The Best Red Light Therapy Devices For Athletes 2023
Panels, handhelds, belts, and more to boost your muscle recovery.
There’s a good chance that when you saw that first burst of red light across social media for the first time you thought to yourself: What in the world is that for?
But after gaining an understanding of how red light therapy works and noticing your favorite athletes using it, those thoughts might have turned to: Should I try this out for myself?
If you’re a committed athlete that doesn’t like to be bogged down with muscle pain, DOMS, and stiff joints the short answer is absolutely.
By using targeted red and near-infrared light to stimulatecell energy production, red light therapy boosts your body’s natural recovery process, repairing and replenishing muscle tissue.
Athletes that incorporate red light therapy into their recovery routines feel fresher from one workout or competition to the next, while also noticing a bump in overall endurance and performance.
Here, we’ve put together a list of the best red light therapy devices for athletes in 2023.
What Type of Athlete Should Use Red Light Therapy?
If you follow any of your favorite professional athletes on social media, you’ve likely seen them with red light shining on their legs or arms at some point, touting the importance of recovery.
But these red light devices aren’t just for professional athletes.
Nowadays, athletes and active individuals of any stripe and sport can benefit from incorporating red light therapy into their muscle recovery routines.
Red light therapy devices stimulate the mitochondria in your cells to increase function and energy production, which boosts muscle repair and rejuvenation.
In other words, red light therapy helps to repair your muscles faster from one workout to the next.
It’s hard to think of an athlete that wouldn’t benefit from using red light therapy, as the red light can be used to maintain peak athletic performance and target any sore muscle or stiff joint on your body.
Many athletes use red light therapy to help them stay on track with personal fitness goals, whether this is training for a marathon, crushing workouts at the gym, or any other personal best you’re chasing.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
1. Recharge Health FlexBeam
The Recharge Health FlexBeam features a flexible and wearable design that fits snug to the contours of your body for maximum efficiency. This red light device utilizes powerful wavelengths in a 3 light pod design with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Shop at Recharge Health: Recharge Health FlexBeam
Recharge Health’s FlexBeam has 3 easy-to-use preset programs and 3 sets of durable Velcro bands that allow you to use FlexBeam anywhere on your body. This red light device comes with a hardshell carry case, 30-day money-back guarantee, and a 2-year warranty.
Coupon Code $10 Off: compressionathlete10
2. Mito Red Light MitoPRO Series
The Mito Red Light MitoPRO Series features a highly effective design that utilizes the four most bio-active wavelengths of red and near-infrared light. This red light device offers a 60-day trial period and impressive 3-year warranty coverage.
Shop at Mito Red Light: Mito Red Light MitoPRO Series
Mito Red Light’s MitoPRO Series provides a flexible user experience with six different size options, customizable session times, and the option to use red and near-infrared light individually or together.
3. Mito Red Light Mobile
The Mito Red Light Mobile features a convenient on-the-go design that fits in the palm of your hand and delivers the same powerful red and near-infrared wavelengths. This red light device weighs a mere 1.5 pounds and runs for up to 3 hours on a single charge.
Shop at Mito Red Light: Mito Red Light Mobile
Mito Red Light’s Mobile has a wireless and rechargeable design that works great for spot treatments on your knee, ankle, elbow, etc. This red light device comes with a 60-day trial period and a 1-year warranty.
4. Mito Red Light Advanced Therapy Belt
The Mito Red Light Advanced Therapy Belt features a versatile and mobile design with a high-quantity LED chip construction (1,215 per belt!) for maximum results. This red light device has a lightweight feel and works great on your lower back, abdomen, quads, and more.
Shop at Mito Red Light: Mito Red Light Advanced Therapy Belt
Mito Red Light’s Advanced Therapy Belt can be worn plugged in or with a battery that provides between 2 – 6 hours on a single charge (depending on intensity level). This red light device offers 5 intensity levels and comes with a 1-year warranty.
5. NovaaLab Max Red Light Panel
The NovaaLab Max Red Light Panel features high-power red and near-infrared medical-grade lights that meet the highest safety standards and provide maximum efficiency.
Shop at NovaaLab: NovaaLab Max Red Light Panel Solo
Shop at NovaaLab: NovaaLab Max Red Light Panel XL
NovaaLab’s Max Red Light Panel has an accessible lightweight design and an easy-to-use setup. This red light device comes with a 60-day guarantee, 2-year warranty, and is available in both Solo and XL sizes.
Coupon Code 10% Off: CompressionAthlete
6. NovaaLab Deep Heeling Pad
The NovaaLab Deep Heeling Pad features a lightweight design with a Velcro strap for versatile placement on the body. This red light device is great for your back, knees, neck, wrist, hands, and more.
Shop at NovaaLab: NovaaLab Deep Heeling Pad
NovaaLab’s Deep Heeling Pad has a flexible design with 360 degrees of red light therapy. This red light device comes with a standard US power plug, 60-day guarantee, and 2-year warranty.
Coupon Code 10% Off: CompressionAthlete
7. CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Body
The CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Body features a portable and easy-to-use design with soft wrap-around material and a built-in rechargeable battery. This red light device has a built-in timer that automatically powers off when sessions are complete.
Available on Amazon: CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Body
CuraLight’s Red Light Therapy Belt for Body is designed to work great on your lower back, upper back, neck, shoulder, arms, and legs.
8. CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Joints
The CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Joints features a portable and easy-to-use design with soft wrap-around material and a built-in rechargeable battery. This red light device has a built-in timer that automatically powers off when sessions are complete.
Available on Amazon: CuraLight Red Light Therapy Belt for Joints
CuraLight’s Red Light Therapy Belt for Joints is specifically designed to wrap great around your knee and elbow joints, comfortably staying in place and providing optimal treatment.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work for Athletes?
Incorporating red light therapy into your muscle recovery routine is as simple as flipping the switch on your red light device and letting the red light bathe over your target area.
Red light therapy devices produce both red and near-infrared light. The red light you can see but don’t feel, while the infrared light is energy you can’t see but feel as a gentle heat.
Red light therapy is typically done post-activity, whether a workout, competition, or other physical activity, though it can also be incorporated before your workout as a warmup.
Using red light therapy both before and after physical activity has shown beneficial results.
It’s generally considered that 10 to 20 minutes of red light therapy is a suitable treatment duration.
And consistent use, such as utilizing red light therapy a few times a week, will help you reap full and noticeable benefits.
Many athletes that incorporate red light therapy into their routines report experiencing faster recovery times, less muscle soreness, better sleep, enhanced muscle tone, and an improved general well-being.
What Are the Benefits of Red Light Therapy for Athletes?
Part of the reason why red light therapy has become so popular is thanks to its wide application and ease of use.
The key selling point, however, has to do with the many benefits that users have noticed after continued use.
For athletes, the key benefit of red light therapy is enhanced cellular function and energy production (ATP).
Muscle tissue has an abundance of mitochondria, as it’s needed to power all of your movements, and this abundance of mitochondria is what makes muscle tissue especially responsive to red light therapy.
In other words, red light and near-infrared light stimulates the mitochondria in your cells, which in turn helps your cells perform more efficiently and leads to a wide range of benefits, including muscle recovery, reduced inflammation, and increased athletic performance.
Additionally, red light therapy increases blood circulation, which helps your muscles flush out waste and fluid build-up while receiving nutrient rich blood.
This is key to faster muscle recovery post-activity but can also increase your athletic performance when used prior to activity.
Learn everything you need to know about red light therapy in our complete guide.
