Red Light Hair Devices Compared: HigherDose, CurrentBody, LaDoura, and Capillus
For anyone weighing at-home red light therapy for hair growth, here’s how four devices stack up on price, coverage, and convenience.
Image: womenshealthmag.com
HigherDose Red Light Hat
The HigherDose Red Light Hat costs $449 and emits 650 nm light. It packs 120 LED bulbs into a cordless baseball cap, with a magnetic pod that runs a 10-minute session and beeps when done. The cap looks like a regular black hat, so it’s discreet enough to wear in public—though it only comes in one color. It covers the entire scalp and is hands-free, making it easy to use while working or reading. Beauty editor Nicole Saunders tested it and found it more affordable than alternatives, but she still reported less shedding from the CurrentBody. If you want a solid, mid-priced option that doesn’t look like a medical device, this is a strong pick. Just note there’s no explicit wavelength or LED count given for some rivals, so compare carefully.
- Price: $449
- Wavelength: 650nm
- LED count: 120
- Coverage: Full scalp
- Hands-free: Yes
CurrentBody Skin Helmet
The CurrentBody Skin helmet costs nearly double the HigherDose's price, placing it firmly in the premium tier of at-home red light therapy. Unlike the discreet baseball cap, this is a full-coverage helmet that cradles the entire scalp, allowing for completely hands-free use—just sit back and relax during your session. In hands-on testing, the editor experienced noticeably less hair shedding with the CurrentBody compared to the HigherDose, indicating it may deliver more robust results for those fighting hair loss. While it sacrifices the portability and stealth of the cap, it stands as the best-in-class device for anyone willing to pay extra. The trade-off is clear: if maximum effectiveness and a high-end build are your priorities, the CurrentBody wins, but for on-the-go wear or hiding under everyday clothing, the HigherDose remains the practical choice.
- Price: Almost double HigherDose'
LaDoura Brush
The LaDoura brush is the budget pick at $300, but it’s also the most labor-intensive. Unlike the hands-free hats, this device requires you to brush your scalp and strands for 10 minutes, which can be tedious. It combines red light therapy with microcurrent, massage, and vibration, and has only 30 LED bulbs compared to the HigherDose’s 120. The smaller LED count and targeted brush design mean it’s better for spot-treating thinning edges than covering the entire scalp. No wavelength is specified, so you can’t verify it hits the effective 630–690 nm range. The saving of $150 versus the HigherDose might be tempting, but the manual effort and reduced coverage could negate the benefit. It’s a reasonable entry point if you’re patient and have localized thinning, but not for whole-head treatment.
- Price: $300
- LED count: 30
- Coverage: Targeted
- Hands-free: No
Capillus Helmet
The Capillus helmet commands a hefty $1,500—half the editor's monthly rent—making it the most expensive option in this category. Despite this luxury price, it's labeled as 'entry-level' among hair-growth devices, implying it offers basic functionality without advanced features. Dermatologist Candace Spann, MD, explicitly recommends the Capillus line, providing a medical endorsement that many competitors lack. The helmet's design fully covers the scalp and is hands-free, but it lacks the discretion of the HigherDose cap; you'll clearly look like you're wearing a therapeutic device. No technical specifications are supplied regarding wavelength, LED count, or session length, so buyers must rely on the brand's reputation and the dermatologist's credibility. For those with the financial flexibility to absorb the cost, it's a worthy investment—especially if you trust expert guidance over detailed specs. However, the editor admitted she wouldn't spend that much on a beauty tool, and the HigherDose delivers a comparable, more affordable alternative for most people.
- Price: $1,500
Draws on source material published at womenshealthmag.com.
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