Red light therapy is a safe treatment that includes irradiating your body with beneficial infrared and near-infrared red light. So, if you are experiencing pain and discomfort, either from physical injury or some kind of chronic condition, it might be a great thing to try it.
In this article, we will discuss some red light therapy devices that are actually alternatives to the best red light therapy bed you might be looking for. Even though you may have found this article, hoping to receive some important information about red light therapy beds, we would like to direct your attention to these devices.
If you read the article and the reviews of our selected products, you will understand the incredible benefits that they may provide and maybe even get encouraged to try one of them out, so stick with us!
Source: allure.com
How We Made This List
Taking into account that red light therapy devices have become very popular in the last few decades, many of these devices have emerged on the market. They have all kinds of characteristics, but there are only a few that matter.
So in light of that, here are the things that we considered when choosing to review these devices.
Frequency
The device’s frequency is one of the crucial factors we have considered when choosing these devices. Generally, the red light frequency, or wavelength, spans from 620 nanometers to 750 nanometers. On the other hand, infrared light has a wavelength spanning from 780 nanometers to 1 millimeter.
Many of the devices we had the chance to sift through had all kinds of specifications regarding frequency. So, knowing what to look for, we were quickly able to filter out the ones that were the real deal.
The proper frequency device may penetrate the skin effectively and stimulate the cells underneath. Red light impacts the skin’s surface, while infrared light goes deeper, targeting pain and inflammation under the skin.
In addition to frequency, you should also keep in mind that you may encounter devices that emit blue light alongside red and infrared. Blue light has been proven to positively affect skin conditions such as acne or eczema.
Alternative for light bed coverage
Bearing in mind that the general idea of our article was to find excellent alternatives to the best red light therapy bed, the devices that we chose are created to target the entire body.
After all, that is why you are searching for a red light therapy bed for home use because you want to feel the effects of red light therapy on your entire body.
Genuinely, larger devices have significantly more output power than smaller devices in terms of irradiance. However, the downside is that they are also more expensive.
While selecting the proper devices for our list, we ensured they were excellent in terms of quality and affordability while covering the entire body in one therapy session.
One of the devices we included is also versatile because it comprises several pads forming one large mat. This makes it ideal for both localized and full-body use, and you will learn more about it below.
Device radiation intensity
Irradiance is the energy value that a red light therapy device can deliver. It is the determining factor when choosing any device of this sort.
Higher irradiance devices result in better, more effective results, especially when you plan to use them at home.
This power output of red light therapy devices is measured in milliwatts per square centimeter or mW/cm2. An excellent red light therapy device would emit at least 100-200 mW/cm2, and our selected devices perform within that range.
Irradiance depends very much on the distance between you and the device. The closer the distance, the more power will be delivered to the cells, resulting in more effective treatment.
On the other hand, if you sit too far from the device, the red and infrared light will have a weaker penetrating power, resulting in longer therapy sessions to achieve the desired result.
So, combining potent devices in terms of irradiance with their larger size for full-body coverage, we were able to choose great alternatives for a red light therapy bed that you can use at home.
Price range
Red light therapy beds can be pretty expensive. Many people simply don’t want to pay over $5,000-$6,000 for one bulky device, which in the end, takes up a lot of space and is not that convenient. And why would you, when there are cheaper and as effective solutions as buying a red light therapy bed?
With the device below, you will experience all of the fantastic benefits of red light therapy, all for a price range below $1,000.
A price in this range may still seem expensive to you. But consider that if you get a super cheap device, you will also get the drawbacks and limits that low-end products tend to carry with them.
We wanted to extend the budget options a little bit, selecting products that offer the best value red light therapy for the money you are paying.
Spending some extra cash will not hurt your budget that much, but it will significantly impact the quality and performance you get out of the device in the long run.
Best Red Light Therapy Bed: Tested & Reviewed
- Sparkle Mats – Crystal Heating Pad Mat
- DGXINJUN– Red Light Pad Mat
- Hooga – Red Light Therapy Device
1. Sparkle Mats’ Crystal Heating Pad Mat
- ADVANCED BIO MAT INFRARED MAT: This FIR far infrared heating mat is equipped with devices of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (2 coils...
- RELIEVE PAIN & STRESS: Experience soothing warmth that melts away pain (back pain relief), stress, and worries, akin to a rejuvenating...
- GEMSTONE THERAPY WITH AMETHYST & TOURMALINE: Restore your aura, energize and balance your chakras with 4.5 pounds of gem-quality amethyst...
The crystal heating pad mat from Sparkle Mats is probably the best substitute for a red light therapy bed on the market. Why? Because it offers five energy therapies merged to create a perfect healing experience.
Using gemstone therapy, this incredible device may promote the vasodilation of the blood, decreasing blood pressure and stimulating a more effective blood flow. After just 20 minutes on the pad, you will start to feel the effects of the heating gemstones.
The brand offers you three mat sizes depending on your preference:
- Portable mat
- Mini mat
- Full-size mat
You need to purchase your preferred device option and plug it into the electrical outlet. Unfortunately, you can’t use any of the devices without it.
The manufacturer of this pad offers 108 days of the money-back guarantee, which is an excellent timeframe for you to try out the product.
If you don’t feel like you’ve experienced any benefits within that period, you can ask for a full refund. Their customer support team is very effective and will help you with anything you need. You can reach them every weekday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
Features
Sparkle Mats’ crystal heating pad mat is an attractive red light therapy device with many features.
It uses red light technology with built-in 20W 660 nanometers red lights and infrared heating pads combined with negative ions. These parts may give you a relaxed sleep, improved mood, increased performance, and peace and calm.
One of its most significant traits is the use of natural amethyst crystals in its structure. Merged with artisan tourmaline disks, they may help balance the flow of energy within the body while improving any traumas you may have sustained.
The Sparkle Mats heating pad is designed with five layers, which offer excellent protection against any EMF that may be unhealthy for the body. This is a feature that many low-end blankets and pads do not possess.
Using this mat, you will feel a whole new level of freshness, just as if you had a 90 minutes yoga session with a certified professional. All that without any exercise!
Pros
- Cozy and warm
- Five EMF-blocking layers
- Contains amethyst crystals
- A 108 days money-back guarantee
- A five-year warranty
- Free cushion topper as a bonus
- Excellent customer support
Cons
- It might be unavailable at times
- Must be plugged into the outlet
2. DGXINJUN’s Red Light Pad Mat
- 23.6” x 39.3” 4 pads Large therapy area - Making therapy time dramatically shorter & total 968 pcs red and deep penetrating infrared...
- Safe Solution – This drug free light therapy device shows no negative side effect on people. It helps speed up joint recovery and...
- Auto shut-off timer（20 minutes), do not exceed 40 minutes of use in one therapy session, cool your body and have some water before next...
The red light therapy mat composed of several pads by the manufacturer DGXINJUN is a versatile and beneficial device.
The product has received many positive reviews on Amazon, which is one of the reasons we decided to make it part of our list in this article.
The device uses a combination of red and infrared lights to promote blood circulation and deeply penetrate any exposed tissue in your body.
Doing so may stimulate the rapid healing of the damaged cells and improve the function of all healthy cells.
Many doctors and professional athletes worldwide use this device, and others like it from this manufacturer. That tells a lot about the effectiveness of this device since if it is being used by people who understand the benefits of red light therapy, then it must be the real deal.
Besides, the FDA has also cleared this device, which means that it is effective and safe to use.
Features
DGXINJUN’s red light pad mat features several traits that make it stand out from other products in its category.
First of all, it has 484 red lights and 484 infrared lights, which give 968 lights, penetrating deeply into every exposed tissue on your body without exception. Red light operates at a 660 nanometers wavelength, while infrared light works at 880 nanometers.
The mat consists of four separate pads, each 23.6″ by 11″ in dimension. They make an area of 23.6″ by 44.4″, which is very suitable for the entire body. You can even use them separately for isolated body parts such as knees, elbows, shoulders, neck, etc.
Moreover, the device has an external automatic shut-off timer, which goes off after 20 minutes to protect you from overusing it. It is also recommended that you do not go past 40 minutes of use in one therapy session and make sure to cool your body down and hydrate yourself afterward.
Additionally, the device needs electricity to operate and has a long power cord for convenience. Unfortunately, there is no option to use the therapy device wirelessly.
Pros
- Total of 968 lights
- Safe with no adverse effects
- Recommended by doctors
- FDA-cleared
Cons
- Needs an electrical outlet to function
- It might be costly for some people
3. Hooga’s Red Light Therapy Device
- HOOGA HG Series: The HG series is our entry level series, perfect for getting started with red and near infrared light therapy. No...
- High Powered Home Use: Red light therapy used to be limited to expensive salons and clinics but now thanks to high powered, energy efficient...
- Specific & Proven Wavelengths: Our light therapy devices use clinically proven wavelengths of red and near infrared light at 660 (red) and...
Hooga’s red light therapy device made its way to our list, even though it differs from the other two devices we have reviewed so far.
That is because we liked its unique features, especially the one where you can choose red light or infrared light therapy separately or together.
The device produces very low levels of EMF, no blue lights, and outputs adequate amounts of both red and infrared light. That way, it is focused on producing effective results for your body and your overall well-being.
Suppose you are in the market for a red light therapy bed for home use. In that case, you might find this device to be a perfect substitute because it offers excellent irradiance power, multiple positions during therapy, and a very convenient two-year warranty.
Granting you more than 50.000 plus hours, you will undoubtedly enjoy the therapy sessions with this device and reap the benefits over and over every time.
Overall, Hooga’s red light therapy device has received many positive reviews from buyers, and we will look into some of its features below.
Features
The red light therapy device by Hooga is probably one of a kind, offering red light and infrared light therapy.
It is unique because you can have either red light therapy or infrared light therapy independently or both simultaneously. You can choose the therapy method via the switches located at the top of the device.
With a size measuring 35.8″ by 8.2″, the red light panel by Hooga is quite a large and bulky device, offering a high irradiance output. Irradiance, measured in milliwatts per square centimeter, is output by this device at 100 mW/cm2 on the surface, making it a high-quality and high-standard device.
This red light therapy device is mainly designed to be hung on a door, wall, or ceiling. You can use it in a standing or lying position, and because of its size, it is only designed to provide full-body red light therapy.
Pros
- Might improve sleep
- A two-year warranty
- Very long lifespan of 50.000+ hours
- May provide effective treatments
Cons
- Designed explicitly for entire-body
- Not as convenient as other RLT devices
Factors to Consider When Buying RLT Devices
Red light therapy sessions at home have many advantages. For example, they are more convenient than going to regular treatments at a wellness center.
We will cover some of the things you should look out for when deciding which red light therapy device to buy.
Your needs
Are you going to use the device to treat a localized discomfort or injury?
If that is the case, we suggest you buy a handheld red light therapy device instead of one that covers your entire body. Not that a full-body therapy device would not help, it’s just that it is not worth spending all that extra money on something that should only help a specific part of your body.
Localized handheld red light devices have proven to work great for this purpose and are a cheaper option as well.
On the other hand, are you suffering from chronic pain or fatigue that affects your entire body?
Well, then, a full-body red light therapy device is what you are looking for. Larger devices of this sort usually have higher output power since they also work on electricity and minimize the therapy duration.
You will be exposed to the red light for a significantly shorter amount of time because of the higher power output.
Larger panels are better suited if you suffer from certain conditions like Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, skin conditions like eczema, etc.
FDA approval
Using an FDA-approved product is generally a better option because it has undergone numerous tests and practical applications before being approved for sale.
Due to the tests and the device’s approval, it may be more costly than other non-approved devices. You will encounter many devices that do not have the FDA seal.
It is okay to purchase a device without FDA approval as long as you make sure that the device is of good quality and provides the treatment that it states. You can also ask someone or read the opinion of someone using such a device to make sure.
However, using a non-approved FDA device should make you more aware while undergoing therapy. Ensure not to overuse the device and always stick to the recommended time intervals for each session.
You also may want to wear protective glasses to cover your eyes since exposure to red light for prolonged periods may cause eye damage.
Exposure time
The exposure time to the red light is something you should pay attention to.
Every device is different in this regard, and while most have an automatic shut-down timer, they may differ in time measurement. You may encounter devices that shut off after 5, 20, 30, or even 60 minutes.
In most cases, the timer for maximum exposure on any device would go off after 20 minutes. This seems to be the best time interval for any red light therapy.
Besides that, the number of red and infrared lights on the device also plays a role in the exposure time. Namely, if a device has a higher number of lights, which are more potent at the same time, then the amount of time to be exposed to the therapy should be very short, and vice versa.
Distance also plays a part in this segment. The farther you are from the device, the more time it will be required for the benefits of the red light therapy to kick in.
The correct dose and exposure time are not yet known for sure. But in any case, avoid being exposed for more than 40 minutes at a time.
A flickering feature
The flickering capability of a red light therapy device simply means that it has the option to turn on and off the light at a rapid pace. This is also known as a pulsating device.
Flickering is an intentionally added feature to some devices to produce specific biological effects.
We mention flickering because it is an important thing that you need to consider when buying a red light therapy device.
Flickering has been associated with problems concerning brain function, stress, and epileptic attacks. So, if you are by any chance an epileptic, you should avoid purchasing a pulsating or flickering red light device.
None of the devices we reviewed have the flickering feature built-in, so there is nothing to worry about. Just in case, though, it is a piece of useful information to know if you decide to choose and purchase another red light device from a different brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is red light therapy?
The term red light therapy is the one we use to describe the usage of red and infrared light to stimulate the body’s cells to repair themselves.
Red light operates at a 660 nanometers wavelength, while infrared light operates at about 850 nanometers. Red light may be beneficial for the skin surface, while infrared light penetrates 2 inches below the skin, reaching the deep tissue cells.
How does red light therapy work?
As we have said previously, red light therapy works to stimulate the cells and increase the rate at which they repair themselves. It does this by energizing the mitochondria, the part of the cell where the energy is created in the form of adenosine triphosphate.
As a result, the mitochondria produce more energy, which the cell can use to repair and rejuvenate itself with.
How is red light therapy different from laser therapy?
Unlike laser therapy, which works by damaging the skin’s surface to promote healing, red light therapy does no such thing. It may stimulate skin and tissue repair directly without causing prior damage.
The red light has enough power to penetrate up to 5 millimeters under the skin, stimulating every segment connected to its surface.
What exactly can red light therapy help you with?
There is constant scientific research to determine whether or not red light therapy has some actual medical benefits.
Even though there is not yet strong and conclusive evidence of any actual benefits, research has suggested that therapy with red light may have positive effects on several conditions. Some benefits it may provide are:
- Help to promote tissue repair.
- Aid the body with the healing of wounds.
- Improve collagen production in the skin, reducing any wrinkles.
- Help with sunburn.
- Aid with sores caused by the herpes virus.
- Relieve joint pain in people with arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Alleviate inflammation and pain.
- Help to blend any scars.
- Improve hair growth.
What will the feeling be like during the red light therapy?
During the course of the treatment and right after, you should expect to feel warmth, calmness, and relaxation.
It would not be odd to feel some sort of skin tightness, which is quite normal, because of the heat generated by the red light.
Depending on how much time you have been exposed to the red light or how far away you are, you may also feel some discomfort. If that is the case, cut down on the exposure time, or distance yourself a bit more from the device.
How often should you use red light therapy?
When you are first starting with the therapy treatments, it is best to repeat them three to six times a week, depending on the severity of the pain or discomfort you are feeling. This goes for both localized and full-body red light therapy treatments.
After you see an improvement and the condition improves, it is best to continue treatments, not stop them entirely.
You should decrease the intervals, though, to a maximum of three times a week to maintain the positive results that have been achieved.
How long before seeing any results?
First of all, you should remember that red light therapy is not a remedy. It is beneficial in relieving the symptoms of several conditions, but it is not considered a cure. As we’ve already stated, you need to continue using the red light device in continuity to maintain the gained results.
The matter is subjective regarding how long it would take for results to manifest. If the condition is muscle soreness and recovery, you should expect to experience a quick positive reaction to the treatment.
On the other hand, chronic skin conditions like eczema may require several months to start mending and healing. That is because stimulating new cell growth and cell repair takes more time, so you should be patient.
Are there any risks from using red light therapy?
No, there are not any serious long-term risks from using red light therapy. Unlike laser therapy and UV light, red light may not produce skin burns.
The only side effects that might manifest are redness and tightness of the skin. According to our research, these results mainly manifest in people with very sensitive skin.
Concerning the relation between red light therapy devices and electromagnetic fields or EFM, the common thing is that they may emit harmful EMF signals.
The fact is that every such device emits EMF signals, which is a normal consequence of their operation, and the harm to the body is practically minimal to non-existent.
Do red light therapy devices require regular maintenance?
No, the devices we reviewed require no maintenance whatsoever. They all have at least a two-year warranty for one, but we are sure that they will serve you for a much more extended period than that.
The devices are built from high-quality LED lamps, which are long-lasting and rarely malfunction. Besides, their power consumption is extremely low, which means you will also save money on electricity.
Conclusion
Red light therapy is a popular method among many people in treating some sorts of discomfort and medical conditions. Wellness and spa centers have their hands full from people constantly undertaking red light therapy sessions.
So, you might have decided to purchase a bed and have red light therapies from the convenience of your own home.
Red light therapy bed might not be the best choice since it is more expensive and bulky, requiring a lot of free space in your home where you can place it.
We decided to review some excellent alternatives, which will do the job perfectly and cost way less. Also, we hope this article about the best red light therapy bed has helped you to find the most suitable device.
Try one and see for yourselves the benefits they offer.
Hello! I’m Nicky Rodgers.
Almost a decade ago, I got excited about the idea of employing alternative methods like red light therapy to create a healthier life.
To learn more about it, I did my Certified Light Therapist course from Photonic Therapy Institute and started looking into the intricacies of how light therapy influences several bodily processes. Before I knew it, my interest had become an obsession which resulted in this extensive blog.
Here, I offer countless well-researched articles to help you understand the benefits and uses of light therapy. I hope this information gives you a head start in your wellness journey.