Ranking the Best Red-Light Therapy Masks and LED Devices of 2026
If your skin is crying out for help, but you're too tired to do a 10-step routine (or don't want to spend hundreds on a high-tech facial), a red-light therapy mask is the easiest fake-it-till-you-make-it hack around. You might have seen a wave of people on social media channeling their best Hannibal Lecter while wearing a red-light therapy device, like our top pick, the Shark CryoGlow LED Face Mask ($350). They’re not sipping Chianti, though, but claiming that their wrinkles and fine lines have disappeared with the help of red-light therapy. While there's nothing wrong with aging, the hype around these devices made me want to investigate whether the technology behind them can actually improve your skin. You can't get the same effect with just any red LED from the hardware store. If the light isn't strong enough, it won't penetrate your skin—sorry to the one TikTokker sitting in front of a chicken coop heat lamp. After talking to board-certified dermatologists and testing several at-home devices, I've rounded up the best red-light therapy masks for every skin type and condition, budget, and lifestyle. For more beauty and wellness recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Red-Light Therapy for Hair Growth, Best Electric Toothbrushes, and Best Hair Dryers. Updated August 2026: I've added the Skin Gym Wrinklit Heart LED Mask and the Solawave 4-in-1 Radiant Renewal Wand to Honorable Mentions, along with more LED devices to avoid. I've added more information to the FAQ section; prices and links were also updated. Love WIRED? Add us as a preferred source on Google to see more of us. Featured in This Guide How I Test LED Devices So far, I've tested 22 red-light devices, each for a period of six to 12 weeks. Once I log my findings, I pass each device along to one of three additional testers, each with different skin types and signs of aging, to see how results vary. I monitor changes in skin texture and tone, and I also judge ease of setup, fit, and comfort. I note product specifications, like the number of LEDs and whether the brightness feels tolerable or irritating. For cordless devices, I track how long they last on a single charge; for wired models, I evaluate how practical they are. I also prioritize safety, checking for FDA clearance, automatic shut-off features, and overall durability of the design. To make sure you aren't spending money willy-nilly, I also consulted dermatologists and experts about which wavelengths of light and irradiance outputs have clinical backing, and what features to look for when shopping for a device. What Am I Testing Next? I'm testing the Foreo Sweden FAQ 202 for $799, the Flikeze PhotonMask Quint for $300, and the Omnilux Clear for $395. Best LED Mask Overall The Shark CryoGlow is one of the best LED face masks on the market and is a great choice for newcomers, since it holds your hand through the process. There are two main programs to follow—Blemish Repair, which uses a combination of blue light (415 nm), infrared, and red LED (630-830 nm) for eight minutes; and Better Aging, which uses just infrared and red LED for six minutes. It’s recommended to follow one program daily for eight weeks, switching to the four-minute Skin Sustain program afterward to maintain the best results. It comes with a handy controller that counts down your time remaining and also tracks your progress, plus the mask has cooling under-eye pads that can be used in combination with the LEDs or on their own to soothe puffiness. During my eight-week trial, I noticed my perioral dermatitis cleared up much faster than usual, and my skin looked plumper and more radiant. An aesthetician even scanned the layers of my skin beneath the epidermis before and after the program, revealing significantly less inflammation and hyperpigmentation, as well as improved fine lines. —Verity Burns Best Silicone Mask While the CurrentBody LED Face Mask Series 2 only offers red light, it features three wavelengths: red (633 nanometers), near-infrared (830 nanometers), and the standout deep near-infrared (1,072 nanometers). CurrentBody says the deepest wavelength is designed to reach areas more prone to visible aging. On paper, it's a more comprehensive spectrum than what most competitors offer, which is typically a combination of only red and near-infrared. It's made from flexible silicone and designed with a multiway strap plus a chin band that keeps it locked in place. I can stand up and even do a few chores without worrying about it sliding off my face. The attached remote has a little clip, too, so you don't have to carry it around while you multitask. It's also densely packed with 236 LEDs, which explains why it feels so bright. (If you plan to walk around, the removable eye inserts are a nonnegotiable.) After consistent use, I noticed subtle improvements in inflammation and overall skin texture, especially when my skin was stressed or irritated. Most importantly, its comfortable design makes it much easier to stick to a consistent routine. Best LED Mask for Quick Sessions Even though this cordless, hard-shell mask makes me feel like a rose-gold Optimus Prime, it’s incredibly comfortable. The lights are dim enough around the eyes to let you see and move around easily, and the quick, three-minute automatic sessions fit effortlessly into a busy schedule. Additionally, the battery life is excellent—I used it almost daily for six weeks without needing to recharge, and I experienced no charging issues despite some online reports. On the downside, the lightweight silicone strap constantly comes undone. I thought at first I may have assembled it incorrectly, but former WIRED reviewer Medea Giordano had the same issue during her test. The shape and height of the mask (about 5 inches) also make it hard to fit in a drawer or smaller travel bag, compared with a flexible silicone mask. And, like other red-light masks I’ve tried, I have yet to notice a significant change in wrinkles or skin texture. However, I specifically tested the red-and-blue combination light setting for two weeks and did feel like I experienced a noticeable reduction in various blemishes. —Kat Merck Best Handheld LED Device You've probably seen the Solawave handheld device, which is arguably more recognizable, on your feed, but it’s very tiny. The LightStim, on the other hand, comes with a 3-inch surface comprising 72 LEDs for broader coverage and resembles a handheld shower head. One downside to the LightStim is that it is not cordless. While this means you never have to worry about charging it, it also means you are tethered to a 6-foot cord. After several days of grimly standing in front of the bathroom mirror next to an outlet, I gave up and connected the device to an extension cord, so I could sit on the couch and use the LightStim while watching TV. It was here that I came to appreciate its full potential. The treatment time for each area is only three minutes, at which time the device will beep to let you know it’s time to move it to the next area. I found it took about 20 minutes for me to hit all areas of my face, which is twice as long as it would’ve taken with a mask, but after this period of time, it also gets quite warm. This made it feel therapeutic for areas of my neck, chest, and head, and even for sore muscles. I even once used it on one of my cats who came to sit on the couch, to positive effect. Despite its lightweight and simple design, the LightStim features four LED wavelengths, ranging from 605 nm amber to 855 nm infrared. A less expensive acne version is also available, though it only has 35 LEDs. —Kat Merck Compare Top 4 LED Devices Honorable Mentions HigherDose Red Light Therapy Face Mask for $349: With its three-layer strap, this soft mask is super comfortable since you aren’t getting squeezed by the bands. Treatments are set to either 10 or 20 minutes. Overall, I saw fine results from this mask with glowy skin and reduced acne. There are complaints online that the wiring
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