An IPL device brings salon-style hair reduction home. IPL stands for intense pulsed light: gentle flashes of light are absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which gradually weakens the follicle so hair grows back finer and sparser over a course of treatments. It is not a one-session miracle, but stick with it and the best devices deliver genuinely long-lasting smoothness for a fraction of the cost of a clinic. These are the top picks, checked against current UK prices.
What to Look For
Will it work for you? This is the first thing to check. IPL targets the pigment in the hair, so it works best on light-to-medium skin with dark hair, and it cannot treat very light, red, grey or white hair. The good news is that modern devices include a skin-tone sensor that reads your skin and only fires at a safe intensity — the key safety feature to look for.
The skin-tone sensor. The best devices automatically match the light intensity to your skin, which is both safer and more effective than guessing. Philips calls its version SmartSkin or SenseIQ and Braun calls its SensoAdapt; whatever the name, an automatic sensor takes the worry out of choosing a setting.
Attachments and intensity levels. Curved and precision attachments let one device treat the body, face, underarms and bikini line properly, so count how many are included. More intensity levels or modes also help you dial in comfort as you go — a flagship might offer five levels, a strong alternative three.
Corded or cordless, and treatment time. A cordless device is far easier to use on awkward areas like the back of the legs, while a corded one never runs out mid-session. Look at the flash window size and the quoted time for a full-body session, too — a large window and rapid flashes can cover the legs in a matter of minutes rather than a long slog.
Flash lifetime. IPL devices are rated for a set number of flashes, and the best now offer so many — up to around 1,000,000 flashes on a top model — that the device will effectively last for many years of treatments without needing replacing.
The Winner: Philips Lumea 9000 Series
The Philips Lumea 9000 Series (around £449.90, the current UK flagship of the range topped in testing) is the best IPL device for most people. It arrives with four attachments to cover the body, face and delicate areas, offers five intensity levels, and its SmartSkin (SenseIQ) sensor automatically selects the setting that suits your skin type. A companion app guides you through your routine, and cordless operation makes it easy to reach everywhere. It is bulky and expensive, but it is a comprehensive, effective, do-everything device that justifies its place at the top. Check the price on Amazon
Best Alternative: Braun Silk-expert Pro 5
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The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 (around £349.99) is a superb alternative and a little easier on the wallet. Its standout feature is the SensoAdapt sensor, which reads your skin tone continuously — many times a second — and adjusts the intensity as it goes, so treatment stays safe and effective even as you move across different areas. It comes with three attachments and three intensity modes, fires quickly for speedy sessions, and arrives in a smart, premium case. For a trusted, sensor-led device that costs less than the winner, it is an excellent choice. Check the price on Amazon
Also Tested
A few other devices are worth knowing about. The Korean brand Ulike has made a name in at-home IPL with stylish, effective devices, and is worth a look if you want an alternative style. Beurer's IPL range also featured in testing, though its models are less consistently stocked in the UK. And Philips' older Lumea Prestige remains a capable device if you find one discounted, sitting a step below the current flagship.
How to Choose
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Start with your skin and hair colour — if you have light-to-medium skin and dark hair, IPL should work well for you; if not, it may not be effective, so check the compatibility guidance first. For the most complete, do-everything device with the most attachments and app guidance, the Philips Lumea 9000 Series is the one to buy. If you want a trusted, sensor-led device for a little less, the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is a brilliant alternative. Whichever you choose, insist on an automatic skin-tone sensor, check the attachments cover the areas you want to treat, and commit to the full course of treatments to see the results.
Verdict
The Philips Lumea 9000 Series is the IPL device to buy for most people at around £449.90: four attachments, five intensity levels, an app and a SmartSkin sensor that does the thinking for you. The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 (around £349.99) is the excellent, slightly cheaper alternative with its continuous SensoAdapt sensor. Both are premium tools — there is no cheap shortcut to good IPL — but stick with the routine and either will keep you smooth for a long time to come.
