*We only mention products we personally used & loved.
After experiencing the many pitfalls of shaving (ingrown hairs, redness, irritation, and speedy re-growth), we contemplated alternative hair removal methods this season. Since professional laser hair removal isn't the most time-friendly option (visits take up to two hours, & cost upwards of $400 per session), and some of us can't head out to an appointment right now, we're looking at the next best thing: at-home laser hair removal devices.
We tested 24 at-home laser hair removal devices to find the top 5 brands, including models from Tria, HappySkinCo, Silk'n, Braun, and Michael Todd Beauty. We rated the best five options based on the following criteria:
Results
We tested how many weeks it took for us to stop our hair growth, ideally trying to stop hair growth a couple months into weekly use. A few of the devices ended up working extremely well, delivering permanently hairless, silky skin to us.
Cost
If you were to go the in-office route, it would end up costing up to 400 dollars per session (between 6-8 sessions needed for laser hair removal. We were able to get great results with devices that ended up costing less than $400, with the best results from a handset costing just around $169*.
Safe for At-Home Use
New York-based dermatologist Josh Zeichner, MD, considers at-home lasers a safe alternative. "Lasers work by emitting a beam of light that is absorbed by a specific target in the skin," Dr. Zeichner explains. "In this case, the light is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicle to heat it up and destroy it, so the hair does not grow back. At-home devices work similarly to professional treatments."
We looked for the laser hair removal options on the market that remove hair permanently & were suitable for at-home use.
Why Estheticians Chose Michael Todd Beauty's Lumos as the Best Overall Choice for Permanent Hair Removal
$169*
By far, everyone had the best results with the Lumos IPL handset (backed by clinical validation, and designed for safe, permanent hair removal at home). A fan favorite since launch, it features 9 adjustable power levels, precision & Quick Glide modes, and built-in CoolMax™ cooling—allowing you to complete full-body hair removal in under 10 minutes with zero discomfort.
For all of us, it took about 8 sessions using it once per week to permanently remove unwanted hair growth — and visible results started appearing just after the first use.
Thanks to CoolMax™ technology, the device stays cool to the touch — no burning, no discomfort.
Lumos is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device — most IPLs on Amazon and in DTC brands are not FDA-cleared, just CE marked (less strict).
Many IPLs still offer 300k–500k flashes — Lumos is truly "buy once, use for life," with no cartridge replacements needed.
Lumos fires a flash every 0.7 seconds in Glide Mode — meaning full body hair removal can take under 10 minutes, not 20–30 like cheaper IPLs.
9 power levels + manual & auto modes → most IPLs only offer 3–5 power levels and no Glide mode. Lumos allows fine-tuned control for sensitive areas (face, bikini) vs larger areas (legs, arms).
Remington IPL6000q Ilight Quartz
$486
Mainly for larger areas, Remington can be difficult for precise laser hair removal; for those of us who used the Remington, it took about 14 sessions for permanent hair removal.
Like Tria, it takes around 14-16 uses for permanent hair removal.
Difficult for precise areas.
A bit heavy, but with heavy-duty results - for most of us it gave us results after just about 14 uses.
Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X
$499
With Tria - it takes around 14-18 uses to stop unwanted hair growth. It's designed for more precise permanent hair removal as it does not include a glide-mode option.
Excellent for precise use, but difficult for broad areas like the arms & legs.
Complete results after 14 sessions.
Priced at $449.
Silk’n Permanent Hair Removal Device
$429
Like Remington & 5MinSkin, it's able to permanently stop unwanted hair growth after about 12 uses. It's loved for it's handheld size & simplicity of use.
Comfortable, handheld design & easy to treat any area.
Simple to use, it's a great choice for permanent hair removal.
$349 at standard price.
Similar to 5MinSkin - Silk'n stops hair growth within 12 uses.
