Best At-Home Red Light Therapy Device

Infrared light therapy is a potent, scientifically-proven biohack that can deliver true healing.

Applying red light and infrared light to the skin is one of the most efficient ways to stimulate cellular energy and promote many health benefits.

Until recently, infrared light therapy was only available at expensive saunas.

Nowadays, however, there is a wide selection of simple, effective, infrared and red light therapy devices available for you to set up in your home.

The following article is a roundup of my top red-light device choices to fit any budget.

Biohack Your Brainpower

Stay ahead with our newsletter: cutting-edge biohacking tips and the latest in nootropics, all in one place.

What Is Red Light Therapy?

Red light therapy is a non-invasive zero-contact treatment that delivers light energy of concentrated wavelengths to the skin cells.¹²³

Photobiomodulation is the stimulation of skin healing and regeneration processes by using atraumatic, non-thermal, and non-ionizing red or near-infrared light waves.⁴⁵

Near-Infrared light is a type of light energy that is outside the visible spectrum, meaning that it cannot be seen as red light, but it can be felt as heat.⁶
Red light and near-infrared light produce a cascade of biochemical changes in the cells, which lead to increased production of the energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the skin cell and enable the cell to function more efficiently.⁷⁸⁹

The energy then permeates below the skin to enhance the function of the organs.

Health Benefits Of Red Light Therapy

There are many documented health benefits of Red Light, and infrared light therapy, especially when it comes to cognition. These include:

Mood Boost
Memory Enhancement
Neuroprotection
Neurogenesis
Blood Flow
Neuroinflammation
Blood Pressure
Stem Cell Production

Mood Boost

Overall mood enhancement is where Red light therapy truly shines! (Puns are fun!)

In a clinical study, immediate mood improvement was reported among study participants after just one red light treatment, which is suggestive of an immediate “brain-stimulating” effect of the red light therapy.¹⁰¹¹¹²

In a research study, red light therapy effectively demonstrated the potential of lowering anxiety, depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) among patients.¹³¹⁴¹⁵

Memory Enhancement

One of the most surprising cognitive benefits of red light therapy is its ability to improve memory.

By reducing overall oxidative stress, red light therapy has been clinically proven to enhance memory.¹⁶¹⁷¹⁸

It also aids in recalling old memory, switching tasks, and maintaining visual attention.¹⁹

Neuroprotective

Recent evidence points to red light as a potent defender of the brain.

It does this by encouraging neuronal connectivity.²⁰²¹

Red light therapy has been shown to prevent neurodegeneration and promote neuroprotection, which is beneficial, especially in neurodegenerative cerebral disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s diseases.²²²³

Red Light Therapy Can Be Affordable and Cheap!

Red light therapy can be an extremely pocket-friendly treatment option due to its versatility, convenience, and long-term benefits.

For instance, you can treat several health conditions with just one device and save money on medical bills, drugs, and spa memberships.⁴²

It is also relatively easy to build a budget-friendly DIY Red Light Sauna at home and enjoy all the health benefits at a very affordable price.

What kind of lightbulb is used in red light therapy?

There are 2 types of lights used in red light therapy.

LED
Incandescent heat lamp bulbs.

Experts suggest that there aren’t any significant differences between the light sources in terms of their photobiomodulation effects as long as their wavelengths and power densities are comparable.⁴³

LEDs are monochromatic and emit a single wavelength, which is around 850 nanometers.⁴⁴⁴⁵

Traditional incandescent heat lamp bulbs, emit wavelengths ranging from 600 nanometers to 950 nanometers, which gives a more natural, sun-mimicking effect.

The power densities of both incandescent lamps and LEDs can have a therapeutic photobiomodulation effect if they lie in the range of 10-100 mW/cm2.⁴⁶

Best At-Home Infrared Light Therapy Devices

If you’re looking into purchasing an infrared therapy device for your home its important to distinguish between the two that are available, Full Saunas vs. Red Light Panels

Full Saunas

Our top 2 recommendations for full saunas are Sauna Space and Jacuzzi Saunas.

Sauna Space

Sauna Space is the top-recommended red light infrared sauna company among wellness professionals.

Their revolutionary saunas use specially-designed incandescent bulbs that mimic the sun’s full-spectrum wavelengths.

Each of these saunas is also free from EMF’s which can be problematic with many red light devices on the market.

Sauna Space’s full-body saunas are also easy to set-up and maintain.

They have four available models that range from just a single bulb for spot therapy (the Photon) up to a full-body sauna room.

If you want an affordable spa-quality red-light sauna that delivers the best results on the market Sauna Space is a great choice.

Jacuzzi Saunas

Jacuzzi Saunas are like having a high-end spa in your home.

This luxury brand of full-body saunas have models that can fit 1-5 people.

Each sauna is hand-crafted from the finest Western Red Canadian Cedar or North American Basswood and non-toxic building materials.

Features include:

Low-EMF
High-Quality audio system
Full-Spectrum light therapy

For anyone with the space in their homes and the cash to drop, Jacuzzi Saunas are a great investment for your full mind-body health.

Red Light Panels

Red light panels are a great option for those with limited space and budget but still want the benefits of red light treatment.

Red Rush-⁴⁷

The Red Rush from Red Therapy Co is my top choice for red light panels.

These units are the easiest option to use and set up.

Simply hang it from your door or prop up on a counter against a wall.

The Red Rush LED bulbs deliver 720 Watt Full Body Light.

You can choose between 2 settings:

660nm Red light for simple red light benefits
850nm Near-Infrared for more healing and recovery

I love the Red Rush because it includes a smart-phone app where you can more precisely calibrate your treatment.

MitoRed

For those on a tight budget, the MitoRed lights will do the job.

For less than $300 you can get a MitoMin which is a smaller panel that works for more targeted therapy.

MitoRed also offers larger panels that are easy to set up and use.

Each of their panels comes with options for 660nm Red light or 850nm Infrared.

What is the difference between red light therapy and infrared light therapy?

Red light belongs to the visible light spectrum and has a wavelength between 630-700 nm on the electromagnetic scale, and is used to treat the surface of the skin.⁴⁸⁴⁹⁵⁰

Near-infrared light belongs to the invisible light spectrum and has wavelengths between 700 and 1200 nm.⁵¹⁵²⁵³

The difference in mechanism of action lies in the fact that usually, longer wavelengths penetrate deeper into the skin.⁵⁴⁵⁵⁵⁶

This deeper penetration allows for more efficient detoxification and mitochondrial energy stimulation.

References

1
Alexander Wunsch and Karsten Matuschka, A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase Photomed Laser Surg. 2014
2
Luodan Yang , Yan Dong , Chongyun Wu , Hannah Youngblood , Yong Li , Xuemei Zong , Lei Li , Tongda Xu, Quanguang Zhang, Effects of prenatal photobiomodulation treatment on neonatal hypoxic ischemia in rat offspring Theranostics. 2021
3
P Babilas , E Kohl, T Maisch, H Bäcker, B Gross, A L Branzan, W Bäumler, M Landthaler, S Karrer, R-M Szeimies, In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy Br J Dermatol. 2006
4
Jingnan Zhang, Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu, Hui Yang, Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun, Wenhong Luo, Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia, Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
5
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
6
Alexander Wunsch and Karsten Matuschka, A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and Near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase, Photomed Laser Surg. 2014
7
Glynis Ablon, MD, FAAD,Phototherapy with Light Emitting Diodes Treating a Broad Range of Medical and Aesthetic Conditions in Dermatology J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018
8
Michael Hamblin, Mechanisms of low level light therapy Proceedings of SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering. 2006
9
P Babilas , E Kohl, T Maisch, H Bäcker, B Gross, A L Branzan, W Bäumler, M Landthaler, S Karrer, R-M Szeimies, In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy Br J Dermatol. 2006
10
Shang-Ru Tsai, PhD and Michael R Hamblin, PhD, Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation J Photochem Photobiol B. 2018
11
Gloria M. Reeves, MD, Gagan Virk Nijjar, MD, Patricia Langenberg, PhD, Mary A. Johnson, PhD, Baharak Khabazghazvini, MD, Aamar Sleemi, MD, Dipika Vaswani, MD, Manana Lapidus, MD, Partam Manalai, MD, Muhammad Tariq, MD, Monika Acharya, MD, Johanna Cabassa, MD, Soren Snitker, MD, PhD, and Teodor T. Postolache, MD, Improvement in Depression Scores After 1 Hour of Light Therapy Treatment in Patients With Seasonal Affective Disorder J Nerv Ment Dis. 2017
12
Jingnan Zhang , Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu , Hui Yang , Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun , Wenhong Luo , Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia , Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
13
Marco A Caldieraro, Paolo Cassano Transcranial and systemic photobiomodulation for major depressive disorder: A systematic review of efficacy, tolerability and biological mechanisms J Affect Disord. 2019
14
Jingnan Zhang , Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu , Hui Yang , Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun , Wenhong Luo , Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia , Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
15
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
16
Nicholas Hanforda and Mariana Figueiro, Light Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia: Past, Present, and Future J Alzheimers Dis. 2013
17
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
18
Claudia Dompe , Lisa Moncrieff , Jacek Matys, Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska, Marzena Dominiak, Paul Mozdziak, Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty, Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska , Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
19
Marvin H Berman, James P Halper , Trent W Nichols , H Jarrett , Alan Lundy , Jason H Huang, Photobiomodulation with Near Infrared Light Helmet in a Pilot, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial in Dementia Patients Testing Memory and Cognition J Neurol Neurosci. 2017
20
Shang-Ru Tsai, PhD and Michael R Hamblin, PhD, Biological effects and medical applications of infrared radiation J Photochem Photobiol B. 2018
21
Michael R. Hamblin, Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s Disease: Has the Light Dawned? Photonics. 2019
22
Jingnan Zhang, Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu, Hui Yang, Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun, Wenhong Luo, Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia, Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
23
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
24
Michael R. Hamblin, Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer’s Disease: Has the Light Dawned?Photonics. 2019
25
Claudia Dompe, Lisa Moncrieff, Jacek Matys , Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska , Marzena Dominiak , Paul Mozdziak , Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty , Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska, Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
26
M Bothwell, NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4 Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2014
27
Fredric Schiffer,corresponding Andrea L Johnston, Caitlin Ravichandran, Ann Polcari, Martin H Teicher,Robert H Webb, and Michael R Hamblin, Psychological benefits 2 and 4 weeks after a single treatment with near infrared light to the forehead: a pilot study of 10 patients with major depression and anxietyBehav Brain Funct. 2009
28
Laukkanen T.· Laukkanen J.A. · Kunutsor S.K. Sauna Bathing and Risk of Psychotic Disorders: A Prospective Cohort Study Med Princ Pract 2018
29
S. Gregory Hipskind, Fred L. Grover Jr., T. Richard Fort, Dennis Helffenstein, Thomas J. Burke, Shane A. Quint, Garrett Bussiere, Michael Stone, and Timothy Hurtado, Pulsed Transcranial Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy Using Light-Emitting Diodes Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery. 2018
30
Claudia Dompe, Lisa Moncrieff, Jacek Matys , Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska , Marzena Dominiak , Paul Mozdziak , Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty , Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska, Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
31
S. Gregory Hipskind, Fred L. Grover Jr., T. Richard Fort, Dennis Helffenstein, Thomas J. Burke, Shane A. Quint, Garrett Bussiere, Michael Stone, and Timothy Hurtado, Pulsed Transcranial Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy Using Light-Emitting Diodes Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery. 2018
32
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
33
Jingnan Zhang, Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu, Hui Yang, Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun, Wenhong Luo, Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia, Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
34
Claudia Dompe, Lisa Moncrieff, Jacek Matys , Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska , Marzena Dominiak , Paul Mozdziak , Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty , Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska, Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
35
Michael R Hamblin, Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation AIMS Biophys. 2017
36
S. Gregory Hipskind, Fred L. Grover Jr., T. Richard Fort, Dennis Helffenstein, Thomas J. Burke, Shane A. Quint, Garrett Bussiere, Michael Stone, and Timothy Hurtado, Pulsed Transcranial Red/Near-Infrared Light Therapy Using Light-Emitting Diodes Improves Cerebral Blood Flow and Cognitive Function in Veterans with Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series Photobiomodulation, Photomedicine, and Laser Surgery. 2018
37
Claudia Dompe, Lisa Moncrieff, Jacek Matys , Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska , Marzena Dominiak , Paul Mozdziak , Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty , Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska, Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
38
Jingnan Zhang, Xiangpei Yue , Hongjun Luo , Wenjing Jiang, Yufei Mei , Li Ai , Ge Gao , Yan Wu, Hui Yang, Jieran An , Shumao Ding , Xu Yang , Binggui Sun, Wenhong Luo, Rongqiao He , Jianping Jia, Jihui Lyu , Zhiqian Tong, Illumination with 630 nm Red Light Reduces Oxidative Stress and Restores Memory by Photo-Activating Catalase and Formaldehyde Dehydrogenase in SAMP8 Mice Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019
39
Claudia Dompe, Lisa Moncrieff, Jacek Matys , Kinga Grzech-Leśniak , Ievgeniia Kocherova , Artur Bryja , Małgorzata Bruska , Marzena Dominiak , Paul Mozdziak , Tarcio Hiroshi Ishimine Skiba , Jamil A Shibli , Ana Angelova Volponi , Bartosz Kempisty , Marta Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska, Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications J Clin Med. 2020
40
Wen-Tyng Li , Yao-Chu Leu, Effects of low level red-light irradiation on the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from rat bone marrow Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2007
41
Author(s), Light therapy and stem cells: A therapeutic intervention of the future? Interventional Cardiology. 2011
42
Luodan Yang , Yan Dong , Chongyun Wu , Hannah Youngblood, Yong Li , Xuemei Zong , Lei Li , Tongda Xu , Quanguang Zhang, Effects of prenatal photobiomodulation treatment on neonatal hypoxic ischemia in rat offspring Theranostics. 2021
43
sauna.space, SAUNASPACE INCANDESCENT THERAPY sauna.space. 2020
44
sauna.space, Heat Lamp Bulb sauna.space. 2020
45
sauna.space, SAUNASPACE INCANDESCENT THERAPY sauna.space. 2020
46
sauna.space, SAUNASPACE INCANDESCENT THERAPY sauna.space. 2020
47
redtherapy.co, RedRush High Powered Red Therapy Lights redtherapy. 2015
48
Paul Jarrett, Robert ScraggA short history of phototherapy, vitamin D and skin disease Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2017
49
Luodan Yang , Yan Dong , Chongyun Wu , Hannah Youngblood , Yong Li , Xuemei Zong , Lei Li , Tongda Xu, Quanguang Zhang, Effects of prenatal photobiomodulation treatment on neonatal hypoxic ischemia in rat offspring Theranostics. 2021
50
P Babilas , E Kohl, T Maisch, H Bäcker, B Gross, A L Branzan, W Bäumler, M Landthaler, S Karrer, R-M Szeimies, In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy Br J Dermatol. 2006
51
Paul Jarrett, Robert ScraggA short history of phototherapy, vitamin D and skin disease Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2017
52
Jin-Chul Heo, Ji-Ae Park, Dae-Kwang Kim, and Jong-Ha Lee, Photobiomodulation (660 nm) therapy reduces oxidative stress and induces BDNF expression in the hippocampus Sci Rep. 2019
53
P Babilas , E Kohl, T Maisch, H Bäcker, B Gross, A L Branzan, W Bäumler, M Landthaler, S Karrer, R-M Szeimies, In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy Br J Dermatol. 2006
54
Paul Jarrett, Robert ScraggA short history of phototherapy, vitamin D and skin disease Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2017
55
Luodan Yang , Yan Dong , Chongyun Wu , Hannah Youngblood , Yong Li , Xuemei Zong , Lei Li , Tongda Xu, Quanguang Zhang, Effects of prenatal photobiomodulation treatment on neonatal hypoxic ischemia in rat offspring Theranostics. 2021
56
P Babilas , E Kohl, T Maisch, H Bäcker, B Gross, A L Branzan, W Bäumler, M Landthaler, S Karrer, R-M Szeimies, In vitro and in vivo comparison of two different light sources for topical photodynamic therapy Br J Dermatol. 2006

Biohack Your Brainpower

Stay ahead with our newsletter: cutting-edge biohacking tips and the latest in nootropics, all in one place.

Biohack Your Brainpower

What Is Red Light Therapy?