not available
GH's best overall: easy to hold, consistent flashes, four attachments and a skin-tone sensor, and it didn't burn testers' skin. It is expensive, tricky on the bikini area, and Wirecutter chose not to panel-test Philips.
Top complaints
- Expensive
GH lists it at $580, the priciest IPL in its roundup. Expert Reviews lists 'Expensive' as its main con.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Expert Reviews - Awkward on the bikini area
GH testers found the bikini area tricky with this device and suggest passing if that is your main focus.
Source: Good Housekeeping - Fiddly to clean, slower than claimed
Expert Reviews found the narrow windows fiddly to clean when residue bakes on. It timed 18 minutes per full leg versus Philips' advertised 10, and cordless use slows the flash rate.
Source: Expert Reviews
What owners love
- Comfortable and didn't burn
GH testers said it was super easy to hold, with a comfortable power level and consistent flashes, and it did not burn skin. Expert Reviews found it mostly comfortable, with a slight zap at high settings on thin skin.
Source: Good Housekeeping, Expert Reviews - Visible reduction in a reviewer's test
Expert Reviews' tester (pale skin, thick dark hair) saw leg, stomach and face hair almost disappear after four treatments two weeks apart, though underarms needed more. Philips claims over 90% hair reduction in three treatments (GH).
Source: Expert Reviews, Good Housekeeping - Versatile, with a skin sensor
Five energy settings, four attachments (face, bikini, underarms, body) and SenseIQ sensors that read skin tone, plus a contact check before flashing (GH).
Source: Good Housekeeping
- You mainly want to treat the bikini area (GH)
- You have blonde hair or darker skin
- You're on a budget (about $580)
- Large areas like arms and legs
- Several body zones (four attachments)
- Cordless use (Expert Reviews)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Good Housekeeping: Best overall (updated 2026-07-15): top-tested in GH's latest study; FDA-cleared, fair to medium brown skin tones, harder on the bikini area.
- Expert Reviews: UK review (2023-07-13, models BRI-955/958): 'brilliantly designed, effective' but expensive and fiddly to clean.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Ruled out Philips without panel testing, citing reasons including insufficient or unfavorable reviews, limited warranties and value concerns (not specific to this model).