Head to head · August 31, 2026
Hooga HG300 vs AWA FX500
The HG300 is the cheaper of the two at $199, so it wins on value if the specs are close enough for your use. The FX500 packs more emitters (60 against 60), which usually means a shorter session for the same dose.
DISCLOSURE — we earn commission on purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. Rankings come from specifications and measurements, never from commission rates.
| Spec | HG300 | FX500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $269.99 |
| Wavelengths | 660nm · 850nm | 660nm · 850nm |
| Emitters | 60 | 60 |
| Irradiance | 55 mW/cm2 average, 69 mW/cm2 peak at 6 in, measured by Alex Fergus (Light Therapy Insiders) | Brand headline is 220 mW/cm2 at 2 in, a distance nobody treats at. AWA's own blog gives 94 mW/cm2 at the conventional 6 in, less than half the marketing figure |
| Coverage | 12.2 x 8.2 x 2.5 in, 6 lb, kickstand | 298 x 182 x 60 mm; claimed spread about 15 x 14 in |
| FDA status | unknown | unknown |
| Warranty | 3 yr | 2 yr |
| Returns | 60 days | 60 days |
HG300
The value benchmark. Even after discounting the claim by the 25 percent independent testing found, it delivers more measured output per dollar than panels costing five times as much.
FX500
Genuinely cheap and honest about power draw, but the irradiance headline is measured at a distance nobody uses. Judge it on the 94 mW/cm2 figure instead.