Best laser hair removal at home and IPL machines for 2021

Best: Overall

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: Yes
• Features: Five light intensities, six treatment modes, skin-cooling technology, “anti-ageing”
• What’s in the box: Device, six attachment heads and instructions
• Usage: Once a week for eight weeks
• Flashes: 500,000

At first glance, top marks go to the elegant design, which not only looks appealing but thanks to its matte metal finish also feels surprisingly light and smooth to hold. Unlike the other machines on this list, this is the first device of its kind that removes unwanted hair and treat signs of ageing too.

You definitely get bang for your buck as this can be used on your entire body including the upper lip, chin and larger parts including legs, underarms, bikini area, stomach and arms. But the best bit is, once you’ve finished zapping hairs, you simply adjust to SR mode and the device will convert into a red-light beauty treatment for your skin. This helps skin cells repair themselves and become healthier over time, keeping wrinkles at bay. It couldn’t be easier.

The device has six targeted treatment heads and a world-first 180-degree rotating knob that makes it comfortable, easy and foolproof when removing hair from those hard-to-reach spots. Plus, it has a cooling technology that comfortably numbs the area making hair removal completely painless too. And as if that wasn’t enough, we love the fact that you’ll never have to worry about replacement cartridges either, as the device comes with 500,000 flashes – enough for a lifetime of treatments.

This two-in-one instrument is, without doubt, a practical and efficient investment to your beauty routine. 

Read the full Jovs Venus pro IPL machine review

Best: For fair hair

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: No
• Features: Five intensities, skintone sensor, treatment plan on app
• What’s in the box: Device, storage case, cleaning cloth, adapter, user manuals, warranty booklet
• Usage: Every two weeks for the first two months, then every four weeks, and then treat as needed
• Flashes: 400,00

Claiming to work on blonde hair as well as dark skin tones, an unusual feat for IPL machines, this high-tech IPL device is reportedly pain-free. It uses something called eHPL which combines galvanic energy with standard optical energy. Galvanic energy temporarily widens your pores, allowing light to reach hair follicles without pain, irritation or ingrown hairs. This means hair can be treated twice as fast, your whole body can be done in 20 minutes. While it does claim to work on most skin tones, it does still include a sensor to stop the machine damaging pigment on dark skin tones.

Unlike other devices that recommend avoiding use after sun exposure, this is safe to use – as long as you opt for the lowest energy level (there are five to choose from) but it’s still worth being cautious. ​Silk’n recommends doing treatment numbers one to four two weeks apart, then treatments five to seven four weeks apart, and after that, treat as needed. We found hair started to get thinner and to disappear by the fourth treatment.

This isn’t the easiest machine to hold – the metal base at the back must be touching your fingers while the pulse button on the top is pushed, but after a few treatments it becomes easier to use. It is one of the most affordable machines but should not be discredited for this – in fact for tech-savvy people, this is probably the best device for you. The reason being this connects to Bluetooth – you can download the Silk’n hair removal app to make sure you are up to date with your treatment plan. It even comes with a grey protective box for safekeeping.

Read the full Silk’n infinity review

Best: For arms and legs

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: No
• Features: Skintone sensor
• What’s in the box: Device, instruction manual
• Usage: Once a week for 12 weeks and then top-up every two to four weeks
• Flashes: 100

This speed demon offers impressive results with 100 flashes per minute. Unlike other IPL machines that can often be time-consuming, this device has a glide mode that is fuss-free and allows you to simply move it up and down quickly over your skin and which is particularly ideal for your arms and legs. 

There’s also a stamp mode, whereby the light is directly placed on the skin for each flash to ensure perfect accuracy. We used this to work on smaller areas such as our underarms and bikini line and saw no re-growth for four weeks after the third use.

With a black and rose gold aesthetic, this machine is a stylish option that won’t take up much space in your bathroom. While it doesn’t offer varied light settings and isn’t cordless, it has an in-built ability to only flash if your skin tone is suitable, so you don’t damage pigment. A great choice for time-poor perfectionists.

Read the full SmoothSkin bare+ ultrafast review

Best: For permanent hair removal

• Machine type: Laser
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: Yes
• Features: FDA-cleared laser technology, LED display, 30-minute battery life
• What’s in the box: Device, instruction manual
• Usage: Once a week for up to three months
• Flashes: N/A

This laser machine uses the same technology found in clinics, albeit at a weaker intensity. It requires concentration and precision but when used correctly, it permanently removes the hair. It has a lock feature that only unlocks if the hair follicle in the area that you’re using it on is dark enough to treat. To unlock, lay the bottom of the laser on the top of the skin. Rub the cooling gel (which sadly isn’t included with the device but is recommended for use) onto the skin then place the small laser head on the area and it will beep once, but only lift off the skin after you hear the second beep.

There are five intensity settings, the highest of which does feel like an intense rubber band flick, so just choose the setting you can bear. As the laser head is small you have to place it across the skin in overlapping circles. We recommend fully charging before use too. It is time-consuming, but the end result is worth it as we found we got little to no regrowth. The only negatives are that the cooling gel was used up after four uses and we found it had to be recharged every 30 minutes or so. But after using it every other week, our hair was significantly reduced in five sessions. Note, patience is a must.

Read the full Tria hair removal laser 4X review

Best: For face and body hair

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: Yes
• Features: Six intensities, five attachment heads, skintone sensor, two treatment modes
• What’s in the box: Device, treatment heads, charging cable, storage bag and instructions
• Usage: Every two weeks for the first four weeks, then once every four weeks afterwards for body hair. For facial hair, use it every two weeks for the first five weeks then every four weeks
• Flashes: Unlimited

Offering six energy levels and a clever skin tone detection option, (which gives the recommended energy level for your complexion) this device is suitable for both face and body. It also comes with two head attachments that target specific body areas and can reach up to 600 flashes between each charge, claiming to cover the legs in just 15 minutes. Plus, the pulse and glide modes mean you don’t have to keep pressing the button during treatment. Although the device is rechargeable, it is heavy to use and quite bulky for bathroom drawers. However, our tester found her hair was definitely sparser and lighter over time and would highly recommend this device if you have both face and body hair to zap.

Read the full Sensica sensilight pro review

Best: For all skin tones and hair colours

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: No
• Features: Three light intensities, dual-wave technology
• What’s in the box: Device, elōs cartridge, storage cap
• Usage: Every two weeks for the first four sessions, then touch-up where needed
• Flashes: 120,000

This may look like a mini version of the Star Wars millennium falcon spaceship, but this is the first at-home IPL and radio-frequency device approved for results on all skin tones and hair colours. It’s straightforward, effective and easy to use. Simply turn on then choose between three intensity settings. Press the start button and glide slowly over the chosen area, for two to three times. It is the only device we tested where the button doesn’t need to be held down, hence no finger ache. 

Flashes of light will emit from the handheld device, which do not hurt but instead create a warming and comforting sensation on skin. Protection glasses are included to avoid any risk to eyes. Repeat every week and hair will be noticeably reduced by the fourth session. We found next to no regrowth on our arms while leg hair only grew back in tiny patches, on light, medium and dark skin tones.

Best: For bikini line

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: No
• Features: Skintone sensor, large treatment window
• What’s in the box: Device, attachments, Philips satin compact trimmer, storage pouch
• Usage: First four treatments carried out every two weeks, touch up every four weeks
• Flashes: 250,000

This machine has two treatment modes. “Slide and flash” is ideal for fast treatment of larger areas such as legs – you simply glide the device over the skin you want to treat, smoothly and quickly. To treat curvy areas or targeted zones, such as your bikini line, you have the option of “step and flash” mode too. Plus, this comes with an on-the-go trimmer, a discrete beauty tool that makes it quick and easy to remove even the finest facial hairs. 

The only complaint our tester had was that it’s not cordless, so it can be a little fiddly to manoeuvre over hard-to-reach areas, but even so, she didn’t feel the slightest pinch and hair was noticeably thinner.

Read the full Philips lumea BRI/923 review

Best: For speedy results

• Machine type: IPL
• Power: Mains
• Cordless: Yes
• Features: Eight speed settings
• What’s in the box: Device, adapter, pouch, safety glasses, user guide
• Usage: For the face, neck and intimate areas, use once a week for 12 weeks; for legs, arms, underarms, stomach, chest and back, use twice a week for 12 weeks
• Flashes: 300,000

Since the brand’s founder, Trish Coulton, has been an industry leader for 20 years, specialising in hair removal, hair cycles and hormonal hair growth patterns both in the UK and Australia, we had high hopes for this product.

Claiming to permanently reduce more hair in less time than any other IPL device, this lightweight machine has eight intensity settings (the strongest on the market) delivering 300,000 flashes in a pain free fashion that’s so efficient it has even shown incredible benefits for women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome and tend to have excess facial and body hair due to the high level of androgen in their bodies.

Our apprehensive tester found this device game-changing to her beauty routine, with hair reduction and thickness of hair reduced in as little as four weeks. On seeing the quick results, she quickly became hooked on the device, using it religiously three times a week without fail.

Plus, it’s fully compact and comes in an attractive travel bag so you can take it with you wherever you may go. So, if you want a hardcore device at a very fair price, this won’t disappoint, however small or large the area you want to zap.

Read the full Bondi laser hair removal handset review