Find the Best SAD Lamp
Find your favorite SAD lamp with our handy database! The desktop experience is recommended.
Here is what we tested for and why!
A light’s color temperature is essentially a description of how humans perceive the overall hue of a light source. The color of natural sunlight varies throughout the day, however, it hovers around 5700K for most of the day.
Some people prefer one CCT over another, we’ve included our measured CCTs so that you can decide which light is best for you.
Lux isn’t really the most important factor when it comes to bright light therapy, but we’ve included this metric because it’s a popular one.
Lux is simply the calculation of how bright a light source may appear to the human eye. Brightness itself however isn’t necessarily the best measurement for circadian activation.
For that, we can use two other metrics such as Melanopic Lux and Circadian Light, which we discuss below.
CLA is a calculation of the light “postulated to represent the spectral sensitivity of the retinal mechanisms that generate neural signals reaching the human suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN).”
Phew.
In other words, the higher the CLA the more a light source will wake you up and align your circadian rhythm.
If you’d like to learn more about how this works, you can read it here on the CS 2.0 Calculator Documentation page.
Melanopic lux is an earlier alternative to lux that has since been better replaced by Circadian Light, however, it is still used in many places so we’ll include it here.
CRI is a unit used to represent the ability of a light source to reflect the true colors of objects, compared to a natural light source, like the Sun.
It’s currently the most popular way of determining the color quality of an artificial light source and can be seen on many light bulb packages.
For CRI, a score of over 90 is considered good.
Most light therapy lamps do not advertise this metric, so we provide it here for you if you’re looking for a more “realistic” light source.
A little dirt on CRI: CRI used to comprise only 8 colors. The average of these would be called the “Ra” or the average R-value. The CRI standard has since added 6 more colors, however, one of them, R9 (deep red) is more difficult to get high scores on. So most companies still only use the first 8 to calculate their “CRI score”.
We use an average of all 15 colors in our calculations, so the CRI score may be lower or higher than what is typically advertised for each light.
Glare is calculated by dividing the total lux output at 1 foot by the size of the light source.
We’ve included this metric for those of you who find yourself a bit more photosensitive.
The more light that’s emitted from a source point, the larger the emission area needs to be in order to avoid becoming too uncomfortable for the eyes.
This metric will allow you to select a lamp that’s a bit more pleasant to have around. If you’ve previously owned a lamp and found it too uncomfortable to use, simply locate it on our table, and look for a new one with a lower Glare rating.
Obviously, most lights have brightness settings, however when it comes to bright light therapy the more light you can bear, the more effective it will be, so we give you the glare on the brightest setting.
Almost all lights have an “invisible flicker”, if this bothers you, our database has lots of info to help you choose flicker-free lamps.
*Flicker data is taken using the most effective color temperature and highest brightness setting, flicker almost always gets worse if the light is dimmed at all*
The flicker depth shows how much the brightness of a light source varies from its minimum brightness to its maximum brightness.
For example, a light source that varies from 100 lux to 80 lux, would have a flicker depth of 20%.
Generally speaking, we want this to be as low as possible, as sunlight doesn’t flicker at all.
The waveform graph actually shows you the flicker depth plotted on a 24 ms time slot.
Waveforms can vary dramatically from one light to the next.
It’s possible to associate headaches with certain types of waveforms, so if this is you, you can use this graph to decide which lights might irritate you and which might not.
This graph is based on the IEEE’s PAR1789 flicker standard.
While this standard isn’t perfect, it’s the best we’ve got right now.
This graph essentially takes the flicker frequency, seen in the waveform graph, and plots it against the flicker depth.
The idea here is that the lower the frequency and the higher the depth, the more likely a light source is to cause noticeable biological problems.
The Flicker index is a measurement that takes into account the areas above and under the light’s average output and calculates this as a number.
This gives us a good numerical value for how much time the light source spends away from the median brightness level.
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The SAD Lamp Database
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| Image | Brand | Model | Link | Price | CCT | Lux | CLA | M-EDI | Glare (lux/in2) | Area (in2) | CRI | Spectrum | Flicker Risk | Risk Graph | Waveform | Flicker Index | Flicker Depth | Color Temperatures | Brightness Levels | Cord Length | Power | Coupon Code | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Olly | Day | 89 | Check Price → | $$ | 5900K | 430 | 635 | 462 | 88 | 4.9 | 79.6 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.3773 | 94.6% | Jun/21/2023 | Link | 1 | 2 | N/A | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Lumine | 74 | Check Price → | $ | 5700K | 3,800 | 5,363 | 3,159 | 143 | 26.5 | 79.2 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.3822 | 99.5% | Jun/24/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 7.3 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Luxy | 28 | Check Price → | $ | 6100K | 3,344 | 4,932 | 2,834 | 453 | 7.4 | 81.2 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.7356 | 99.5% | Jun/24/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 5 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Lattis | 60 | Check Price → | $ | 6150K | 4,955 | 7,909 | 4,474 | 246 | 20.1 | 82.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.6467 | 99.5% | Jun/25/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 7.3 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Lumos 2.0 | 84 | Check Price → | $$ | 6350K | 3,752 | 6,013 | 3,376 | 440 | 8.5 | 81.9 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.6828 | 99.5% | Jun/25/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 7.3 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Lampu | 73 | Check Price → | $ | 5750K | 9,685 | 15,528 | 8,162 | 235 | 41.3 | 79 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.6260 | 99.5% | Jun/25/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 7.3 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Circadian Optics | Leo | 50 | Check Price → | $ | 6250K | 3,179 | 4,819 | 2,869 | 245 | 13 | 81.3 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.1932 | 65.2% | Jun/25/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 7.3 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Compact | 30 | Check Price → | $ | 6850K | 1,924 | 2,558 | 1,618 | 91 | 21.2 | 70.4 |  | Low Risk |  |  | 0.0164 | 6.3% | Aug/03/2023 | Link | 1 | 1 | 5 ft | |||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Full-Size | 49 | Check Price → | $ | 6300K | 4,674 | 6,744 | 3,873 | 113 | 41.5 | 78.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0093 | 3.9% | Aug/03/2023 | Link | 2 | 2 | 6.3 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Alba | 50 | Check Price → | $ | 5250K | 3,267 | 4,490 | 2,747 | 105 | 31.2 | 85.3 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.4074 | 95.3% | Aug/04/2023 | Link | 3 | 4 | 5.8 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Lumi Plus | 40 | Check Price → | $ | 5500K | 3,943 | 5,549 | 3,283 | 127 | 31 | 82.2 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.3428 | 99% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 5.9 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Lucent | 40 | Check Price → | $ | 5250K | 4,152 | 5,470 | 3,233 | 114 | 36.3 | 76.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0081 | 3.7% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 1 | 1 | 5.9 ft | |||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Luxe | 70 | Check Price → | $ | 5400K | 4,157 | 5,800 | 3,431 | 79 | 52.9 | 83.9 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.5628 | 99.5% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 3 | 4 | 5.9 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Touch Plus | 50 | Check Price → | $ | 5100K | 4,190 | 5,677 | 3,386 | 105 | 40 | 85.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.1927 | 77.8% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 2 | 3 | 5.9 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Halo | 90 | Check Price → | $$ | 5150K | 4,635 | 6,130 | 3,595 | 102 | 45.3 | 79.9 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.1210 | 70.7% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 3 | 4 | 5.9 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Duo Desk | 80 | Check Price → | $$ | 5550K | 4,478 | 6,728 | 3,962 | 233 | 19.2 | 94.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.2159 | 76.6% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 3 | 7 | 5.9 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Verilux | HappyLight Duo Floor | 130 | Check Price → | $$ | 5000K | 11,261 | 18,713 | 9,849 | 431 | 26.1 | 88.6 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.2914 | 81.6% | Aug/05/2023 | Link | 3 | 5 | 6 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | TheraLite | Aura | 43 | Check Price → | $ | 3000K | 11,782 | 11,651 | 6,253 | 144 | 82 | 80.6 |  | High Risk |  |  | 0.0484 | 15.8% | Aug/29/2023 | Link | 1 | 4 | 5.4 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable | |
 | TheraLite | Aura Qi | 38 | Check Price → | $ | 3000K | 12,138 | 11,290 | 6,041 | 148 | 82 | 80.4 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0066 | 2.3% | Aug/30/2023 | Link | 1 | 4 | 5.3 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable | |
 | TheraLite | Halo | 50 | Check Price → | $ | 3000K | 5,018 | 4,478 | 2,545 | 157 | 32 | 80.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0033 | 1.1% | Aug/30/2023 | Link | 1 | 4 | 5.3 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable | |
 | TheraLite | Glow | 30 | Check Price → | $ | 4100K | 3,889 | 3,960 | 2,515 | 146 | 26.7 | 79.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0029 | 1.1% | Aug/30/2023 | Link | 1 | 4 | 5.9 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable | |
 | TheraLite | Radiance | 45 | Check Price → | $ | 2950K | 2,133 | 1,753 | 1,027 | 368 | 5.8 | 79 |  | High Risk |  |  | 0.5692 | 99.5% | Aug/31/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 5.9 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable | |
 | TheraLite | Original | 40 | Check Price → | $ | 3200K | 6,846 | 6,411 | 3,545 | 188 | 36.5 | 79.7 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0018 | 0.5% | Aug/31/2023 | Link | 1 | 1 | 4.9 ft | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | ||
 | Lastar | CM011 | 28 | Check Price → | $ | 6250K | 1,713 | 2,556 | 1,649 | 62 | 27.6 | 95.8 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0041 | 1.1% | Sep/29/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 6 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Lastar | CM003 | 35 | Check Price → | $ | 6200K | 3,152 | 4,334 | 2,658 | 88 | 35.7 | 73.4 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0477 | 26% | Sep/29/2023 | Link | 1 | 5 | 6 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Lastar | CM019 | 50 | Check Price → | $ | 6950K | 2,067 | 3,151 | 1,881 | 60 | 34.6 | 79.6 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0059 | 2.3% | Sep/30/2023 | Link | 4 | 5 | 6 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Lastar | CM018B | 30 | Check Price → | $ | 6400K | 1,904 | 2,733 | 1,677 | 89 | 21.3 | 78.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0031 | 1% | Sep/30/2023 | Link | 4 | 5 | 4.9 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Lastar | CM018 | 22 | Check Price → | $ | 6600K | 1,984 | 2,905 | 1,761 | 93 | 21.3 | 77.6 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0032 | 1% | Sep/30/2023 | Link | 1 | 5 | 4.9 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Lastar | CM020 | 30 | Check Price → | $ | 6600K | 2,930 | 4,297 | 2,583 | 100 | 29.3 | 76.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0049 | 1.5% | Oct/01/2023 | Link | 1 | 5 | 4.8 ft | Dimmable | ||
 | Lastar | CM022 | 140 | Check Price → | $$ | 5950K | 5,215 | 8,349 | 4,847 | 69 | 75.9 | 96 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0406 | 21% | Oct/01/2023 | Link | 4 | 5 | 8.3 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Lastar | CM021 | 80 | Check Price → | $$ | 5950K | 3,237 | 4,855 | 3,015 | 43 | 75.9 | 96.5 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.2011 | 99.5% | Oct/01/2023 | Link | 4 | 5 | 4.8 ft | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | ||
 | Carex | Day-Light Classic | 120-150 | Check Price → | $$ | 4050K | 12,492 | 14,309 | 7,900 | 110 | 114 | 78.7 |  | High Risk |  |  | 0.0541 | 18% | Oct/18/2023 | Link | 1 | 2 | 6.3 ft | 39w | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable |
 | Carex | Day-Light Sky | 120-130 | Check Price → | $$ | 4200K | 14,538 | 17,762 | 9,484 | 181 | 80.5 | 78.3 |  | High Risk |  |  | 0.0570 | 20% | Oct/17/2023 | Link | 1 | 2 | 6.3 ft | 40W | OPTIMIZE15 for 15% off | Dimmable |
 | Alaska Northern Lights | Aurora LightPad Mini | 200 | Check Price → | $$$ | 6400K | 42,445 | 86,588 | 39,389 | 1,746 | 24.3 | 80.9 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0106 | 4.5% | Nov/05/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 9.2 ft | 30W | Dimmable | |
 | Alaska Northern Lights | Aurora LightPad Max | 380 | Check Price → | $$$$$ | 6550K | 30,988 | 62,715 | 29,209 | 397 | 78.1 | 78.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0083 | 4% | Nov/05/2023 | Link | 1 | 3 | 8.2 ft | 47W | Dimmable | |
 | Alaska Northern Lights | NorthStar | 335 | Check Price → | $$$$$ | 4350K | 16,357 | 17,902 | 9,400 | 75 | 217 | 69.4 |  | High Risk |  |  | 0.0563 | 23% | Nov/11/2023 | Link | 1 | 1 | 7 ft | 100W | ||
 | Lumie | Vitamin L | 99 | Check Price → | $$ | 4050K | 5,732 | 6,074 | 3,749 | 91 | 63.2 | 79.2 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0027 | 1% | Jan/26/2024 | Link | 1 | 1 | 5.9 ft | 23W | ||
 | Lumie | Halo | 249 | Check Price → | $$$$ | 3850K | 6,622 | 6,866 | 4,222 | 108 | 61.5 | 84.1 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0023 | 1% | Jan/26/2024 | Link | 3 | 3 | 5.9 ft | 26W | Dimmable, Adjustable Color Temperature | |
 | Lumie | Mini | 59 | Check Price → | $ | 3950K | 3,882 | 3,778 | 2,420 | 102 | 37.9 | 77.8 |  | No Risk |  |  | 0.0154 | 4.6% | Feb/01/2024 | Link | 1 | 1 | 5.9 ft | 13w |
8 responses to “Find the Best Light Therapy Lamp”
This helped so much!! Thank you! What about Northern Light Technologies? They are pretty expensive but look good.
I would like to know the type of spectrometer you are using and get some statistics of its efficiencies. (For the detector and grating)
I thought the outputs would look much more like a black body.
Thank you for your help,
AdisonHi Adison! So we’ve been using the Hopocolor HCPS-300P for testing purposes.
Which outputs might you be referring to? Just about the only lights that produce blackbody radiation are tungsten filament bulbs. Some newer full spectrum LEDs come closer however.
With every light on the market promising at least 10,000 Lux, how is it that only 8 lamps tested reach this benchmark? What distance do you measure from?
I realise you talk about circadian light being a better metric, I’m just astonished why the Lux is considerably lower than advertised for the vast majority of lamps.
Thanks for your help.
Hi Lauren!
Your average consumer assumes “lux” refers to the total output of a lamp, but it actually refers to the output at a specified distance.
Most brands prey upon this ignorance by using the “10,000 lux” buzzword without clarifying the distance at which this is achieved.
We test every lamp at 12 inches so that they can be easily compared to each other. So some lamps emit 10,000 lux at 12 inches, and others must be closer to hit that benchmark.
Hope that helps!
That’s the plan! Working on our sunrise alarm clock project currently and next on our list is a plethora of SAD lamps.
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