Red light therapy at home has never been more accessible. With so many devices on the market, the latest wellness trend is no longer a luxury limited to a spa day treatment. Now, you can reap the benefits of this revolutionary therapy right in the comfort of your own home, thanks to a range of effective devices designed for personal use. This therapy, which uses low-energy red and near-infrared light waves, is a natural and non-invasive treatment that heals the body on a cellular level. It's an amazing wellness solution that can tackle inflammation through to pain relief and more. To help you on your way, we have rounded up the best devices that fit a range of budgets and needs.
So what are the multitude of benefits that red light therapy offers? Well, it's been shown to naturally reduce inflammation and pain in skin, muscles, and other tissues. Plus, it's particularly effective in improving skin health and appearance. Meaning you don't always need to rely on the best collagen supplementsfor boosting blood flow and stimulating collagen-producing cells, as red light therapy can firm up skin, reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, and generally improve your appearance.
Best red light therapy at home at a glance:
• Best overall: HELIOS 2 Series Red Light Therapy Device – view on Amazon UK
• Best red light therapy heat lamp device: Beurer IL11 Infrared Heat Lamp – view on Amazon UK
• Best red light therapy device for the face: MAGNITONE LED Cleanse + Glow – view on Magnitone
This is especially effective for women - due to when we age, our estrogen levels decrease, and, in turn, collagen levels naturally decline. Making red light therapy a natural treatment that can help you look and feel your best. In our guide, we focus primarily on red light therapy devices for the home - but be sure to check out our guide to the best anti ageing red light therapy masks.
In this list, we take a look at the best red light therapy devices for home use. So whether you're new to red light therapy or looking to upgrade your current device, this guide will help you on your way - so you can achieve your wellness goals right at home.
Best devices for red light therapy at home
Best overall
This is our top choice for an at-home red light therapy device, offering a range of benefits in a large, versatile size. Whether you're seeking improved skin or reduced inflammation, this large infrared pannel device has got you covered. It uses 1500W of deep red and infrared light therapy and is made from high-quality materials that bring the professional treatment experience right into your home.
Customer review: "These products from this company are very good quality, and the customer service is excellent. I would not hesitate to recommend them."
Pros
- The large panel targets all areas of the body
- Flicker-free and low EMF
- Adjustable timer and intensity
- Three Year Warranty included
Cons
- It might be too large for some users who prefer a more compact device.
Best red light therapy heat lamp device
If you are looking for something accessible and easy to use, then Beurer IL21 is the perfect blend of functionality and affordability. It is easy to use and contains a 150W infrared heating lamp that is designed to relieve pain, relax muscles, and improve circulation. The infrared light helps with skin texture and reduces wrinkles by increasing collagen and more. Plus, it has three heat settings and a timer too.
Customer review: "Helped my injured knee so well - stopped taking tablets, and back walking again."
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Two-year warranty
- Heat setting too
- Five angle settings
Cons
- Best targeted at the face
Best red light therapy device for the face
www.magnitone.co.uk
The Magnitone LED Cleanse Glow Collection is a more comprehensive infrared light therapy device that offers seven different LED lights. The lights emit a variety of wavelengths, including red, blue, green, yellow, amber and white. The device is adjustable in terms of intensity and timer, so you can customise your treatment.
Our review: "This simple cleansing brush and tri-colour face mask is an affordable and effective way to treat blemishes. I just keep this by the side of my bed to wear before I go to sleep for 15 minutes. The mask is lightweight, and four micro-sonic cleansing settings make the cleansing brush a 2-in-1 device that clears the skin after the day."
Pros
- Portable and easy to use
- 7 LED lights (red, blue, green, yellow, amber, white, and far-infrared)
- Adjustable timer and intensity
Cons
- Targeted for only the face
Best red light therapy device for massage
www.therabody.com
A cross between a facial massage and infrared therapy, the TheraFace Pro is a versatile and customisable at-home light therapy device that will uplevel your wellness routine. It comes with six attachments: a microcurrent ring to firm and tighten the skin, red light therapy LED to reduce wrinkles, blue light to treat acne, a red and infrared light ring to reduce pain and stimulate collagen, and a cleansing brush head for removing dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. It is easy to use and makes for a fantastic pick-me-up treatment whenever your skin is feeling dull. Plus, it only takes five to eight minutes for a full treatment.
Pros
- Highly customisable with six different attachments
- Easy to use
- Quick treatment time of five to eight minutes
Cons
- Best for facial use
Best red light therapy device for lying down
www.currentbody.com
One of the most sought-after red light therapy devices on the market - the Dermalux LED Light Therapy Device, uses red and near-infrared light to rejuvenate cells, treat signs of ageing and acne, and improve overall skin health. It is the world's best-selling LED device and has a combination of 360 lights in blue, red and near-infrared shades, all of which command very different cellular actions to the damaging wavelengths of UV light. Easy to use - the device is designed with a flexible LED canopy for your comfort.
Customer review: "If I do fractional laser or rf microneedeling on my face, I would not be able to go out for few days. Using this device after these treatments, my skin repairs immediately and looks great by the next day. The quality of my skin improved a lot since I started to use it. I strongly recommend it!"
Pros
- World's best-selling LED mask
- Has a flexible LED canopy
- Comes with a travel bag
Cons
- High-end product may not be accessible to everyone
Best premium red light therapy device for the face
www.lookfantastic.com
The DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro by Dr Dennis Gross is a medical-grade, FDA-cleared light therapy device that uses red and blue light to boost collagen production, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin density, target discolouration, and clear acne. The facial treatment uses a combination of 62 LED lights in blue mode and 100 LED lights in red mode to help address different needs. The treatment time is just three minutes, making it easy to incorporate into a daily routine.
Customer review: "I purchased this to help with healing after surgery to my face. From my experience, it worked wonders in reducing bruises and inflammation. I haven’t noticed a difference to my skin in terms of anti-ageing but have only been using it for two weeks, and it does say you need to use it daily for ten weeks."
Pros
- Hands-free, full-face design
- Three treatment options
- Automatic shutoff after 3 minutes
- Detachable, adjustable head strap
Cons
- Just targets the face
- The strap needs adjusting for every use
Best red light therapy device for hands
Give your hands the pampering they deserve with the Omnilux Contour Glove. This innovative device is designed specifically for hands, addressing signs of ageing while also improving mobility by relieving joint pain and stiffness. It's like a spa treatment for your hands, right in the comfort of your own home.
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Customer review:** "I’ve used this glove almost once/day (10 min) for approximately 4 weeks, and it really seems to be making the skin on the back of my hands look less aged. Wrinkles have softened and sun spots are fading. I hope to see continued progress, at which point I’ll back off to 3 times/week"
Pros
- Specifically designed for hands
- Improves the appearance of sunspots and pigmentation
- Reduces inflammation and joint pain
- Adjustable strap
Cons
- Only treats one hand at a time, which may be time-consuming for some users
Best red light therapy device bulb
Affordable and effective - this portable infrared lamp is easy and quick to set up and use. It comes with an adjustable tilt angle and height for direct where you need it, so you can enjoy the light at home. Whether you want to keep it in your bedroom to help you wind down or in your office to counteract blue light. One thing to note is that it does require a clip-on bulb holder such as this one or an adjustable lamp such as a desk lamp.
Customer review: "The durability and power of this infrared light are truly impressive. In comparison to other alternatives, it offers excellent value for money. If you're contemplating experimenting with red light therapy, this bulb is an outstanding choice. I would recommend this bulb for its performance."
Pros
- High power LEDs
- Portable and practical
- Affordable option
Cons
- It requires a clip-on bulb holder or adjustable desk lamp
Buyer's guide: Red light therapy at home
We spoke to Clinic Director and Dermatology and Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Emma Coleman, who works in collaboration with MAGNITONE, about the benefits of red light therapy and how to integrate it into our daily routines.
What does red light therapy do?
You may have heard the term 'red light therapy' thrown around by wellness influencers and spa treatments, but what does 'red light' really mean? We spoke to Emma to find out.
"Red LED light appears at a wavelength of 650-950nm and penetrates to dermal level. Of all of the LED Light Colours, red penetrates to the deepest level, affecting skin behaviour at a cellular level. Several studies have provided evidence that R-LED (Red LED light) promotes fibroblast activity, encouraging rejuvenation and healing."
Is red light therapy safe to use at home, and are there any potential side effects?
"At-home R-LED devices tend to have a wavelength at the lower end of the red spectrum, making them safe to use at home," says Emma. "The way that the bulbs are out together also makes them less powerful compared to in-clinic devices, so safety is not an issue; users may experience mild erythema (skin redness) after use."
What are the different types of red light therapy devices available for the home?
"Masks are the most common type of device available as they are portable and provide easy application. Many are designed to shut off after a set period of time for safety and optimal results. Portable, free-standing lamps are also available."
How long should you use red light therapy on your face?
Emma recommends a dosage of 10 minutes three times weekly for a period of eight weeks to really change the way the cells in the skin are behaving.
The frequency of use can vary depending on the specific device and your personal wellness goals. However, most people find that a session every other day is effective. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.
Can red light therapy be used for skincare or anti-ageing purposes, and if so, what are your recommendations for achieving optimal results?
R-LED is great to be used as part of an evening skincare routine. Apply for 10 minutes to bare face after cleansing and before applying serum and moisturisers. This ensures that the light is able to penetrate skin layers optimally. There is some clinical evidence that frequent application of R-LED significantly reduces facial rhytides (wrinkles), over a nine to twelve-week period, so I usually recommend 3-4 weekly applications of the LED for 10 minutes, aiming for a three-month course.
FAQs: Red light therapy at home
Is red light therapy safe for women over 50?
Absolutely! Red light therapy is safe for individuals of all ages. In fact, it can be particularly beneficial for women over 50, as it can help improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and alleviate age-related ailments such as joint pain and inflammation.
What should I look for in a home red light therapy device?
When choosing a red light therapy device for home use, several types are available. These range from handheld devices to larger panels, each offering different levels of intensity and coverage. The key is to choose a device that offers efficient and durable LED lights, clinically proven red light waves between 630-680nm, and near-infrared light waves between 800-880nm. The device should also have a low electromagnetic frequency (EMF) output to ensure safety too. Clinical research proves that red light therapy is useful in treating numerous conditions and diseases. There are hundreds of studies that explore and demonstrate the efficacy of red light therapy using a variety of wavelengths for a wide range of purposes. You can take a look at a few of the example studies here.
Meet the expert:
This article contains expert advice from Dermatology and Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner Emma Coleman, who works in collaboration with MAGNITONE.
Ellen Kinsey is a senior health and wellness product writer for Yours, specialising in natural health and beauty. She lives and breathes all things food, travel and wellness.
