The Lightpath Diesel XL Combo stands out for one reason: alongside red and near-infrared, it adds blue LEDs. It's also built around 670 nm red and 940 nm near-infrared, wavelengths few rivals use. I put it through the same independent lab tests as the 10 other panels in my 2026 panel comparison.
It finished 9th of 11 with 41.25 points. It was the most even and one of the steadiest panels I tested, but weak wavelength scores, low average power and a short warranty held it back. Below, you'll find the lab's own measurements, including a heat map of its light, its spectrum and its output over a full session.
🏆 Quick Answer: Is the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo Worth It?
Score: 41.25 out of 100, 9th of 11 in my 2026 panel test.
The Diesel XL Combo delivers beautifully even, perfectly balanced light (51% red) and stays steady and quiet through a session. But its light is spread thin (23.7 mW/cm² average across the test area, =10th), only two of my five core wavelengths cleared 0.5 W/nm, and at $1,732 delivered it cost more than the panel that won.
- Best for: people who want blue light in the same panel as red and near-infrared, and anyone who values quiet operation and very even light.
- Not ideal for: buyers chasing power or the most-researched wavelengths, or anyone who wants a long warranty.
- Price when tested: $1,732 delivered to Austin, Texas, after code ALEX (5% off), with shipping and tax included.
- Stronger choices: the PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra (1st, 63.25 points, $1,610) and the Rojo Switch M3 (3rd, 61 points, $1,562). Both cost less and scored about 20 points higher.
Lightpath Diesel XL Combo
414 dual-chip LEDs with 450 nm blue, 670 nm red, and 810 and 940 nm near-infrared, seven wavelength combinations, dimming, pulsing, a timer, memory and a remote. Use code ALEX for 5% off.
Key Lab Results at a Glance
- Light output: 164 W of light from 370 W of power (44.4% efficient).
- Face area at 12 inches: 44.5 mW/cm² on average (2.4% variation).
- 24 × 30 in test area: 23.7 mW/cm² on average, with 42.6% of the area at 30 mW/cm² or more (6th of 11 for coverage).
- Red vs. near-infrared: 51.0% red and 49.0% near-infrared (=1st of 11 for balance).
- Stability: 96.1% of its starting output after 20 minutes.
- Wavelengths: 2 of my five core wavelengths cleared 0.5 W/nm; 630 nm, 830 nm, 850 nm didn't.
Here's how it scored in each round of my 2026 test:
| Round | Diesel XL Combo Score | Rank (of 11) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Coverage | 10 / 35 | 6th |
| 2. Average irradiance | 0.5 / 5 | =10th |
| 3. Uniformity | 2 / 10 | 4th |
| 4. Optical stability | 5 / 5 | =1st |
| 5. Wavelengths | 1 / 5 | 11th |
| 6. Red:NIR balance | 5 / 5 | =1st |
| 7. Ease of use | 9 / 15 | =5th |
| 8. Extras | 4 / 10 | =9th |
| 9. Price | 4.75 / 10 | 9th |
| Total | 41.25 / 100 | 9th |
What I Like
- Adds 450 nm blue light, with seven combinations of blue, red and near-infrared
- The most even face-area light in the test (2.4% variation), and 4th for uniformity
- Perfectly balanced at 51% red (full marks)
- Steady: 96.1% of its starting output after 20 minutes (tied 1st for stability)
- Quiet (under 40 dB, full marks for noise) and the most efficient panel I tested: 44.4% of the power it draws becomes light
What Could Be Better?
- Low power across the test area: 23.7 mW/cm² on average (=10th of 11)
- Only two of my five core wavelengths (660 and 810 nm) cleared 0.5 W/nm; 630, 830 and 850 nm barely register
- About a fifth of its light is at 940 nm, which I don't score because the evidence for it is thin
- A warranty under three years and no verifiable safety certification (4 of 10 for extras)
- $1,732 delivered: more than the BioMax Pro Ultra, which won
Lightpath Diesel XL Combo Specs vs. Lab Results
Here's what LightpathLED says about the Diesel XL Combo, and what the independent lab measured:
| Spec | What LightpathLED Says | What the Lab Measured |
|---|---|---|
| LEDs | 414 high-output LEDs | 414 dual-chip LEDs: 270 red, 414 near-infrared and 144 blue chips (blue switched off for the test) |
| Wavelengths | 450 nm (blue), 670 nm (red), 810 and 940 nm (near-infrared) | Peaks at 670, 813 and 949 nm (blue off) |
| Red vs. near-infrared | Red, near-infrared and blue | 51% red, 49% near-infrared |
| Power | "2070W power output" (LED rating) | 370 W drawn at 120 V |
| Light output | Not stated | 164 W of light: 44.4% of the power it draws, the most efficient in my test |
| Irradiance at 12 in | Not stated | 23.7 mW/cm² average over 24 × 30 in; 44.5 mW/cm² over a face-sized area |
| Beam angle | 30° | Not tested |
| Controls | Brightness, pulsing, timer with auto shut-off, memory, remote | Not tested |
| List price (7 Nov) | $1,974 | Not applicable |
Lightpath sells the panel as the Diesel XL Gen3 Combo. It can be mounted on a door, a wall or a stand.
What the Blue Light Adds
The Combo's blue chips emit 450 nm light, which Lightpath positions for surface-level skin uses. You can run blue on its own or in any combination with red and near-infrared: seven combinations in all.
I don't consider blue light essential for most users, but it's a genuine extra, and it earned the Diesel XL Combo one X-factor point in my ease-of-use round.
The lab measured the panel with the blue LEDs switched off, so every number below is for red and near-infrared light only.
How I Tested the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo
The Diesel XL Combo went through exactly the same process as all 11 panels in my 2026 panel comparison, so its scores sit directly beside theirs.
- Independent lab measurements. LightLab International, a photometric lab in Allentown, Pennsylvania, ran three tests in September 2026: total light output and spectrum in a 2-metre integrating sphere, output over 20 minutes, and an irradiance map at 12 inches measured every 2 inches (test report LLIA003056-001).
- Why 12 inches. I now test at 12 inches rather than 6, because readings taken close to the LEDs overstate how evenly a panel treats your body. Here's why.
- Nine scored rounds, 100 points. Coverage (35), average irradiance (5), uniformity (10), output stability (5), wavelengths (5), red-to-near-infrared balance (5), ease of use (15), extras such as warranty, returns, certifications, noise and expandability (10), and price (10).
Each brand, including LightpathLED, paid LightLab for its own panel’s testing and provided its panel free of charge. The Diesel XL Combo's scores use exactly the same lab data and scoring as every other panel.
Lab Results: How the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo Performed
Coverage and Power at 12 Inches
Across the standard 24 × 30 in treatment area, the Diesel XL Combo averaged 23.7 mW/cm² (=10th of 11 for average irradiance), and 42.6% of the area got at least 30 mW/cm² (6th for coverage).
The heat map shows a broad, very even block of light, but at a lower intensity than the leaders. Across a full 24 × 60 in body area it averaged 17.6 mW/cm².
Here's how the light holds up as the treatment area grows:
| Area at 12 in | Average (mW/cm²) | Lowest (mW/cm²) | Area at 30+ mW/cm² | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face (6 × 10 in) | 44.5 | 43.0 | 100% | 2.4% |
| Test area (24 × 30 in) | 23.7 | 0.8 | 42.6% | 86.7% |
| Full body (24 × 60 in) | 17.6 | 0.2 | 29.2% | 116.1% |
Evenness
Overall uniformity (average ÷ peak across the 24 × 30 in area) was 46.2%, 4th of 11. Over a face-sized area at the centre, the light ranged from 43.0 to 46.3 mW/cm², varying by 2.4%. That's the most even face-area result of all 11 panels, and it placed 4th for uniformity overall.
Output Over a Session
After 20 minutes the Diesel XL Combo still delivered 96.1% of its starting output, =1st of 11 for stability (5 of 5 points). Red held at 96.1% and near-infrared at 95.6%.
As the LEDs warmed up, the peaks moved slightly longer, by up to 3 nm:
| Peak | After 30 sec | After 14.5 min | After 19.5 min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 667 nm | 669 nm | 669 nm |
| Near-infrared | 808 nm | 811 nm | 811 nm |
| Deep near-infrared | 946 nm | 948 nm | 948 nm |
Wavelengths
The lab found peaks at 670, 813 and 949 nm. Only two of my five core wavelengths (660 nm and 810 nm) cleared the 0.5 W/nm bar. That earns 1 point, the lowest wavelength score in the test.
| Wavelength | Measured (W/nm) | Counts in My Test? |
|---|---|---|
| 590 nm (bonus) | 0.000 | ✗ No |
| 630 nm | 0.120 | ✗ No |
| 660 nm | 1.867 | ✓ Yes |
| 810 nm | 1.362 | ✓ Yes |
| 830 nm | 0.196 | ✗ No |
| 850 nm | 0.029 | ✗ No |
| 1064 nm (bonus) | 0.000 | ✗ No |
The two wavelengths that counted were its 670 nm red (measured at 660 nm) and 810 nm. Its 830 and 850 nm output was minimal, and 630 nm only reached 0.12 W/nm. About a fifth of its light is at 940–950 nm, which I didn't score because I don't find the evidence for its benefits compelling enough.
Red vs. Near-Infrared Balance
51.0% of the Diesel XL Combo's light is red (600–780 nm) and 49.0% near-infrared (780–1100 nm). That's almost exactly the 50:50 split my test rewards, so it earned the full 5 points. Red is the range most studied for skin, while near-infrared reaches deeper tissue.
The lab's breakdown of where the light goes:
| Waveband | Light Output | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Red (600–700 nm) | 79.36 W | 48.3% |
| Deep red (700–780 nm) | 4.38 W | 2.7% |
| Near-infrared (780–900 nm) | 45.45 W | 27.7% |
| Deep near-infrared (900–1100 nm) | 34.89 W | 21.2% |
| Total light output | 164.21 W | 100% |
Using the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo
It scored 9 of 15 for ease of use (=5th): full marks for the manual and stand options, 2 of 3 for customisation, 1 for the remote, 1 of 2 for support and 1 X-factor point for blue light, but none for smart modes.
- Seven wavelength combinations: blue, red or near-infrared alone, or any mix
- Adjustable brightness and intensity levels
- Pulsing with several frequency options
- Timer with auto shut-off and a memory that saves your last settings
- Remote control included
- Mounting: door, wall or stand
A Starting Protocol
These starting points are based on what the research suggests for skin and on the lab's measurements at 12 inches.
- Face and skin: aim for about 5–9 J/cm². At 12 inches the Diesel XL Combo delivers about 45 mW/cm² over the face with every wavelength on, so that dose takes roughly 1.9 to 3.4 minutes.
- Joints, muscles and recovery: 5–10 minutes per area at 12 inches. My dosing chart shows the ranges studies have used.
- Eyes: wear eye protection. Near-infrared is invisible, and these panels are bright. More in my eye safety guide.
Price, Shipping, Warranty and Returns
I priced every panel the same way: delivered to Austin, Texas, after my discount code or link, with shipping and tax included. On that basis the Diesel XL Combo cost $1,732 at the time of filming and scored 4.75 of 10 for price (9th of 11).
- Discount: code ALEX takes 5% off at LightpathLED (already counted in the $1,732). The list price was $1,974 when I checked on 7 November.
- Warranty: under three years, scoring 0 of 3.
- Returns: 60 days or more with no restocking fee, scoring 2 of 3.
- Noise: under 40 dB, full marks.
Overall it scored 4 of 10 for extras (=9th): 1 of 1 for expandability, 0 of 2 because I couldn't verify its safety certification, 0 of 3 for warranty, 2 of 3 for returns and 1 of 1 for noise.
Who Should Buy the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo?
Buy it if you:
- Want blue light alongside red and near-infrared
- Want very even, balanced light
- Want a quiet panel
- Like simple controls with a remote
Look elsewhere if you:
- Want the most power in the test area
- Want strong output at 630, 830 and 850 nm
- Want a long warranty
- Want the best value: the BioMax Pro Ultra costs $122 less and won
Lightpath Diesel XL Combo vs. the Alternatives
Here's how the Diesel XL Combo compares with the panels around it in my 2026 test (all measured at 12 inches over the same 24 × 30 in area, and priced delivered to Texas after discount codes, with shipping and tax):
| Panel | 2026 Score | Area at 30+ mW/cm² | Avg. Irradiance (mW/cm²) | Red Share | Price Tested |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra | 63.25 (1st) | 58.6% | 48.6 | 54.7% | $1,610 |
| Rojo Switch M3 | 61.00 (3rd) | 60.8% | 46.8 | 43.6% | $1,562 |
| MitoRed Light MitoPRO 1500+ v2 | 44.50 (6th) | 42.2% | 28.7 | 58.1% | $1,265 |
| Lightpath Diesel XL Combo | 41.25 (9th) | 42.6% | 23.7 | 51.0% | $1,732 |
| BestQool Pro300 | 40.75 (10th) | 41.0% | 23.4 | 54.9% | $810 |
| Sunlighten Red Light Therapy Panel | 37.25 (11th) | 40.7% | 28.8 | 59.4% | $1,412 |
Best Overall Alternative: PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra
PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra (2026 winner)
$122 less delivered: 1st place, about double the average irradiance (48.6 vs. 23.7 mW/cm²), all five core wavelengths, a similar red share (54.7%), zone control and full marks for ease of use. 5% off through my link.
Read my full PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra review.
Most Innovative Alternative: Rojo Switch M3
Rojo Switch M3 (3rd)
$170 less delivered: nearly double the average irradiance (46.8 mW/cm²), all five core wavelengths and swappable modules with zone control. It's louder and less even. Code ALEX for 10% off.
Read my full Rojo Switch M3 review.
Other Panels to Consider
- vs. MitoPRO 1500+ v2: $467 less, with red-rich light and all five core wavelengths, but simple controls. MitoPRO 1500+ v2 review
- vs. BestQool Pro300: $922 less, my Best Value pick. BestQool Pro300 review
- vs. Sunlighten Red Light Therapy Panel: $320 less, placed 11th. Sunlighten panel review
⭐ My Reviews ⭐
Lightpath Diesel XL Combo FAQ
Is the Lightpath Diesel XL Combo worth it?
Only if you specifically want blue light in your panel. It placed 9th of 11 in my 2026 lab test. The BioMax Pro Ultra and Rojo Switch M3 both cost less, delivered about twice the average irradiance and scored about 20 points higher.
What does the blue light do?
Lightpath positions its 450 nm blue light for surface-level skin uses. You can run it alone or with red and near-infrared. I don't consider it essential, and the lab tested the panel with blue switched off.
Why did it score so low for wavelengths?
Only 660 and 810 nm cleared my 0.5 W/nm threshold. Its near-infrared is mostly 810 and 940 nm, with very little 830 or 850 nm, and its red is 670 nm with little 630 nm.
Is it good for skin?
Its light is 51% red, and it's very even. For the face at 12 inches it delivers about 45 mW/cm², so a 5–9 J/cm² dose takes roughly 2 to 3½ minutes.
Is it quiet?
Yes. It measured under 40 dB, one of the quietest panels in my test.
What's the warranty?
Under three years, which scored 0 of 3 in my test. Returns are 60 days or more with no restocking fee.
Is there a LightpathLED discount code?
Yes. Code ALEX takes 5% off. See my discount codes page for other brands.
Final Thoughts
The Diesel XL Combo does some things better than any other panel I tested: the most even face-area light, perfect balance, steady output, quiet running and top efficiency. And it's the only panel in the test with blue light.
But it delivers less light across the test area than most rivals, misses three of my five core wavelengths, and costs more than the panel that won. Unless blue light is a must for you, there are better choices for the money.
Score: 41.25 out of 100, 9th of 11 in my 2026 panel test.
- Buy the Diesel XL Combo if you want blue, red and near-infrared in one quiet, very even panel: check the Diesel XL Combo price and use code ALEX for 5% off.
- For most buyers, the PlatinumLED BioMax Pro Ultra is the better all-rounder: it won the 2026 test, and the link takes 5% off.
Items Mentioned
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Alex's Bio
Alex Fergus wrote this blog post. Alex is an ISSN Sports Nutrition Specialist, Fitness Professional, and certified Superhuman Coach who continues to expand his knowledge base and help people across the world with their health and wellness. Alex is recognized as the National Record Holder in Powerlifting and Indoor Rowing and has earned the title of the Australian National Natural Bodybuilding Champion. Having worked as a health coach and personal trainer for over a decade, Alex now researches all things health and wellness and shares his findings on this blog.
