Do you find yourself becoming depressed in the winter? If so, you may be experiencing SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. It is also often referred to as winter or seasonal depression. If you notice that you start to feel better in the spring and summer, and then by late fall depression is beginning to set back in, chances are that you are affected by SAD.
You don’t necessarily need to go out and get medication for depression. What you need more than anything is light. Did you know that those who live where the daylight hours are short are the most likely to have SAD? It also tends to be more common in those ages 15-55, women, and those who live with someone who has SAD.
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Light therapy is one of the most popular treatments for SAD. It involves no medication or counseling. All you need is a good light therapy lamp. Today, we are going to discuss 10 of our favorite light therapy lamps, so you can learn more about them. Then, you will have the information you need to go out and get yourself one of these lamps.
While the actual causes of SAD are unknown, experts believe that the root of the problem is a lack of sunlight. When there is less light, it can disrupt your biological clock, and it can lead to issues with serotonin, the chemical in the brain that affects your mood.
Best SAD Light Therapy Lamps 2023
Having a SAD light therapy lamp can help to alleviate many SAD symptoms. These include loss of interest in favorite activities, eating more, gaining weight, feeling tired after sleeping, not being able to concentrate, and feeling sad, anxious, or grouchy.
So, you know that you need light to help combat the symptoms of SAD. But, it needs to be a certain type of light. An ultraviolet light, heat lamp, tanning lamp, or full-spectrum light just isn’t going to cut it. You need to have specific light therapy for depression. The lamps we are going to discuss today are just what you need to combat SAD.
After we discuss the various lamps, we recommend that you keep reading. The following buyer’s guide will tell you everything you need to know about SAD lamps. This way, even if you don’t choose one of the lamps on our list, you will have the information you need to choose the best device for your needs.
1. NatureBright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy Lamp
— Your Best Choice to Buy Now
How would you like to have the power of your sun, right in your own home? You can, with this prescription strength, 10,000 LUX light therapy lamp. The NatureBright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy Lamp puts out a 10,000 LUX light. This is going to help to improve your mood and give you more energy.
You may be wondering how a little lamp can do this. Well, this lamp mimics the effects of the sun. Also, there is negative ion therapy, which gives you the healing properties of the most calming things in nature. The 17,000 Kelvin UV-free light is the equivalent to the blue sky in the North Pole.
If you want to really get into a summer mood, you can also purchase the Sun Touch Aroma Therapy Capsule. This attaches to the Sun Touch Plus, and the ion air outlet releases the mood-soothing fragrance.
Using this lamp will help to improve your mood, allow you to sleep better, and help you to have more energy. It is definitely recommended for getting rid of those winter blahs. It will help to get your body clock straightened out, and you can use it at home or in the office, because it is portable.
The SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy lamp has been created using the latest in light therapy research. It provides the right light to help elevate your mood and get you out of that seasonal funk. The best part is, it will cost less than one visit to a therapist for the same type of treatment, and you get to do it over and over again as often as you wish.
This is a treatment that is recommended by many psychiatrists and therapists. It is an effective and natural treatment for SAD, and is ideal for use on dull, dark winter days. You don’t have to limit yourself to only using this in the winter. You can use it any time you feel like you need a little pick me up. This is a great way to start feeling a lot happier without the use of prescription medications.
| Pros | Cons |
| Portable, and can sit on any desktop or table | Shouldn’t be used by those who have bi-polar disorder |
| A combination of light and negative ion therapy | |
| Provides antidepressant effects in just a few days of use | |
| Recommended by the Columbia Department of Psychiatry and the New York Psychiatry Institute |
2. Verilux HappyLight Liberty Personal, Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp
— Highly Recommended
The HappyLight Liberty energy lamp is a best seller from Verilux. This lamp gives you the same SAD light therapy you would get from a therapist, but at a fraction of the cost because you can keep doing your own treatments at home for a lot less than the cost of a single visit to the therapist.
The 5,000 LUX UV-filtered output is ideal for daily use, and for extended periods of time. Using this light can give you the therapy you need to improve you mood. It will also help if you have any sleep issues, because it helps to straighten out your circadian rhythm.
This is a small unit, weighing just one and a half pounds, making it ideal to take with you just about anywhere. You can use it at home, at the office, on business trips, etc. to help get you out of that nasty seasonal funk. This unit has been safety tested and meets the highest standards of compliance. It is backed by the Verilux reputation for great customer service.
Just because this lamp is small and portable, don’t think that it isn’t going to give you exactly what you need. Yes, it is just 6 X 7 X 3 inches, but it emits 5,000 LUX, which is a pretty good dose of light for daily use. This is at least 50 percent of the power that comes out of lamps that are more than 10 times the size of this one.
It is recommended that you use this SAD lamp for sessions lasting 30-60 minutes. Mornings are the best time to do your light therapy sessions for more energy during the day. If you want to sleep better, light therapy in the evening is a good option.
One of the complaints people have had in the past about this type of lamp is that the light is way too bright. That is not an issue with the HappyLight Liberty. It has been designed to be as comfortable to use as it is effective. It has an Optix lens that diffuses light so there is no glare that can cause eye strain. It also has Flicker-Elimination Technology that also helps to eliminate eye fatigue.
| Pros | Cons |
| 5,000 LUX of natural spectrum illumination | Light is too bright for some people |
| Small, portable, and easy to use | |
| Reduced glare for less eye fatigue thanks to an Optix lens | |
| Can be used for daily sessions |
3. Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10,000 LUX Light Therapy Energy Lamp
The environment can greatly affect our physical and emotional well-being, especially during the winter when there is not a lot of sunlight. Here is another product from Verilux that will help to replace the sunlight your body is so greatly craving. The HappyLight Liberty 10,000 LUX Light Therapy Energy Lamp is going to rock your world.
If you suffer from fatigue, sleeplessness, an inability to concentrate and focus, and basically, the winter blahs, you can benefit from regular light therapy sessions. The problem is, seeing a therapist for these sessions regularly can get pretty costly. The solution is to buy your own light therapy lamp, which is less expensive than one therapy session.
Using the HappyLIght Liberty 10,000 Lux energy lamp is a great way to get the effects of the sun, even when there isn’t much sunlight to be had. The 10,000 LUX UV-blocked, bright, white light is a therapy that is recommended by professionals, and you can do it yourself at home with this device.
One of the great things about this lamp is that you can customize the settings to have it set up to your own personal preferences. The no-glare lenses are easy to install, and offer more comfort for your eyes. The light has a broad surface area, so you get more light per square inch than you do with other SAD therapy lamps.
Use this lamp in the morning to get you going, and in the evening to help you sleep better and wake up feeling more rested and alert. This lamp is ideal for anyone who suffers from SAD, feels the effects of shift work, has jet lag, etc. It is a great way to bring balance back to your body, and help you feel “right” again.
Using this lamp is also going to help to improve your concentration. You will find that you are able to focus better, and that you can actually concentrate on something for more than a few seconds at a time. This can be a problem when you suffer from SAD, but using light therapy can really make a huge difference.
| Pros | Cons |
| Feel better in just 30 minutes to an hour a day | Some people find the light is too bright. |
| Two interchangeable and replaceable lenses | |
| Two light intensity settings with four light tuning options | |
| Optix lens to reduce glare and eye fatigue |
4. Circadian Optics Luxy Light Therapy Lamp – USB Powered
If you really want a light therapy lamp that you can take anywhere, the Circadian Optics Luxy Light Therapy Lamp is just what you need. It is the only lamp of its kind to be powered through a USB port. You don’t need to have an AC adapter or a power cord, and you can charge it right from your laptop. To achieve maximum brightness however, it must be plugged in as the battery only supplements the USB power.
This 10,000 LUX, 5,500K lamp gives you a safe and effective level of brightness that can help to eliminate a variety of issues, including seasonal depression, circadian sleep disorders, sleep issues due to shift work, jet lag, and having little to no energy. The light is diffused, and evenly spread across the panel at just the right color temperature.
The full-spectrum light produced by the Lumos is CRI>90, which basically means that it is a much higher quality kind of light than what is found in other lamps. It is the next best thing to actually having the sun shining directly on your face.
This lamp has an award-winning design, and a 50,000 hour lifespan. You are going to be using this a lot, so you need to know that it is always going to work. The LED light never needs to be replaced, which is going to save you a lot of money over time. The design is sleek and modern, and will look great in your home or office.
Lamps from Circadian Optics are designed to look as great as they function. These lamps are attractive and don’t take up a whole lot of space like other products used to combat SAD. A li-ion battery and USB technology has been used to create the very first light therapy lamp to run entirely on USB power. So, you will save money on your energy bills as well.
These lamps have been calibrated to offer effective light color brightness and temperature, and for the size of the spectrum. They are fine-tuned to be the most effective in treating circadian rhythm disorders, including seasonal affective disorder.
| Pros | Cons |
| Three separate hinges make this lamp completely configurable for your needs. | None |
| LED technology gives this lamp a lifespan of 50,000 hours. | |
| The diffused light helps to reduce glare and eye strain. | |
| The full-spectrum light mimics the natural light from the sun. |
5. Carex Health Brands Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light Therapy Lamp
The Day-Light Classic Plus from Carex Health Brands is a clinical lamp that is ideal for therapeutic use. In fact, it uses the same technology as the lamps found in a therapist’s office. This lamp offers 10,000 LUX of white light that is free of glare. It is a 12-inch light, so it will give you a huge boost of what is the next best thing to sunlight.
This lamp has been proven in clinical studies to help people who have seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as the winter blues. It is easy to use, and offers light from above for the most therapeutic benefits.
The most recommended treatment for the winter blues is bright light therapy. The Day-Light Classic Plus is just what you need to combat SAD so you can feel better, sleep better, and have more energy. It is ideal for anyone who is trying to adjust to shift work, suffers from circadian sleep disorders, has jet lag, or just doesn’t have enough energy.
This is a safe, natural, and effective way to treat seasonal affective disorder. It is the ideal clinical product for symptoms that are mild to severe, and it is completely safe to use. More than 99 percent of UV rays are blocked to protect your eyes. The lamp is height and angle adjustable, so you can set it up to be in the perfect position.
This is not a LED lamp. It comes with three, 36-watt CFL bulbs. It has two light settings, and the color temperature is 4,000K / 85 CRI. Changing the bulbs is easy, and you can find replacement bulbs at any department or hardware store. The stand is a single pedestal style, and this lamp will fit in nicely in your home or office. It is also great for students in dorm rooms.
There are a lot of SAD lamps available on the market, but not all of them meet all of the standards from experts when it comes to SAD therapy criteria. This lamp meets, and exceeds those standards. It is perfect for anyone who suffers from depression in the winter, and needs that extra light to elevate their mood.
| Pros | Cons |
| 10,000 LUX of glare-free white light | None |
| UV rays are blocked for eye safety
Height and angle adjustable |
|
| Comes with a 5-year limited warranty |
6. A5 Size Happy Natural Sun Lamp, 15,000 Lux Bright Light Box Portable Energy Health Light Therapy
If you are looking for a portable light system that will help reduce the symptoms of SAD, this is a great option. The Happy Natural Sun Lamp is a 15,000 LUX energy light lamp that you can take with you just about anywhere for light therapy when you need it.
This portable system emits 15,000 LUX wide-spectrum light. You can select the intensity levels for just the right level that you need, and there is a programmable timer with 15, 30, and 45 minute increments. The design is sleek and compact, making it the ideal light therapy lamp for travel. A worldwide-compatible AC adapter is included.
When you use the Happy Natural Sun Lamp, you will enjoy a natural, soothing glow that is the next best thing to actual sunlight. But, you won’t have to use a lot of energy to get it. Only 7.2 watts of power are consumed by the 72 energy-efficient LED lights. This lamp is going to last for at least 20 years, and you won’t have to replace the bulbs.
You can use this lamp at any time of the day or night, whenever you feel you need a burst of sunlight. Enjoy it while you are reading, eating, watching television, etc. All it takes is 20 to 30 minutes a day to improve your energy levels and to get your sleep patterns back on the right track.
The light from the Happy Natural Sun Lamp is soothing, and there is no glare to bother your eyes. It is also free of annoying flickering, unlike many other light boxes available on the market today. It also comes with a nylon travel pouch, so you can take it with you anywhere.
The best time of day to use a SAD lamp if you want to be more alert is in the morning. On the other hand, if you want to sleep better at night, an evening session with your lamp is just what you need. You can use this lamp whenever you feel tired and listless to give you that extra burst of energy you need to get through your day.
It is recommended that you use the lamp for 15 to 30 minute sessions each time. Have it closer to your face for the morning sessions, and move it a bit further back for the evening sessions. Do not use the lamp within two hours of your usual bedtime, because you may be too alert to be able to fall asleep quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
| 100% satisfaction guaranteed | Some customers reported unit stopped working after a few months. |
| One-year warranty from Sphere Gadget Technologies USA | |
| Comfortable and easy to use. | |
| Ideal SAD lamp for home, office, and travel. |
7. Luminette 2 – SAD Bright Light Therapy Glasses
How would you like to have the equivalent of a light therapy lamp, without having to drag around a bulky light therapy lamp? Your wish is about to come true. The Luminette 2 SAD Bright Light Therapy Glasses are the perfect solution to this problem.
If you are looking for light therapy on the go, you have found it here. Luminette is ideal for those who are active and don’t have time to sit around using a light therapy box. You can wear these glasses while you are doing other things, so you don’t have to waste any time, but you still get the effects that mimic the sunlight you so desperately need.
This patented lighting system gives your eyes just the right amount of exposure to sunlight-like light, without hurting your vision in anyway. It is not glaring, and the glasses are comfortable to wear. The light is blue-enriched white light, and there are three intensities (500, 1,000, and 1,500 LUX). According to an independent clinical trial, this system is the equivalent to a 10,000 LUX lamp.
This light system works a bit differently from the lamps we have already discussed. The patented diffraction system allows the light to enter the eye and penetrate the lower section of the retina. The photoreceptors send information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (what regulates our biological clocks) through the optic nerve.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus gets the information, and triggers the body to respond positively to the light. Melatonin production will stop, and your body will begin to produce the hormones that help you to stay awake, including cortisol and dopamine.
It is recommended that you use your Luminette once each day, just after you wake up. Sessions should last from 20 to 45 minutes. The length of the sessions will depend on the light intensity you decide to use. You will notice a boost of energy immediately, and within a week you should start to notice a great improvement in your sleep cycles.
You can go about your morning routine while wearing the Luminette. You can easily see through it to do anything that you would normally do, and then you can take it off, head out the door, and be ready to face the day with plenty of energy.
| Pros | Cons |
| Feel the boosting effects almost immediately | Some customers have had issues with the USB plug not fitting into the port |
| Light is free of both UV and infrared rays | |
| Recharge with a micro-USB cable | |
| One charge lasts for 10 sessions |
8. Aura® Daylight Therapy Lamp, with Adjustable Lux Dial- 100% UV Free
The Aura Daylight Therapy Lamp has a patented LUX adjusting dial. This means that you have total control over your own seasonal affective disorder light therapy treatments. It is the ideal therapy for anyone who has circadian sleep disorders, does shift work, has jet lag, or is just low on energy.
This patented technology allows you to set 3,500 LUX at the lowest setting, and 10,000 LUX at the highest setting. You can even adjust the lamp to a 70 or 85 degree angle so you get the most comfortable position while you enjoy relaxing light therapy that is proven to help those who suffer from SAD.
This SAD light is ETS safety tested, as well as being FCC certified. It is guaranteed to be safe, and the Aura BL40 is certified to be completely free of UV rays. There is a built-in time feature that gives you the flexibility to have sessions lasting anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, and it will automatically shut off when treatments are finished.
One of the really neat things about the Daylight Therapy Lamp is that it can be mounted on a wall. You can fold up the stand to easily store it while the unit is on the wall. You can also pack it up and take it anywhere, because it is small and lightweight.
This product has been developed to guarantee that users will receive the absolute best light box therapy they can get. This type of therapy has been proven to be effective with 90 percent of the people who have used it, and there are very few side effects to worry about. Some users have reported headaches and nausea because the light was too much for them, but a dimmer feature has taken care of this problem.
The best way to enjoy this lamp for SAD therapy is to start with the minimum LUX setting. Increase the setting every couple of days until you are up to the full output. This should prevent any headaches or nausea that can be associated with using light therapy.
Most people who have the winter blues can get relief from light therapy. In fact, it has been proven to work in 80 percent of those who report SAD symptoms. Results will obviously vary from person to person, but this light has been proven to be effective for most people.
| Pros | Cons |
| The 8-inch lamp head gives you lots of light | Some customers reported unit didn’t work upon arrival |
| Adjustable for your own light preference | |
| Wall mountable and adjustable for the ideal position | |
| Sleek and modern design looks great anywhere |
9. Philips GoLITE BLU Energy Light, Rechargeable
If you find that you start to become depressed and listless in the winter, Philips has just the thing you need. The GoLITE BLU Energy Light is the one of the best seasonal affective disorder lights available on the market today. You know when you see the Philips name that you are getting a high-quality product.
This lamp has been clinically proven to help increase energy levels, and boost moods. It will help you to stay alert all day, and it is as effective as 10,000 LUX white light. Simply use this light for 20 to 30 minutes each day to help get rid of those winter blues and feel better and more energized.
You can use the GoLite BLUE anywhere, and it has a rechargeable battery along with a cord. Glare is controlled, so the light is not going to bother your eyes, even if you are light-sensitive. There are five light intensity settings, and it even has a travel lock.
This is a soft blue LED light therapy lamp that mimics the natural power of the sun. It is small and portable, so you can take it along anywhere to use at any time of the day when you need to recharge. The light is completely free of UV rays, and it is also diffused through a screen to make it easier on your eyes than other light therapy lamps.
When it comes to seasonal affective disorder lights are what you really need to brighten your mood. The GoLITE Blu is perfect, because you can use it anywhere, at any time of the day when you need a boost of energy. Use it in the morning to help you wake up, again around lunch for a pick me up, and in the evening to help you get a restful sleep at night.
When you order this lamp, you will receive the GoLITE BLU Energy Light, a 10-watt adapter, a travel lock, and a user manual. You can use this lamp while doing other things, so you don’t have to feel like you are wasting any time. The rechargeable battery and adapter allows you to use this lamp pretty much anywhere.
| Pros | Cons |
| Clinically proven to increase energy levels | Some users have reported that the bulb burned out |
| As effective as 10,000 LUX white lights | |
| Even brightness without UV rays for eye safety | |
| Rechargeable battery can be used anywhere |
10. Verilux Original SmartLight LED Floor Lamp – 10,000 Lux Natural Bright Light Therapy
How would you like to have a natural ray of sunshine whenever you want it, even on the darkest of days? You can have that sunshine you need when you use the Verilux Original SmartLight LED Floor Lamp. This is the ideal light box therapy lamp, with 10,000 LUX to simulate the sun at its fullest power.
The winter months can really drag us down, and you may find that you lack the energy you have during the spring and summer. When you use seasonal affective disorder lights, you will find that they naturally help to improve your energy levels. You will also have better focus, and be more able to concentrate on things.
Using light box therapy can help to drive away those winter blahs. This lamp will help to regulate the natural rhythms of your body, so you are more alert in the morning and sleep better at night. It is completely safe and effective, and it is the healthiest alternative to sunlight that we can think of.
The Verilux Original SmartLight LED Floor Lamp is ideal for home use, and it is portable so you can also take it right to the office and use it there while you are working. It is a tabletop unit that offers more than 10,000 LUX, and it is recommended that sessions last between 30 and 60 minutes for the absolute best results. One treatment daily is all you need to be in a better mood, have more energy, and have better concentration.
The Verilux Original SmartLight LED Floor Lamp has some really cool features. There is a light screen with LED timer lights. It is free of flickering, and the timer keeps track of treatments for up to two hours in 20-minute increments. There is an automatic shutoff after two hours. The chrome stand has built-in magnetic storage, and can be adjusted to a variety of angles.
Using this lamp can help with a number of issues, including low energy, fatigue, jet lag, sleep issues, shift work adjustments, and a lack of focus or concentration. You will receive one energy lamp, the chrome stand, and an AC adapter. This product is backed by an industry-leading five-year warranty for guaranteed satisfaction.
| Pros | Cons |
| Five-year warranty guarantees against manufacturer defects | None |
| Light screen with LED timer lights | |
| Attractive and portable, with magnetic storage | |
| 10,000 LUX is just like natural sunlight |
SAD Light Therapy Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have told you about our favorite SAD light therapy lamps, it is time for you to learn more about this type of lamp. The better informed you are, the better able you will be to make the right decision about the best light therapy lamp for your own needs.
The first thing you need to know is how a light box works. LED light therapy mimics outdoor light. In the winter, there is not a lot of daylight, and it tends to affect a lot of people in a very negative way. Using this type of therapy helps to replace that missing light, and it improves one’s mood, helps them to sleep better, gives them more energy, etc.
Typically, a light box should give you an exposure to 10,000 LUX of light, or the equivalent. With all of this power, it should still not emit a lot of glaring light, because you don’t want it to damage your eyes. Most people tend to use these lamps just after they wake up in the morning, for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
Ideally, light boxes should be kept at approximately 16 to 24 inches away from the eyes. You should use it with your eyes open, but be careful to not stare directly into the light. It is important to use any device like this with caution. Light box therapy is not approved or regulated by the FDA, but it is recognized by therapists as a good way to treat SAD.
You don’t need a prescription for LED light therapy. It is a safe and effective way to treat SAD. But, as with any type of treatment, it is a good idea to speak with your physician prior to trying light therapy. They may even have a specific type of seasonal affective disorder lights that they will recommend.
There are different types of light therapy lamps you can get. It is important to choose one that is specifically designed to treat SAD. It should have a light intensity equivalent to 10,000 LUX, and it should filter out just about all UV light. Many of these lamps have features included that will help to protect your eyes.
If you have certain eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, or damage to the eyes caused by diabetes, please talk to your eye doctor before trying light therapy for SAD. Again, we can’t stress enough that the lamp must block out most or even all UV light.
Our Final Thoughts on SAD Light Therapy Lamps
When choosing a SAD light therapy lamp, it is important that you find a style that is going to best suit your needs. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they all have different features. You may want an upright lamp, or glasses that you can wear so you can go about your business while receiving your light therapy.
Another thing to consider when choosing a light therapy lamp is where it is going to be located. You want to make sure that you can use it in the areas where you spend the most time, such as near your favorite reading chair or on your desk at work. It is also important to be able to set up your light therapy lamp in a way so that the light is the proper distance away from your face.
If you have any further questions about light therapy lamps, your physician or eye doctor will be more than happy to give you the answers you need. They will like it that you are taking your mental well-being into your own hands, and will help you to find the ideal light therapy lamp for your particular needs.
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