Red Light Bed vs Panel vs Stand: Choosing the Right Format

All three formats deliver red and near-infrared light. The difference is how much of your body they reach, how comfortable the session is and how much space and money they take. If you need a primer, start with our red light therapy guide.

Lying down in a full-body bed wraps you in light from above (and sometimes below), so you get a complete session in one go. The Luma Cocoon is a clamshell bed with 21,600 LEDs, a control tablet and Bluetooth music. The Luma Cocoon Pro adds PEMF with 41,600 LEDs, while the Luma Dome is a walk-in chamber.

These are the premium choice for studios, spas and clinics: a signature service that feels special and runs on a timer. The trade-offs are price, footprint and power. Plan the room accordingly using lessons from our recovery lounge guide.

A stand puts a tall panel in front of you and covers most of the body. The Luma Stand has 12,312 LEDs across four wavelengths, and the Luma Stand Pro adds the 810 nm band with independent wavelength control. The Luma Tower is a tall, mobile stand with 320 LEDs.

Stands suit venues that do not have room for a bed, or those who want to move the device between treatment rooms.

Panels are the entry point. The Luma Panel has 75 dual-chip LEDs with separate red and infrared control and 10 Hz and 40 Hz pulse modes, on a height-adjustable stand. Smaller options like the Luma Spot and the Luma Go range suit specific areas and home use.

A panel covers less area, so sessions focus on one part of the body at a time, but the cost and space savings are significant.

Big light devices are a facility decision. A bed like the Luma Cocoon lists 3,000 W and the Luma Cocoon Pro lists 6,500 W, so check your supply and your cooling plan with an electrician. Stands are lighter on both counts.

Leave room around any bed for the opening and for staff to help guests in and out. Keep the room comfortably ventilated, since LEDs generate some heat, and plan floor protection beneath wheels.

Not every buyer needs a big device. If you only want to target the face, a face mask may be all you need. For small areas, a handheld works well. Our guide to handheld red light devices lists options.

Many venues mix formats: a bed or stand for full-body sessions and a few small devices for add-ons. For wavelengths, remember that near-infrared goes deeper than red, which is covered in red vs near-infrared.

Treat a light device like any other asset. Estimate your realistic bookings per day, your price per session and your running costs (power, cleaning, maintenance). Divide the investment by monthly margin for a rough payback. Our recovery lounge guide walks through the method, and our gym recovery zone pricing article shows how membership tiers help.

If you are fitting out a clinic, read our guide to equipping a physio or chiropractic clinic. And for a combined heat-and-light option, see how a blanket compares in blanket vs cabin.