Laser caps for hair growth are getting increasingly popular among people suffering from hair loss, thinning hair, and baldness.
Why?
Because they are proven to work – both by clinical studies and by people using them.
But:
Though home laser caps are much l more affordable than Low-Level Laser clinic treatments, the best ones are still quite expensive.
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In this post, we’ll review and compare the 3 best-selling (FDA-cleared) laser caps – HairMax PowerFlex, Illumiflow 272 laser cap, and Kiierr 272 laser cap – to help you make the best long-term decision for regrowing your hair.
These laser caps reviews will include:
Table of Contents
HairMax vs. Illumiflow vs. Kiierr – Technology
All 3 brands use real laser diodes (not LEDs) inside their laser hats. To stimulate the hair follicles and start regrowth, the light needs to be administered at a specific wavelength and consistent power levels.
HairMax, Illumiflow, and Kiierr laser caps all have 272 actual laser diodes evenly spread around the cap and covered with comfortable silicone.
(You can see the difference between lasers and LEDs here)
- Technology winner: All 3 (tie)
Power Output (Strength)
The strength of each laser cap is determined by the power output (measured) in Mw (milliwatts) and the number of laser diodes. All 3 brands have 272 lasers, emitting red light therapy at 650 nm (the best wavelength for hair growth) at 5 Mw. This means that the total power output of all 3 laser caps is 1360 Mw.
- Strength winner: All 3 (tie)
So far, everything looks the same, right?
Treatment Time
Do you know what’s the most important factor in laser caps’ successful results?
Consistency.
Through clinical studies (HairMax has done 7 clinical trials so far), it takes 1-3 months to stop hair loss and hair thinning, and 1-3 more months to regrow new, healthy hair.
So, how do you stay consistent?
When you follow the regimen religiously.
This gets easier when the treatment time is minimal, and the laser cap is 100% portable, so you can use them while you work or move around.
So, how do HairMax, Kiierr, and Illumiflow flow compare when it comes to the LLLT hair treatment time?
| Treatment Time | Scalp Coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| HairMax PowerFlex | 15/30 minutes - 3 times per week (dual mode) | Full |
| Illumiflow 272 laser cap | 30 minutes - 3 times per week | Full |
| Kiierr272 laser cap | 30 minutes - 3 times per week | Full |
Illumiflow – 30 minutes X 3 times a week (auto shut off after 30 minutes)
Kiierr – 30 minutes every other day (3-4 times a week)
HairMax PowerFlex – has a dual operating mode: constant laser – 15 minutes X 3 times a week, or pulsing laser – 30 minutes X 3 times a week. Both modes deliver the same laser strength, so we would opt for the shorter treatment mode (constant light for 15 minutes)
👉 Scalp coverage – all 3 laser caps are designed for full scalp coverage that reaches almost all the back and sides of the scalp.
- Treatment time winner – HairMax PowerFlex (only 15 minutes X 3 times a week)
Price, Return Policy, and Warranty
Since laser caps are a big investment, and it sometimes takes up to 6 months to regrow thicker and denser hair, the option to return the laser hat for a full refund (in case it doesn’t work) – is very important.
Warranty for the parts and lasers is also important, and the company you buy from must be reliable and confident about their product.
The more confident they are, the longer the risk-free trial will be, right?
Well, here’s how HairMax, Kiierr, and Illumiflow compare:
| Price | Trial Period | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
HairMax PowerFlex | $1899 at HairMax Save 10% with coupon code NEWYOU10 | 1-year trial (25% restocking fee if returned) | 2-year warranty |
Illumiflow 272 laser cap | $799 at Illumiflow | 7 months trial | 5-year warranty |
Kiierr272 laser cap | $845 at Kiierr Save $99 with code PREZDAY | 7 months trial | 2-year warranty (or 4 years with extra fee) |
HairMax – 1-year money-back guarantee, but you’ll have to pay a 25% restocking fee if you decide to return it.
The warranty is for 2 years.
Kiierr – 7 months money-back guarantee, but you’ll have to prove no results with before and after pictures.
The warranty is for 2 years, and it can be extended to 4 years for an extra fee.
Illumiflow – 6 months no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, with an additional 30 days for return shipping.
The warranty is for 5 years.
- Trial period winner – HairMax
- Warranty winner – Illumiflow
Laser Caps Safety
When it comes to laser caps, FDA clearance is very important. Laser output must be accurate and balanced to promote hair growth safely. All 3 brands compared here are FDA cleared for men and women.
FDA clearance means that the FDA has determined that the laser caps are substantially equivalent and safe to another similarly marketed device.
Experience and Time on Market
When it comes to laser hair growth, the most experienced company is HairMax, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and is the pioneer of at-home laser hair regrowth (and sells laser combs as well)
HairMax claims to be the undisputed global leader in the field, with 8 FDA clearances, 7 clinical trials, 14 international medical licenses, and more than 1.8 million laser devices – sold in 170 countries since 2000.
Illumiflow applied for FDA clearance in July 2016, after 7 years of research, and is selling their 2 models of laser caps (148 lases/272 lasers) since February 2017.
Kiierr is the newest player and was granted FDA clearance in September 2018.
- Time on Market winner – HairMax
Consumer Reviews
We analyzed hundreds of buyer testimonials and reviews on all stores selling these laser caps, including official sites and Amazon. Here are the results:
HairMax – 34 reviews – 3.85 average rating (1-5 ratings)
Illumiflow – 97 reviews – 4.4 average rating
Kiierr – 301 reviews – 4.4 average rating
Common complaints:
- HairMax – Needs recharging after 1-2 treatments (to avoid a heavy battery pack)
- Illumiflow – some users reported the lasers stopped working or not being able to recharge after a year – but the 5-year warranty solves this.
- Kiierr – no negative reviews, a few users claimed that it wasn’t a miracle cure for them.
Conclusion
After many hours of research, we conclude that all 3 laser caps have their pros and cons, and it’s really up to each buyer to choose the right one according to what’s most important for you.
All 3 brands use the same technology and have the same number of lasers and laser output.
The HairMax PowerFlex is the most expensive laser cap, costing between $1700 – $1900 (coupon codes are available most of the time, and the purchase comes with hair nurturing gifts), while the Illumiflow and the Kiierr cost about half this price.
The most extensive warranty is offered by Illumiflow (5 years), but the longest return period is offered by HairMax (1-year trial, with a 25% restocking fee).
HairMax has the lowest consumer average rating (3.85 out of 4, compared to 4.4 for Illumiflow and Kiierr).
So, which one will it be for you? Let us know in the comment section below:)
We hope this HairMax vs. Illumiflow vs. Kiierr laser caps was helpful for you.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
Studies
Jimenez JJ, Wikramanayake TC, Bergfeld W, et al. .. Efficacy and safety of a low-level laser device in the treatment of male and female pattern hair loss: a multicenter, randomized, sham device-controlled, double-blind study. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2014; 15: 115–127
Suchonwanit, P., Chalermroj, N. & Khunkhet, S. Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in Thai men and women: a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, sham device-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci 34, 1107–1114 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-018-02699-9
Egger A, Resnik S, R, Aickara D, Maranda E, Kaiser M, Wikramanayake T, C, Jimenez J, J: Examining the Safety and Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy for Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Review of the Literature. Skin Appendage Disord 2020;6:259-267. doi: 10.1159/000509001
Zarei, Mina & Wikramanayake, Tongyu & Falto-Aizpurua, Leyre & Schachner, Lawrence & Jimenez, Joaquin. (2015). Low-level laser therapy and hair regrowth: an evidence-based review. Lasers in Medical Science. 31. 10.1007/s10103-015-1818-2.
I really hope the dates on the Consumer Review pictures of the Kiier Laser Cap aren’t correct. If they are, then when the customer started on 3-09-19 he had considerably more hair than he did five months later on 8-03-19. The assumption would be the dates should either be 8-03-18 and 3-09-19 (seven months total) or 8-03-19 and 3-09-20 (seven months total). Not trying to be critical; simply thought it was a humorous mistake. :-)
Thank you for the comparisons, Meital. They were helpful.
Replying to my own comment . . . just realized Kiierr didn’t receive FDA approval until September of 2019, so the dates would have to be 8-03-19 and 3-09-20. Also apologize for not typing the two r’s in Kiierr the first time.
the dates are correct–dd-mm-yy :) this is the way the rest of the world (outside USA) sets the date.
Great review Meital. Keep it up! Thank you for your valuable info.