What is the difference between infrared heating pads and regular heating pads?
A regular heating pad warms your skin with an electric element or heated fill. Many pads sold as infrared heating pads are still heating pads, with an infrared label on the warmth. A red light therapy pad is different: it uses LEDs to shine red and near-infrared light, and heat is not its purpose.
We sell flexible LED light pads in our red light therapy pads and wraps collection, so we have a stake in this question. This guide explains the three types and how to read a listing before you buy. Red light devices are for general wellness use, not a treatment for any medical condition.
How does a regular heating pad work?
A regular heating pad is built to make warmth. An electric element inside the fabric heats up, or a gel or grain fill is warmed first, and the pad passes that heat to your skin. You choose a heat setting, and the product is judged by how warm it gets, how evenly, and how safely it shuts off.
It is a simple, low-cost tool for staying warm and comfortable on the couch. Nothing about its job depends on a specific wavelength of light.
What does "infrared" mean on a heating pad?
Heat itself is a form of infrared energy, so a heated pad can truthfully carry an infrared label. On many listings the word describes the radiant warmth of the pad, sometimes with stones or fabric woven in, not a light source you can specify. That is why the label alone tells you very little.
When you see an infrared heating pad, ask what actually produces the energy: a heating element, or LEDs. If the listing gives temperature settings and no wavelengths, treat it as a heating pad.
How is a red light therapy pad different?
A red light therapy pad is a flexible wrap lined with LEDs. The listing gives wavelengths, such as 660nm red and 850nm near-infrared, plus LED count, pad size and session length. The light is the point. LEDs do produce some warmth in use, and Lumara notes that LED spacing affects how hot a pad runs and how much output it can sustain, but warmth is a side effect.
Our article on 660nm vs 850nm red light therapy explains what those numbers mean. We describe what a device is and what it outputs, and we do not promise results.
How do the three types compare?
| Regular heating pad | Infrared heating pad | Red light therapy pad | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it produces | Warmth | Warmth, labeled infrared | Red and near-infrared LED light |
| What the listing shows | Heat settings | Heat settings, sometimes stones or fabric | Wavelengths, LED count, size, session length |
| Main purpose | Staying warm | Staying warm | Light exposure for a wellness routine |
| How you judge it | Heat and shut-off | Heat and shut-off | Wavelengths and specs |
If all you want is a warm pad for the couch, a regular heating pad is the simpler and cheaper choice, and there is no reason to pay for LEDs. If you want a device built around red and near-infrared light, look at the specs rather than the word infrared.
What do red light pads cost?
These are the pads and wraps we carry that you can compare side by side. Prices change, so confirm them on each product page.
| Pad | What the page lists | Listed price |
|---|---|---|
| iReliev FullGlow back wrap | Strap-on wrap, red and near-infrared, lower back and waist | $129.95 |
| Lumara 3-wavelength pad | 635nm, 830nm and 940nm at every LED, four sizes from 11 x 11 to 12 x 30 in | From $299.00 |
| NovaaLab Novaa Light Pad | 150 tri-chip LEDs, 660nm and 850nm, 16.3 x 7.9 in, 20 minute timer | $349.90 |
| NovaaLab Novaa Back Pad | 80 LEDs, 8 vibration points, cordless, 50.9 x 11.8 in wrap | $369.00 |
| NovaaLab Deep Healing Pad XL | 1,200 LEDs, 660nm and 850nm, 19.7 x 23.6 in surface | $599.90 |
We are an authorized NovaaLab partner, and NovaaLab pages list a 2-year manufacturer warranty. NovaaLab pages also note that change-of-mind returns are not accepted on NovaaLab devices, so read that before you order.
What should you check on a pad listing?
- Wavelengths. A real light pad names them, for example 660nm and 850nm, rather than saying only infrared.
- LED count and pad size. More LEDs over a bigger surface cover more area, and the size should fit the spot you want to use it on.
- Session guidance. The NovaaLab pages list 15 to 20 minute sessions and follow the manual. Be cautious of any listing with no timing guidance.
- Honest claims. A listing that promises to treat or cure something is making claims a wellness device cannot back up.
- Power and fit. Check whether it is corded or cordless and whether the wrap stays put while you move.
For a deeper comparison, see our red light therapy pad vs back wrap guide and NovaaLab red light pads compared. If you are not sure a pad is the right shape at all, panel vs blanket vs mask and the red light therapy buying guide cover the alternatives, and the full red light therapy collection shows every format.
Is it safe to use one?
Follow the manual for session times. NovaaLab pages advise that if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take photosensitizing medication or have a history of skin cancer, you should talk to your doctor first. Red light therapy is not a substitute for medical care, and none of these pads treat a medical condition. If you have pain or a diagnosed condition, see a clinician.
We have no customer reviews on these pads on our store yet, so this guide is based on manufacturer specs listed on our product pages.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an infrared heating pad and a regular heating pad?
A regular heating pad warms with an electric element or heated fill. An infrared heating pad is often the same idea with an infrared label on the warmth. Neither is a light therapy device.
Is a red light therapy pad the same as an infrared heating pad?
No. A red light therapy pad uses LEDs and lists wavelengths, such as 660nm red and 850nm near-infrared. An infrared heating pad is sold for warmth and usually lists heat settings.
Does a red light therapy pad get hot?
LEDs produce some warmth, but warmth is not the purpose. Lumara notes that LED spacing affects how hot a pad runs. Follow the manual for session times.
Can I use a red light pad instead of a heating pad?
They do different jobs. If you only want warmth, a regular heating pad is the simpler choice. A red light pad is built around the light it outputs, and it is for general wellness use.
How long are red light pad sessions?
The NovaaLab pad pages list 15 to 20 minute sessions, and the Light Pad has a timer that switches it off after 20 minutes. Follow the session times in the manual for your device.
Written by Logan McClure, founder of Restore Suite. Every guide is researched using peer-reviewed studies, recognized medical sources, and manufacturer specifications. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Learn about our editorial standards or contact our team.
