Boncharge Red Light Mask Review
Did you know that 80% of red light therapy mask users report visible skin improvements within 4 weeks when using a high-quality device?
Boncharge red light mask review: Your key to younger-looking skin
Red light therapy masks promise smoother, younger-looking skin, with thousands of users sharing stunning before-and-after photos online. But with so many options, some delivering results, others sparking customer service nightmares choosing the right mask is critical.
After researching dozens of devices, we’ve crowned the Boncharge Red Light Therapy Mask as our top pick for its powerful irradiance, skin-optimizing wavelengths, and flawless fit. In this hands-on review, we’ll dive into why this mask delivers where others fall short, helping you decide if it’s worth the investment.
The Bon charge red light light mask with controller and box
Red light therapy masks work - BUT…
We know that red light therapy for improved skin health works. In particular, it can do wonders for your facial skin, especially for fine lines and wrinkles.
BUT most potential buyers don’t do their homework before spending several hundred or even thousands of dollars to bring home their own light mask.
Dig a little deeper than the social media posts and review articles from fashion magazines or journalists (do they really know what they are talking about?), and you’ll find an equal volume of consumers saying ‘it didn’t work for me’ along with a host of technical issues which could be avoided with a bit of thoughtful design.
The point here for you, is this - you want to pick a red light therapy mask that:
Improves your aesthetic age (how old you look!)
Works well and easily, as advertised
Is from a company who will offer you top notch customer service if anything goes wrong.
Lucky for you, you’ve found your way to a high quality, third party review of the Bon Charge red light therapy mask, which will make the case for this being your top choice when considering all of the options.
We have already completed a market wide assessment of *all* of the red light therapy masks we could find (you can read that article here) and had the Bon Charge mask come out as our #1 recommended choice from a technical review standpoint (quality of light, intensity of light, design of the mask).
Bon Charge red light mask review: Overview
To begin this review, here is a summary of our findings and why we recommend the Bon charge red light mask:
Excellent Fit: This mask has highly adjustable ‘U-shaped’ straps, which allow many different angles when attaching the straps behind the head. It also has a vertical headstrap which pulls the mask flush with the forehead and removable eye cups
The Bon charge red light mask uses ‘U-shaped’ straps, which allow the fit of the mask to be adjusted to lie flat with your cheeks & chin. The vertical head strap holds it flush with the forehead.
Optimal Irradiance: At 40 mW/cm² this mask sits right in the optimal zone for irradiance (keep reading to understand this further). When combined with the highly adjustable fit, this ensures the minimum required irradiance will be received by all areas of the face.
Time of Use: With the excellent fit and the higher levels of irradiance, consumers can expect to see aesthetic benefits with as little as 10 minutes use per day.
Charge Time: Bon Charge reports at least 3 hours of use between charges, which is about twice the industry standard
Single Wavelength LEDs: The mask uses dedicated LEDs for single wavelengths. This means that the LEDs for red light and NIR are different and the red light LEDs do not also produce other wavelengths of light (e.g. blue or yellow)
Optionality: It has intuitive control features, and allows the user to change the intensity of the light, turn NIR on/off and adjust the treatment time in 5 minute increments; it can also be paired with a neck & chest mask
Nose bridge: Boncharge does not use a ‘split’ nose design, meaning the ridgeline of the nose (which receives the most sun damage) receives light therapy
| Product | Irradiance | Wavelengths of Light | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Charge Face Mask  |
40.8 mw/cm2 |
630nm Red 850nm NIR |
* Optimal irradiance intensity * Highly adjustable straps * Vertical face strap * Single wavelength LEDs * Controller optionality |
With the technical review details sorted, naturally our audience wants us to go a bit deeper with this device into a hands on style review, where we not only revisit the technical details that made the Bon Charge red light mask stand out from the pack, but also into the actual day to day use of the mask, its fittings and its control unit.
BonCharge red light mask review: Technical details
Let’s start with a brief review of the most important technical details you need to know when purchasing a red light therapy mask, and why the Bon charge red light mask is a clear winner.
These are the 1) irradiance, 2) wavelengths and 3) design features related to the fit of the mask.
Irradiance, the often overlooked ‘power’ of the red light mask
‘irradiance’ values matter a lot - The Bon charge red light mask hits the ‘goldilocks zone’
Firstly, the irradiance is the intensity of the light the mask can emit. Think of it as a measure of how much light energy reaches your skin - the mask’s ‘power’ to deliver the results you want.
The Bon charge red light mask emits a healthy 40 mW/cm², which brings it in well over the critical minimum threshold of 30 mW/cm² Without going into too much technical detail here (you can find more information in our technical review article here), what is great about the Boncharge is that its irradiance is high enough, but not too high - it is in the goldilocks zone.
This means the mask emits enough light energy to penetrate your skin deeply, stimulating collagen production and reducing fine lines in as little as 3-4 weeks. Unlike weaker masks below 30 mW/cm², which may take months to show results, or overly intense models that risk irritation, Boncharge hits the sweet spot for safe, effective therapy.
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Wavelengths of light (more is not better!) - You only need these two…
A look at the LEDs in the Bon charge red light mask, note the LEDs which appear to be ‘off’ are emitting the near-infrared (invisible) wavelength
Secondly, the Bon Charge mask includes the two most important wavelengths of light - red (660nm) and near-infrared (850nm). This is great because these are the wavelengths of light backed up by the most solid science for skin health and also because they *omit* the unnecessary extra wavelengths of light that many other masks include.
These are the two wavelengths of light you want for the skin health and aesthetic benefits (assuming that you are not trying to use the mask to treat acne) - and all other additional wavelengths are a marketing distraction
Moving onto the third key point, the Bon Charge mask gets all the key elements of fit right. And this is what we will cover in the next section…
Bon Charge red light mask review: Fit, look, feel
Did you know that the most important distinguishing factor between a red light mask working (giving you those amazing ‘before and after’ effects you want!) and being a dud (another ‘it didn’t work for me’) is actually the fit of the mask?
This is because the intensity of the red light (and near infrared) drops off dramatically with even just the shortest distances. In our detailed review article, I use the illustration of the ‘finger test’ - where if you can fit your finger between the mask’s LEDs and your facial skin, that means the mask is too far away!
These are the Bon Charge highly adjustable straps
Take this to mean that you need the mask to fit absolutely flush with your face - and this is another instance where the Bon Charge red light mask does very well.
With its highly adjustable U-shaped head straps and the addition of a vertical strap - you have multiple contact points with your head that can be adjusted in a highly customisable fashion.
Example of the nose piece of the Bon Charge red light therapy mask in comparison to other split nose designs
You can see me demonstrate this in the provided photos. Perhaps shockingly, most red light masks do not include both of these strap features, and the result is that large parts of the mask sit well away from your face (meaning they don’t get enough light energy to be effective).
With the Bon charge red light mask, you’re going to be able to adjust the strap combinations to get it to fit flush with your face.
Another important feature - the Bon charge mask does not split the bridge of the nose. In the few instances where other masks get the above strap combination correct - they choose a split nose design, which means that the most sun damaged part of your face (i.e. the bridge of your nose) gets no red light therapy treatment! It’s a shocking omission where other reputable brands really fall short - but not Bon charge!
Additional notable features of the Bon charge red light mask are the optional eye fittings (which I use when wearing my mask), which ‘cup’ your eye region. I find these a useful addition because they help you see what you’re doing when wearing the mask by shielding your eyes from the mask LED light. They also make the mask more comfortable, in my experience.
The Bon charge mask weighs about 250g or just over ½ lb
We also must not overlook how it actually feels to wear the mask. I appreciate that the mask is quite lightweight (250g, just over ½ lb), and given the optionality of fit, there aren’t any pressure points in the mask that become uncomfortable over time.
The mask generally warms slightly during use, which is comforting and contributes to a relaxed feeling that seems to accompany the red light. Even my partner who easily gets sore necks from even slight pressure or weight, can use this mask without any issues - so most will find it quite accommodating.
Lastly, the Bon charge mask has a matte finish to the silicon on the outward facing regions. I prefer this to the high gloss finish of other masks for a very simple reason - increased friction which means it is less likely to slip off your desk, couch, lap, etc while you’re holding it. And as a personal touch - I think the combination of black and red is quite sexy (just look at all my triathlon racing gear…).
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BonCharge red light mask review: Experience
Bon charge red light mask controller with Power on/off, NIR on/off, Intensity (E), red light on/off (M) and Treatment time increase/descrease (T+,T-)
When it comes to the experience of actually using the Bon charge red light mask, I am reminded of my 1:1 interview with Bon Charge CEO and Co-Founder Andy Mant. In this discussion, we explored his motivations for founding Bon Charge, as well as its mission - simplifying wellness - whereby Andy made a clear point about how they seek to make their products very easy to use.
While you wouldn’t think there is much to making a red light mask ‘easy to use’, you might be surprised to learn there is plenty of room for poor design amongst the offerings. Some key challenges that are present in many red light mask products are:
Poor connections (between mask and batter/control unit), causing flicker
Weak or low quality batteries (don’t hold charge, or have poor battery life)
Difficult to use buttons (which don’t click well or aren’t responsive)
Control units which are not able to be disconnected from the mask (makes charging difficult)
Use one button to accomplish too many actions (triple clicks, long press, etc)
Have buttons on the mask where you can’t see them while using it
Use ‘scroll wheel’ style buttons which are too easy to bump accidentally while using
And unfortunately the list goes on!
Nick wearing the Bon Charge red light therapy mask
What I personally found quite relieving about the Bon Charge red light mask is that the control module / battery unit was free of these various issues.
The buttons are solid, satisfyingly ‘click’, but can’t be easily pressed on accident. The connection between the mask and controller are solid and don’t flicker (I’ve tried to make it flicker and can’t!).
The buttons are also intuitive and it is easy to understand what they do - they’ve even included an option to turn the Near Infrared wavelength on-off, to turn the red light wavelength on/off, to adjust the intensity of the treatment (4x options) and to increase or decrease the treatment time.
The battery level is also easily read on screen, as is the remaining treatment time.
In my user testing, I’ve found that the claimed battery life of 3 hours of use is accurate, but I have not yet owned the device long enough to check on how the battery charge holds up over time. I will be checking back in at 6 and 12 months with updates.
A typical session using the Bon charge red light mask involves just a few key steps
I generally advise to start by giving your face a gentle wipe with a warm, damp microfibre cloth
Connect the mask to the control unit
Fit the mask by first adjusting the U-shaped straps so that the mask is flush with your chin and cheeks (let the flex of the mask leave a gap at your forehead, not your chin)
Draw the forehead strap tight as to close the forehead gap
Hold the power button to turn the mask on and the T+ button to set your treatment time (aim for 10-15 minutes)
I recommend also pressing the NIR button to activate the near-infrared LEDs
Adjust the “E” button to increase the radiation intensity - use this on the lowest setting to start, working your way to the highest setting your skin can tolerate over a ~ 2 weeks of consistent treatment
The treatment is finished when the lights switch off; give the mask a gentle wipe with that microfibre towel to keep it clean
Bon Charge red light mask review: How to know it’s working
An example of before and after images taken by the Visia Scanner for our Young Goose skincare review
While this review article isn’t a ‘how to’ resource on red light mask before and after assessment, the concept of running your own ‘self experiment’ is core to what we do at A Longer Life.
As a sort of ‘bonus’ to this review article, I will be updating this section of the post with a short summary of my own experience using the Bon charge red light therapy mask in my own self-experiment - complete with before and after imagery of my face.
This will be a demonstration of how to track whether or not red light therapy is helping your face look younger!
Once this self-experiment kicks off, I’ll update this section of the article with more details about this experiment (coming soon - September 2025). I’ll be paring this red light mask with the Light Activated DNA Repair product from our longevity skincare partner Young Goose. Stay tuned (and subscribe to our newsletter updates so we can update you when this experiment begins).
If you’d like to get started on your own self-experiment with your red light mask, here are the basics of good before and after photos:
Take before photos in lightning that you can replicate
Note the time of day, use the same time in the ‘after’ photos
For women - note your phase of menstrual cycle, be sure to align your before and after photos in the same phase
Use the same products on your face to prepare for the photos
Take a lot of photos from different angles each time, so that you can best line up a good before - after comparison (you’ll be surprised just how many different angles of photo you can take)
The main things we are looking for that can be seen in photos, after 4-6 weeks of 5x treatments per week (30 minutes if you’re using the lowest intensity setting, 10 minutes if you use the highest intensity setting) are as follows:
Reduced fine lines and wrinkles
Improved skin texture and smoothness
Reductions in redness (inflammation)
If you do take some before and after photos and want to share them with us, Nick will offer you some free feedback - just contact us.
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Bon Charge red light mask: Frequently Asked Questions
EMF testing the Bon charge mask places it well within safe ranges for electric fields (2-4 V/m)
1. How long should I use a red light therapy mask each day, and how often?
Use the mask for 10-20 minutes per session, 3-5 times per week. This aligns with clinical studies showing optimal collagen stimulation and skin improvements with consistent use.
2. How long does it take to see results from a red light therapy mask?
Most users notice smoother skin and reduced redness within 2-4 weeks, with significant wrinkle reduction by 8-12 weeks. Consistent use at 660nm and 850nm wavelengths, like those in the Boncharge mask, drives these results.
3. Is a red light therapy mask safe for all skin types?
Yes, red light therapy at 660nm and 850nm is gentle and safe for all skin types, with no reported irritation in most studies. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and consult a dermatologist if you have specific skin conditions.
4. Does a red light therapy mask emit harmful EMF?
High-quality masks like Boncharge are designed to emit minimal electromagnetic fields (EMF), ensuring safety during use. We independently tested the Bon charge mask with a Tri-field EMF meter, recording the following safe levels of EMF: <2 V/m weighted electric & <2.9 mG magnetic
5. Can I use a red light therapy mask with skincare products?
Yes, but apply serums or moisturizers after your session to avoid blocking light penetration. Clean, dry skin ensures the 660nm and 850nm wavelengths reach your skin effectively for maximum benefits.
6. Can a red light therapy mask help with acne scars?
Yes, red light therapy at 660nm can reduce the appearance of acne scars by promoting tissue repair and collagen production. Studies show up to 40% improvement in scar visibility after 4-6 weeks of consistent use.
Before you go - ground rules for choosing the best red light therapy mask
Just in case we haven’t convinced you to choose the Bon charge red light mask and you’re going to venture into the ‘wild west’ of red light therapy mask marketing on your own - allow us to send you on your desperado way with a few hot tips (don’t forget to check our review article of all the masks we could find here).
If a red light mask doesn’t clearly specify its irradiance (the intensity of light in mW/cm^2) don’t buy it
If a review article of red light masks doesn’t discuss irradiance, don’t listen to it (they don’t know what they are talking about)
If a mask includes non red / near infrared LEDs remember two things:
You only need Red and NIR wavelengths for the aesthetic benefits (more is not better!)
Adding more colours of light most often reduces the irradiance (and potentially quality) of the Red and NIR light
Fit matters - perhaps more than anything else
If a mask doesn’t sit completely flush/flat on your face, you won’t be receiving the rated irradiance/power to the skin.
Avoid hard shell style masks. They charge far more, but cannot contour to your face shape like a flexible mask can
The most important non light feature of a mask is therefore its straps. Look for highly adjustable straps which are “U” shaped. A vertical strap from the forehead to the back of the head is also a must have to avoid a gap on the forehead.
The terms “clinically proven” and “FDA cleared” sound impressive, but mean very little in terms of whether the mask will provide you with aesthetic benefits.
Any product which is using the wavelengths of light that are demonstrated to be effective in human clinical trials can claim to be “clinically proven” or “effective”, etc.
“FDA Cleared” is a simple safety check, while this is good, it has nothing to do with efficacy.
Further Reading (Scientific Resources)
Therapeutic Efficacy of Home-Use Photobiomodulation Devices: A Systematic Literature Review
Infrared and skin: Friend or foe
Near-Infrared Light and Skin: Why Intensity Matters
More about Bon Charge + Skin Health
