Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 vs. Philips Lumea IPL Serie 9000 – Which one is better?

There is no doubt that, when we talk about pulsed light epilators, we cannot stop talking about Braun and Philips. Currently, they are the two big brands positioned within this market, and, therefore, they are the ones that we inevitably tend to compare the most. Each one has a wide variety of different models within each series, between which the differences are practically reduced to the number of accessories they have. In this article, we have chosen two of the most requested models on platforms such as Amazon: Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 vs Philips Lumea 9000.

As we told you, within the two series there are several models. In this comparison, we have taken as reference the models PL5347 from Braun and BRI955/00 from Philips. However, the features are common to all the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 and Philips Lumea 9000 IPL epilators, since what changes is the number and type of accessories. But what are the main differences between the two epilators?

Apparently, it seems that we are looking at two very competitive models that have a very similar price. Therefore, we must focus attention on the differential aspects. One of the most important is the number of light pulses, as well as the light frequency. On the other hand, only one of the two epilators can be used wirelessly. Another aspect in which there are relevant differences is the choice of the intensity level, which determines the capacity of each one to adapt to different skin types.

On the other hand, we cannot ignore the many similarities they share, which show why we are looking at two of the most equal IPL epilators. The time of perception of the results, the time of application in the different parts of the body, or the travel case with which they are equipped are some of them. You want to know more? Keep reading!

Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 vs Philips Lumea 9000 – Comparative table

In the following table, we summarize the main characteristics of the two best-selling pulsed light epilators today. Are you not sure which one to choose? Well, keep reading!

Two IPL epilators, two designs

At first glance, it is quite easy to distinguish which one is from which brand. Braun opts for a design more similar to that of classic shavers, with an elongated handle that ends at the head, and which is slightly less bulky than the Philips epilator. This, for its part, has a design that we call a pistol, since the handle, instead of being an extension of the head, acts as a support for it. This makes the head wider, although it is true that the surface through which the light pulses are emitted is the same size. In addition, the Braun epilator combines white with gold, while the Philips one has bronze tones.

How many accessories does each one have?

This is one of the differences between the two epilators, although we remind you that this varies depending on the exact model. Between the two that we have chosen, the Braun epilator has 4 accessories, compared to the 3 of the Philips. Specifically, the Braun one has two precision heads, a wider head and a razor.

Braun does not have a specific accessory for each part of the body, but rather designs its heads in such a way that they are useful for any part. Thus, with the two precision heads we can remove the bikini line, armpits or facial hair. For its part, the wide head is better suited for the legs and torso.

In the case of the Philips epilator, we find a head for epilating the body and legs, another for facial hair and a head for performing precision treatment. Instead, this model lacks the specific underarm and bikini line heads that Philips has. Be careful, because with the precision head you can also remove hair in these areas, although it may require more passes.

Cordless use, only on the Philips epilator

If you are going to travel or go on vacation, you will probably want to take the IPL epilator with you. In that case, the Philips Lumea 9000 is more comfortable , because it is the only one that can be used with or without cable. The autonomy it has is 130 pulses before you need to charge it again, so, for an emergency that catches you away from home, it is perfect. On the other hand, it should be noted that both the Braun and Philips epilators have a built-in travel case.

Light pulses and light frequency, another difference

One of the most important ways we can determine the durability of an IPL hair remover is to know how many light pulses or flashes it can emit. That is, the number of pulses determines its useful life. The Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 emits up to 400,000 light pulses, while the Philips Lumea 9000 emits up to 450,000.

Likewise, the Philips epilator can reach a higher light frequency than the Braun one; That is, the pulses are emitted somewhat more intensely. On the other hand, the Braun epilator is faster with each pass, which makes hair removal times somewhat shorter than those of Philips.

How is the intensity regulated?

As you can imagine, pulsed light epilators cannot be used in the same way on all bodies. The two protagonists of our review have sensors that allow them to identify our skin tone to adjust the intensity level, and this is where we find another difference.

The Philips epilator can be adjusted to 5 intensity levels thanks to SmartSkin. Instead, Braun doubles down and, thanks to SensoAdapt technology, you can choose between 10 intensity levels. What does this mean? That the Braun epilator adapts better to different skin types than the Philips one, because it has a wider range of intensities to choose from. In addition, it adds two modes for sensitive skin, something that we find very interesting and that we do not see in the Philips one.

Efficiency and time to perceive results, similar

One of the big doubts that assails many people who are thinking about trying these hair removal devices is how long it takes to see the results and how long they can last. In the first case, the time is more or less similar in both, about three sessions, although it depends on the skin tone and sensitivity of each person. And, regarding the duration, it can be up to 6 months. Of course, it is advisable to make “reminders” every month and a half or two months, especially at the beginning. In addition, the frequency of hair removal will initially be more extensive and will gradually decrease.

Mobile app only on Philips

We admit that one of the things that has surprised us the most is that Braun has not yet developed a mobile app to complement the use of the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5, as Philips has done. It’s not that you can synchronize the epilator with the app, but rather that the app allows you to plan and improve your hair removal routine in a more personalized way.

Which IPL epilator is worth the most?

As always, the answer to this question depends on what you’re looking for. These are two high-end IPL epilators, from the two leading brands on the market, and with a similar price, we can assure you that either of them offers very good results. The main advantage that the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 has, in our eyes, is that it is more precise in terms of adjusting intensity according to skin tone. This can be very interesting for people on whom it is more difficult to apply this type of treatment, such as those who have very dark skin or those who have a redder hair tone, among others.

On the other hand, the Philips Lumea 9000 has a longer lifespan, more light frequency and can also be used as a wireless epilator, which gives it great versatility. Furthermore, although it has one less accessory than the Braun epilator, in practice, both can remove hair from the same areas of the body. Of course, it takes up more space than the Braun epilator when it comes to storing it, but it is slightly cheaper.

So, think about which one you think best meets your needs and which one best meets your search priorities. Probably, if you are a person with a skin tone suitable for IPL treatments, you will find the Philips Lumea 9000 to be better value for money . On the other hand, if it is more difficult for you to assimilate pulsed light hair removal due to your skin tone, you can have better results with the Braun Silk-expert Pro 5. Rate and choose!