Best At

Jan 30, 2024

The best at-home laser hair removal devices make a strong case for setting aside your manual razors or electric shavers. Unlike shaving, this method damages hair follicles to reduce growth over time, requiring less maintenance and ultimately giving more long-term results. And many devices (like our top pick overall from Braun) come with adjustable settings and features that make the whole process easy, safe and effective.

The best at-home laser hair removal devices help you remove unwanted hair swiftly and painlessly.

According to dermatologist Dr. Ramya Garlapati, these gadgets work similarly to in-0ffice laser treatments, but when compared to them, “the energy level of the at-home lasers is much lower.” The devices provide a convenient alternative to going in for appointments, and they can also help with upkeep. (Keep in mind: If you do opt to do this at home, you may need more sessions to see lasting results.) From luxury picks to affordable options, here are the best at-home laser hair removal devices for zapping unwanted body hair.

Braun

Flashes: 40,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Braun’s Silk Expert Pro 5 has several features that will help you get rid of unwanted hair more efficiently. It features a gliding mode for quickly treating large areas like the legs, a stamping mode for hard-to-reach areas like the bikini line and SensoAdapt technology, which automatically adjusts the flash intensity for safe use on skin.

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Amazon

Flashes: 500,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Most at-home laser hair removal devices come with larger price tags, but this one from Veme makes our list as the best value pick. Although it’s more affordable, the device doesn’t falter when it comes to results, giving noticeable benefits in as little as 3 weeks with consistent use. It offers two modes and five energy levels. The manual flash mode treats smaller areas like armpits, upper lip and bikini line, while the automatic flash mode is best for using on the legs, back and arms.

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Amazon

Flashes: 600,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

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 device is so effective that you will see results within as little as 2 weeks, and will notice more permanent hair removal in 6 to 8 weeks.

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Jovs

Flashes: 500,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

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. As the cherry on top, it has a glamorous design.

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Amazon

Flashes: Unlimited | FDA-cleared: Yes

The Iluminage Touch is a laser for the the face and body that uses pulsed light and radio frequency to gently zap away unwanted hair. 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, and it comes with a precision adaptor and an epilator attachment to optimize treatments.

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Silk'n

Flashes: 300,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

This tool transfers heat from optical light energy to the hair shaft with every pulse and at peak power, so it makes destroying hair follicles a fast and easy process. Because the laser uses energy from a quartz bulb instead of thermal heat, it’s able to be packaged into a size that will fit comfortably in the palm of your hand.

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Silk'n

Flashes: 200,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

This device removes unwanted hair easily. It uses the brand’s Home Pulsed Light technology to go beneath the skin’s surface to get at hair follicles with a touch of a button. You can use it anywhere on the body, and the best part is that it’s painless. Plus, you only need to do the treatment every other week for the first five sessions and then once a month for maintenance.

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Amazon

Flashes: 300,000 | FDA-cleared: Yes

Starting a hair removal process at home can be overwhelming. This IPL hair removal device is an excellent option for beginners who want to remove hair safely. It has a soft pulse light that stunts hair growth without any irritation. It also has a sliding mode that makes it easier to glide it across your skin at a steady pace for an even treatment. The IPL tool includes three heads: one for the body, one for the bikini line and one for the face.

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Our team of editors and contributors who update this list have years of experience testing hundreds of beauty and grooming products—many of which are focused on at-home hair removal tools and devices. We also consulted with experts like Dr. Ava Shamban and Garlapati, dermatologists who shared their deep knowledge on what to look for in the safest and most effective laser tools for hair removal.

When compiling this list of the best at-home laser hair removal devices, we considered the top options on the market at different price points and capabilities. From there, we combed through customer reviews and examined the most efficient tools. We researched each one to learn about its features, attachments, modes, flashes and FDA approvals. To ensure we provided the most accurate information, our team finalized the list with dermatologists and considered their expert advice and recommendations.

While there are some cost-saving benefits to opting for an at-home laser hair removal device, finding one that can provide results on par with a professional treatment can be tricky. Factors like the number of flashes, skin type, safety and treatment area can have an impact on results. Here’s what to keep in mind.

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 Shamban, areas such as the lip and face generally need about 25-50 flashes; the underarm or bikini line might need up to 200 flashes; larger areas like the legs may need 500-600 flashes each; the chest or back may require 700 or even 800.

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. Usually, lighter skin with darker hair is the best combination, but some can be used on all skin tones and types,” says Shamban. She suggests looking for an at-home laser that works well with your skin tone and hair color. There are also options with cooling technology that are great for sensitive skin.

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.

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. Some are designed with small laser caps that are ideal for targeting places that are hard to reach, like the bikini line. However, they may be less efficient for large areas.

These devices are an excellent solution if you’re tired of frequent shaving, waxing or other more temporary grooming methods. “Laser hair removal is a treatment in which the hair follicle is permanently destroyed, and this prevents hair growth,” says Garlapati. At-home devices work in the same way but at lower frequencies. “As a result, these treatments require more sessions to show an improvement, and they may not be as effective,” she says.

As we mentioned, it’s best to look for laser hair removal devices that are FDA cleared (we ensured that all of our top picks are) or have extensive research to back them up. “It’s relatively safe if the device is used appropriately,” says Garlapati. It’s also important to follow the directions depending on the area that you want to treat. Garlapati explains that “there is a risk of burning your skin and causing hyperpigmentation if you do too many passes.”

According to dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan, the device should be set to your skin type for the safest results. “The only risk is a burn, but if the settings are set and the treatment is executed correctly, it is typically very safe and effective,” he says.