The 11 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices, According to Shape's Tests

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If you prefer a smoother, hair-free finish, but don't want to deal with electric razors or classic shavers, laser hair removal has likely popped into your mind, but those appointments are expensive. However, you can remove hair at home using these gadgets yourself.

See, laser hair removal devices have come a long way and are now available in dozens of varieties to meet any budget, pain threshold, and treatment area. At-home laser hair removal is similar to in-office hair removal, albeit with markedly less power for safety reasons. “A specific hair pigment target is matched to a specific laser wavelength, which destroys the hair follicle while minimizing damage to the skin,” explains board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, M.D.

To help you find the best at-home laser hair removal devices, the Shape team committed to a months-long test of the most recommended and buzzed-about devices to help narrow down the options.

Adjusts itself based on skintone and body shape

FDA-cleared and dermatologist-approved

Removes hair within 12 weeks

Takes just 10 minutes for full-body treatment

Ineffective for those with very light hair

Unsafe for deep brown or black skin

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited | Warranty: 2 years | Plug: Yes

This FDA-cleared and dermatologist-approved laser hair device (and 2024 Shape Beauty Awards winner!) delivers impressive results. It has smart sensors that adapt to your skin tone for safety reasons and a responsive head built to adjust to the curves of your body for fewer missed spots. Plus, it's fast (122 flashes per minute) and only takes 10 minutes for a full-body treatment. You'll likely see some noticeable improvements after just a couple of weeks. The brand states that up to 99% of hair can be removed with consistent use within 3 months. After the initial 12-week treatment schedule, you may need maintenance treatments every four to eight weeks.

A major downside is that it's unsafe for melanin-rich skin tones and may not work well if you have very light hair. It's important to check the company's charts to see if it might be safe and effective for your skin tone and hair color.

Sleek design and gorgeous emerald color

Comes with protective glasses and a leather travel case for storage

Cooling technology helps lower skin temperature

No color sensor to protect incompatible skin or hair color

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited | Warranty: 2 years | Plug: Yes

There’s something undeniably chic and sophisticated about the look and feel of this device. It makes the whole at-home hair removal process feel more pampering rather than chore-like. The system comes with the device, a razor, and protective glasses that you can throw into the fancy green leather travel case (included) for easy storage. And that’s hardly the coolest thing about it. The device is also equipped with cooling technology that helps lower the skin's surface temperature to 50 degrees, which soothes any stings or discomfort that come with the hair-removing zaps.

This device is gentle and efficient enough to power through two to three weekly treatments. Testers noticed a visible reduction in hair growth and significant thinning in as little as four weeks, with more impressive, longer-lasting results after eight weeks.

Includes goggles

Easy to use and gentle

FDA-approved

Hair loss results may be patchy

Type: IPL | Flashes: 600,000 | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes

This at-home hair removal device is a more affordable option for someone looking to test the waters of at-home hair removal. It’s also one of the easiest and most gentle to use. The FDA-approved device features a large digital display (for ease of use) and a wide treatment area that makes the process go by quicker since more surface area is covered per flash.

It has seven levels, and while you’ll need to crank it up high for real results, even the highest levels are tolerable in terms of pain. Testers described the feeling from hair removal as less painful than a rubber band snap. They found it gentle enough to use twice weekly, but long-term results will require persistence and patience. The results aren’t as smooth as some of the pricier devices in this lineup, but it certainly delivers a painless bang for your buck.

Shape / Samantha Aronson

Ideal for small areas

Skin-sensing technology reads skin tone and adjusts the energy accordingly

Has two comfort settings and treatment modes

Takes a long time to treat large areas, like the legs

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited | Warranty: 2 year | Plug: Yes

Don’t let the name mislead you: This may be the slightly smaller sister device to the SmoothSkin Fit, but it’s equally as effective, especially when it comes to bikini lines or facial hair removal. It features a smart skin-sensing technology that continuously reads skin tone and automatically adjusts the energy accordingly, making it one of the most energy-efficient options.

It has two comfort settings (power and gentle) and two treatment modes (stamp or glide), all equally effective and come down to a matter of preference and the area you’re working on. The four-point contact sensor helps ensure the device is correctly aligned before each zap, protecting your eyes and skin. The compact, lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver around nooks and crannies of the face and body, and even the power mode feels relatively painless — although gentle mode is an excellent option for more sensitive skin types.

Comes with epilator and razor attachments

Designed for those with darker skin and/or lighter hair

Pain-free

Slow to see lasting results

Type: IPL and radio frequency | Flashes: 300,000 | Warranty: 2 years | Plug: Yes

This system comes stocked with an electric razor and epilator attachment, which is ideal for helping you get better, smoother, and longer-lasting results. It’s also designed to work for anyone with darker skin, considering it's FDA-approved for all skin tones. It's also suitable for those with lighter hair, which is nearly impossible to find in the world of at-home hair removal — most blondes and redheads need to visit an office for a professional treatment. The testers weren’t overly impressed by these extra bells and whistles since they found they got a closer shave with our traditional razor and struggled with attaching the epilator. However, they were impressed by the hair removal device itself.

The flashes are incredibly bright, so Shape recommends wearing goggles or sunglasses (not included) for eye protection. The device boasts a patented elōs technology that combines IPL and radio frequency (RF) for a smoother, pain-free treatment that works on all hair colors. It took about six sessions before testers noticed that hair was growing back slower and patchier, and with continued use, they'd expect to see worthwhile results that paid off on this investment.

Shape

Small and easy to maneuver

Has six intensity settings and three treatment modes

Budget-friendly option

May take eight weeks of treatment or more to see results

Type: IPL | Flashes: 900,000 flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes

This IPL device features six intensity settings and three treatment modes: stamp, glide, and auto. Each of these is suited to a specific body part or need, like ingrown hair or coarse stubble. Testers found the stamp mode most effective for treating the bikini line and armpits, as it delivers pulses with each click, while glide mode was the preferred option for arms, as it pulses every second, helping to set an even tempo as you slowly inch the device around treatment areas. The auto mode was ideal for legs since it activates every second as long as the device's window makes contact with skin, which helps with even treatment throughout the work area.

After continued weekly use, testers noticed less hair growing back, and any hair that did return was significantly thinner than before. Long-lasting results require consistent weekly treatments, but it’s worth it in the end — especially for less than $200.

Sleek, compact, and portable

Has six intensity levels and three treatment modes

Quick and relatively painless

Takes three hours to reach a full charge

Type: IPL | Flashes: 400,000 flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: No

If you’ve been searching for a wireless at-home laser hair removal device, here’s one that will give you a bit more freedom to move about. The sleek device is heavier than expected, given its compact size, but thankfully, it isn't uncomfortable. There are six intensity levels, three treatment modes (for body, face, and intimate areas), and an automatic flash option that allows you to maneuver around your body without pressing a button to activate the laser each time.

There was a bit of a learning curve when using the device, but once testers got the hang of holding the device and ensuring each zap was aligned flush against a treatment area, they found it to be a quick and relatively painless hair removal process. They noted the highest intensity (level six) was necessary for seeing changes in hair growth, as no noticeable change happened at the lower settings. After using the device twice a week for seven weeks, they reported a noticeable decrease in hair growth and prolonged results after continuing with weekly treatments for another month.

Built-in cooling feature calms skin

Detachable 330-degree rotating head

Six different modes

Cordless charging dock disinfects and cleans the device

Only suitable for black and brown hair

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes

Few laser hair removal devices maneuver as efficiently as this pretty emerald one. The 330-degree rotating head is also detachable, giving you complete flexibility and control to navigate around any treatment area—large or small. There are six modes, each for a specific treatment area: arms, underarms, bikini area, legs, and face, plus a skin rejuvenation mode. This straightforward methodology makes it exceptionally easy to know which mode to use at any given time.

The device also boasts an auto flash mode that flashes as soon as it contacts the skin, so you don’t have to manually activate it for each area. We found each feature helped simplify the at-home hair removal process, making it ideal for first-time IPL users. It also features an ICE cooling head made from ultra-thin sapphire that cools skin on contact to help counteract and ease any discomfort or sting that comes from treatment. We also love the cordless charging dock that disinfects and cleans the device while it’s not in use.

Ergonomic design

Fast treatment time

No lingering pain

There's a learning curve

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited | Warranty: 2 year | Plug: Yes

This sleek device is one of the fastest in the lineup, promising a speedy 10-minute treatment for your whole body. While testers found it took a bit longer than that — about 14 minutes for both legs — it was certainly the fastest-working of any device they tested. There are three modes (power, speed, and gentle) with both a stamp and glide method to choose between. The flash was quick and hot, like bacon grease jumping out of the pan versus a prolonged sting or burn. It’s the kind of sensation you quickly get used to, with no lingering pain and, at times, only a slight redness that disappears after a minute. The four-point contact sensor also helps to ensure the flash only zaps when it’s completely aligned on the skin, protecting your eyes and surrounding skin from any rogue flashes.

Testers noticed a reduction in hair regrowth after continued weekly use for 12 weeks, followed by monthly touch-ups for routine maintenance and smoothing, which made this device well worth the investment of time and funds.

Comes with three interchangeable heads for different body areas

Simple to use and has automatic sensor lights

Not recommended for dark skin tones, light hair tones, or for use on face and neck

Type: IPL | Flashes: 400,000 | Warranty: Unclear | Plug: Yes

One of the best features of this smart device is that it comes with interchangeable caps that can help you target different areas of your body. It has a standard gold head, two precision heads, and one wide head. The standard head is best suited for use on underarms. The precision heads are for the bikini area, chin, and upper lip. The wide head is for larger areas such as the chest or thighs.

This device is simple and effective but does come with a learning curve as you figure out how to navigate and align the laser around bony body parts like your shins. There is only one treatment button, which helps to simplify use, and automatic sensor lights adjust the settings based on your skin type for maximum effect. Like other IPL devices, though, it's unsuitable for deep brown or black skin tones or very light or gray hair tones. Before purchasing, you'll want to check the company's hair and skin tone chart.

Gliding feature

Constant pulsing

User manual left a lot to be desired

Type: IPL | Flashes: Pulse or glide, unlimited flashes | Warranty: 1 year | Plug: Yes

Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal has the approval of experts. "It uses advanced eHPL technology, combining galvanic energy with Home Pulsed Light (HPL), to target hairs at the root for highly effective hair removal," says Dendy Engelman, M.D., F.A.C.M.S., F.A.A.D., board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic in NYC. While the hefty price tag may be a lot to swallow, with continued use, this device will deliver results that rival the results of in-office laser hair removal treatments, and provide you with the convenience of using it whenever and wherever you want.

Testers found the device was lightweight and sat comfortably in their hands with one finger on the back of it to trigger the base electrode. It has a pulsing setting to activate a single galvanic circulation when working on smaller areas and a gliding setting when you hold the button to activate a constant galvanic circulation pulse every 1.5 seconds. This gliding feature is a must for time efficiency, so you can move around an area without stopping and starting every second. Testers noticed a significant reduction in hair thickness after three treatments — using every other week.

Shape / Taylor Calta

First and foremost, find something safe for your skin. "It’s very important that you choose a device recommended by a medical professional and/or FDA-cleared to ensure your safety," says Dr. Engelman. Also, keep in mind which areas you want to treat — Dr. Beuttler notes that some devices come with attachments for smaller spots like the bikini line, while others are better for larger areas like legs. He also recommends testing a small area of your skin first to ensure it reacts well before treating larger areas.

Yes, using an at-home laser device is safe, “as long as you are using it as tested and directed,” says Dr. Hirsch. Be sure to follow the device instructions and wear protective goggles or eyewear.

“It’s wise to shave before at-home treatment since hair will absorb the laser energy,” says Dr. Hirsch. “The singe (and for many, the odor) is bothersome. It’s important not to wax before, as this removes the same area that the laser targets — unlike shaving, which just trims the hair above the skin.” For best results, some devices even advise using an epilator before treatment.

Dr. Engelman says yes, "with the right device." She suggests using the device on a lower setting for added caution since the skin in this area is more sensitive. What's more? Dr. Beuttler notes that the pubic area is one section of your body where you can get the best results from at-home laser hair removal. "The hair is usually coarser and darker, and the skin gets less sun exposure, making it ideal for laser hair removal."

“This varies based on the device and the person,” Dr. Hirsch says. “Generally you want to allow the treated hairs to grow out and cycle so you hit some other hairs each time you treat the area.” For the devices we tested, the average recommendation was weekly or biweekly.

"At-home lasers are convenient, but they’re less powerful than professional treatments, so results may take longer or fall short," notes Dr. Beuttler. He also notes that at-home laser hair removal devices "work best for those with dark hair and light skin since the laser targets color in the hair follicle. Light hair may not absorb enough energy, and darker skin can absorb too much, increasing the risk of burns." Remember that when performing this treatment at home, it’s also easy to overlook crucial after-care, like sun protection, which is vital to prevent irritation and hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Beuttler.

Dr. Engelman recommends that some people avoid this process altogether, especially those with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis (unless approved by a licensed medical professional). If you have recently tanned, sunburned, or are pregnant, avoiding laser hair removal is also wise.

Lindsay Colameo is a seasoned beauty writer and editor with over a decade of experience contributing to leading print and digital publications, including InStyle, Byrdie, Real Simple, and more. Her published work marries her product expertise and deep understanding of the industry to deliver honest, informative, and compelling content that helps readers better navigate the beauty aisle and their online shopping carts. Shape writer Maddie Barber updated this article in 2024 with additional expert-recommended picks and insight.

The Shape team used the following experts for insight and product recommendations for this story: