Red Light Therapy Formats Guide: Panels, Masks, Belts, Blankets, Mats and Handhelds
Published October 2026. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
A format is the shape of a device and the way you use it: a panel you face, a mask you wear, a belt or wrap you strap on, a handheld you hold, or a blanket or mat you lie on. Choose by the area you want to cover, how you want to be positioned, the space you have and the time you can set aside. Heat and light are also not the same thing. Light devices are described by wavelength and irradiance, while heat devices are described by temperature and a timer. This guide is general information about equipment, not a claim about outcomes.
Why format matters more than most people expect
Two devices can use similar LEDs and still feel completely different to live with. A panel asks for floor space, a mask asks for quiet time lying down, a belt lets you move around, and a blanket asks for a full session on the sofa or bed. The format decides four practical things before any spec does.
- Coverage. How much of you, or of the room, sits inside the lit or warmed area at one time.
- Distance. Panels work at a stated distance, wearables sit against the skin, and handhelds are held close to a small spot.
- Hands and posture. Whether you can read, work or lie flat while the device runs.
- Space and storage. A folding stand, a flat mat and a pocket torch ask very different things of a small home.
For the numbers behind light output, see the dose formula guide.
The formats at a glance
The table below covers the formats AWA sells today. Read it as a map of how each one is used and which spec deserves your attention, not as a ranking.
| Format | How you use it | Spec to read first | AWA examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel | Stand or hang it and face it at a stated distance | Irradiance at a named distance | FX300, FX500 |
| Face mask | Wear it with eyes shielded, hands free | Light modes in nm and the manual | LX300, LX500 |
| Belt or wrap | Strap it against the skin | Wavelengths and the manual | Vibrating belt |
| Slippers | Slip them on and sit back | Wavelengths and the manual | Red light slippers |
| Handheld or torch | Hold it close to one small spot | Wavelengths, battery, spot size | 3 in 1 torch |
| Sauna blanket | Lie wrapped in a heated blanket | Temperature range and timer | HL300, HL500 |
| Heating mat | Lie on a heated mat | Heat levels and auto shut off | MX300 |
Select devices carry FDA 510(k) clearance for specific, limited uses; most are sold as general wellness products. Our two face masks, the LX300 and LX500, are cleared for the face only.
Panels: the format built around distance
A panel is a flat array of LEDs on a frame. Because the light spreads as you move away, the same panel gives a different irradiance at every distance, which is why a panel spec is only useful with a distance attached. These are the figures from our irradiance specs guide.
| Distance | FX300 (mW/cm²) | FX500 (mW/cm²) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 145 | 220 |
| 6 in | 83.5 | 94 |
| 12 in | 43.3 | 73.8 |
The FX300 is stated from 1 inch, where it reads 220 mW/cm², and the FX500 from 2 inches. A larger panel such as the FX500 covers more of the body in one position, while the FX300 suits a smaller area. To turn any row into energy per square centimeter, use J/cm² = mW/cm² x seconds / 1000 or the dose calculator. The numbers describe what a panel emits, not what any person should do with it.
Wearables and handhelds: the format built around contact
Masks, belts, slippers, hats and wraps sit on or very near the skin, so distance stops being the main variable and fit becomes the main variable. How many LEDs actually touch the area, how well the strap holds, and how long the battery or cable lasts matter more here. Handhelds such as the 3 in 1 torch go the other way: small, portable, and aimed at one spot at a time. Our guide to panel versus mask versus belt walks through the trade offs.
Blankets and mats: the formats built around heat
A sauna blanket or heating mat is a heater, not a light panel. You lie on or inside it, set a temperature and a timer, and it warms. The HL500 lists an adjustable range of 95 to 185°F with a timer from 1 to 60 minutes and automatic shut off, and the HL300 and MX300 follow the same idea with their own controls. Heat devices are judged on temperature control, timer, lining and size, not on irradiance. If you are weighing these against a traditional sauna or a household heating pad, read blanket versus mat and light versus heating pad.
OSHA notes that hazardous heat can occur indoors or outdoors and that risk rises with hot conditions, heavy activity and clothing that traps body heat. Follow the manual, stay hydrated, and stop if you feel unwell.
Heat versus light, side by side
This is the most common point of confusion in the whole category, so it gets a table of its own.
| Question | Infrared heat device | LED light device |
|---|---|---|
| What does it give off? | Warmth you can feel | Light at set wavelengths such as 660nm and 850nm |
| How is it described? | Temperature and timer | Wavelength and irradiance in mW/cm² |
| Can you judge it by feel? | Yes, by warmth | No, the light is not a heat reading |
| AWA examples | HL300, HL500, MX300 | FX300, FX500, masks, belt, 3 in 1 torch |
| Main care point | Heat safety and hydration | Eye protection and distance |
Near infrared, such as the 850nm LEDs in AWA panels, sits just beyond visible red light. Far infrared is a much longer wavelength that is felt mainly as radiant warmth. Where the line between them sits varies by source, so any single cutoff is only a convention. Our red light versus infrared sauna guide goes deeper.
Things people confuse with red light formats
- PEMF mats. Pulsed electromagnetic field devices use magnetic fields, not light. They are a separate technology and are not covered by light specs.
- Light therapy lamps. A bright white desk lamp is measured in lux, a different unit from mW/cm², and is a different tool.
- Pods and beds. Large enclosures cover the whole body in one position. They need space, power and a clear look at the spec sheet.
How to choose a format
Start with the constraint you cannot change, then check the spec that matches the format.
| If your main constraint is | Look first at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small floor space | Mask, belt, handheld | Little or no stand and no wall area needed |
| Time to lie flat | Mask, blanket, mat | Sessions are done lying down |
| Moving around during a session | Belt, slippers, handheld | Wearable or portable |
| Covering a large area at once | Panel | Larger lit area at a stated distance |
| Wanting warmth rather than light | Blanket or mat | They are heaters |
| Comparing outputs | Panel specs in mW/cm² | A stated distance makes comparison fair |
The AWA device comparison page lays AWA models side by side.
Common mistakes
- Comparing a heat device to a light device as if they were the same product.
- Reading a total wattage figure instead of irradiance at a named distance.
- Choosing a format for a feature you will not use, such as a stand when you only have a desk.
- Ignoring the manual for session time, distance and temperature.
- Assuming bigger is always better. Space and routine often decide the choice.
Topics this guide covers
Each group below names the topics that matter when you choose a format.
- Choosing a format. Red Light Therapy Device Types Explained, Red Light Therapy Wraps Versus Panels, Handheld Red Light Devices Versus Panels, Red Light Therapy Pods and Beds Explained, Match a Device to Your Space and Schedule: A Format Fit Quiz.
- How wearables are built. Red Light Therapy Pads and Mats, Red Light Therapy Belts, Red Light Therapy Hats and Caps, Red Light Therapy Slippers, Red Light Torch Devices: What 3 in 1 Means.
- Heat and infrared. Heat Versus Light, Far Infrared Versus Near Infrared, How Do Infrared Sauna Blankets Work?, How Far Infrared Heating Mats Work, Sauna Blanket Setup and Care, Sauna Blanket Versus Steam Room, Heating Mat Sizes, Using a Heating Mat Safely at Home, Wearable Heat Versus Wearable Light.
- Related technologies and care. Light Therapy Lamps Versus Red Light Panels, Red Light Panels Near a Sauna, What Is PEMF?, PEMF Versus Red Light Therapy, Red Light in Tanning Salons, Care Needs Compared: Panels, Masks and Blankets.
Before you use any light or heat device: read the label, follow the device manual, and use eye protection as directed. Ask a doctor first if you have a medical condition, take medications, are pregnant, or have light or heat sensitivity.
Related guides
- Infrared sauna blanket versus traditional sauna
- AWA FX300 and FX500 irradiance specs
- The dose formula: irradiance, time and energy
Device pages
Read the full page and label for each device before you use it: AWA FX500 panel, AWA HL500 sauna blanket, AWA MX300 heating mat. You can also browse AWA red light therapy devices.
More in this series
- Red Light Therapy Distance Guide: Placement, Mounting and Measuring
- LED Face Mask Guide: Modes, Wavelengths, Sessions and Care
- Red Light Therapy Glossary: Spec Terms in Plain English
- How Do Infrared Sauna Blankets Work?
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of red light therapy devices?
The main formats are panels, face masks, belts and wraps, slippers, handhelds and torches. Heat devices such as sauna blankets and heating mats are a separate group, because they warm rather than emit LED light.
Is a sauna blanket the same as a red light panel?
No. A sauna blanket is a heater described by temperature and a timer. A red light panel is an LED device described by wavelength and irradiance. They are different tools.
Which format covers the most area?
A panel generally lights the largest area at one time, and its coverage depends on the distance you stand. Wearables cover whatever they are strapped to.
Do I need a different spec sheet for each format?
Yes. Read irradiance at a stated distance for panels, wavelengths and the manual for wearables, and temperature range and timer for blankets and mats.
Where do I find session times?
In the manual and on the product page for the specific device. This guide explains formats and does not set session times.
Can I ask someone about my own situation?
Yes. For medical questions, speak to a qualified professional before choosing or using any device.
Sources
- FDA: General Wellness policy guidance. A final guidance dated January 2026 that sets out the agency's compliance policy for low risk general wellness products. It is a policy document, not a statement about any one device.
- OSHA: Heat exposure. Explains that hazardous heat can occur indoors or outdoors, that risk rises with hot conditions, heavy activity and clothing that traps body heat, and that water, rest and shade are basic precautions.
- FDA: Premarket Notification 510(k). Explains that a 510(k) is a premarket submission and that the company must receive an FDA order before marketing the device in the U.S.
Regulatory note: select devices carry FDA 510(k) clearance for specific, limited uses. Most light devices are sold as general wellness products. Read each product page and label.
How we create this guide
AWA sells red light therapy devices. We write these guides to explain how devices work and how to choose and use one. This is general information, not medical advice. Read each product page and label. See our editorial standards.