Philips Lumea 8000 (BRI944/00 vs. BRI948/00 vs. BRI949/00) – Which one is better?

Pulsed light epilators, which are commonly known as IPL epilators, are one of the best alternatives to get hair removal quickly, effectively, painlessly and without leaving home. Therefore, it is not surprising that multiple models have emerged in recent years, and everything seems to indicate that the catalogs of the different brands will continue to expand. Today we want to focus on three of the many models that are part of the Philips Lumea 8000 series, one of the most widely accepted for its excellence and effectiveness.

Specifically, we have looked at the models with the “surnames” BRI944/00, BRI948/00 and BRI949/00. We have meticulously analyzed each one, and the conclusion we draw is quite clear: the difference is in the number of accessories that each model includes. The three epilators have the same autonomy, which extends up to 450,000 light pulses, and have the SmartSkin sensor and SenseIQ technology. Basically, they are built-in sensors that are dedicated to monitoring your skin tone to offer the right intensity at all times. This is interesting, especially, between winter and summer, since the color of the skin changes depending on whether we are darker or not.

So, how to choose the most interesting Philips Lumea 8000 epilator? Well, it depends on the accessories that you consider essential for you and, of course, the price. Below we are going to explain the differences (or, rather, the only difference) in more detail, so, if you are thinking of buying one of these three models, don’t miss our comparison!

Philips Lumea 8000 (BRI944/00 vs BRI948/00 vs BRI949/00) – Comparison table

In the following table you can see the most important specifications of the three Philips pulsed light epilators. This way, you can get a first idea about which one is most appropriate to meet your needs:

(Swipe the table to see all the content)

Are there differences in the design?

Being exquisite, there are some differences. Normally we would not mention them because they are really minimal, but, taking into account that we are looking at three epilators that are practically the same in most of their specifications, we are going to explain them. The first is easy to see, and that is color.

The BRI944/00 and 949/00 models have a mix of white and purple colors, and weigh approximately 1.5 kilos. The Philips Lumea 8000 BRI948/00, on the other hand, is white and rose gold, and weighs about 15 grams more. In addition, there is another small difference, and that is that the BRI948 is shorter than its two sisters, which have a slightly wider main head.

Accessories are key in your choice

As we mentioned in the introduction, the most important difference between the three Philips Lumea 8000 IPL epilators is the number of accessories they include. The simplest (and cheapest) is the BRI944/00, which has two accessories. Specifically, the accessory for body hair removal and facial hair removal. For their part, the BRI948 and BRI949 models also add a head for the bikini line and another for the armpits. 

So, you may be wondering, what is the difference between the 948 and 949 epilators? The Philips Lumea 8000 BRI949/00 is equipped with a fifth accessory, a compact trimming pen for plucking eyebrows and other parts of the face where the hair is much finer. In addition, all epilators include a case to transport it if you go on a trip.

Regarding the hair removal time required by each accessory, it is the same in all three cases. Waxing the face takes no more than 1.5 minutes, followed by the bikini line (2 minutes), the armpits (2.5 minutes) and the mid-legs (8.5 minutes).

SenseIQ technology and SmartSkin sensor

The three Philips epilators are based on the same technology, SenseIQ, thanks to which we can choose between 5 intensity levels. And not only that, but they have the SmartSkin sensor, whose function is to identify your skin tone to apply the appropriate level of intensity at all times. This detail may not seem important to you, but it is interesting to optimize the use of the epilator in summer and winter. Because? Because, in summer, the skin tone usually darkens, so the intensity of the light pulses is not the same as what we need in winter, when our skin is lighter.

How many pulses of light can they emit?

It is important to remember that the Philips Lumea 8000 epilators are not wireless, which means that they must always work connected to the electrical current. Therefore, we cannot talk about battery autonomy as such, but we can talk about autonomy of the epilator itself. This type of device is designed to emit a maximum of light pulses (or flashes) throughout its life. In this case, all three can issue up to 450,000. To give you an idea, with good use, this can translate into 15-20 years of life.

Same duration of hair removal

Another common question among users who are thinking about purchasing a pulsed light epilator is how long the results last, as well as when they begin to be perceived. In this sense, there are no differences between the three models. In about 3 sessions is when we start to see some results, although this will depend on the thickness of the hair, the tone of our skin and, in general, the sensitivity to hair removal.

As for the duration, it also varies, but is around 6 months, approximately, applying only what are called “reminders”. That is, during the first weeks, the frequency of hair removal is greater, but it is reduced as the sessions and results progress. The same happens with the percentage of hair reduction, which is not homogeneous in all people. Even so, Philips assures that it can be up to 92%.

Are they compatible with an app?

It must be made clear that epilators are not linked directly to an application so that you can manage them through your smartphone. However, the Philips Lumea IPL app allows you to complete the hair removal routine in a personalized way according to your goals in the three models, adapting them to each of them.

The choice depends on your preferences

As you have seen, we are practically looking at the same IPL epilator, except for the type of accessories that each model includes. Although at first you think that it will be more complicated to choose, the truth is that it is a choice that gives us a lot of peace of mind. As they are designed with the same technology, we know that the results will be very similar in all cases. Therefore, it is preferable to think about which of the accessories are essential and, based on the price, make a decision.

From our point of view (which does not have to be the only valid one), there are two possible choices. On the one hand, if economic criteria weigh more on you, in which case you would opt for the Philips Lumea 8000 BRI944/00. And, on the other hand, you have a broader economic range and want to choose to have more accessories. In that case, our recommendation would be to opt for the BRI949/00, because the price difference is minimal and it includes the trimming pencil, very useful for eyebrow hair removal.

That said, it’s only up to you to choose the IPL hair remover that best suits your situation. In any case, you can rest assured about the choice, since, as we have mentioned, the results are incredible in all three cases.