7 SAD Lamps For Wintertime Light Therapy
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As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, many of us feel the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — low energy, sluggish moods, and disrupted sleep patterns. But thankfully, there’s a solution. A fairly affordable, clinically proven, drug-free solution: bright light therapy lamps.
Bright light therapy lamps, also known as SAD lamps, help simulate natural sunlight and support healthy circadian rhythms during darker months. They deliver full-spectrum light, which mimics natural light, but without any of the harmful UV rays — and you can use them any time of day.
SAD is typically caused by a lack of natural light during the winter months, and can cause sad or anxious moods, irritability, and decreased energy. Anyone who experiences SAD knows exactly what we mean. It’s more common in women than in men, and the further north you live, the more likely you are to experience it.
If you’re gearing up for the annual onset of SAD, consider this your sign to make this year the year you invest in a bright light therapy lamp. You’ll find some of our team’s favorites below.
What should you look for in a SAD lamp?
When shopping for a SAD lamp, look for one that provides at least 10,000 LUX — this is the most effective brightness level. A width of at least 11” can be most helpful for treating SAD, although some therapy lamps come in smaller sizes if you live in a small space or want something portable.
We also love the ones that come with timers, since experts suggest at least 20 minutes of light therapy a day. Some research also indicates that top-down light can be more effective at treating SAD, so many brands on this list have floor lamp options, tall desk lamps that you can angle down, or optional wall mounts.
Why does light therapy help with seasonal depression?
Scientists believe that sunlight can stimulate parts of the brain that regulate mood, cognition, and your internal clock. A drop in sunlight, which happens during the winter months (and happens dramatically the further north you live), can cause your brain to become disregulated. So, the addition of bright light lamps, designed to simulate sunlight with full-spectrum rays, can help you get your daily dose of sunlight — enough to, according to studies, improve mood and reduce SAD symptoms, no matter where you live or what the weather is like. It can also help regulate your circadian rhythm so you’re producing melatonin at the right times of day and even waking up easier.
Our criteria:
Our editors have researched and tested the best wellness gear on the market. The SAD lamps on this list are science-backed, easy to use, and effective for alleviating seasonal affective disorder. We regularly update this guide with new favorites that meet the following criteria:
- SAFE & EFFECTIVE | All lamps are UV-free, clinically tested, and recommended by light therapy experts or healthcare professionals.
- CUSTOMIZABLE | Each option allows users to adjust brightness and positioning for comfort and effectiveness.
- DESIGN-FORWARD | These lamps blend functionality with beautiful, minimalist design — perfect for home or office use.
Looking for more at-home wellness solutions? Check out our guides to grounding mats, vibration plates, and red light therapy lamps.
1. Loftie
Best For | Easier wake-ups
Brightness Level | Adjustable brightness
Size & Settings | Tabletop, customizable colors
Prices starting at | $300
The versatile Loftie lamp is about to be your new bedroom best friend. It has both a sunrise alarm and a bed signal function — along with practically limitless other customizable settings. You can explore the lamp’s 50+ color gradient and brightness pre-settings, or create color combos of your own depending on your mood. It even has a reading mode and a red light mode, too. Wake up with a gentle, sunrise-like glow, and wind down with red light at night to support your circadian rhythm. The lamp has large buttons on its heavyweight base to control brightness and modes, so you don’t have to reach for your phone to make adjustments. And its soft-glow LED panels mean you needn’t worry about switching lightbulbs.
Customer Review | “I’ve had the Loftie Lamp on my wish list for over a year now, and I finally purchased when we moved into our new space! The sleek design is next level – there’s something wildly underrated about waking up gently. I didn’t even realize how harsh my old alarms were until this little orb of calm entered our room! Minimal, elegant, intuitive. Thank you Loftie!” – Verified Buyer (Read more reviews.)
2. Carex
Best For | FSA/HSA Approved
Brightness Level | 10,000 LUX
Size & Settings | 9” – 14”
Prices starting at | $38
Specializing in all things home healthcare, Carex makes no-frills goods that support home health, like mobility products, sleep therapy goods, and bright light therapy lamps. Whether you’re looking for something clinical-grade or more budget-friendly wellness-grade lamps, you’ll find them at Carex. The Carex Day-Light Classic Plus is their best-seller — designed based on leading expert recommendations, it provides the recommended 10,000 LUX with a 12-inch width, it projects downward, it blocks all UV rays, and it has a calming 4000K temperature. It’s been proven effective in plenty of clinical studies, and it’s FSA/HSA approved. Carex’s wellness grade TheraLite Aura Qi comes with a built-in alarm clock and phone charger, while their travel-sized TheraLite makes it easy to take your light therapy with you on the go.
Customer Review | “I work remote some days, and during the winter it can be a chore to get outside during work hours, and by the time I finish work the sun has gone down. This is very depressing, and really wears on you. This light helps a bunch, I put it in my bathroom and turn it on as I am getting ready, and I can tell the difference in how awake I am with and without this light.” – Amazon Customer (Read more reviews.)
3. Northern Lights
Best For | Vetted by professionals
Brightness Level | Up to 10,000 LUX
Size & Settings | Box light, desk lamp, & floor lamp options
Prices starting at | $229
Since 1989, Northern Lights has been one of the most trusted names in the bright light therapy space. They’ve been endorsed by thousands of medical professionals, they helped establish the Circadian Lighting Association in 1993, and they’ve participated in the Society for Light, Rhythms, and Circadian Health’s conferences for the last 25 years. They sell a handful of different bright light therapy lamps — their BOXelite Desk Lamp, designed to sit compactly on your desk while you’re working, eating, or reading, delivers 10,000 LUX at up to 14 inches, while the Flamingo Floor Lamp offers top-down light from any angle. They make a travel-sized model, too, and the LUXOR Desk Lamp gives off a diffused, even light with an elegant, eye-catching shape.
4. Verilux
Best For | Floor lamp option
Brightness Level | 10,000 LUX
Size & Settings | 5” – 12” options, desk & wall-mounted options
Prices starting at | $40
Another company that makes several different models of light therapy and task lights, Verilux means “true light.” And they make tons of compact, affordable options of their — their HappyLight® comes in “Mini,” “Luxe,” “Lumi Plus,” and “Touch Plus” options. The HappyLight delivers 10,000 LUX of UV-free rays and has several different brightness and color temperature options along with timers, a detachable desk stand, and an optional wall mount. Verilux also makes task lights, some of which have two functions — they have one desk lamp and one floor lamp that each double as bright light therapy lamps. The brand has been selling therapy lights as a drug-free alternative to boosting mood and energy for 65 years, so you know they’re some of the best in the business.
Customer Review | “I purchased this light to help set my circadian rhythm. I am seldom sleepy in the evening and have difficulty falling asleep, having to rely on medication. I think this light is a game changer. In less than two weeks of use, I can already tell a difference. I actually feel tired about 10pm and can drift off within 15 minutes of going to bed.” – Robin W. (Read more reviews.)
5. Lumie
Best For | Task light option
Brightness Level | 10,000 LUX at up to 20 cm
Size & Settings | 7” to 13” options, adjustable brightness
Prices starting at | $70
One of the leaders in the wake-up light space, Lumie also has a few different versatile, stylish models of light therapy lamps that mimic natural daylight. Their standard Vitamin L model has a sleek profile and a detachable stand for both portrait and landscape orientations, is travel-friendly, and offers 10,000 LUX at up to 20 centimeters. Or, kick it up a notch with their multi-functional Halo — a stylish table lamp with adjustable brightness and color temperature settings. Their newest model is the chic Dash, which also has adjustable brightness and functions well as a task light for things like sewing or crafting. Lumie also makes wake-up light alarm clocks to further support a healthy circadian rhythm. And the brand sells replacement parts for its products, from stands to fittings, designed to keep your Lumie goods in working order in perpetuity.
6. Philips
Best For | Falling asleep
Brightness Level | 300 LUX
Size & Settings | Sunset & sunrise settings
Prices starting at | $149
One of the world’s leading consumer electronics companies, Philips makes two models of wake-up light alarm clocks that deserve a shout-out here. While not bright light therapy lamps, these alarms can be a crucial support to your circadian rhythm. Their SmartSleep wake-up light is clinically proven, developed with Philips’ clinical Sleep & Respironics healthcare team. Over the course of 30 minutes, it slowly fills your room with red to orange to bright yellow light at your chosen wakeup time, accompanied by a relaxing sound (choose from five different ones) or the radio for the last minute and a half. Their SmartSleep sleep & wake-up light has all the same wake-up benefits along with a sunset setting to help you relax at night, plus light-guided breathing to help you fall asleep. And if you support one of Philips’ featured causes with their Better Me, Better World initiative, you’ll receive 15% off your next purchase.
Customer Review | “This alarm clock has changed my life. I am someone who hits snooze for an hour or more on my phone alarm, but this clock I’m usually up before the sounds even go off because of the bright light. It’s incredibly easy to use – I set it up without having to reference the manual one.” – Zebra27777777678 (Read more reviews.)
7. SOL
Best For | Regulating circadian rhythm
Brightness Level | 10,940 LUX
Size & Settings | Table lamp, floor lamp, clip lamp
Prices starting at | $147
SOLshine offers a range of light therapy products designed to support your body’s natural rhythms and bring more brightness into your day. We love the SOL bioBlub, which is easy to clip on at your desk or wherever you need a boost, and has a whole host of benefits. SOL’s products — which also include a table and floor lamp option — prime retinal cells for repair, aid in the production of ATP, help with melatonin production, and regulate circadian rhythm. They even recommend turning on their lamps midday for a boost as an alternative to your afternoon coffee — or in tandem with it! SOL is a research and development nonprofit with the goal of carrying forward the work of Dr. John Ott, the father of full-spectrum light technology. They also have a podcast and blog, if you’re interested in a deep dive on the science.
Featured image by Loftie
