It won’t be long before we’re back to working at dusk, especially if you live in an area of the country where the sun sets early. If you’re planning to feel depressed in the fall and winter, you’re not alone. - seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is an actual condition marked by a series of depressive episodes that correspond to the change of seasons.
Fortunately, there’s something you can do to combat it: light therapy, via light therapy lamps or SAD lamps.
Before you choose a lamp for seasonal affective disorder, talk to your provider first. We talk more about this at the end of the article, but it’s important to talk to your provider to make sure you don’t have a condition that requires a more appropriate treatment than a SAD lamp. If your provider recommends a DAS lamp, there are many options available on the market that fit most budgets. Experts recommend looking for one that provides approximately 10,000 lux of light, the measurement of light that shows its intensity, at eye level.
We’ve selected the most versatile, compact and aesthetically pleasing SAD lamps on the market to help combat SAD. Look at our picks, then read on to discover the overall benefits of using a SAD lamp!
1. Boxelite-OS 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy
The Center for Environmental Therapeutics (founded in 1994) recommends this lamp, so several clinicians endorse it as well. The Boxelite emits no UV and is IAQ approved. Think of Northern Lights Technologies as at the top of the SAD lamp food chain.
Buy: Boxelite-OS 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy
2. Northern Light Technology Travelite 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Portable Light Box, Beige
With the same features as the Boxelite-OS, the Travelite is slightly smaller and much easier to carry and use in small spaces. Best of all, it only weighs 2.5 pounds!
Buy: Northern Light Technology Travelite 10,000 Lux Bright Light Therapy Portable Light Box, Beige
3. Flamingo 10,000 lux light therapy floor lamp
Are you sensing a trend here? Meet the Flamingo, the floor lamp from Northern Lights Technologies that solves the problem of seasonal affective disorder. The same specs, but an original design.
Buy: Flamingo 10,000 lux light therapy floor lamp
4. SmartSleep Alarm Clock Lamp
While not marketed as a lamp for SAD, the SmartSleep is widely considered the best sunrise alarm clock. Think of it as an additional way to incorporate it into your therapy routine. After all, SAD lamps help compensate for losing the benefits we typically get from sunlight outdoors.
Buy: SmartSleep Alarm Clock Lamp
5. HappyLight Lumi
This UV-free, full-spectrum LED lamp provides natural light therapy that delivers up to 10,000 lux to help improve sleep, boost mood, and aid in concentration and energy levels. It is a slim tablet that is portable for everyone, from shift workers and office workers to people who simply suffer from insomnia or lack of sleep.
Buy: HappyLight Lumi
6. Light Therapy Lamp
This stylish, UV-free, full-spectrum lamp provides 10,000 lux of light to help fight the winter blues, get better sleep, boost energy, and improve mood and focus while mimicking the colors of daylight. Its LED daylight bulbs last about 50,000 hours and the lamp is easy to operate with one-touch control and customization.
Buy: Light Therapy Lamp
7. 5ft Solar Floor Lamp
If you’d rather your lamp not take up desk space and you have the floor space, this gooseneck floor lamp provides an inviting and bright light to the room you place it in. Besides offering an adjustable height and angle, it’s easy to assemble, comes in a variety of colors, and gives as much light as a 150-watt bulb from a 27-watt CFL bulb that uses far less energy while allowing you to be more focused, have more energy, and get better quality sleep.
Buy: 5ft Solar Floor Lamp
8. HappyLight VT10 Compact Lamp
If you’re looking for a more compact, easy-to-carry DAS solution, this UV-free lamp is an affordable option designed to reduce eye strain with glare-free optical lens lighting that also protects the skin. It also features flicker elimination technology and provides a full spectrum of 10,000 lux light intensity to boost focus, energy levels and mood, as well as improve sleep quality. Provides focus, energy, boosted mood and improved sleep.
Buy: HappyLight VT10 Compact Lamp
9. Boxelite
While this is another lamp that is a small expense, this stylish light therapy lamp offers warmer hues that only require 30 minutes of use at a time to be effective. It also provides 10,000 lux of UV-free light, as well as a classic rectangular design that will look great on any desk, shelf or other surface.
Buy: Boxelite
10. DayLight Classic Plus
This adjustable lamp offers two brightness settings to provide 10,000 lux of glare-free white LED therapy light that blocks 99% of UV rays while projecting light downward for maximum effectiveness. It also provides a full dose of light at a distance of 30 cm, which is ideal if you prefer not to sit right next to it.
11. LED Light Therapy Lamp
This SAD lamp is a versatile option that offers adjustable light levels, a 10-60 minute timer, and an adjustable stand. It is also UV-free and offers 10,000 lux, adjustable brightness and a memory function, while providing a bright light that is not too overwhelming. We can also store it more compactly than many other options on the market.
12. Light Therapy Lamp
If you’re looking for a light therapy lamp that you can easily travel with, whether it’s combating jet lag or just to chase away the winter blues like at home, this compact lamp offers one-touch operation and uses USB power, so you can easily charge it from virtually anywhere. It also features LED lights that last for over five years.
Buy: Light Therapy Lamp
13. Radiance Light Therapy Lamp
Another versatile bedside option, this lamp doubles as an alarm clock, wireless phone charger and USB port. The lamp, which offers 10,000 lux, is a compact option that can give you a boost of natural light to help you wake up in the morning.
Buy: Radiance Light Therapy Lamp
14. Blue Light Energy Lamp
Offering the same effectiveness as a 10,000 lux white light therapy lamp, this portable lamp works by mimicking a bright, blue sky, which can be ideal for someone who doesn’t have much time outdoors or in natural light. It has two brightness levels that can be adjusted with a touch-sensitive switch, as well as an auto-off timer to control the length of your session, which can be set in 10, 20 and 30 minute increments to combat energy slumps, fatigue and the winter blues while you read and work.
What are the benefits of light therapy lamps for SAD?
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular use of a SAD lamp for 10 to 30 minutes a day can significantly improve your mood, as well as your energy levels and sleep quality. Note that it is important to recognize that a SAD lamp is not a substitute for all treatment plans and medications.
Consult with your health care provider to ensure that your diagnosis is accurate and that you do not have a condition that may require a different and more effective treatment. SAD lamps can also be dangerous if you have retinal disease, so make sure your eye health is optimal before using one.
How we selected
Over the past year, DeliverIt’s editors and writers have tried and tested seasonal affective disorder lamps, or SAD lamps, and evaluated them for durability, effectiveness and price. We also considered SAD lamps that had received at least 100 five-star reviews on e-commerce sites we trust.
While the effectiveness of SAD lamps is subjective to each individual, the ones we selected above all gave us a general sense of improved overall mood during the reduced sunlight days of fall and winter.
