5 Steps to Pick the Best IPL Brand

When it comes to at-home IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair removal, choosing wisely isn’t just about brand popularity—it’s about energy science, safety, and value. Here’s how to cut through the hype and pick a device that truly delivers.

1. Don’t Be Fooled by Price.

Many IPL brands charge more because of flashy ads, sponsorships, and aesthetic packaging—not necessarily better results. Just because a device costs over £150 doesn't guarantee it's powerful or effective.

2. Pay attention to speed and flashes.

When it comes to IPL, speed matters. No one wants to spend an hour flashing their legs, and the faster the device, the more likely you are to stick with treatments. Philips Lumea is reliable but not the quickest on the market — it’s designed for control and precision, which means full-body sessions can feel a little time-consuming. Braun Silk·expert, on the other hand, is well-known for its rapid flashes and glide mode, making it one of the better choices for treating larger areas like legs and arms in less time.

The LightPod pushes speed even further, offering up to 120 flashes per minute, making it one of the fastest IPL devices available. This means users can complete a full-body session in significantly less time, without sacrificing comfort or power.

Ulike markets itself aggressively on speed as well, claiming you can finish a full-body treatment in just 10 minutes, but these claims are often exaggerated since the actual energy per flash is much lower, which can mean more sessions are needed for lasting results. RoseSkinCo sits at the other end of the spectrum — while affordable, its flash rate and power are modest, meaning treatments are slower and less effective for larger areas.

The difference is clear: true speed isn’t just about how fast a device can flash, but whether those flashes deliver enough energy to actually reduce hair. That’s where LightPod stands out, combining rapid performance with the power needed for visible, lasting results.

2. Understand how powerful the device is.

Not all joules are created equal. The key metric is energy density, measured in Joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). This indicates how much effective energy hits your skin, whereas total joules (J) can be misleading if a large lamp spreads that energy thinly.

A brand like Ulike may claim 21 J, but if that's spread over a 3 cm² area, the real energy density is closer to 7 J/cm²—far lower than it sounds.

3. Wavelength range

IPL works best in the 500–1200 nm range, which targets hair follicles while protecting skin. Here’s how the top brands compare. Philips Lumea is safe and effective but works best on lighter skin with darker hair. Braun’s Silk·expert offers a broader spectrum and skin tone sensors for extra safety, though it can feel a bit too cautious. House of Deer’s LightPod strikes a stronger balance, with a spectrum that is both powerful and gentle, making it effective across more skin and hair types. Ulike makes big claims, like “21 joules of power,” but that figure is spread across the lamp, so the real performance is much lower. RoseSkinCo is popular on social media, yet its wavelength range is limited, which means results are often inconsistent.

5. Tips from Real Users (Reddit Wisdom)

• Brands pushing >20 J total but small heads often deliver just ~6 J/cm²—not worth the hype. (Reddit)

• Devices under £150 with tiny windows rarely meet effective energy standards—be cautious.

• High-end models like Braun and Philips often offer the right energy and safety features even but are highly overpriced often more than £500. (Reddit)

• LightPod is offering the high energy and wavelength needed for long term results with good prices up to £299. (Reddit)