Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Review: Is This Budget Multi-Wavelength Light Therapy Bulb Worth Buying?

Fine lines, breakouts that keep returning, and joints that ache after a long day tend to build up slowly. None of it is serious enough to need a doctor, and none of it clears up on its own either.

So the search starts with creams and serums, and for a while that feels like progress. The limitation shows up eventually: those products treat the surface, and the changes people want are happening underneath it. That is the gap light therapy is meant to fill, using specific wavelengths that pass into the skin and reach the cells below.

Getting hold of that at home has been the expensive part. Panels cost $300 to $600 and LED masks $150 to $400, which is a lot to spend before you know whether it suits you. The Hooga HG24 4-in-1 costs $40. It is a bulb rather than a panel, screwing into any lamp and emitting four wavelengths at once: 415nm blue, 590nm yellow, 660nm red, and 850nm near-infrared.

This review covers what those wavelengths do, what the research supports, how the device performs, and what to know before buying.

Best for: First-time buyers, budget shoppers, and anyone treating a small area such as the face, a wrist, an elbow, or a knee.

Biggest strengths: Four wavelengths at a price nothing else matches. Output holds at 60 mW/cm² from 6 inches, roughly 18 J/cm² across a five-minute session.

Biggest drawbacks: All four wavelengths run together rather than individually. The beam covers about a 3-inch circle at the recommended distance, so it suits targeted areas. Session timing is done manually.

The short assessment: Honest specifications at $40, but the savings come out of control and coverage.

What Is the Hooga HG24 4-in-1?

The Hooga HG24 4-in-1 is a light therapy bulb that emits four wavelengths at once: 415nm blue, 590nm yellow, 660nm red, and 850nm near-infrared. Twelve 2-watt LEDs draw 24W in total, and the unit weighs about two pounds.

It comes from Hooga Health, a New Berlin, Wisconsin, company that launched in 2017 and built its name on price, with a catalog running from this $40 bulb up to full-body pods.
Hooga recommends holding it 6 to 18 inches away for 2 to 15 minutes daily. It is positioned as general wellness support rather than a medical device.

Where it differs from a panel is coverage. A panel carries hundreds of LEDs and treats your back or legs at once. The HG24 concentrates twelve into a narrow beam for one area at a time, which is what makes $40 possible.

Our assessment draws on Hooga’s published specifications, independent measurements from reviewers who tested the unit, and verifiable optical math.

Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Rating

Editor’s Rating

4.8

Hooga HG24 4-in-1

4.7/5Quality

4.9/5User Friendly

4.8/5Value

4.8/5Customer Satisfaction

Official Website

Pros

• Four wavelengths at $40
• Strong output for its size
• Fits any standard lamp socket
• Goggles included
• 60-day trial, HSA/FSA eligible

Cons

• Results may vary from person to person
• Available through online retailers

Why Trust Our Review?

Official specifications reviewed. Every figure here comes from Hooga’s published spec sheet, not reseller copy.

Scientific research referenced. Claims about each wavelength are checked against published studies.

Independent measurements consulted. We drew on spectrometer readings from reviewers who tested the unit directly.

Customer reviews analyzed. We read buyer feedback across retailers to see what holds up over months of use.

No brand involvement. Hooga did not review, fund, or approve this article.

Hooga HG24 4-in-1: Quick Facts & Specifications

Unboxing & First Impressions

The HG24 comes with everything needed for a first session. No lamp, stand, or accessory purchase is required.

• The HG24 bulb
• US power cord with inline switch and socket base
• Protective eye goggles
• User manual

The base is the piece worth noting. It lets you stand the bulb on a table right away without owning a compatible lamp, so there is nothing further to buy.

The bulb weighs two pounds and threads into a standard E26 or E27 fitting. Twelve 2-watt LEDs stay behind a single lens.

Key Features

These are the key features of the Hooga HD24 4-in-1:

Four Therapeutic Wavelengths

The HG24 gives off four colors of light at once, each reaching a different depth. Blue works at the surface, yellow just below, red at the layer where collagen forms, and near-infrared is the deepest of all.

That range is the point of the device. A 2025 review in PMC found each wavelength produces its own distinct effect on skin, so covering four at once addresses more than a single-color device can.

Blue Light for Blemish-Prone Skin

The 415nm blue output is the wavelength dermatology research uses for breakouts, and it works right at the skin surface.

A trial of self-applied blue light recorded a significant drop in blemish counts within the first week, using this same wavelength at home rather than in a clinic.

Irradiance & Treatment Distance

From 6 inches away, a five-minute session delivers a dose in line with published research. Step back 12 inches, and the light weakens noticeably.

The 136-person controlled trial on collagen used roughly 9 J/cm² per session, a dose the HG24 reaches in about two and a half minutes at 6 inches.

Near-Infrared Reach

At 850nm, near-infrared passes beyond skin into muscle and joint tissue, which is what makes the HG24 useful past cosmetic concerns.

An umbrella review of randomized trials found this range of light can reduce pain in knee osteoarthritis and works well within a wider routine.

Compact Bulb Design

At two pounds and the size of a large household bulb, the HG24 stores easily and packs for travel without trouble.

The focused beam suits a face or a knee rather than a whole back, which is what keeps it compact.

Standard Screw-In Bulb

It fits any normal light socket, so it works in a desk lamp, a floor lamp, or the stand Hooga includes in the box.

Moving the light is a matter of changing lamps, which makes treating a face one day and a knee the next straightforward.

Simple Controls

The HG24 has one switch. Turn it on and all four colors come on together.

There are no settings to pick and no modes to learn, which makes it easy to start with. You do need to watch the clock yourself, so set a timer on your phone before each session.

How Does the Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Work?

Light therapy works on the parts of your cells that make energy. Inside every cell are mitochondria, and one of the molecules in them absorbs red and near-infrared light. When that happens, the cell produces more ATP, the fuel it runs on. Cells with more available energy repair and renew themselves more efficiently.

Depth is what separates the four wavelengths. Blue light is absorbed at the surface, where it acts on the bacteria involved in breakouts. Yellow works just beneath. Red reaches the layer where collagen is produced. Near-infrared passes deeper still, into muscle and joint tissue.

Running all four together means one session covers surface concerns and deeper ones at the same time, rather than treating them separately. Whether that suits you depends on what you are treating.

During a session, the light is bright but produces only mild warmth at the recommended distance. Nothing is felt beyond that.

Potential Benefits of the Hooga HG24 4-in-1

Here is what that covers: breakouts, collagen, complexion, irritation, and muscle or joint comfort.

May Help Improve Acne-Prone Skin

Blue light works against the bacteria behind breakouts, acting right at the surface where those bacteria live.

Used consistently at home, 415nm blue light has been shown to reduce blemish counts, with early changes appearing within the first week. ^[1] The HG24 delivers that same wavelength in every session.

Supports Collagen Production & Fine Lines

Red light reaches the skin layer where collagen forms, and this is the best studied application of light therapy for appearance.

Regular red light exposure can measurably increase collagen density in the skin, though those gains build over months rather than weeks. ^[2] The HG24 keeps that kind of routine simple enough to maintain.

Promotes Healthier Skin Tone

Red light does more than build collagen. It also improves how skin looks overall, meaning evenness, smoothness, and texture.

Red and near-infrared used together can improve skin elasticity and even out pigment, the two things most responsible for a healthier-looking complexion. ^[3] Both run in every HG24 session.

May Help Calm Minor Skin Irritation

Yellow light at 590nm appears regularly in professional LED treatments, valued for calming and evening out the skin.

Each wavelength acts on inflammation and pigmentation in its own way, which is the argument for covering several at once rather than choosing one. ^[4] The HG24 covers four.

Supports Targeted Muscle & Joint Comfort

Near-infrared at 850nm travels deepest of the four, reaching muscle and joint tissue rather than stopping at the skin.

Light in this range can reduce joint pain and works well as part of a wider routine. ^[5] A single knee or elbow is where the HG24’s focused beam does its best work.

Scientific Evidence Behind the Technology

Light therapy has been studied for decades, and the four wavelengths in the HG24 each have their own body of research.

Blue Light Research

Blue light is best documented for acne. A study of 107 patients compared blue light alone against blue combined with red, and the combination performed best, the same pairing the HG24 provides.

Red Light Research

Red light has the widest research base of the four. A review of LED phototherapy covers its documented use across acne, wound healing, and wrinkle reduction, noting that treatments were well tolerated with no adverse events reported.

Near Infrared Research

Near-infrared research centers on muscles and joints. A meta-analysis of knee pain trials reports reductions in pain and improved function, with the strongest results in the 810 to 1064nm range that includes the HG24’s 850nm output.

Amber Light Research

Amber is the newest area of study. A 2025 randomized trial tested 590nm yellow alongside red and infrared for facial aging, measuring pores, texture, and brown spots with imaging equipment rather than opinion. Uses a similar combination.

Current Evidence Limitations

Worth knowing: most trials use clinic equipment across many weeks, and results depend heavily on consistency. Amber and near-infrared research is younger than red and blue, and researchers generally describe light therapy as a useful addition to a routine rather than a replacement for other treatment

Why Choose the Hooga HG24 4-in-1?

The wavelengths matter, but so does whether a device is easy to live with day to day. A few practical things stand out here.

• One device, four wavelengths.
  Most options at this price offer red and near-infrared only. The HG24 adds blue and yellow.
• Excellent entry-level value.
  $40 with a 60-day trial, and it qualifies for HSA and FSA spending.
• Easy to travel with.
  Two pounds, no frame or stand to pack, and it works with any lamp at the other end.
• Great for small treatment areas.
  The focused beam concentrates output where you point it, which suits a cheek, a wrist, or a knee.
• Simple setup without complex controls.
  Screw it in and flip the switch.

None of this makes the HG24 a replacement for a panel. What it does is remove the usual reasons a first device ends up unused: cost, setup, and finding somewhere to put it.

Who Is the Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Best For?

The HG24 fits a specific kind of buyer rather than everyone shopping for light therapy.

• Beginners who want to find out whether light therapy works for them without a large outlay
• Budget-conscious buyers comparing a $40 bulb against $300 panels
• Facial skincare users working on fine lines, tone, or texture
• Anyone dealing with breakouts, since 415nm blue is included as standard
• Travelers who want their routine to continue away from home
• Users treating small areas such as a wrist, an elbow, a knee, or one part of the face

If you recognize yourself in two or three of those, the HG24 is worth a look.

A focused bulb suits some goals better than others. These situations call for something else.

• Full-body therapy.
  Covering a back, torso, or both legs needs a panel.
• Large muscle groups.
  Athletes treating hamstrings or shoulders after training will find the beam too concentrated.
• Built-in timers.
  If you want the device to handle session length, look for one with a timer.
• Hands-free treatment.
  A mask or wrap frees your hands in a way a lamp setup does not.

None of this counts against the HG24. It is built for one area at a time, and these are jobs outside that brief.

My Expert Opinion

What impressed me most is how much Hooga tells you about this bulb. At $40, most brands would list a few benefits and leave it there. Hooga publishes the exact wavelengths, how strong the light is, and how far away to hold it. When you check those numbers against published research, they hold up.

What could be improved is control. The four colors always come on together, so you cannot give a breakout extra blue light or a sore knee extra near-infrared. A built-in timer would help as well.

You get the most from this if you are treating one area regularly, like your face or a single joint.
My recommendation: it does exactly what it sets out to do, and for targeted use at this price, that is a straightforward yes.

How to Use the Hooga HG24 4-in-1

Hooga keeps the instructions simple. Five steps cover it.

• Step 1: Set it up
  Screw the bulb into a desk lamp or the included stand. A fixed setup keeps your hands free.
• Step 2: Find your distance
  Sit 6 to 18 inches away. Closer means shorter sessions.
• Step 3: Put the goggles on
  Wear the eye protection supplied. Keep the bulb out of your direct line of sight.
• Step 4: Run the session
  Two to 15 minutes daily. Start with five minutes at 6 inches.
• Step 5: Reposition
  The beam covers about 3 inches. A full face takes a few moves.

  Consistency beats length. A short daily routine works better than occasional long ones.

Is the Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Safe?

LED light therapy is generally well tolerated, and research on these wavelengths reports a good safety profile. The HG24 runs at 24 watts across twelve small lights, so it stays gently warm rather than hot, and Hooga’s 6- to 18-inch guidance keeps sessions comfortable on skin.

Hooga includes goggles in the box, a nice touch at this price. Since the HG24 adds blue light to the usual red and near-infrared, that eye protection is worth using, and it lets you run sessions without thinking about it.

If you are pregnant, taking medication that increases light sensitivity, or treating a skin condition, a quick word with your doctor is the sensible first step.

Pricing, Warranty & Return Policy

Hooga keeps the terms straightforward on this one, with no bundles or tiers to compare.

• Price: $40, single option
• Warranty: 2 years
• Trial period: 60 days
• HSA and FSA: eligible
• Shipping: varies by order and location, worth checking at checkout

The 60-day trial is the term that matters most. Light therapy takes weeks to show results, so a two-month window gives you enough time to judge whether it suits you before committing

Is the Hooga HG24 4-in-1 Worth the Money?

Price is the easiest part of this device to judge, because there is little else at $40 to compare it against.

The construction is simple rather than premium, which is what you would expect at this price. Twelve LEDs, one lens, a cord and a stand. The two-year warranty suggests Hooga expects it to last, and there is not much on a bulb like this to go wrong.

What justifies the price is that the specifications hold up. The wavelengths are the ones research uses, and the output at 6 inches reaches a useful level. Plenty of cheap devices fail that test.

For treating one area at a time, the HG24 delivers what it promises at a price that makes it easy to try.

Real Customer Reviews

Buyer sentiment splits cleanly. Almost nobody disputes the value, and the feedback that does come up concerns practicality rather than performance.

Brian J. uses the HG24 in his skincare routine, applying it after showering and again once his serums go on. Karen N. bought hers after an independent reviewer measured the light output and confirmed it matched Hooga’s claims. Tami P. likes how portable it is.

The more measured reviews agree with each other. Alex F. rated it well for wavelength range and price, noting that session timing is manual and a full face takes a few repositions. Sam R. suggested pairing it with a stand for hands-free use.

Both observations match the specifications, so buyers get what is described.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to what buyers ask most.

What wavelengths does the Hooga HG24 4-in-1 use?

A: Four: 415nm blue, 590nm yellow, 660nm red, and 850nm near-infrared. All run together whenever the bulb is on.

Is it effective for acne treatment?

A: Blue light at 415nm is what dermatology research uses for breakouts. Results depend on consistency and vary between people.

Can it help with wrinkles?

A: Red and near-infrared are the best studied wavelengths for collagen. Gains build over months, not weeks.

How long should each treatment session last?

A: Hooga recommends 2 to 15 minutes daily. Five minutes at 6 inches is a sensible starting point

Is eye protection required?

A: Goggles come in the box. Using them is worth it, since the HG24 includes blue light.

Can I use it every day?

A: Yes. Hooga’s guidance is daily use, and consistency is what produces results across the research.

Does it emit near-infrared light?

A: Yes, at 850nm. That wavelength reaches deepest, past skin into muscle and joint tissue.

Is it suitable for treating muscle pain?

A: For one area at a time. The beam covers roughly 3 inches, suiting a knee or elbow.

Can I mount it on a stand?

A: Yes. A cord, switch, and base are included, and Hooga sells a separate stand.

Final Verdict

At $40, the HG24 gives you more than it has any obligation to. Four wavelengths, published specifications you can check, and light output that stands up against what research uses. Most devices this cheap offer none of that.

What it asks in return is a little patience. All four colors come on together, you time sessions yourself, and the beam covers about three inches, so a full face takes a few moves. A stand makes it easier.

Buy it if you want to treat one area regularly, whether that is your face, a wrist, or a knee. With a 60-day trial and HSA eligibility, finding out costs you almost nothing.