Winter blues, also known as seasonal affective disorder is real for many - the cold weather doesn't just bring along a chill in the air, you might also notice it decreases your energy and good vibes that you may have in summer.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) has been recognised as a medical condition since the 1990s, the NHS estimates that around one in 15 people in the UK are affected by SAD between September and April, and symptoms can increase during the months of December, January and February.
Natural daylight helps reduce or stop the production of melatonin which regulates our circadian rhythm; lack of light in winter can increase melatonin production in the body which can in-turn make us feel more lethargic and craving sleep, leading to low moods.
A lot of sufferers now use SAD light therapy to combat symptoms. SAD lamps (that are certified) stimulate your retinas which sends loads of hormones to your brain, helping to lift and lighten your mood.
Keep reading as we've rounded up 15 of the best SAD lamps on the market that are available to buy today.
Best SAD lamps to buy in 2023
1. Beurer SAD Lamp
This SAD lamp from Beurer is one of the top choices for affordability and size.
It has been specifically designed to allow you to enjoy the simulation of sunlight even during the darkest of days - thanks to an impressive 10,000 lux.
It's compact, practical and versatile enough to give you the light you need anywhere in the home or office.
2. Lumie Bodyclock Luxe Daylight Table Lamp
This option from Lumie is one of the pricier models on the list, but one recommended for SAD and winter blues sufferers, as it helps to regulate your sleep and wake cycles.
You can choose a simulated gradual sunrise setting to wake up, with authentic colours and light. There are also 20 wake-up sounds available, or you can opt for the alarm clock or radio wake up.
The integrated LED in this lamp has a variable final light intensity, allowing you to set a low-blue light before bedtime opposed to intense lights from televisions or mobile phones.
Buy now from Amazon (£229.00).
3. Philips Sleep and Wake-up Light with Relax Breath
The Philips sleep and wake-up light stimulates sunrise and sunset that you can adjust the timings for.
In the morning set it so that the light gradually gets brighter gently as you wake up - starting as red and then eventually becoming a bright yellow light.
It can also play soothing sounds to accompany the light both on wake up and sunset functions. Best of all, you can also listen to FM radio too.
Buy now from Amazon (£158.99).
4. Lumie Sunrise Alarm Wake up to Daylight Table Lamp
If waking up is your main problem, take the grog out of the mornings and wake up pleasantly to a combination of sound and soothing light.
Helping to wake you up naturally 30 minutes before your alarm is set to alert, you'll wake up to a gradual and soft light. There's 12 different colours as well as dimming features to help you get to sleep.
The added bonus is the choice of natural sounds to wake up to.
5. Oculamp by Ocushield Eye Safe Anti Blue Light Desk Lamp
This light is technically not a 'SAD light' but works in exactly the same way, whilst also being super sleek and with enhancing the mood in mind.
The wireless lamp has three light levels – cool white, neutral white and warm white which can easily be changed by simply tapping the base of the device. This All Day All Night lamp emits low levels of blue light even on the brightest light setting.
A USB port is there to charge your device when you need to, you'll also get around 20 hours of light on a full charge.
6. Beurer TL45 Perfect Day Daylight Table Lamp
Use the TL45 Perfect Day lamp from Beurer light therapy to help balance your day and night rhythm.
It features three different light colour temperatures that imitate natural sunlight and help to support you through the different working and resting phases of your day.
Its compact size makes it easy to carry to work and it's supplied with a useful fold-out stand.
Buy now from John Lewis (£89.99).
7. Lifemax Lifelight SAD Therapy Light
The Lifemax LifeLight is designed to supplement your daily intake of light in order to achieve the recommended daily dose of 2,500 to 10,000 lux.
The LifeLights powerful LED panel emits the recommended 10,000 lux.
Inspiration for the modern design and shape has been taken from the sun, it also boasts 10-stage dimming and a four stage timer, all controlled from three simple buttons.
Buy it from Robert Dyas (£69.99), Amazon (£78.29)
8. Lumie Vitamin L
Perfect for on the go light therapy, Lumie's super compact Vitamin L is nice and versatile, as well as being energy efficient.
It boasts 10,000 lux and has cool LED lights behind a rippled diffuser, giving you a comfortable exposure. It can be positioned in either a landscape or portrait mode, and is the ideal side for bedside or desk use.
9. DYSON Lightcycle Morph Desk Light
Dyson's Lightcycle Morph uses the latest lighting technology to track natural daylight (wherever you are in the world) and intelligently transforms for different uses.
Engineered for versatility and inspired by natural light, the Dyson Lightcycle Morph delivers light throughout a room in four different formats – as an indirect, task, feature or ambient light which constantly provides you with the right light for the right time of the day.
Buy now from Currys ( £649.00 ).
10. Lumie DESKLAMP
A great addition to any office, or working from home set up during the colder winter months.
With a flexible head, it's a good idea for desk work, or tasks where concentration is required. Again, the lamp boasts an efficient 10,000 lux and is recommended between 30 and 60 minutes to start with.
If you're using it at home, it's the perfect lamp for bedside use and won't take up too much room either.
11. Lux Portable Daylight Lamp
This Lux Portable Daylight Lamp is a great option for anyone who wants extra features to play around with.
The lamp has three adjustable brightness levels that range from 30% to 100% that're easy to adjust with a simple touch of the power button.
It comes complete with four timing modes - choose 15 / 30 / 45 / 60 minutes by touch the button. It's also equipped with an adjustable stand, it's compact and the foldable bracket is perfect for using at home or in the office.
Buy now from Amazon (£23.99), was £29.99
12. ALBINA SAD Lamp
This multifunctional desk lamp is great for office use or when sat at a desk working.
With a simple finger touch, you'll be able to adjust the three brightness levels to suit your needs.
Its foldable design means that it's easy to pack away after each use.
Buy now from Amazon (£29.99), was £33.99
13. Daylight Therapy Lamp
This daylight therapy lamp provides a healthy dose of luminous light (LUX), which is needes to keep us happy during the darker months.
Choose between warm and cool and adjust to the right level of brightness to suit your needs.
It's multifunctional features means that you also get an alarm clock that comes complete with an alarm.
Buy now from Robert Dyas (£42.99).
14. Wellness USB Lamp
The modern, slim and compact design of this wellness lamp is ideal for improving your wellbeing and great for anyone working from home.
It has several smart features including brightness and colour temperature control that can be adjusted according to your mood. You can also conveniently set the timer to come on and go off as and when it suits, making it ideal for use if yoiu find it hard to wake up in the morning.
It also comes with a handy USB port to plug that you can plug straight into your laptop.
15. The Daylight Company – TriSun SAD Lamp
The TriSun light therapy and desk lamp is the perfect multi-use lamp that comes with a host of convenient features.
With three colour temperature options that can be adjusted with a simpe tap. It also includes a rotating dimmer swith that allows you to choose the right amount of light to suit your needs. Best of all there's also a wellness switch that will boost your mood, increase focus and regulate sleep.
