Hooga Wand Review: A Cost-Effective Alternative to the Solarwave Wand?

New products enter the red light therapy beauty space daily, each claiming to be the ultimate skincare solution. The Solawave Wand is a well-known premium option, but Hooga has recently entered the scene with a very affordable alternative: the Hooga Wand.

In this review, we’ll dive into how the Hooga Wand stacks up against the popular Solarwave Wand, evaluate its features, discuss its performance, and see if it might be the right choice for you—or if a higher investment in the Solarwave or other options is worth it.

Who Is Hooga?

Hooga has established itself in the red light therapy industry with an impressive range of products, including panels, mats, pods, and compact LED devices. The company has built a reputation for producing effective, no-frills devices that deliver impressive value without breaking the bank.

The release of the Hooga Wand is undoubtedly a response to the popularity and high price tag of the Solarwave Wand. Hooga’s goal appears to offer a similar experience at a much more accessible price.

Features of the Hooga Wand

The Hooga Wand is a compact, pen-style red light therapy device with a rotating head at the top. It includes four key features that cater to skin health and appearance:

1. Photobiomodulation (PBM): Red light therapy targeting skin rejuvenation.
2. Blue Light Therapy: Primarily aimed at acne control.
3. Micro-current Therapy: Designed to stimulate facial muscles and promote collagen production, similar to SolaWave’s galvanic current.
4. Heat and Vibration: Enhances circulation and provides a soothing, massaging experience.

With a few minutes of use four to five times a week, users can target specific areas of the face to address concerns such as collagen production, wrinkle reduction, age spots, sagging, blood circulation, and even acne.

What’s Inside the Box?

The box contains the Hooga Wand device and a USB-C charging cable, making it highly compatible with other modern devices. This USB-C charging feature is convenient for those who travel or want to minimize the number of cables they carry.

Hooga keeps its packaging simple, and while it might lack some of the luxurious presentation of Solarwave’s packaging, it has everything you need to get started with the device.

Wavelengths

The Hooga Wand has 12 LEDs—six red and six blue. Hooga claims that the red LEDs emit light at 660 nanometers, while the blue LEDs emit at 450 nanometers. In testing, the red light peaked at 659 nanometers, right on target, with a spectrum from about 645 to 666 nanometers. This is excellent for skin health, as it covers a range proven to support skin rejuvenation and collagen production.

The device produced a peak of around 422 nanometers for blue light—slightly higher than the marketed 415 nanometers. While not precisely on the mark, the output still included the 415 range, which is beneficial for targeting acne-causing bacteria.

Interestingly, the blue LEDs also emitted a faint amount of near-infrared (NIR) light, around 850 nanometers, a bonus for collagen and skin health, although the output here is relatively low.

Power Output

A closer look at the power output reveals some surprising results. While the blue LEDs emit only about 3.2 mW/cm²—enough to target acne-causing bacteria—the red LEDs perform much better, reaching 22 and 35 mW/cm².

This is significantly higher than the Solawave Wand offers, which is a pleasant surprise given the Hooga Wand’s price. For comparison, full-sized red light therapy panels can reach up to 90 mW/cm² from six inches away, but less intensity can be more effective for skin health.

From an optimal power perspective, anything between 10 to 50 mW/cm² benefits skin health. The Hooga Wand’s red light output falls right within this range, providing enough intensity for results without risking skin irritation or overstimulation.

Usage and Best Practices

Using the Hooga Wand is simple. The company recommends holding the wand over each treatment area for a few minutes, which means users may need to work through sections of their face individually.

This can be slightly time-consuming compared to full-face devices like light therapy masks or larger panels, but it’s straightforward and convenient for targeted treatment.

Research suggests optimal skin benefits from red light therapy occur with wavelengths between 620 and 670 nanometers and energy output ranging from 5 to 15 joules per square centimeter (J/cm²). To reach these levels with the Hooga Wand, you’ll need to hold it in each area for three to ten minutes. By following this guidance, users should be able to see meaningful results.

Comparisons to the SolarWave Wand

While the Hooga Wand and Solawave Wand share similarities in appearance and function, a few key differences set them apart:

1. Power Output: The Hooga Wand is about two to three times more powerful than the Solawave Wand, especially with its red light.
2. Wavelengths: The Hooga Wand uses a 660nm wavelength for red light, while the Solawave uses 630nm. Both are effective for skin health, but 660nm is more common in red light therapy.
3. Additional Features: The Hooga Wand includes blue light therapy at 420nm, which is ideal for targeting acne bacteria. The standard Solawave Wand lacks this feature (though Solawave offers a separate acne-targeting device).
4. Micro-current vs. Galvanic Current: While the Hooga Wand uses micro-current, the Solawave uses galvanic current. Both benefit skin health, but the choice may be preference.
5. Charging Options: Hooga offers a USB-C charging port, while Solawave includes a charging dock, which can be cumbersome when traveling.

Considering these differences, the most notable factor remains the price. The Hooga Wand (discount code ALEX saves), retailing at $49 (and available for around $45 with my discount code), is significantly more affordable than the Solawave Wand, priced at around $239. This price gap alone may make the Hooga Wand a more attractive option for budget-conscious users.

Pros of the Hooga Wand

• Affordable and Cost-Effective: At $49 (or even less with discount codes), the Hooga Wand offers a powerful red light therapy option for a fraction of the price of similar devices like the Solawave Wand.

This affordability makes it accessible to a broader range of users, particularly those just starting with light therapy and reluctant to invest heavily.

• Good Power Output for Red Light Therapy (25-35 mW/cm²): The Hooga Wand stands out for its impressive power output, especially in the red light spectrum. With red light levels reaching up to 35 mW/cm², it delivers sufficient intensity for skin health benefits, supporting rejuvenation, collagen production, and wrinkle reduction—all without the risk of overstimulation or skin irritation.

• USB-C Charging for Convenience: Unlike many devices that still use older charging cables, the Hooga Wand features USB-C charging, which is compatible with modern electronics.

This feature makes it easy to charge on the go, whether traveling or using at home. It simplifies the charging process and ensures users don’t need an additional charger for this device.

• Compact, Lightweight, and Easy to Travel With: The Hooga Wand’s pen-style design and lightweight construction make it perfect for travel or daily use. It fits easily in a purse, backpack, or travel case, allowing users to maintain their skincare routine regardless of location.

• Two-Year Warranty and 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Hooga backs its product with a two-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee, providing peace of mind for new users who might be hesitant to try red light therapy.

• Multiple Therapy Modes: The Hooga Wand offers versatility for various skincare needs, including red light, blue light, micro-current, and heat/vibration modes.

Red light targets wrinkles and skin texture, while blue light focuses on acne-prone areas. Micro-current therapy enhances facial muscle tone, and the added heat and vibration improve circulation and relaxation. This combination makes it a multifunctional skincare tool.

Cons of the Hooga Wand

• Basic Packaging, Lacking the Premium Feel of SolaWave: The Hooga Wand’s packaging is straightforward and lacks the high-end, luxurious presentation of the Solawave Wand.

While it has everything necessary to get started, users seeking a more premium unboxing experience might feel underwhelmed by the minimalistic design.

• Limited to Either Red or Blue Light Mode at a Time: Unlike some advanced red light therapy devices that can run multiple light wavelengths simultaneously, the Hooga Wand allows users to select either red or blue light but not both simultaneously.

This can limit users who want a more comprehensive treatment in a single session, as they must alternate between the two settings.

• Requires manual movement over the face, which can be time-consuming: Unlike full-face red light therapy masks that offer hands-free, full-face coverage in one session, users must manually hold the Hooga Wand over each targeted area for several minutes.

This can be time-consuming, particularly for those looking for a quick skincare routine. For full-face results, users need to work through each area individually.

• Power Output Lower for Blue Light Therapy: While effective for acne treatment, the blue LEDs have a lower power output than the red LEDs. At around 3.2 mW/cm², they provide enough intensity to target acne-causing bacteria.

Users seeking a more potent blue light experience may find this output lower than desired for rapid acne improvement.

• No Full-Spectrum Coverage: While the Hooga Wand offers red and blue light, it doesn’t include other wavelengths, such as near-infrared (NIR) or green light, which can further enhance skin health benefits.

This limitation might make users seeking a complete, multi-spectrum light therapy experience consider other devices with expanded wavelength options.

Alternatives: Is the Hooga Wand the Best Choice?

If you’re open to exploring other options beyond the Hooga and Solawave Wands, consider these alternatives:

Mito Mobile Flex is a more powerful handheld red light therapy device. It costs around $200 to $300 and offers portability and versatility for full-body use.

Omnilux Masks: These masks cover the entire face and offer red, near-infrared, and blue LEDs for $400 to $600. They provide a convenient full-face treatment but come at a premium price.

BioMax 300: This is another powerful device with multiple wavelengths and even blue light. However, it’s a more considerable investment at over $600, plus the cost of a stand.

Conclusion: Is the Hooga Wand Worth It?

The Hooga Wand provides a surprising level of performance for its price. With good power output in the red light range, blue light therapy for acne, and additional features like micro-current and heat, it’s a well-rounded device that should appeal to anyone looking for an affordable skincare solution. While it lacks some of the premium features of the Solawave Wand, its value is undeniable, especially at just $45 with discounts.

If you’re willing to devote extra time to target use, the Hooga Wand may be a fantastic addition to your skincare routine. For those interested in a faster, full-face treatment or advanced features, exploring devices like Omnilux masks or BioMax panels might be worth considering. But for an easy-to-use, portable, and affordable device, the Hooga Wand is hard to beat.

Items Mentioned In This Article:

• For a Hooga Wand, use the link and discount code ALEX saves.
• For an Omnilux mask, use the link and code ALEX for a discount.
• For other Solawave products, such as serum or pimple-treating products
• For a SolarWave 4-in-1 WAND, no discount code is available. A discount will be applied after you click the link
• For a Mito Red MobileFlex, use this link and code ALEX5
• For a PlatinumLED BioMax, use this link, and a unique discount code is generated after you click the link

Found This Interesting? Look At These Articles:

660nm Wavelength Health Effects Cheatsheet

This blog post breaks down all the 660nm health effects, into human, animal, and in vitro (cell culture) studies - 660nm health benefits included.

Light Therapy InsidersBart Wolbers

Red Light Therapy Dosing Chart: The Raw Data From Hundreds Of Studies

Here’s the raw data from hundreds of studies on red light therapy dosing, on topics such as bone health, the brain, oral health, pain, and much more!

Light Therapy InsidersBart Wolbers

Does Red Light Therapy Help Scars? The Science

Unlock the power of red light therapy for scars and wounds: speed up healing, understand the mechanism and choose a device that’s right for you.

Light Therapy InsidersBart Wolbers

What Light Therapy Is Best for Rosacea?

In this blog post, I answer “what light therapy is best for rosacea” and especially focus on red light therapy options, such as masks and panels. Join

Light Therapy InsidersBart Wolbers

Alex's Bio

This blog post was written by Alex Fergus. Alex is a ISSN Sports Nutrition Specialist, Fitness Professional and certified Superhuman Coach who continues to expand his knowledge base and help people across the world with their health and wellness. Alex is recognized as the National Record Holder in Powerlifting and Indoor Rowing and has earned the title of the Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion. Having worked as a health coach and personal trainer for over a decade, Alex now researches all things health and wellness and shares his findings on this blog. 

Consider These YouTube Videos As Well:

🔴 Targeted Red Light Treatment = Full-Body Benefits?
🔴 BEST Portable Red Light Device: ULTIMATE Battle!
🔴 Travel Red Light Therapy: 11 ESSENTIAL Options!
🔴 Lightpath LED Torch Review: Innovative Spot-Treatment?!