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Mar 09, 2025

7 Best At-Home Laser Hair-Removal Devices 2025, Tested Firsthand | Glamour

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. As a beauty writer and as a mom of four, who, frankly hardly has time to shave her

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As a beauty writer and as a mom of four, who, frankly hardly has time to shave her legs, I've evaluated more than a dozen of the best at-home laser hair removal devices on the market. I've zapped hair all over my body–bikini line, armpits and even that mini ’stache and rogue chin hairs on my face–to find the ones that really work as well as the expensive in-office treatments to save me precious minutes and money in the long term. (While prices of the pro sessions vary, they can go up to $400 and you'll need to return at least 6 times to see results, so comparatively, these are solid investments).

But first, some housekeeping: Because the laser works by seeking out pigment (the hair follicle), and then damaging it so it falls out, you do need some contrast between skin and hair color for it to actually work, which is why it's typically not recommended for darker skin tones or for people with blonde or gray hair. Similarly, if you're tanned from sun exposure, you should also skip your sesh, says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Still in? While my research (over the past year, I've spent hours talking to dermatologists, and to friends and fellow editors to find out what they use and love), has yielded a handful of truly great options, my top pick overall—the one I continually reach for to keep my own body stubble-free—is the Silk’n 7. It has an innovative, flexible design complete with a rotating head that allows you to easily reach any spot (even private parts) and is exceptionally powerful yet doesn't hurt. For comparison, most devices require weekly uses at first, but with the Silk'n 7, biweekly is enough. But if you’re looking for a comparatively more affordable option, the popular dermatologist-recommended Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 IPL offers a great value.

How we tested

I first started using at-home laser hair removal devices three years ago, and was immediately hooked. I have since evaluated about a dozen of the most popular options on the market, personally testing six of them on various areas of my body. Other Glamour team members and contributors with different skin tones and hair colors also weighed in to ensure we're recommending products that'll work for as many people as possible.

When evaluating laser hair-removal tools, I read user manuals front to back, considering important attributes like the type of laser, the number of flashes that the device delivers (an indicator of the longevity of the device), and the number of intensity levels. I also assess each device for unique design features, including rotating heads, built-in cooling fans, any attachments for treating variously-sized areas of the body, and even complementary smartphone apps that help you customize treatments or remind you when it's time for your next one.

I also consider ease of use—how comfortable is each laser to hold? Does the laser automatically detect skin tone and adjust intensity levels accordingly? Of course, both short- and long-term efficacy is one of the most important considerations, too. How effectively (and painlessly) does the laser reduce regrowth? How long does it take to see measurable results? And how long do results last?

After more than a year of dedicated research, I narrowed down the list to seven lasers that our experts and testers said were the best hair-removal systems for quick, painless, and lasting results.

What to look for when shopping for an at-home laser hair-removal device

Device type: The vast majority of at-home lasers are IPL, or intense pulsed light, but there’s an emerging crop of diode lasers like the one by CurrentBody, as well as those that use eHPL technology (enhanced Home Pulsed Light) like our top pick by Silk’n. All three types of at-home lasers are similarly effective but have slight differences. Diode lasers operate at a more concentrated wavelength (approximately 810 nm) and are often more suitable for those with darker skin tones. The eHPL uses galvanic energy, which helps open pores to provide a more direct hit to hair follicles.

Features: While you don’t necessarily need the fanciest device on the market to see great results (take the Nood Flasher 2.0, for example), extras can help enhance your overall experience. We like the cooling feature on the Ulike, particularly for those who are worried their pain tolerance is lacking. And our top overall pick, the Silk’n 7, has a rotating head that makes it easier to tackle hard-to-reach areas like the bikini line. It also comes with various sizes of detachable heads to better target tight spots like the upper lip or more quickly tackle larger areas like the legs.

Amazon

Nordstrom

Silk’n

Silk’n recently launched a new laser hair-removal device that’s quickly getting a lot of attention because of its more advanced eHPL technology and its unique rotating head. Though eHPL works similar to IPL, it also harnesses the power of galvanic energy to open pores, providing a more direct hit of pulsed light to hair follicles. It is on the larger side, but the 360-degree rotating head is truly unique. This also makes it a great option for men who may want to give laser hair removal a whirl, since they'll be better equipped to reach tricky areas, like the back, without assistance.

Our review: “During evaluations, I found the device’s controls to be very intuitive, plus I really liked the rotatable head. It’s a game changer for those smaller areas that can be hard to cover with the flash window—like the bikini line. Other devices I’ve tried require much more contorting for these areas, and you still don’t always feel like you’re making the best contact with skin. There’s no worry about that with this laser. It also comes with three precision attachments to help in this department too. There’s a five-inch head that’s the largest on the market at the moment (a great way to speedily tackle big areas like the legs), a medium-size one for the underarm and bikini line, and a small one for facial hair (perfect for the upper lip or a rogue chin hair—IYKYK!). I use the larger attachment for leg touch-ups and love how simple and quick the whole process is. I also use the smaller attachment for more private parts, like the bikini line. In both spots, my experience has been entirely pain-free. Even on the highest setting, I simply feel a bit of warmth,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.

Current Body

Amazon

CurrentBody’s laser is one of the most exciting launches in the category in recent years, because it’s a diode laser rather than a traditional IPL. “Diode lasers emit a single wavelength of light that penetrates deeper into the hair follicle,” says Ross Kopelman, MD, a hair transplant surgeon at Kopelman Hair Restoration. “I’ve found that diode lasers are generally more effective across a broader range of skin tones and hair types, often requiring fewer sessions than IPL.”

Our review: “The CurrentBody laser is lightweight and super easy to use,” says Glamour wellness writer and reviewer April Benshosan. “Plus, it has a large treatment surface area, so you can zap more of your body in less time.” Benshosan says she’s had success using the laser almost everywhere—on her arms, underarms, legs, bikini, and even face. “I use it on the highest setting, and was honestly surprised when I felt a harsh zap, similar to salon lasers, meaning it’s getting the job done.” (Sensitive-skin types, take note: This one may be a bit too strong for you!)

Amazon

Nordstrom

Ulike

We originally evaluated the Ulike Air+, but the company is replacing that model with this new and improved device. The brand says this iteration has 57% better energy output and a 280% faster flash speed for greater efficacy in less time—just two weeks, they say. It features the same cooling technology that drew us to the device in the first place. The internal fan allows the device to effectively operate at a contact temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, as opposed to the 100 degrees some other devices reach. This makes this laser hair removal device an especially great choice for more sensitive areas, like the face or even private parts.

Our review: “The Air+ was the first at-home body-hair-removal device I ever used, and I was really impressed by it, though I can confidently say I love this one even more. I didn’t feel so much as a tingle during use. The large treatment window and the continuous AutoGlide mode made the whole process expeditious—and you know I love that! In the two months that I've had this version, I’m seeing a significant improvement in hair density and thickness on my upper lip in particular,” says Earley.

RoseSkinCo

RoseSkinCo’s Lumi is another great value laser hair-removal device. It retails for $229, but we’ve caught it on sale on more than one occasion at deep discounts that bring the price below the $200 mark—even less than our top budget pick. Still, the FDA-cleared device is equipped with six intensity levels, and the brand says you’ll reap full results in the same 12-week time span other brands promise. They even offer a hair-free guarantee (90-day returns and a one-year warranty), which is ideal for anyone who isn’t sure if their hair is suitable for laser removal.

Our review: “I recently tried out this device and found it very easy to operate. There are only two buttons: a power button, which also toggles through intensities; and a flash button to press when you’re ready to fire. At this point, all you have to do is lift and move the device to another spot for it to flash again, making treatment quick and seamless. I don’t have particularly sensitive skin, but even at the highest setting, I didn’t experience any pain—just an occasional tingling sensation that felt slightly warm," says Earley.

Amazon

Smoothskin

This FDA-approved IPL device has three intensity levels (gentle, power, and speed), so you can choose the one that works best for you—particularly helpful for those with more sensitive skin. But if you opt for the highest setting, the ergonomically shaped laser hair-removal tool delivers up to 122 flashes per minute—among the more impressive on the list. It also senses your skin tone and adjusts the energy output accordingly, taking the guesswork out of the process and ensuring you don’t use a setting that’s not recommended for your skin tone or type. And although it does not come with a precision head attachment for smaller areas like the upper lip and bikini line, we do like the unique responsive head. It has two nodes, if you will, that are flexible and move with the curves of your body to provide improved skin contact—key for efficacy.

Our review: “This device is very easy to use, although for an instruction manual-hating person like myself, it took a few read-throughs to make sure I fully understood it,” says Glamour reviewer Anna Vognsen, “It’s almost totally painless and, even though the device has just one attached head (not multiple), it works well on curved areas. I also liked the continuous flash—it made it easy to glide along my leg, but it did smell a little like burning popcorn while using it. The light flashes are also extremely bright, so do your best to look away while using it.”

Walmart

Amazon

You’ve likely seen this laser hair-removal device all over your social feeds, and for good reason. For starters, “It’s quick and easy to use with three sensitivity modes—normal, gentle, or extra gentle—so it’s less painful than other products on the market,” says Gloria Lin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, who recommends this pick to patients looking for at-home solutions.

Our review: “I found Dr. Lin’s download spot-on. There’s no settings to fuss with—only one big button to press. If you hold it down, it’ll even deliver continuous flashes, so you can complete large areas like legs in, well, a flash. I was able to tackle my armpits, legs, and bikini line in just 10 to 15 minutes—without any pain. If you’re really sensitive, you may notice a slight zing here and there, but I’d be truly surprised if it made you flinch. Braun promises results in as little as four weeks, and this time frame was right during my testing. After weekly treatments for four weeks, the vast majority of my hair had stopped growing. What did grow back was noticeably sparser and thinner,” says Earley.

The device is a favorite of Glamour commerce editor Malia Griggs's as well. “I used this all last winter, so that by the time swimsuit season rolled around, I wouldn't have to shave as frequently. The Braun is very easy to use—just hold down the button and zap away. It comes with different attachment heads, including a narrow one that fits comfortably along my bikini line. I was worried about pain, especially in that sensitive area, but was pleasantly surprised. It's like a light little flick. Though it took me around six weeks of weekly treatments (my hair is coarse), I did notice that it grew back much more slowly after that, thankfully.”

Amazon

Nood

This option makes the rounds on social media, with lots of user-generated content singing its praises. And good news: Deanne Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Westport, Connecticut, backs up all of these claims. She says it really does work and particularly likes the larger handset. “I would recommend this for larger areas of the body that don’t require as much precision—legs, arms, and underarms versus face and bikini,” she says. We also appreciate that the device has five different intensity levels for more flexibility in treatment.

Our review: Users said they liked the convenience of the large digital LED screen on the handset, noting it makes switching between the five intensity levels relatively goof-proof—great for beginners. They also echoed Dr. Robinson’s sentiments about the large laser window but liked that this sped up treatment time. One user told Glamour that you can cover both legs in less than 10 minutes. “After four weeks, I noticed less regrowth,” said one tester. “And after the recommended eight weeks, my hair was virtually undetectable—even after a week without shaving.”

There are a number of other at-home laser hair-removal devices that are widely recommended and have a number of promising reviews on Amazon and other retailers, but here’s why we ultimately decided not to include the following products.

Ulike Air+ IPL Laser Hair Removal Device: This was the first laser hair-removal device I ever tested, and I really liked it. It has built-in cooling technology that makes it a great option for anyone worried about discomfort from the heat required to zap those hair follicles. I also liked that it came with built-in eye protection (just in case) and was intuitive enough for a newbie like myself (at the time, that is!). However, this model is being phased out in favor of the brand’s new Sapphire Air 10, which has everything the old device has—and then some. The brand claims it has significantly greater energy output and a much faster flash speed, which is worth the extra $100 for efficacy. Not to mention the overall design is more ergonomic and easier to hold than the original.

SmoothSkin Pure Fit IPL Hair Removal Device: We liked this IPL device for its three intensity levels, inclusive of one meant to suit sensitive skin. We also liked that it also can sense your skin tone and adjust the energy output accordingly, taking the guesswork out of the process. However, we no longer recommend this laser, since the brand has a newer device that's even more user-friendly and fast-acting—and only costs about $50 more.

Iluminage TOUCH Permanent Hair Reduction System: Though you’ve likely seen this laser hair-removal device promoted on other best-of lists, I decided not to include it on this list not only because of its hefty and hard-to-store size but because it also has much fewer lifetime flashes (despite its high price point) and only has three intensity levels. At the end of the day, there are much more user-friendly at-home laser hair-removal tools available at a better price point.

Braun Skin i-Expert: While this is one of Braun’s newer laser hair-removal devices, it’s significantly more expensive than the brand’s already rather expensive Braun Silk Expert 5. What you get for the added price is “smart functionality” that helps you tailor your treatments to your individual skin needs, but I found this largely unnecessary. While the app was relatively easy to use, most people shouldn’t need an app to tell them something like what attachment to use, as this is dictated by the size of the area you’re treating and is, in my opinion, relatively obvious. It is, however, nice to get a push notification reminding you when you should pick up the device for your next treatment—I find I do often lose track of time, which can effect overall results.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser seeks out pigment in your skin, which is typically found in the base of your hair follicle, says Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. Once the laser locates the hair follicle root, which houses your hair stem cells, “the laser then converts from light energy to heat and basically explodes it,” she says. This damages the hair root, and the hair falls out.

Because the laser works by seeking out pigment, you do need some contrast between skin and hair color for the treatment to actually work. If your skin type is a 3 or higher on the Fitzpatrick scale (which takes into account both skin tone and ethnicity), you may need a special laser and should talk to your dermatologist before reaching for an at-home laser. (Better safe than sorry!) Similarly, if you're tanned from sun exposure, the energy from the laser can be absorbed by your skin in addition to the hair follicles—and cause burns or blisters and leave a disfiguring scar, says David Kim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Our testers were overwhelmingly surprised by how pain-free their experience with at-home laser removal was. Dr. Marmur compares the laser beam to a zinging feeling, similar to a needle prick, though most of our testers said they felt nothing more than a slight warmth. At the end of the day, it depends on your pain tolerance. So if you’re worried about laser hair removal hurting, reach for a device with a built-in fan to help keep things cooler and, therefore, more pain-free, like the Ulike.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Laser hair removal is generally regarded as a safe and effective method of hair reduction for those with light to medium skin tones and dark hair, but be cautious if you have a deeper skin tone. This is because laser hair removal works by targeting melanin pigments, so a stronger contrast between the color of the skin and hair will yield the best results with minimal risk or side effects. “Since dark pigment is the target, there is an increased risk of heating up the dark pigment in the skin instead,” says Heather Woolery Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, explaining this could cause discoloration, hyperpigmentation, blistering, and potential scarring.

Also use caution when removing unwanted hair on any area of the body that’s inherently darker—for example, the groin and armpits, says Dr. Lin. And always look for at-home laser hair-removal devices that have been FDA-cleared, which means they’ve passed the FDA requirements and are presumably safer.

It’s also important to know that there are expected side effects, and then there are unwanted side effects of laser hair removal. A little pinkness and swelling is normal, as are tiny goose-bump-like bumps; those are actually from the swelling of the injured follicles beneath the skin. You also may notice “little black specks that come out of your skin,” says Marmur. “People often misconstrue that as new hair growth, but it’s not—it’s dead hair shedding.” That’s a sign that the laser hair removal worked.

The unwanted side effects include blisters, scabbing, hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation. Of some comfort: Pigmentation issues aren’t always permanent. “If you get it, let your doctor know right away and use a little cortisone 1% cream on the area,” says Dr. Marmur. Keep it out of the sun and heat, and apply a cool compress ASAP.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

Laser hair removal is not permanent—electrolysis, an in-office treatment in which each hair follicle is individually destroyed, is the only truly permanent hair-removal treatment. If we’re being technical, laser hair removal is something of a misnomer. It’s more like laser hair reduction, says Dr. Marmur.

“Hairs will grow back after treatment, but after multiple treatments, the hair will grow back at a much slower rate and thinner,” says Dr. Yu. Typically, you won’t need to shave regularly, but you will likely require a few touch-ups per year. Some people may find they need to shave occasionally—some of our testers said they found shaving necessary once per month or so.

Eventually, you’ll find you may need to shave more often due to new growth coming in at a faster rate. It’s just nature doing its thing, and you can repeat that more intensive initial course of treatment to stop it in its tracks.

How long does laser hair removal take to work?

Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions to work, though exactly how many depends on a huge variety of factors, including skin tone, the type of hair and body location, the type of laser, the settings and power that you’re using with the laser, and even the time of year, says Dr. Marmur. In general, expect to need at least three sessions to begin to see results and closer to 12 for full results.

Once you've completed the number of sessions outlined in your device's user manual, you'll enter a maintenance phase. Typically, this consists of treatments every one to three months, depending on your body's personal hair growth cycle.

What to know about laser hair removal aftercare

There is very minimal aftercare required with at-home laser hair removal. The vast majority of people should be able to move right along with their day. However, a hydrating body lotion can help soothe skin if necessary, says Deborah Yu, a physician at the Plastic Surgery Center in Shrewsbury, New Jersey.

“You should also protect yourself from direct sun exposure, as the treatment areas may be more sensitive to the sun,” says Dr. Yu. Plus, avoid other hair-removal techniques, like waxing or using chemical depilatories like Nair, since they can affect your results. “Those treatments remove the hair follicles that the laser is designed to target,” she says.

How does at-home laser hair removal differ from in-office laser treatments?

Both in-office and at-home laser hair removal is a relatively painless process, but at-home laser hair removal devices offer three big advantages: convenience, privacy, and cost. For just a few hundred dollars, you can treat hair on your own schedule many times over. However, in-office treatments—though more costly—are performed by professionals who use higher-powered, medical-grade lasers that offer faster and more effective results, says Dr. Kopelman. They can also work on a wider range of skin tones, including dark skin. Both require multiple sessions over the course of several weeks or months, and neither are fully permanent—you will need occasional maintenance.

Experts we talked to