Guide · Checked 18 October 2026
Best IPL hair removal device in 2026
Check your skin tone and hair colour first. IPL only works when the hair is darker than the skin.
The best IPL hair removal device for most people is the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 or a Philips Lumea, because both read your skin tone and adjust every flash, have clinical backing and come with heads for the face and bikini line. The newer smart models add app coaching, and Ulike's Air 10 adds a cooling plate for comfort. IPL only works when your hair is darker than your skin. These six IPL devices were selling well on Amazon UK on 18 October 2026.
We have not tested these products. This guide is based on the manufacturers' Amazon UK listings and buyer demand, checked on 18 October 2026. We do not show prices because they change constantly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we choose.
Will IPL hair removal work for you?
- IPL (intense pulsed light) heats the pigment in the hair to slow regrowth. It needs dark hair on lighter skin to work well.
- It does not work on naturally light blonde, red, grey or white hair, because there is too little pigment.
- It is not suitable for the darkest skin tones. The skin sensors on these devices will not flash if your skin is too dark to treat safely. Check the skin-tone chart on the listing.
- Ask a doctor first if you are pregnant, have a skin condition, take medication that makes you sensitive to light, or have tattoos or dark moles in the area.
- It is long-term hair reduction, not instant or permanent removal. Expect sessions every one or two weeks for the first couple of months, then occasional top-ups.
What to look for
- A skin-tone sensor that adjusts the flash automatically. Every pick below has one.
- Attachments for the areas you want to treat. A small face head and a bikini head help with precision.
- Speed. Flash rate and window size decide how long a full leg takes. The makers quote about 10 minutes for a full body on their fastest devices.
- Comfort. Lower intensity modes for sensitive areas, or a cooling plate as on the Ulike Air 10.
- Mains or cordless. Mains devices never run flat; cordless ones are easier to move around.
IPL hair removal devices compared
| Device | Skin sensor | Attachments | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Braun IPL Silk-Expert Pro 5 | Yes, adapts each flash | Dedicated heads (varies by bundle) | 3 intensity modes |
| Braun Smart IPL Skin i·Expert | Yes | Several heads | App guidance and coverage tracking |
| Philips Lumea 9900 Series | SenseIQ SmartSkin sensor | 4 curved: body, face, bikini, underarm | SkinAI app features |
| Philips Lumea 8000 Series | SenseIQ SmartSkin sensor | 4 curved: body, face, bikini, underarm | Long-running best seller |
| Philips Lumea 7000 Series | 5 intensity settings | 3: body, face, bikini | Includes a pen trimmer |
| Ulike Air 10 | SkinSensor | See listing | Sapphire ice-cooling plate |
From each brand's Amazon UK listing on 18 October 2026. Bundles change the attachments included, so check the listing before you buy.
Best IPL hair removal device: the six picks
Best for most people
Braun IPL Silk-Expert Pro 5
Braun's skin sensor adapts every flash to your skin tone, there are three intensity modes, and Braun quotes about 10 minutes for a full body. It was one of the best-selling IPL devices on Amazon UK when we checked.
Read our full guide to the Braun IPL Silk-Expert Pro 5 →
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best Philips Lumea
Philips Lumea 8000 Series (4 attachments)
Philips' SenseIQ sensor reads your skin tone and suggests the light setting, and four curved attachments cover the body, face, bikini and underarms. Philips says you treat every two weeks for the first six weeks. A long-running best seller with thousands of buyer ratings.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best smart Philips
Philips Lumea 9900 Series
Everything in the 8000, plus SkinAI app features: a body hair analyser and a flash counter that guides each session. Four curved attachments. It was selling hundreds a month on Amazon UK when we checked.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best value Philips
Philips Lumea 7000 Series
Three attachments for body, face and bikini, five light-intensity settings and a Satin Compact pen trimmer for prepping. You choose the intensity yourself rather than relying on a smart sensor setting.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Best smart Braun
Braun Smart IPL Skin i·Expert (PL7442)
Braun's connected IPL learns from your sessions and shows step-by-step guidance and a real-time coverage tracker in the app. Three settings and dedicated heads; Braun says sessions twice a month for three months. Its skin-tone sensor adjusts each flash.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Most comfortable
Ulike Air 10
A sapphire ice-cooling plate keeps the skin cool, which Ulike says makes it nearly painless, with dual lights and an SHR mode for stubborn hair, and a SkinSensor for skin protection. It has thousands of buyer ratings on Amazon UK.
Paid link · opens Amazon.co.uk
IPL for the face, bikini line and men
Face: use the small face head, on the upper lip, chin and cheeks below the cheekbones only. Never near the eyes.
Bikini line: a dedicated bikini head helps. Use a lower intensity first; skin there is more sensitive.
Men: the makers say most IPL devices can be used by men on the body, such as the chest, back and shoulders. They are not designed for the beard area. Check the listing for your device.
Before Black Friday
IPL devices are among the most discounted beauty products around Black Friday (27 November 2026). Braun and Philips sell the same device in several bundles, so compare which attachments are included.
Questions people ask
What is the best IPL hair removal device in the UK?
For most people, the Braun IPL Silk-Expert Pro 5 or the Philips Lumea 8000 Series. Both adjust the flash to your skin tone and include heads for different areas. The Philips Lumea 9900 and Braun Skin i·Expert add app guidance.
Does IPL hair removal work?
On dark hair and lighter skin, yes, for long-term hair reduction rather than permanent removal. It does not work on light blonde, red, grey or white hair.
Braun or Philips IPL?
Both are long-established. Braun's Silk-Expert adapts every flash automatically. Philips Lumea uses its SenseIQ sensor and curved attachments for each body area. Choose by the attachments and features you need.
Can men use IPL hair removal?
The makers say most can be used by men on the body, such as the chest and back, but not on the beard area. Check the device's instructions.
Can you use IPL on your face?
Yes, below the cheekbones, with the face attachment where there is one. Never use it near the eyes.
How long does IPL take to work?
Most people see a difference after a few sessions. Makers recommend weekly or fortnightly sessions for the first one to three months, then top-ups.
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Read the guide →
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