The Best IPL Hair Removal Devices Leave Dolphin-Smooth Skin with Minimal Pain (2024)

Our best overall IPL hair removal device earned snaps from two editors and Camp. Additionally, it boasts thousands of 5-star Amazon reviews, which is always comforting. Thus, I was confident this was our best overall recommendation.

For Tatjana Freund, a fashion and luxury commerce editor for Hearst Magazines, this Braun IPL device is a fantastic alternative to painful and expensive in-office laser hair removal treatments.

"The Braun Pro 5 became my go-to since I began to see finer and less hair after just one session. It's quick, less painful, truly effective, and much less humiliating than crying in an esthetician's office," she says.

Mackenzie Dunn, the home and lifestyle commerce manager, is also a fan of this top-rated model. She says, "I used it on my bikini line, legs, and underarms and have been satisfied with the results. Plus, the best part is being able to do it all (and manage the upkeep) from the comfort of my home!"

Dunn's biggest tip is steady use. "Consistency is key with this device. It works well if you use it often — around twice a week to start — and then as needed for maintenance," she advises.

Camp adds, "This device can be used with a variety skin tones and hair colors, and is designed in such a way to be portable and easy to store."

More: Self-Care Gifts for Creating Zen Spa Vibes

Only have $200 to spend on a new IPL hair removal device? I got you covered with a top-rated model Amazon reviewers are gushing over. This battery-powered mini device is clinically tested to reduce unwanted hair within three months.

Camp says it's a compact, more accessibly priced IPL hair removal device that can be used on a variety of skin tones and hair colors. What's most impressive about this product is that the skin sensor adapts its IPL energy intensity depending on the user's skin tone for a custom and safer removal process.

Not only is it the smallest option, but the lightweight skincare tool comes with a handy travel pouch that's perfect for on-the-go touchups and those who are traveling this upcoming holiday season. In addition to the slim device and pouch, there's a Venus razor for fast hair removal in between sessions.

Amazon reviewers also highlight this as a beauty must-have. "The device is definitely worth it. After almost six weeks of use, I have noticed a significant reduction in the appearance of hair on my legs and underarms. The hair is becoming thinner and sparser, which is exactly what I was hoping for," says a 5-star review.

Firstfinds commerce writer and trending products expert Sarah Maberry has tried a couple of IPL hair removal devices but highlights the Air 3 as her top choice.

"When lasering sensitive areas like my bikini line or armpits, the last thing I want to do is get zapped. Splurging on the cooling technology of Ulike’s Air3 is totally worth it [if] you’ve got sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance. It's far easier to remember to complete all your treatments when the process is pain-free," she says.

It's no wonder this model is also Nazarian's top pick. "The IPL is powerful, but to protect the skin from overheating it has a cooling tip that maintains skin temperature. It's also incredibly fast, so larger areas can be treated within a few minutes, making compliance more likely due to the convenience," she explains.

Notably, the proprietary Sapphire Ice-cooling technology ensures your skin heats up to 50-104 degrees Fahrenheit versus an average of 150-212 degrees Fahrenheit of Ulike's competitors. Camp adds that lowering skin temperature protects it from damage that can occur from overheating.

Rounding out this list is this SmoothSkin IPL hair removal device that earned an impressive 4.6-star average from nearly 100 CurrentBody reviewers. It's a fast-acting device with a minimal 10-minute time commitment per treatment.

You'll experience full, hair-free results after an initial 12-week period — and afterward, you can touch up once every 4-8 weeks, depending on how fast your body hair grows back.

Last fall, Harper's Bazaar associate beauty editor Katie Inter reviewed this tool and called it a 5-star product. To quote her glowing review, "I am still in awe of how this low-pain device zapped nearly all of my body hair. For the price and ease of use, I’m giving the device a perfect score."

Camp highlights the precision head as a winning attribute. "It enables you to treat delicate areas like the lip, chin, toe, and bikini area," he says.

Several CurrentBody reviewers agree with his sentiment, and those with PCOS consider this IPL hair removal device a dream skincare tool because they no longer deal with razor bumps and irritation. "I've not completed a full 12-week series with my SmoothSkin pure yet, but I'm already seeing great results. The most notable is how the hair regrowth on my legs, bikini, and underarms slowed down, allowing me to shave every few days, which is a welcomed improvement! Hair that is growing back is softer," says a 5-star review.