While it's important to always consult with a doctor about any new symptoms or conditions, at-home recovery tools can help provide relief between visits.
The best cold laser therapy devices provide temporary relief and lessen the impact of your pain. The best part? These devices can be used while you meditate, read, prep dinner, or go about your daily tasks. 980nm Diode Laser Vascular Removal
Studies show that medical-grade cold laser therapy devices1 can be a great addition to a pain treatment plan when used correctly and consistently.
These handheld devices are by no means a one-and-done solution for pain (or a replacement for your medical appointments), but they can help you feel more like yourself—if even temporarily.
To learn more about the science behind these devices and how they mitigate pain, we spoke with experts like New York-based chiropractic specialist Steven Shoshany, D.C., and researched the options available right now.
Below, find our picks for the best cold laser therapy devices of 2024.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)2 , cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy, is a form of treatment that involves applying light-emitting diodes (otherwise known as low-light lasers) to the surface of the skin.
According to Steven Shoshany, D.C., a chiropractic specialist in New York City, cold laser therapy successfully treats the pain associated with conditions like carpal tunnel and arthritis, in addition to promoting healing of wounds, soft tissue strains, and muscle sprains.
"Cold laser therapy affects injuries and pains—both chronic and acute—at a cellular level," Shoshany explains. "This type of treatment works exceptionally well for inflammation and pain across a wide variety of ailments, whether it be from things like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and tendinitis or vasculitic neuropathy and chronic neck pain."
Since it's been proven to help mitigate pain and accelerate healing, many medical professionals recommend using cold laser therapy (either in-office or at-home) as complement to your existing pain management strategy.
Though generally performed in a medical professional's office, cold laser therapy can also be administered at home with the use of a handheld tool.
Each device is designed with a different set of laser classes (1, 2, 3R, 3B, and 4) and wavelengths from 650 to 950 nanometers (nm) and requires only a few minutes of use per session.
To prevent retina damage, many lasers come with protective eyeglasses.
One of the most popular professional-level options, this easy-to-use device harnesses a powerful laser. What sets it apart from other medical-grade, high-ticket cold lasers is that it can be purchased over-the-counter for home use.
Combining three effective wavelengths (660 nm, 875 nm, and 905 nm) into one compact device, this tool gives users the ability to customize their treatment. The kit also comes with very comprehensive manuals to help you determine the right protocol for you.
It was FDA cleared for increasing blood flow and improving both pain and inflammation, making it ideal for treating muscular, tendon, and skeletal discomfort—but users with all sorts of aches and pains find it incredibly helpful.
What’s more, it has an 18-hour battery, so you won’t have to stop mid-session.
Reviewers love how high-quality this tool is and how well it helps soothe pain related to arthritis. “This is the greatest gift I have ever given myself. Though it costs $2,000 it has earned its weight in gold over the last decade. The pain relief I feel in my joints is priceless,” one person says.
To put it plainly: arthritis changes your grip. Swollen, achy joints can make it hard to hold things—yes, even sturdy treatment devices like handheld cold lasers.
We recommend the Sinoriko device for those with arthritis since it’s comfortable to hold and doesn’t weigh a ton.
Equipped with four power settings and four timer functions, you’re able to control how strong and how long you want each session to be.
Take your pick between strengths (low to high) and time (5 to 20 minutes, in five-minute increments) to tailor your treatment to your specific needs.
Plus, the controls are fool-proof. An on/off button illuminates the screen, but you’ll need to double-click the “power” button to activate the laser. This feature ensures that you will not accidentally emit laser wavelengths when you’re not ready.
As far as charging goes, it takes four to five hours to reach a full battery—but you won’t be able to charge the device and use it at the same time.
One reviewer with arthritis comments that they have chronic pain “all over” and that this device really helps. “I’m an acupuncture student, and [laser therapy] is good for people who don’t like needles. I have access to an expensive laser at my clinic, but this one works similarly at home.”
A great budget- and travel-friendly option, this kit comes stocked with protective goggles, two rechargeable batteries, a charger, a storage pouch, and a hard shell carry case.
Utilizing the state-of-the-art technology used by doctors, physical therapists, and trainers, the cold laser wavelengths in this device are meant to treat aches, pains, spasms, and more—making it an ideal companion to have on any adventure.
The brand-recommended protocol is two to three times a day, for one to three minutes (depending on pain level).
This device is rated a 4.3 overall on Amazon. One reviewer writes, “This is a great entry level red light therapy device. I bought it on a whim and have been more than pleasantly surprised. It works exactly as advertised, and then some. It’s helped with muscle knots and pain, plantar fasciitis, sore toes, and more.” A few people do note that they wish there were clearer instructions included with the device.
Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and other joint and muscle issues can seriously impact your day to day life. What sets this FDA-approved device apart from other options on the market is its easy-to-understand LED display screen.
Most other devices have a few standard buttons, but this device’s screen showcases the session length, mode, and battery life throughout each use.
The laser also comes with protective glasses for optimal eye safety, and a carrying pouch for easy portability. Each full charge should last up to 10 hours.
The device does take a bit longer than we’d hope to charge (2 to 3 hours), so make sure to set aside the time before you plan to use it.
One reviewer calls it “effective,” sharing that it’s similar to a treatment they received in their chiropractor’s office. “I bought it two weeks ago and use it twice a day,” writes another reviewer. “My tennis elbow pain is gone. It works very well.”
The idea of applying a laser to your skin can make some people apprehensive. This handheld low-level laser comes with a kit containing everything you could possibly need, including a simple set of rules to follow. A great option for people who haven’t used cold laser therapy before, this device is easy to incorporate into your everyday life.
This device has been cleared by the FDA to be used a few times a day as needed. Each time you use it, the light stimulates injured cells and causes them to respond at a higher rate. The intended result: Pain relief, improved circulation, and an accelerated healing process.
The brand recommends that you start with the lowest laser strength power level (170mW) two to three times per day for a total of 15 minutes. Then, during your second week of use, you can try the second power level (340mW) two to three times per day for up to 20 to 25 minutes.
Finally, after three weeks, you can go ahead and use the third power setting (510mW) two to three times a day for a total of 30+ minutes, as desired. Again, if you are unsure about the right treatment plan for you, consult with a medical professional.
There are also two wavelength modes to choose from: continuous and pulse. The continuous wavelength mode emits a fixed laser energy the entire time you’re using it. Pulsed diodes, on the other hand, emit a high intensity laser in short-yet-powerful bursts of energy.
It’s the high-powered level during each pulse that drives the light energy deep into the target tissue. The peak power of a pulsed laser can be higher than that of a continuous laser, making it a more effective treatment in a shorter time span.
This cold laser therapy device does not have a ton of reviews yet, but the feedback it does have is positive. People comment on the efficacy and say it has made a considerable difference in their pain management. One writes, “A friend loaned me her device for my dog who had major knee surgery. It worked to reduce inflammation and helped the healing process. I’ve also used it on my back and had such a positive experience with it, I’m buying myself one.”
For lower back pain, a wearable cold laser therapy device can be much simpler to use. Designed to be wrapped around your body, this red light therapy belt can be used on different parts of the body, but is most ideal for back pain.
The belt is 130 cm, so it should fit anyone from a standard size Small through Extra Large.
Take your pick from four operating modes: continuous light, 10 HZ, 40 HZ, and breathing mode, each of which works to boost the body’s natural recovery, healing, and regeneration.
With five power levels, you can even further customize your cold laser treatment. Note: It’s an electrical-powered device, so it’s not chargeable and doesn’t run on USB. In other words, it has to be plugged into a power source while in use.
Reviewers sing this belt’s praises, commenting mostly on the comfort and ease-of-use. One shares, “I have experienced pain reduction in my lower back, which I often struggle with as a result of my herniated disc. I’m shocked by how much I feel better in my day to day after using this.”
The use of cold laser therapy is growing in traditional medicine as a form of complementary or alternative therapy3 for both acute and chronic pain. Each session is just minutes long, but many patients see a difference in pain with repeated use.
According to Shoshany, patients might see faster results during in-office treatments, due to the fact that the pro-grade machinery has higher wavelengths, but the options available for home use are still effective.
"Just keep in mind that there's a difference between lasers and LEDs," he advises. "Even though the colors might be the same (red and blue, for example), the diodes are different. Lasers are far more powerful and require eye protection, while LED lights won't because they're not as dynamic."
Cold laser therapy is a drug-free, noninvasive alternative treatment for pain. According to a study performed by the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI), cold laser therapy treats a wide variety of conditions, pain syndromes, and injuries in need of healing without many side effects. "The bottom line is that cold laser therapy is a safe and effective treatment option with little to no side effects," Shoshany confirms. Just be sure to wear protective glasses in order to prevent direct eye exposure, which can cause permanent damage to retinas. Stop use if your skin is burned or irritated.
Cold laser therapy stimulates the body to heal itself with the help of non-thermal diodes of light that are administered for several minutes. According to Shoshany, the diodes stimulate the injured cells and create extra energy that helps accelerate the healing process. “The extra ATP, or energy, is absorbed by cells, tissues, and organs to promote faster healing, as well as decrease pain and inflammation," he explains.
There are many types of lasers that have been approved and cleared by the FDA across a variety of price points. On average, a cold laser therapy session in a doctor's office can cost anywhere from $30 to $150+. Though it depends on the severity and duration of the pain and condition, you'll likely need to attend a number of sessions (anywhere from five to 30, to be exact) in order to see results. At that rate, an in-office cold laser therapy treatment plan can cost more than $4,000 to see the best results. At-home devices vary in price, with some options as low as $150 and others as expensive as $4,000.
Cold laser therapy devices are a convenient way to treat pain, either chronic (like arthritis and TMJ) or acute (like sprains, strains, and other injuries).
While they're not a one-and-done solution, they can be an effective option for people who want to speed their recovery processes along at home.
Depending on the laser strength, some of these devices are able to alleviate pain in a few sessions—as long as you use them correctly and consistently.
To learn more about cold laser therapy and other forms of light therapy, check out the best red light therapy, best cold plunge tubs, and hot and cold recovery.
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
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