The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Do you suffer from a low mood? Do you have trouble waking up in the morning? Have you been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)? Do you have trouble focusing or being productive? Believe it or not, there’s an easy way to get help with all of these things, and it isn’t complicated, time-consuming, or expensive. What solution are we talking about?
A light therapy lamp! These devices can be used every day when you first wake up, and all you have to do is sit in front of it and let the light shine on your face. They can be used to alleviate all kinds of symptoms, and they’re very safe as long as you choose one with low UV light production. Some of them are super compact (or even wearable!) for travel.
If you think you could benefit from a light therapy lamp but you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, we’re here to help. Light therapy lamps will vary in a number of features including price, overall size, brightness levels, timer settings, and more. And you should think about all of them if you want to find your perfect match.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best light therapy lamps in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Portable Pick: Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses
Design Pick: Northern Light Technologies Luxor 10,000 Lux Pyramid LED Lightbox
Compact Pick: Verilux HappyLight VT10 Personal 10,000 Lux Therapy Lamp
Budget Pick: Suxio Light Therapy Lamp
The Verilux HappyLight Luxe UV-Free LED Therapy Lamp has a lot to offer. It’s one of the most versatile therapy lamps out there, and that means great things for you. It offers four brightness levels instead of just three, so you have even more opportunity to adapt the light level to your preferences. It also offers multiple colour temperatures so you can adjust it between warm white and full daylight as needed.
You’ll be really pleased with the timer on this one too. Instead of only offering a few options, you have the freedom to set the timer at every five-minute increment up to an hour — perfect for adapting to a busy schedule! Since this lamp is housed in a beautiful marble design instead of plain white or black, it’ll easily become a statement piece instead of an eyesore. How nice.
Luckily for you, we don’t have any issues to mention related to performance, quality, or ease of use. This is an amazing light therapy lamp. The only potential reason it might not be a good fit for you is if you’re looking for something compact or portable. Although it’s very thin, it’s still quite large in its other dimensions and will need a fair amount of space to call its own.
Overall, the Verilux HappyLight Luxe UV-Free LED Therapy Lamp is an amazingly adaptable option that will be able to suit your needs every day, and every family member’s too. No matter what you’re looking for, we bet this one offers it.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have plenty of great things to say about the Verilux HappyLight Luxe UV-Free LED Therapy Lamp. They love having the option to change the colour temperature, and with a five-minute increment timer and four brightness levels, they’re able to adapt the therapy session to their specific needs each day. The marble pattern looks great, too.
Buy If…
You’d appreciate a versatile timer
You’ll want to use different colour temperatures
An aesthetically pleasing frame design would be nice
A wide range of brightness levels is important to you
Don’t Buy If…
You need a compact light therapy lamp
Dimensions: 11.8” x 7.5” x 0.5”
Weight: 3.2 lbs
Mount Type: Wall or Tabletop
Brightness Levels: 4
Timer Settings: 5-min intervals up to 1 hr
Warranty: 3 years
We are big fans of the Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses. With three brightness levels and three timer settings, you’ll be able to adapt their performance to the severity of your symptoms and the amount of time you have to wear them each day. Plus, since they’re rechargeable, you’ll have the freedom to walk around, get yourself ready, look after your kids, and more while getting your light therapy! Multitasking for the win.
Since these glasses weigh only 0.1 lbs and adapt to every head shape with ease, you’ll never have to worry about being uncomfortable while getting your light therapy — and they’ll never fall down, either! They’re even compatible with regular eyeglasses… you won’t have to take them off to get your therapy. And since they store easily in any bag or suitcase pocket, they’re a perfect option for travellers!
The only thing we’d want to improve about these light therapy glasses is the price tag. The innovative and rechargeable design does make them quite a bit more expensive than the average light therapy lamp, and while we think it’s definitely worth it, it still might be more than you want to spend if you’ve never tried light therapy before. Something to think about!
Overall, the Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses are the best option if portability is your priority while shopping for a light therapy lamp. They’re just as effective as a traditional lamp while offering much more convenience. It’s an easy win for busy mornings and frequent travellers.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are really happy with the Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses. Many of them moved to these glasses from a traditional therapy lamp and the added convenience of this wearable alternative has been life-changing — they love being able to wear them while getting ready in the morning and move about the house freely. They wouldn’t change a thing about them, except maybe the price.
Buy If…
You want to multi-task while getting your light therapy
Portability is really important to you
A wireless light therapy lamp is ideal
You don’t want to worry about keeping track of the session time
Don’t Buy If…
You don’t want to spend much on a light therapy lamp
Dimensions: 3.5” x 3” x 2.5”
Weight: 0.1 lbs
Mount Type: Wearable
Brightness Levels: 3 (500, 1000, or 1500 lux)
Timer Settings: 3 (20, 30, or 60 mins)
Warranty: 3 years
The Northern Light Technologies Luxor 10,000 Lux Pyramid LED Lightbox is a pretty special option. If you’re looking for a statement piece, this pyramid-shaped option is it. You can set it up as the centrepiece on a dining or coffee table and enjoy its dual functionality of therapy lamp and eye-catching art piece. You’re welcome.
The larger shape of this therapy lamp means it’s able to be effective at a further distance (as far as 18” instead of 6-12”), and that means it can also help multiple people at a time if you’re sitting close together. Perfect for couples. Since it operates with a simple on/off switch, you’ll never have to think about which buttons do what. It’s also super durable and comes with a 7-year warranty! You can’t beat that.
Unfortunately, this option doesn’t offer all of the same functionality as a traditional light therapy lamp. It has no timer, so you’ll have to watch your session time some other way, and it also only offers one brightness level. This limited versatility is disappointing. The larger size and higher price tag attached to this option might be some other reasons you choose to look elsewhere.
All in all, the Northern Light Technologies Luxor 10,000 Lux Pyramid LED Lightbox is our top recommendation for everyone looking for a blend of effective performance and an eye-catching design. No matter where you set this thing up, it’ll look great and perform superbly.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a good opinion of the Northern Light Technologies Luxor 10,000 Lux Pyramid LED Lightbox. Most of them chose this option because of its unique shape and extra-large lamp size, and they’ve been very happy with it ever since. Some would prefer it had some more versatile settings, but for the most part, all of the feedback is positive.
Buy If…
You’d appreciate an eye-catching light therapy lamp
Multiple people in your house want to use a light therapy lamp
Simplicity appeals to you
Longevity matters
Don’t Buy If…
You’re shopping on a budget
A portable design is important to you
You’d prefer an option with a timer and multiple brightness levels
Dimensions: 15” x 15” x 15”
Weight: 3.5 lbs
Mount Type: Tabletop
Brightness Levels: 1
Timer Settings: None
Warranty: 7 years
We’re pretty happy with the Verilux HappyLight VT10 Personal 10,000 Lux Therapy Lamp, and if you’re looking for a space-saving option, we bet you’ll enjoy it too. It’s one of the smallest light therapy lamps out there, and that means it’s perfect for travel and any desk or table you could want to put it on. Since it only has a simple on/off switch on the back, it’s also a super easy lamp to use, even for kids.
This smaller lamp also has one major advantage over larger, traditional therapy lamps — it’s much gentler on your eyes. It produces a smaller square of light and is equipped with an Optix Glare Control Lens and Flicker Elimination Technology to help reduce eye strain and fatigue during the day. It makes a big difference, trust us. The affordable price tag on this one is another huge bonus.
As a smaller and more affordable light therapy lamp, this option does come with a few downsides. And they both relate to versatility. This one doesn’t come with a timer, so you’ll have to make sure that you pay attention to the time to make sure you don’t overdo it. It’s also lacking the option to adjust the brightness, so if you’re looking for something a bit gentler on some days, you’ll have to move the lamp further away. Not ideal in all scenarios, we know.
Overall, the Verilux HappyLight VT10 Personal 10,000 Lux Therapy Lamp is our favourite option for folks who are in need of a more compact therapy lamp. Its small size, user-friendliness, and affordable price tag are its standout features.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have mostly good things to say about the Verilux HappyLight VT10 Personal 10,000 Lux Therapy Lamp. The compact size is perfect for sitting on busy work desks or kitchen tables during morning breakfasts, and the gentle light is nice on their eyes. They like the simple on/off switch too. Some people would prefer it to have a timer, though, and others would like multiple brightness levels.
Buy If…
You travel a lot or want to put your therapy lamp on a cluttered desk/table/etc.
Affordability is important to you
You find traditional therapy lamps hard on your eyes
You don’t want to fuss with a lot of buttons
Don’t Buy If…
You would prefer the convenience of a timer
You want an option with multiple brightness levels
Dimensions: 7.4” x 6.3” x 3”
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Mount Type: Tabletop
Brightness Levels: 1
Timer Settings: None
Warranty: 1 year
The Suxio Light Therapy Lamp is a very well-rounded option offered at a really great price, so if you’re new to light therapy or you’re shopping on a budget (or both!), this will be a great option. And it still offers most of the functionality you’d get from a more expensive option — three brightness levels and three timer settings allow you to adapt its performance to your specific needs.
You’ll also love the convenience of the memory setting — whichever brightness level and timer setting you use in one session will carry over to the next. Thank goodness, you won’t have to set it every time. Another thing we really love is the USB design. Instead of being tied to an outlet, you have the freedom to use it anywhere with the help of a laptop, power bank, car, and more!
The main issue we have with this light therapy lamp is the quality of the stand. It’s supposed to be a tabletop mount, meaning it should remain upright on its own, but since the stand isn’t the best quality, it has a tendency to fall over. You’ll have to hold it for your light therapy sessions instead, which can be very inconvenient. The overall durability also leaves something to be desired, just so you’re aware.
All in all, the Suxio Light Therapy Lamp is a great option for people who aren’t interested in anything fancy. It’s not the most durable or advanced option out there, but it’s still highly effective and offers a respectable amount of versatility. At this price, you can’t do better.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Reviewers have a good opinion of the Suxio Light Therapy Lamp. The memory setting is their favourite feature — it’s so convenient to turn the machine on for each session and not have to change any settings. Since it’s thin, it’s not too difficult to travel with, either. The little stand isn’t very effective, however, so they usually have to hold it instead of setting it down. They don’t mind for the price, though.
Buy If…
You don’t want to be tied to an outlet
Affordability is your top priority
You’ll usually be using the same settings for each session
Versatility is important to you
Don’t Buy If…
You want a light therapy lamp that’ll last
You would like a hands-free option
Dimensions: 6.7” x 5.1” x 0.5”
Weight: 0.7 lbs
Mount Type: Tabletop
Brightness Levels: 3 (4000, 7000, or 10,000 lux)
Timer Settings: 3 (30, 60, or 90 mins)
Warranty: 1 year
Some light therapy lamps cost as little as $40, but others can easily exceed $250. Generally, a more expensive light therapy lamp will be larger, have a more versatile timer, offer a wider range of brightness levels, and maybe even boast multiple colour temperatures to choose from. You can also expect better longevity at the higher end of the price range.
The average light therapy lamp will offer three brightness levels for you to choose from, but the best options will offer four. However, there are also plenty of models that don’t offer any flexibility in this area, so if you would like some more versatility, you’ll want to prioritize a wider range of brightness levels.
Some light therapy lamps won’t come with a built-in timer at all, but for convenience and safety, we do recommend putting this feature on your must-have list. Models that do come with a timer won’t all be the same though — most offer three options such as 20/30/60 minutes, some offer 30/60/90 minutes, and some will be extra versatile with smaller increments of 5 or 10 minutes with a maximum time of an hour. It’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for here before you start browsing options.
Almost all light therapy lamps will be tabletop-friendly, but you will find a rare few that can be mounted to a wall as well. Of course, light therapy glasses will be the only wearable option.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.