The 8 Best Laser Hair Removal Devices of 2024

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These devices stunt hair growth over time to leave you with smoother skin

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

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Health / Alli Waataja

Hair is a normal and natural part of your body, but constant shaving, waxing, and plucking can be a real nuisance. For some, frequent hair removal can be a source of discomfort and skin irritations like ingrown hairs and razor bumps. Laser hair removal has continued to grow in popularity for those looking to achieve long-lasting hair reduction with minimal risk.

Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and faculty member at Mount Sinai Medical Center’s Department of Dermatology, says the technology behind home laser devices continues to improve. She emphasizes that even at-home laser hair removal can lead to permanent hair loss over time.

While intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is among the most common home treatments for hair removal, elos technology and true laser devices also exist. We spoke with board-certified dermatologists and tested popular models, paying attention to how effectively they removed hair, how easy to use they are, their features, and more. Then, a dermatologist from our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for scientific and medical accuracy.

Laser hair removal isn't suitable for everyone. Unless your dermatologist says it's safe, experts we spoke to advise these devices shouldn't be used on tattoos or skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or active acne.

The Silk'n Infinity Hair Removal Device stands out for its sleek, ergonomic design, making it easy to handle and maneuver. This device utilizes Home Pulsed Light (HPL) technology and galvanic energy to offer painless and efficient hair removal. The five power settings let you customize your treatments based on your skin color, hair color, and sensitivity level.

One of our favorite features is its infinite flashes (hence the name), which means no cartridges or expensive refills. We also appreciate the gliding function—one of this device's two hair-removal methods. It helps treat larger areas efficiently by gliding the device along your skin instead of pressing and lifting after each pulse.

It took about 15 minutes to complete a treatment session on one leg during testing. Noticeable results were visible after about five weeks, and it didn't irritate our skin or cause any lasting redness.

The only downside is the user manual is more complicated than it needs to be. The online video tutorial does a better job of explaining how to use the device correctly.

Having a budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the quality of your hair removal sessions. At-home hair removal will save you thousands compared to professional treatments, and the NOOD The Flasher 2.0 is an economical pick that still delivers respectable results. It comes loaded with 600,000 flashes, meaning it should last you for years. Even better, Nood will replace the device for free if you ever max out the flash count.

The Flasher 2.0 combines an extra-large treatment window and a built-in safety lens to protect your skin from UV damage. There are seven power levels to choose from, and it only took 15 minutes to complete treatment on our legs during testing, thanks to the large window. We noticed less hair growth by week four, and the device was gentle on our skin throughout the process.

The device must remain plugged into the wall during treatments. The Flasher 2.0 also isn't rechargeable like our top pick, but the generous replacement and refund policy still makes it a great budget buy.

Having sensitive skin makes finding a hair removal device that won't cause irritation or redness exceptionally difficult. That's why we love the Ulike Sapphire AIR+ Dark Green IPL Hair Removal Handset. It utilizes an innovative cooling head that drops the temperature of your skin to 50°F during use. Dr. Nazarian, who recommends this technology to her patients, says the extra layer of protection from the cooing tip helps prevent skin overheating and burns, which are common with other devices.

This device has five light settings with adjustable intensity. Our eczema-prone skin was never irritated after sessions, and our hair growth and thickness began to decrease by the four-week mark. We think this is an excellent option for people with sensitive skin or mild skin conditions, with approval from your dermatologist.

While the smaller head means it takes longer to cover larger areas, we found it was easy to maneuver during testing. Our primary complaint is that it's not wireless, so you're limited to treatments within reach of an outlet.

If this is your first home session, chances are you’re a little intimidated by the process. The RoseSkinCo. Lumi IPL Hair Removal Handset has one of the simplest designs on the market, which means no complicated buttons or settings to navigate before you can begin treatments. After shaving, it's as easy as plugging Lumi in and turning it on.

The device has six settings and three modes: stamp, glide, and auto. Stamp mode delivers pulses with each click, glide mode releases a steady stream of pulses as you move the device along your skin, and auto mode emits pulses automatically with skin contact. The discomfort was minimal—only slight pinching on more sensitive areas like the underarms and upper thighs. Our legs and arms had the most noticeable results, and we only had to use it twice each week.

The shape of the device is a bit on the boxy side, and it doesn't have any ergonomic contours or curves to help you hold it in place during treatments. That said, it only took us about 10 minutes per leg using the auto and glide modes.

The rechargeability of the JOVS Mini Wireless Hair Remover is one of its best features. You're not limited to treatments near a power outlet, which could make it easier to keep up with regular sessions. This device has 400,000 flashes, three modes, and six intensity levels. We found it was gentle on our skin, and it only took about two minutes to complete treatments on our underarms.

You'll need to charge the JOVS Mini before your first treatment, which takes about three hours. The mode options include a setting for private parts, which helps prevent irritation in areas more susceptible to sensitivity and skin damage. We noticed significant results around week seven of our 12-week test period and never experienced any notable discomfort.

It could benefit from a lighter, more user-friendly design, but that didn't detract from its effectiveness.

The rotating head and fast flash rate make full-body treatments possible in minutes.

The handle isn’t quite long enough to teat some areas of your back, and it also isn’t rechargeable.

The JOVS Venus Pro II Hair Remover stands out with its wand-like design, rotating head, and fast flash rate—0.7 seconds per flash compared to a one-second flash rate on many other devices. Like the Sapphire AIR+, it has a cooling head that delivers a constant temperature of 41°F during treatments, making it comfortable even at high power settings. We found it was gentle on our skin and rarely caused irritation (minus occasional mild itchiness).

The Venus Pro II has six modes and six energy levels—more than the JOVS Mini we tested. We used it on our arms and upper back, which took about 15 minutes total after getting past the initial learning curve. Within a month, we saw an improvement in overall volume that was worth the price tag.

The smart technology in the SmoothSkin Pure Fit is genuinely next level. It utilizes advanced skin sensors to adjust the light intensity automatically—a safety feature that prevents common complications from laser hair removal treatments. It also verifies correct placement before delivering each flash to ensure complete skin contact. The device has three hair removal modes and ten intensity levels delivering up to 130 flashes every minute, making it one of the fastest we’ve tested.

We love the ready-to-use design and precision head for targeting small areas like the bikini line. We also found it gentle enough for regular use. It took seconds to treat our underarms, and we began noticing a reduction in thickness within six weeks. If you can get past the initial awkwardness of handling the device, its innovative safety features are worth it.

This is another plug-in option, so keep that in mind before purchasing, and there’s also a learning curve for maneuvering around curves and contours. Additionally, this pick doesn’t have a cooling mechanism.

Its compact design offers power and versatility on the go.

You have to keep your eyes on the device’s power button to ensure it’s making contact with your skin. It’s also not rechargeable.

Don’t let this mini version fool you. There’s a lot of power behind the SmoothSkin Pure Mini despite its portability. Like the Pure Fit, its four-point sensors ensure you make direct contact with your skin before flashing for added protection. The power button turns purple when appropriate skin contact is made. It also boasts the same patented skin sensors that adjust to your skin tone. With a flash rate of up to 115 flashes per minute, it's only slightly slower than the Pure Fit, but still faster than many of its competitors.

We tested the Pure Mini on our legs and found it performed well. The glide mode sped up treatments, taking only 12 minutes to complete both legs compared to 45 minutes using the stamp method. Though these are the device’s only mode options, our skin felt pretty smooth by the end of the testing period, except for some stubbly patches (all the devices we tested left similar stubbles at the 12-week mark).

To find the best at-home laser hair removal devices, we personally tested each product for at least 12 weeks. We also spoke to skin and hair removal experts, who recommended laser hair devices with a combination of safety features, a range of settings to suit different skin and hair tones, and an easily maneuverable treatment head.

We considered six key attributes during testing: ease of use, features, comfort, effectiveness, durability, and value. We also took note of skin irritation and any potential side effects after sessions. Finally, we considered the overall results after 12 weeks and assessed whether they aligned with the manufacturer's claims. We narrowed the best laser hair removal devices to eight based on our expert sources and 312 hours of testing across 13 models. All of our top picks are FDA-cleared for added safety.

According to Dr. Kirsch, at-home hair removal devices can be effective for long-term hair reduction. However, he notes factors like your skin tone, hair color, and the device you choose will all play a role in the effectiveness. IPL, the most common technology used in at-home laser hair removal devices, works best for people with light skin and dark hair. You may be a good candidate for at-home laser hair removal if you have the right combination of these factors.

At-home laser hair removal devices can provide long-term hair reduction, though it's not always permanent. With repeated treatments and proper use of the device, you may see a decrease in hair growth over time. However, some people still need to shave or wax occasionally, even after multiple treatments. You will also need maintenance treatments to sustain your results.

It’s important to double-check whether your device works with your skin tone before purchasing. Most at-home laser hair removal devices are suitable for skin tones I to V on the Fitzpatrick scale, a skin classification system that determines the amount of melanin in your skin. According to Brandon Kirsch, MD, IPL devices are most commonly used for home hair removal. However, Elos technology (a newer combination of IPL and radio frequency) works on a more extensive range of skin tones and hair colors. It's important to note that gray, white, and blonde hairs may be too light for most laser treatments.

Similarly, darker skin tones (IV-VI on the Fitzpatrick scale) can also pose a challenge due to the risk of burning. Dr. Nazarian says the ideal laser candidate has very light skin with dark hair because the light energy is absorbed more easily into the hair follicle's melanin. Many manufacturers have a corresponding chart where you can match your skin and hair color to determine if it’s compatible with the device, but you can also consult a dermatologist if you’re unsure.

While these at-home laser hair removal devices didn’t make our top recommendations, they’re still worth considering.

Lindsay Modglin is a nurse and journalist with expertise in purchasing products for wellness. As a health and commerce writer, her byline has been featured in global publications like Forbes, Insider, Verywell, and more. Her goal is to help readers make actionable and informed decisions about the products and services they use to improve their lives.

Ward WH, Lambreton F, Goel N, Yu JQ, Farma JM. Table 1, fitzpatrick classification of skin types i through vi. Published December 21, 2017.