Get all the benefits of red light therapy at home with Higher Dose

You may have seen Higher Dose
(available at HigherDose)

on Instagram from your favorite influencers and celebrities. The brand is a wellness tech company that specializes in red light therapy, or RLT, known for its famous sauna blanket and PEMF Go Mat, which combines the benefits of a sauna’s heat with RLT in one at-home device, as well as its red light face mask.

Interested in the benefits of red light therapy, we put the Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket and PEMF Go Mat to the test. If you’re also interested in at-home RLT and have the budget to invest in the equipment, you’ll want to check out the brand’s offerings.

Here’s our honest review of Higher Dose.

What is Higher Dose?

Higher Dose makes red light and PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) devices to boost “feel-good” chemicals dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins—a.k.a. your DOSE. The brand entered the market with its infrared sauna blanket and now also sells face masks and mats—like thick yoga mats that are less cushy—that emit red light and PEMF energy to boost your daily DOSE.

We tested the Infrared Sauna Blanket and the PEMF Go Mat.

Designed for daily 30 to 45-minute sessions, the blanket delivers eight levels of infrared heat to promote relaxation, “glowing” skin, and muscle recovery. You do need a layer between your skin and the sauna blanket—you can wear clothes while relaxing or lay in the included cloth blanket if you prefer to sauna sans clothing. It costs $700.

The Infrared PEMF Go Mat is a shorter version of the original Higher Dose Infrared PEMF Mat. Using infrared and PEMF technology, this mat is meant to reduce stress, improve your sleep, and increase energy levels. You can lay on the mat flat on the floor, or prop it on a chair, your couch, or against the wall to sit on it. The Go Mat costs $700 and a full-size option is available for $1,295.

Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket

What we like

I couldn’t get enough of the sauna blanket. It was easy to use, warmed up quickly, and left me feeling relaxed and refreshed. The eight heat levels provide a variety of sensations, so whether you want light warmth or to sweat it out in your sauna, this blanket will work for you.

The interior cloth blanket is soft and cozy to crawl into, and while the exterior cover weighs about 15 pounds, it didn’t feel unbearably heavy. It felt more like using a weighted blanket for added decompression. At the end of each session, I definitely experienced the relaxed feeling and glowing skin Higher Dose promises.

What we didn’t like

The only downside to this blanket is its size. It’s fairly large as is, and the material is difficult to fold and store, so it took up a lot of floor space in my apartment. And because it was difficult to fold, it didn’t make it easy to lug the blanket up and down two flights of stairs to store in the basement.

Infrared Sauna Blanket

The Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket helps elevate the body’s thermal energy, enhances deep relaxation, and promotes glowing skin.

$700 at Higher Dose

PEMF Go Mat

What we like

The PEMF Go Mat takes up much less space than the sauna blanket and is easier to store. It’s more lightweight than the sauna blanket—weighing 11 pounds—and it folds in half easily to slip into the included carrying bag. This made it easy to store under my bed while not in use and take back out and set up for a PEMF session.

Due to the technology inside, the mat is more rigid than, say, a pilates mat. It’s still comfortable to sit and lay on, just not as plush.

What we don’t like

I thought the PEMF Go Mat was a bit more difficult to incorporate into my everyday life. It’s only about 1.5 inches thick, but it was difficult to use on my shallow desk chair and couch. The mat protruded off the seat, so I didn’t feel fully supported when sitting on it. However, I was able to prop the back up on the bottom of the couch and sit on it on the floor, as well as lay on top of it in bed propped against my backrest.

Infrared PEMF Go Mat

The Higher Dose Infrared PEMF Go Mat helps boost your mood, reduce stress, and relieves chronic pain.

$700 at Higher Dose

What is red light therapy?

In short, red light therapy exposes your body to low levels of red or near-infrared light to stimulate energy production. Red light devices come in various shapes and sizes, including wands for the face and blankets like the one from Higher Dose.

You can undergo red light therapy through your dermatologist’s office, a spa, or by using an at-home device. Most home devices suggest starting with just five minutes of exposure and working your way up to 30 minutes or more, five times a week, for best results.

What does red light therapy do?

Red light therapy works by stimulating mitochondria, the energy-producing centers of your cells. This could help your body work more efficiently, and in turn, increase blood circulation, stimulate collagen production, and reduce inflammation.

It’s commonly performed to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, and even skin cancer. It could also help relieve muscle and joint pain and boost athletic performance.

Is red light therapy safe?

Unlike harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, red and infrared light is safe for your skin and body. Those with sensitive skin could find the light irritating, so you may still want to consult with your doctor before trying red light therapy. However, there are no documented risks or damaging side effects associated with red light exposure.

The main downside to red light therapy is limited research surrounding it, so results aren’t always a guarantee.

Is Higher Dose worth it?

Maybe, if you’re interested in red light therapy and have the budget

If you’re interested in exploring red light therapy at home and don’t mind the high price tag, you’ll love Higher Dose. I can see why the sauna blanket is so popular—I wanted to use it every day. The combination of heat and red light worked quickly to relax me and kept me coming back for more.

The Go Mat might be a better solution for those with less space in their homes, but I found it difficult to use on chairs and my couch, like Higher Dose advertises.

There’s no way around it, red light therapy at home is an expensive investment. But if you’re eager for the benefits and can afford the equipment, Higher Dose is a great place to shop.

Infrared PEMF Go Mat

The Higher Dose Infrared PEMF Go Mat helps boost your mood, reduce stress, and relieves chronic pain.

$700 at Higher Dose

Infrared Sauna Blanket

The Higher Dose Infrared Sauna Blanket helps elevate the body’s thermal energy, enhances deep relaxation, and promotes glowing skin.

$700 at Higher Dose

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.