Panasonic ES-WH80 Review Summary
At this price* I’m not particularly charmed with this IPL system, as it seems to lack a lot of things that other brands provide for much the same cost. It has no skin colour sensor like the Veet or the Remingtons, it has no precision attachment like almost every other IPL system and it requires replacement bulbs.
It’s effective but just isn’t as intuitive as the Philips Lumea, Veet Infini’Silk or the Remington i-Lights to name a few. It looks really good and is super small which is a huge bonus but other than that, I think you could do a lot better. With two modes, several attachments and a considerably longer life with no replacements, a system from the Philips Lumea is a much better bet.
* Since writing this review the price of the Panasonic has decreased by 33% making it a good choice if you don't need the features offered by the other brands. Our rating has been adjusted accordingly.
In-Depth Review
Panasonic are a global brand offering thousands upon thousands of products to their huge customer base. Always packed with the latest technology, Panasonic promise to deliver excellent products time and time again. With a large range of small, personal appliances, Panasonic produce IPL systems to a high standard.
What does the Panasonic ES-WH80 come with?
The Panasonic ES-WH80 comes with:
- 1x Panasonic IPL machine
- 1x Charger
- 1x Additional bulb
Unlike the Philips Lumea and Remington i-Light ranges, this Panasonic IPL machine doesn’t have separate attachments for different areas of the body. Instead, you can change the five light intensity settings to suit the area. This isn’t particularly ideal as the extra wide light window (5.4cm) is really too big for smaller and harder to reach areas.
While great for speedy leg treatment, this extra wide window offers no precision targeting for upper lip, bikini area or underarms. These areas can still be done but I can’t help wondering that it would be better with a precision attachment.
This device does emit the flashes automatically as well, as long as it is in complete contact with the skin. While this negates the use of buttons and makes legs very easy, it offers you little control when trying to do underarms or bony parts.
The battery charge allows for 600 flashes until it needs recharging which is an excellent lifespan and one of the best out there in the cordless market. It does take three hours to charge though, compared to the 100 minutes of the Philips Lumea IPL systems.
This Panasonic ESWH80 Cordless IPL Hair Removal System comes with an additional bulb which is good for 20,000 flashes just like the original bulb. Combined, this still doesn’t put it in the lifespan leagues of most other brands and it’s an added hassle to have to replace a bulb.
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The final word on the Panasonic ES-WH80...
While this is a very neat machine and one of the smallest out there, it has yet to show any real rivalry to Philips Lumea IPL systems and the price* doesn’t reflect that either. Small and manageable, this is easy to use but I really prefer the more technologically adept Lumeas.
*Edit: Since writing this review the price of the Panasonic has dropped by 33% making it much more competitive and a fine choice if you don't need the extra features offered by the Philips Lumea series. Our score has been revised to reflect this.
4.5/5
The Good Stuff:
- Small and easy to hold
- 600 flashes per charge
- Cordless
The Bad Stuff:
- Additional bulb is hassle
- Pricey for something that requires replacement parts
- No precision window
