Have you ever gone through the frustrating process of shaving, only to end up with pesky ingrown hairs, redness, and irritation? And let's not forget how quickly the hair grows back, leaving you feeling like you never even shaved in the first place. Ugh, it's a never-ending battle, isn't it?

There is always an option for salon laser hair removal, but with an average price tag of $300 per session, this isn't really everyone's first choice. Luckily, there is an alternative for permanent hair removal using at-home IPL laser handsets. But with so many brands to choose from which one you should go for? We asked ourselves this exact question when we realised the only way to find out is to test them all and compare the results.

So, we ended up buying and testing 21 different at-home laser hair removal devices including models from Phillips, Tria, HappySkinCo, Braun and Diamond Skin Pro. It took 4 months and 15 people to complete our experiment and we can finally share what we found. Below we listed the best 5 options based on the following criteria:

Results:

We wanted to see how many weeks it will take to stop hair growth completely when using the product on a weekly basis. Surprisingly, some of the devices provided exceptional outcomes, leaving us with permanently smooth and hairless skin.

Cost:

If you were to go the in-office route, it would end up costing around 300 dollars per session with 6-8 sessions needed to complete the treatment. We were able to get great results with devices that ended up costing less than $300, with the best results from a handset costing just around $135*.

Ease of use :

When comparing different at-home IPL handsets, it's important to consider the ease of use. We were looking for things such as intuitive controls, ergonomic design, and clear instructions. All of this contributes to a seamless and hassle-free hair removal experience and we found it was certainly easier to use some products, than the rest.

Safety & Convenience:

Dr. Samantha Turner, a renowned dermatologist from Los Angeles, believes that at-home lasers provide a safe and viable option. According to Dr. Turner, "IPL lasers function by emitting a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle, generating heat that eradicates it, preventing regrowth. At-home devices operate in a similar manner to professional treatments and are totally safe."

Based on the criteria we determined, the Diamond IPL handset emerged as a clear winner. It took on average 6-8 sessions to get very noticeable results, with an average session lasting just under 10 minutes using the product's auto glide mode. This device has rightfully earned its reputation as a go-to choice for those seeking professional-grade results in the comfort of their own home.

• Stopped hair regrowth in just 6 sessions.
• Easy and intuitive to use. Comes with super clear instructions and step-by-step pictures.
• Automatic glide mode allows performing the treatment in about 10 minutes instead of the standard 20-30 minutes.
• Usually priced at $225, making it very affordable with their current sale.

*Sale Price

Despite claiming the results can be seen in just 3 sessions, it took us more than 12 sessions to notice the difference. Comes with a bulky base attached to the product making it less mobile, and it was difficult to target precise areas such as upper lip. However, it was great for larger areas such as legs.

• Took 12-14 sessions to get the results.
• Difficult to target small areas such as upper lip.
• Attached to a bulky base, making it hard to move around with, but you get some extra controls on the actual base which may sometimes be beneficial.
• Priced on the higher end for IPL handsets.

We had high expectations from this product and we were pleased to find Philips Lumea managed to meet them. We saw the first results in just 4-5 uses and just like with Diamond IPL it took about 10-12 sessions to permanently stop unwanted hair growth.

• Quick first results in just 4-5 sessions.
• Easy to use on most areas.
• Overall great choice for permanent hair removal at home.
• Similar to Diamond IPL achieves permanent results in 10-12 sessions.
• One of the highest price tags and a bit bulky to travel with.

Unlike most at-home hair removal handsets that use IPL technology (Intense Pulsed Light), Tria is using laser light similar to salon hair removal devices. It's great for pinpointing precise areas, but it comes at the expense of focusing higher heat, which means you need to use a good amount of cooling-down gel to avoid unpleasant sensations.

• Amazing for precise use, but hard to cover larger areas such as legs or arms within one session.
• Complete results after 15 sessions.
• Using a focused laser which may cause burning sensations.
• At $499 it is priced the highest for at-home hair removal devices.

Similar to Philips Lumea & Diamond IPL, Silk'n provides permanent hair removal in 10-12 sessions with the first results seen after 5-8 sessions. It's compact, easy to use, and has a comfortable handheld design.

• Compact and comfortable design, easy to use.
• Great choice for permanent hair removal.
• Priced at $399
• Permanent hair removal in 10-12 sessions similar to Philips Lumea & Diamond IPL