iRestore Elite vs Capillus vs HairMax: Which Laser Cap?
Every device here is FDA-cleared for pattern hair loss. The real differences are time per week, cords, guarantee terms and price, and more diodes isn't proven to mean more hair.
Disclosure: we may earn a commission from iRestore links on this page. We don't earn from the other brands. That's exactly why we show their strengths too.
Key takeaways
- Most light sources: iRestore Elite (300 lasers + 200 LEDs).
- Least time per week: HairMax PowerFlex 272 (7 minutes, 3 times a week).
- Longest guarantee window: iRestore Elite (12 months, with a 25% return fee).
- Lowest price: CurrentBody LED helmet and Theradome.
- iRestore's own FAQ says lasers haven't been clinically shown to beat LEDs. Daily consistency matters more than diode count.
Side by side
| Device | Light sources | Session | Time per week | Guarantee / warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iRestore Elite | 300 lasers + 200 LEDs (625–680 nm) | 12 min daily | 84 min | 12 months (25% fee) / 3 yrs | $1,899 |
| Capillus Spectrum | 312 (650 + 808 nm) | 6 min daily | 42 min | 6 months / 3 yrs* | $2,199–$2,699* |
| HairMax PowerFlex 272 | 272 lasers, cordless | 7 min, 3× a week | 21 min | 6 months (20% fee) / 1 yr | $1,799 |
| REVIAN RED | 119 LEDs, wireless, app | 10 min daily | 70 min | 6 months (needs 80% use) | $1,995 |
| Theradome PRO LH80 | 80 lasers | 20 min, 2× a week | 40 min | 6–12 months / 5 yrs | $995 |
| CurrentBody LED Hair Growth | 120 LEDs | 10 min daily | 70 min | 14-day return only | $860 |
Prices and terms from brand websites, checked October 2026. *From cached or reseller listings; confirm before buying. All listed devices are FDA-cleared for androgenetic alopecia.
Does the number of diodes matter?
It's the spec brands compete on most, but the evidence doesn't back it up. iRestore's own FAQ states that lasers have not been clinically shown to be more effective than LEDs. What the trials consistently show is that red light, used regularly for months, outperforms a sham device. A 2021 meta-analysis of 7 sham-controlled trials found a benefit across FDA-cleared home devices, in women as much as men. [1]
So the best device is the one you'll actually use, several times a week, for at least six months.
Device by device
iRestore Elite: the most light, the longest guarantee
For: 500 light sources, the most here. Hands-free helmet. 3-year warranty, extendable to 5. 12-month money-back window. May be HSA/FSA eligible through Truemed. FDA 510(k) K222081, cleared for women with Ludwig I–II pattern loss and skin types I–IV. [2]
Against: 12 minutes every day is the biggest weekly time commitment here. It's corded unless you buy the battery pack (about $119). The guarantee keeps a 25% return fee and only covers purchases from irestorelaser.com.
Capillus Spectrum: short daily sessions
For: 6 minutes a day, a cap that fits under a hat, two wavelengths. Against: the highest price here, and a shorter 6-month guarantee.
HairMax PowerFlex 272: least time per week
For: about 21 minutes a week in total, and cordless. Against: a 1-year warranty and a 6-month guarantee with a 20% fee.
REVIAN RED: app-guided LEDs
For: wireless, with an app to keep you on track. Against: the guarantee requires you to use it at least 80% of the time, and it has fewer light sources.
Theradome PRO LH80: the budget laser helmet
For: about half the price, a 5-year warranty and two sessions a week. Against: 20-minute sessions and far fewer lasers.
CurrentBody LED: the entry point
For: the lowest price. Against: only a 14-day return window, too short to judge results that take months.
Which should you choose?
- You want the most coverage and the longest window to judge results: iRestore Elite.
- Time is tight: HairMax, at three short sessions a week.
- Budget comes first: Theradome PRO LH80.
- You need an app nudging you: REVIAN RED.
Whichever you choose, confirm the diagnosis first. These devices are cleared only for pattern hair loss, not sudden shedding or patchy loss. See why hair thins after menopause.
See the iRestore Elite up close
Spin it, zoom in, and switch on all 500 lights in our interactive 3D model.
Open the 3D model Shop at iRestore ↗Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
References
- Lueangarun S, et al. Efficacy and safety of low-level light therapy for androgenetic alopecia: a meta-analysis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2021. PMC8675345
- U.S. FDA 510(k) K222081, iRestore Elite (ID-510). accessdata.fda.gov