6 Best Light Therapy Lamps to Try at Home This Season
Feeling blah during the darker months? These lamps may be just the mood boost you need.
Medically reviewed by Meera Menon, M.D.
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Whether you have a case of the winter blues or you’re someone who struggles with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression typically onset by seasonal changes, a light therapy lamp or lightbox can help alleviate some symptoms. Our exposure to natural light tends to diminish during winter months due to shorter days, and a light therapy lamp or lightbox mimics outdoor light to help you increase your exposure.
Our top picks
- Best Overall: Verilux HappyLight Lucent
- Best Value: Erligpowht Light Therapy Lamp
- Most Attractive: Sunrise Sensations DayBright Light Therapy Lamp
- Best Large: Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Light Therapy Lamp
- Best Compact: Circadian Optics UV-Free LED Therapy Lamp
The product analysts and experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test everything from sleep apps to cozy weighted blankets. When choosing the best light therapy lamps, we reviewed key specs such as weight, size, number of brightness settings, light intensity, and more. We collaborated with our on-staff tech experts and health editors to recommend products that meet a minimum 10,000 lux threshold. Though we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider first to see if light therapy is right for you, we've narrowed down some of the best light therapy lamps to consider.
Editor's Note: Be sure to discuss bright light therapy options with your doctor if you suspect you suffer from SAD or a mood disorder. There's little risk in trying light therapy devices at home for most people, but those with pre-existing conditions may have adverse reactions to lightboxes, which is why it's crucial to discuss it with a care provider first. For more info on depression and how to get help, visit the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Pros
- Delivers 10,000 lux of light intensity
- Lightweight and portable
- Detachable stand supports vertical or horizontal positioning
- Simple one-button operation
Cons
- No adjustable brightness settings
With its simple, one-button design, the Verilux HappyLight Lucent is a great choice for anyone new to light therapy. It delivers up to 10,000 lux of light and has an evenly distributed glow designed to minimize glare, flickering, and hot spots. The lamp’s slim, tablet-like shape is lightweight and portable, so you can easily move it between your nightstand, desk, and kitchen table.
A detachable, bidirectional stand lets you position the lamp vertically or horizontally, while the compact design makes it easy to pack for travel. It’s a straightforward option for brightening dark winter mornings, boosting energy, or improving focus, though it lacks the adjustable brightness settings found on some other models.
| Weight | 1.2 pounds with stand |
| Dimensions | 8.6"H x 6.6"W x 0.8"D |
| Brightness settings | 1 |
| Light intensity (lux) | 10,000 lux |
Pros
- Three brightness settings, ranging from 30% to 100% intensity
- Four timer settings: 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes
- Rotatable stand helps save desk space
- Thin, lightweight design
Cons
- No cordless or battery-powered option
What sets this light therapy lamp apart is its combination of customizable settings and a space-saving design. It delivers 10,000 lux of UV-free light and lets you choose from three brightness levels (30%, 50%, or 100%) so you can adjust the intensity to your comfort level. Four timer settings, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, make it easy to build light therapy into your routine without remembering to turn the lamp off.
The ultra-thin, tablet-style design has a large light-emitting surface for more even illumination, while the 90-degree rotatable bracket lets you adjust the lamp’s angle to fit beside a laptop, on a kitchen counter, or atop a crowded desk. It’s a practical option for home or office use, although it doesn’t offer the cordless convenience of some newer light therapy lamps.
| Weight | Not listed |
| Dimensions | 6.6 x 5.11 x 0.59 inches |
| Brightness settings | 3 |
| Light intensity | 10,000 lux |
Pros
- Stylish wood-frame design
- Adjustable brightness from 5,500 to 10,000 lux
- Warm-to-cool color temperature settings
- Emits light from multiple sides
- Remote control makes adjustments easy
Cons
- High price compared to other models
- May take up more space than traditional light therapy lamps
This stylish, wood-frame light therapy lamp will look more at home in your space than other utilitarian designs featured in this guide. We like that it’s equipped with up to 10,000 lux like other lamps, though you can adjust the brightness to as few as 5,500 if you need a little less intensity. Unlike other picks featured, you can adjust the light’s color to warmer or cooler shades, so you can use your lamp in both the morning and evening without interrupting your sleep cycle.
Our Lab tests revealed that this lamp can emit light from all of the surfaces of its design, meaning it will illuminate your surroundings even if you don't sit directly in front of it. We also appreciate that it comes with a remote that makes customizing your light sessions super simple. While pricey and heavier than other picks, our pros love the lamp’s design and functionality. “With consistent use, I feel lighter and more positive,” one tester says. “Also, the design is so sleek and has mid-century modern vibes mixed with futuristic."
| Weight | 5 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.75 x 14.5 x 8 inches |
| Brightness settings | Customizable (5,500-10,000 lux) |
| Light intensity | 10,000 lux |
Pros
- Large 16- by 13-inch screen
- Adjustable height and angle
- Projects light downward for a more natural setup
- Two light settings
Cons
- Requires significant desk space
- Heavy and less portable than other options
If you’re looking for a light therapy lamp that can provide a significant amount of light, look no further than this pick from Carex, which features a large 16- by 13-inch screen. Though you’ll need space on your desk to accommodate it, we like that you can adjust the height and angle of the lamp so it projects light downward, similar to how natural light is emitted from the sun.
Like most lamps, this model can emit 10,000-lux light via two different settings so users don't need to sit directly in front of the lightbox to feel results. As long as it's situated within a foot of your line of sight, the brand claims it should help trigger serotonin production. Just keep in mind that the lamp's light settings are far from faint, so this device is best used when you want full exposure for limited amounts of time, like 20 to 30 minutes in the morning. It's also heavy, which renders it less portable than other picks.
| Weight | 9.35 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12 x 15.75 x 31.13 inches |
| Brightness settigns | 2 |
| Light intensity | 10,000 lux |
Pros
- Weighs less than one pound
- Compact design is easy to pack
- Built-in stand folds flat
- Three brightness settings
- USB-powered for use with a power bank, phone, or computer
Cons
- Smaller light surface than other picks
Need a light therapy lamp that you can take with you on the go? This super lightweight, compact pick from Circadian Optics weighs under a pound. It features a built-in stand that can be folded flat, allowing the lightbox to fit easily inside a carry-on, backpack, or purse.
While the light screen’s surface area is much smaller than other picks on this list, it still packs 10,000 lux and features three settings to adjust the intensity to your liking. We especially like that it’s powered by USB, so you can plug it into a power bank, phone, or computer when you're not home. We also recommend the Lumos 2.0 if a narrower lamp better suits your space.
| Weight | 0.6 lbs |
| Dimensions | 3.5 x 3.25 x 3.25 inches |
| Brightness settings | 3 |
| Light intensity | 10,000 lux |
Pros
- Uses light and sound to wake you gradually
- Sunset simulation helps signal bedtime
- 20 brightness settings
- Built-in radio
Cons
- Reaches just 300 lux, so it’s not as bright as a traditional light therapy lamp
Though not officially a light therapy lamp, this alarm clock uses both light and sound to get you out of bed naturally and is also loaded with a sunset simulation to help you wind down at bedtime. Our testers were impressed by the clock's customizability (it has 20 brightness settings), as well as its one-tap snooze ability and built-in radio.
Just take note that this lamp won’t be as bright as other picks on this list and only reaches a 300-lux max. Nevertheless, testers noted that the Philips SmartSleep helped them establish a pleasant wake-up experience (a godsend on dark winter mornings!) and shared that, on average, they felt more refreshed in their morning routines.
| Weight | 1.6 lbs |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 7.8 x 5.7 inches |
| Brightness settings | 20 |
| Light intensity | 300 lux |
How we test the best light therapy lamps
The product analysts and experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested consumer electronics and health gadgets for decades. In addition to testing several of the light therapy lamps featured on this list in our Lab, we also reviewed key specs such as weight, size, number of brightness settings, light intensity, and more when making our selections.
We considered feedback from our experts and tester panel whenever possible, as well as positive online consumer reviews. The best light therapy lamps featured above aren’t a measure of their efficacy on your health (a separate conversation you should have with your doctor), but are based on each product’s versatility, functionality, and unique features or design.
What to look for when shopping for a light therapy lamp
✔️ Size and weight: Before purchasing a light therapy lamp, first decide where you plan on keeping it. Because these lamps or boxes come in a range of sizes (some smaller and more portable, others heavier and larger), you’ll want to choose accordingly. Double-check the weight of your lamp if you plan to move it around frequently, and if you plan to place it on a nightstand, table, or desk, make sure that it features a stand that is small enough to fit.
✔️ Type: Most light therapy lamps featured above come in the form of a lamp or a box. Lamps are ideal for countertops, tables, desks, and other surfaces due to their compact design. Boxes, on the other hand, require much more space but are able to provide more light to a larger room or area. A light therapy box may be an excellent choice for an office or a common space.
✔️ Light intensity (lux): Light therapy lamps or boxes should be bright, delivering light at around 10,000 lux, according to the National Institute for Mental Health. If you’re hoping to combat SAD symptoms or similar, we don’t recommend purchasing a lamp below this number. Whenever possible, we suggest opting for a lamp with multiple brightness settings so you can choose the one that’s most beneficial to you.
What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?
Put simply, SAD often presents a pattern of depression-like symptoms that hinge on changing seasons, a clinical term that largely describes "winter blues" that may require more targeted treatment.
Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D., an architecture professor and director of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center, tells Good Housekeeping that a lack of exposure to sunlight can produce varying effects on people in all seasons (even though SAD primarily affects people in the winter). "Light is just like diet and exercise; it's something we need for optimal health," Figueriro explains. "We tend to think that because we can see clearly in a space, we're getting enough light for the biological clock, and in general, we're not."
What does a light therapy lamp do?
With guidance from your healthcare provider, light therapy is often based on reconfiguring lighting conditions in your home or office by introducing supercharged lamps and therapy boxes that mimic natural outdoor light. These efforts can help regulate our circadian rhythm, influencing how easily we wake in the morning and how fast we fall asleep at night.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “This type of light may cause a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and eases other symptoms of SAD, such as being tired most of the time and sleeping too much.”
For those suffering from SAD, light therapy efforts have been clinically shown to work to alleviate symptoms, which include anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, or sleep deprivation. Light therapy may also work to combat depression risk and other conditions, including jet lag, if the device is engineered to meet current clinical standards.
How to use a light therapy lamp
It's as simple as sitting in front of it and turning it on! Most light therapy lamp manufacturers recommend anyone new to light therapy begin with shorter sessions, for instance, 10 minutes in the morning on the lowest light intensity. As you become accustomed to the light, you can slowly increase the duration of time spent in front of your light therapy lamp—up to 30 minutes on average.
You should always make sure that the angle of the light is comfortable for your eyes (and not blinding you), and that you’re sitting at an appropriate distance. For specific instructions on how to use a light therapy lamp most effectively, we advise consulting your lamp’s manufacturer as well as your health care provider.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on all products designed to boost overall wellness, including light therapy lamps.
This article was originally written by Zee Krstic, GH's former health editor who worked hand in hand with analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute to write this guide and highlight consumer-facing input from leading health experts. Olivia Lipski most recently updated this guide; she is a product analyst and senior writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute who covers everything from consumer electronics to fitness, wellness, home, and more.
Meera Menon, M.D. is a psychiatrist at The Ohio State University Medical Center who specializes in working with the young adult population. She currently chairs the American Psychiatric Association College Mental Health Caucus, chairs the National Network for Depression Centers College Mental Health Task Force, and is Secretary of the Association For College Psychiatry.
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