What are the main specifications to compare therapy lasers?

The three main specifications are: Power (measured in milliwatts for Class 1-3b, watts for Class 4), Wavelength (measured in nanometers, with 600-660nm for shallow treatment, 800-860nm for deep penetration, 900-980nm for pain control), and Pulsing (continuous wave vs pulsed operation).

What is the difference between Class 3B and Class 4 lasers?

Class 3B lasers have less than 500mW continuous output per diode and are safe for practitioners and home use with basic precautions. Class 4 lasers have 500mW or more per diode, provide faster treatment times, but require training to avoid potential eye or tissue damage.

What wavelength is best for cold laser therapy?

It depends on the application. 600-660nm (red) is best for shallow treatments and lymphatic issues. 800-860nm is the sweet spot for deep penetration and mitochondrial interaction. 900-980nm is preferred for pain control and super-pulsing applications. The best lasers offer multiple wavelengths.

What is a Class 1M laser?

Class 1M lasers use super-pulsing technology to deliver up to 500mW (same as Class 3B) while being safe enough that they cannot cause eye damage unless focused through a lens. This makes them about 100 times stronger than Class 1 or 2 lasers while maintaining the highest safety rating for home use.

The 2026 Therapy Laser Guide

Q: Is cold laser therapy FDA approved?

Cold lasers are FDA registered (not approved, as the FDA uses different terminology for devices) for pain reduction, inflammation reduction, and increasing blood flow. Over 4,000 clinical studies validate the effectiveness of laser therapy.

A straight-forward guide to cold lasers and PhotoBioModulation—from low-cost home systems to high-end professional equipment.

This guide was created to combat misinformation about cold lasers and PhotoBioModulation (PBM). There are over 4,000 clinical studies and hundreds of books showing the effectiveness of laser therapy. Despite what insurance companies claim when denying coverage, this is not an experimental therapy.

4,000+Clinical Studies

300,000+Healthcare Providers

750,000+Active Users

Cold lasers are widely used by chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists, vets, dentists, podiatrists, and other providers who focus on root causes rather than symptoms. They're FDA registered for pain reduction, inflammation reduction, and increasing blood flow.

The 3 Specs That Matter

When comparing therapy lasers, almost everything comes down to three variables: power, wavelength, and pulsing. These control how light travels through tissue and how cells react to it.

Power

Measured in milliwatts (mW) for Class 1-3b systems and watts (W) for Class 4. The market agrees that power is the single most important factor in determining efficacy. More power means faster results and shorter treatment times. Low-power manufacturers have creative ways to justify their products, but the data doesn't support it. Buy as much power as you can afford.

Wavelength

Measured in nanometers (nm). Because there's a therapeutic window where energy transfers best into tissue, most lasers operate in specific ranges. Based on Dr. Hamblin's research:

600-660nm (Red) — Best for shallow treatments, lymphatic issues, acupoint therapy, and skin conditions. Energy absorbed by blood then circulates throughout the body. Common in cosmetic lasers.
800-860nm (IR Sweet Spot) — Maximum penetration depth combined with maximum photo-chemical reaction. Dr. Weber and Dr. Hamblin promote 810nm as the optimum wavelength for mitochondrial interaction.
900-980nm (IR) — 905nm is standard for super-pulsing lasers. 980nm is standard for Class 4 pain control systems. Great secondary wavelengths for inflammation management.

The best lasers offer multiple wavelengths, giving you flexibility to treat a wider range of problems.

Pulsing vs. Continuous Wave

A laser can run continuously (CW) or pulse on and off at various frequencies. Companies like Erchonia use extremely low power and claim pulsing does all the heavy lifting. Companies like Apollo make only CW lasers, arguing that no one knows the optimal frequency so why guess?

The truth is somewhere in the middle. A recent summary study by Huang et al. concluded that pulsing is best for most applications, except nervous system therapy. Better systems offer both modes so you can optimize each protocol.

Laser Classes Explained

Class	Power Limit	Best For	Notes
Class 4	500mW+ per diode	Practitioners, fast treatment	Risk of eye/tissue damage if misused. Training required.
Class 3b	<500mW continuous	Practitioners & home	Safe with basic precautions. Most versatile class.
Class 1M	Up to 500mW pulsed	Home use, safety priority	No eye damage unless focused through lens. ~100x stronger than Class 1.
Class 1-2	5mW max	Limited applications	Anything resembling a laser pointer—skip it.

Class 4 lasers can now be sold for home use on pets and horses without restriction. For human home use, they require a prescription. Many manufacturers have a doctor on staff who can write recommendations and provide training.

Where to Start

Class 4

Practitioners Who Need Speed

If you're a practitioner concerned about faster recoveries and shorter treatment times, start with the ReGen Laser, ATPmax, or EVOlaser. Multi-step internal protocols make it easy to get results on day one. For simple, powerful therapy with no tissue heating risk, look at the Apollo desktop.

Class 3

Best Overall Value

The Avant portables blow away the competition. They offer RED, Violet, and IR wavelengths, both pulsing and CW output, and both broad and pinpoint treatments in one compact package. For acupuncture applications, the PowerMedic Pro laser is optimized specifically for that use. Desktop option: Chattanooga Vectra Genisys (professionals only).

Class 1M

Safety is the Priority

The TerraQuant/MR4 series are the obvious choice. There are more TerraQuant lasers in the world than all other brands combined. Super-pulsing technology delivers higher peak power than typical sub-3b lasers while maintaining the highest safety rating. Perfect for home users who don't want to worry about eye protection.

Warning: If you're looking at systems on sketchy websites for under $2,000, read our article about laser scams and questionable products first. Anything resembling a laser pointer (5mW) delivers such tiny dosages that most experts consider them worthless.

Bottom line: More power = faster results. Compare every major brand side-by-side on our therapy laser comparison table.