Home Systems
Buying a cold laser for home use can feel overwhelming: multitudes of brands, specs, conflicting claims and slick marketing to further cloud the process. At Coldlasers.com we cut through the fog to give you the unbiased information you need to make a smart purchasing decision.
Because we sell more brands than anyone, we understand the strengths and weaknesses of every cold laser system. We’ll provide you with unbiased information based on our own experiences, the experiences of customers and the research we’ve discovered.
How Cold Lasers Can Be Used
According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, over 100 million Americans are living with some form of chronic pain. For many pain sufferers, pain management such as prescription opiods, while effective, are not safe for long-term use.
Cold lasers
Cold lasers cleared by the FDA can be sold for these 4 main issues:
- Increased blood flow
- Inflammation reduction
- Chronic or acute pain control
- Accelerated healing
Coldlasers.com can NOT sell you an FDA cleared laser for off-label uses (any use other than the 4 reasons listed above. However, you can use it off-label after you buy it. Cold lasers not cleared by the FDA are easy to find. But not having clearance could indicate there are problems.
Selecting the Best Cold Laser for Home Use
Finding the right cold laser for home use involves answering some key questionsâ€"questions that will ultimately have a big impact on your decision.
1. Are you treating a human or animal? When treating animals you are not required to use an FDA-cleared laser, which could save you money. On the other hand, buying a cold laser not cleared by the FDA does involve more risk. You should understand the specifications of the device and whether they’re adequate for your needs. Treating your dog with a $600 laser pointer is probably not going to be effective.
2. Can you get a doctor's prescription for cold laser home use? Prescriptions can come from physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, or other licensed practitioners. If YES, you can buy a Class 3b or Class 4 laser. If the answer is NO, then you are limited to a Class 1 or 2 laser.
3. What is your budget? With cold lasersâ€"like everything else in lifeâ€"you get what you pay for. More power and flexibility means shorter therapy times but also means higher prices. Think about how often you’ll be using it. If your injury is chronic, you’ll likely be using the device often. Think about how many times you would be going to a professional for the same treatment. How much would that cost per treatment? And think about what it would cost to get to the doctor’s office in gas and time. All of these things can start to add up.
4. Have you ever tried cold laser therapy? If not, try it before you buy it. Make an appointment at a chiropractor. If you’ve already tried therapy and had success, find out the model number of the cold laser so we can help you find that same model or a model that will provide similar results.
5. How important is safety? Cold lasers are rated by class from 1 to 4. The higher the class, the greater ability of the device to do damage. For example, Class 4 lasers can do immediate damage to the eye if used improperly. Class I cold lasers are extremely safe. You should weight the risk with the reward (treatment benefits) with each class of cold laser.
For those who really get into the specifications, here are some other factors to consider:
1. Do you have a wavelength preference? About 90% of cold lasers operate in the 800nm to 980nm wavelength. Some manufactures claim the 600 to 680nm wavelength range achieves the best results. TerraQuant, Thor, Avant can operate in both ranges but this increases their cost.
2. Pulsed wave, continuous wave or both? Over 70% of manufacturers offer pulsed waves. Pulsing the lasers allows for higher power levels while still being safe. Continuous wave lasers, on the other hand, allow for better pain control by saturating an area with photons. Extreme power levels usually provide immediate pain relief. If your budget allows, it’s best to buy a laser that offers both continuous wave and pulsed.
3. How much power do you need? Power is a hotly debated topic in the industry, and there is no one right answer. Generally, more power usually means shorter treatment times. If the power is too low, the treatment may not be sufficient enough to be effective.
Short, high bursts of power are more effective for pain control, while longer, lower power levels provide better treatment. The best option is to buy a device that has the most flexibility, not the most power.
Recommended Cold Lasers for Home Use
These are our recommendations for home use cold lasers. With a prescription, you can buy a more powerful and flexible system.
Laser |
Safety |
Application |
MSRP* |
Notes |
TQ Solo Portable |
Class 1 |
No recommendation required |
$1,995 |
Because it’s extremely safe and offers relatively high power at a low cost, the TQ Solo is one of the most popular lasers on the market. |
TerraQuant Pro |
Class 2 |
No recommendation required |
$3,795 |
The Pro is more flexible and powerful than the solo and comes with a separate controller and laser emitter. And it’s upgradable. |
Avant LZ30 |
Class 3b |
Recommendation required |
$4,295 |
Continuous wave. 2-wavelengths. Great for pain control and healing, |
TerraQuant LS 50 |
Class 2 |
No recommendation required |
$5,295 |
High power super-pulsing 3-wavelength emitter with one of the largest treatment areas available. |
*Please contact us for special pricing. We will beat anyone's price on these products.
Cold Lasers not recommended for home use
We sell a variety of cold lasers for both home and professional use. Professional-use lasers such as the Class IV K-Laser, DioWave, and LiteCure are not appropriate for home use because of safety concerns and liability. These lasers are more powerful and sophisticated and require not only installation but training so that they are used safely and effectively.
Conditions Commonly Treated with Home Cold Lasers
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Acute Patellar Tendonitis
- Bone regeneration
- Bursitis
- Calcaneal Spur
- Carpal tunnel
- Cervical Pain
- Elbow Joint Injuries
- Epicondylitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Herniated lumbar discs
- Hip Sprain
- Hip Tendonitis (Iliopsoas)
- Inflammation muscles
- Knee Sprain
- Low back pain
- Lumbar Spine: Pain, sprain, and strain
- Migraines
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Shoulder Joint Injuries
- Sprains
- Strains
- Swollen Joints
- Temporomandibular Arthritis and Artrosis
- Tendonitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Whiplash
- Wound Healing
- Wrist Injuries
- Zoster (shingles)