The Best Light Therapy Lamps for Dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder

The most affordable option on our list, this light therapy lamp can easily be mistaken for an iPad. With an intensity of 10,000 lux and a built-in stand, so you don’t have to worry about propping, it’s small enough to fit into your bag or backpack and is an ideal option for those who don’t have a lot of room for anything extra on their desks.

This compact lightbox is perfect for portable use — at 1.5 lbs., it can easily be taken to work or moved around your home. It emits up to 5,000 lux, which is about half as intense as the recommended 10,000 lux, so it’s best for more casual use. Coupled with the low price, it’s a great starter option.

Another low-cost option, the ALBINA light therapy lamp isn’t clunky — in fact, its contemporary design fits right in with modern homes. It has a minimalist wood casing that makes it look like a fancy tablet device, and it produces 10,000 lux of light, has adjustable dimmer settings, and comes with five temperature options.

A larger option from Verilux, the HappyLight Touch Plus adopts the slimmer, tablet-like look and has an increased intensity of 10,000 lux. It has options for personalization, with a timer, three brightness levels, and even two light colors: daylight or warm light.

Design lovers are sure to love this next pick. The HIBOITEC Light Therapy Lamp features a sculptural, modern design that makes this a S.A.D. lamp that doubles as an eye-catching decor piece. Available in both black and white, it also features three temperature settings, five brightness levels, and a timer.

For a different style, try the Lumos, which looks more like an actual lamp and less like a box. The perk here is the flexibility — with three hinges and a rotating panel, you can adjust the light to your heart’s desire. It’s especially good for those with sensitive eyes who need their light to be positioned just so. (No shame!)

LASTAR's light therapy lamp is small and round and gives off a more minimalist style. It has three brightness levels that can be adjusted with a touch and a 10,000 lux intensity.

This solid wood lightbox has an art deco feel and features 10,000 lux of light power, making it one of the most efficient decor pieces around. One great perk is the remote, which allows you to toggle between different color temperatures, brightness, and dimming settings.

A more heavy-duty option, this lamp from Carex is much bigger than the others on this list and is ideal for larger spaces. It has two light settings depending on your needs: one that delivers 10,000 lux brightness, and another less intense one that is more like task lighting.

The Philips SmartSleep lamp is the only one on our list that’s both a light therapy lamp and an alarm clock. It’s small but packs a lot — there are functions for both falling asleep and waking up naturally, plus ambient sounds and white noise. It’s on the high end, price-wise, but worth it for all the functionality.