ULIKE Air 10 IPL Device Review: At-Home Hair Removal Done Right

ULIKE Air 10 has 80,000+ reviews on JD.com with a 4.6/5 rating at ¥1,699 ($235). Users highlight the effective IPL hair reduction after 4-6 weeks of consistent use, the virtually painless ice-cooling technology that makes treatment comfortable, and the large treatment window for faster sessions. The sapphire light window and 20J max energy deliver salon-grade results at home. Common complaints include the high upfront cost and the need for weekly sessions in the first 8 weeks. Conclusion: 💰 Premium Pick — the best at-home IPL device for Chinese users seeking serious hair reduction results.

Introduction

ULIKE (由莱) has quickly become China’s dominant brand in at-home IPL hair removal, and the Air 10 is their flagship device. Building on the success of the Air+ and Air 3, the Air 10 pushes IPL technology further with higher energy output, improved ice-cooling for painless treatment, and a larger flash window for faster full-body sessions.

On JD.com at ¥1,699 ($235), the Air 10 competes with Braun Silk-expert Pro 5 (¥2,499 / $346) and Philips Lumea BRI956 (¥3,499 / $484) at significantly lower prices. ULIKE sells millions of units annually in China, and the Air 10 accounts for a substantial portion of that volume. It’s available in multiple colorways and often bundled with a free UV sanitizer or skincare kit.

Specifications

Spec	ULIKE Air 10	Braun Silk-expert 5	Philips Lumea BRI956	SmoothSkin Pure Fit
Energy	20J max	5J (Smart Energy)	5.5J	5.6J
Flash Window	4.0 cm²	3.9 cm²	4.1 cm²	3.5 cm²
Cooling	Ice-cooling (sapphire)	None	None	None
Skin Sensor	Yes (auto)	Yes (SensoAdapt)	Yes (Smart)	Yes
Lamp Life	Unlimited LED	400,000 flashes	250,000 flashes	Unlimited
Modes	Manual + Auto glide	Auto glide	Auto glide	Manual + glide
Pain Level	Minimal (ice-cooled)	Low	Low	Low
Results Time	4-6 weeks	8-12 weeks	8-12 weeks	6-8 weeks
Body Areas	All	All	All	All
Color Tone Sensor	Yes (10 levels)	Yes (5 levels)	Yes (6 levels)	Yes (5 levels)
Price (JD)	¥1,699 ($235)	¥2,499 ($346)	¥3,499 ($484)	¥1,999 ($277)

Design and Build Quality

The Air 10 features a sleek, ergonomic design in white and rose gold. The main unit is compact enough to hold comfortably during extended sessions. The sapphire light window is visibly high-quality — smooth, transparent, and robust. The ice-cooling element is located around the flash window, maintaining a comfortable temperature on skin during use.

The auto-glide mode allows stamp-and-move continuous operation — no button pressing, just maintain skin contact and slide. The manual mode gives single-flash control for smaller areas like upper lip and underarms.

Build quality exceeds expectations for this price tier. The main unit feels dense and well-assembled. The integrated skin tone sensor automatically adjusts energy to safe levels — a critical safety feature. The cooling fan is audible but not intrusive.

“质感很好，拿在手里有分量感。冰敷功能是真的管用，打光的时候皮肤是凉的，完全不疼。之前用过另一品牌的IPL，疼得受不了就放弃了。ULIKE这个体验好太多。” — JD.com verified buyer “Build quality is excellent, has good weight in hand. The ice cooling really works — skin stays cool during flashing, completely painless. Previously used another IPL brand, it hurt so much I gave up. ULIKE’s experience is much better.”

Performance

The Air 10’s 20J max energy is significantly higher than Western competitors (5-6J). Chinese IPL devices generally operate at higher energy levels due to different regulatory frameworks, and ULIKE claims this results in faster visible results. User reviews support this — most report noticeable hair reduction at 4 weeks vs 8-12 weeks for Braun/Philips.

Ice-cooling technology is the Air 10’s killer feature. The sapphire window stays cold during operation, counteracting the heat of the IPL flash. This makes treatment genuinely comfortable — most users report zero pain, compared to competitors that can cause a warm snapping sensation with each flash.

Session time: Full leg treatment takes approximately 15-20 minutes. The large 4.0 cm² window and auto-glide mode make this efficient. Underarms take 2 minutes, bikini 5 minutes.

Results timeline (user reports):

• Week 1-2: Normal growth
• Week 3-4: Slower regrowth, thinner hair
• Week 5-8: Patches of no regrowth
• Week 8+: Maintenance sessions every 4-8 weeks

What Chinese Users Say

“用了六周，效果非常明显。腿毛基本上不长了，腋下也只有零星的几根细毛。冰敷功能真的舒服，像冰块在腿上滚动一样。之前还担心国产IPL会不会没效果，事实证明我多虑了。” — JD.com verified buyer, 500+ votes “Used for 6 weeks, results are very obvious. Leg hair basically doesn’t grow anymore, armpits only have a few thin hairs. Ice cooling is really comfortable, like a cold compress rolling on the skin. Was worried Chinese IPL might not work, proved myself wrong.”

“之前用过Silk’n和Philips，ULIKE Air 10的效果来得最快。Silk’n用了三个月才有明显减少，ULIKE一个月就能看到变化。20J能量确实高，但也没有因此疼。价格虽然不便宜，但比去美容院划算太多了。” — JD verified buyer “Previously used Silk’n and Philips, ULIKE Air 10 shows results fastest. Silk’n needed 3 months for visible reduction, ULIKE shows change in one month. The 20J energy is definitely higher but doesn’t cause pain. Price isn’t cheap but way more cost-effective than salon sessions.”

“第一次用有点紧张，结果发现完全没感觉。现在已经坚持了两个月，手臂和腿基本不用剃毛了。刚开始每周要用一次，现在一个月一次维护就行。推荐给怕疼的人。” — JD.com verified buyer “Nervous the first time, but it was completely painless. Now two months in, arms and legs basically don’t need shaving. Initially used weekly, now once a month for maintenance. Recommend for people who are afraid of pain.”

Purchase Recommendations

💰 Premium Pick (¥1,699)

Best at-home IPL for Chinese users who want serious results. The ice-cooling and high energy make it more effective and comfortable than competitors.

✅ Worth Buying

On sale at ¥1,399 ($194) or bundled with skincare accessories, it’s excellent value. Registered users get consistent sale notifications.

⚠️ Budget Warning

Budget IPL devices at ¥299-599 exist but typically lack ice-cooling, have lower energy, and cause more discomfort. The Air 10’s premium is justified by its superior experience.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
20J max energy for fast results	High initial cost at ¥1,699
Painless ice-cooling technology	Regular weekly sessions required
Visible results in 4-6 weeks	Not suitable for dark skin tones
Large 4.0 cm² treatment window	Cooling fan noise is audible
Unlimited lamp life, no cartridge cost	Takes time and commitment
Auto-glide mode for efficiency	Results depend on consistent use

FAQ

Q: Does IPL hair removal hurt? A: With the Air 10’s ice-cooling technology, most users report zero pain. The skin stays cool during treatment. Users who previously found IPL too painful with other devices report the Air 10 is comfortable.

Q: How long until I see results? A: Most users see initial slowing of hair growth at 3-4 weeks, and significant reduction at 6-8 weeks. Full results require the recommended treatment schedule (weekly for 8-12 weeks, then maintenance).

Q: Can the Air 10 be used on all skin tones? A: The Air 10 has a built-in skin tone sensor that adjusts energy to safe levels. It works on fair to medium-dark skin tones (Fitzpatrick I-V). It is not suitable for very dark or black skin tones due to the risk of burns.

Q: How long does a full body treatment take? A: Approximately 30-40 minutes for full body: legs (15 min), arms (8 min), underarms (2 min), bikini (5 min), face (2 min). The auto-glide mode speeds up the process significantly.

Q: Is the Air 10 FDA-cleared or CE-certified? A: ULIKE holds multiple certifications including CE, RoHS, and FDA device registration for the US market. It meets international safety standards for home-use IPL devices.

Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5

The ULIKE Air 10 represents the best of Chinese consumer IPL technology. The combination of market-leading 20J energy and genuinely effective ice-cooling creates a product that outpaces Western competitors in both speed and comfort. The higher energy output delivers faster visible results, while the cooling system makes treatment genuinely painless. For anyone considering at-home hair removal, the Air 10 is the current recommendation.