By: Chroma

Easy money builds bad devices. That’s the uncomfortable truth behind most of the red light therapy market today. You see companies tossing out big numbers—irradiance claims, (peak) wattage stats passed off as actual power draw, “clinical grade” buzzwords—because they think you won’t know any better. They’re counting on you to be impressed, not informed.

They’re wrong.

At Chroma, we don’t think you’re dumb. In fact, we know the opposite is true: people are smarter than ever. You care about details. You want to know where your money’s going, how something actually works, and why it matters. So let’s set the record straight.

Big Numbers, Little Truth

Irradiance is one of the most over-reported and misunderstood metrics in red light therapy. Companies love to claim sky-high irradiance numbers, often quoting measurements taken at the panel’s surface with a solar meter that exaggerates the figure anywhere from 3-4x 

But they’ll slap a high number on their website anyway, add a few flashy graphics, and call it “powerful.” It’s misleading. And worse, it’s lazy.

We’re not here to say high irradiance is bad. High irradiance is great—but only when it’s real. When it’s able to be delivered effectively. When the product is built with the use case in mind, not designed for a tray of vegetables.

Because here’s the thing: red light therapy isn’t magic. It’s physics and biology. The design of our Ironforge allows for a meaningful amount of light to be delivered to a target area in seconds to minutes, no other consumer device comes anywhere close. Athletes and practitioners worldwide report unbelievable results to us daily. That’s not marketing. That’s reality.

Easy Money, Bad Tech

So why do companies over-report numbers and cut corners? Because it’s easy. Cheap money flows to cheap ideas. If you can find some off-the-shelf greenhouse light panel, crank out some exaggerated specs, and run a big enough ad campaign, you can sell units.

It’s not innovation. It’s not progress. It’s a cash grab, and it wastes everyone’s time.

Meanwhile, people are left using products that often don’t deliver the light they claim to. They get discouraged. They assume red light therapy is a scam. And the whole market suffers for it. That’s what happens when companies think you’re not paying attention.

Expect Better—And Build It

We built Chroma because we’re tired of low-effort products that solve nothing. We know good things are possible in this world, but only if someone cares enough to build them—and build them right.

The Ironforge and Lux Vital devices didn’t come from a marketing idea. It came from understanding the science—from asking what the body needs, how light interacts with opsins like OPN3, OPN4, and OPN5, and how to design a product that delivers light in a way that actually works. It’s powerful. It’s precise. And it’s built to solve real problems, not for an impressive spec sheet.

We’re not here to sell a story. We’re here to make a lasting impact. When you buy from Chroma, you’re not just buying a device—you’re supporting a better way of doing things. You’re pushing innovation forward, moving the market toward what should be normal: products that are honest, effective, and built to make a difference.

It’s why we strive to work more with people who are making an impact, like our military. It’s why we don’t cut corners or hide behind marketing fluff. And it’s why we have no interest in treating you like you’re dumb.

The Bottom Line

You deserve to know what you’re buying. You deserve products that are as good as they claim to be. And you deserve to feel the difference when you use them.

Easy money might build bad devices, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Expect better. Demand better. And support the people building it.

That’s what Chroma stands for.

Good things are possible. We’re proving it.

Disclaimer: The devices discussed in this article are not intended for medical use, diagnosis, or treatment of any medical conditions. Results from using these products may vary, and individual experiences can differ. Always consult with a healthcare provider before using any new device or product, especially if you have existing health concerns. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.