I have been dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder since I was a child. I only wish that I would have known about the light therapy and specially designed SAD light box for depression therapy.
If you want to buy one of the best light therapy lamps for depression, then you need to know which
It’s not as simple as you may think, so that is why I have put together this Ultimate Guide to SAD Light Reviews to give you the best chance of finding relief from this type of depression and to keep you from wasting your money.
This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links. This just means that at no extra cost to you I receive a small commission if you purchase something through the links in this post. This is one of the ways I support my blog & family. Read my full disclosure policy.
When considering which type of SAD light therapy lamp is right for you, think about where you will be when you use your SAD light. If you think you will use it in multiple places, then a table-top lamp is probably what you need. Let’s look at which SAD light therapy table-top lamps have the best reviews on Amazon.
If you’re curious (or in a HURRY) . . .
✅ This specific SAD Light Therapy Lamp is the overall winner.
- 10,000 lux intensity
- 3 brightness levels
- 2 hues of bright white light for comfort
- Measures: 6.4 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
This is a super high-quality SAD light and has a ton of 5-Star reviews on Amazon.
It’s the first light therapy lamp to offer 3 brightness settings and 2 types of light. It is sleek and small enough to fit into your purse, yet has a broad surface area for shorter session times. If you can get it for under $80, grab it. That is a heck of a deal for a good SAD light! (see more features, check current price, and read reviews here)
✅ The Best SAD Lamps on Amazon (Highest-Rated)
✅ Here is a quick look at the TOP 10 WINNERS from Amazon.
Now, this list is not just the 10 best SAD lamps with the highest ratings.
No, we took into account other (often overlooked) important factors such as:
- the correct type of light emitted
- level of harmful UV rays emitted
- features (adjustable, portable, timer, touch buttons)
- brand authority
- warranty
- cost of replacement light bulbs
- how much overall bang for the buck you get
Considering all these factors, these are the ✅ Top Ten
On this page, you can read the full reviews, compare prices, and see which of the Top 10 best SAD lamps are on sale today!
✅ My top pick is this one because it is was designed by a team of medical professionals and engineers by a company who only makes SAD light therapy lamps.
- 10,000 lux intensity
- Adjusts to an 85 or 70 degree angle for comfortable positioning
- Patented lux adjusting dial so that you are in full control of the light output
- Built in Timer
- Auto-shut off feature
- Wall Mountable
Their patented technology is an adjustable lux dial that adjusts from the low setting of 3500 lux to the maximum (10000 lux.) It is certified to be 100% UV-Free and can stand on its own or can be mounted on a wall.
It is not the cheapest SAD light therapy lamp, but it comes with a 2 year warranty and a light bulb that lasts for 8000 hours of service. (check here for current price and coupons.)
BUYING TIPS: if you can get it for under $100, grab it! It is listed for $149 on the manufacturer’s website.
Ok, it’s time to dive in and find the best SAD light therapy lamp for you . . .
✅ (Reader Favorite) WINNER SAD Light Therapy Lamp
✅ This specific SAD Light Therapy Lamp is our Reader Favorite.
- 10,000 lux intensity
- 2 brightness levels
- Interchangeable lens for reduced eye fatigue and strain
- Use with stand or mount to wall
- Measures: 2.1 x 6.2 x 13 inches
This particular SAD light therapy lamp for depression is the Reader’s Favorite Winner and has the 943 verified purchases ratings on Amazon.
It is an excellent SAD light made by a company that has specialized in making SAD lamps for depression for over 50 years.
✅ Best (DESK & TABLE-TOP) SAD Light Therapy Lamps for Depression
- 10,000 lux intensity
- Touch Control 3 levels of brightness
- Timer Auto Shutoff
- Measures: 6.3 x 1.57 x 7.87 in
- Light Therapy Lamp, Miroco LED Bright White Therapy Light
- Happy Energy Health Light with Adjustable Wooden Stand
- Light Therapy Lamp by Tress Wellness
✅ Best (COMPACT) SAD Light Therapy Lamps
- 10,000 lux intensity
- 3 levels of brightness
- Longer lasting LED bulbs
- Measures: 3.5 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches
- Verilux HappyLight Compact Personal, Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp
- (New) Circadian Optics
Luxy Light Therapy Lamp | Ultra Compact 10,000 LUX Full Spectrum LED Light (USB Powered) - FITFIRST Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp
✅ Best SAD Light Therapy (FLOOR) Lamps for Depression Therapy
- 10,000 lux intensity
- Stands 4 ft. tall
- Measures: 7 x 2.5 x 13 inches
✅ Best (NEW) SAD Light Therapy TABLE Lamps for Depression
- 10,000 lux intensity
- 3 brightness levels
- Long lasting LED bulbs
- Measures: 6.7 x 3.9 x 6.3 inches
- (New) Verilux HappyLight Touch 10,000 Lux LED Light Therapy Lamp with Adjustable Color and Brightness Controls
- (2019 Model) Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp
- (2019 Model) Circadian Optics Lumine Light Therapy Lamp
- (2019 Model) Circadian Optics Lattis Light Therapy Lamp
- (2019 Model) Circadian Optics Lampu Light Therapy Lamp
- (New) Circadian Optics
Luxy Light Therapy Lamp
✅ Best (BUDGET-FRIENDLY) SAD Box Light Therapy Lamps
- 10,000 lux intensity
- Easy to use with simple On/Off button
- Flicker Elimination Technology and Optix Glare Control reduces eyestrain and fatigue
- Measures: 6.3 x 3 x 7.4 inches
- Verilux HappyLight Compact Personal, Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp
- TaoTronics Light Therapy Lamp
- Nature Bright – Sun Touch Plus -10000 LUX Light Therapy Lamp
- FITFIRST Portable Light Therapy Energy Lamp
✅ Most Adjustable SAD Light Lamp Winner
- 10,000 lux intensity
- 3 levels of brightness
- Exchangeable Filters for Different Colors
- Adjustable Arm rotates a full 270°
- Timer setting with memory function
- Measures: 3.3 x 2.6 x 11.4 inches
With an adjustable arm that is able to rotate 270 degrees, you can place the light at the most comfortable angle for you. This table-top SAD light therapy lamp has 3 levels of brightness, timer setting
✅ 6 TOP (Full-Size) SAD Light Therapy Lamps
If you are looking for a full-size SAD light, here are the ✅ TOP 6 SAD Light Therapy Lamps. These are all smart buys!
1. Verilux HappyLight Touch 10,000 lux
2. Aura® Day Light Therapy Lamp
3. Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp
4. Northern Light Technology Travelite Portable Light Box
5. Nature Bright – Sun Touch Plus
6. TaoTronics 10,000 Lux Light Therapy Lamp with Extra-Large Tilting Light Head
✅ Compare TOP 3 Light Therapy Lamps for SAD
3 Best
Verilux HappyLight Touch
- 10000 lux
- 6.4 x 0.5 x 10.3 inches
- 3 Adjustable Brightness Levels
- 2 Colors of Light (Day Light & Warm Light)
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
- No replacement bulb needed because of the LED light
- Wall Mountable
Aura® Day Light Therapy Lamp
- 10000 lux
- 2″x 8″ x 14″ inches
- Timer
- Patented Technology for the Adjustable lux dial from 3500 to 10000 lux
- 2 year warranty (lamp & bulb)
- Get replacement bulbs from the manufacturer
- Wall Mountable
Circadian Optics Lumos ( 2.0)
- 10000 lux
- 14 x 1.5 x 3.5 inches
- Timer with 15, 30, 45, 60 minute intervals
- 3 Brightness Levels
- 2 year warranty
- LED Bulb with 50,000 hour lifespan
- Most adjustable with 3 hinges and rotating light panel
Pro Review Tip: Always make sure the reviews you consider are from “verified purchases only.”
✅ Amazon’s Top Choice SAD Light for Depression
Amazon also has its favorite choice for Best
Check out ALL Amazon Best Seller’s in Light Therapy Products here!
✅ Best SAD Light Therapy Lamp for Depression— (WINNER)
Who knows more about which light therapy lamps sell more, get high ratings, and have fewer returns? — You guessed it! AMAZON!!!!
So it makes sense that our OVERALL WINNER for Best SAD Light Therapy Lamp for Depression is ALSO Amazon’s Choice.
✅ The (New) Verilux HappyLight Touch 10,000 Lux LED Light Therapy Lamp with Adjustable Color and Brightness Controls is our #1 Reviewed SAD Light!
This light therapy lamp has a whopping 89% of reviews at a 5-STAR rating! (read all verified customer reviews here)
Which SAD Light Therapy Lamps for Depression are best?
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, is a type of depression that usually occurs in the winter/cold months. It directly correlates with a lack of or decreased
Do light therapy boxes really work?
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a health-care professional and you should not use the information on this website in place of professional medical advice or treatment. ALWAYS check with your doctor before starting any type of therapy.
The Mayo Clinic explains how light therapy is believed to affect brain chemicals related to mood and sleep. Light therapy boxes may not relieve ALL symptoms of depression related to Seasonal Affective Disorder but it could help. It is important to talk with your doctor about professional treatment if you believe you have SAD.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these two things are most important when deciding which SAD light therapy lamp (or box) to buy:
- Provide up to 10,000 lux of light
- Emit as little UV rays as possible
And they go on to outline other important things you should consider are:
- Is the SAD light therapy lamp made specifically for the treatment of this type of depression? Some light therapy boxes are made for skin disorders and usually emit Ultraviolet light and can damage your eyes. When you are reviewing
SAD lights , you want them to have as little UV light emitted as possible. - How bright is the light? Brighter lights will require less time each day to use than dimmer light boxes. The recommended intensity is usually about 10,000 lux.
- Is the SAD light box for depression therapy the style you need? There are many options.
SAD lights for depression floor lamps may work well if you intend to sit in a chair or recliner when using it. While a desktop SAD light box may be the best option to use while sitting at a desk. Another question you should ask yourself is if you need a portable light therapy lamp for travel or other reasons.
Not all light boxes are equal in their effectiveness. You, of course, want to buy the best light therapy lamp for SAD.
According to this helpful guide from Northern Light Technologies, a trusted leader in the development of SAD light therapy boxes, you should consider the following things when making your purchase decisions:
- BRAND – If the company that makes the SAD lamp ONLY makes Light Therapy Lamps, then they probably have put more research and design behind the creation of their products.
- WARRANTY – How long is the warranty that comes with your
- BULB USAGE HOURS – How many hours of usage does the light bulb (or LED panel) provide before needing replacement? Some lamps are inexpensive and come with a built-in LED panel that cannot be replaced. (like this one) Since LED lights last so much longer than fluorescent light bulbs, it might make sense just to buy another inexpensive SAD lamp when the bulb goes out. (*Make sure it is a quality light therapy lamp for depression)
- COST OF REPLACEMENT BULBS – A lot of people don’t think of researching this before making a purchase. Check on Amazon and the manufacturer’s website to make sure the price is reasonable in comparison with the prices of the actual SAD light lamp, but also that it is easily available to buy. Sometimes a higher price lamp with a low- cost bulb replacement may actually be cheaper in the long run.
- AUTOMATIC TIMER – I don’t know about you, but having to set a separate timer on let’s say my phone is a nuisance I would rather not have.
- PORTABLE – Will you be using the SAD light therapy lamp in different places. Do you want to be able to bring it with you when you travel?
- ADJUSTABLE LEVEL – Can you change the brightness of the light? Even though the recommended usage is 10000 lux, sometimes you may need to slowly ramp up to that brightness to avoid headaches and discomfort.
What price should I expect to pay for a SAD Light Therapy Box?
The price you should expect to pay for a full-size (high-quality) SAD light therapy lamp is at least $50 (less for a compact size.) The larger the light therapy lamp, the more expensive. I recommend budgeting for somewhere between $50 and $100.
Buying Tip: Amazon now accepts FSA cards!
If your health insurance doesn’t cover the purchase of your light therapy lamp for depression (most don’t) ?, using your FSA or HSA cards to buy a SAD lamp is a super smart way to pay for your light therapy lamp for SAD (and easier on your wallet.)
✅ Best Brands for SAD Light Therapy Boxes for Depression
1. Verilux
This leading company for producing effective SAD light therapy lamps was founded over 50 years ago and is the most well-known SAD light brands. They ONLY create light therapy products. They offer a 30-Day Satisfaction guar
2. Aura Daylight
Founded by engineers and medical professionals, this company has one main SAD Light Therapy Lamp that it has put all of its energy into. They have 2-year lamp & bulb warranty and stellar
3. Circadian Optics
Circadian Optics prides themselves in having sleek and contemporary designs of their light therapy products. This company focuses solely on light products. Check here for the verified
4. Northern Light Technologies
Northern Light Technologies was established in 1989 and works with thousands of doctors internationally to develop high quality and effective Light Therapy Products. Although their products are at a higher price point, they come with a full 7-Year Warranty!
Other Uses for SAD Light Therapy Lamps
Seasonal Affective Disorder and other types of depression are not the only used for Light Therapy Lamps. Other uses include:
- Jet lag
- Shift work
- Sleep Disorders
- Increased energy
- Increased focus and concentration
When dealing with any type of clinical depression, you must always seek professional medical advice before you start a
Whether you deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (or other types of depression), there are several helpful Mental Health Apps for Depression. You can keep track of appointments, symptoms, and medications with these apps.
Any of these SAD Light Therapy Lamps would make great gifts for someone with depression. Do yourself a favor and put your favorite lamp on your next Christmas List!
See Today’s Best Prices for
Why don’t you Pin this for later?
