I'm Trish, founder of Bondi Body. There is no single best at-home IPL device for everyone: the right one is the device with enough energy for your hair, enough intensity levels for your skin, and a guarantee long enough to find out whether it works for you. For most people with light to medium skin and darker hair, I think our own Bondi Body V2 is a strong choice, and below I explain how to judge it against any other brand.
Key facts
- Product: Bondi Body V2 IPL, £249 (code GLOW40 gives £40 off).
- Key figures: 600,000 flashes, 8 intensity levels, 7.81–15.31 J/cm², mains powered.
- Who it suits: Works best on light to medium skin tones with darker hair. Not suitable for very dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick V–VI) or for light blonde, grey or red hair.
- Free UK delivery on orders over £100. 50-day money-back guarantee. 12-month warranty.
- Smaller budget: the Bondi Body Mini, £99, for hair reduction only.
What should you look for in an at-home IPL device?
I sell IPL devices, so treat this as a checklist you can use on any brand, mine included.
- Energy (J/cm²). This is how much light each flash delivers. Look for the range to be published, not just a word like "powerful". If a brand will not tell you the figure, ask.
- Number of flashes. This is the working life of the lamp. A full-body routine uses a lot of flashes, so a low count can run out sooner than you expect.
- Intensity levels. More levels let you start low on sensitive areas such as the bikini line and build up on legs.
- Skin-tone and hair-colour suitability. Every IPL device has limits. A good brand states them clearly before you buy.
- Guarantee and warranty. IPL takes weeks to show results, so a short returns window is not much use.
- Mains or battery. Cordless is handy. Mains powered means the device does not run flat halfway through a leg.
Where does the Bondi Body V2 fit?
The V2 delivers 7.81–15.31 J/cm² across 8 intensity levels and has 600,000 flashes. It plugs into the mains, flashes every 3 seconds, has manual and automatic modes, a skin contact sensor so it will not flash unless it is pressed to the skin, and a built-in UV filter. It is also dual function: as well as hair reduction, it can be used for skin rejuvenation.
What it is not: it is not cordless, and it is not suitable for every skin tone or hair colour. If cordless matters most to you, or your skin tone is outside the range above, the V2 is not the right device and I would rather you knew that now.
How does it compare with the big-name brands?
You will see well-known names such as Philips Lumea, Braun and Ulike in most round-ups. They are established brands and plenty of people are happy with them. I am not going to quote their specifications here, because models and prices change often. Instead, put the figures side by side yourself: energy range, flashes, levels, suitability, guarantee length and price. We have done this for one model in our Bondi Body vs Philips Lumea comparison.
What do UK reviewers say about the V2?
Independent testers have included it in their guides. As listed on our press page:
- The Times named it Best for sensitive skin in Times Luxury's guide to the best at-home hair removal gadgets.
- The Telegraph named it Best IPL Hair Removal Device for Beginners, scoring 8/10.
- Good Housekeeping named it Best travel-friendly IPL.
- The Guardian's The Filter featured it as Best Budget IPL Device.
- Woman & Home named it Best for comfortable use.
Who should not buy an at-home IPL device?
IPL targets the pigment in the hair. That means it does not work on light blonde, grey or red hair, and it is not suitable for very dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick V–VI), because the skin itself absorbs too much of the light. Do not use IPL if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Check our hair and skin tone chart before you buy any device, from any brand.
What results can you expect?
IPL gives long-lasting hair reduction, not instant removal. With the V2, treat up to once a week for 12 weeks on the face, neck and intimate areas, and up to twice a week for 12 weeks on legs, arms, underarms, stomach, chest and back. After 12 weeks, use it once a month to treat any new growth. Noticeable hair reduction typically starts after around 4 treatments. Results vary from person to person and between body areas, which is exactly why the guarantee matters.
Is the V2 or the Mini the better buy?
If you want one device for the whole body and face, with more levels and more energy, choose the V2. If you want a compact device for hair reduction only and a lower price, the Mini at £99 has 400,000 flashes and 5 levels (4.9–13.42 J/cm²). You can see the two side by side on our V2 vs Mini comparison page.
The short version
Pick the device that publishes its figures, suits your skin and hair, and gives you long enough to try it. The Bondi Body V2 is £249, or £209 with code GLOW40, with a 50-day money-back guarantee so you can judge it on your own skin.
