The wide range of options can be overwhelming if you’re considering investing in a red light therapy (RLT) device. So, below, I'll consider how to choose a red light therapy device
From affordable, single-use tools to high-end, clinic-grade setups, there’s something for every budget and health goal. I will help you find a suitable device based on your specific needs and ensure you get the best value for your money.
What Are Your Goals with Red Light Therapy?
To find the ideal red light therapy device, it’s essential to identify your primary goal. RLT devices cater to three groups:
- Targeted Treatment–Addressing specific areas such as joints, skin, or hair.
- Systemic Benefits–Seeking full-body energy, wellness, and vitality improvements.
- Comprehensive Treatment–Aiming for both targeted and full-body benefits.
Each goal has different products best suited to that purpose.
Red Light Therapy for Targeted Treatments
Many dedicated devices are available to address a specific area or condition. These devices directly target red and near-infrared light to trouble spots like knees, shoulders, or the face.
Targeted products can be a great starting point, especially if you want effective relief without committing to more extensive, costlier setups.
Let’s review a few examples to help you zero in on the best choice.
Knee Pain and Joint Issues
If you have knee pain, many products focus on relief, from simple wraps to higher-powered handhelds.
Starting on the budget-friendly side, knee wraps are effective. These wraps usually feature embedded LEDs that come into direct contact with the skin. Though often less powerful than other devices, they’re portable and flexible. You can wear them while warming up for a workout or driving home after an exercise session. They’re a great low-cost option that’s easy to incorporate into your routine.
For those wanting more power, a handheld battery-powered device like the Mito Red Mobile Flex is a step up. These units are more intense and can deliver a stronger light penetrating the knee joint. The downside? You’ll have to hold and move the device around the knee, which isn’t as convenient as a wrap but offers better therapeutic benefits.
On the higher end, consider a device like the Move Plus Pro from Kineon. This product takes targeted joint therapy a step further, combining LEDs and lasers for a dual approach. Lasers penetrate deep into the joint tissue, reaching the synovial fluid to target inflammation and support recovery. Though designed for knee issues, the Kineon is also suitable for treating other joints or areas that need similar treatment.
Clinic-based options exist for those who prefer not to handle treatment themselves. Clinics often use medical-grade devices like the Thor Laser, which has a hefty price tag—typically in the $10,000 to $20,000 range (mentioning my name, Alex Fergus, may help you save!). While not feasible for home use, many clinics offer sessions, providing access to these powerful tools without requiring a significant personal investment.
Head, Mouth, and Other Targeted Areas
The selection of products widens for those targeting specific head or oral health concerns.
For instance, red light therapy is increasingly popular for scalp health, and helmets and headsets are available. Some include lasers, some only LEDs, and others a combination.
Helmets, however, are often more expensive. Red light therapy companies, on the other hand, provide a more affordable, albeit lower-powered, alternative. Though not as strong, these hat devices can be effective for surface-level benefits.
Panels are also an option here, though less specialized. Although they offer more power and flexibility, panels make it more challenging to customize them to reach the head.
For mouth health, consider products like the Nova Lab Oral Care device, which combines red and blue light to promote gum health and reduce bacteria.
The diversity of targeted products means you can find a device for almost any specific issue, from joint pain to cognitive support to oral health.
Beauty and Anti-Aging: A Focused Approach
Red light therapy is booming in beauty, especially as an anti-aging treatment. This category has many options, some of the most popular being LED masks.
These masks sit directly on the skin, working similarly to the wraps mentioned for joint pain. While not as powerful as larger panels, masks are often highly effective for skin treatments because the red light doesn’t need to penetrate as deeply as it would for joints. Products like the Omnilux Men’s Mask are popular choices, with options ranging from $300 to $1,000.
If you want a more comprehensive approach, handhelds or tabletop panels also work well for facial treatments. A good tabletop panel can be positioned for regular sessions and provides intense skin benefits without needing a specialized mask.
For those with higher budgets, brands like Celluma and Dermalux offer consumer products designed specifically for skin health, with additional features like blue light settings for acne.
As with other categories, professional clinics often have high-end devices like the Dermalux Flex MD, which costs around $2,500. These setups can treat larger skin areas and can be found in some dermatology or beauty clinics, where you can pay per session for access to these professional-grade machines.
Brain Health and Cognitive Function
Red light therapy is also gaining traction in the field of cognitive health. Studies have shown that targeted light therapy may benefit those dealing with conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, autism, traumatic brain injuries, or even general cognitive decline.
For those with severe conditions, certain companies offer medically graded headsets specifically designed for brain health.
I recommend the Vielight headset, which has been explicitly designed for this purpose. This device allows red light to penetrate through the skull, stimulating brain cells directly and promoting better cellular energy within brain tissue. As a result, red light therapy with Vielight may help support improved memory, mental clarity, and overall cognitive function.
Other devices like the NeurRadiant 1070 by Neuronic or the Cera Thrive headset have also been created with cognitive wellness in mind. Many of these come with additional accessories, such as intranasal devices, which are also helpful for delivering light therapy through other access points in the body.
Given the complexity of the brain, these products are understandably higher priced, often starting around $1,000 and going up from there. While these devices can be an investment, they are designed with the latest research in mind to support brain health and function.
Systemic Benefits: Going Beyond Targeted Relief
Red light therapy isn’t just for specific ailments or isolated parts of the body; one of its most compelling features is its potential to promote overall systemic benefits.
Unlike targeted treatments focusing on relieving localized pain or enhancing skin health, systemic benefits refer to how red light therapy can support the entire body’s function, offering a holistic approach to wellness.
When used in a whole-body approach, red light therapy doesn’t just support isolated cells; it simultaneously stimulates energy production, blood circulation, immune function, and overall cellular health across multiple systems.
Let's look at the wide-ranging systemic effects that can be achieved.
Systemic Benefits: The Full Body Approach
Two main schools of thought regarding achieving whole-body wellness with red light therapy exist. One option is to focus on a small area with high blood flow, treating it locally to achieve broader, systemic effects as blood circulates the red and near-infrared benefits throughout the body.
This approach can be surprisingly effective, even with targeted Cera Thrive that works on this principle by irradiating blood-rich areas. The Cera Thrive, for instance, includes a separate pad that can be applied to the abdomen or other places to promote systemic benefits through strategic, localized treatment.
A broader approach involves treating more significant areas of the body simultaneously. Many prefer this method for its convenience and efficiency, particularly for home use.
Here, red light therapy wall panels or full-body panels shine. These larger setups are particularly popular for their broad coverage, allowing you to target several areas simultaneously and quickly achieve maximum exposure.
Various panel options are available to suit different budgets, with sizes ranging from smaller tabletop units to comprehensive wall-mounted setups.
For example, if you’re looking for full-body benefits without breaking the bank, you might opt for a smaller panel like a 60-LED tabletop unit, which you can move around to cover different body parts.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can scale up with larger panels like my personal quad setup with four Biomax 900 panels, creating an authentic full-body treatment experience.
For those looking for the ultimate systemic experience without setting up panels at home, options include visiting a wellness clinic that offers full-body red light therapy beds, like the popular Novothor bed.
Novothor beds are a top choice for high-powered, all-over treatment and are frequently used by elite athletes, military personnel, and hospitals. These beds offer a therapeutic effect similar to a tanning bed but deliver safe red and near-infrared light instead of UV. Although expensive for personal use, they’re widely available in clinics where you can access their benefits per session.
Other clinic-based options include red light therapy booths, like the “Red Enhancer” beauty booths available at some Planet Fitness gyms as part of membership.
These stand-up booths, similar to mini saunas lined with red light panels, offer an immersive experience surrounding you in therapeutic light.
Ultimately, systemic red light therapy provides the comprehensive benefits many are after. Exposing the body to therapeutic wavelengths, whether through local high-blood-flow targeting or full-body immersion, can achieve a range of wellness outcomes, from improved energy levels to overall vitality.
Comprehensive Treatment: The Best of Both Worlds
A combined approach is key for those who want targeted relief and the broader wellness benefits of red light therapy. Think of it as getting all the benefits—a focused device for sore elbows or skincare and a full-body panel for energy, vitality, and overall health.
In addition to my personal experience, I spoke with red light therapy expert James Carroll about the potential advantages of this dual approach.
He emphasized that a full-body panel greatly supports general wellness, enhancing blood flow, tissue regeneration, and even pain relief. However, he explained that handheld or laser devices are better at reaching deep tissues and triggering localized responses if dealing with specific issues like myofascial pain or acute injuries. According to Carroll, lasers offer faster pain relief and are more effective for targeting smaller problem areas like joints or trigger points.
From my use of red light therapy panels, I’ve seen an improvement in recovery, smoother skin, less joint pain, and even reduced tooth sensitivity. A full-body panel can be your go-to for daily health and performance, while targeted devices or handheld lasers bring focused, therapeutic benefits when needed.
Ultimately, investing in a comprehensive and localized setup allows flexibility to maximize what red light therapy can do for you. It ensures you can respond to health needs—targeting an injury, boosting skin, or promoting overall wellness.
Key Considerations in Choosing a Red Light Therapy Device
Finding the best RLT device for you comes down to understanding key factors, including:
- Power Output: Higher power outputs reach deeper into tissues, essential for joint and muscle recovery.
- Wavelengths: Devices combining red and near-infrared wavelengths offer more versatile benefits for surface and deeper tissue applications.
- Size and Portability: Small handheld devices are convenient for on-the-go use, while larger panels are better suited for home setups.
- Budget: RLT products vary in price, from $100 for simple wraps to tens of thousands for clinical devices.
- Warranty and Company Reputation: Opt for reputable brands offering solid warranties to ensure you invest in a reliable, effective product.
For those ready to investigate specific devices further, resources like the database on lighttherapyinsiders.com offer a tailored search based on budget, product type, and company preferences. ⬇️
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Red Light Therapy Setup
Red light therapy has evolved into a multi-faceted wellness tool with options to fit nearly any health goal and budget. Whether you’re aiming for targeted relief, full-body wellness, or a combination of both, there’s a device designed to meet your needs.
For beginners, start with an affordable, targeted device and work up as you explore the benefits of red light therapy. For enthusiasts, investing in a comprehensive setup with targeted and systemic capabilities offers the best chance to maximize RLT's benefits.
Items Mentioned In This Article:
- Mito Red Light Mobile Flex- code ALEX5 saves
- MOVE+ Pro from Kineon - discount code AFERGUSMOVE+ for 10% off
- Thor Laser - mention Alex Fergus if you order a NovoTHOR!
- Nova Lab Oral Care - use discount code ALEX15
- Omnilux Men’s Mask, use code ALEX
- Dermalux Flex:
✅ To get a DermaLux FLex MD in the US, use discount code ALEXFLEX for $150 off and the following link: https://aferg.co/dermaluxUS
✅ To get a DermaLux FLex MD in the UK, use discount code ALEXFLEX for $150 off and the following link: https://aferg.co/dermaluxUK - Currentbody LED Hair Regrowth Device use discount code ALEXFLEX for $150 USD
- Jovs 4D mask - discount code ALEX saves!
- Vielight use discount code ALEX10
- Neuradiant - use discount code ALEXFERGUS5
- CeraThrive - no discount available yet
- Lumaflex pad- discount code ALEXFERGUS saves
- PlatinumLED- A discount will appear after clicking the link.
- The Eye-Power glasses in my video
This blog post was written by Alex Fergus. Alex is an 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. Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion title Alex is recognized as the National Record Holder in Powerlifting and Indoor Rowing and has earned the Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion title . Having worked as a health coach and personal trainer for over a decade, Alex now researches health and wellness and shares his findings on this blog.
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