Prone to winter blues? Jet-lagged or working the night shift? Perhaps you just need a quick jolt of energy? Either way, a natural light lamp can be your best ally when it comes to mood and energy regulation. Light therapy has been a time-honored practice used to treat mood and sleep disorders since 3000 BC.
Runner Up
HappyLight® by Verilux
Winner
Lumine Light Therapy Lamp
Runner Up
Carex Day-Light Classic
As humans, our bodies crave sunlight for many reasons! Sunlight helps the brain produce serotonin, a hormone linked to the feeling of positivity. Sunlight also disrupts the production of melatonin, helping us feel awake and energized. The absence of sunlight indoors or during the winter months can be tough on our bodies. To replicate the effects of sunlight, getting your hands on a natural light lamp is the next best alternative.
Best Natural Light Lamp List
- Best Natural Light Lamp – Lumine by Circadian Optics »
- Runner-Up – HappyLight® by Verilux »
- Best SAD Lamp – Carex Day-Light Classic »
- Best Blue Light Therapy Lamp – Philips GoLite BLU »
How to Choose the Best Natural Light Lamp
Before handing in your hard-earned income, there are a few things to consider when purchasing one of these lamps. These features will help determine the success (or failure) of your light therapy, so pay close attention!
Emitted Lux
The lamp should have an intensity of 10,000 Lux (or equivalent) to achieve the desired effects.
Recommended Distance
In addition to intensity, how far you are from the light source would also affect the success of your session.
UV Emissions
Your lamp should be designed to filter out any ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure to UV can damage your skin and eyes.
Bulb Lifespan
A no-brainer. The longer the bulb’s lifespan, the longer your lamp should last under normal conditions.
The Top 4 Lamps Compared
Now that we know the key features to look for, how do the top 4 natural light lamps in the market stack up against one another? Let’s run a quick ‘apples-to-apples’ analysis to compare!
| Brand | Light Temperature | LUX Emitted | Supplier Recommend Distance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lumine Light Therapy Lamp | 5,500K color temperature | 10,000 LUX | Face must be 12 – 18 inches from the lamp | |
 HappyLight® by Verilux | 5,000 – 5,500K color temperature | 10,000 LUX | Use 18 inches away from lamp | |
 Carex Day-Light Classic | 4,000K color temperature | 10,000 LUX | Use 12 inches away from the lamp | |
 Philips GoLite BLU | Blue light | 200 LUX | Position face 19 – 29 inches from lamp |
Natural Light Lamp Reviews
1. Best Natural Light Lamp – Lumine by Circadian Optics
Lumine by Circadian Optics
The Circadian Optics Lumine Light therapy lamp is the ultimate minimalistic and user-friendly lamp. Behind the clean and aesthetically pleasing design, you’ll find up to 50,000 working hours, 3 levels of customizing brightness, and a two-year warranty.
Highlights:
- A color temperature of 5,500K (kelvin) – the intensity of the mid-day sun
- LED light
- Choose from 3 levels of light intensity
- Light surface area: 6.6″ H x 6.6″ W
Light therapy lamps don’t have to be bulky, and the Circadian Optics Lumine light therapy lamp is proof. The sleek design makes this lightweight lamp suitable for home or office use. Three light intensities help you to adjust easier to the light. The LED’s lifespan and the practical outline provide you with light therapy anytime, anywhere.
The setup is straightforward making the lamp suitable for users of every age. To experience the full benefits, you need a 15 to 30-minute session at 12 to 18 inches distance. You won’t read a bad Circadian Optics review; the brand improves every customer reported issue.
Pros and Cons of the Lumine by Circadian Optics:
Pros
- LED bulb lasts over 50,000 hours, equivalent to 5+ years.
- Minimalistic and modern aesthetic that looks as good as a piece of furniture.
- Lightweight and compact. Easily moved around while accommodating your morning routine.
- Different intensity settings help with getting used to the lamp.
Cons
- Some complaints about quality issues but Lumine has introduced a few upgrades.
Lumine light therapy lamp allows you to start small and test your comfort zones. Whether it’s home or at the office, Lumine will have you covered for up to 5 years!
2. Runner-Up – HappyLight® by Verilux
HappyLight® by Verilux
VeriLux Happy Light is your ultimate weapon against winter blues, insomnia, and an overall mood booster. Featuring two brightness levels and interchangeable lenses, this flexible UV-free lamp is ideal for tabletop use around the house or office.
Highlights:
- Color temperature between 5,000 to 5,500K
- Light surface area: 12.5″ H x 6.25″ W
- Can be mounted on the wall or used in its detachable stand
- Comes with 2 lenses types – High-Energy and Comfort Optix Glare-Control
- Choose from 2 intensity settings
No need to hide the VeriLux Happy Light in the closet- the modernistic design makes it blend in with any interior. The adjustable intensity and tilt position help you customize your sessions, and the two lenses guarantee your eyes won’t suffer any tiredness or tension. The silent bulb will provide you with the perfect imitation of the sunlight color temperature.
To fully experience the 10,000 Lux, stay as close as 6 inches and not farther than 24 inches from the lamp. This lamp contains magnets; if you’re using an electro-mechanical device, keep a safe distance. Sessions can last from 10 minutes to an hour according to your needs.
Pros and Cons of the HappyLight® by Verilux:
Pros
- Adjustable tilt feature on the detachable stand lets you angle the light up or down.
- Small enough to move the lamp around as needed.
- Those sensitive to light would appreciate the glare control lens.
- Another unit with a sleek and modern design. You don’t have to hide it in the closet after use.
Cons
- Yes, it’s compact and easy to carry around but it still has to be plugged-in. A rechargeable battery would’ve been great.
- It’s mountable but we don’t see a practical way to make use of it.
VeriLux is a trusted brand which dominates the healthy light market for 60 years, now offering you a 3-year warranty on your HappyLight lamp!
3. Best SAD Lamp – Carex Day-Light Classic
Carex Day-Light Classic
Carex Day-Light classic plus lamp gives you the benefit of light therapy while doubling as a desk lamp. With adjustable height and angle, you’ll get pleasant, uninterrupted therapy while focusing on your other tasks.
Highlights:
- Color temperature of 4,000K
- Light surface area: 12″ H x 15.75″ W
- 2 light intensity settings
- Adjustable height and angle
Carex DayLight classic plus lamp is an upgrade to the classic model and comes at a larger size, so you don’t have to sit up close to feel the full benefits. The BrightZone Technology lets you experience 10,000 Lux at 12 to 14 inches distance. If you’re keen on versatility, this lamp offers you two light settings, customizable height, and angle to project light at eye level or downwards.
Carex Day-Light therapy lamp emits UV-filtered light to help you fight your seasonal affective disorder with daily 20 to 30-minute sessions. This model is bulkier, so it’s best for at-home use.
Pros and Cons of the Carex Day-Light Classic:
Pros
- If you don’t enjoy the heat and intensity sun lamps can put out, Carex’s large light surface means that you don’t have to be as close to its light source.
- Functionally designed with height and angle – an ergonomic way to get the light at eye level.
- Lower intensity setting helps those with photosensitivity get used to the lamp.
Cons
- When it comes to appearance, this unit looks a bit outdated and clunky.
If you’re looking for a solid lamp that’s not easy to tip over and doesn’t require you to sit up close, get your hands on the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus.
4. Best Blue Light Therapy Lamp – Philips GoLite BLU
4. Best Blue Light Therapy Lamp – Philips GoLite BLU
Philips GoLite BLU is a portable light therapy lamp here to save you from mid-day energy crashes. The soft blue LED is completely UV-free and emits a highly effective 200 Lux. GoLite BLU comes with an app to tailor your light therapy needs.
Highlights:
- Emits blue light which is just as powerful as the other lamps
- Light surface area: 5.6″ H x 5.6″ W
- 3 light intensity settings
- Comes with a free app for additional personalization features
Stepping out of the standards for light therapy lamps, Philips GoLite BLU is a blue light lamp that emits 200 Lux equally effective as 10,000 Lux of natural light. You can get it corded or rechargeable, which adds to the practical design and makes it easy to carry around. You can use it in the morning at home or during the day at the office.
Choose from the three light intensities, position the lamp at an arm’s length and point it to your face for a 30 minutes session. The blue light doesn’t imitate sunlight, so it won’t help your body make vitamin D.
Pros and Cons of the Philips GoLite BLU:
Pros
- The blue light doesn’t feel as overwhelming. This might just be a personal preference.
- It’s even smaller and lighter than other units. Awesome travel companion.
- Dial-up or dial back intensity settings during different times of day.
Cons
- Looks like they dropped the alarm and timer function in this model. It’s a shame because the earlier versions had those features.
Philips GoLite BLU is the best energy supplement you can get to boost productivity and fight the winter blues in just 30 minutes, anytime, anyplace!
Choosing the Best Natural Light Lamp
Emitted Lux
Why should my lamp be 10,000 Lux? 10,000 Lux is the same intensity as the afternoon sunlight, and we sure do feel energized and awake when soaking in the afternoon sunshine. It’s the ideal ambient daylight, bright enough to boost your spirit and gentle enough on your eyes.
Recommended Distance
It’s best to install the lamp at or above the line of eyesight so it can project light downwards your eyes. Try to focus your sight on other activities to avoid looking directly at the lamp.
UV Emissions
Even though natural light lamps offer a type of therapy, they’re not a medical device. This means the FDA does not check them before entering the market. Long-term exposure to UV radiation increases the chances of developing skin cancer, so you can never be too cautious. A great lamp will emit light with no UV wavelengths. Look for trusted brands that guarantee their lamps filter UV out.
Bulb Lifespan
Specific light bulbs can be costly and difficult to find. Ensure the lamp you’re getting is cost-effective and doesn’t require frequent light bulb changes. Throwing out a whole unit each time the bulb stops working is not sustainable.
FAQ
What Are Natural Light Lamps?
What makes these lamps special is their ability to replicate the natural sunlight. The sunlight’s color temperature is around 5,000, but when it comes in contact with other surfaces, it ranges from 5,000 to 6,000 kelvin. The sunlight’s color temperature also depends on the time of the day or if the weather is cloudy. A good lamp has a color temperature of 5,000 to 5,500 kelvin.
Do Natural Light Lamps Work?
Natural light lamps uses light therapy to ease seasonal affective disorder symptoms, depression, and overall lack of energy. You can see results by using one of these lamps for as little as 20 minutes each day. Short days and dark, gloomy weather lead to increased melatonin levels, which make us groggy and sleepy. Natural light fights melatonin overproduction and increases serotonin making us feel energized and awake. Shift workers can improve their energy levels with light therapy lamps. Conversely, they can also rely on red night light to fall asleep faster. This is the magic of light therapy!
Who Should Not Be Using Light Therapy Lamps?
Consult your doctor if you’re not sure how to start with light therapy lamps. They tend to disrupt the intensity of melatonin production and can affect various physiological and mental functions. That’s the reason why people with manic-depressive disorders should not be using light therapy lamps. If you recently had eye surgery, it is best to bypass natural light lamps. Overall avoid using the lamps later in the day to prevent poor sleep.