Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited

Featuring five energy levels designed to cater to different body areas, the Ulike tool is as customized as it gets. All you have to do is choose the mode and allow the sensor to contact your skin. During testing, we loved that the device is easy to use and hold, making it ideal for longer sessions. We were pleased to discover that the tool slowed growth almost entirely, even in areas where hair usually grows back very quickly. It’s great for sensitive skin—one of our testers has eczema and was perfectly fine—and dermatologists recommend it. The compact, portable design is excellent for treatment on the go, and we appreciate that it stores nicely in a vanity or cabinet without taking up too much space.

Kyle, tester: “Before testing the laser, my hair grew very thick and very quickly. I did see a big reduction in thickness and speed of growth. I started to notice the difference around the third to fourth week mark of testing the device.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: 300,000

We consider this pick the Rolls-Royce of at-home hair removal devices. The Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 is fast, effective, and sleekly designed. Recommended by the Skin Health Alliance and cleared by the FDA, it utilizes a technology called SensoAdapt that adjusts the flash intensity for your skin tone as you’re using it, making it suitable for use on most skin tones. The device also boasts 10 different power settings, allowing you to tailor treatment to your skin tone and pain threshold. It may be pricey (as many of these devices are) and come with a learning curve (it takes a few tries to figure out how to align the laser with the skin properly), but it sure is impressive. The results are deliciously smooth skin sans hair.

Marissa, tester: “The device did not leave any marks, welts, or redness on the skin after use—it just left my skin feeling slightly more sensitive.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: 6,000

The bikini area can be a great candidate for at-home laser hair removal since a smaller area allows you to get used to the sensation and time commitment it takes. Chances are you’ve seen this affordable, buzzy device pop up all over social—and with good reason. It uses a multi-spectrum bulb to zap and permanently reduce hair, which makes it less painful than laser devices, making it an excellent choice for sensitive skin around the bikini area. The extra-wide window also makes treating this area easy. The FDA has approved this device, and the brand guarantees permanent results within eight weeks.

Samantha, tester: “I felt a burn every once in a while but it was very minimal. There was no pain or discomfort, and the burn only did happen when there was a movement that was pressed too close.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: 500,000

If you’re sensitive to pain but still looking for smooth, hairless skin, this pick from Peach is the best choice. Senior Editor Dominique Hobdy found that it didn’t cause pain or discomfort—while effectively slowing hair growth. It also has a cooling feature to soothe, allowing you to blow cool air onto the skin while treating. While the device needs to be plugged in during use, it’s easy to glide across the skin and adjust the head of the tool to your movements. It didn’t cause friction, only a slightly tingly sensation that didn’t leave the skin irritated or red. Her skin became slightly itchy about an hour after application, but it dissipated quickly. She’s seen a noticeable difference after only three sessions, with her hair growing slower and having a much finer texture. Another plus is the accompanying app, which provides detailed instructions and reminders for your next session.

Dominique Hobdy, senior editor: “Throughout each treatment, I’ve seen less growth and even finer texture, and regrowth has been minimal after three sessions. The design is also aesthetically pleasing and super easy to use.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited

Bad at sticking to a routine? This device has a handy app to remind you of your next appointment—because consistency is key in at-home laser hair removal. The five power settings mean you can tailor the intensity to your preference (a nice feature for sensitive skin types or those with a low pain threshold). Even on the highest setting, we only experienced heat and a slight zap, nothing too painful. The price of this device is equivalent to about one session with a professional, so although it costs a pretty penny upfront, rest assured that you’re effectively saving yourself money in the long run.

Taylor, tester: “The fact that I can use this whenever and wherever I want to on my body is worth it, especially since I know how much I have spent on laser hair removal in the past. It’s a hefty price for one device, and you won’t see results for a long time, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: 90,000

If you’re just starting your at-home laser hair removal journey, you’ll want to check out this beginner-friendly option from RoseSkinCo. It’s cute, compact, and not intimidating, which is ideal if you’ve never applied a laser to your skin before. The handheld device targets unwanted hairs at the root, leading to smoother skin on your armpits, legs, face, and bikini area after a couple of weeks (though the brand says three to four). No matter which of the six intensity levels you choose, a full-body treatment should take no more than 30 minutes.

Daniela, tester: “I really liked the features, especially the auto and glide ones. You don’t have to constantly click the device to pulse, so you can get through zapping your body quicker.”

Type: IPL and radiofrequency | Flashes: Unlimited

If you want to treat your arms, legs, or back, you need a device with a larger head, such as this one from Iluminage. The brand patented the combination of IPL and radiofrequency used in this. Scientists behind in-clinic machines initially developed the technology, so you know you’re in good hands. It’s also one of the few FDA-cleared tools intended to work on all skin tones and hair colors—a win-win in our book.

Náosha, tester: “I expected this to be somewhat painful, and it was not at all. The flashes are super bright, and I expected it to feel like a spicy zap, but that was not my experience. I could sometimes feel a bit of heat and redness, but it never lasted beyond the treatment ending.”

Type: IPL | Flashes: Unlimited

As the name suggests, the SmoothSkin Pure Mini is the portable laser of our dreams. It’s tiny enough to stow in your bag on a vacation (consistency is key, you know?), and it’s also extremely easy to use (once you get the hang of it). Despite a learning curve when we first got our hands on it, we weren’t sure how to hold or angle the device. Plus, we were nervous the first time, but we’re pros at this point. Tip: You have to ensure the laser head is fully on the skin’s surface, or it won’t work, which is a great safety feature but added to the confusion at first. Best of all, it’s lightweight, quick to power up, and doesn’t leave irritation marks in its wake.

Ruby, tester (not shown): “This was almost too easy to set up. All I had to do was plug the power cable into the adapter attached to the laser removal handset, and then plug in the power cable. Immediately, the device turned on, its internal fan activated, and I saw the white lights blink on it, letting me know it was ready for use.”