I still have a number of lamps to test, but since we’ve hit the gloomy season I thought I’d share this with ya’ll in case you’re in the market for one!

For those of you who want to check it out: Here’s the database!

(I now also have a list of the best SAD lamps according to my testing for those interested

It’s hard to know who’s telling the truth about their products, this includes SAD lamps. So just like in my previous post on blue-blocking glasses, I set out to objectively test these lamps with a lab-grade spectrometer!

This allows me to see what the emission spectrum is like over time since LEDs often shift (sometimes quite dramatically) as they warm up...

The following metrics were tested:

Lux

This is of course the most popular measurement for a SAD lamp. Lux is an area-based numerical value based on the spectrum of light a human is most visually sensitive to.

We often see "10,000 lux" touted as the holy grail minimum, and so many lamps claim to hit this as a sort of buzzword marketing gimmick. But...

1. There's nothing special about hitting a minimum of 10,000 lux, so I wouldn't be overly concerned with that number specifically.

2. There's a better metric for circadian effectiveness anyway...

Circadian Light

Using the spectral data collected during testing, we can calculate the circadian light from each light source.

Circadian light is similar to lux, but is spectrally weighted towards the portion of the visible spectrum most suited to activating the ipRGCs in your eye, or your circadian system.

This means that a light source that emits let's say 5,000 lux and 4,000 CLA is less effective than a lamp that emits 4,500 lux and 4,500 CLA.

When it comes to white light, these metrics track pretty well with each other, generally more lux means more CLA, but not always!

So just something to be aware of.

Lux per in²

One more thing to keep in mind with a SAD lamp is how comfortable it is, not just how bright and effective it is.

For this reason, I’ve measured each light’s radiating area and calculated the “lux per in²" from each, which gives you an idea of just how much “glare” a light source might have.

There is a better metric for circadian effectiveness anyway... then look for the standout bright lights with low glare, which at this time are the Alaska Northern Light NorthStar and the Carex Classic. These lights offer disproportionately more light output for their size than others.

I personally found that going over a Glare of around 300 starts to get a little uncomfortable. Doable but I prefer equal to or less than.

Note: This is all based on a 1-foot measurement on the brightest setting of course, so you can move things away and dim them to modulate this effect.

Other Stuff

We’ve also tested CRI, color temperature, SPDs or spectral graphs, flicker, and more!

So hopefully this resource will help you objectively find the right SAD lamp if you’re on the hunt for one!

Any suggestions or questions are welcome!

Since I already know people are going to ask, I’m planning on buying and testing the Chroma Sky Portal lights soon!

I bought an SAD lamp today as I am frivolous with my money, and I didn't really think through the implications of using a lamp. I get very depressed in the winter months, partly due to the lack of light so I thought it might help.

I powered it on and it immediately starting burning my retinas. I quickly turned it off and started to get a migraine with halo lights in my vision, it was really disorientating and not at all pleasant.

Does anyone else with light sensitivity have experience using these lamps?

Do I really need to shine the light on my eyes for it to have any effect? Could I not just close my eyes whilst using it?

The long night is upon us! Fellow Portlandians, what’s your favorite vitamin d lamp?? Reviews online are always kinda bogus and convoluted. Would appreciate community recommendations!

Thank yewww

I recently moved north of the 45th parallel (US), and as the weather has already started to turn I'm concerned about my seasonal affective disorder getting unmanageable (I've always just relied on vitamin D supplements). I also have a delayed sleep cycle (longer than 24 hours) and years ago a sleep neurologist suggested getting a sun lamp but I never did because the costs were just too high. Any suggestions for budget friendly lamps that actually work?

What’s your experience?

I saw that Target had one for like 40 bucks but would be willing to spend more for a better one if that's not going to be effective. Thanks

I'm quite fond of light, I've been around it for as long as I can remember.

I use one of those lumi wake up alarms to help with grogginess in the morning, you know the one that starts to glow a half hour before your alarm. I want to invest in a half decent SAD lamp, because apparently it can improve melatonin/ seratonin production. I know I'm not the only one to post about this, but I'm after some juicy fresh anecdotal evidence. I'm on the vitamin D already (heh) but wondered if it's a worthwhile investment.

Winter hitting hard here in the Midwest. Productivity getting worse. Maxed out on my vitamin Ds and other multivitamina.

I need SAD lamp recommendations.The buzzwords I've read so far is 10000 lux. Is there something better out there for productivity? How long before you start working do you use it? How frequently?

Please drop me your favorite brands AND Amazon links if possible (pretty please). I'm okay investing a little bit more and going up to or more $50.

Was it helpful? Any recommendations? I was considering getting one before the winter slog really starts.

Something like this.

Hello, my name is Nat, and I’ve suffered from SAD my whole life. Over the past couple of years, I’ve been developing a product called Sunday (www.sundaylight.cc) —a SAD light designed to be indistinguishable from sunshine.

One key feature of our light is that it’s 30–50 times brighter than most SAD lights, allowing you to sit at a comfortable distance while still experiencing very high lumen levels. The idea is to make sitting under it feel less like a chore and more like basking in sunshine.

If anyone has any questions or feedback about the light, I’d greatly appreciate it, as we’re constantly working to improve it.

Hello!

I remember reading about SAD lamps and how to choose them in SSC but I can't seem to find the post. Does anyone have any direct experience what works well and what doesn't? Does anyone know a trustworthy review source?

Do you have any recommendations for a SAD (seasonal affective disorder) lamp?

A couple of years ago they all seemed to cost £200+, but today I can see several dozen different cheaper units on Amazon.

Do you have a tried and tested SAD lamp?

What features do you like best about yours?

Is a higher cost justified or can a cheaper unit achieve a similar effect? I'm happy to spend more if it's for the best.

Would very much appreciate your advice!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I am truly, truly awful waking on dark mornings and would ideally like a lamp which can work on a timer.

A while ago I bought a SAD lamp to give it a try.

I tend to use it while I am on my rowing machine. Most work outs take half an hour and I work out first thing in the morning. I normally just wear a pair of shorts to row so pretty much all of me gets exposure to the light.

The thing is every time I use the SAD light I get terrible insomnia. It takes me ages to nod off when I go to bed and basic non prescription sleeping tablets don't do anything to help me sleep. Its definitely the lamp I have tried a few experiments and it's 100% correlated.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

I still have a number of lamps to test, but since we’ve hit the gloomy season I thought I’d share this with ya’ll in case you’re in the market for one!

For those of you who want to check it out: Here’s the database!

(I now also have a list of the best SAD lamps according to my testing for those interested)

It’s hard to know who’s telling the truth about their products, this includes SAD lamps. So just like in a previous post of mine on blue-blocking glasses, I set out to objectively test these lamps with a lab-grade spectrometer!

Testing is done by placing each lamp 1 foot from the spectrometer. Readings are then taken every minute for an hour.This allows me to see what the emission spectrum is like over time since LEDs often shift (sometimes quite dramatically) as they warm up...

The following metrics were tested:

Lux

This is of course the most popular measurement for a SAD lamp. Lux is an area-based numerical value based on the spectrum of light a human is most visually sensitive to.

We often see "10,000 lux" touted as the holy grail minimum, and so many lamps claim to hit this as a sort of buzzword marketing gimmick. But...

1. There's nothing special about hitting a minimum of 10,000 lux, so I wouldn't be overly concerned with that number specifically.

2. There's a better metric for circadian effectiveness anyway...

Circadian Light

Using the spectral data collected during testing, we can calculate the circadian light from each light source.

Circadian light is similar to lux, but is spectrally weighted towards the portion of the visible spectrum most suited to activating the ipRGCs in your eye, or your circadian system.

This means that a light source that emits let's say 5,000 lux and 4,000 CLA is less effective than a lamp that emits 4,500 lux and 4,500 CLA.

When it comes to white light, these metrics track pretty well with each other, generally more lux means more CLA, but not always!

So just something to be aware of.

Lux per in²

One more thing to keep in mind with a SAD lamp is how comfortable it is, not just how bright and effective it is.

For this reason, I’ve measured each light’s radiating area and calculated the “lux per in²" from each, which gives you an idea of just how much “glare” a light source might have.

There is a better metric for circadian effectiveness anyway... then look for the standout bright lights with low glare, which at this time are the Alaska Northern Light NorthStar and the Carex Classic. These lights offer disproportionately more light output for their size than others.

I personally found that going over a Glare of around 300 starts to get a little uncomfortable. Doable but I prefer equal to or less than.

Note: This is all based on a 1-foot measurement on the brightest setting of course, so you can move things away and dim them to modulate this effect.

Other Stuff

We’ve also tested CRI, color temperature, SPDs or spectral graphs, flicker, and more!

So hopefully this resource will help you objectively find the right SAD lamp if you’re on the hunt for one!

Any suggestions or questions are welcome!

Anyone have any experience utilizing Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps or light therapy? What brand/model did you buy? Do you find it was helpful? Can you notice a difference in your mood with its use? Any negative effects?

Sooooo maybe this is a silly question or maybe the wrong place to ask, but I have a few plants I can't get quite enough sunlight for, just because of how my space is laid out. I also struggle with mental health more in the second semester, sort of in mid-late winter and early spring and I feel it really starting to hit me again. I've been recommended grow lights for the plants, and light therapy for the mental health. Both lights are supposed to recreate sunlight, so could one lamp work for both purposes? If I could fix two problems with one purchase, that would be great and probably push me to make the purchase.

I've suffered from SAD for a long time. I have one of those expensive full-spectrum lamps and take a huge amount of Vitamin D every day. I have tried fitting the lamp into my life in a few different ways, but mostly gave up, until I read this:

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/21/7255227/seasonal-affective-disorder

TL;DR for that article: It matters more that you use the lamp every morning. You can't just use it sometimes, or for a long period once a week. Its purpose is not to make more Vitamin D; its purpose is to reset your circadian rhythm.

So here's the Life ProTip: Put your lamp somewhere convenient for your morning routine. Point it at yourself in the shower (as long as it won't get wet!) or where you eat breakfast, etc. I feel much better now that I've been using the lamp correctly

There are so many options

Hi all, I notice a big change in my mood when we have the very rare sunny days in winter.

I WFH and my office is north-facing, my shift is 10-7 so my lunch break is typically around sunset which leaves me with limited time in natural sunlight.

Does anyone use a SAD lamp, do they improve your mood, and can you recommend one, please?