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I love how my skin looks and feels when it's smooth and hair-free. But damn, if I could never look at another razor, waxing kit, or epilator for the rest of my life, I'd be happy. Because either it's an easy method (hi, shaving) but hella annoying and short-lived, expensive (see: the days of an every-five-weeks bikini wax that broke my wallet), or frickin' painful (I shed quite a few tears thanks to you, laser hair removal). But turns out, the answer all along was at-home laser hair removal, which makes my skin soft as hell for longer by slowly reducing the number of hairs I have.
I know what you’re thinking: Do at-home laser-hair removal devices even work? And yes, they do—they just utilize lower energy levels than the professional devices at your derm’s office, which means they also require way more treatments to get similar results. And to help you choose one you’ll actually commit to using, I tested dozens of at-home laser-hair removal devices (no, really—I did) and compiled the most effective below, polled Cosmo staffers on their favorites, and consulted with experts to get to the bottom of everyone's biggest FAQs about at-home laser hair removal. But first, keep scrolling for my top picks:
Safety PSA:
Annoyingly, there are currently no at-home laser-hair removal devices that are safe to use on dark skin and/or light hair, even if the device says it works for “everyone.” In reality, they won’t work—or are unsafe for—any skin tones deeper than “light brown” or on hair colors lighter than “medium brown.” So make sure to speak with your dermatologist before wasting your money or, worse, damaging your skin. Got it? Good.
Now keep reading for info on how laser-hair removal works, and the difference between IPL and laser below.
Pure FIT Intelligent Ultrafast IPL Permanent Hair Reduction
I used to get swimsuit waxes every month. Now, I just shave once a week and follow up with this at-home device that leaves me smooth AF for a fraction of what I was spending before. Compared to every other intense pulsed light, or IPL, device I've tried, this is definitely the gentlest while still providing a damn good result. TBH, my legs have never been smoother.
It’s got three treatment modes depending on the area you’re focusing on (gentle, speed, and power mode), 10 intensity settings, and a skin sensor so the device only flashes when it’s pressed up against a safe skin tone. It’s been essentially foolproof for me, all while actually giving me hair-free results after three to four months.
Levels: 10 intensity settings and three treatment modes (gentle, speed, and power)
Flashes: Unlimited (won’t run out)
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “I was skeptical but had seen good reviews on this from reliable sources so went ahead and ordered. I’ll be darned—it works! It’s also easy to use. I saw results within just a couple of weeks, particularly in my underarm area. I no longer have to shave there at all. Very happy with this product!”
Skin i-Expert IPL Long-lasting Laser Hair Removal Device
If you're down to spend some cash and want something majorly high tech, try this IPL device from Braun. This tool comes with so much: We're talking four heads (two precision caps for face and your swimsuit line, one wide cap for your body, and one standard size, all of which have skin tone and hair color sensors to avoid any potential skin damage), plus a razor to shave with beforehand and a chic carrying case to store it all. And it even comes with a free app that pairs with your device to help guide you through the whole process.
FWIW, Cosmo's emerging platforms director Mia Lardiere says she can't live without this device. She loves how helpful the app is for keeping track of which part of her body she's working on, as well as helping to choose the head and method based on different areas (like the precise head and stamping method for her swimsuit line, versus the wide head and gliding method for her legs). "After using the device consistently for three weeks, my leg hair barely grows back after a week of not shaving," she says. So while, yes, it's an investment, it's a whole lot more ~fancy~ than the others on this list—and still a fraction of what you'd spend on laser hair removal treatments in-office, FYI.
Levels: Three levels of flashes (low, medium, high)
Flashes: 400,000
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “After a couple of months of using this, I can say that it works 100 percent! For me, the hair on my legs are gone after one usage. I'm older, so the hormone levels are lower. However, my teenage daughter has been using this and the hair on her legs are gone too, and she's a teen with higher hormones. It's not cheap, but it works and it doesn't hurt like other high-powered IPL devices."
At-Home IPL Hair Removal
Don’t mind me, just perusing the 6,500+ five-star reviews on Amazon for this IPL hair-removal device. They all rave about how it reduces and thins the hair on your face, arms, legs, stomach, back, and swimsuit line using IPL, with five different power levels depending on where you’re planning to use the device. (Pro tip: Go with a level one for your face versus a level four for your legs.) Most testers started seeing results after using it two to three times a week for just a month.
Levels: Five
Flashes: 999,999 before needing replacement
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “Just try to be consistent, and it really, really works. I am excited about eventually not needing to shave, but I am much, much more excited by the lack of that post-shave shadow, especially for my underarms. It is amazing to see the patches where hair no longer grows are actually regular skin color instead of that gray/purple tone that my armpits normally have after shaving.”
Air+ IPL Laser Hair Removal Device
Listen, I wouldn’t say at-home laser-hair removal is horribly painful, but it’s definitely not comfortable. So if you’re a bb like me, or have sensitive skin, try Ulike’s IPL laser-hair removal tool, which emits a cooling effect as the device passes over your skin to help reduce some pain and heat. Plus, it has five intensity levels depending on the area you’re treating, which helps cut down on unnecessary discomfort (because I def don’t need the same strong laser on my lil chin hairs as I do my legs).
Cosmo commerce writer Sarah Maberry tested this device for weeks, and agrees that's it's the most comfortable. "Since trying it, I haven't experienced any burning sensations during treatments, even after minutes of continuous use on the highest setting," she previously wrote in a review. "As a result, I feel far more confident zapping sensitive areas like my upper lip and swimsuit line."
Levels: Five
Flashes: Unlimited
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “I can say this undoubtedly does work. I am fair-skinned with dark hair and have used this on my legs, underarms, and a couple of stubborn facial hairs with great success. Oh, and as far as the pain goes... there is none, which stunned me for such an effective device.”
The Flasher 2.0 Corded IPL Laser Hair Removal Handset
Not every at-home laser-hair removal device is great for your swimsuit line, because they can be a bit too powerful for your sensitive skin. Enter: Nood’s IPL device, which testers love for doing Brazilian laser treatments at home, since it uses a gentler, multi-wavelength light that’s slightly less painful while still being effective. FYI: You don’t have to wear protective goggles with the device, since the treatment has a skin sensor so the light doesn’t flash unless it’s pressed directly on your skin.
Levels: Five
Flashes: 6,000 before needing replacement
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “You can definitely do a Brazilian with the device. I've been able to get pretty much all of the hair in my entire swimsuit area; I just use my hand to cover up the most sensitive parts, just to be safe. The flashes definitely feel a little hotter, but I haven't had any trouble with burning or irritation.”
Mismon Laser Hair Removal
The handheld-style design and its bb treatment window make this at-home laser-hair removal device excellent for reaching tighter, more precise areas, like those little hairs that hide under your chin or around your nose (just me?). If your skin feels a bit inflamed after using, dab some 1 percent hydrocortisone cream over irritated spots and, as always, make sure to avoid retinoids or AHAs for two days while your skin calms down.
Levels: Three
Flashes: 300,000 before needing replacement
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “The device has worked well at dramatically reducing the number of dark hairs I had on my chin, which is great! I can now go days without shaving before I feel like the hairs start to become visible to people a normal distance away.”
Venus Pro II IPL Hair Removal Device
This at-home laser-hair removal device is not only seriously good at reducing hair, but it also has a “skin rejuvenation” mode that works at a lower frequency to help boost collagen and trigger elastin production. Just shave (or grab a dermaplaner for your chin or forehead), pass the tool on the face mode over your skin to help reduce hair, then turn on the SR function and glide it over your skin—avoiding your sensitive under-eyes—one to two times a week to slowly treat your skin (think softening forehead wrinkles and smoothing uneven skin texture).
Levels: Five modes for different areas (face, arms, legs, underarms, swimsuit), plus skin rejuvenation
Flashes: Unlimited (won’t run out)
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL (multifrequency continuous pulse, specifically, which is a form of IPL)
Glowing customer review: “I’ve used razors and epilators since I can remember, but always have a spot of ingrown hairs on my legs. But this device gets rid of that. The best part? You can use it on your face too. My face also looks so rejuvenated after using the skin-renewal head. Worth every penny!”
Lumilisse IPL Hair-Removal Device
This at-home laser-hair removal device is ideal for removing hair on your legs, because it has a body attachment with a large treatment window (meaning it covers a wide area of skin), along with a continuous mode setting. The combo allows you to easily glide the device over your legs in a single pass, so you don't have to keep stopping and starting.
Levels: One
Flashes: 300,000 before needing replacement
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “I used it for my armpits, legs, and swimsuit line,” writes one tester, “and I can't believe that just after using it once every two weeks for a month, the hair hardly grows back. And if it does, the hair is extremely thin. It took me about a month to see the results.”
IPL Long-Lasting Hair Removal
Listen, Braun simply just makes some of the best at-home laser hair removal devices. If you don't need all the bells and whistles of the newer model, try this one, which boasts just as much intensity. It's got 10 different modes you can toggle between, depending on the area you’re treating—and it also works so quickly. Truly, I was able to treat both of my full legs—calves and thighs—in under eight minutes, which was absolutely the fastest of any other hair-removal device I tried. Plus, it’s equipped with 300,000 flashes of light, which is the equivalent of 22 years of full-body treatments, meaning it won’t die on you mid-treatment.
Levels: 10
Flashes: 300,000 before needing replacement
Cordless? No
Laser type: IPL
Glowing customer review: “After just a few months of consistently using this laser every three to four days on setting two, I am pretty much hair free on my legs. I was getting in-office laser-hair removal once a month for two years and only had patches missing. The amount of time and money I could have saved by just buying this laser still frustrates me.”
Hair-Removal Laser 4X
If you’re okay with spending a little money and want a fast-acting, easy-to-use laser-hair removal device, try this Tria Beauty one. Unlike the majority of at-home tools that use IPL, this one uses a true laser to destroy your hair follicle. That means it's able to target your skin with a higher concentration of specific light, as opposed to IPL, which uses a wider and more diffused wavelength of light.
The end result? Seriously effective and longer-lasting results. And, as an added bonus, the tool is equipped with an LED display that guides you through the treatment and energy settings and a skin scanner that won’t unlock unless your skin tone and hair color are safe matches.
Levels: Five
Flashes: 200,000 before needing replacement
Cordless? Yes
Laser type: Diode
Glowing customer review: “I am a believer of actual results, so I only did it on one armpit, and one side of my swimsuit line. I wanted to see actual differences. Thankfully, it has passed its trial! *party time* No, not all the hair is gone, but most of it is, and what is there is fine and takes a while to grow.”
What is laser hair removal?
Laser-hair removal is a process where specific wavelengths of light are directed onto your skin in little pulses, targeting and heating up the hair follicle to destroy a portion of it with each treatment, says dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD. Compared to in-office treatments (which, although pricey, are done by board-certified derms or trained professionals who know exactly what they’re doing), at-home devices have a much lower energy output—mostly because they often use IPL (intense pulsed light) rather than true laser technology—which makes them safer for you to use on your own, says dermatologist Julie Russak, MD.
Do home laser-removal devices work?
Yes, at-home laser-hair removal devices do work, but they take consistency. Because at-home devices use lower energy levels than in-office treatments, they require continued use (think: weekly, or every time you shave) to notice similar results, says cosmetic doctor Ana Mansouri, MD. Basically, they are not for the lazy.
You also need to be aware of the limitations of at-home laser-removal devices. Despite how they sound, these devices don’t permanently remove hair in a few sessions, leaving you hairless like a full-body wax. Instead, laser-removal devices only help to reduce the total number of hair follicles in your skin and potentially make your existing hair finer and thinner (only electrolysis-hair removal can permanently remove all hair, fyi).
Which is better: IPL or laser?
Neither IPL nor laser-hair removal is “better,” it really just comes down to preference. True laser-hair removal only uses one wavelength of light (essentially, one precise laser beam) that targets just the hair follicle to help slow down hair growth. IPL (intense pulsed light), on the other hand, isn’t actually a laser. Instead, they emit broad-spectrum light in multiple wavelengths that spread across a larger area of skin, meaning they’re less precise and won’t penetrate your skin as deeply. That’s why IPL devices are generally gentler and easier for people to use, which is why most at-home devices use IPL rather than laser beams.
That said, both IPL and laser-hair removal can slowly destroy your hair follicle to reduce hair growth over time with continued use. But expect laser-hair removal to be a bit stronger (and potentially more painful or irritating), which is why it often yields quicker and better results. Meanwhile, IPL devices are usually not as intense, so they’re great for using consistently at home or for use on sensitive skin, like on your swimsuit line or face.
Is it okay to do laser-hair removal at home?
Yes, it’s okay to do laser-hair removal at home, according to Dr. Akhavan. “At-home devices tend to be generally safe, although a real potential for adverse effects, like scarring, does exist,” he says. Which is why most dermatologists will suggest opting for the professional in-office route, if you have the means (laser-hair removal can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,500, and usually requires at least six sessions spaced six weeks apart).
Just note: “If you’re using an at-home device, don’t use it on sensitive areas, like your face and neck,” says Dr. Akhavan. “And if you have sensitive skin, always patch-test first on a smaller area, then wait three to four weeks to make sure there are no complications.” And depending on the area you’re treating, you may also need to adjust your skincare routine to exclude skin-thinning ingredients (like chemical exfoliants or retinol serums) for three days before and after your laser-hair removal treatment.
Does home laser-hair removal work for dark skin?
Currently, at-home laser-hair removal devices don’t truly work for dark skin. These lasers work by targeting the dark color of your hair follicle, and at-home devices don’t have the technology yet to properly distinguish between dark hair follicles and dark skin, meaning they can potentially burn you. While some devices might market themselves as being safe for dark skin, they are usually considering medium-to-tan skin, versus actual deep-brown skin tones.
So far, there are no at-home devices that are safe to use on true type-six Fitzpatrick scale skin tones (reminder: This dermatological scale ranges from one to six, with six being “brown to dark-brown” skin). Most laser-hair removal devices are only approved for up to level-four skin tones, with four being “olive to medium” skin. But if you’re unsure where your skin tone lies, talk to your dermatologist before you try an at-home laser device.
Should you shave before at-home laser?
Yes, you should shave before using an at-home laser-hair removal device, otherwise the IPL/laser won’t be able to correctly target the melanin (pigment) in your hair follicle. Because these devices work by homing in on dark, contrasting colors (think: a black dot on a white canvas), they need to be able to differentiate between your skin and your follicle to prevent errors or burns.
Just remember: Don’t wax before your laser-hair removal. Waxing completely rips out the hair and its root, which will leave nothing for the light to target, and you won’t be able to use your device. Instead, make sure your skin is freshly shaved and free of lotions or creams.
How to choose an at-home laser-hair removal device:
Consider your skin tone and hair color.
Only some devices are suitable for deep skin tones, and even fewer can work on light hair, so read the description of the product carefully, then scan the reviews for people who have a similar skin tone or hair color as you and see how they rate the device. We noted above if a device can be used on lighter hair, fyi.
Assess the size.
You'll also want to consider the size of the device you're purchasing and the area that you intend to use it on, says Dr. Mansouri. Basically, a tiny device meant for your face probably isn’t going to be the best if you’re looking for a tool to quickly target your legs.
Determine your needed features.
Do you want a device you can take on the go? Then, you should definitely opt for something cordless (The only one we tested that we loved was by Tria Beauty, FYI). Or if you want something that's going to be really easy to use, try the Braun Skin-I Expert, which connects to an app to help you track your treatments. Another loved feature by testers? A cooling effect to help bring down potential discomfort and pain, like the Ulike IPL device.
Meet the experts:
Arash Akhavan, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York, NY, and a faculty member at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. He specializes in non-invasive and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures as well as skin cancer prevention and treatment.
Julie Russak, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Russak Dermatologist Clinic and Russak+ Aesthetic Center in New York, NY. Dr. Russak is also an assistant professor at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she teaches dermatology residents and medical students.
Ana Mansouri, MD, is a physician at Kat & Co Aesthetics based in the UK. She specializes in injectables and aesthetics.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has nearly six years of experience writing skincare stories, like swimsuit trimmers and hair-removal creams. To compile this list, she interviewed dermatologists, scoured Amazon reviews, and tested at-home laser-hair removal devices.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with 10 years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair and skin stories that range from the best detanglers to the best laser treatments for acne scars. She’s an authority in all hair and skin categories but is an expert when it comes to laser hair removal. She regularly tests and analyzes at-home laser hair removal devices for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top derms to assess new technologies and brands.
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