Illustration: Derek Abella

Using a wand or scary-looking mask to bathe your face in red light is all the rage for supposedly helping to make skin look and feel better. But another use for red light therapy is also gaining traction: treating pain. These at-home therapy devices claim to alleviate pain for everything from an arthritic knee to an aching back. But there’s reason to be dubious.

We set out to test and find the best red light therapy devices for pain, but ultimately were unable to recommend any of them. There are no evidence-based guidelines for what type of device and settings may work best against different forms of pain. And no independent testing organization has reviewed them to ensure that they even work.

So while we can’t recommend the best red light therapy devices, we can give you the lowdown on the evidence and what medical experts say. And if you’re still interested in trying one, we have some general advice for what to look out for—and what to avoid.

Considering red light therapy? Start here→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Photo: Ridofranz/iStock

It’s typically not necessary to spend top dollar on supplements. The inexpensive options can be just as good—if you pick the right ones. Start by figuring out what nutrients you really need and seeking out vitamins that are independently tested. Then, buy the cheapest ones you can find. If you follow this formula, you’ll likely find vitamins that are as good as those costing 10 to 20 times more.

How to get the best vitamins for your money→

Liquid dishwasher detergent cleans worse than pods or powders If you’re after the sparkliest dishes, here are the detergents we recommend→

“This one tweak changed my posture immediately” Our editor-in-chief swears by this simple solution→

People on TikTok are using surgical cleansers as everyday skin care Please don’t→

Photo: Michael Hession

If you want the smallest power brick available that’ll charge your phone at the fastest speeds, this is the one we recommend. This inexpensive charger will fast-charge any phone, and it’s impressively compact—only a little more than an inch wide and tall. And right now, it’s on sale for $13.

Tiny, effective, and on sale→

Thanks for reading.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app

Connect with us on:

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018