Enhanced efficiency of red phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices is observed by using a bis[2-(2'-benzothienyl)pyridinato-N,C(3')] iridium(acetylacetonato) doped 4,4'-N,N'-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) and 1,3,5-tris(N-phenylbenzimidazole-2-yl)benzene (TPBI) mixed host emitting layer. The CBP:TPBI mixed host device shows a maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.1%, which is dramatically improved compared to that of the CBP (6.6%) and TPBI (5.4%) single host devices. Such a mixed host strategy can also be exploited in red phosphor dibenzo[f,h]quinoxaline iridium (acetylacetonate) doped devices. Investigations reveal that the position of charge carrier recombination zone of the mixed host devices predominantly locates in the electron blocking layer/emitting layer interface. The efficiency enhancement is attributed to the optimized hole and electron injection balance and hence increased charge carrier recombination rate in the emitting layer. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.