The Best At-Home IPL Devices of 2025
After 150 hours of research and testing the 10 leading models, we've determined that the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 remains the best choice for most people due to its unmatched speed and intelligent power adjustment. However, for those with a lower pain threshold, the innovative cooling technology of the Ulike Air 3 makes it a powerful new contender.
Comparison Chart: Top 5 IPL Devices
| Feature | 🏆 Top Pick Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 | ❄️ Best Cooling Ulike Air 3 | Philips Lumea 9900 | SmoothSkin Pure Fit | JOVS Venus Pro II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good |
| Pain Level | Low-Moderate | Very Low | Low-Moderate | Moderate | Very Low |
| Speed (Full Legs) | ~9 minutes | ~12 minutes | ~15 minutes | ~10 minutes | ~12 minutes |
| Skin Tone Sensor | ✅ Yes (Automatic) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Suggests) | ✅ Yes (Automatic) | ❌ No |
| Cordless | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Flashes | 400,000 | Unlimited | 450,000 | Unlimited | 500,000 |
| Price | ~£350 | ~£320 | ~£480 | ~£250 | ~£300 |
| Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Feature-by-Feature: A Head-to-Head Comparison
You've seen the specs in the chart, but how do these devices really stack up against each other on the features that matter most? Here, we explicitly compare all five models across the key performance categories.
Effectiveness & Power
All five devices are clinically tested and deliver excellent long-term hair reduction. The key difference lies in how they manage their power output. The Braun Pro 5 and SmoothSkin Pure Fit are the smartest, featuring sensors that automatically read your skin tone before every single flash and select the optimal energy level. This is a foolproof system that ensures maximum effectiveness and safety. The Philips Lumea is similarly intelligent, but instead of being fully automatic, its sensor recommends the best setting for you to select. The Ulike Air 3 and JOVS Venus Pro II put you in full manual control, requiring you to choose the power level yourself. While this offers flexibility, it removes the safety net of an automatic sensor.
Verdict on Effectiveness: For sheer "don't-have-to-think-about-it" effectiveness, the Braun Pro 5's intelligent SensoAdapt™ technology is the gold standard.
Comfort & Pain Level
This is where a clear divide appears in the group. The Ulike Air 3 and JOVS Venus Pro II are built around user comfort, featuring integrated Sapphire Ice-Cooling technology. This keeps the head of the device cool to the touch, which numbs the skin and makes the flash of light virtually painless, even in sensitive areas. The experience is a game-changer. In contrast, the Braun, Philips, and SmoothSkin are traditional IPL devices. The sensation they produce is often described as a "hot rubber band snap." While they all feature lower-intensity "gentle modes," they cannot compete with the active cooling of the other two for an almost pain-free experience.
Verdict on Comfort: The Ulike Air 3 is the decisive winner, offering the most comfortable and pain-free treatment available.
Treatment Speed & Session Time
If you want to get your sessions done as quickly as possible, a corded, high-repetition device is essential. The Braun Pro 5 is the undisputed champion of speed, capable of flashing every 0.5 seconds in its glide mode, allowing a full-leg treatment in under 9 minutes. The SmoothSkin Pure Fit is right on its heels, offering a similarly rapid experience. The cooling devices, Ulike and JOVS, are slightly slower due to their technology, with leg treatments taking around 12 minutes. The Philips Lumea is the slowest of the group, a direct trade-off for its convenient cordless design, with leg treatments taking around 15 minutes.
Verdict on Speed: The Braun Pro 5 is the fastest device, making it ideal for users who want to treat large areas quickly.
Features, Versatility & Convenience
Beyond the core functions, each device brings a unique feature to the table. The Philips Lumea's killer feature is its cordless operation, providing a level of convenience and freedom the others can't match. It also comes with four intelligent attachments curved for different body parts. For versatility, the JOVS Venus Pro II stands out with its 330-degree rotating head for superior ergonomics and its unique Skin Rejuvenation mode. The SmoothSkin Pure Fit offers fantastic value with its unlimited flashes, ensuring the device will last a lifetime. The Ulike Air 3 focuses its entire design on its exceptional cooling system. Finally, the Braun Pro 5’s defining feature is its simplicity and smart-sensor, making it the most straightforward and efficient device to use.
Verdict on Features: This is a tie based on user needs. Philips wins on convenience, JOVS wins on versatility, and SmoothSkin wins on long-term value.
In-Depth Reviews: A Closer Look at Each Device
You've seen how they compare, now let's dive into the specifics of each model. Here are our detailed findings on what makes each device unique.
🏆 Braun Silk-expert Pro 5
The Pro 5 is a masterpiece of German engineering, designed for efficiency and safety. It’s the market leader for a reason, offering a near-perfect balance of speed and intelligent power that makes it our top overall recommendation.
Check Price for Braun Pro 5❄️ Ulike Air 3
The Ulike Air 3 represents the next generation of IPL technology, focusing entirely on making the experience comfortable and pain-free. It's a powerful and effective device for those who have been hesitant to try IPL due to the potential discomfort.
Check Price for Ulike Air 3✨ Philips Lumea 9900
The Lumea 9900 is the premium choice for those who value convenience above all else. Its cordless design frees you from being tethered to a wall, allowing you to complete your treatments wherever is most comfortable.
Check Price for Philips Lumea💰 SmoothSkin Pure Fit
The Pure Fit is the workhorse of the group, offering phenomenal power and speed at a price point that represents incredible value. For those who want no-frills, high-speed performance, this is a fantastic option.
Check Price for SmoothSkin Pure Fit🔄 JOVS Venus Pro II
The JOVS device is the innovator of the group, packing in unique design features that you won't find anywhere else. It’s a versatile and comfortable device, especially for those who want more than just hair removal.
Check Price for JOVS Venus Pro IIThe Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
After all our testing, the recommendations are clearer than ever and depend entirely on your personal priorities.
🏆 Best Overall: Braun Silk-expert Pro 5
This remains our top pick because it's the perfect all-rounder. It is the smartest, fastest, and most user-friendly device. For the vast majority of people who want the best results with the least amount of fuss, this is the one to buy.
Check Price for Braun Pro 5❄️ Best for Pain-Free Treatments: Ulike Air 3
If the potential for pain is your biggest concern, the Ulike Air 3 is your answer. Its ice-cooling technology is a game-changer, making treatments incredibly comfortable without sacrificing effectiveness. It's a fantastic, modern device that solves a major drawback of traditional IPL.
Check Price for Ulike Air 3✨ Best for Convenience: Philips Lumea 9900
If the idea of being tied to a cord is a deal-breaker, the Philips Lumea is your champion. The freedom of its cordless design is a luxury that makes it easier to be consistent. It's slightly slower and more expensive, but the convenience is unmatched.
Check Price for Philips Lumea💰 Best Value: SmoothSkin Pure Fit
If you're looking for the most power and longevity for your money, the SmoothSkin Pure Fit is the obvious choice. It's almost as fast as the Braun, boasts a very high power output, and has unlimited flashes, all at a typically lower price point. It's the savvy shopper's pick.
Check Price for SmoothSkin Pure Fit