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The Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices We Tested, Including Nood, Braun, and More

Get professional results at home for a fraction of the price

The Foreo Peach 2 IPL Hair Removal Device on a leg
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Razor bumps, strawberry skin, and semi-permanent underarm shadow? Forget about the side effects of shaving and the pain of at-home waxing — laser hair removal makes it easy to achieve smooth, lasting results from the comfort and privacy of your own home. 

While at-home laser hair removal devices can help to minimize hair growth at a fraction of the cost of in-office treatment, some devices deliver better results than others. Our PEOPLE Tested team tried out 18 at-home laser hair removal devices (13 last year and an additional five this year), and those that scored highest across our tests are included on this list.

How does at-home laser hair removal work?

These devices work by emitting a beam of light that is attracted to the pigment in a hair follicle. The light heats up and destroys the follicle, effectively reducing and delaying hair growth. Most at-home devices rely on intense pulsed light (IPL), a less powerful laser than what is used professionally.

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NEED TO KNOW

Dr. Kim Nichols is a board-certified celebrity dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, and founder of NicholsMD. Her practice offers laser hair removal services for the back, torso, legs, and more. For this story, Dr. Nichols chatted with PEOPLE to share key features to consider when shopping for at-home laser hair removal devices.

  • Value: At-home treatment requires more sessions than professional treatment, but a one-time investment in an at-home device costs similar to just one in-office session, which averages around $582 and can range from $100 to $800. In-office prices vary based on the body parts targeted, your region, and the number of sessions required. Most devices on this list include unlimited flashes, meaning they'll last indefinitely. Additional features like the Ulike Air 3's cooling system or the RoseSkinCo. Lumi's intensity levels may slightly increase the cost.
  • Hair Color and Skin Tone: Laser hair removal may not be as effective for "those with lighter hair,” warns Dr. Nichols — and the same goes for those with darker skin. Since lasers target the melanin pigment in hair to destroy the follicle, Nichols says that "without pigmentation, the laser can't easily find the hair follicle." If you have light hair or dark skin, read customer reviews and consider consulting your dermatologist before trying an at-home device. You may be better off booking your sessions with professionals, as they have access to more advanced and sensitive lasers.
  • Device Size: Just like red light therapy wands or microcurrent devices, consider the size and maneuverability of the device. Opt for small, precise devices to target facial hair, and choose devices with wider windows like the Foreo Peach 2 to target your legs, back, or other large areas.

Ingrown hairs and stubble-induced shadows are a thing of the past for our testers since trying Nood's The Flasher 2.0. With five intensity levels and a fully digital display, it’s easy and painless to use over large areas — even on sensitive skin. The Nood device features a wide treatment window and a high-intensity bulb, meaning our testers achieved quick results, noting that their armpits only took five minutes.

While the larger size may feel a bit bulky in smaller hands and the brighter flash can be visually startling at first (and may be triggering for those with epilepsy), it was still comfortable to use. It’s also one of the most budget-friendly options on our list, and while you won't get unlimited flashes, our testers highly recommend it as an effective and affordable alternative to the other picks on this list.

Intensity Levels: 5 | Flashes: 600,000 | Suitable For: Full body and face

Are at-home laser hair removal devices safe?

“Laser hair removal is safe to perform on all skin types,” says Nichols. She encourages users to take their time as they learn to use them, noting that since there’s no physician oversight at home to prevent burns or other negative side effects, it’s crucial to proceed with caution as you get comfortable with the device.

If concern for pain is what’s holding you back from trying laser hair removal, then this painless device is the best place to start. Even for laser hair removal newbies, the Ulike Air 3 caused absolutely no pain while leaving skin feeling smooth and hairless. Thanks to the Sapphire Ice-Cooling Technology, our testers' skin felt completely comfortable throughout the whole process.

The device is super user-friendly and offers multiple settings, making it a great choice for someone new to laser hair removal. Its handheld size is great for maneuvering, but the small laser surface area makes the process a little tedious. After just one month of use, our testers noticed their hair was growing back significantly lighter and more slowly than before. 

Intensity Levels: 3 | Flashes: Not listed | Suitable For: Full body and face (but avoid direct contact with genitals and eyes)

The Braun Skin i-Expert is more expensive than other IPL devices on our list — but after our testers used it for multiple weeks, we believe it’s worth the price. The device does everything for you, including an app that provides you with a personalized schedule based on your hair type and the area you plan to remove hair from, telling you how often to use it and which setting to choose.

For laser hair removal newbies and experts alike, it's easy to use and provides pain-free results. After four weeks of using the device on the armpits, our testers noticed a significant decrease in hair growth. It also includes foolproof features, including a power bar that tells you how hard to press down. Although it’s pricey, the extra features are worth it, like four smart heads meant for different areas of the body.

Intensity Levels: 3 | Flashes: Not listed | Suitable For: Full body and face

While some laser hair removal devices we’ve tested can feel tedious, the Foreo Peach 2’s large treatment area was much faster to use while still feeling lightweight and easily maneuverable. Our testers used the device on their legs and found that they preferred it over any other IPL device they've used on larger areas of skin.

The whole process was almost entirely painless, even at the highest level. The device comes with five strength levels, with the option to access more power for $10 per month — a feature our testers found frustrating since the device is already expensive. But, overall, it was easy to use and provided pain-free, smooth results. 

Intensity Levels: 5 | Flashes: 500,000 | Suitable For: Full body and face

Unlike the majority of remote or egg-shaped models on the market, this laser hair removal device comes in an ergonomic L-shaped design, and its 330-degree rotating head helps you find the ideal angle. It’s loaded with useful features, like a cooling system that minimizes discomfort, a mode to fade hyperpigmentation, and an auto-flash mode that allows you to cover large areas in a shorter period of time.

This is more of an investment purchase than most of the others on this list, but our testers found that the additional features (plus the included razor and safety glasses) were worth it. Plus, you can occasionally find it on sale, so it's worth grabbing when you do.

Intensity Levels: 6 | Flashes: Unlimited | Suitable For: Full body and face

Best for Beginners

RoseSkinCo. Lumi

RoseSkinCo. Lumi IPL Hair Removal Handset
Credit: RoseSkinCo.

The Lumi makes at-home laser hair removal more straightforward than any other option our testers tried: Just plug it in, press the power button, and select one of the three modes. They found stamp mode, which delivers a pulse every time you click, to be super effective in more precise areas. Glide and auto don’t require repeated clicks, so those were their go-to for larger areas. The device easily fit in their palms, but they wished there were ridges for an easier grip, as the rounded shape proved difficult to hold at times. 

Our testers also loved the quick quiz on the brand's website to figure out if the Lumi will be effective for you (TL;DR: It is better suited for light skin to medium-brown skin and dark blonde to black hair; it isn’t great for super fair or dark skin, or hair that’s light, red, or gray.) This is another wallet-friendly option that showed promising results during twice-weekly tests over three months.

Intensity Levels: 6 | Flashes: 900,000 | Suitable For: Full body and face

Hand holding the RoseSkinCo. Lumi IPL Hair Removal Handset

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At-home laser devices that are effective for use with light or red hair are few and far between. Our testers found this model to be the strongest contender after using it on light hair and noticing the hair growing back slower and sparser after just six sessions of weekly use. As recommended, our testers used the included epilator first to remove lighter hair before treatment, but found this step to be confusing even after reading the instructions.

Our testers found that the precision adaptor was great for targeting smaller areas and underarms. This is the most expensive pick on our list, but for those with light hair or particularly fair skin tones, it may be worth the investment: It’s been clinically proven, FDA-cleared, and is still significantly less of an investment than in-office treatment.

Intensity Levels: 3 | Flashes: 300,000 | Suitable For: Full body (except bikini area) and face

Does hair grow back after using an at-home laser hair removal device?

Just like with razors or hair removal creams, hair will continue to grow back after using at-home laser hair removal devices. It’s important to note that these aren’t get-hairless-quick schemes. They are designed to minimize the number and size of hair follicles, which in turn reduces the amount of hair that grows and the rate at which it fills in.

Other Laser Hair Removal Devices We Liked

While these laser hair removal devices weren't our testers' favorites, they thought the Mismon device was a great choice for folks with fairer skin and darker body hair. The Sensica device didn't perform as well on thicker hair, but it reduced leg hair growth during our tests, and our testers appreciated the automatic mode that flashes light as you move the device along your body.

A hand holding the Sensica SensiLight Pro over a marble counter
Sensica SensiLight Pro Laser Hair Removal Device.

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How We Tested

We tested 18 at-home laser hair removal devices from leading brands to narrow down a list of our top recommendations for safe and effective use at home. Each device was used consistently in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions over several weeks. We took detailed notes on factors like ease of setup, learning curves, comfort level, efficacy during use, and reductions in the speed or thickness of the hair growing back.

We also evaluated whether each device's shape affected its maneuverability, plus how long each session took and whether the device still functioned the same at the end of testing. After 12 weeks of tests, we rated each device on a scale of one to five. The devices with the highest average scores made this list and earned the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval.

A person using the MiSMON IPL At-Home Hair Removal Machine in a bathroom
PEOPLE Tester using Mismon IRL At-Home Hair Removal Device.

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Complete Your Routine

Before using an at-home laser hair removal device, it's important to shave the treatment area to allow the laser to target the hair follicles properly. If you're using the device on your face, we recommend using a dermaplaning tool to gently remove hair. Since laser hair removal can make your skin more sensitive to burns from exposure to UV rays, always use body sunscreen or face sunscreen on any treated areas after using your device. To hydrate and soothe your skin after treatment, a body lotion with SPF can moisturize and add extra sun protection.

What Is PEOPLE Tested?

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. 

Sources
PEOPLE uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Laser hair removal cost.

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