We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Products & Reviews The 8 Best Light Therapy Lamps, Tested and Reviewed These light therapy lamps can help alleviate symptoms of SAD, depression, and other mood disorders. By Lindsey Lanquist, Lily Moe, and Tori Zhou Updated on March 08, 2024 Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO Fact checked by Rich Scherr Print VeryWell Health / Jaclyn Mastropsaqua Light therapy lamps are bright lamps commonly used to boost mood and energy levels or to treat conditions such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, or sleep disorders. Some of the best aspects of light therapy are that you don't need a prescription to reap the benefits, the lamps are widely available, and you can use them at home: Turn on your light therapy lamp and sit near it for a set period (typically 15–60 minutes). Regular light therapy has been shown to alleviate symptoms of SAD, depression, and other mood disorders. And though it's unclear how light therapy works, some suspect the bright light exposure may boost serotonin (the "happy chemical" that naturally occurs in our bodies) or reset our circadian rhythms. To find the best light therapy lamps, we tested 15 top-rated options at home, performing five-day tests to find the eight best lamps. We recorded our mood, energy level, and sleep quality daily before and after using our lamps and assessed them for their effectiveness, design, ease of use, and value. Then we had a physician and a member of our Medical Review Board review the article for medical accuracy. When to Consult a Doctor Talk to your doctor or therapist if you’re using a light therapy lamp for the first time. They can answer your questions and offer individualized guidance on your light therapy routine. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Verilux HappyLight Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Budget: Carex Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon ($48) Jump to Review Best Floor Lamp: Lavish Home Floor Lamp at Amazon ($48) Jump to Review Best for Large Spaces: Northern Light Technologies Boxelite at Amazon ($205) Jump to Review Best Portable: Erligpowht Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon ($26) Jump to Review Best Design: Sunrise Sensations DayBright Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon ($199) Jump to Review Best for SAD: Carex Day-Light Classic Plus at Amazon ($110) Jump to Review Best Alarm Clock: Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light at Amazon ($90) Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected and Tested What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Health Best Overall Verilux HappyLight Light Therapy Lamp Amazon View On Amazon $60 View On Walmart $60 View On Target $60 Pros Effective Adjustable position Two brightness settings Cons Expensive (for its no-frills design) Key Specs: Product Weight: 2 pounds | Dimensions: 4.5 x 6.25 x 12.5 inches | Brightness Settings: 2 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It The Verilux HappyLight Light Therapy Lamp was one of the most effective lamps we tested, boosting our energy level every time we used it. At its brightest, the lamp delivers 10,000 lux of light. 10,000 lux can feel a little intense, but thankfully, the two brightness settings make it easy to work your way up. That's what we did, and by day four, we preferred the brighter setting and found it more effective. The lamp is also compact and easy to use. At 12.5 inches tall and 6.25 inches wide, it's small enough to place on your table, desk, or nightstand. And its adjustable base makes it easy to angle. We love that this light therapy lamp has a lever that lets you tilt it back or forward to get the exact angle you want when positioning the light. We also appreciate that the lamp's long power cord makes it easy to use in different places. This lamp made us feel more alert, happy, and energized. Keep in Mind The lamp didn't seem to impact our sleep quality, so you may need to consider another option if that's your priority. We also think it's a bit pricey for its no-frills design, but it was effective enough that it's worth the buy. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Budget Carex Light Therapy Lamp Amazon View On Amazon $48 View On Walmart $91 Pros Beginner-friendly Lightweight Compact Cons Looks cheaper than other options Key Specs: Product Weight: 3.25 pounds | Dimensions: 2 x 8.8 x 13.38 inches | Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It The Carex Light Therapy Lamp has a straightforward, beginner-friendly design and an accessible price point. It's a great option for people who want to try light therapy lamps without commitment. The no-frills lamp has just one brightness setting. Turn it on, and you'll get 10,000 lux of light. Unsurprisingly, we found this lamp very easy to use—we plugged it in, opened the stand on the back, and pushed the big button on the front. This table lamp is also easy to move around, thanks to its 3.25-pound weight and long power cord. This pick seemed to improve our sleep quality dramatically. The editor who tested this lamp often wakes up at night, but since he started using it, he has consistently slept through the night. This pattern continued every night of the test, making him feel more well-rested and alert every morning. Keep in Mind If you need a light therapy lamp primarily to boost your mood, this may not be for you. This lamp didn't seem to impact our mood during testing, and it also looked cheaper than other options. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Floor Lamp Lavish Home Floor Lamp Amazon View On Amazon $48 View On Walmart $50 View On Wayfair $60 Pros Provides overhead light Easy to use Budget-friendly Cons Clinical and bulky Requires assembly Key Specs: Product Weight: 10.3 pounds | Dimensions: 7 x 9 x 48 inches | Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Floor lamp Why We Recommend It Of all the light therapy lamps we tested, the Lavish Home Floor Lamp was the best at diffusing light across the room. We loved that this floor lamp offered a bright overhead light. Whereas most light therapy lamps are shaped like tablets or boxes, this looks like a classic floor lamp. And that unusual design gives the lamp two advantages. First, the 4-foot lamp is tall enough to provide overhead light. (We could comfortably sit and read underneath it when we used it.) Second, the lamp's light is unlikely to get in your eyes. Since the lamp's illuminated surface faces the floor and its power switch is easy to reach, you never have to look directly at the light to turn it on or adjust its position. The no-frills lamp has just one brightness setting, so it's very easy to use. We felt more upbeat and alert most mornings after using the lamp. Keep in Mind It looks bulky and clinical and may not fit your decor. If you're not concerned about that, this light therapy lamp is an excellent option. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best for Large Spaces Northern Light Technologies Boxelite Amazon View On Amazon $205 View On Walmart $205 Pros Wide light screen Long light chord Easy to use Cons Bulky Expensive Key Specs: Product Weight: 8 pounds | Dimensions: 12.25 x 3 x 17 inches | Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It The Northern Light Technologies Boxelite is one of the biggest light therapy lamps we tested, making it a great pick for large spaces. At 17 inches tall and 12.25 inches long, the lamp is smaller than the floor lamp we tested but bigger than many table lamps. And it had the biggest light screen of the bunch. When you turn on the lamp, most of its surface lights up—giving you 1.3 square feet of intense light. This makes the lamp great for big spaces where you must diffuse light around the room. This lamp is a solid option if you want to use this type of light in a larger space, like a kitchen, studio, or yoga room. The lamp made us feel more positive and alert during testing. We also loved that it was easy to use: It never tipped over or got hot to the touch, and its 8-foot power cord made it easy to move around. Keep in Mind Due to its size, the lamp isn’t small-space-friendly. If you’re looking for a light therapy lamp for your desk or personal area, you may be better off with something cheaper and smaller. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Portable Erligpowht Light Therapy Lamp Amazon View On Amazon $26 Pros Portable Budget-friendly Easy to use Cons Small light screen Key Specs: Product Weight: 2 pounds | Dimensions: 5.11 x 0.59 x 6.69 inches | Brightness Settings: 3 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It The Erligpowht Light Therapy Lamp is small enough to put in your purse, lightweight enough to carry around, budget-friendly, and sufficient to replace if needed. These features make it the most portable lamp we tested. The lamp is just 6.69 inches tall and 5.11 inches long, and we found it incredibly easy to use during testing. On its brightest setting, the lamp delivers 10,000 lux of light. The lamp comes with a built-in stand that makes it easy to prop up. It has three basic buttons: a power button, a brightness button (which toggles between three brightness levels), and a timer button (which programs your lamp to automatically shut off after 15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes). We had great sleep quality every night during the test, and we noticed a slight boost in mood and energy. Keep in Mind While the lamp’s small size is great for travel, it limits how much light it gives off. Its light screen is so small it doesn’t feel as bright as some of the others we tested. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Design Sunrise Sensations DayBright Light Therapy Lamp Amazon View On Amazon $199 Pros Stylish Multiple brightness and color temperature settings Comes with a remote control Cons No display Key Specs: Product Weight: 6.2 pounds | Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 15 inches | Brightness Settings: 2 present brightness modes that can be customized further | Light Intensity: 5,000–10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It We love the Sunrise Sensations DayBright Light Therapy Lamp for two major reasons. First, its stylish design makes it look like ordinary decor, not like a medical device. Second, its pentagonal shape makes it great at projecting light across the room. While most light therapy lamps have 1–2 brightness settings, this one has multiple adjustment settings between 5,000–10,000 lux. You can also change its color temperature, making it warmer or cooler during different times of the day. We also appreciated that when we turned on the lamp, it reverted to the brightness and color temperature settings we'd most recently picked. We found that the lamp made us feel more positive and alert, even when we used it on its lowest brightness setting. But what we loved most about the lamp was its sleek appearance. The lamp can be disguised as an accent piece on a shelf or desk, whether turned on or off. And though this lamp is the priciest product on our list, we think it's worth the money, thanks to its sleek look, adjustable settings, and convenient remote control. Keep in Mind While we found these settings easy to toggle using the lamp’s remote control, we wished a readout or display told us which settings we’d selected. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best for SAD Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Amazon View On Amazon $110 View On Walmart $130 View On Carex.com Pros Powerful light Two brightness settings Durable Cons Not ideal for eye sensitivity Requires assembly Key Specs: Product Weight: 8.2 pounds | Dimensions: 10.75 x 13.59 x 27.25 inches | Brightness Settings: 2 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp Why We Recommend It Intensely bright, the Carex Day-Light Light Therapy Lamp was even more effective than our best overall pick. We felt a big boost in energy every time we used it, which is perfect for people who struggle with SAD. Once you turn on the light, it's as if you have your own personal sun in the room. This lamp is very big—10.75 inches long, 13.69 inches wide, and 27.25 inches tall—so while it's technically a table lamp, it's not easy to store on a shelf or side table. But the lamp's large size has a major upside: It puts off a lot of light. It gave us a higher surge of energy than any other lamp we tried, probably because it is bigger and shines more light. Keep in Mind This lamp is quite large and not optimal for small spaces. Because of its large size, intense brightness, and heavy-duty feel, it isn’t as versatile as some of our other top picks. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson Best Alarm Clock Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light Amazon View On Amazon $90 View On Walmart $148 View On Philips.com Pros Effective Compact 20 brightness levels and six sounds settings Cons Hard to program Buttons are tough to press Key Specs: Product Weight: 2.45 pounds | Dimensions: 7.8 x 10.6 x 10.3 inches | Brightness Settings: 20 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Alarm clock Why We Recommend It Sunrise alarm clocks have become a popular way to wake up in the morning, and we think the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light is worth the hype. We woke up to this therapy light lamp and found it gentler than a traditional alarm clock or phone alarm. The alarm clock looks like a large lightbulb and lets you choose between 20 brightness levels, several volumes, and six sound programs—including an FM radio setting and a chirping bird program we loved. Programming the alarm clock ultimately took 30 minutes, but it was much easier going forward once we set it up. Thanks to its compact size, the alarm clock is easy to store on a nightstand. And we loved waking up to it every morning because the warm glow simulates a real sunrise in your room. This gentle wake-up routine slightly boosted our mood and energy levels each morning. Keep in Mind It came ready to use right out of the box, but we did have trouble navigating all its settings. There seems to be a steep learning curve, but the effects are worth it. Verywell Health / Jhett Thompson How We Selected and Tested the Best Light Therapy Lamps We tested 15 lamps at home thrice daily in different environments and settings to select the best light therapy lamps. Of the 15 products we tested, only eight scored well enough to earn a spot on our list. We based their performance based on the following criteria: Effectiveness: Before we started our test, we noted our mood, energy levels, and sleep quality. Then, each lamp was tested individually for five days. Throughout use, we maintained consistent eating/drinking habits and kept our location and distance from the lamp and activities the same daily. At the end, we noted any physical, emotional, or mental changes we experienced.Design: We measured and weighed each lamp and analyzed its design to see where it would fit best in our home. We considered the lamp's purpose (desk lamp, standing, etc.) and how it contributed to the design and features.Ease of use: During our test, we noticed how intuitive and user-friendly the setup was and how quickly we could use it. We tested every setting and any additional features that came with the lamp.Value: After our test, we compared the lamp's performance to its listed price to see if the value matched the financial cost. Verywell Mind / Stephanie Vermillion What to Look for in a Light Therapy Lamp Type: Light therapy lamps are available as table lamps, floor lamps, sunrise alarm clocks, and more. To decide which style is right for you, consider when you plan to use the lamp, where you plan to use it, and how much space you have to spare.Size and Weight: Before buying, consider where you’d like to use your lamp. Compact lamps can fit on crowded shelves or nightstands, while large lamps can illuminate bigger rooms. Lightweight lamps are easy to transport to and from the office; heavy lamps are best left somewhere consistent. (That way, you don’t have to lug them around much.)Adjustable Settings: Many light therapy lamps have multiple brightness settings, allowing you to dim or brighten your lamp as you see fit. This can make it easier to use your lamp at different times of day and help you adjust to it when you’re just beginning to use it. But light therapy lamps without adjustable settings can be just as helpful. Thanks to their no-frills design, they’re often easy to use.Light Intensity: To get the most out of your light therapy lamp, experts recommend using one that offers 10,000 lux of light exposure. (Lux is a measure of illuminance. So the higher the lux, the brighter the lamp.) Research suggests that indoor lighting generally provides 100 lux, while a sunny day offers 50,000 lux. So, your light therapy lamp should fall somewhere in between. Verywell Mind / Stephanie Vermillion Frequently Asked Questions How do you use a light therapy lamp? Light therapy lamps are easy to use. First, check the manufacturer’s suggested guidelines. Turn on the lamp and sit near it (about 1.5–2 feet away) for a set period (about 15–60 minutes). Because the light is so bright, you won’t want to look directly at it. Some brands may recommend placing the lamp at or above eye level or limiting exposure time based on intensity. Be sure to follow these instructions. They’ll ensure you’re using your lamp safely and help you get the most out of it. How long does it take for light therapy to work? It’s unclear how long it takes for light therapy to work. Some studies have found that you can see benefits after just one session. However, other studies have found that you may need to use light therapy lamps consistently for several weeks to get the best results. Why Trust Verywell Health As a seasoned health and wellness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Additional reporting by Lily Moe and Tori Zhou. As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, Lily Moe understands the importance of products that meet your individual requirements. After moving from sunny Arizona to Brooklyn, New York, Lily experienced seasonal affective disorder firsthand and recognized the value of light therapy lamps. Most importantly, Lily always looks for research and firsthand reviews when it comes to deciding on a product. Tori Zhou is a writer and Associate Commerce Editor for Verywell. She enjoys staying up-to-date on wellness trends and products with a focus on holistic health. 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