Red light therapy (also known as photobiomodulation) isn’t just a trend anymore, it’s officially part of the skin care conversation, showing up in dermatologist offices, influencer routines, and your best friend’s bathroom drawer. But with most at-home devices costing a few hundred dollars (or more), it’s fair to wonder: Which ones are actually worth your money?
Over the past year and a half, our editors and testers have tried close to two dozen of the most talked-about at-home red light therapy devices—from LED face masks to helmets, panels, and wands—focusing on those that are FDA-cleared or dermatologist-recommended. During testing, we evaluate everything from treatment time and ease of use to visible improvements in brightness, firmness, and overall skin clarity.
The standout? The Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand. Recommended by dermatologists, this compact device combines red light therapy with facial massage, gentle warmth, and galvanic current to help skin care products absorb more effectively. It’s also more affordable than many of its high-end competitors.
But if you’re after something else—maybe a hands-free treatment or even a portable panel—we found a handful of other options that genuinely live up to the hype.
The best red light therapy devices, at a glance
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Foreo FAQ 301 LED Hair Strengthening Scalp Massager
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We scanned the market for the most popular and well-reviewed at-home red light therapy devices of all types, plus polled dermatologists to see which ones they recommend to their own patients and even use themselves. Then we asked both men and women over the age of 30 with various skin concerns to put more than a dozen FDA-cleared devices to the test.
Our testers evaluated each product’s design and noted any standout features, plus considered attributes like ease of use and treatment time. And since it takes time—months!—for measurable results, we asked each tester to continue using their device over the course of the year to better evaluate efficacy.
Of course, we are consistently trying any updated or new models—like the latest from Shark, which we think is one of the more unique options to hit the market in the past year, though we’re not done fully evaluating it. We will continue to update this article to include more concrete testing notes as time passes.
Best Overall: Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Skincare Wand
- What we love: Portable; adjustable head; delivers other skin benefits simultaneously; great for spot treatments
- What could improve: You have to manually work your entire face and neck; only red light
True to its name, this little pen-size device—recommended by three dermatologists—bundles four skin treatments into one multitasking magic wand: In addition to the red light, it offers “galvanic current for better skin-care-product absorption, gentle and therapeutic warmth to soothe skin, and facial massage to boost radiance,” says Margarita Lolis, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. She says the rotating head is a big bonus, too, since it allows you to more effectively pass over the contours of your face, providing direct contact with the light.
In our Solawave review, Glamour senior beauty editor Ariana Yaptangco described the device as “very user-friendly,” adding, “I notice an immediate difference in puffiness and lift after using the Solawave wand. In the morning it really helps drain my face of any fluid buildup from overnight.” It does take 12 minutes, which may feel like a long time to manually run a wand across your face, but we like how easy this device is to store, plus appreciate the portability. Toss it in your cosmetics case and bring it wherever you go.
Best Red Light Therapy Panel: ReVive Light Therapy Lux dpl IIa LED Full Face Wrinkle & Acne Treatment Panel
ReVive Light Therapy Lux dpl IIa LED Full Face Wrinkle & Acne Treatment Panel
Original video from Charlotte Twine testing ReVive Light Therapy Lux dpl IIa LED Full Face Wrinkle & Acne Treatment Panel
- What we love: Versatile; quick treatment time; easy to store and doesn’t take up a lot of space; red and blue light
- What could improve: It should sit directly on skin, which can be a little challenging, depending on the area
Unlike LED face masks that contour to your face, this full-face panel opens like a book and can be used on multiple areas of the body, including the neck, chest, and even your arms. Really, you can use it anywhere you can hold it in place for about three minutes. There aren’t any straps to contend with and you don’t need a ton of space like with other full-body panels. Still, it delivers four different wavelengths of light (deep red, red, amber, and blue) to help address a variety of skin health concerns, from fine lines to breakouts.
“The best thing about this red light therapy device is that it’s versatile—it can be used on different areas of the body,” says Glamour tester Charlotte Twine. “I’ve been using ReVive’s device on my décolletage to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, which have accumulated there since I turned 50. After a few days, I do see that the area’s roughness looks slightly smoother, but I’m happy to keep using it for a few weeks to watch for more improvements, especially when used in conjunction with serums and moisturizers.”
Best for Scalp Health: Foreo FAQ 301 LED Hair Strengthening Scalp Massager
Foreo FAQ 301 LED Hair Strengthening Scalp Massager
Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Foreo FAQ 301 LED Hair Strengthening Scalp Massager
- What we love: Compact and cordless; waterproof; quick treatment time
- What could improve: Using the included serum may make hair a bit greasy
If you’re dealing with hair thinning or shedding—or just want to show your scalp a little extra love—this waterproof, palm-size massager uses a combination of red LED light and Foreo’s signature T-Sonic massage to boost circulation, break up buildup, and enhance the absorption of hair serums or oils. We love that it’s entirely cordless, rechargeable, and designed to fit comfortably in your hand. It’s also waterproof, so you can use it in or out of the shower.
“I’ve never used an LED tool for my scalp before, so I was a little apprehensive before testing this out, but I ended up loving it,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary. “It has a powerful vibration that’s almost like a massage for your scalp. You can make it a little more or less intense as you please. The red light is superbright and feels warm upon contact. I didn’t find that my hair and scalp were irritated during use, which I appreciated. As to whether it made my hair grow over the past couple weeks? The jury is still out. I haven’t noticed a huge difference, though my hair is a little bit thicker around my crown and I am seeing some baby hair growth.”
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Silk’n Titan MultiPlatform
Silk’n Titan MultiPlatform
Original video from Brigitt Early testing Silkn Titan MultiPlatform
- What we love: Four intensities for comfort; three-in-one beauty tool; two treatment heads for different areas of the face and neck, good for wrinkles
- What could improve: Long treatment time
For those who really want to target hyperpigmentation and dark spots, Silk’n makes a handheld device that combines three technologies: bipolar radiofrequency, which heats up the deeper layers of the skin and helps increase collagen and elastin production; near-infrared, which also penetrates the skin to boost collagen and elastin; and red light to improve blood circulation and enhance tone and texture. It comes with two treatments heads: one smaller and more precise for hard-to-reach areas such crow’s feet, eye bags, mouth wrinkles, nasolabial lines, and tear troughs; and a larger magnetic one that lets you cover more surface area in places like the cheeks, forehead, neck, or other areas of the body.
