Shape's Tested and Approved: The Top 9 At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices for 2023
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Laser hair removal is hardly the most glamorous on a list of beauty treatments, but there’s no denying the satisfaction that comes from the silky smooth results — although for the record, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with keeping things au naturale too. But if a smoother, hair-free finish is your preference, shaving away unwanted face or body hair weekly — or daily, ugh — can feel like a daunting chore. That’s where laser hair removal comes into play: offering a more permanent solution for anyone looking to rid their parts of hair. However it’s also one that’s often attached to a hefty expense and a high pain tolerance. Here’s what you need to know about at-home laser hair removal.
It’s worth noting that many of the top-performing at-home laser hair removal devices aren’t actually lasers. They are “intense pulsed light” or IPL’s, which use broad spectrum light to target pigments in the unwanted hair and destroy the hair follicle. “A specific pigmented target is matched to a specific light wavelength, which destroys it while minimizing bystander damage,” explains Board Certified Dermatologist, Ranella Hirsch, M.D. Unlike single wavelength lasers which are used by professionals, IPLs are cheaper, cover larger surface areas, and are safe for at-home use.
These devices have come a long way over the years, and are now available in dozens of varieties to meet any budget, pain threshold, and treatment area in need. These effective at-home treatments give beauty lovers a more accessible alternative to getting rid of unwanted hair for good. While at-home laser hair removal devices certainly require persistence and commitment, there are some incredibly effective and easy-to-use devices that deliver results on-par with in-office laser treatments.
To help you find the best at-home laser hair removal devices, our team tested a baker’s dozen worth of devices to help narrow down the best of the best.
There’s something undeniably chic and sophisticated about the look and feel of this device that makes the whole at-home hair removal process feel a bit more pampering, rather than chore-like. The system comes with the device, a razor, and protective glasses that you can throw into the fancy green leather travel case (included) for easy storage. And that’s hardly the coolest thing about it. The device is also equipped with cooling technology that helps to lower the surface temperature of skin to 50 degrees and soothes any stings or discomfort that come with the hair-removing zaps.
The device has five intensity levels ideal for treating various areas of the body and face, and thanks to the “ice chip” feature, even the highest level five setting feels bearable. While it’s not a wireless device, the seven-foot cord length made for easy maneuvering without sitting in front of a power outlet. This device is gentle enough and efficient enough to power through for two to three treatments per week. We stuck with that schedule and saw visible reduction in hair growth, and significant thinning in as little as four weeks, with more impressive longer-lasting results after eight-weeks.
Type: IPL | Flashes: unlimited flashes| Warranty: 2 years | Plug: Yes
The hefty price tag may be a lot to swallow but with continued use, this device will deliver results that rival the results of in-office laser hair removal treatments, and you get the convenience of using it whenever and wherever you want. The device was lightweight and handles well, sitting comfortably in our hands with one finger on the back of it to trigger the base electrode. It comes with both a pulsing setting to activate a single galvanic circulation when working on smaller areas, and gliding setting, when you hold in the button to activate a constant galvanic circulation pulse every 1.5 seconds. This gliding feature is a must for time efficiency, so you can move around an area without having to stop and start every second.
The device also has five energy levels, and requires that you start at one before moving up, so you're not traumatized from going too high, too quick. Although enough when we ramped it up to a level five, we only experienced heat, and the occasional zap when navigating over bumpy areas like the knee, but no stinging or pain. We found the user guide made the device sound more complicated than it actually is. (Just plug the power cord, and it's ready to use, no pre-charging required). It's fairly easy once you get it going but you’ll have to stick with it for a few weeks to reap the benefits. Our tester noticed a significant reduction in hair thickness after three treatments — using every other week.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse or glide, unlimited flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes
This at-home hair removal device is a friendlier option on multiple levels. For starters, the price tag makes it an inviting option for someone looking to test the waters of at-home hair removal, without the investment. It’s also one of the easiest to use as well as one of the most gentle. The FDA-approved device features a large digital display (for ease of use), and a wide treatment area that makes the process go by quicker, since there is more surface area covered per flash. It has seven levels, and while you’ll need to crank it up high for real results, even the highest levels six or seven are doable in terms of pain. We described it as less than a rubber band snap on the pain scale.
We found it gentle enough to use twice weekly but long-term results will require persistence and patience. Treatment time can be as quick as fives-minutes for a smaller area like armpits, or up to 15-minutes per leg. While the light flash can be a little startling, the actual treatment itself is gentle with minimal discomfort. The results aren’t as smooth as some of the pricier devices on this lineup, but it certainly delivers a painless bang for your buck.
Type: IPL | Flashes: 600,000 | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes
Don’t let the name mislead you: This may be the slightly smaller sister device to the SmoothSkin Fit we also tested, but it’s equally as effective, especially when it comes to treating smaller, more sensitive areas on the face or bikini line. It features a smart skin sensing technology that continuously reads skin tone and automatically adjusts the energy accordingly, making it one of the most energy-efficient options.
It has two comfort settings—power and gentle—and two treatment modes, stamp or glide, which are all equally as effective and come down to a matter of preference and the area you’re working around. The four-point contact sensor helps ensure that the device is correctly aligned before each zap, protecting both your eyes and skin. The compact, lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver around nooks and crannies of the face and body, and even the power mode feels relatively painless — although gentle mode is a great option for more sensitive skin types.
We noted a hot flash when the laser activates, which can be a bit alarming at first, but once you get used to it, it became oddly calming. If you’re only working in small areas on the body or face, it will deliver the same results for less money than a full sized device.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse or glide, unlimited flashes | Warranty: 2 year | Plug: Yes
The system comes stocked with an electric razor and epilator attachment that are ideal for helping you get better, smoother, longer-lasting results. It’s also designed to work for those with lighter hair, which is nearly impossible to find in the world of at-home hair removal — most blondes and redheads need to visit an office for a professional treatment.
While we weren’t overly impressed by these extra bells and whistles, since we found we got a closer shave with our traditional razor, and struggled with attaching the epilator — we were impressed by the hair removal device itself. The flashes are incredibly bright, so we recommend wearing goggles, or even sunglasses (not included), for eye protection. The device boasts a patented elōs technology which combines IPL and Radio Frequency (RF) for a smoother, pain-free treatment that works on all hair colors. There are three settings (low, medium, and high) and our tester found no issues maxing out at the highest level without any pain or redness. It took about six sessions before we noticed that hair was growing back slower and patchier, and with continued use, we’d expect to see worthwhile results that paid off on this investment.
Type: IPL and radio frequency | Flashes: 300,000 | Warranty: 2 years | Plug: Yes
There are six intensity settings and three treatment modes — stamp, glide, and auto — each suited to a specific body part or need, like ingrown hair or coarse stubble. We found the stamp mode most effective for treating the bikini line and armpits, as it delivers pulses with each click; while glide mode was the preferred option for arms, as it pulses every second helping to set an even tempo as you slowly inch the device around treatment areas. The auto mode was ideal for legs since it activates every second as long as the device's window makes contact with skin, which helps with even treatment throughout the work area.
There was some slight discomfort while treating underarms, upper thighs, and arms on the higher level settings (like five and six), however when re-adjusted to a three or four intensity, we noted the pain was minimal and barely noticeable. After continued weekly use, we noticed less hair growing back, and that hair was significantly thinner than before. Long-lasting results require consistent weekly treatments but it’s worth it in the end — especially for less than $200.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse, glide, or auto, 900,000 flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes
If you’ve been searching for a wireless option, here’s one that will give you a bit more freedom to move about the cabin, or bathroom, or wherever you feel the urge to squeeze in a treatment. The sleek device is heavier than expected given its compact size, but not uncomfortably so. There are six intensity levels, three treatment modes (one for body, face and intimate areas), and an automatic flash option that allows you to maneuver around your body without having to press a button to activate the laser each time.
There was a bit of a learning curve when using the device — and not much in terms of instruction or tutorials — so we especially appreciated the different intensity levels as we got used to things. However, once we got the hang of how to hold the device and ensure each zap was aligned flush against a treatment area, we found it to be a quick and relatively painless hair removal process. We noted the highest intensity (level six) was important in seeing change to hair growth, as no noticeable change happened on the lower settings. After using the device twice a week for seven weeks, we reported a noticeable decrease in hair growth, and prolonged results after continuing with weekly treatments for another month.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse and auto, 400,000 flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: No
There are few hair removal devices that maneuver as well as this pretty emerald one. The 330-degree rotating head is also detachable, giving you complete flexibility and control to navigate around any treatment area — large or small. There are six different modes, each one paired for a specific treatment area, including arms mode, underarms mode, bikini mode, legs mode, face mode, and skin rejuvenation mode. This straightforward methodology makes it exceptionally easy to know which mode to use at any given time.
It also boasts an auto flash mode that flashes as soon as the device makes contact with the skin so you don’t have to manually activate the flash for each area. We found each of these features helped to simplify the at-home hair removal process making it ideal for first-time IPL-users. It also features an ICE cooling head made from ultra-thin sapphire that cools skin on contact to help counteract and ease any discomfort or sting that comes from treatment. We also love the cordless charging dock that disinfects and cleans the device while it’s not in use.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse or auto, unlimited flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes
This sleek device is one of the fastest in the lineup, promising a speedy 10-minute treatment for your whole body. While we found it took a bit longer than that– it was about 14 minutes for both legs — it was certainly the fastest working of any device we tested. There are three modes: power, speed, and gentle. Power mode is the default setting and is for the most effective results; speed is for larger areas where you want to move quickly (like arms and legs), and gentle mode is for sensitive areas, or for anyone who thinks power mode is too intense.
There’s both a stamp and glide method to choose between, where you can either press the activation button and then lift and 'stamp' on to each treatment spot; or glide method to use over larger areas where you hold down the button and slide it along the area between flashes. The flash was quick and hot, like bacon grease jumping out of the pan, versus a prolonged sting or burn. It’s the kind of sensation you quickly get used to, with no lingering pain and at times only a slight redness that disappears after a minute or two. The four-point contact sensor also helps to ensure the flash only zaps when it’s completely aligned on skin, protecting your eyes and skin from any rogue flashes. We saw a noticeable reduction in hair regrowth after continued weekly use for 12-weeks, followed by monthly touch-ups for routine maintenance and smoothing, which made this device well worth the investment of time and funds.
Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse or glide, unlimited flashes | Warranty: 2 year | Plug: Yes
Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5, $429: This device is simple and effective, but does come with a learning curve as you figure out how to navigate and align the laser around bony body parts, like your shin. There is only one treatment button, which helps to simplify things, and automatic sensor lights that adjust the settings based on your skin type and maximum effect.
TRIA Beauty Laser Hair Removal Device 4X, $424: This is well known option on the market and we found it to be overly complicated to get started — we had to crack open the instructions to figure out how to unlock it, start it up, and get zapping, but the results were worth the extra effort. There are five intensity levels and the machine counts each zap, so you know how many times you treated a particular area, plus there’s a guide to let you know ideal pulses for different parts (like armpit versus bikini line versus leg). This device can sting a bit — like a rubber band snapping against skin — but the internal fan kicks in to help cool and soothe the temporary ouch.
KENZZI IPL Pro Hair Removal Handset, $349: This device is simpler than most, with a fully digital display that shows the five intensity levels. There are two options for treatment: you can either select to hold down the button for continuous treatment as you navigate over an area, or click it each time you want to administer a zap. No matter which you choose, it’s faster and gentler than most, with a cooling technology that also makes it ideal for sensitive skin. While all of these features are impressive, we did not see the level of hair reduction we wanted after 12 weeks of testing.
At-home laser hair removal devices is a booming market with dozens of options to choose from. We did painstaking research to find the devices that had intriguing features, reviews, or a lot of hype to test ourselves. We narrowed that list down to 13 options and gave one to each person. That person was advised use the device as instructed — ranging from several times per week to once every other week — over the course of our 12 week testing period. They took progress photos and noted when they saw a reduction in hair growth as well as any side effects or difficulties they experienced in using the devices. After 12 weeks we analyzed the findings and gave ratings out of the five for features, comfort, effectiveness, and value. Of the 13 devices, these 9 lived up to our high standards and delivered the expected results.
One of the biggest considerations for at-home laser hair removal devices, besides price point, is wireless vs plug-in. There are pros and cons to each option, so we’ll go through them to help you make your decision. A plug-in will, of course, require proximity to an outlet. That may hinder where you complete your treatments and if you’re in a bathroom, you’ll need to be especially careful of your nearness to watch. Looking for a long cord, like the one on Ulike Sapphire AIR+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset, can make this easier. A wireless device on the other hand can be used anywhere, even on the go, however some devices will have a set number of flashes. The number of flashes is high, in the 300,000-900,000 range, which to be honest is years of use. But when they run out, the device is done. To avoid this, find a device with unlimited flashes, Silk'n Infinity Hair Removal Device.
The types of flashes coincide with the area and the method that most makes sense to treat. You may see descriptions like pulse, glide, or auto. Pulse is the flash of light, this mode often means that you will wait for the flash before moving to the next untreated area until the next pulse, this may be found to treat the bikini line. Glide allows you to make slow, continuous motions, helpful for the arms, and auto means the device is “active” so long as it is in full contact with the skin. The mode may be helpful for legs and navigating the curves and edges. RoseSkinCo. Lumi IPL Hair Removal Handset has each of these modes in the same device.
Some devices will also have modes that determine how much energy or flashes occur each minute. Smoothskin Pure Mini, which is small enough to treat the face or other small areas, has power and gentle mode. Power is stronger and more effective, but gentle is great for sensitive skin.
Lindsay Colameo is a seasoned freelance beauty writer and editor with over a decade of experience contributing to leading print and digital publications including InStyle, Byrdie, Real Simple, and more. Her published work marries her product expertise and deep understanding of the industry, to deliver honest, informative, and compelling content that helps readers better navigate the beauty aisle and their online shopping carts.
