I Tested The Bon Charge Mini Red Light — My Honest Review + Who Should Try It

Many well-being trends are more buzz than benefit, but there’s one that I’ll stand behind for the rest of my days: LED therapy. Since adding red light tools to my routine consistently, I’ve experienced healthier skin, faster muscle recovery, less joint pain, and better sleep. 

And while you’d rack up a hefty bill if you ordered all my go-to LED products at once, I recently got my hands on a new handheld device that brings my favorite red light perks into one versatile tool. 

Here’s why I’m dubbing the Bon Charge Mini Red Light Device a must-have for biohackers on a budget (or those of us who love to travel). 

I started using LED tools about two years ago, and the results were noticeable almost immediately. Within a few weeks of using my red light wand and mask, people started asking me what had changed in my skin care routine—and when I’m consistent with the practice I genuinely feel like my skin is aging in reverse. 

When I widened my LED testing pool to infrared sauna blankets and PEMF mats, the rest of my body started feeling the benefits. My sore muscles bounce back quicker after workouts, and I feel relaxed and refreshed each time I use them. Plus, my HRV skyrockets with every session. 

My most recent foray in the space was red light for sleep, and I’d venture to say it’s been the most surprising one yet. Not only are the results evident in my Oura scores, but I feel so much more rested when I use red light therapy before bed.

As much as I love all my existing red devices, I can’t ignore the amount of time each individual product adds to my routine (or the space they take up in my tiny New York City apartment). I had been dying to get my hands on a portable red light device that would offer more versatility, and my prayers were answered with the Bon Charge Mini Red Light. 

I spent the past two weeks testing this handheld light and I’m shocked by how many use cases I’ve found for it already. 

At night I place the light on my bedside table a few minutes before I’m ready to go to sleep, allowing it to wind down my body and prep me for a more restorative rest. In the mornings I spend 10 minutes letting my face soak in the benefits of the red and near-infrared light while I organized my inbox—and I’ve even started directing it toward my scalp for hair growth benefits.

The design

The Bon Charge Mini Red Light is small and compact (5.9” x 2.7”), but this thing is powerful. The device combines 660 nanometer red light and 850 nanometer near-infrared light, which can be used individually or together. It has a high irradiance (>100mw/cm2), with 12 flicker-free LED bulbs (six red and six near-infrared)—and I was actually shocked by how bright the red light setting is with just six bulbs!

I expected the battery life to be subpar, considering the size of the box and the brightness, but it seems to last forever. The brand notes that the total battery life is 5,000 hours (!) and it takes two hours to gain a full charge with the USB charger.

The ease of use

This light couldn’t be easier to use. There are three buttons on the top: one for red light, one for near-infrared light, and a third to show the device's remaining battery life. 

The versatility

I certainly wouldn’t say this light has rendered my other devices useless (I still use them quite often, actually!), but I will say the mini red light has opened up the door for me to streamline my routine when needed. I love that I can now use the same device for pain relief, muscle recovery, skin care, hair growth, and better sleep. 

It’s also allowed me to reap the benefits of red light while multitasking throughout the day, adding little-to-no time to my routine. Science-backed skin treatments while I answer emails? Sign me up!

The portability

As much as I’d love to chill out in my sauna blanket or on my PEMF mat while I’m on vacation, these items will never be able to fit in my carryon. This little red light box, however, is the ultimate travel companion.

The results

As you may have gathered, I’ve felt (and seen!) some pretty substantial results in my two weeks testing the Bon Charge Mini Red Light. Since I was already using red light regularly in my routine, I don’t have stark before and after photos to show you of the beauty benefits—but I will say I’m seeing the same skin health perks as I do with my favorite red light mask.

I feel the pain relief and muscle recovery benefits every time I use the light (daily), and my Oura sleep and readiness scores have been incredible!

I don’t say this often (read: ever), but this little light box is a home run—and to put things in perspective, I test longevity products for a living.

Like I said, this is the best LED tool for biohackers on a budget. The versatile device costs less than most of my favorite longevity products and offers all my favorite benefits of red and near-infrared light (without taking precious time out of my routine). 

If you don’t have $299 in your budget for a longevity tool, or you don’t plan to be consistent with it, I wouldn’t recommend getting the Bon Charge Mini Red Light.