: 8.5 mins | Full body: 10 mins | Full body: ~10 mins | Full body: ~10 mins |
| Attachments | 3 or 4 depending on model | 3 or 4 depending on model | Varies by bundle | No interchangeable treatment heads |
| Face use | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Standout feature | Corded + cordless | Smart treatment guidance | Speed + value | Cooling + SHR mode |
| Check latest models and prices | Amazon → | Amazon → | Amazon → | Amazon → |
Our IPL hair removal device reviews
Want more detail? Here’s why we’ve selected each of these IPL devices, who they’re best suited to, and the features that set them apart.
BEST OVERALL
Philips Lumea 9900 Series
Best for: The best all-round premium IPL
✓ SmartSkin skin-tone sensor
✓ Corded and cordless use
✓ Intelligent body-area attachments
✓ SkinAI and app guidance
✓ Face and body treatment
Our verdict: A premium all-rounder with intelligent skin sensing, useful body-area attachments and the flexibility of corded or cordless operation.
BEST SMART IPL
Braun Skin i·expert
Best for: Smart guidance and personalised treatments
✓ Smart treatment planning
✓ Real-time treatment guidance
✓ Smart SkinProtect auto-adjustment
✓ App-connected experience
✓ Fast full-body treatments
Our verdict: Braun’s most intelligent IPL is a great choice if you want extra guidance throughout your treatments. Its connected features help plan sessions and guide you through the process, making it particularly appealing for first-time IPL users.
BEST VALUE PREMIUM
Braun Silk·expert Pro 5
Best for: Premium IPL performance without paying for extra smart features
✓ Smart SkinProtect skin-tone sensor
✓ Fast 10-minute full-body treatment
✓ 3 treatment modes
✓ Attachments for different body areas
✓ Braun IPL app support
Our verdict: An excellent premium IPL if you want Braun’s core performance without paying extra for the advanced connected features of the Skin i·expert. It’s fast, automatically adapts to your skin tone and offers a strong balance of features and value.
BEST FOR COMFORT
Ulike Air 10
Best for: Comfortable IPL treatments and stubborn hair
✓ Sapphire Ice Cooling technology
✓ SkinSensor automatic power adjustment
✓ SHR mode for stubborn/coarse hair
✓ Fast 10-minute full-body treatment
✓ Dual-light technology
Our verdict: The Air 10 stands out for its cooling technology, making it particularly appealing if comfort is high on your priority list. It also combines automatic skin sensing with a dedicated high-intensity SHR mode for tackling coarser, more stubborn hair.
How to choose an IPL hair removal device
Choosing the best IPL hair removal device isn’t simply about buying the most expensive model. The right choice depends on your skin tone and hair colour, where you want to use it, how quickly you want to complete treatments and which convenience features matter to you. Here are the main things to consider.
1. Check your skin tone and hair colour are suitable
IPL works by targeting pigment in the hair, so the contrast between your hair colour and skin tone is important. It generally works best on darker hair and lighter skin and may not be effective on very light blonde, grey, white or red hair. Suitability for darker skin tones varies between devices, so always check the manufacturer’s skin-tone and hair-colour chart for the specific IPL you’re considering.
2. Consider treatment speed
If you’re planning to treat larger areas such as your legs, treatment speed can make a noticeable difference. Look at the size of the treatment window, flash rate and whether the device has a continuous or glide mode. A few minutes saved per session can become significant when you’re carrying out regular treatments.
3. Think about where you’ll use it
Consider which areas you actually want to treat. A larger treatment window can be useful for legs and other large areas, while smaller or specially shaped attachments can make treating areas such as the face, underarms and bikini line easier. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for exactly where a particular device can safely be used.
4. Decide whether cordless use matters
Most home IPL treatments are carried out near a power socket, so cordless operation isn’t essential for everyone. However, a cordless option can make positioning the device easier and gives you more freedom over where you carry out treatments. If this matters to you, check carefully: not every premium IPL offers cordless operation.
5. Consider comfort and cooling
IPL can produce a warm, tingling or snapping sensation, and people’s experience of discomfort varies. Some newer devices include cooling technology specifically designed to make treatments more comfortable. If you’re particularly sensitive to heat or discomfort, this may be worth prioritising.
6. Decide how much smart guidance you want
Modern IPL devices increasingly use skin-tone sensors and companion apps to help with treatments. Some simply recommend or automatically adjust the appropriate intensity, while more advanced systems can provide personalised treatment plans and guidance. These features can be particularly useful if you’re new to IPL, although experienced users may prefer a simpler device and save some money.
IPL hair removal FAQs
Still have questions about using IPL at home? Here are quick answers to some of the most common questions. You can also find more detailed information in our complete IPL and laser hair removal FAQ guide.
Does IPL permanently remove hair?
IPL is generally better described as providing long-term hair reduction rather than guaranteed permanent hair removal. Results vary depending on factors such as hair colour, skin tone, the treatment area and how consistently you follow the recommended treatment schedule. Maintenance treatments may also be needed.
Does IPL hair removal hurt?
IPL can produce a warm, tingling or snapping sensation, but the level of discomfort varies between people and devices. Using the appropriate intensity for your skin and following the manufacturer’s instructions is important. Some newer IPL devices also use cooling technology to make treatment more comfortable.
Which hair colours and skin tones are suitable for IPL?
IPL relies on pigment in the hair absorbing light, so it generally works best where there is sufficient contrast between the hair and skin. It is typically ineffective on white, grey, red and very light blonde hair. Skin-tone compatibility varies considerably between devices, so always check the manufacturer’s compatibility chart for the particular model you’re considering.
Can you use IPL on your face?
Many home IPL devices can be used on certain areas of the face, but this varies by product. Some include dedicated facial attachments or filters. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions about which facial areas can be treated and avoid using IPL close to the eyes.
Should you shave before using IPL?
Usually, yes. Most home IPL manufacturers recommend removing visible hair before treatment, typically by shaving. This allows you to treat the skin without longer hairs sitting above the surface. Always follow the preparation instructions supplied with your particular device.
What’s the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
Both use light energy to target pigment associated with the hair follicle, but they use different types of light. IPL uses a broader spectrum of light, while laser treatment uses a more specific wavelength. This affects factors such as treatment area, intensity and suitability, so neither should automatically be considered the better choice for everyone.
Still have questions? Read our complete guide to IPL and laser hair removal FAQs →