Erchonia Cold Lasers
Understanding low-level laser therapy options in the market
About Erchonia
Erchonia® is a well-established company with a dedicated following in the low-level laser therapy (LLLT) space. With over 25 years of experience, 18,000+ devices in the market, and 22 FDA clearances, they've been a leader in cold laser technology since 1999.
Their approach is unique in the industry—while most therapy laser manufacturers focus on infrared wavelengths (800–980nm) and emphasize dosage, Erchonia operates primarily at 635nm (red) and 405nm (violet) with power levels averaging around 7.5–17mW per diode. For reference, a standard laser pointer is 5mW.
The Erchonia Approach
Products range from 7.5mW to about 17mW per diode—truly "cold" lasers with no thermal sensation.
Erchonia's theory emphasizes pulsing frequencies rather than energy dosage, which differs from most independent research findings.
Most products operate at 635nm red and 405nm violet, with newer GVL adding 520nm green. Industry typically uses 800–980nm IR for deeper penetration.
All FDA clearances backed by double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-site clinical studies.
Current Handheld Lasers
635nm red + 405nm violet. Their most popular handheld. FDA-cleared for neck/shoulder pain and acne.
Dual 635nm red diodes. Entry-level option, the "workhorse" for 20+ years.
520nm green + 405nm violet. First FDA-cleared green wavelength laser.
Desktop unit with 3 handheld lasers (EVRL + 2 XLR8s), wireless charging station.
Scanner & Stand Systems
Triple-head scanner with robotic arms. FDA-cleared for low back pain, plantar fasciitis, musculoskeletal pain.
Same as FX 635 with added violet diode for antimicrobial applications.
Only non-thermal laser FDA-cleared for toenail fungus (onychomycosis). Fully automated.
Body Contouring & Fat Loss
6-head red laser system for non-invasive fat loss. FDA-cleared for waist, hips, thighs, arms, back.
8-head violet laser. World's first violet fat loss laser. OTC clearance—no medical license required.
10-head green laser (532nm). Winner of multiple aesthetic technology awards.
Green laser body contouring system for cellulite and circumference reduction.
Legacy/Discontinued Products
Four 5–7mW diodes, variable frequency. Often seen on used market.
Single 5mW diode, 1Hz–1000Hz variable frequency.
We occasionally have trade-in PL5000 units available. These have been traded in for Avant systems.
How Does This Compare?
When comparing therapy lasers, power output significantly affects treatment time and clinical applications. Here's a quick perspective:
The Avant delivers approximately 160× the power of an Erchonia EVRL while offering the same pulsing capabilities—allowing for dosage-based treatments aligned with research best practices.
A Note on Dosage Research
When NALT (North American Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy) conducted a meta-analysis of successful and unsuccessful laser therapies, they found that unsuccessful therapies were consistently based on dosages too low to see typical positive results.
Erchonia's philosophy that "dosage doesn't matter" stands in contrast to this research. They emphasize pulsing frequencies instead, and have built their FDA clearances around this approach with rigorous clinical trials.
We often see practitioners who trained on Erchonia systems (many colleges teach Erchonia's curriculum) discover the broader world of dosage-based laser therapy and choose to upgrade.
Trading Up?
We regularly see Erchonia users upgrading to Avant lasers. If you have an Erchonia you'd like to trade in, contact us for a quote.
Looking for More Power?
Explore the Avant series—same pulsing flexibility, 160× the dosage capability, starting at $5,425.
View Avant Lasers →ColdLasers.org is not affiliated with Erchonia. This information is provided for reference only. Prices shown are approximate retail and may vary. Please visit the Erchonia website for official product information and current pricing.