Which wavelengths does each MovTech red light device use?
Key takeaways
- MovTech red light devices work between 460 and 940 nm: from blue and yellow light, through visible red, to near-infrared.
- Almost all of our devices include the two basics: visible red (630 or 660 nm) and near-infrared (850 nm).
- The MAX 60 and MAX 180 panels emit five wavelengths, the MAX 300 and MAX 960 seven, including 940 nm infrared.
- The Red Light Mat, the Full Body Red Light Mat and the Red Light Belt work with two targeted wavelengths: 660 and 850 nm.
- The Red Light Mask and the Red Light Lamp add blue light to red and infrared, and the mask yellow as well.
- The choice depends on the body area, not the number of wavelengths: a mask for the face, a belt for the lower back, a panel or mat for large areas.
Contents
- Wavelength in brief: from 460 to 940 nm
- All our devices in one table
- MAX 60 and MAX 180: five wavelengths
- MAX 300 and MAX 960: seven wavelengths
- Red Light Mat and Full Body Red Light Mat
- Red Light Belt: 660 and 850 nm
- Red Light Mask: four colours
- Red Light Lamp: five wavelengths in your hand
- Which one should you choose?
When people switch on a red light panel for the first time, they often think some of the LEDs are faulty because they stay dark. In fact they are working, they just emit near-infrared light, which the eye cannot see. That is one more reason why it is good to know which wavelengths each device uses.
In this article we go device by device through the wavelengths each MovTech product uses, and which one we recommend for whom. The numbers come from the products' spec sheets. If you are also interested in power output (mW/cm²) and measuring distance, we cover those in detail in our article on red light device spec sheets.
Wavelength in brief: from 460 to 940 nm
Wavelength, given in nanometres (nm), tells you what kind of light an LED emits. The eye can see the range between 400 and 700 nm: this includes blue (460–480 nm), yellow (590 nm) and red (630–660 nm). Infrared begins above 700 nm, and the eye can no longer detect it. In red light devices, 810–850 nm near-infrared is the most common, while 900 and 940 nm are rarer.
| Wavelength | Colour, range | Visible? |
|---|---|---|
| 460 nm | Blue | Yes |
| 480 nm | Cyan (blue-green) | Yes |
| 590 nm | Yellow | Yes |
| 630 nm | Red | Yes |
| 660 nm | Deep red | Yes |
| 810–850 nm | Near-infrared (NIR) | Barely, a faint glow |
| 900–940 nm | Infrared | No |
The wavelength of light also affects how deep it reaches into the skin. Shorter-wavelength blue light is absorbed in the uppermost layers, red reaches somewhat deeper, and near-infrared deeper still. Research studies this technology in general, under the name photobiomodulation in the scientific literature. The PubMed results for photobiomodulation give an overview. These studies are not about our products, and we do not promise any specific effect for any of our devices.
All our devices in one table
In the MovTech red light range, the MAX panels work with five or seven wavelengths, the mats and the belt with two (660 and 850 nm), the face mask with four colours and the handheld lamp with five wavelengths. What they have in common: near-infrared (850 nm) is present in every device.
| Device | Wavelengths | Body area |
|---|---|---|
| MAX 60 | 630, 660, 810, 830, 850 nm | One body area (face, shoulder) |
| MAX 180 | 630, 660, 810, 830, 850 nm | Half the body (back, thighs) |
| MAX 300 | 480, 630, 660, 810, 830, 850, 940 nm | Half the body, in a wider strip |
| MAX 960 | 480, 630, 660, 810, 830, 850, 940 nm | Full body |
| Red Light Mat | 660 and 850 nm, 1:1 | One side of the full body, lying down |
| Full Body Red Light Mat | 660 and 850 nm, 1:1 | One side of the full body, lying down |
| Red Light Belt | 660 and 850 nm | Lower back, abdomen, thighs |
| Red Light Mask | 460, 590, 630, 850 nm | Face |
| Red Light Lamp | 460, 630, 660, 850, 900 nm | Small area, targeted spot |
MAX 60 and MAX 180: five wavelengths
The MAX 60 and MAX 180 panels emit the same five wavelengths: 630 and 660 nm visible red, plus 810, 830 and 850 nm near-infrared. The difference is the size: the MAX 60 measures 316 × 214 mm and is made for one body area, while the MAX 180 measures 910 × 195 mm and lights up a larger area at once, along the length of the back or thighs.
The five wavelengths form two groups. The two reds (630 and 660 nm) sit at the end of the visible range, and the three near-infrared wavelengths (810, 830 and 850 nm) are close together and cover one band. Both panels have a 30° beam angle, which means the light is concentrated on the area in front of the panel. On the MAX 60, red (RED) and near-infrared (NIR) light can be switched on separately from the control panel.
Who do we recommend it for? The MAX 60 for anyone who wants to start with one body area or is short on space. It fits even in a small apartment bedroom, and it is the most affordable entry point among the panels. The MAX 180 for anyone planning a regular home routine who wants to cover a larger area in one session. For most home buyers we recommend the MAX 180: it is big enough for the back and thighs, but not yet studio-sized.
MAX 300 and MAX 960: seven wavelengths
The MAX 300 and MAX 960 work with seven wavelengths: in addition to the five wavelengths of the MAX 60 and 180, they also include 480 nm cyan and 940 nm infrared LEDs. 940 nm is the longest wavelength in our range. The MAX 300 measures 910 × 298 mm, the MAX 960 1800 × 473 mm, and the latter reaches the whole body at once.
Seven wavelengths mean that a single panel covers a broad band, from the blue-green part of the visible spectrum all the way to 940 nm infrared. 940 nm light is completely invisible, so these LEDs look dark even when switched on.
Who do we recommend it for? The MAX 300 for demanding home use and smaller studios, where a wide range of wavelengths and a larger area both matter. The MAX 960 for studios, gyms and professional use, where several clients use it one after another and the whole body is covered in one session. For home use, the MAX 960 is oversized for most homes; there the MAX 180 or 300 is the better choice.
Red Light Mat and Full Body Red Light Mat: 660 and 850 nm
Both mats work with two wavelengths, 660 nm deep red and 850 nm near-infrared, with the LEDs split half and half (1:1) between them. The 900 version of the Red Light Mat measures 180 × 60 cm with 900 LEDs, and the 1350 version 180 × 90 cm with 1,350 LEDs. The Full Body Red Light Mat measures 180 × 80 cm with 2,700 LEDs.
On the Red Light Mat, the wavelength is selectable: it can run 660 nm only, 850 nm only, or both together. The measured peak wavelengths of the two channels are 660.7 and 852.4 nm, so the LEDs emit exactly where the listing says they do. The mat has no fan, so it is completely silent.
Who do we recommend it for? Anyone who wants to light up one side of the whole body at once while lying down, without having to adjust a panel. The Red Light Mat is also used by Pilates and yoga studios, because its thin, easy-to-clean surface lets you exercise on it. The Full Body Red Light Mat is also available to rent if you would like to try it first.
Red Light Belt: 660 and 850 nm
The Red Light Belt works with 136 LEDs, using 660 nm deep red and 850 nm near-infrared light. The belt measures 130 × 20 cm and fastens with hook-and-loop straps around the waist, abdomen or thigh, so the LEDs lie directly on the skin. It has five brightness levels, plus continuous, pulsed (10 Hz, 40 Hz) and breathing modes.
Because the belt lies on the skin, the distance is the same every time, and with red light that matters more than you might think. The irradiance measured on the LED surface ranges from 49.7 to 92.4 mW/cm², depending on the level.
Who do we recommend it for? Anyone who wants to use it in a targeted way on one body area (lower back, abdomen, thighs) without having to sit still in front of a panel. You can wear the belt on the move, while working at a desk or reading.
Red Light Mask: four colours
The Red Light Mask works with 240 LEDs at four wavelengths: 630 nm red, 590 nm yellow and 460 nm blue light, each mode combined with 850 nm near-infrared. The three modes are therefore red + infrared, yellow + infrared and blue + infrared. The mask follows the shape of the face, and you do not need to hold it.
The measured peak wavelengths: red 627.5 nm, yellow 595.4 nm, blue 458.6 nm. The LED types used in the mask fall into the lowest group, the exempt group, under the IEC 62471 photobiological safety standard.
Who do we recommend it for? Anyone looking for a device specifically for the face that would become part of their skincare routine. The blue and yellow modes are for those who would like to work with other colours besides red. The timer can be set between 10 and 30 minutes, in five-minute steps.
Red Light Lamp: five wavelengths in your hand
The Red Light Lamp is a portable, handheld lamp with five wavelengths: 460 nm blue, 630 and 660 nm red, 850 and 900 nm near-infrared. It is 125 mm long, has a built-in battery, and lights up a small area or targeted spot. It delivers 217 mW/cm² at the lamp head.
With the lamp, distance matters especially: from 8 cm it delivers only 51 mW/cm², less than a quarter of what it gives at the head. That is why it is best held close to the skin.
Who do we recommend it for? Anyone looking for a device for a small, targeted area, or who would take it along when travelling or training. It is the smallest and most affordable entry point into our red light devices, but for large areas a panel or mat is the right choice.
Which one should you choose?
The choice depends on the body area and the size of the area, not on how many wavelengths a device has. For the face, the Red Light Mask; for the lower back, abdomen and thighs, the Red Light Belt; for a targeted spot, the Red Light Lamp. For a larger area, a MAX panel; for the full body lying down, a mat; with a panel, the MAX 960.
| If you want | We recommend | Wavelengths |
|---|---|---|
| For the face, as part of your skincare routine | Red Light Mask | 460, 590, 630, 850 nm |
| For the lower back, abdomen and thighs, on the move | Red Light Belt | 660, 850 nm |
| For a small, targeted area, for travel | Red Light Lamp | 460, 630, 660, 850, 900 nm |
| For one body area, in a small space | MAX 60 | 630, 660, 810, 830, 850 nm |
| For a regular home routine, for the back and thighs | MAX 180 | 630, 660, 810, 830, 850 nm |
| For a broad wavelength band, over a larger area | MAX 300 | 480–940 nm, seven wavelengths |
| For the full body, with a panel, in a studio | MAX 960 | 480–940 nm, seven wavelengths |
| For the full body, lying down, even while exercising | Red Light Mat or Full Body Red Light Mat | 660, 850 nm |
More wavelengths do not automatically make a device better. The two-wavelength mat focuses on 660 and 850 nm, while the seven-wavelength panel covers a broader band. Both are deliberate choices, and the difference lies more in how and where you use them.
If you would like to try one first: the MAX panels and the Full Body Red Light Mat are available to rent. If you are not sure which one is right for you, write to us and we will help you choose. You can find the full range among our red light devices.
Safety: do not look directly into a high-brightness panel; use the eye protection supplied with the device, or close your eyes. Direct the light onto bare skin; using it through clothing is not recommended. If you are pregnant, take medication that causes light sensitivity, have a condition affecting your eyes, or have any existing health condition, ask your doctor first. Red light devices are wellness devices, not medical devices, and are not intended to treat any health condition.
In summary
MovTech red light devices work between 460 and 940 nm, and near-infrared (850 nm) is present in all of them. The MAX panels use five or seven wavelengths, the mats and the belt the two core wavelengths (660 and 850 nm), and the mask and the lamp blue light as well. Which one is right for you depends on the body area: first think about where you would use it, then look at the wavelengths.
