The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices To Use In Time For Summer

Forbes

08-05-2025

In anticipation of summer and swimsuit weather, you may be considering laser hair removal. As opposed to shaving—which can get tedious—this method damages hair follicles to reduce growth over time, ultimately giving more long-term results than a razor. The Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 is our pick for the best laser hair removal device overall, featuring 10 intensity levels and four interchangeable caps for full-body treatment. For users with coarse hair, we recommend the ultra-efficient Nood Flasher 2.0, which produces visible results in as little as three weeks.
We chose the Silk'n Infinity Fast as the best laser hair removal device for travel.
Devices designed for home use are typically IPL (intense pulsed light) tools—many of which are featured in our roundup—that work to achieve similar results as a diode laser would. Though similar to in-office laser treatments, the energy level of gadgets for home use is much lower, according to dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati. They can also be helpful for maintaining the results you get from a professional service. In addition to leaning on our beauty expertise (co-author Jane Sung is a Forbes Vetted deputy editor and Claire Epting is a beauty updates writer), we researched, interviewed experts and sought out firsthand product experience to recommend the eight best laser hair removal devices that are safe and effective.
Braun
Flashes: 400,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 10 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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Braun's Silk Expert Pro 5 has several features to 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. (We also picked the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 as the best laser option in our roundup of the best facial hair removers.) Included with the device is a Venus razor for touchups.
Ulike
Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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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.
RoseSkinCo.
Forbes Vetted readers get $20 off the Lumi (and Lumi bundles) by entering code FORBES20 at checkout.
Flashes: 300,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 6 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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Most at-home laser hair removal devices come with larger price tags, but this one from RoseSkinCo. makes our list as the best value pick. Although it's more affordable, the device doesn't falter when it comes to results; you may start noticing positive benefits as soon as three weeks, so long as you use the device once per week. (Long-term hair removal can be expected after 12 uses, over the course of six to 12 weeks.) It offers six intensity levels and is suitable to use all over your body, including your armpits, legs, face and bikini area. Note that the device shouldn't be used above the cheekbones or on the inner part of the bikini area.
Nood
Forbes Vetted readers get $10 off the Flasher 2.0 (and all purchases at Nood) by entering code FORBES10 at checkout.
Flashes: 600,000 | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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This device offers a larger treatment window, meaning you only need about 10 minutes per session. Nood's technology also includes one of the highest-intensity lamps that targets hair at the root, without causing sensitivity and redness—even on coarse hair. 'The Flasher 2.0 has a thoughtful, compact design that fits nicely in the hand, and it's lightweight enough that lengthier IPL sessions don't feel like a chore,' says one of our testers.
The device is so effective that you'll see results within as little as three weeks and will notice more permanent hair removal in six to eight weeks. You can switch between three modes, depending on your skin's sensitivity. It's best suited for very fair to light brown skin, but may not be as effective or safe for darker skin tones. For more info, read our in-depth Nood review here.
SmoothSkin
Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL | Intensity levels: 10 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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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. '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 one of our testers.
There are three comfort modes (Power, Speed and Gentle) that allow you to tailor the device to your targeted areas. 'It's minimally painful, and comfortable to hold and wield,' our tester says. 'While hair is re-growing, it does seem like it's coming in less coarse, which is a great sign.' 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.
Jovs
Flashes: 500,000 | Laser type: OPT | Intensity levels: 6 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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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.
Amazon
Flashes: Unlimited | Laser type: IPL with RF | Intensity levels: 3 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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The Iluminage Touch is a laser for 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 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.
Silk'n
Flashes: 600,000 | Laser type: eHPL (galvanic and optical energy) | Intensity levels: 5 | FDA-cleared: Yes
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This upgraded Silk'n device targets follicles on a wider range of skin tones than its previous iteration. Its enhanced Home Pulsed Light technology (which is a safer, home-friendly version of IPL) now uses galvanic energy to helps its light reach hair follicles more deeply—and twice as fast than the previous model. Since the laser uses energy from a bulb instead of thermal heat, it's designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, making it our top pick for travel. You can expect to see noticeable results after three to four treatments, and full results after eight. It's also safe for use on your underarms, legs, bikini lines and face, and has five intensity settings to customize your treatment.
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.
When compiling this list of the best laser hair removal devices, we considered the top options on the market at different price points and capabilities.
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 consider.
Most at-home laser hair removal devices use intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy to remove unwanted body hair by permanently destroying the follicles in the treated area. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 says 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.
For those who are just starting laser hair removal at home, we've gathered a few tips to make the process easier. Here's what to keep in mind, according to Shamban.
Based on our research, the Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 is the best laser hair removal device for at-home use because it's versatile, intuitive and suitable for most people. Specifically, it features the brand's SensoAdapt technology, which means it automatically adjusts the intensity of the flashes to suit your skin. It also comes with four attachment caps that help you target specific areas of the body, including sensitive and harder-to-reach areas like your underarms and face.
We chose Nood The Flasher 2.0 as the best option for coarse hair due to its high-intensity lamp and ability to target thicker, stubborn strands. The Jovs Venus Pro II, our pick for the best cooling laser hair removal device, features OPT (optimal pulse technology) as opposed to IPL (intense pulsed light), which can increase effectiveness. Just note that it's not deemed safe for light-colored hair or dark skin tones.
It's generally considered safe to use laser hair removal devices at home, as long as it's from a reputable brand and you follow the manufacturer's instructions. As you consider devices, it's extremely important to see which are designed for your skin and hair type. Some devices may be ineffective, or worse, harmful to certain hair types and complexions. Also, check for FDA approval; all the products we recommend on this list have been cleared by the FDA.