Best SAD Lamps and Daylight Lamps 2024

2 January 2024

During the winter months, you may find that you’re not getting as much exposure to the sun as you should be and this can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Enormous improvements to symptoms such as low mood, exhaustion and insomnia can be attained from just the simple use of a daylight lamp. If you're anxious about your sleep cycle, energy or wellbeing this winter, then read on the find the Best SAD Lamps and Daylight Lamps to keep you company.

The Best SAD Lamps and Daylight Lamps

Looking for something in particular? These are the areas we're going to cover:

Best All-Round SAD Lamp
Best Simple SAD Lamp
Best Portable SAD Lamp
Best Floor Standing SAD Lamp

Best All-Round SAD Lamp

Beurer SAD Lamp TL 100 for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Why We Love It...

Consistently and effectively restores your body's natural wellbeing
Convenient Beurer LightUp app allows you to personalise your treatment
Selection of treatment times, brightness settings and colour change options to suit you
UV-free for 100% safe treatment

Perfect For...

All-round, personalised treatment of SAD

Not the Best For...

Providing larger areas of illumination (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The Beurer SAD Lamp TL 100 for Seasonal Affective Disorder can be easily personalised to fit your specific light therapy requirements, and is our top choice of SAD treatment. The slim and attractive design will fit unobtrusively into your bedroom, and work to alleviate your symptoms of light deficiency.

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Best Simple SAD Lamp

Beurer TL30 Portable Daylight Lamp

Why We Love It...

One button operation for maximum convenience
Fits comfortably on a desk, windowsill or bedside table
Bright and even illumination without flickering
Suitable for use horizontally or vertically for easy positioning

Perfect For...

Low-hassle treatment for exceptionally easy use

Not the Best For...

Highly personalised treatment options (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The Beurer TL30 Portable Daylight Lamp is extremely simple to use, functioning with only a single button and sufficiently compact for easy positioning about your house. This sunlight lamp offers the maximum in convenience.

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Best Portable SAD Lamp

Beurer TL20 Daylight Therapy SAD Lamp

Why We Love It...

Highly compact, for use at home or on the go
Flicker-free light for safety and relaxation
Suitable for use horizontally or vertically for easy positioning
Highly affordable for maximum value

Perfect For...

Use while travelling or in cramped settings

Not the Best For...

Personalised all-round treatment (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The Beurer TL20 Daylight Therapy SAD Lamp produces a light intensity of 10,000 Lux, the same as more expensive SAD lamps. Yet, with only a 20 x 12cm illumination surface, it's extremely easy to take with you when travelling.

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Best Floor Standing SAD Lamp

Beurer TL90 Floorstanding Daylight Lamp for SAD

Why We Love It...

Large illumination surface for widely distributed light
Floor standing for ease of positioning
One button operation for ease of use
Exceptionally attractive design to fit in with any room

Perfect For...

Even illumination of a larger area

Not the Best For...

Portability (See our solution)

Editor's Verdict: The Beurer TL90 Floorstanding Daylight Lamp is designed to rest on the floor like an ordinary lamp, diffusing its illumination throughout the room. This means that you can take a more casual approach to your daylight therapy, allowing you to move freely about the space while still receiving treatment.

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What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a form of depression that aligns to the seasons, becoming worse during the winter months when the days get shorter. While SAD isn't fully understood, it has been linked to the lack of sunlight at these times of year.

What Causes SAD?

The leading theories all point towards the lack of sunlight impacting your body in some way. It has been linked to a drop in the production of serotonin, a hormone that effects mood, appetite and sleep, as well as to an increase in the production of melatonin, a hormone that makes you tired. Another factor may be changing daylight hours, impacting your circadian rhythm and your internal body clock, which might also have knock-on effects on your mood.

How Can a SAD Lamp Help?

Since these changes are all linked to a loss of light, the most intuitive answer is to try and get more exposure to daylight. SAD lamps are designed to simulate natural sunlight and trick your body into acting like it normally would, improving your physiological and psychological wellbeing.

What's the Difference Between a SAD Lamp and a Daylight Lamp?

The terms 'SAD Lamp' and 'Daylight Lamp' are used interchangeably to refer to lights that simulate daylight and reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Other names include sunlight lamp and sun lamp.

How Will COVID Affect SAD This Winter?

This winter we may find ourselves restricted to our houses for reasons other than terrible weather. This will inevitably lead to a reduction of daylight exposure and increased symptoms of SAD. In order to combat this, a SAD lamp is an effective and safe solution.

If you have any questions about our SAD lamps – or alternate solutions for fighting back against seasonal affective disorder – let us know in the comments below. Alternatively, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Tags: Aids for Daily Living, Sleep Better, Learn About Conditions, Top 5 Guides, Seasonal Affective Disorder