Since the Good Housekeeping Institute beauty lab opened its doors over 10 years ago, we’ve put thousands of products to the test, so we know a savvy buy when we see it.
Below, we’ve listed out the best high-tech beauty gadgets we’ve ever tested in our lab, from intelligent hair dryers and innovative wet-to-dry stylers to salon-inspired devices for face sculpting and hair removal. You name it, we’ve tried it, so we can bring you the best.
How we test beauty tools
We use a mix of lab tests and panel feedback to sort the market-leading from the middling. With the help of specialist machines, our experts measure the noise levels of electric toothbrushes, assess how well hair tools control frizz, and check hair strengthening claims. We also ask our thousands-strong reader panel to try beauty gadget at home, reporting back on design, ease of use and, most importantly, performance to help us find the best of the best.
FACE
Best microcurrent facial toning devices
Score: 88/100
The Déesse Pro isn’t just a quick fix – it combines EMS, radio-frequency and red-light therapy to firm skin and smooth fine lines, long term. Every tester saw a difference in just two weeks, with noticeably firmer skin and softer lines. Our experts praised its smart multi-motion tech for targeting tricky areas around the face and neck. A few panellists wanted more guidance on how to use it, but a quick online search gave them what they needed.
Score: 87/100
Touted as “the future of non-surgical skin rejuvenation,” by the brand, this device more than lived up to expectations in the lab. Combining near-infrared, radio frequency and EMS technology, it works to firm skin, boost collagen and subtly lift facial contours. Testers reported noticeably smoother, firmer skin, with one saying it felt “like a proper at-home treatment, rather than a gimmick.”
Click for the full list of winning facial toning devices.
Best LED face masks
Score: 92/100
The first LED mask with under-eye cooling tech, this scored 4/5 in the lab for improving texture and reducing fine lines, redness and pigmentation. The six-minute treatment time and no-fuss setup (no app required) make it easy to stick with, while the cooling pads add a spa-like element to the experience. Some wanted better low-battery alerts, and it’s not the easiest to store, but every tester saw visible results.
Score: 82/100
This LED mask impressed in the lab, combining easy setup with “noticeably smoothing and brightening” results. Testers reported smoother skin with fewer fine lines and blemishes, backed by strong lab scores for the same variables after just four weeks. While some found it slightly heavy on the nose and wished for better battery life, its clear instructions, portability and effective five-minute routine won them over.
Read the full list of winning LED face masks.
Best acne devices
Score: 92/100
This is one of the best scores we’ve ever seen in our lab for a beauty gadget. The claims are bold (it promises to reduce blemishes by 44% and inflammation by 87% after 12 weeks) but it delivered. Everyone who tried it said they’d continue to use the device because it genuinely cleared up their spots. It stopped breakouts in their tracks and stopped them getting more angry, painful or obvious.” A great gadget to use in the lead up to a special event when you want your skin to be looking its best.
Score: 74/100
Most testers told us this helped to clear their breakouts and inflamed spots. “I tested it on oily areas and it worked really well, seeming to make my pores less greasy and appear smaller,” one told us. Everyone liked that it’s hands free and it works quickly. “I’ve tried every spot treatment under the sun, and this is the only thing that’s really cleared the acne on my chin and kept it clear; I saw positive results after just a week!” said another tester. Some found it hard to use around the nose, however, as the design isn’t the most ergonomic.
BODY
Best body toning devices
Score: 74/100
This device from Dr. Dennis Gross left testers beaming with its firming results, particularly on traditionally tricky areas like the arms, neck and décolletage. One person noted that uneven patches on their chest and tummy had “improved noticeably,” while another said fine lines on their chest looked “less pronounced”, but a few grumbled that the lack of strap made it tricky to keep in place without holding it, so it could become cumbersome.
Best portable body toning device
Foreo BEAR 2 body Advanced Microcurrent Body Sculpting Machine
Now 21% Off
Score: 70/100
Testers on a weight-loss journey told us the device improved the appearance of loose skin and overall body confidence, with one noting “an improvement after a week on my upper arms” and another saying it was a great product to go alongside weight loss as it helped ease concerns about sagging skin thanks to the microcurrent firming tech. The compact design was also praised as “easy to hold” and “simple to use”, though one panellist disliked the serum included, saying it was expensive to replace.
HAIR
Best hairdryers
Score: 95/100
When something knocks Dyson and ghd off the top spot, you know it’s worth shouting about. The BaByliss Air Power PRO is a compact but powerful hairdryer that left our testers seriously impressed. Its ultra-streamlined airflow ensures fast, precise styling, and despite its punchy performance, it’s super lightweight. It comes with three handy attachments (two nozzles for thick and fine hair, plus a diffuser for curls), and switching between them is “very intuitive,” according to one tester.
Score: 88/100
Lightweight, foldable, and ready to throw in your carry-on, this hairdryer keeps your bounce intact, wherever you are. Its three magnetic attachments (diffuser, precision and smoothing concentrators) make styling effortless – and suitcase-friendly. “This left my hair smoother, with zero damage,” said one tester – we suspect this is down to the ionic technology that boosts shine while keeping hair feeling healthy. With four heat settings, three speeds and a clear LED screen, our panellists loved how easy it is to use.
Read our full list of the best hairdryers.
Best wet-to-dry stylers
Score: 92/100
Using a concentrated airflow, Dyson’s latest hair tool – one of a new wave of wet-to-dry stylers alongside the ghd Duet – promises to take hair from soggy to sleek, minus the hot plates and heat damage. It was a big hit with testers, leaving strands silky smooth. It even pauses automatically when you leave it down. However, it did struggle with shorter layers due to the large plates (or ‘arms’ as Dyson calls them).
Score: 92/100
Another trailblazing gadget that dries and styles in one, our testers were suitably impressed. It left hair looking fully styled without the need to straighten separately (in most cases), so lengths were less exposed to heat damage over time. Panellists also praised the speedy drying time and glossy after-effects. Similarly to the Airstrait, the chunky plates make it trickier to style fringes and short hair.
Best hair straighteners
Score: 95/100
With wider plates, the new ghd Chronos Max is a game-changer for thick hair – picking up more strands at once to cut styling time, which is a dream on hair wash night. Testers loved how quickly it worked, and it also heats up in 35 seconds, making things even speedier. The ultra-gloss coating on the plates earned praise too, gliding through without snagging and leaving hair super shiny in a single pass.
Score: 91/100
Testers loved how lightweight and travel-friendly this straightener is and, more importantly, how it smoothed curls in one swipe, leaving even dry or damaged hair looking healthier. It heats up fast, styles with ease and delivers salon-worthy results at a purse-friendly price. The only gripes were the bottle green and beige colourways (they weren’t to everyone’s taste) and a slightly sensitive temperature dial. Overall, though, this is a seriously strong debut from Gtech.
Read the full list of the best hair straighteners.
Best hot brushes
Score: 90/100
This sleek styler takes hair from wet to dry in record time – it uses smart sensor tech to maintain a lower, hair-kind 120ºC. It also smooths, straightens and volumises in one go – no need for a separate dryer and straighteners – and the snag-free ceramic bristles with barrel brush design mean you can nail a bouncy, salon-style blow dry with one hand. Testers across all hair types were won over by the glossy, flicked-out finish, but it worked particularly well on thick hair.
Score: 87/100
This multi-styler is a dream for creating natural-looking bounce and volume, thanks to its versatile attachments for curling, lifting and drying. Our testers were impressed with how quickly it styled even thick hair, with the wet-to-dry feature helping curls last longer, too. While some noted the attachments stay hot after use, the heat-safe case counteracts that issue.
Read the full list of the best hot brushes.
Best curling tongs
Score: 85/100
Our winning wand is a game-changer when it comes to personalising your curls. It features “StyleAdapt” technology, which claims to adjust the heat settings to suit your hair. In the lab, the temperature settings proved to be extremely accurate, and all our testers were happy with how effortlessly it created long-lasting, glossy curls or waves.
Score: 83/100
Designed with beginners in mind, this self-rotating curler makes creating loose, beachy waves almost effortless. Testers loved how easy it was to use, with one calling it a “godsend” for those with limited mobility. With three heat settings and a glittery, statement design, it’s a user-friendly styling tool that takes the hard work out of curling, according to our panel.
Read the full list of the best curling tongs.
Best hair growth device
Score: 70/100
This innovative hair growth helmet uses red light therapy to increase blood flow to the scalp and keep hair in the growth phase for longer. It requires commitment – 10 minutes every day for 16 weeks – but our experts found it made a marked difference to the thickness and volume of panellists’ hair after the trial period. Testers appreciated the wireless design of the helmet and built-in headphones, too.
Read our full review of the Currentbody Hair Growth Helmet.
Best hair removal devices
Score: 93/100
Promising visible results in just two uses, we had high hopes for this IPL device – and it delivered. Most testers saw noticeable hair reduction by week eight, and some noted how well it worked on paler hair (notoriously tricky for lasers to tackle). Everyone reported less regrowth after 12 weeks – one person even claimed it made their “hobbit feet” hairless. It’s quick, easy to use, and the ‘stamp and glide’ feature made treating larger areas a total breeze.
Runner up hair removal device
Ulike IPL Hair Removal Device for Face, Body, and Bikini Line.
Now 13% Off
Score: 92/100
This Ulike hair-removal device impressed testers with visibly reduced regrowth in as little as four weeks. One panellist called it a “game changer” for summer and worry-free holidays. Its powerful SHR mode tackles coarse hair effectively, while the cool 18ºC contact temperature keeps treatments comfortable, so it’s great for sensitive skin types, too.
Read the full list of the best IPL devices.
TEETH
Best electric toothbrushes
Score: 97/100
Suri’s second electric toothbrush wowed testers with gentle yet effective vibrations and impressive cleaning power. One praised the “pain-free” polish and “tingling clean” finish, while its lightweight, quiet design impressed across the board. The UV-C sanitising travel case, recyclable heads and affordable price make it a smart, sustainable choice, and there’s a 100-day money-back guarantee.
Score: 97/100
This toothbrush punches well above its price tag. Every tester found it easy to use, effective at removing plaque, and loved how powerful it was. The design was a hit too – from the 30-second pacer to the pressure-sensing lights and the sleek travel case. Gentle yet seriously effective, it left testers with gleaming smiles long after the trial was over, and they all said they’d continue to use it.
Read the full list of the best electric toothbrushes.
Best water flossers
Score: 90/100
This compact flosser seriously outperformed its price tag, beating far pricier rivals while taking up minimal space by the sink. Testers loved its practical, portable design, noting the water tank lasted a full session without topping up. Performance-wise, it delivered where it matters most: every panellist said their mouth felt noticeably fresher. The tongue scraper attachment earned points for boosting freshness, and the only downside was the lack of a case for storing accessories.
Score: 84/100
This Oral-B water flosser blew most of the competition out of the water thanks to its plaque-busting oxyjet tech (this adds fine bubbles to the water to boost cleaning power). Testers loved the three attachments so you can customise the intensity (the whirlpool tip even doubled as a tongue cleaner), and the quiet motor and long battery life were also plus points. You’ll need to refill it mid-use, but only once – a small trade-off for seriously fresh breath and that clean mouth feeling.
Read the full list of the best water flossers.
Best LED teeth whitening device
Score: 78/100
We love tech that’s fuss-free, and this LED whitening kit fits the bill. It comes with three syringes of peroxide-free PAP formula and a dentist-style mouth guard attached to an LED light. The only fiddly bit? Measuring exactly a third of a syringe per use. Most testers saw a noticeable brightening effect with zero sensitivity after the trial. Each 30-minute session auto-pauses every 10 minutes, which was a welcome break for those prone to jaw ache. Simple, effective and somewhat affordable.
Read the full list of the best teeth whitening kits.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Maria is our Beauty and Grooming Testing Manager, and since joining in mid-2022, she has managed the testing for mutiple categories including scalp scrubs, collagen supplements and retinol serums. In addition to her master’s degree in chemical engineering and a diploma in cosmetic science, she recently received her MBA from the London College of Fashion, focusing on case studies within the beauty industry. Prior to joining the company, she worked within the global technical team at the Estee Lauder Companies for over six years, collaborating with the chemists and engineers to launch luxury beauty products at scale and to quality. She has also worked as a formulation scientist within the pharmaceutical industry and takes this evidence based approach into all her product testing.
Juliet has masters degrees in both chemistry and cosmetic science, and has worked in formulation development for both Dove and The Body Shop. She has an in-depth knowledge of ingredients and tests used in the beauty industry, as a result of working in research and development for five years.
She uses this all this experience and learning to test products against their claims in the GHI beauty lab. She loves working with our reader panel directly to hear about their experiences with the many products we test.
