Best SAD therapy lamps in 2025 (UK)

There’s a lot not to like about winter. It’s cold, it’s snowy, it’s windy, and – yes – it’s a lot, Very dark. And as far as we’re concerned, that’s the worst part: enduring those short days and dark mornings and evenings. Darkness shows its effect.

Trying to live your life without enough sunlight is exhausting. This is especially true for office workers who are stuck inside a building every hour of daylight. Getting out of bed in the morning can be a struggle, and being productive and returning when the work day is done can be even more difficult. But it’s not all doom and gloom.

The SAD Therapy Lamp is a great way to relieve the winter blues. And there are a wide range of these devices available to help reduce the symptoms of SAD (seasonal affective disorder) if you’re not getting enough natural light. All this means that you won’t have to face darkness for six months. But which is the right SAD therapy lamp for you? Let’s help shed some light on this topic with some useful information and a selection of the best SAD therapy lamps available right now.

What is seasonal affective disorder?

As it sounds – and appropriately shortened to SAD – seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that follows seasonal patterns. It usually affects people during the winter months, causing sufferers to feel depressed, lethargic, anxious or irritable.

What causes seasonal affective disorder?

According to NHS guidelines, the cause of seasonal affective disorder is not fully understood, although it is usually linked to a lack of sunlight, which can stop the brain from producing certain hormones or throw off your body clock.

How does light therapy work?

It is thought that spending about 30 minutes in front of a light can reduce the effects of SAD by simulating sunlight, which can encourage your brain to produce melatonin and serotonin to help your sleep and mood. The NHS recommends light therapy as one of the standard treatments for seasonal affective disorder.

What does lux mean?

You’ll see this term a lot when shopping for therapy lamps. Lux is the unit of measurement of light intensity. According to some research, a light intensity of 2,500 can improve your health. Most of the lights listed below have lux up to 10,000.

How big are light therapy lamps?

While the desired effects are essentially all the same – a means of shedding some light on you – they come in different shapes and sizes. Some are portable, allowing you to take them anywhere – especially in the office, where getting a healthy amount of light can be difficult – while others are made to stay in a fixed location.

What is the best SAD therapy lamp?

It’s up to you to decide which lamp will work best for you, your home, and your daily routine. But we’ve done the research and highlighted the best models.

These are the best SAD therapy lamps for 2025.