Compare red light panels: how to choose the right size, power and price

Choosing a red light panel is easier when you know which numbers to look at. This page walks through size, power and price in plain language, puts our two panels side by side, and gives you a checklist you can use on any panel from any brand.

Information only. Not medical advice.

The short answer

If you want a panel that hangs on a door and fits a smaller space, the AWA FX300 is a lovely place to start. If you want a larger listed coverage area, higher published irradiance at each distance we list, and a foldable stand, the AWA FX500 is the one to look at. Both list 60 LEDs, 660nm and 850nm wavelengths, a built in timer and a 2 year warranty. You can browse them together in our panels collection.

AWA FX300 and FX500 side by side

Every value below comes from the live FX300 and FX500 product pages as of October 16, 2026. We have been selling online since 2016 and we publish irradiance at several distances because we are proud of the numbers and want you to check them.

AWA FX300 and FX500, values from the live product pages
Spec	AWA FX300	AWA FX500
Price (as shown Oct 16, 2026)	$199.99	$269.99
Wavelengths	660nm red + 850nm near infrared, 1:1 ratio	660nm red + 850nm near infrared, 1:1 ratio
LEDs	60 LEDs (30 at 660nm, 30 at 850nm), 5W each	60 LEDs (30 at 660nm, 30 at 850nm), 5W each
Combined LED rating	300W LED rated	300W LED rated
Actual power draw at the wall	84W ±5% at AC110V	85W ±5% at AC110V
Input voltage	AC 100 to 240V	AC 100 to 240V
Irradiance at 2 inches	145 mW/cm2	220 mW/cm2
Irradiance at 3 inches	116 mW/cm2	197 mW/cm2
Irradiance at 6 inches	83.5 mW/cm2	94 mW/cm2
Irradiance at 12 inches	43.3 mW/cm2	73.8 mW/cm2
Highest irradiance listed	220 mW/cm2 at 1 inch	220 mW/cm2 at 2 inches
Coverage area listed	About 15 x 10 inches	About 15 x 14 inches
How it stands or hangs	Hanging panel with door hook and hanging kit	Foldable stand panel, also with door hook and hanging kit
Pulsing and dimming modes	10, 20, 40 and 50 Hz	10, 20, 40 and 50 Hz
Timer	Built in timer with preset options	Built in timer with preset options
Also in the box (both)	Power cord, door hook, goggles, hanging kit	Power cord, door hook, goggles, hanging kit
Rated LED lifespan	50,000 hours	50,000 hours
Warranty	2 year manufacturer warranty	2 year manufacturer warranty
Returns	60 days from delivery, free US return shipping, no restocking fee	60 days from delivery, free US return shipping, no restocking fee
Shipping	Free within the US only	Free within the US only

Both panels list the same LED count, so the difference in irradiance is not about LED count. Prices can change, so confirm on the product pages. Session length is not compared here because the pages describe it in more than one way. Follow your user manual.

What premium panels charge for, and what that buys you

Red light panels are sold across a wide range of prices. Here is a general way to think about three price tiers. These are broad categories, and any single product can differ, so use them as a starting map, not a rule.

Three price tiers and what the extra money usually pays for
Price tier	What you often find	What the extra money may pay for
Under $300	Single panels that fit a room or a door, a fixed pair of wavelengths, a simple timer and a clear return policy.	Good value if you want to start small, test a routine and keep the setup simple.
$300 to $800	Larger panels, more LEDs, higher total output, sturdier stands, more control options and sometimes longer warranties.	A larger coverage area, extra features and more build detail. Worth it if you need the extra size or features.
$800 plus	Large or modular setups, floor stands or wall mounts, more wavelengths, app or remote controls and premium finishes.	Size, system design, brand, service and sometimes independent lab reports. Worth it if you are equipping a bigger space or want a particular system.

Higher tiers can offer real benefits, and many are made by careful companies. The useful question is not which tier is best. It is which features you will actually use. A larger panel is only worth paying for if you have the room and want the coverage. A longer warranty matters most if you plan to keep the panel for years. Lab reports matter most if you want third party confirmation of the numbers.

We are proud that the FX300 and FX500 sit in the under $300 tier while still publishing power draw, wavelengths and irradiance at several distances, backed by a 2 year warranty and a 60 day return window. That is our approach: tell you the numbers plainly and let you decide.

A buyer decision guide

Use this by space, by use and by budget. Nothing here is medical advice, and it is about fit, not health outcomes.

The FX300 may suit you if

You have a smaller room or want to hang a panel on a door.
You want to start with a lower price. It is $199.99 as shown on October 16, 2026.
A listed coverage area of about 15 x 10 inches fits the space you want to cover.

The FX500 may suit you if

You want a freestanding panel on a foldable stand in a bedroom or living room.
You want a larger listed coverage area of about 15 x 14 inches in one placement.
You want higher published irradiance at each distance listed, for example 94 versus 83.5 mW/cm2 at 6 inches.
You are comfortable at $269.99 as shown on October 16, 2026.

Quick decision table
Your situation	Lean toward	Why
Apartment or shared room	FX300	Made to hang on a door.
A spare corner for a stand	FX500	Foldable stand panel that you can set up and fold away.
Budget under $200	FX300	$199.99 as shown on October 16, 2026.
Budget under $300	FX300 or FX500	Both are under $300, so choose on size, mounting and irradiance.
You want the highest listed numbers at 6 to 12 inches	FX500	94 and 73.8 mW/cm2 versus 83.5 and 43.3.
Not sure yet	Take the quiz	Our 60 second device finder points you to a match.

Both product pages suggest using the panel about 6 to 12 inches from the area. Plan for that clear space when you pick a spot. Our irradiance by distance chart and FX300 and FX500 irradiance specs show how output changes as you move closer or farther.

A checklist for evaluating any red light panel

Print it, fill it in for each panel you are considering, and mark every blank. A blank is information too. This works for any brand, ours included.

Irradiance with a distance. Look for a number in mW/cm2 right next to a distance, and more than one distance if you can get it. Output falls as you move back.
Actual power at the wall. A combined LED rating is not the same as what the panel draws from the outlet. Ask for both, and for the voltage.
Wavelengths and the mix. Which nanometer values are used, how many LEDs sit at each, and whether the mix matches the spectrum chart.
Who measured it and how. Ask whether numbers were measured on the finished product or copied from an LED datasheet, and whether they are a center peak or an average.
Size, weight and mounting. Check the dimensions, the listed coverage area and whether it hangs, stands or both, against the space you really have.
Flicker and driver. Ask whether the panel uses a no flicker driver and whether the seller can say so in writing.
Warranty. Length in years, who stands behind it, and how to register.
Returns. Number of days, whether opened items count, who pays return shipping and whether there is a restocking fee.
Standards and testing. Which standards the maker says the panel is manufactured to, and whether an independent lab report exists that you can read.
Support and shipping. Where the company is based, how to reach a person, where it ships and how long delivery takes.

For a longer walk through, see our red light device buying checklist.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the AWA FX300 and the FX500?

Both panels list 60 LEDs (30 at 660nm red and 30 at 850nm near infrared), a built in timer with preset options, and a 2 year warranty. The FX300 lists a coverage area of about 15 by 10 inches and hangs from a door hook or hanging kit. The FX500 lists about 15 by 14 inches, sits on a foldable stand, and publishes higher irradiance at each distance we list from 2 to 12 inches. The FX300 is $199.99 and the FX500 is $269.99 as shown on October 16, 2026.

How do I choose the right size red light panel?

Start with the space and the area you want to cover. Check the listed coverage area, the panel dimensions and how the panel mounts, then make sure you have room to place it at the distance the product page recommends. Both AWA product pages suggest using the panel about 6 to 12 inches from the area. A smaller panel that hangs on a door suits tight spaces, and a larger panel on a stand suits a spare corner of a room.

Does a higher price mean a better red light panel?

Not automatically. A higher price can pay for a larger panel, a bigger LED array, extra features, longer warranties, independent lab testing or strong customer support. Those things have real value if you need them. Compare each spec sheet line by line, ask for numbers taken at a stated distance, and decide which features matter for your space and your budget.

What does irradiance mean, and why does distance matter?

Irradiance, written in mW/cm2, is how much light power reaches each square centimeter. It is highest close to the panel and falls as you move back, so a number only means something with a distance beside it. Our FX300 lists 83.5 mW/cm2 at 6 inches and 43.3 at 12 inches. Our FX500 lists 94 at 6 inches and 73.8 at 12 inches.

What warranty and return policy come with AWA panels?

The FX300 and FX500 each carry a 2 year manufacturer warranty. You can return either one within 60 days of delivery for a full refund, opened or unopened, with free return shipping inside the United States and no restocking fee.

Do you ship red light panels outside the United States?

No. We currently ship within the United States only. Shipping inside the US is free. Orders ship in 1 to 2 business days, and standard delivery takes about 3 business days.

Where can I learn to read a spec sheet for any panel?

Use the checklist on this page, and see our red light device buying checklist for more questions to ask a seller.

Ready to look closer?

See the FX300 See the FX500 Browse all panels

Want to compare our other formats too? Visit Compare AWA Devices.

How we wrote this page

AWA sells red light therapy devices. The AWA values here come from our live product pages, read on October 16, 2026. This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before use if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, use an implanted device, or take medication that increases light sensitivity. Follow your user manual and protect your eyes as directed. See our editorial standards.