AURA 4D vs Shark CryoGlow: The Honest LED Mask Comparison
Shark's CryoGlow brought LED face masks to a mainstream audience, and it's a well-made device from a brand people trust. If you're comparing it against the RIVATA AURA 4D, here's the honest spec-by-spec breakdown — including the places where the Shark genuinely wins.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | RIVATA AURA 4D | Shark CryoGlow |
|---|---|---|
| Price* | $149.99 (current price) | $349.99 (bundles to $649.99) |
| LEDs | 320 medical-grade | 160 tri-wick (iQLED) |
| Wavelengths | 5 — Red 630nm, Blue 460nm, Amber 605nm, NIR 850nm, Deep NIR 940nm | 3 — red (630nm), blue, infrared |
| Near-infrared | Dual NIR — 850nm + 940nm can fire together | Single infrared wavelength |
| Amber (redness/tone) | Yes — 605nm | No |
| Treatment modes | 4 modes, 10–12 min, auto shut-off | 4 presets, 4–8 min (plus under-eye 5–15 min) |
| Under-eye cooling | CryoCooling pads (passive, for comfort) | Insta-Chill powered cooling, 3 levels |
| Control | On-mask button — no remote to lose | Corded remote with LCD screen |
| Shell & fit | Flexible food-grade silicone, contoured 4D fit, packs flat | Hard shell — reviewers note it's bulky to store |
| FDA status | FDA cleared (K243040) | FDA cleared |
| Guarantee | 90-day money-back + 2-year warranty | 60-day money-back |
*Prices as of August 2026, from each brand's official store. Check the AURA 4D product page for today's price.
Wavelengths: 5 vs 3 — and why it matters
Every LED mask is ultimately a delivery system for specific wavelengths, and this is the biggest technical gap between the two. The CryoGlow covers the classic trio: red for fine lines, blue for breakouts, infrared for depth. The AURA 4D runs those plus two the Shark doesn't have: Amber 605nm, which targets redness and uneven tone — the concern the classic trio leaves unaddressed — and Deep NIR 940nm, a second near-infrared wavelength that pushes below the collagen layer. The 4D can fire 850nm and 940nm simultaneously (Dual NIR), covering a continuous band of depth in one session. We explain the science in 850nm vs 940nm: why dual near-infrared beats one.
Coverage: 320 LEDs vs 160
The Shark's 160 tri-wick LEDs are clever engineering — each diode houses multiple wavelengths. But total light delivery still scales with emitter count and coverage, and the AURA 4D fields twice as many LEDs across a contoured surface that follows the jawline, chin, and cheeks. A flexible shell that hugs facial curves keeps every LED at a consistent, close distance — flat or rigid designs lose intensity on the angles. More on why LED count matters in how many LEDs does a face mask actually need.
Where the Shark genuinely wins: under-eye cooling
Fair is fair: Insta-Chill is a real differentiator. The CryoGlow has two powered cooling points under the eyes with three temperature levels — if morning puffiness is your main concern and you want an active cold-therapy feature, the Shark does something the AURA 4D doesn't. The 4D's magnetic CryoCooling pads are passive — they keep sessions cool and comfortable rather than delivering powered cold therapy. If that's the feature you're buying for, buy the Shark.
Fit, storage, and whether you'll actually use it
The CryoGlow's hard shell drew the most consistent criticism in professional reviews — it doesn't flex, and it's bulky to store or travel with. The AURA 4D is food-grade silicone: it wraps the face, packs flat, and weighs little enough to wear while you read or wind down. That matters more than it sounds, because light therapy only works with 3–5 sessions a week over weeks — the mask that fits your evening routine is the mask that gets used. See how often you should actually use an LED mask.
Price and protection
As of August 2026, the CryoGlow lists at $349.99 and the AURA 4D at $149.99 — less than half, with more LEDs and more wavelengths. The trial terms differ too: Shark offers a 60-day money-back window; RIVATA gives you 90 days plus a 2-year warranty and free US shipping. Both devices are FDA cleared, so neither asks you to compromise on that.
Which should you buy?
Buy the Shark CryoGlow if: powered under-eye cold therapy is your top priority, you prefer a big-box brand you can return at retail, and the price difference isn't a factor.
Buy the AURA 4D if: you want the stronger light-therapy configuration — more LEDs, more wavelengths, dual near-infrared, amber for redness — in a mask that's comfortable enough to use five times a week, at a price that leaves $200 in your pocket. That's the case we make in full on the AURA 4D product page.
FAQ
Is the Shark CryoGlow FDA cleared?
Yes — and so is the RIVATA AURA 4D (K243040). Clearance is table stakes for a serious LED device; the differences are in wavelengths, coverage, and fit. More in FDA cleared vs FDA approved.
Does the AURA 4D have anything like Insta-Chill?
It has magnetic CryoCooling pads that keep the session cool and comfortable, but they're passive — no powered temperature control. If active under-eye cold therapy is the feature you want, the Shark is the better fit.
Which mask has more near-infrared?
The AURA 4D — it's the only one of the two with dual near-infrared (850nm + 940nm together). The CryoGlow carries a single infrared wavelength.
Are these prices current?
Prices shown were verified in August 2026 and do change — especially around sale events. The AURA 4D page always shows today's price.