By Rajnish Mago, MD (bio)
On another page on this website, I reviewed a range of bright light therapy devices and recommended three bright light therapy devices that should probably be our top choices unless compactness is essential.
If cost is not a barrier, my top choice is SunRay II ($369) due to the 23 inches manufacturer-recommended distance and high light intensity but with a higher efficacy ratio than the others.
The SunRay II is not available on amazon.com. It is available at https://www.sunbox.com/shop/10000-lux-bright-lights/sunray-ii/
Cost $369 (as of November 2019)
15.5″ Tall x 23″ Wide x 3.25″ Deep
The great thing about this device is that at its high setting, it provides 10,000 lux at a distance of 23″. This is a huge advantage since many devices require the user to be only 12″ from the device to get the full 10,000 lux of light intensity. That is really close and quite inconvenient. In my opinion, the 23″ distance allowed by this lamp is a great step towards greater convenience.
For those who don’t have enough space on their desks or tables, the SunRay II also comes in an optional wall-mounted model. See https://www.sunbox.com/shop/10000-lux-bright-lights/new-sunray-ii-wall-mount-world-voltage/
Manufacturer information: The SunBox Company, 201 Broadway Street, Suite 220, Frederick, MD 21701. 800-548-3968, 240-651-3286. orders@sunbox.com. www.sunbox.com
Note: Simple and Practical Medical Education has no relationship—financial or otherwise—with the manufacturer of the SunRay II. We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Obviously, for many patients, the SunRay II may be too expensive. The majority of the bright light therapy devices in the market do not meet the recommended quality standards. So, I recommend only using a device that has been systematically evaluated. And, good devices come at all price points
As discussed on another page on our website, if cost is a significant concern, which it often is, the best one to recommend is either the Day-Light Classic ($66; available on Amazon.com at this link: Day-Light Classic Bright Light Therapy Lamp) or the larger Day-Light Classic Plus ($115; available on Amazon.com at this link: Day-Light Classic Plus Bright Light Therapy Lamp).
A systematic evaluation of bright light therapy devices
Bright light therapy: Which devices to recommend
Related Pages
A systematic evaluation of bright light therapy devices
How exactly to use bright light therapy for bipolar depression
Bright light therapy: Which devices to recommend
Bright light therapy devices/lamps
Do wearable bright light therapy devices (e.g., visors) work?
Which wearable bright light therapy devices (e.g., visors) may be considered?
Bright light therapy: Instructions to patients
How to do bright light therapy (patient handout)
Bright light therapy for bipolar depression (Interview with Dorothy Sit, MD)
References
Oldham MA, Oldham MB, Desan PH. Commercially Available Phototherapy Devices for Treatment of Depression: Physical Characteristics of Emitted Light. Psych Res Clin Pract 2019;1(2):49-57.
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