The 8 Best SAD Lamps of 2023
Brighten your life and boost your mood with a SAD lamp.
Plenty of people aren't fans of winter. The cold, the time indoors (especially this past winter!), the lack of daylight. But for some, the shorter days and colder weather can bring on seasonal depression. Also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), seasonal depression can be the result of lack of sunlight, among other things.
During the winter, people with SAD may have lower levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin in their body and overproduce the hormone melatonin, leading to feelings of sadness, sleepiness, and lethargy, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). They may also struggle with a lack of vitamin D, which has been linked to depression.
There is a treatment for SAD, and it largely revolves around lamp or light therapy, which the NIMH calls a "mainstay" of treatment for the disorder. These SAD lamps deliver 10,000 lux of light and are designed to mimic sunlight. The goal is to help give people with SAD a dose of bright light every day to make up for the lack of natural sunshine in the darker months.
Whether you have a formal SAD diagnosis, suspect that you struggle with the disorder, or just feel like you could use more light in your life for rainy spring and summer days, buying a light box for seasonal affective disorder might be the solution you're looking for. Here are the 8 best seasonal affective disorder lamps.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder Lamps
Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp, $57.87 on Amazon
This lamp is adjustable, so you can get your light from a variety of angles. Three levels allow you to customize the brightness so you can find one that works for you. It also provides up to 50,000 hours of light, helping you to get through the winter and beyond. Circadian Optics Lumos 2.0 Light Therapy Lamp, $57.87 on Amazon
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Compact LED Light Therapy Lamp, $16.98 on Amazon
This light features three birghtness levels that are easily adjustable. It includes a timer that allows you to control how long to leave it on. At this price point, this is a good entry-level product. The reviews are positive and many notice a big difference after using the light for just a short amount of time. Compact LED Light Therapy Lamp, $16.98 on Amazon
Verilux HappyLight Lucent LED Light Therapy Lamp, $31.99 on Amazon
Boost your mood with this lamp, which distributes powerful light at the touch of a button. You can get your daily sunlight with this super thin therapy lamp. It touts benefits like increasing alterness and decreasing insomnia. Verilux HappyLight Lucent LED Light Therapy Lamp, $31.99 on Amazon
Carex Day-Light Classic Plus, $112.99 on Amazon
This Carex lamp features a safe, glare-free screen to deliver top-notch light to you. It comes with a flexible stand, so you can easily find the right angle for you. This $113 light box has two different settings for effective light therapy and a five-year warranty. Carex Day-Light Classic Plus, $112.99 on Amazon
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Alaska Northern Lights Northstar, $299.77 on Amazon
When you want a serious wave of light, there's the Alaska Northern Lights Northstar lightbox. At $300, this is a little pricier than other options, but it covers a huge area thanks to its whopping 24-inch size. The lamp includes a 25,000 hertz electronic ballast with no irritating flicker or electromagnetic field. It easily props up next to your couch or bed, so you can get an infusion of light while you lounge. Alaska Northern Lights Northstar, $299.77 on Amazon
Amzcool Happy Energy Lightbox, $23.99 on Amazon
This $28 lamp offers full-spectrum light with different color temperatures. A stepless dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness settings, while a thin border allows you to get more light delivered straight to you. The box also has a simple design and can easily be stored on your desk or counter. Amzcool Happy Energy Lightbox, $23.99 on Amazon
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Sunlight Lamp with Remote Control, $49.99 on Amazon
You dont have to use an unattractive lamp to get your daily dose of sunlight. This fun moon-shaped lamp will help you have access to mood-boosting light. It features three color temperatures and four levels of brightness. Plus, it comes with a remote control. Sunlight Lamp with Remote Control, $49.99 on Amazon
Olly Light Therapy Lamp, $89 on Amazon
This cute little lamp packs a ton of therapy light. It utilizes Samsung Human Centric Lighting. It offers two levels of brightness with a 25-minute timer. It's very portable and features a rechargeable battery. Olly Light Therapy Lamp, $89 on Amazon