Red Light Therapy Guide
Short answer: Red light therapy (also called photobiomodulation) uses LEDs that emit red and near-infrared light. Home devices range from handheld units and wearable pads to panels and full-body beds. We carry devices from eight brands, from $199 to $89,995. Four specs separate a serious device from a weak one: the wavelengths it emits, its irradiance (mW/cm²), how much of the body it covers, and how long a session takes. Research supports some uses more than others, and consumer devices vary widely, so check the specs and ask your doctor if you have a medical condition.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Prices as of September 2026. This guide is educational and is not medical advice. See our disclaimer.
Browse every published red light article.
In this guide
- What red light therapy is
- Red vs. near-infrared wavelengths
- How to read the specs: irradiance and dose
- Beds, panels, pads and handhelds compared
- Every brand we carry
- What PEMF adds
- Red light vs. infrared sauna
- Buying checklist
- Safety
- All red light guides
- Frequently asked questions
What red light therapy is
Red light therapy exposes the skin to low-level red and near-infrared light from LEDs. Unlike a heat lamp or a sauna, the light itself produces little heat. People use these devices as part of wellness and recovery routines. Research on photobiomodulation is stronger for some uses than others, and the results depend heavily on the wavelength, the power and the dose a device delivers. Manufacturers' marketing does not always reflect that, which is why the specs below matter. See what is red light therapy.
Red vs. near-infrared wavelengths
Light is measured in nanometers (nm). Visible red light sits at roughly 620 to 700 nm. Near-infrared light sits just beyond it, at roughly 700 to 1,100 nm, and is invisible to the eye. Most devices combine the two, and the most common pairing is about 660 nm (red) with about 850 nm (near-infrared). Near-infrared light penetrates deeper than red light, which stays closer to the surface.
Some devices offer more wavelengths and let you control them separately. The Merican beds list five: 633, 660, 810, 850 and 940 nm. Neuronic helmets use 1,070 nm. See the wavelength table for every brand.
How to read the specs: irradiance and dose
- Irradiance (mW/cm²) is how much light power reaches each square centimeter of skin. Ask what distance it was measured at, because power falls as you move away from the panel.
- Dose (J/cm²) is the total energy delivered in a session. The formula is: dose = irradiance (mW/cm²) × time (seconds) ÷ 1,000.
- Example: a device delivering 100 mW/cm² for 60 seconds delivers 6 J/cm².
- LED count alone is not dose. A device with many low-power LEDs can deliver less than one with fewer, stronger ones. Use LED count for coverage and density, and irradiance for power.
- Session length follows from irradiance. A more powerful device reaches a given dose in less time. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your device.
See irradiance and dose explained and how often and how long.
Beds, panels, pads and handhelds compared
| Type | Coverage | Examples we carry | Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handhelds and small devices | Small, targeted areas | Solbasium Bright (660 and 850 nm at 100 mW/cm²), Mito MitoBOOST, Body Balance Foot Revitalizer | Lowest cost and most portable. Treating a large area takes multiple passes. |
| Panels | The area facing the panel | Mito MitoMIN to MitoMEGA, Body Balance ApolloGLOW and ApolloARC | Flexible placement. See beds vs. panels. |
| Wearable pads and belts | One area, hands-free | Solbasium Optix pads (633 and 830 nm, heat), LS Pro Systems pads, Mito MitoQUAD belt, Prism Light Pad | Cordless options are easy to use at home or on the go. |
| Helmets | Head | Neuronic LIGHT and Neuradiant, Mito MitoMIND | Follow the maker's head-use instructions. |
| Full-body beds and systems | Whole body | LS Pro Classic (6,240 LEDs), Merican, Solbasium, Body Balance, Prism Light Pod, Vacuactivus InfraCouch | Largest footprint and price. Check dimensions, weight and power. See bed cost. |
Browse the red light therapy beds and red light therapy devices for current models and pricing.
Every brand we carry
| Brand | What they make | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Mito Red Light | Panels, belt, helmet, intranasal system | $199 to $2,199 |
| Solbasium | Handheld, Optix pads, massage gun, PEMF mat, beds | $199.99 to $59,990 |
| Neuronic | Near-infrared helmets (1,070 nm) | $1,795 to $3,395 |
| Vacuactivus | Red light pads and the InfraCouch recliner | $650 to $8,950 |
| LS Pro Systems | Pads, controllers, Classic and MXP beds | $950 to $89,900 |
| Merican | Ten beds and stand-up systems | $13,000 to $27,000 |
| Body Balance System | Panels, foot device, zero-gravity beds | $995 to $69,997 |
| Prism Light Pod | Portable full-body pad and bed | $9,995 to $89,995 |
See every product in Every Red Light Therapy Device We Carry.
What PEMF adds
PEMF stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. It is a separate technology from light, and some brands pair it with red light in the same device. For example, the LS Pro Systems Sports Performance Pad includes PEMF alongside its red and near-infrared LEDs, the Solbasium Helios bed embeds PEMF and vibration, and Solbasium sells a transparent PEMF mat made to lie on the glass of a red light bed. We also carry PEMF mats and applicators from Oxford Medical Instruments, HealthyLine, QRS and VibraGenix. Evidence for PEMF varies by use. Judge the light specs first and treat PEMF as an add-on. See red light and PEMF.
Red light vs. infrared sauna
They are different products. A red light device delivers a measured dose of red and near-infrared light with little heat. An infrared sauna uses heaters to warm the air and your body for a heat session. Some people use both in one routine, and a few saunas, such as the Medical Breakthrough Medical 6 and Medical 7 Plus, include red light. See our infrared saunas and red light vs. infrared sauna.
Buying checklist
- What are the wavelengths, and can I control them separately?
- What is the irradiance, and at what distance was it measured?
- How much of my body does it cover, and how long will a session take?
- Does it come with eye protection?
- What are the dimensions, weight and power needs, and do they fit my space?
- What does the warranty cover, and who supports it after the sale?
- Is the seller upfront about what the device is and is not intended for?
See the buyer's guide and how to spot underpowered devices.
Safety
- Use the protective eyewear supplied with the device. Do not stare into the LEDs.
- Consult a healthcare professional before use if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, are photosensitive or take medication that increases light sensitivity.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for distance, session length and frequency.
- Intended for general wellness use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. Results vary.
Read red light therapy safety.
All red light guides
- Buyer's guide
- Every red light device we carry
- Beds vs. panels
- LS Pro Systems range
- Solbasium Optix pads
- Red light for athletes
- Portable devices
- Bed cost
- Pads and handhelds for sore areas
- What is red light therapy?
- 660 nm vs. 850 nm
- Irradiance and dose
- Red light vs. infrared sauna
- Red light and PEMF
- How often and how long
- Safety
- Do cheap devices work?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between red light and near-infrared light?
Red light is visible, at roughly 620 to 700 nm. Near-infrared is invisible, at roughly 700 to 1,100 nm, and penetrates deeper. Most home devices use both, commonly about 660 nm and 850 nm.
How do I calculate the dose from a red light device?
Multiply irradiance in mW/cm² by the session time in seconds, then divide by 1,000 to get J/cm². A device delivering 100 mW/cm² for 60 seconds delivers 6 J/cm².
Does a higher LED count mean a better red light device?
Not by itself. LED count indicates coverage and density. Irradiance tells you how much power reaches your skin, so check both.
Is red light therapy the same as an infrared sauna?
No. Red light devices deliver a measured dose of light with little heat, while infrared saunas use heaters to warm your body.
Do I need eye protection?
Yes. Use the protective eyewear that comes with your device and avoid looking directly into the LEDs.
Should I get a bed, a panel, a pad or a handheld?
Choose by coverage. Beds treat the whole body, panels treat the area facing them, pads treat one area hands-free, and handhelds treat small areas at the lowest cost. Contact us if you want help matching a device to your space and routine.