Aldi's £13 LED mask returns to shelves– but how does it compare to a £400 one?

Aldi is pretty much the most reliable place at the moment to score serious bargain beauty gadgets, and now, its Special Buy skin pampering range is making a comeback in stores from Thursday 31st July, with prices starting at £3.99. But the headline act? The sell-out LED face mask, returning at £12.99. Yes, you did read that right.

If you're into skincare tools but don’t want to drop half a month’s rent on one, you might want to plan a dash to the middle aisle very quickly. Aldi’s version offers seven different LED light settings (the colours each target different concerns like redness, dullness and fine lines), comes with a built-in lithium battery so it’s fully wireless,and looks surprisingly sleek for something under £13. It’s basically a sheet mask’s flashier, more functional older sister.

But, the question you probably want to know: does it offer any skincare benefits, or is it emitting some pretty looking light?

Comparing Aldi's LED mask to Currentbody's £399 mask READ MORE: 'I've been using Shark's CryoGlow LED Face Mask for three months and these are my results'

If you’re wondering how it stacks up to the likes of the CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask, the gold standard LED option that regularly features in editor round-ups and beauty awards, the short answer is: it’s not the same, but it’s not pretending to be either. In fact, its closest rival is Amazon's Hangsun Light Therapy Acne Treatment LED Mask, £34.99 – much closer in price.

CurrentBody’s cult mask comes in at £399 and for that, you’re getting some serious science. It uses clinically backed red (633nm) and near-infrared (830nm) light wavelengths – the kind dermatologists actually recommend – to visibly reduce wrinkles, boost collagen and improve skin elasticity. There is also published research to back up claims of 30% fewer wrinkles in just four weeks, and the flexible silicone frame means it hugs your face like a second skin, getting light to exactly where it needs to go.

Aldi’s version, on the other hand, is more about accessibility than advanced tech. It still offers multi-coloured LED therapy (including red, blue and green lights), but it’s less intense in output, and doesn’t have the same deep tissue penetration. You won’t get the same precision or clinical results, but what you will get is a great way to dip a toe into LED skincare without commitment or cost anxiety. It’s wireless, has adjustable light modes and does what most people want a beginner LED mask to do: help calm inflammation and boost glow.

Think of the CurrentBody mask as a long-term investment and Aldi’s is more of a skincare stocking filler. One is a high-performance tool, the other is an easy, affordable intro. But both tap into the same mood: doing skincare smarter, at home, on your own time.

If you’re just LED-curious, Aldi’s mask is the one to grabbefore it disappears again. For less than the cost of a bottle of cheap skincare serum, it’s a beauty win you don’t need to think twice about. Just be quick because you know how Specialbuys go.