The 8 Best Light Therapy Lamps of 2024

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These light therapy lamps can help alleviate symptoms of SAD, depression, and other mood disorders.

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). 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. Because of this, bright light therapy, such as a light therapy lamp, is sometimes used as a first-line treatment for SAD.

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.

Amazon

Effective

Adjustable position

Two brightness settings

Expensive (for its no-frills design)

Brightness Settings: 2 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Beginner-friendly

Lightweight

Compact

Looks cheaper than other options

Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Provides overhead light

Easy to use

Budget-friendly

Clinical and bulky

Requires assembly

Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Floor lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Wide light screen

Long light chord

Easy to use

Bulky

Expensive

Brightness Settings: 1 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Portable

Budget-friendly

Easy to use

Small light screen

Brightness Settings: 3 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Stylish

Multiple brightness and color temperature settings

Comes with a remote control

No display

Brightness Settings: 2 present brightness modes that can be customized further | Light Intensity: 5,000–10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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.

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

Amazon

Powerful light

Two brightness settings

Durable

Not ideal for eye sensitivity

Requires assembly

Brightness Settings: 2 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Table lamp

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 out 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.

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

Amazon

Effective

Compact

20 brightness levels and 6 sound settings

Hard to program

Buttons are tough to press

Brightness Settings: 20 | Light Intensity: 10,000 lux | Type: Alarm clock

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.

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

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:

Verywell Mind / Stephanie Vermillion

Verywell Mind / Stephanie Vermillion

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.

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.

Health editor Lily Moe provided additional reporting for this piece. As a previous fitness coach, long-time wellness enthusiast, and current health editor, she 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, writer and Associate Commerce Editor for Verywell, also provided additional reporting. She enjoys staying up-to-date on wellness trends and products with a focus on holistic health.

Campbell, P. D., Miller, A. M., & Woesner, M. E. (2017). Bright light therapy: Seasonal affective disorder and beyond. The Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine : EJBM, 32, E13–E25.

By Lindsey LanquistLindsey has been writing for Verywell Health since July 2020.Her work has appeared in SELF, StyleCaster, SheKnows, MyDomaine, and more.Lindsey holds a BA in Journalism from Elon University and a MS in Publishing from NYU.