Handheld vs Panel Red Light Therapy Devices (Buying Guide)

You’ve narrowed it down, and now you want to choose: handheld vs panel red light therapy devices. Which type should you buy?

As someone who has experienced the incredible benefits of red light therapy firsthand, I know how life-changing this innovative treatment can be. Red light therapy has been a game-changer for me, providing much-needed relief from knee osteoarthritis, sciatica, and back pain. However, knowing which is best for your needs can be overwhelming when choosing between handheld and panel red light therapy devices.

This article will explore the pros and cons of handheld and panel red light therapy devices. Based on your specific health goals, lifestyle, and preferences, you will clearly understand which device type is right for you. So, let’s shed some light on this exciting topic and help you make an informed decision on your journey to better health and well-being!

Key Takeaways:

• Handheld red light therapy is best for pain relief, soft tissue injury, and spot skin care needs.
• Panels are best for energy restoration, post-exercise muscle recovery, and wrinkle, acne, and eczema skincare.
• Handheld devices are more portable and usually more affordable but have a smaller treatment area and lower power output than panel devices.
• Panels offer a larger treatment area but are less portable and often more expensive than handheld devices.

When Handhelds Are The Best Red Light Therapy

Handheld red light therapy devices have been my lifesaver, especially when targeting arthritis and muscular pain. After years of physical therapy, I was still limping with knee osteoarthritis. My handheld device brought my healing up to the next level. Handhelds provide focused light for soft tissue, arthritis, and pain problems.

Handheld devices are perfect for spot treatments. When my sciatica flares up, I can easily target the sacroiliac joint, where the leg pain ultimately starts. The precision of these devices allows me to focus the healing light right where I need it most. It’s like having a pain-relief laser pointer at your fingertips!

They’re also fantastic for facial treatments. My friend Sarah swears by her handheld device for treating acne breakouts. She can easily maneuver the device around her face, giving extra attention to problem areas.

Handhelds are portable in a way that panels can never hope to be. My tabletop panels (the smallest sized panel you can buy) weigh about 40 pounds. I am not carrying that in a suitcase!

Last summer, I took a road trip with my handheld device in my bag. After long hours of driving, I could easily use it in our hotel room to soothe my stiff back. It’s like having a personal physical therapist that fits in your suitcase!

For those new to red light therapy, handheld devices offer a gentle introduction. They’re less intimidating than large panels and allow you to experiment with treatment times and intensities on a smaller scale. My neighbor, skeptical about red light therapy, started with a handheld device. Now she’s hooked and uses it regularly for her arthritis.

Handheld devices are also a great choice if you’re on a budget but still want to experience the benefits of red light therapy. They’re generally more affordable than panel devices, making them an excellent entry point for those curious about this treatment.

Lastly, a handheld device is a no-brainer if you have limited space in your home. Unlike panels that require dedicated space, you can easily store a handheld device in a drawer or shelf. It’s perfect for apartment living or keeping your living space clutter-free.

Handheld devices are the best choice for targeted treatment, portability, affordability, or space constraints. They’re versatile little tools that are powerful in pain relief and skin care. 

When Panels Are The Best Red Light Therapy

While I love my handheld device, there are times when nothing beats the power and coverage of a panel red light therapy device. I love basking in the panel’s light. It’s like the peacefulness of a bonfire on a summer night.

Panel devices are best at treating large areas. I use a panel after the gym, especially if I’ve strained some ligaments. Red light therapy helps prevent delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and relieves the soreness. 

Panels are also appropriate for generalized pain disorders such as fibromyalgia. While handhelds work better for acute pain, panels relieve chronic pain over time. Due to chronic pain, a panel takes longer to work. If you’ve been inflamed for years, give the panel a few weeks to show you what it can do. 

Panels are also the ideal device type for wrinkle, acne, and eczema skincare. They allow you to treat the face and neck at once.

Questions You’ll Want to Answer

What Are Your Therapy Goals?

Because handhelds focus light on the skin, more light enters the body. Panels lose a lot of light to distance and reflection.

As a result, handhelds are best for pain relief, soft tissue injury, and spot skincare, and panels are best for wide-area skincare, energy, and muscle recovery.

Use a panel for:

• Wrinkles
• Sagging
• Rejuvenation
• Skin Health (Skin barrier support)
• Cellular energy
• Acne
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Chronic pain and inflammation (fibromyalgia, for example)
• Post-exercise recovery
• Muscle soreness
• Energy recovery

Use a handheld for:

• Acute pain relief
• Tissue injury therapy
• Muscle soreness
• Spot skin treatment

Is Very Bright Light Ok With You?

Panel light can be eye-squinting bright to the point of discomfort. There are a few ways to reduce the intensity. I was shocked the first time I used a panel. It’s a bit like being in the same room as the sun.

This brightness can be overwhelming for some. I’ve spoken to people on Reddit who told me their panel is too bright for comfort. You might prefer a handheld solution to solve the problem, but you have other options. You can wear goggles to protect your eyes. Another option is to use a panel that lets you turn down or off the red portion of the treatment. You are left with invisible infrared light, which does not make you squint.

On the flip side, I’ve grown to appreciate the brightness of my panel. When I use it in the early morning for an energy boost, the intense light helps wake me up. It’s like a more pleasant version of those light alarm clocks. I’ve had people online tell me that their bright panels help relieve their seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Normally, one uses a SAD lamp with blue and white light. However, the sheer brightness of a red light therapy panel is also helpful.

The brightness can also affect where and when you use your device. With my handheld, I can comfortably use it while watching TV in the evening. The focused beam doesn’t illuminate the whole room. But when I use my panel, I have to plan around it. The bright light fills the space, making it difficult to do light-sensitive activities simultaneously.

Handheld devices, being more targeted, generally don’t create as much ambient light. When I treat my knee or back with my handheld, the rest of the room remains relatively dim. This can be a plus if you’re using the device before bed and don’t want to signal to your body that it’s daytime.

The brightness factor also affects the ambiance of your space. My friend Tom jokes that he uses his panel for mood lighting. There are cheaper ways to achieve that effect with LED lights.

If you plan to use red light therapy in a shared space, the device’s brightness is worth considering. When I used my panel in the living room, my husband found it distracting while trying to work. I use my panel when he’s outside.

Your sleep schedule also influences your choice. Using the bright panel too close to bedtime can make it harder for me to fall asleep. I use my less intense handheld device for last-minute treatments in the evenings.

Do You Need Your Hands?

You’re actively involved in using a handheld (unless you strap it to your body, which I’ve done). A panel is hands-free, and a handheld is generally not. I hold my handheld on my knee or sacroiliac joint when I’d like to use my hands to type or scroll. I balance the device or use an ace bandage to hold it.

Do You Have The Space?

Panels take up table, floor, or wall space, while handhelds use room in a drawer. Before buying a panel, consider where it will be when you’re using it and where you’ll put it when it’s not in use. It’s great to have a stand that holds the panel over your bed; think about where that stand will go when you’re done.

My house has a clutter problem that has stopped me from buying my dream setup: a panel that hovers horizontally over the bed. I have tabletop panels. One is on a living room table, and the other is on a bedroom table. 

If you don’t have room for a panel, consider getting a belt (wrap). A belt sits directly on the skin to help with acute and chronic pain, muscle recovery, and energy levels. However, belts could be better for skincare. You can make it work, but wrapping a belt around your face leaves little room for air.

Conclusion

Handheld red light therapy is exceptional for pain relief and soft tissue care. Panels are best for skin care and post-exercise recovery. Handhelds are portable but often more cost-effective than panels.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with red light therapy devices. I’m always here to support your journey to better health and happiness.