We describe the growth of GaSb-based diode lasers with quinary AlInGaAsSb alloy waveguide/barriers and highly strained InGaAsSb type-I quantum wells, designed to emit at similar to 3.2 mu m at room temperature. To increase the compressive strain in the QWs above the pseudomorphic limit, we employ strain compensation in which the lower portion of the quinary alloy waveguide is slightly arsenic-rich as compared to the lattice-matched composition. Using this scheme, we fabricated a set of laser devices with incrementally increasing compressive strain in the quantum wells. With compressive strain reaching as high as similar to 2.4%, the device performance corroborates the notion that adding compressive strain in the quantum wells helps improve hole confinement and suppresses carrier leakage during operation near room temperature. Published by Elsevier B.V.