I Tried a Red-Light Sleep Device, and It’s Been a Total Game Changer

True confession: my sleep schedule is shit. There’s nothing I value more than a good night’s rest, but over the last couple of years, it’s been hard to make quality sleep a reality. I started using an Oura Ring to track my sleep, stopped using my phone before bed, and even attempted morning and late-afternoon sunshine as often as possible, but still — it seemed like I could only fall asleep and stay asleep if I took a sleep aid like melatonin. It got to a point where I was taking 10 milligrams of melatonin every night, and some nights, even that wasn’t enough to get me to sleep soundly through the night.

When I heard about a red-light product called the Helight Sleep ($139) that claimed to help you fall asleep faster, I’ll admit that I didn’t have high hopes. Red light for sleep? Could that really work? Well according to a doctor we asked, yes — it could. “Red-light technology is excellent for sleep because the red wavelength of light actually has a beneficial effect on promoting melatonin release as it most closely mimics the red-light frequency of the sunset,” physician and sleep expert Angela Holliday-Bell, MD, the founder of The Solution Is Sleep, tells POPSUGAR. “Finding ways to incorporate red light into your nighttime routine can be a great way to help you to naturally fall asleep faster and improve your sleep quality.”

Still, I had been relying on melatonin, Xanax, and drowsiness-causing antihistamines like Benadryl for so long that I didn’t see a tiny little device doing much to change things for me, even if it had science backing it up. However, I decided to give it a try — and I was shocked when it completely changed my sleep quality for the better.

Keep scrolling to read my full review of the Helight Sleep device and find out why it’s a product I can no longer live without.

What I Like About the Helight Sleep Device

First and foremost: this device actually works. As I mentioned, I use an Oura Ring to track my sleep, and I’ve noticed that on the nights when I use the Helight, I fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Since “quitting” melatonin supplements, one of the things I pay close attention to on my Oura Ring stats is “latency,” which tracks how quickly I fall asleep. Too fast means my body is likely overtired; too slow could mean any number of different things, from not being tired enough to racing thoughts keeping me awake. I’ve found that whenever I use my Helight, I fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes of lying down. Without it, it can sometimes take me up to 45 minutes.

I also have a habit of waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, which can be bothersome and often interrupts my sleep. If I find myself having a hard time getting back to sleep after one of my nightly trips to the restroom, I flick on the Helight and find that it helps me get back to sleep faster.

I also love that the device is small and compact because it means I can take it with me when I’m traveling and it doesn’t take up too much space in my suitcase. It’s tiny enough that it fits in my purse. Also, it doesn’t need to be plugged in continuously for use. It takes three hours to charge, and a full charge allows the device to complete 25 to 28 cycles of 28 minutes. And it isn’t app- or subscription-based; once you buy it, you’re set.

To use it, all you have to do is turn off all the other visible lights in the room, then turn on the Helight. The device will emit pure red light at a wavelength of 630 nanometers for 14 minutes before it starts to gradually fade. The brand says you can close your eyes once you’ve flipped it on because the wavelength passes through your eyelids. After 28 minutes, the device turns off on its own.

What’s Worth Noting About the Helight Sleep Device

One thing to take into consideration with this device is that it isn’t an immediate cure-all. It took a couple of weeks for my body to acclimate to using the device instead of my trusty sleep aids — my sleep wasn’t dramatically different after just one night of using it. Additionally, it’s worth noting that this device is on the pricey side. But considering a one-month supply of melatonin costs me around $20, this product essentially paid for itself after seven months of use.

Finally, if you’re a lover of eye masks, you’ll need to forgo those in order for this device to work. You can slip on your eye mask after the Helight cycles off, but you may have already drifted off by then.

Who Is the Helight Sleep Device Best For?

I recommend this device to anyone who has a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep.

Where Is the Helight Sleep Device Available?

The Helight Sleep device is available on the brand’s website.

Additional Details About the Helight Sleep Device

• The device can be used by anyone six months and older.
• The device has three different intensities, which you can change based on the size of the room where it’s being used.
• It charges via USB.
• It has a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
• It has a 60-night trial policy, which allows you to test the device for 60 days and return it if you aren’t satisfied.

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