The 6 Best Light Therapy Lamps We Tested to Boost Your Mood, Energy, Focus, and Sleep

Mar. 15, 2025

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksReviewsOthers We TriedWhat to KnowBehind the ScenesFAQWhy Trust PEOPLEWhat Is People Tested?

In This ArticleView All

In This Article

View All

Our Top Picks

Reviews

Others We Tried

What to Know

Behind the Scenes

FAQ

Why Trust PEOPLE

What Is People Tested?

Photo:People

People

Winter blues got you down? The shorter, darker days can leave us feeling sluggish and longing for the sunshine. Light therapy lamps are an affordable, practical way to boost energy and brighten your day — literally.

Our PEOPLE Tested team spent 50 mornings with each of our top picks, tracking the impact of consistent use on mood and energy levels, while also evaluating how well these lamps fit into our daily routines and living spaces.

Our Top PicksBest Overall:LASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp at Amazon$30Jump to ReviewBest Energy Booster:SALECaromolly Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$60$50Jump to ReviewBest Mood Booster:Verilux HappyLight Halo at Amazon$90Jump to ReviewBest for Sleep Quality:SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Design:Verilux HappyLight Alba at Amazon$50Jump to ReviewBest Portable:TheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$24Jump to Review

Best Overall:LASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp at Amazon$30Jump to ReviewBest Energy Booster:SALECaromolly Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$60$50Jump to ReviewBest Mood Booster:Verilux HappyLight Halo at Amazon$90Jump to ReviewBest for Sleep Quality:SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$20Jump to ReviewBest Design:Verilux HappyLight Alba at Amazon$50Jump to ReviewBest Portable:TheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$24Jump to Review

Best Overall:LASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp at Amazon$30Jump to Review

Best Overall:LASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp at Amazon$30

Best Overall:

Best Energy Booster:SALECaromolly Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$60$50Jump to Review

Best Energy Booster:SALECaromolly Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$60$50

Best Energy Booster:

SALE

Best Mood Booster:Verilux HappyLight Halo at Amazon$90Jump to Review

Best Mood Booster:Verilux HappyLight Halo at Amazon$90

Best Mood Booster:

Best for Sleep Quality:SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$20Jump to Review

Best for Sleep Quality:SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$20

Best for Sleep Quality:

Best Design:Verilux HappyLight Alba at Amazon$50Jump to Review

Best Design:Verilux HappyLight Alba at Amazon$50

Best Design:

Best Portable:TheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$24Jump to Review

Best Portable:TheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp at Amazon$24

Best Portable:

Best OverallLASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight LampPHOTO: Amazon$30 at AmazonStar QualitiesNoticeably boosted our mood and energySleep quality improved while usingVariety of brightness and color temperature optionsRed FlagsHighest brightness level was too bright for us, so we opted for a lower settingThe LASTAR Sun Lamp stood out from the rest as our best overall pick for its effectiveness, user-friendly design, and customizable features.Setup couldn’t have been easier. Straight out of the box, this lamp was ready to go. Just plug it in and glow. We found it easy to use with features like memory function and an interval timer. Thanks to its compact size, it fit easily in our space and became a natural part of our daily routine. Our overall mood improved while using this lamp, especially on grey, cloudy days with less sunlight.We felt more alert and had more energy throughout the day. This is a great pick for those looking to cut out that afternoon cup of coffee. Our sleep also improved as we fell asleep faster and woke up feeling refreshed. It proved durable too — after being accidentally dropped during testing, it continued to work smoothly without any issues.While the brightest level was too high for our comfort, it may work for someone else. Thankfully the range of brightness levels and color temperature settings let us customize our light therapy experience. For under $30, this lamp delivered on all fronts and left us and our wallets happier.Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:5 Brightness levels, 4 Color Temperatures|Lightness Intensity:10,000 LuxBenefits of using Light TherapyImproved mood, energy, sleep quality, and cognitive functionCircadian rhythm regulation which helps alleviate symptoms like depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbancesCan also treat insomnia and jet lagPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best OverallLASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight LampPHOTO: Amazon$30 at Amazon

Best OverallLASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp

Best Overall

LASTAR 10,000 Lux Sunlight Lamp

PHOTO: Amazon

$30 at Amazon

Star QualitiesNoticeably boosted our mood and energySleep quality improved while usingVariety of brightness and color temperature optionsRed FlagsHighest brightness level was too bright for us, so we opted for a lower setting

Star QualitiesNoticeably boosted our mood and energySleep quality improved while usingVariety of brightness and color temperature options

Noticeably boosted our mood and energy

Sleep quality improved while using

Variety of brightness and color temperature options

Red FlagsHighest brightness level was too bright for us, so we opted for a lower setting

Highest brightness level was too bright for us, so we opted for a lower setting

The LASTAR Sun Lamp stood out from the rest as our best overall pick for its effectiveness, user-friendly design, and customizable features.

Setup couldn’t have been easier. Straight out of the box, this lamp was ready to go. Just plug it in and glow. We found it easy to use with features like memory function and an interval timer. Thanks to its compact size, it fit easily in our space and became a natural part of our daily routine. Our overall mood improved while using this lamp, especially on grey, cloudy days with less sunlight.

We felt more alert and had more energy throughout the day. This is a great pick for those looking to cut out that afternoon cup of coffee. Our sleep also improved as we fell asleep faster and woke up feeling refreshed. It proved durable too — after being accidentally dropped during testing, it continued to work smoothly without any issues.

While the brightest level was too high for our comfort, it may work for someone else. Thankfully the range of brightness levels and color temperature settings let us customize our light therapy experience. For under $30, this lamp delivered on all fronts and left us and our wallets happier.

Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:5 Brightness levels, 4 Color Temperatures|Lightness Intensity:10,000 Lux

Benefits of using Light TherapyImproved mood, energy, sleep quality, and cognitive functionCircadian rhythm regulation which helps alleviate symptoms like depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbancesCan also treat insomnia and jet lag

Benefits of using Light Therapy

Improved mood, energy, sleep quality, and cognitive functionCircadian rhythm regulation which helps alleviate symptoms like depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbancesCan also treat insomnia and jet lag

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best Energy BoosterCaromolly Light Therapy LampPHOTO: Amazon$60$50 at Amazon

Best Energy BoosterCaromolly Light Therapy Lamp

Best Energy Booster

Caromolly Light Therapy Lamp

$60$50 at Amazon

Star QualitiesReduced morning fatigueWe felt more energized throughout the dayImprovement in mood while testingRemote made controlling customizable settings easyRed FlagsNot our most affordable option if your budget is tight

Star QualitiesReduced morning fatigueWe felt more energized throughout the dayImprovement in mood while testingRemote made controlling customizable settings easy

Reduced morning fatigue

We felt more energized throughout the day

Improvement in mood while testing

Remote made controlling customizable settings easy

Red FlagsNot our most affordable option if your budget is tight

Not our most affordable option if your budget is tight

The Caromolly Light Therapy Lamp revitalized us, boosting our energy during the entire testing process. We found ourselves yawning less in the morning and with more sustained energy throughout the day.

This lamp was super easy to use with no other setup beyond plugging it in. The remote came in handy when switching between the interval timer settings, brightness levels, and color temperature options. Its convenient memory function recalls the last setting you used. We like its silhouette, which looks more like a traditional table lamp than others we tested. Its compact size made it easy to incorporate into our home and daily life. Although subtle, we definitely noticed a positive shift in our mood as we used it.

Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:4 Brightness levels, 3 color temperatures |Lightness Intensity:10,000 lux

Usage GuideDr. Pinkhasov recommends 30 to 60 minutes of light therapy every morning, shortly after waking up for optimal results. “Consistent daily use during the fall and winter months, or in places with limited sunlight, is key to maintaining therapeutic effects.”

Usage Guide

Dr. Pinkhasov recommends 30 to 60 minutes of light therapy every morning, shortly after waking up for optimal results. “Consistent daily use during the fall and winter months, or in places with limited sunlight, is key to maintaining therapeutic effects.”

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best Mood BoosterVerilux HappyLight HaloPHOTO: Amazon$90 at AmazonStar QualitiesNoticeably enhanced our mood while usingSuper convenient cordless design with a rechargeable batteryMagnetic, 360° swivel base for flexibility when positioningRed FlagsMost expensive of our top picksFelt too bright when positioned closelyThis cute little lamp from Verilux really boosted our spirits while testing. It brought a smile to our faces and a noticeable shift in our overall demeanor and sense of well-being.We loved the cordless design that let us take this lamp all around the house, as well as the rechargeable battery. The light magnetically clicks to the base for easy setup. It swivels a full 360 degrees for versatile placement. We loved all the different settings to choose from with this lamp: four brightness levels, three color temperature options, and a countdown interval timer.We achieved the best results on the brightest setting, though it took some adjusting to get the angle right. We found it most comfortable positioned to the side, as the brightness on the highest level was sometimes too intense. It’s the priciest of our favorites at around $90, but it’s worth the investment.Power Source:Rechargeable battery |Brightness Settings:4 brightness levels, 3 color temperatures |Lightness Intensity:10,000 luxPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best Mood BoosterVerilux HappyLight HaloPHOTO: Amazon$90 at Amazon

Best Mood BoosterVerilux HappyLight Halo

Best Mood Booster

Verilux HappyLight Halo

$90 at Amazon

Star QualitiesNoticeably enhanced our mood while usingSuper convenient cordless design with a rechargeable batteryMagnetic, 360° swivel base for flexibility when positioningRed FlagsMost expensive of our top picksFelt too bright when positioned closely

Star QualitiesNoticeably enhanced our mood while usingSuper convenient cordless design with a rechargeable batteryMagnetic, 360° swivel base for flexibility when positioning

Noticeably enhanced our mood while using

Super convenient cordless design with a rechargeable battery

Magnetic, 360° swivel base for flexibility when positioning

Red FlagsMost expensive of our top picksFelt too bright when positioned closely

Most expensive of our top picks

Felt too bright when positioned closely

This cute little lamp from Verilux really boosted our spirits while testing. It brought a smile to our faces and a noticeable shift in our overall demeanor and sense of well-being.

We loved the cordless design that let us take this lamp all around the house, as well as the rechargeable battery. The light magnetically clicks to the base for easy setup. It swivels a full 360 degrees for versatile placement. We loved all the different settings to choose from with this lamp: four brightness levels, three color temperature options, and a countdown interval timer.

We achieved the best results on the brightest setting, though it took some adjusting to get the angle right. We found it most comfortable positioned to the side, as the brightness on the highest level was sometimes too intense. It’s the priciest of our favorites at around $90, but it’s worth the investment.

Power Source:Rechargeable battery |Brightness Settings:4 brightness levels, 3 color temperatures |Lightness Intensity:10,000 lux

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best for Sleep QualitySUXIO Light Therapy LampPHOTO: Amazon$20 at AmazonStar QualitiesA more noticeable shift into relaxation at night while usingOverall energy levels felt more balanced during the daySlim, compact design is easy to storeRed FlagsDoesn’t have any color temperature optionsNot as many design features compared to othersCalling all night owls. Suxio’s Light Therapy Lamp is our pick for better sleep. Using this lamp, our energy remained more consistent, without the usual afternoon dips. At night, our bodies relaxed more quickly at bedtime.The lamp was simple and straightforward to set up and use. It includes a USB power cord for easy connection, though you’ll need to provide your own adapter or charging block. We appreciate that the slim profile makes for easy storage given its seasonal use. All three brightness settings were comfortable on our eyes, though it’s worth noting that the highest setting (10,000 lux) is recommended for the most effective results.Even with fewer design features than some other picks, this lamp is one of our most affordable options at around $20. With this lamp and aweighted blanketin your self-care routine, the sheep can count themselves.Power Source:USB Cord (no adapter or charging block included)|Brightness Settings:3 |Lightness Intensity:4,000 lux, 7,000 lux, 10,000 LuxPro Tip!“A light therapy lamp should be positioned about 0.5 meters (50 cm) away from the face, ensuring indirect light exposure. Avoid direct eye contact with the light to prevent eye strain.”—Dr. PinkhasovPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best for Sleep QualitySUXIO Light Therapy LampPHOTO: Amazon$20 at Amazon

Best for Sleep QualitySUXIO Light Therapy Lamp

Best for Sleep Quality

SUXIO Light Therapy Lamp

$20 at Amazon

Star QualitiesA more noticeable shift into relaxation at night while usingOverall energy levels felt more balanced during the daySlim, compact design is easy to storeRed FlagsDoesn’t have any color temperature optionsNot as many design features compared to others

Star QualitiesA more noticeable shift into relaxation at night while usingOverall energy levels felt more balanced during the daySlim, compact design is easy to store

A more noticeable shift into relaxation at night while using

Overall energy levels felt more balanced during the day

Slim, compact design is easy to store

Red FlagsDoesn’t have any color temperature optionsNot as many design features compared to others

Doesn’t have any color temperature options

Not as many design features compared to others

Calling all night owls. Suxio’s Light Therapy Lamp is our pick for better sleep. Using this lamp, our energy remained more consistent, without the usual afternoon dips. At night, our bodies relaxed more quickly at bedtime.

The lamp was simple and straightforward to set up and use. It includes a USB power cord for easy connection, though you’ll need to provide your own adapter or charging block. We appreciate that the slim profile makes for easy storage given its seasonal use. All three brightness settings were comfortable on our eyes, though it’s worth noting that the highest setting (10,000 lux) is recommended for the most effective results.

Even with fewer design features than some other picks, this lamp is one of our most affordable options at around $20. With this lamp and aweighted blanketin your self-care routine, the sheep can count themselves.

Power Source:USB Cord (no adapter or charging block included)|Brightness Settings:3 |Lightness Intensity:4,000 lux, 7,000 lux, 10,000 Lux

Pro Tip!“A light therapy lamp should be positioned about 0.5 meters (50 cm) away from the face, ensuring indirect light exposure. Avoid direct eye contact with the light to prevent eye strain.”—Dr. Pinkhasov

Pro Tip!

“A light therapy lamp should be positioned about 0.5 meters (50 cm) away from the face, ensuring indirect light exposure. Avoid direct eye contact with the light to prevent eye strain.”—Dr. Pinkhasov

Best DesignVerilux HappyLight AlbaPHOTO: Amazon$50 at AmazonStar QualitiesMade mornings easier with a boost of energyEasy-to-use touch controlsPlenty of customizable settings to choose fromClean, minimal design looks great among our thingsRed FlagsHighest brightness setting might be too intense for someThe Alba model of Verlux’s HappyLight is our favorite design. This mirror’s small footprint worked well on our desk to jumpstart the workday with more energy. The carefully considered details won us over. No matter your aesthetic, this lamp will look great on your bedside table, next to your couch, or at your workstation.Thoughtful features like four brightness levels, three color temperature options, and a countdown timer with 10-minute intervals (up to one hour) really enhanced our user experience. Finding our individual preferences couldn’t have been easier.  We also loved the touch controls for maximum customization.Though the highest brightness level was too intense for us, it was easily remedied thanks to the adjustable settings. This lamp falls into the middle of our price range at $50 but for style and functionality, we found it a worthy investment to upgrade our winter wellness routine.Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:4 brightness levels, 3 color temperatures |Lightness Intensity:10,000 luxPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best DesignVerilux HappyLight AlbaPHOTO: Amazon$50 at Amazon

Best DesignVerilux HappyLight Alba

Best Design

Verilux HappyLight Alba

$50 at Amazon

Star QualitiesMade mornings easier with a boost of energyEasy-to-use touch controlsPlenty of customizable settings to choose fromClean, minimal design looks great among our thingsRed FlagsHighest brightness setting might be too intense for some

Star QualitiesMade mornings easier with a boost of energyEasy-to-use touch controlsPlenty of customizable settings to choose fromClean, minimal design looks great among our things

Made mornings easier with a boost of energy

Easy-to-use touch controls

Plenty of customizable settings to choose from

Clean, minimal design looks great among our things

Red FlagsHighest brightness setting might be too intense for some

Highest brightness setting might be too intense for some

The Alba model of Verlux’s HappyLight is our favorite design. This mirror’s small footprint worked well on our desk to jumpstart the workday with more energy. The carefully considered details won us over. No matter your aesthetic, this lamp will look great on your bedside table, next to your couch, or at your workstation.

Thoughtful features like four brightness levels, three color temperature options, and a countdown timer with 10-minute intervals (up to one hour) really enhanced our user experience. Finding our individual preferences couldn’t have been easier.  We also loved the touch controls for maximum customization.

Though the highest brightness level was too intense for us, it was easily remedied thanks to the adjustable settings. This lamp falls into the middle of our price range at $50 but for style and functionality, we found it a worthy investment to upgrade our winter wellness routine.

Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:4 brightness levels, 3 color temperatures |Lightness Intensity:10,000 lux

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best PortableTheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy LampPHOTO: Amazon$24 at AmazonStar QualitiesSubtle improvements in mood, focus, and energy during testingLightweight and great for travelNo need to use the manual, thanks to its simple, straightforward functionalityRed FlagsNo changes in our sleep quality while usingNot as adjustable as other lamps we testedNo color temperature optionsTake your light therapy on the go. This lamp from Carex is our most portable pick to keep the winter blues at bay regardless of your travel plans. Its slim profile, about the size of a thin hardcover book, fits comfortably into almost any bag. We loved how lightweight and easy it was to carry around.We experienced subtle yet noticeable improvements in our mood, focus, and energy while using this lamp. This was one of our most straightforward lamps to use. We didn’t even need to reference the manual during setup. The intuitive buttons made navigating between the various timer and brightness settings simple. The four brightness levels were useful, though we wished it offered more adjustable settings like color temperature and angle, as seen in our other picksDespite no noticeable changes in sleep quality, the lamp’s overall positive impact makes it a worthwhile, affordable option for those prioritizing portability.Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:4 |Lightness Intensity:10,000 luxPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Jessica JuliaoPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Best PortableTheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy LampPHOTO: Amazon$24 at Amazon

Best PortableTheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp

Best Portable

TheraLite Glow Bright Light Therapy Lamp

$24 at Amazon

Star QualitiesSubtle improvements in mood, focus, and energy during testingLightweight and great for travelNo need to use the manual, thanks to its simple, straightforward functionalityRed FlagsNo changes in our sleep quality while usingNot as adjustable as other lamps we testedNo color temperature options

Star QualitiesSubtle improvements in mood, focus, and energy during testingLightweight and great for travelNo need to use the manual, thanks to its simple, straightforward functionality

Subtle improvements in mood, focus, and energy during testing

Lightweight and great for travel

No need to use the manual, thanks to its simple, straightforward functionality

Red FlagsNo changes in our sleep quality while usingNot as adjustable as other lamps we testedNo color temperature options

No changes in our sleep quality while using

Not as adjustable as other lamps we tested

No color temperature options

Take your light therapy on the go. This lamp from Carex is our most portable pick to keep the winter blues at bay regardless of your travel plans. Its slim profile, about the size of a thin hardcover book, fits comfortably into almost any bag. We loved how lightweight and easy it was to carry around.

We experienced subtle yet noticeable improvements in our mood, focus, and energy while using this lamp. This was one of our most straightforward lamps to use. We didn’t even need to reference the manual during setup. The intuitive buttons made navigating between the various timer and brightness settings simple. The four brightness levels were useful, though we wished it offered more adjustable settings like color temperature and angle, as seen in our other picks

Despite no noticeable changes in sleep quality, the lamp’s overall positive impact makes it a worthwhile, affordable option for those prioritizing portability.

Power Source:Corded (electric) |Brightness Settings:4 |Lightness Intensity:10,000 lux

PHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People / Jessica JuliaoPHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: PeoplePHOTO: People

Circadian Optics Light Therapy Lamp: This lamp delivered an energy boost but its bright blue-toned light may be too intense for some. We liked the overall design, but all three brightness levels felt quite strong. Its simple functionality and low price make it an accessible option, but it lacks features like a timer, adjustable angles, and color temperature options.

Lumie Mini Lamp: This lamp worked well in our morning routine since it fit perfectly on our nightstand. The brightness caused some initial discomfort while we adjusted to the optimal position and angle. This lamp doesn’t include any adjustable features like dimming, color, or angle. While we noticed minor boosts in morning energy, we didn’t experience significant improvements in our sleep or mood.

Northern Light Technologies Mini Luxor Desk Lamp:We liked the design of this lamp and it gave us a notable morning energy boost, but it wasn’t sustained throughout the day. We didn’t observe any changes in our mood or sleep quality either. Our biggest issue was how big this lamp was. It was difficult to fit on a smaller desk that also serves as a multi-functional workspace.

Verilux HappyLight Luxe Lamp: This lamp comes in fun, stylish finishes like white marble and champagne gold, and it features many adjustable settings including brightness and color temperature. The wall-mount capability is a convenient feature. It effectively boosted our mood, energy, and focus throughout testing. However, we found other more affordable options that delivered similar results, making it harder to justify the higher price.

What to Know About Light Therapy Lamps

Effectiveness

Light therapy lamps can improve sleep quality, overall mood, and energy. Results may vary from person to person. To achieve the therapeutic effects of light therapy lamps, Dr. Pinkhasov recommends regular sessions of 30-60 minutes each morning for optimal results. He also emphasizes the importance of indirect light exposure to prevent eye irritation.

Light Intensity

The amount of light emitted from light therapy lamps is measured in lux. When shopping, make sure your lamp emits 10,000 lux of white fluorescent light. This is the most effective intensity for treating SAD (seasonal affective disorder) according to Dr. Pinkhasov and provides the most benefits. All of our top picks provide 10,000 lux, ensuring you’ll experience the full positive effects

Design

For the best results, consistency is key with light therapy lamps. Features like size, portability, and design aesthetic can make it easier to incorporate this habit into your daily routine. We found that lamps with a smaller footprint were more convenient to use, fitting easily on our nightstand or desk, ensuring we could use them daily for optimal effect. The more a lamp blended with our decor, the more likely we were to leave it out and use it regularly. Lightweight designs make it easier to maintain consistent therapy while traveling — such as theCarex TheraLite Glow Small Light Therapy Lamp.

Functionality

“Choose a lamp with adjustable features for optimal positioning during activities like reading or exercising,” suggests Dr. Pinkhasov. A range of brightness levels and adjustable color temperatures are important features to keep light therapy as comfortable as possible. Finding the right angle is crucial to avoid direct eye exposure while ensuring sufficient light coverage. The swivel base of theVerilux HappyLight Halois ideal for finding just the right positioning for you.

UV Protection

UV protection is paramount with any light exposure to protect your eyes and skin. While UV rays in natural sunlight can be harmful, UV exposure is not necessary for light therapy to be effective. You’ll want light therapy lamps that either have built-in UV filters or emit UV-free light. We’ve taken out the guess work — every one of our top picks offers UV protection.

Our PEOPLE Tested team researched and gathered the 10 most popular light therapy lamps to evaluate over the course of 25 total hours (using them consistently for 30 minutes each morning). We used them in our homes to see how they worked with our lifestyle and observed the effects. These are the factors we concentrated on to find our favorites:

Frequently Asked Questions

Light therapy lamps are not a source of vitamin D. “While vitamin D is synthesized in the skin through UVB exposure, light therapy filters out UV radiation to avoid potential damage to the skin and eyes,” explains Dr. Pinkhasov.

L.A. Hubillais a freelance commerce writer for PEOPLE who specializes in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content. She also regularly tests products for multiple digital outlets, including InStyle and Byrdie. For this article, she reviewed and consolidated feedback from the PEOPLE Tested team to identify the highest-rated light therapy lamps, showcasing the top choices in each category.

Our Expert PanelAaron Pinkhasov, MDis the chair of the department of psychiatry at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. He’s a psychiatrist who specializes in treating individuals with complex overlapping medical and psychiatric disorders, as well as older adults with a wide range of cognitive disorders, including dementia and delirium. His research focuses on the integration of medical and behavioral health, delirium, and psychopharmacology.

Our Expert Panel

Aaron Pinkhasov, MDis the chair of the department of psychiatry at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. He’s a psychiatrist who specializes in treating individuals with complex overlapping medical and psychiatric disorders, as well as older adults with a wide range of cognitive disorders, including dementia and delirium. His research focuses on the integration of medical and behavioral health, delirium, and psychopharmacology.

We created thePEOPLE Tested seal of approvalto help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.

source: people.com