Millions of people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. While SAD can affect people throughout the year, this disorder is much more prevalent during the winter months: Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, difficulty falling asleep, irritability, and more.
While there’s no definitive cure for SAD, light therapy continues to be an effective treatment for many, one you can easily undertake in the comforts of your own home. Our research and reviews have led to several of the best picks for light therapy, starting with particularly powerful Carex model. Check them all out!
Writer’s note: Always discuss your light therapy routine, preferences, and alternative treatment options with a medical professional.
Carex Health Brands Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light
The best
For most individuals suffering from SAD, a device capable of delivering up 10,000 lux of illumination is ideal. A daily, 30-minute treatment is standard for many, though some people may need more or less time. Thankfully, the Day-Light Classic Plus delivers glare-free white light via a 250-square-inch lamp. This light is 99.3% UV blocked for added safety, and the device utilizes two distinct light modes. This allows you to ease into the higher setting, or smoothly transition to a lower setting.
You can also adjust both the height and angle of the lamp, allowing for optimal positioning. While the adjustable metal base and massive lamp allow for ideal lighting and orientation, these design elements give the unit a rather bulky aesthetic. At nearly 10 pounds, the Day-Light Classic Plus is a powerful — albeit cumbersome — countertop option.
Philips Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock
The best alarm clock model
Alarm clocks and therapy lights go together like…well, like two things people really need in the morning. If you find your SAD makes getting up particularly difficult first thing in the morning, this excellent Philips alarm clock is designed to make the process easier. It can mimic the sunrise and offer a choice between five different wake-up alarms that gradually grow in tone, or an FM radio channel option. You can set the timer and light growth to last as long as 40 minutes, depending on how long you need — or choose one of the 20 brightness settings yourself if you prefer this option. If your schedule also makes falling asleep difficult, there’s a sunset mode that does the same thing in reverse if that can help you out.
NatureBright SunTouch Plus Light and Ion Therapy Lamp
The best budget model
The NatureBright SunTouch is one of the most popular light therapy lamps on the market. This model is able to produce 10,000 lux light for ideal treatment sessions. Unlike many other units, the SunTouch also emits 17,000 Kelvin light. This is a warmer, bluer light than the traditional white light used with most lamps.
Additionally, this unit has a built-in timer, allowing you to choose your session length and then simply relax. At just 13 inches tall and 9 inches wide, the unit is also exceptionally compact and discreet, making this model ideal for the home or office. For a more comfortable experience, NatureBright offers a line of Aroma Therapy Capsules (these are sold separately). These capsules work with the standard SunTouch Plus models to dispense fragrances during your session. The SunTouch’s plastic build certainly isn’t the most awe-inspiring design, however, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a 10,000-lux unit this compact for under $60.
Verilux HappyLight Luxe
The best desktop light
If you’re looking for an extra lightweight model that’s easy to transport and set up as needed, this HappyLight Luxe is sure to impress. It offers UV-free full spectrum light up to 10,000 lux, a surprising amount of power for such a portable model, and can function for a full session of 20 to 60 minutes wherever you want to put. The 144 LED lights inside provide even light with no hot spot issues, with a panel about the size of an iPad screen.
The tablet-like light also includes four different brightness levels, and three hue options so you can find the right sort of color temperature for the most stimulating session. There’s also a handy countdown timer for your session if you don’t want to set any additional timers for it.
Not only is this lightweight light easy to move from desktop to desktop/counter as needed, but it has an excellent feature set that will make it a useful purchase for any user.