Last updated: 31 July 2026 · Written by the Dermfix phototherapy team.
Short answer: The best red light therapy panel for you is the one that combines the right wavelengths (660nm red + 850nm near-infrared as a minimum), a reliably measured output (aim for 40–100 mW/cm² at 15cm), a size matched to your treatment area, CE certification, and — if you live in the EU — European stock to avoid customs charges. Below is how to weigh each factor, and where the Dermfix range fits (€495–€3,295, EU stock, 3-year warranty).
What wavelengths do you actually need?
The most studied wavelengths are 660nm (red) for skin and surface tissue, and 850nm (near-infrared) for deeper tissue, muscles and joints. Additional wavelengths (480, 630, 810, 830, 1060nm) can add flexibility, but they are not essential if the basics are solid. As a rule: make sure the panel clearly states its wavelengths in nanometres — vague descriptions like "red LED" are a red flag. The Dermfix RLF range uses 7 selectable wavelengths (480, 630, 660, 810, 830, 850, 1060nm), so you can target both skin and deep tissue with a single device. (For more on the research behind this distinction, see our explainer on red light versus near-infrared wavelengths.)
How much power (irradiance) is enough?
Irradiance — measured in mW/cm² — is how much light energy reaches your skin. A higher number is not always better; it mainly shortens session time. For home use, a realistic 40–100 mW/cm² at a distance of 15cm is enough. What matters most is an honest figure measured at a stated distance, ideally verified with a spectrometer — many brands inflate this number. Every Dermfix RLF panel publishes its spectrometer-tested output — from 82 mW/cm² (RLF750) to 92 mW/cm² (RLF6000) at 15cm.
How we measure irradiance
A figure only means something if you know how it was obtained. We measure each RLF panel with a spectrometer at a stated distance of 15cm, on-axis at the centre of the panel, and we publish the result per model — not a single headline figure, not a reading taken at the LED surface (which inflates it), and not several wavelengths added together to look bigger. When you compare two panels, always check the distance the measurement was taken at: a reading at 30cm and one at 15cm are not comparable.
What size panel do you need?
Match the panel to the area you want to treat:
- Face / small areas: a compact panel (for example the Dermfix RLF750) or a face-and-body LED device (Dermfix Halo).
- Half-body: a mid-size panel (Dermfix RLF1500).
- Full-body: a large panel (Dermfix RLF3000 or RLF6000). Larger panels cover more area at once, which shortens session times.
What about EMF, flicker and safety?
For daily use, favour low-EMF, flicker-free panels, and always check for genuine CE certification — in particular EN 60335-2-27, the relevant standard for skin exposure to optical radiation above 780nm. Wear the eye protection provided, or avoid looking directly into the LEDs.
Buying in the EU: customs, warranty and support
A panel shipped from the US or UK can bring unexpected VAT or customs charges, as well as slower after-sales service. An EU-based supplier holding stock within the Union avoids customs charges for European buyers and simplifies returns and warranty handling. Look for a warranty of at least 2 years (3 years is better). Dermfix is a European (Austrian) manufacturer shipping from EU-based stock, with a 3-year warranty and local stores in around 20 EU countries.
Why trust Dermfix: two decades in medical phototherapy
Dermfix is a European, medically-oriented light-therapy manufacturer and reseller with a background in certified phototherapy devices. Our Directors have been running medical device manufacturing companies for over 20 years, including working for Androv Medical, Dermfix Limited (an ISO 13485 certified medical device manufacturer since 2009) and of course Dermfix GmbH. We understand EU regulations better than our competitors, having manufactured Class IIa UVB phototherapy devices for many years, and we appreciate the need for safety and transparency. For example — just ask our competitors if their panels are certified to EN 60335-2-27, which specifies the safety rules for electrical appliances that expose human skin to optical radiation, covering ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and visible light within the EU.
Our red light panels are CE certified to: EN IEC 60335-2-27, EN IEC 55015:2019+A11:2020, EN IEC 61000-3-2:2019+A1:2021+A2:2024, EN 61000-3-3:2013+A2:2021, EN IEC 61547:2023, EN IEC 60335-1:2012+AC:2014+A11:2014+A13:2017+A1:2019+A14:2019+A15:2021, EN IEC 62233:2008+AC:2008, IEC 62321-3-1:2013, IEC 62321-4:2013+A1:2017, IEC 62321-5:2023, IEC 62321-6:2015, IEC 62321-7-1:2015, IEC 62321-7-2:2017, IEC 62321-8:2017.
How to compare any red light panel: a checklist
Use these criteria to judge any panel on the market, not just ours:
| What to check | What quality looks like | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Wavelengths | Stated in nm (e.g. 660 + 850) | "Red LED" (vague description) |
| Irradiance | mW/cm² measured at a stated distance | No figure or distance given |
| How it was measured | Spectrometer or independent lab | "Up to" marketing numbers |
| Safety certification | CE, EN 60335-2-27 | No standard mentioned |
| Warranty | 2–3 years | Under a year |
| EU availability | EU stock, no customs | Ships from US or China, duties apply |
Dermfix range overview
| Model | Best for | LEDs | Tested output (15cm) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halo LED | Face and body, 4 wavelengths | 240 | multi-wavelength | €495 |
| RLF750 | Compact / targeted | 150 | 82 mW/cm² | €695 |
| RLF1500 | Half-body | 300 | 89 mW/cm² | €995 |
| RLF3000 | Full-body | 600 | 90 mW/cm² | €1,595 |
| RLF6000 | Full-body pro | 1200 | 92 mW/cm² | €3,295 |
All RLF panels: 7 wavelengths (480–1060nm), CE certified (EN 60335-2-27), 3-year warranty, EU stock. Prices are shown incl. EU VAT and may vary by each country's store.
Which Dermfix panel should you choose?
If you've settled on our range, here's a quick guide by use case and budget.
- Best for skincare and beauty routines — Dermfix Halo LED, €495. Four wavelengths across 240 LEDs, designed for the face and targeted body areas rather than whole-body sessions. The ideal choice if your goal is skincare rather than recovery.
- Best compact panel — Dermfix RLF750, €695. 150 LEDs, 82 mW/cm² measured at 15cm, across all 7 wavelengths. Ideal for joints, a shoulder, a knee, or a small treatment space where a full-body panel would be too big.
- Best all-rounder — Dermfix RLF1500, €995. With 300 LEDs and 89 mW/cm² at 15cm, it covers half the body in one session. For most home users, it strikes a good balance of coverage, session time and cost.
- Best for full-body sessions — Dermfix RLF3000, €1,595. 600 LEDs, 90 mW/cm² at 15cm. Covers the whole body standing, which keeps daily sessions short.
- Best for clinics and pro home setups — Dermfix RLF6000, €3,295. 1,200 LEDs, 92 mW/cm² at 15cm: the highest output we've measured and the largest treatment area. Built for heavy daily use and multi-user environments.
Panels can be floor- or wall-mounted; see our range of stands and accessories if you need a specific mounting solution.
Frequently asked questions
How much irradiance do I need at 15cm?
For home use, a measured 40–100 mW/cm² at 15cm is a sound target. Higher mainly shortens session time; what matters is that the figure is honestly measured at a stated distance.
660nm or 850nm — which do I need?
660nm red is absorbed nearer the surface and suits skin; 850nm near-infrared reaches deeper tissue, muscles and joints. Most good panels combine both, which is why 660 + 850 is the baseline to look for.
How far should I sit from a red light panel?
Typically 15–30cm. Closer increases intensity and shortens sessions; check the distance any quoted irradiance figure refers to.
Is a higher LED count or wattage better?
Not on its own. A big LED count or wattage means little without a measured irradiance figure at a stated distance. Judge panels on measured output, not headline component numbers.
Do I need goggles?
Red light panels are bright. Use the eye protection supplied or avoid looking directly into the LEDs during a session.
Red light therapy vs infrared sauna — what is the difference?
A red light panel delivers specific wavelengths such as 660 and 850nm to the skin and tissue; an infrared sauna mainly heats the body. They are different devices for different goals.
Is red light therapy the same as UVB?
No. Red and near-infrared light involves no UV. UVB narrowband 311nm is a separate, targeted phototherapy for conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo. Dermfix makes both types of device.
How often should I use a red light panel?
Most home routines are short daily or every-other-day sessions of roughly 5–20 minutes at 15–30cm. Follow your device's instructions and fit it around your schedule.
Do I need multiple wavelengths?
660nm plus 850nm covers most needs. Extra wavelengths add flexibility but are not essential if irradiance and build quality are good.
Red light panel or mat — which is better?
Panels are more powerful and better for the face, targeted areas and standing full-body sessions. Mats wrap around the body for hands-free, lying-down treatment. Dermfix offers both.
How much does a good red light therapy panel cost in Europe?
Compact panels start around €400–700, mid-size half-body panels run roughly €900–1,200, and full-body panels range from about €1,500 to €3,500. The Dermfix range spans €495 to €3,295. Be wary of very cheap panels that publish no irradiance figure measured at a stated distance.
Learn more
More from the Dermfix phototherapy team:
- Red light vs near-infrared: what the science actually says about wavelength — why 660nm and 850nm behave differently, and the dose ranges to aim for.
- What's actually happening inside your cells during red light therapy? — the cytochrome c oxidase pathway explained in plain terms.
- LASER or LED? A review of 68 studies — why coherence turns out not to matter, and what does.
- Does light colour matter for wound healing? — red, green and blue LED compared in a controlled cell study.
Independent background on photobiomodulation: Cleveland Clinic — LED Light Therapy; randomised controlled trial on red and near-infrared light and skin; NASA — the origins of LED light therapy research.
For deeper discussion of the underlying studies: r/RedLightScience.
Disclaimer: this guide is general information and is not medical advice for any specific health condition.