The Ultimate Guide to Red Light Therapy Panel Sizes

Choosing the right red light therapy panel size is key to getting consistent results, fitting your space, and matching your routine. Panels range from tiny handheld units to full-body rigs with hundreds of LEDs. This guide walks you through each size category—LED count, power draw, coverage, portability, and setup considerations—so you can confidently pick the panel that suits your goals.

LED Count vs. Typical Specs

Power Note: Most 300-LED panels cannot be run four at a time on a single 15 A / 110 V circuit without reducing power. The same applies to any setup over 800 LEDs—unless the panels are deliberately low-power or low-irradiance. Four 200-LED panels (~1,520 W total) will run at full power on a standard circuit; four 300-LED panels (~2,400 W+) will not.

1. Tiny & Handheld Units (≤ 12 LED)

• Coverage: Palm-sized spot—ideal for pinpoint work.

• Penetration: Can deliver relatively deep penetration per pass thanks to close-contact optics.

• Portability: Perfect for travel—fits in a suitcase or carry-on.

• Use Cases: Precision spot treatments on fine lines, blemishes, or tiny muscle knots.

• Pros: Ultra-portable; great for on-the-road therapy.

• Cons: Very limited surface area; multiple 5–10 min passes are needed to treat larger zones.

• Time Trade-Off: To cover areas like knees or lower back, plan 20–30 minutes via multiple spot passes.

2. Small Panels (60–75 LED)

• Coverage: Palm to forearm area in one pass.

• Portability: Lightweight (~7 lbs); easy to move or travel with.

• Use Cases: Face, neck, back, knee, ankle—these panels can do virtually everything if you have the time.

• Pros: Affordable; deep enough for both skin and moderate tissue depths.

• Cons: Requires multiple positions for full-body impact.

• Efficiency: To achieve systemic benefits (e.g. full back or back + shoulder), you may need 20–30 minutes in two different sections, whereas a full-body panel can do it in 10–15 minutes.

• Starter Pick: 75 LED SECOTRA Simple 1EQ—compact, six wavelengths, modular expandability.

3. Mid-Size Panels (100–150 LED)

• Coverage: Torso segments, full knees, shoulders, or thighs in one go.

• Portability: Moderate weight (12–17 lbs); typically used with a stand or wall hook.

• Use Cases: Larger zones where small panels feel tedious.

• Pros: Better balance of coverage vs. portability.

• Cons: Still requires repositioning for whole-body routines; heavier mounting setups.

4. Large Panels (200 LED)

• Coverage: Entire front or back half-body in a single session.

• Portability: ~22 lbs; includes hangers and can be propped standing in a corner.

• Use Cases: Full-body wellness, athletic recovery, systemic therapy.

• Pros: High power density; two-position full-body in 20–30 minutes.

• Cons: Bulky; best when hung or corner-placed.

• Efficiency: Four 200-LED panels (800 LEDs total) deliver true full-body coverage on one household circuit without throttling—unlike most 300-LED panels.

• Core Recommendation: 200 LED SECOTRA Simple 2EQ—modular, six wavelengths, circuit-friendly.

5. Extra-Large & Multi-Panel Setups (≥ 300 LED)

• Coverage: Single-pass full-body treatment.

• Portability: Heavy (25 lbs+); best for a dedicated home gym or clinic.

• Use Cases: Pro-athlete or clinical protocols.

• Pros: Maximum area, shortest sessions.

• Cons: Very high power draw (400–600 W each); may need dedicated circuits.

The Shape Equation: Tall vs. Wide

• Tall & Narrow:

  • Pros: Treats head-to-mid-thigh in one position.

  • Cons: Limited horizontal reach.

• Short & Wide:

  • Pros: Covers full torso width or both legs side-by-side.

  • Cons: May need vertical repositioning.

Pro Tip: Side-by-side two 200-LED panels creates a 400-LED wide array; stacking them gives a 400-LED tall column. Maximum flexibility with minimal wiring.

Making the Decision

1. Define Your Goal:

   • Skin & beauty: 60–100 LED.

   • Joint pain & injury: 75–150 LED.

   • Athletic recovery: ≥ 150 LED for half-body; ≥ 300 LED for full-body.

2. Coverage vs. Convenience:

   • Larger panels simply cover more area, affect more cells, and get the job done quicker—fewer positions, shorter sessions.

3. Future Growth:

   • Start with a 75 LED panel; add a 200 LED unit later to expand your coverage.

4. Power & Space:

   • Four 200-LED panels (~1,520 W total) run full-power on a single 15 A / 110 V circuit; four 300-LED panels (~2,400 W) will not.

5. Skepticism on Specs:

   • Irradiance figures are often inflated under lab conditions. Focus on real-world wattage, LED count, wavelengths, and user feedback.

Why SECOTRA Panels Stand Out

• Six True Wavelengths: 630 nm, 660 nm, 670 nm (red) and 810 nm, 830 nm, 850 nm (NIR)—no token LEDs.

• Dual-Chip LEDs: Ensures each wavelength delivers meaningful photons.

• Modular Design: Simple 1EQ (75 LED) links seamlessly to Simple 2EQ (200 LED).

• Circuit-Friendly: Four 200-LED panels run full-power on one 15 A / 110 V circuit.

• No-Frills Interface: Plug in, set timer, go—no apps or menus.

Final Thought

Your best panel is one you’ll use every day. Match LED count and coverage to your goals, plan for future expansion, and don’t be fooled by inflated specs. A 75 LED SECOTRA Simple 1EQ is the perfect launch point. For full-body ease, the 200 LED SECOTRA Simple 2EQ is a powerful, expandable workhorse that fits a standard circuit and slashes session times.

Choose wisely, stay consistent, and enjoy the long-term benefits of red light therapy!