Many brands use misleading wattage specifications
In short
The big wattage figures on many panels are the LEDs' maximum ratings added together, not the power the panel draws or the light it puts out. No panel can run that hard without overheating.
The number that tells you how much light reaches you is irradiance at a stated distance. That is the one to compare.
Key takeaways
- Big wattage claims are usually the LEDs' maximum ratings multiplied together, not the power the panel draws.Read this section: How the wattage trick works
- Only a fraction of each LED's rated power is ever used, so the rated total says little about output.Read this section: How the wattage trick works
- Irradiance at a stated distance is the number that matters; input power is at best a rough guide.Read this section: Input watts as a rough guide
How the wattage trick works
You will come across brands advertising very high wattage ratings with the implication that their panels are extremely powerful. However, this is a trick because:
- What they are doing is using the maximum power rating of the bulbs not the actual power being run through the unit e.g. 300 5W bulbs and calling it 1500W (300 x 5 = 1500)
- But no light would ever draw this much power - if it did you would have a huge safety issue because the whole thing would overheat!
- In reality only a fraction of each bulb's potential output power is ever used (this maximises efficiency and is also why 5W bulbs offer no benefit over 3W bulbs and are a waste of money)
- The number which matters is the irradiance, a measurement of brightness
Input watts as a rough guide
Note: input wattages can provide a rough guide on irradiance, but are not the most accurate because more efficient designs like the Hero300 can produce higher irradiances with lower power consumption. But if, for example, you see a panel with half the input power it almost certainly would also produce less irradiance.
Why it is the Hero300™ and not the Hero1500
This is why we use the number of LEDs to signify the model name, hence we sell the Hero300 and not the Hero1500!
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Disclaimer
Red Light Hero devices use clinical-grade LEDs but are not included in the ARTG and are not intended to treat or prevent disease. The research discussed here is about the wavelengths and technologies we use, not about our products. This article is educational information only, not medical advice - check with your healthcare professional before use, particularly if you are pregnant, take medication that increases light sensitivity, or have a condition affecting your eyes or skin.