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Buying Guide•November 2, 2024
Panels vs. Masks vs. Wands: Which Red Light Device Should You Buy?
6 min read
The red light therapy market is flooded with options. Face masks, handheld wands, full-body panels, targeted wraps. How do you decide what's actually worth buying?
The Powerhouse
Full-Body Panels
Large LED arrays designed to treat significant body areas at once.
- Pros: Highest power, treats multiple areas, systemic benefits
- Cons: Higher cost, requires space, not portable
- Best For: Serious users wanting comprehensive treatment
Skincare Focused
LED Face Masks
Wearable masks with LEDs positioned to cover the face.
- Pros: Hands-free, convenient, lower price than panels
- Cons: Lower power, face only, variable quality
- Best For: Skincare-focused users wanting simplicity
Portable
Handheld Wands
- Pros: Affordable, travel-friendly, spot treatment
- Cons: Tiny coverage, time-consuming, manual movement required
- Best For: Beginners or spot treatments
My Recommendation
If you're going to invest, a quality full-body panel is the best long-term value. It treats face, body, and scalp with high power, offering systemic benefits that masks can't match.
Checklist
What to Look For
- Specified wavelengths (not just 'red')
- Power output/irradiance specifications
- Third-party testing data
- Regulatory clearances (FDA, Health Canada)
- Warranty and support
Don't buy based on marketing claims alone. Look for devices backed by real specifications and testing.