Let’s get straight to it: if you’re thinking about investing in a high-end IPL hair removal device, you’re probably serious about ditching razors and waxing appointments for good. And if you’re staring at the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 and the Philips Lumea IPL Series 9000, wondering what actually makes one better than the other, you’re not alone. On paper, they’re both powerhouses. But once you start using them, the small differences? They matter a lot.
We’ve tested both—on arms, legs, underarms, even facial hair—and we’ve dug into everything from comfort and design to performance and long-term usability. Let’s just say: what looks like a close match becomes more revealing the deeper you go.
Same goal, very different shapes
You can’t talk about these two without pointing out how different they feel in your hand. The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 goes for a long, narrow profile that looks a bit like a modern shaver, clean white body with soft gold details. It’s light, smooth, and compact. If you’re treating wide areas like your legs or arms, it glides easily.
The Philips Lumea 9000 goes with the gun-style shape, which some people find easier to hold, especially for more awkward zones like the underarms or bikini line. It has a more pronounced grip and a bulkier feel, finished in a brassy bronze-and-white palette that leans into its luxurious vibe.
Braun is lighter (1.11 kg vs Philips’ 1.34 kg), which starts to matter in longer sessions. But if you’re someone who prefers a grip-based hold over a wand-style device, Philips’ ergonomic design might feel more stable.
Attachments: all-in-one vs tailored heads
Here’s where philosophies split. Braun includes four attachments—two precision, one wide, and a razor for pre-shave. The precision heads are multi-use, not hyper-specific, which keeps things simple but a little more general.
Philips takes the tailored route: body, face, and bikini heads, each shaped and sized for the target area. The curved design of the body head, the smaller facial aperture—everything feels purpose-built.
If you love the idea of each area getting its own specialized tool, Philips wins. But if you want versatility with fewer pieces to swap out, Braun’s system is more streamlined.
Cord vs cordless: the real freedom test
This is one of the few categories where Philips wins hands down. It can be used corded or cordless, and while the cordless mode doesn’t last forever—about 130 flashes per charge—it’s incredibly useful for those quick underarm touch-ups or when your bathroom outlet’s nowhere near the mirror.
Braun is cord-only. That means uninterrupted power, no battery anxiety—but you are tethered. If you need portability or flexibility, that cord can get in the way.
Still, for longer sessions or full-body treatments, the cable ends up being more reliable anyway.
Flash count and energy output: does it matter?
Philips gives you 450,000 flashes, while Braun stops at 400,000. Honestly? Both will last for years. You’re not going to burn through them unless you’re treating five people on a weekly schedule.
Where it gets more nuanced is intensity: Philips ranges from 2.4–6.5 J/cm², giving you a wider starting range for sensitive areas. Braun’s scale is tighter—4–6 J/cm²—but with faster flash cycling, which lets you move quicker, especially across large areas like the thighs.
Philips offers more nuanced control, but Braun wins on speed and practicality. When time matters (and it always does), those extra minutes saved count.
Adaptability: smart tech vs manual control
This might be the biggest functional divide.
Braun uses SensoAdapt technology—a skin tone sensor that scans your skin in real time and automatically adjusts intensity as you move. You get 10 levels of intensity and the device decides which one to use. It’s fast, smart, and you don’t have to think about it.
Philips uses SmartSkin with five manual settings. You test a patch, the device suggests a level, and then you pick the one you’re most comfortable with. It’s still smart, but it’s not reactive or automatic.
If your skin tone varies (like between inner thighs and calves) or if you’re nervous about choosing the right level, Braun gives you peace of mind. It adapts every second. You just glide and go.
Sensitivity modes: comfort where you need it
Both are safe. Both have skin contact sensors. But Braun goes a step further by offering extra sensitive and gentle modes, which tone down the intensity when you’re working on more delicate areas or just easing into IPL for the first time.
Philips doesn’t include separate sensitivity modes, relying instead on your choice of lower energy levels.
If you’re new to IPL or have sensitive skin, Braun’s extra modes give it a big edge.
Real-time speed: who finishes first?
Let’s talk about treatment time. Because no one wants to stand in the bathroom with a buzzing wand for 30 minutes.
The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is seriously fast. Thanks to rapid flash repetition, you can get through a full lower leg in five minutes. It’s built for fast body sweeps, which makes weekly maintenance far less of a chore.
Philips takes longer—closer to eight minutes for the same area. That may not sound like a lot, but if you’re doing both legs, underarms, and bikini, those extra minutes add up.
If efficiency is a priority? Braun’s speed is tough to beat.
App experience: Philips gets techy
For digital lovers, Philips includes access to the Lumea app, which helps you schedule treatments, track progress, and get area-specific tips. It’s not connected directly to the device (no Bluetooth sync), but it’s helpful for staying on track.
Braun doesn’t have an app—you’re on your own when it comes to reminders and planning.
For some users, the app makes the process feel more structured. For others, it’s just one more notification to ignore.
Build, weight, and carry cases
Both come with well-designed travel cases and are built from high-quality, easy-to-clean materials. Braun is lighter, Philips is a bit more luxe in feel.
Neither feels cheap or plasticky, and both hold up well after multiple uses. If you’re planning to travel with your device, Braun’s lower weight makes it more suitcase-friendly.
Also, Braun includes a Venus razor for pre-treatment prep, which is a small touch—but a nice one.
Cleaning and care: no big headaches
Good news: neither device requires frequent maintenance. Just wipe the flash window with a dry cloth and keep the vents clear. The heads snap off easily for cleaning, and with hundreds of thousands of flashes, you won’t need replacements for years—if ever.
No weird filters, no oils, no fuss.
Safety? Both get it right
We’re glad to say both are packed with safety features. Flash only happens when the device is in contact with skin, and both are clinically tested and dermatologically approved. No goggles needed, no dangerous exposures.
If you’re a beginner, both are safe bets.
What tipped the scale for us
We expected this to be a closer call. But once we started treating full legs, dealing with tricky areas like the bikini line, and tracking comfort over time, the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 just felt more practical and advanced.
It’s faster. It’s smarter. And it doesn’t make you guess. You don’t have to fiddle with settings, worry about sensitivity, or map out zones on your own. You turn it on, put it against your skin, and it adapts.
Philips brings great features—cordless use, app support, ergonomic heads—but it leans more into elegance than performance.
If you want a tech-savvy beauty device that’s luxurious and easy for light maintenance, go with Philips.
But if you’re ready to get serious about reducing hair fast, with the fewest complications and the most intelligent automation, Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 is where it’s at.
It’s not about what looks best on your bathroom shelf—it’s about what delivers when your patience runs out and you want smooth skin without the drama. And for that, Braun just works harder.