7 Best SAD Light Therapy Lamps of 2024

With more than 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, this light therapy lamp tops our list for its easy-to-use and intuitive design. Not only is it fully equipped with 10,000 lux, but we like that you can choose between two intensity settings (high or low) to get the right amount of light for you. While the brand sells a variety of light therapy lamps in all shapes and sizes, this model is lightweight, compact and super portable so you can move it around as you please.

The lamp’s stand enables you to quickly prop it up on a kitchen table, nightstand or desk, and adjust the angle. It also comes with an optional wall mount for those who want a permanent setup. Several online reviewers share that the lamp helped improve their mood. “I bought this lightbox to help my mood in the winter but I now use it every morning to wake up,” one online reviewer says. “I have it on the whole time I’m getting ready in the morning. I love it!! It helps my mood and I feel awake quicker.” Some users do wish, however, that the settings button was easier to use.

What sets this budget-friendly light therapy lamp apart goes beyond its great value. It features four timer settings so it’s easy to use your lamp in increments of 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes (and not lose track of time!). It also enables you to adjust your light’s intensity level from 30 percent up to 100 percent thanks to three brightness settings. Plus, the rotatable light bracket means you can pop the lamp onto a crowded surface at work or at school to use alongside your computer without sacrificing much space.

“For something so small, it lights up the room so bright, even on the lowest setting!" one online reviewer says. "It’s like having the sun in the palm of your hand." Other users point out that this lamp is a great travel size thanks to its lightweight, compact design, though some do complain about the base and mention that it can feel unstable.

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. “It has a great temperature range that I can quickly adjust depending on the time of day and how I am feeling,” an online reviewer says.

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, most online reviewers 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."

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.

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. “I can set it up at work in an instant and close it up and put it in my purse for my next use,” one online reviewer says.

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.

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. Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel Rothman, was impressed by its backup battery and how customizable it is — 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.

With the ability to project strong steady light up to 24 inches away, this larger light therapy box can be a great solution for an office or a larger space where access to light is limited. It already comes equipped with specialized light fixtures and a glare filter out of the box, so users can simply plug it in and flip a switch to get started. The North Star also features a carrying handle and is designed to be used vertically or horizontally for maximum effectiveness. “I have been easily able to carry it from room to room to use it where needed,” one online reviewer says.

According to the brand, its increased surface area emits plenty of light — you'll be bathed from head to midriff in strong glare-free light if it's positioned in front of a desk or a sitting area of your choice. “The light from this thing is crazy bright, and I mean that in the best way,” an online reviewer shares. Because of its sheer size, though, it's not ideal for smaller spaces and may become too bright (or overbearing!) if too close to your face. It only has one brightness setting and cannot be dimmed.