Red light therapy has become increasingly popular over the past few years. There are hundreds of red-light LED devices, promising better skin, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and even increased collagen production. But are these products overpromising how significant your results will be?
Why we chose it: The Shark CryoGlow is the only LED face mask cleared by the FDA that combines red light therapy with cryotherapy. It has integrated under-eye cooling pads with three temperature settings to help reduce under-eye puffiness. I also like that this mask uses both red and blue LED lights to target collagen production and acne.
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Pros
- Combines LED therapy and cryotherapy
- FDA-cleared for fine lines and acne
- Four treatment modes
- Cordless and lightweight at 1.49 pounds
- Quick treatment time of 4 to 15 minutes
Cons
- Hard shell design is bulky
- No LED therapy treatment under the eyes because of the cryotherapy pads
Why we chose it: Instead of having to carve out time for red light therapy treatments, you can wear the iRestore Flex LED Belt while you work, travel, watch TV or even commuting. I personally love using this belt while I'm working to help my muscles recover after my morning workouts and whenever I feel the pain from my scoliosis kick in. The belt boasts 315 LEDs for optimal coverage wherever you wear it, including the waist, back, shoulders, hips, arms and legs. It has three brightness settings, and you can choose from 10, 20 or 30 minutes of treatment time.
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Pros
- 315 LEDs across tri-core chips deliver optimal coverage
- Hands-free and wireless with a strong battery life
- Versatile fit that wraps around multiple body parts
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Lower irradiance than stationary panel devices
- May feel bulky in smaller areas like arms
Why we chose it: The skin in the periorbital zone is very different from the rest of your face as it’s thinner, has faster collagen loss and is more sensitive. A full face mask may not deliver the concentrated irradiance this area requires.
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Pros
- Targeted LED technology
- Small and easily packable
- Comes with 20 Hydrocolloid patches
Cons
- Requires you to hold them in place with your hands unless you buy the refillable Hydrocolloid Patches ($49 for a 20-pack)
Why we chose it: Hair follicles require precise technology to penetrate the scalp effectively. The iRestore offers triple-wavelength technology (625nm, 655nm and 680nm) to penetrate scalp tissue at multiple depths, ensuring efficient treatment. The device also has proprietary VIXO lasers that deliver wider light beams for more uniform coverage.
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Pros
- The only FDA-cleared, at-home device with triple wavelength technology
- 12-minute treatment time
- 500 lasers and LEDs for maximum scalp coverage
- 12-month hair growth guarantee
Cons
- The most expensive red light therapy device on this list at $1,800
- Cordless use requires a separate purchase for a battery pack ($119)
- Results require months of consistency
Why we chose it: The neck and chest are among the first areas to show signs of aging due to thinner skin and consistent UV exposure. This device was built for this area with a flexible form that covers both places simultaneously.
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Pros
- Comfortable design for neck and chest
- Hands-free
- Targets two often neglected areas at once
Cons
- $15 return fee
- Requires at least four to six weeks of consistent use before you see results
We spent months, and in some cases years, testing red light therapy devices across every major category to find the ones that are actually worth your money. These are our favorite red light therapy devices for all your lifestyle needs.
What's the best red light therapy device overall?
This list doesn't have a best overall pick, since red light therapy devices offer different wavelengths and irradiance levels that make them effective for different results and body parts, like stimulating collagen in your face or penetrating hair follicles on your scalp. Instead, every pick on this list is the best at what it was designed to do.
Best red light therapy devices
Pros
- Combines LED therapy and cryotherapy
- FDA-cleared for fine lines and acne
- Four treatment modes
- Cordless and lightweight at 1.49 pounds
- Quick treatment time of 4 to 15 minutes
Cons
- Hard shell design is bulky
- No LED therapy treatment under the eyes because of the cryotherapy pads
Why we chose it: The Shark CryoGlow is the only LED face mask cleared by the FDA that combines red light therapy with cryotherapy. It has integrated under-eye cooling pads with three temperature settings to help reduce under-eye puffiness. I also like that this mask uses both red and blue LED lights to target collagen production and acne.
When we tested the best LED face masks, the CryoGlow was also our pick for the best model overall.
Who it's best for: This LED face mask is designed for quick sessions, making it easy to fit into busy routines. You can choose from four treatment options: Better Aging (6 minutes to target fine lines and wrinkles), Skin Clearing (8 minutes for acne), Skin Sustain (4 minutes to maintain glowy skin) or Under Eye Revive (5 to 15 minutes for an under-eye cooling routine without LEDs).
Using the controller, you can choose from three cooling settings to fit what you're most comfortable with. You can also track your progress on the control screen to see how many sessions (and which ones) you've performed.
Who shouldn't get it: Anyone who travels a lot and wants to pack their mask, or those with limited storage space, as the hard-shell design makes the mask quite bulky.
Pros
- 315 LEDs across tri-core chips deliver optimal coverage
- Hands-free and wireless with a strong battery life
- Versatile fit that wraps around multiple body parts
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Lower irradiance than stationary panel devices
- May feel bulky in smaller areas like arms
Why we chose it: Instead of having to carve out time for red light therapy treatments, you can wear the iRestore Flex LED Belt while you work, travel, watch TV or even commuting. I personally love using this belt while I'm working to help my muscles recover after my morning workouts and whenever I feel the pain from my scoliosis kick in. The belt boasts 315 LEDs for optimal coverage wherever you wear it, including the waist, back, shoulders, hips, arms and legs. It has three brightness settings, and you can choose from 10, 20 or 30 minutes of treatment time.
Who it's best for: This belt is great for anyone looking for an LED device that'll fit seamlessly into their busy schedule. Its wraparound design makes it easy to wear while on the go.
Who shouldn't get it: Anyone looking for skin rejuvenation, as the belt's dedicated body panels offer irradiance for those goals.
Pros
- Targeted LED technology
- Small and easily packable
- Comes with 20 Hydrocolloid patches
Cons
- Requires you to hold them in place with your hands unless you buy the refillable Hydrocolloid Patches ($49 for a 20-pack)
Why we chose it: The skin in the periorbital zone is very different from the rest of your face as it’s thinner, has faster collagen loss and is more sensitive. A full face mask may not deliver the concentrated irradiance this area requires.
I liked the DuoLux LED Eye Patches because they deliver targeted 630nm red and 830nm near-infrared wavelengths to address dark circles, puffiness and fine lines. Even though these under-eye patches are marketed for the under eyes, I have also used them for my smile lines.
These became so popular that they're currently out of stock, but the website says the company will be restocking soon.
Who it’s best for: The under-eye red light therapy patches are best for those with concerns in this area, such as fine lines and dark circles. If you choose the Shark CryoGlow face mask, I think these patches are a great complement to the cold therapy the mask delivers.
Who shouldn’t get it: Anyone who wants a multipurpose device or full face coverage. If budget is top of mind, a full-face mask with under-eye coverage is best.
Pros
- The only FDA-cleared, at-home device with triple wavelength technology
- 12-minute treatment time
- 500 lasers and LEDs for maximum scalp coverage
- 12-month hair growth guarantee
Cons
- The most expensive red light therapy device on this list at $1,800
- Cordless use requires a separate purchase for a battery pack ($119)
- Results require months of consistency
Why we chose it: Hair follicles require precise technology to penetrate the scalp effectively. The iRestore offers triple-wavelength technology (625nm, 655nm and 680nm) to penetrate scalp tissue at multiple depths, ensuring efficient treatment. The device also has proprietary VIXO lasers that deliver wider light beams for more uniform coverage.
I started testing the Elite for my thinning edges, which have only gotten worse in my thirties. After two months of consistent use (four to five times a week), I’m already seeing baby hairs growing, so I’m excited to see the initial results after the suggested four to six months.
I also like that the helmet makes your scalp slightly warm during treatment; it feels like a nice hug. But if that’s not something you would personally like, keep that in mind.
Who it’s best for: Anyone who is experiencing early to moderate hair loss, like receding hair line, thinning edges or a widening part.
Who shouldn’t get it: Anyone who doesn’t have the time for 12-minute treatments several times a week, and those with advanced or severe hair loss, since this type of treatment is meant to reactivate dormant hair follicles, not regenerating lost ones.
Pros
- Comfortable design for neck and chest
- Hands-free
- Targets two often neglected areas at once
Cons
- $15 return fee
- Requires at least four to six weeks of consistent use before you see results
Why we chose it: The neck and chest are among the first areas to show signs of aging due to thinner skin and consistent UV exposure. This device was built for this area with a flexible form that covers both places simultaneously.
The Omnilux Contour Neck and Decollete has 108 medical-grade LEDs and delivers a 10-minute treatment. I think this type of device is an excellent complement to an LED face mask.
I have some sun damage and body acne on my chest, and after using this device for a few months, I have noticed that I barely get any breakouts in this area and have less hyperpigmentation. The neck and chest are often overlooked in skin care routines, and using this device made me realize just how much I was neglecting them.
Who it’s best for: Anyone who is concerned about loss of elasticity, crepiness or uneven texture on the neck and chest.
Who shouldn’t get it: Those who haven’t started seeing signs of aging or hyperpigmentation in this area.
Pros
- Innovative tech for better light penetration
- FDA-registered
- Full body coverage
- One of the highest irradiance outputs on this list
Cons
- Heavy at approximately 8 pounds
- Premium price at $699
- 25% restocking fee if the product is returned
Why we chose it: Panel-based red light therapy delivers high irradiance and covers larger surface areas simultaneously, such as your face, neck, chest, back and legs. Clearlight also has proprietary Variable Optics technology, a mix of 7- to 60-degree optical angles that allows light to travel more efficiently.
The panel has an irradiance output of up to 100 mW/cm2, one of the highest on this list.
I like using this as part of my wind-down routine, and I like that I can just sit in front of it without having to use multiple devices for different areas. And it’s small enough to store in a corner of your closet, but it also comes with a stand if you want to leave it displayed or even mount it on a wall.
Who it’s best for: Folks who want full body coverage and those who already own a Clearlight Infrared sauna, as the panel can be mounted directly into it.
Who shouldn’t get it: Anyone who is just getting into red light therapy and will be a casual user, or those with limited storage space.
Best red light therapy decives, compared
| Product | Light specs | Irradiance | Type | Warranty | Returns | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shark CryoGlow | 630nm red, 415nm blue, 830nm deep infrared | 128mW/cm | Hard shell | 2 years | 60 days | $350 |
| iRestore Flex Belt | 690nm amber, 660nm red, 850nm near-infrared | 60-70 mW/cm2 | Fabric belt | 1 year | 60 days | $149 |
| Smoothskin DuoLux LED Eye Patches | 630nm red, 830nm near infrared | 30mW/cm | Silicone patches | 2 years | 30 days | $199 |
| iRestore Elite | 630nm, 655nm, 680nm red | 2,500 mW | Hard shell helmet | 2 years | 12 months | $1,800 |
| Clearlight Personal Tower | 630nm red, 850nm near-infrared | 55-110 mW/cm2 | Personal tower | 5 years | 30 days (25% fee) | $699 |
| Omnilux Contour Neck and Decollete | 633nm red, 830nm near-infrared | 30-35 mW/cm2 | Silicone mask | 2 years | 30 days ($15 fee) | $395 |
Every product on this best list has been tested for at least two months, and some for a few years. Testing consistently (four to five times a week) for at least 60 days with good results is the minimum required for us to deem a product worthy of being on this list.
Beyond hands-on testing, every device on this list has to be cleared or registered with the US Food and Drug Administration. FDA clearance ensures that a device has demonstrated safety and efficacy for its intended use, based on clinical evidence reviewed by the FDA. FDA registration means the manufacturer has listed the device with the FDA, but has not necessarily submitted clinical evidence for review.
Additionally, I evaluated each device based on its specs, such as irradiance, wavelength precision and any special features.
Red light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular regeneration. Red and near-infrared light work by exposing your skin to low-level wavelengths that are absorbed by cellular mitochondria, increasing ATP energy production and accelerating tissue repair.
Red light therapy may help reduce inflammation, boost circulation and enhance cellular function. While red light addresses surface skin issues, near-infrared light penetrates deeper to treat muscles and joints.
The market is saturated with red light therapy products, so even if you don't choose one I personally recommend, keep these features in mind when shopping.
Wavelength: This is one of the most important specs for me. Red light in the 630 to 660nm and near-infrared 810 to 850nm ranges are the most clinically studied. Anything lower than this will not be as effective.
Irradiance: This spec is the power density of light delivered to your skin at a given distance. In general, look for 20 to 50 mW/cm2 for wearable masks and 50 to 100 mW/cm2 for panels used at greater distances.
FDA clearance or registration: FDA clearance requires a manufacturer to submit clinical studies demonstrating that the product is safe and effective. FDA registration, on the other hand, means the device has been presented and registered to the FDA. FDA clearance is a more rigorous process, so we prioritized products with it over those without.
Special features: While not necessary for red light therapy's efficacy, look for features that make your treatment time more enjoyable. For example, some products on this list offer cryotherapy or flexible forms so you can use them on different body parts.
Red light therapy devices are, for the most part, safe and have minimal to no side effects. Some side effects may include feeling slight warmth during treatment or eye sensitivity.
Red light therapy is not recommended for those with photosensitivity or those undergoing cancer treatments. Pregnant people should also consult with their health care provider before using a red light therapy device.
Results depend on the type of device you’re using and what you’re using it for. For example, you may see results in your facial skin (such as fine lines and texture) at around four to six weeks with consistent use (three to five times a week).
For hair growth, the timeline might be a little longer, with some growth after two to three months and significant regrowth at about six months.
For pain management, some feel a difference after only a few days of use, but it also depends on the severity and cause of your pain.