11 best IPL devices to shop, with up to £300 off (2024)

Score: 90/100

This device scored top points for comfort, with our testers declaring it “basically pain-free”, while those who used it on their face experienced no irritation. Performance-wise, our panel was pleased with how quickly it reduced hair regrowth, with many saying it worked effectively after just three weeks. It also manoeuvred well over tricky areas, such as the chin and knees, which are often hard to treat.

It’s ergonomically designed, with many testers commenting on how easy it was to hold and change modes, and its shape prevented hands from cramping during prolonged periods of use. It has a range of settings, so you can find the right one for you depending on the area you’re targeting. There’s also no need to change heads for different parts of the body, making the process more streamlined. Testers liked that the device was quiet during use, too.

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Score: 88/100

As you can see from our list below, Philips has a lot to offer in the IPL department, and this cordless option successfully lived up to its predecessors according to our panel.

After just three weeks, all our testers were satisfied with the lack of regrowth, with many saying it worked wonders on both facial and body hair.

It won brownie points with our panel for how easy it was to use and how well it managed to keep hair around the bikini line at bay after six weeks of use. “Hair regrowth has become less frequent, and it's even less dark and thinner than before,” said one tester.

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Score: 87/100

This device claims to show results in as little as four treatments, with further sessions helping to reduce regrowth — so if you’re after quick results, this is the model for you.

Depending on the attachment, the device will switch to a tailored programme for the relevant body or face area. There are five settings and a sensor to identify the most comfortable one for your skin tone. You can also download a free app to create a tailored treatment schedule for each area and get advice and tips.

The device showed a significant reduction in hair growth for our testers, with most noticing a difference four weeks in. After using the product for the full 12 weeks, the majority said most hairs had stopped growing back and any stubborn hair grew back finer.

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Score: 86/100

Not your average looking IPL device, this innovative gadget not only leaves you hair-free, but an LED attachment also helps target the signs of ageing (including wrinkles and dark spots) — talk about a 2-in-1.

If you’re worried about the pain involved (which, trust us, is minimal compared to other hair removal methods), this device features ICE tech that helps cool the skin, which most testers said stopped pain.

The unique rotating head aims to leave no patch of skin untreated too, which the majority said made it easy to get into every nook. Overall, everyone loved the high-quality feel and were satisfied with its hair-removal skills after six weeks.

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Score: 86/100

Although almost half the price of some other models on our list, this is a top-performing gadget. Our testers appreciated its sleek design, finding the device easy to hold, and said it only took a couple of minutes to cover their chosen area.

When it comes to results, our panel saw noticeable improvements within just four weeks of use, reporting that their hair regrowth was slower. After eight weeks, one tester said their "hair is growing back slower and thinner, especially in the underarm area." Our panel also liked the different settings offered, which includes one for sensitive skin, and found the light on the side useful for checking whether the device was in contact with enough skin.

Testers did note that this machine is slighter noisier than other models, and they struggled to get the flash to work on the front of their legs, but overall, this is a good value buy.

Key specifications

Score: 85/100

With four attachments to target different areas, this machine impressed for easy and accurate hair removal across the body, from the face to the bikini line.

Everyone found it easy to manoeuvre, especially over their legs. It was particularly effective for facial hair removal, with one tester saying they saw satisfying results here in just four weeks. Others were impressed with the lack of regrowth, with one user saying they hadn’t used it for three weeks and still "can't see much hair".

The panel also liked that the machine is cordless, although the battery life could be longer, and some did find the design a little bulky.

Key specifications

Score: 84/100

This machine is one of our most affordable picks. Testers found that hair regrowth reduced after just four weeks of use, while the hair that did grow back was thinner and therefore less noticeable.

Depending on the attachment, the device will switch to a tailored programme for the relevant body or face area. There are also five settings and a sensor that identifies the most comfortable one for your skin tone. Plus, it comes with a handy precision attachment for smaller areas.

After 12 weeks, our panel saw a visible reduction in hair on the body and face and no one experienced any pain or irritation while using it.

Key specifications

Score: 83/100

According to Braun, this device is able to deliver the equivalent of 22 years of treatment in its lifetime, and can treat your legs in less than five minutes. Featuring an impressive 10 intensity levels – ideal for those with sensitive skin – most of our testers were pleased with how quickly this device delivered results, seeing a decrease in their regrowth after both four and eight weeks.

It comes with a number of interchangeable heads (and a Venus razor as an added bonus), which our panel said made it easier to reach most areas of the body. Our testers found it covered a lot of skin within a short space of time too, delivering on its claims, and was easy to set up and control due to its single control button.

Key specifications

Score: 83/100

This device claims to perform a full body treatment in less than 20 minutes, aiming to reduce hair growth and prevent stubble and ingrown hairs. With a built-in skin sensor, it checks skin compatibility too, to ensure it emits the correct light pulse. You can also connect it to an app via Bluetooth, which offers a treatment plan and a light pulse counter.

Our panel noticed a reduction in hair growth and thickness after four weeks, with the majority saying there was a significant difference after the recommended 12 weeks. The panel appreciated its simple design and precise head, which allowed access to hard-to-reach areas. It’s compact too, which is ideal for those short on storage space.

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Score: 78/100

This clever device features both pulse and glide modes – the latter allows you to cover larger areas of skin without needing to repeatedly press the button, making it quicker to use.

When it came to hair regrowth, our testers saw a difference within four weeks and noticed as time went on that it became even more effective at slowing down regrowth, making hair sparser.

The panel said the design was quite bulky, and it was a little tricky to change heads, but they did appreciate the different attachments, which allowed for better precision in certain areas.

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Score: 76/100

If you find too many treatment options overwhelming, this device keeps things simple with only three settings — but still includes an in-built skin sensor that adjusts the light intensity based on your skin tone.

Our testers loved this fuss-free IPL, with most saying it was quick to get through the whole body, and was comfortable and gentle on skin. No one reported any pain or irritation and all said that hair was visibly reduced within 12 weeks of use. In fact, all of our panel said they were satisfied with the product by the end of the trial.

Key specifications

IPL is a broad-spectrum light that’s scattered across the skin to help with long-term hair reduction. It directs energy at the melanin (the pigment that gives the skin/hair its colour) in the hair follicle, heating up the hair right down to the root (where most of the melanin is concentrated) to damage the follicle without harming the surrounding skin and break the cycle of regrowth.

Don’t expect instant results, but with regular use, IPL can help prevent unwanted hair from reaching the skin’s surface. Energy, frequency, skin and hair colour are all determining factors in the efficacy of the treatment.

Most of the best IPL hair removal devices are suitable for the body and face. They work by either gliding over skin, which is best for larger surface areas of the body such as your legs, or stamping (pressing onto the area), which is better for smaller areas where you need more precision.

For IPL hair removal to work effectively, some hair needs to be present for the energy to travel down to the follicle from the surface of the skin — but not so much that you run the risk of burning the skin. For that reason, it's best to shave before your IPL session rather than completely remove the hairs by waxing or epilating.

To fully break the growth cycle of your unwanted hair, regular IPL sessions are required. Each brand advises on how often to use their machine, and when you can expect to see results.

Although it comes down to the specific brand and model, most IPL devices recommend you use them once every two weeks for the initial four weeks of treatment. Once you’ve mastered this, top-ups can take place up to once a month.

Note that to see the best results, you should stick to the recommended schedule to stop regrowth long-term. Make sure you note down the date you start your IPL journey and set up reminders of when to top up.

The level of discomfort varies from person to person, but the sensation can feel a little tingly and hot — it’s sometimes likened to being flicked with a hot elastic band. The process is quite quick, though, so the pain doesn’t last long.

Most devices have a range of heat settings to make the process more comfortable too, especially in areas that are more sensitive. It's important to remember that a lower intensity is also less effective, so keeping it at this setting would require you to use the machine for longer.

If you’ve tried epilating and couldn’t get through it without your eyes weeping, rest assured this is a more pain-free method!

IPL devices aren’t suitable for everyone, as they’re only able to identify and target hair pigment that is a contrasting shade to the skin. Naturally light blonde, red, white and grey hairs contain little pigment, so IPL typically isn’t as effective on people with these hair shades, whatever their skin colour. Many devices also don’t work on dark skin tones. Typically, those with pale to medium skin and dark hair are the best candidates for IPL.

Note that they aren’t suitable for pregnant women, those with certain skin/hair conditions, or those undergoing particular treatments. They also don’t work on tattoos or permanent makeup — so always check the small print before you buy.