Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices 2024

A laser hair removal device can make your grooming routine much more efficient; unlike shaving, this method damages hair follicles to reduce growth over time, ultimately giving more long-term results. After speaking with experts and gathering personal recommendations from Forbes Vetted testers, we landed on the eight best at-home laser hair removal devices, all of which are FDA-cleared. Our top pick overall is the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, which has 10 intensity levels and four interchangeable caps for full-body treatment. If you have coarse hair, we recommend the ultra-efficient Nood Flasher 2.0, which can offer visible results in as little as three weeks.

We rounded up the 8 best at-home laser hair removal devices to help you remove unwanted hair swiftly … [+] and painlessly.

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According to dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati, these gadgets work similarly to in-0ffice laser treatments, but when compared to them, “the energy level of the at-home lasers is much lower.” In addition to providing a convenient alternative to going in for appointments, these hair removal tools can also help with upkeep. (Keep in mind: If you do opt to do this at home, you may need more sessions to see lasting results.) From luxury picks to affordable options, here are the best at-home laser hair removal devices for zapping unwanted body hair.

Best Laser Hair Removal Device Overall: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Coarse Hair: Nood The Flasher 2.0
Best Value Laser Hair Removal Device: RoseSkinCo. Lumi
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Large Areas: SmoothSkin Pure Adapt
Best Cooling Laser Hair Removal Device: Jovs Venus Pro II
Best Full-Body Laser Hair Removal Device: Ulike Sapphire Air3
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Dark Skin Tones: Iluminage Touch
Best Laser Hair Removal Device For Travel: Silk’n Flash And Go Express

Braun

Table of Contents

Braun Silk Expert Pro 5

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Flashes: 400,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 10 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Suitable for sensitive skin
Can be used on the face and body
Designed with SensoAdapt technology

Cons:

Not safe for light hair color or dark skin

Braun’s Silk Expert Pro 5 has several features that will help you get rid of unwanted hair more efficiently. It features a gliding mode for quickly treating large areas, like the legs, and a stamping mode for hard-to-reach areas, like the bikini line. It also has SensoAdapt technology, which automatically adjusts the flash intensity for safe use on skin. There are 10 intensity levels total, and it’s possible to treat both legs in just five minutes at the lowest energy setting. According to the brand’s website, results can be seen in as little as four weeks with regular use. The set includes four attachment caps that allow you to safely target different areas of your body, including your armpits and face. There’s also a Venus razor for touch-ups.

What the reviews say: “I’ve used it for two months so far and have seen good results—quite a reduction of hair,” says one Braun customer. “I have tried so many different machines and this one is the best so far. My underarms are the hardest thing, and there are fewer hairs and they are so much thinner.” However, some users note that completing a full-body treatment with this device is a bit tedious.

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SmoothSkin Pure Adapt

Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 10 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Great for larger areas
Has 10 settings
Includes a UV filter

Cons:

On the pricier side
May not be effective for finer hair

This recently upgraded device glides over large and small areas to provide lasting hair removal results. The Pure Adapt’s head automatically adjusts to the contours of your body, preventing missed spots and unwanted burns. There are three comfort modes (Power, Speed and Gentle) that allow you to tailor the device to your targeted areas. Its smart sensor calibrates the ideal IPL for your specific skin and hair type, and each treatment takes about 10 minutes. The device is safe to use on all areas of your body, as well as your face. According to the brand, you can expect to see visible results in just two weeks.

What our editors say: “I’ve been using this device for about three weeks, and it’s the definition of user-friendly: You just plug it in, aim it at your target area and press a button,” says managing editor Emmy Favilla. “It’s minimally painful, and comfortable to hold and wield. While hair is re-growing, it does seem like it’s coming in less coarse, which is a great sign.”

Flashes: 500,000 | Laser type: OPT | Intensity levels: 6 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Has a cooling feature
Includes six treatment heads
Helps treat signs of aging

Cons:

Not safe for light hair or dark skin

The Jovs Venus Pro has several elements that make it worth the investment. It has a 180-degree rotating head (for better precision), a skin-cooling feature (for added comfort) and useful attachments, like an LED option that also helps reduce visible signs of aging. Unlike the other options on this list, this model uses optimum pulsed light (OPT) technology, which is a more enhanced version of IPL that may provide more effective results. It has six function modes and intensity levels for customized treatment on your legs, underarms, face and bikini lines. A full-body treatment can be completed in around seven minutes, and visible results can be noticed in as soon as four weeks.

What the reviews say: Fans of this device praise its unique, streamlined shape, which many say allows access to hard-to-reach areas. “This is the most ergonomic laser hair removal device that I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried a bunch,” says one Walmart customer. “The fact that the light source head can pivot is huge.” However, some reviewers say they expected more effective results given the high price tag.

Amazon

Ulike Sapphire Air3

Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Has a cooling feature
Unlimited flashes
Thumb-free auto glide mode

Cons:

Only three intensity levels

The Ulike Sapphire Air 3 is so easy to use, you may feel emboldened to use it on your entire body. Its sapphire ice-cooling technology makes the process as painless as possible, while the thumb-free auto glide mode allows you to cover large areas of your body in one fell swoop. The device delivers flashes every 0.7 seconds, and a full-body treatment can take as little as 12 minutes. You can expect to see results in about three weeks, with treatment frequency starting at three times a week and gradually reducing to every month.

What the reviews say: Over 1,400 customers give this model a 5-star rating. “I’ve had full body laser professionally done and this works just as well, in fact better in a few areas,” says one Amazon customer. “It’s been great on my stubborn areas like my knees and I’m finally lasering my arms now as well. On top of actually working, it’s not kidding about being pain-free.”

Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL with RF | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Has three energy levels
Safe for all skin tones
Works on various hair colors and skin tones

Cons:

Charging station takes up a lot of counter space

The Iluminage Touch is a laser for the the face and body that uses intense pulsed light (IPL) and radio frequency (RF) to gently zap away unwanted hair. It’s this combination that makes this pick safe for darker shades of skin—in fact, it’s the first at-home laser that’s cleared by the FDA to use on all skin tones. The device features three energy levels that can be used on a wide range of hair colors, including blonde, dark blonde and red hair. It also comes with a precision adaptor and an epilator attachment to optimize treatments. The Iluminage Touch also provides results fast—users can expect to see a noticeable decrease in hair growth after just two treatments, and full results in seven weeks.

What the reviews say: “I have been using this for five weeks now and am very pleased with the results,” says one Nordstrom customer. “I’d say easily 75% of my most stubborn black and coarse hair is gone. On my not so stubborn hair I have noticed about a 90 to 95% reduction. For the hairs that are growing back still, they are much more fine and lighter in color.” However, a portion of customers with coarse hair report that this machine’s laser wasn’t strong enough to deliver the results they wanted.

Flashes: 300,000 | Laser type: HPL | Intensity levels: 5 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Pros:

Good for large and small areas
Has five energy levels
Noticeable results after four treatments

Cons:

Some have reported power issues
Not suitable for dark skin or light hair

This tool transfers heat from optical light energy to the hair shaft with every pulse and at peak power, so it makes destroying hair follicles a fast and easy process. It uses Silk’n’s signature Home Pulsed Light technology (which is a safer, home-friendly version of IPL). Since the laser uses energy from a quartz bulb instead of thermal heat, it’s able to be packaged into a size that will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. For this reason, its our top pick for travel—it won’t take up a lot of space in your suitcase. You can expect to see noticeable results after four treatments, and full results in eight treatments. It’s safe for use on your underarms, legs, bikini lines and face, and it has five intensity settings to customize your treatment.

What the reviews say: While customers are generally happy with this product, some note it seems to provide better results with thinner hair. “The device is easy to use and has lasted me over a year now; even on the highest setting it’s tolerable, you get used to the zaps,” says one Amazon customer. “I’ve only had to supplement with occasional treatments, but I’ve been able to get away with weeks (if not months) of not treating.”

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published dozens of beauty and grooming stories, relying on our personal expertise as well as thorough insight from qualified professionals.

Every iteration of this story has been reviewed by deputy editor Jane Sung, who has over 15 years of beauty industry and product testing experience.
Alongside Sung, this story was co-authored by beauty updates writer Claire Epting, who has previously covered a variety of grooming topics, including the best body scrubs and the best eyebrow growth serums.
We regularly review this article to ensure the accuracy of prices, product details and list placements. In our August 2024 update, Epting reviewed all of the picks on this list and addressed common questions readers have about at-home laser hair removal.
For this article, we consulted with two dermatologists. Both shared their deep knowledge on what to look for in the safest and most effective laser tools for hair removal. Dr. Ava Shamban is a cosmetic dermatologist who works out of her Los Angeles-based practice, Ava MD, and Dr. Ramya Garlapati is a board-certified dermatologist who previously practiced at Los Angeles-based BH Skin Dermatology.

How We Chose The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices

When compiling this list of the best at-home laser hair removal devices, we considered the top options on the market at different price points and capabilities.

From there, we combed through customer reviews and examined the most efficient tools. We researched each one to learn about its features, attachments, modes and number of flashes.
We verified that all eight models on our list are cleared by the FDA as safe tools for at-home hair reduction.
To ensure we provided the most accurate information, our team considered Shamban and Garlapati’s expert advice while researching recommendations.
We also incorporated insights from Forbes Vetted contributor Jessica Timmons, who tested the Nood The Flasher 2.0, as well as managing editor Emmy Favilla, who tested the SmoothSkin Pure Adapt.

What To Consider In A Laser Hair Removal Device

If you’re looking for an at-home laser hair removal device that provides results on par with a professional treatment, there are several factors to consider. Here’s what to keep in mind.

Laser Type

Most at-home laser hair removal devices use intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to treat unwanted body hair. However, some devices such as the Jovs Venus Pro II use optimal pulse technology (OPT), which is an enhanced version of IPL that can penetrate the skin more deeply and therefore may be more effective. A select few devices (including the Iluminage Touch) combine IPL with radio frequency (RF) heat energy, which reduces IPL intensity so it can be used across a wider range of skin tones.

Flashes

You can think of the number of flashes (also known as pulses) as the lifespan of the laser. It determines how long you can use the tool before it wears out. In many cases, you can achieve the results you want with one device. According to cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Ava Shamban, areas such as the lip and face generally need about 25 to 50 flashes; the underarm or bikini line might need up to 200 flashes; larger areas like the legs may need 500 to 600 flashes each; the chest or back may require 700 or even 800 flashes.

Skin Type And Tone

Laser hair removal devices aren’t one size fits all. “Some may not be advisable for darker skin tones, which have a higher chance for issues such as burning or hyperpigmentation,” says Shamban. “Usually, lighter skin with darker hair is the best combination, but some can be used on all skin tones and types.” (See the Iluminage Touch, our pick for dark skin tones.) Most devices have multiple intensity levels as well; a higher intensity level will deliver faster results, but it may aggravate sensitive skin. Opting for a device with a skin-cooling feature can remedy some of the pain and irritation caused by more powerful treatments.

Treatment Area

It’s a good idea to keep your desired treatment area in mind when selecting an at-home laser hair removal device, especially if you want to cover larger parts on the body. An automatic flashing feature (like the one found on the Ulike Sapphire Air 3) allows you to cover more surface area without having to hold down a button. Some devices, like the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5, include different detachable laser heads that allow you to target specific places that are hard to reach, like the bikini line.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Does An At-Home Laser Hair Removal Device Work?

“Laser hair removal is a treatment in which the hair follicle is permanently destroyed, and this prevents hair growth,” says Garlapati. This method is an excellent solution if you’re tired of frequent shaving, waxing or other more temporary grooming options. At-home laser devices work in the same way as ones found in professional establishments, but at lower frequencies. “As a result, these treatments require more sessions to show an improvement, and they may not be as effective,” she says. That’s why it’s important to be patient and consistent with your efforts, as it may take several weeks before you notice any change in your hair growth.

Are At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices Safe?

Safety is often a concern when using one of these laser tools. “Any device purchased for home usage should be FDA-approved or cleared,” says Shamban. This information should be indicated or marked on the device’s packaging or instructions. It’s also important to pay attention to the list of usages, as some versions are only safe to use on certain areas. In addition, Garlapati explains that “there is a risk of burning your skin and causing hyperpigmentation if you do too many passes.” That’s why it’s important to diligently follow the directions depending on the area that you want to treat.

Which Laser Is Best For Hair Removal At Home?

After comparing all eight models on our list, one stood out as the clear winner: The Braun IPL Silk Expert Pro 5 is the best laser for hair removal at home, thanks to its wide range of intensity levels and variety of attachments for different parts of your body. However, everyone’s hair removal needs are different. If you have coarse hair, we recommend the Nood Flasher 2.0, while those with darker skin tones should look into the Illuminage Touch.

Do You Shave Before At-Home Laser Hair Removal?

Yes, you should shave before you begin using a laser hair removal device; according to Nood, this should ideally be 12 to 24 hours before you apply the laser to your skin. Shaving can be done with either a manual razor or an electric razor, but keep in mind that a manual razor will provide a closer shave and reduce the risk of the laser burning your hairs. If you plan on using your IPL device to remove facial hair, you should stick to dermaplaning the area rather than shaving.

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