Phototherapy lamps: the 5 best models and our advice to choose the one that suits you best

Top Life - 15,000 Lux light therapy lamp

Top Life is a French company specializing in light therapy lamps. This is one of the few models on the market officially recognized as a medical device (medical certification CE 0459 according to directive 93/42 / EEC).

Features :

• Double vertical and horizontal use
• LED technology
• Brightness 15,000 LUX
• Extra long 2.5m power cable
• Free of UV rays thanks to a 100% filtering protection
• CE 0459 medical approval
• Dimensions: 27.5 x 16 x 1.7 cm
• Weight: 400 gr

Our opinion: Compared to a standard phototherapy lamp, the 15,000 lux intensity offered by this device allows for shorter sessions without the need to stand close to the light source. In addition, the size and weight make this lamp easy to carry and carry. ideal for use not only at home, but also in the office and on the go.
Quick treatments and a high level of comfort to recharge your batteries.
More information on the Top Life 15,000 Lux lamp

Beurer TL 100 - Phototherapy lamp connectable to smartphone

The Beurer TL 100 2-in-1 phototherapy lamp is one of the most advanced models of this brand: it is simple to use, elegant and can be controlled remotely via the "Beurer Light app" up (Android and iOS) .

Description :

• 2 in 1 use: phototherapy and chromotherapy
• 10 light intensities from 0 to 10,000 lux
• Iridescent lights: 256 color variations
• Parameter memory function
• Controlled via bluetooth (Light application "up)
• LED technology: homogeneous and pleasant light
• LED timer + remaining time display system (steps from 15 to 120 min)
• Medical device + compliant with the photobiological safety standard
• Light surface: 33 cm
• Product size: 30.6 x 33.5 x 20.3cm

Our opinion: the design is original and very elegant. This lamp adapts to any environment, pleasing to the eye, like any decorative piece of furniture. The surface of the screen is large enough and it is possible to keep the device at 30 cm during the treatment, so as to be able to carry out other activities in the meantime. The connection with the smartphone is not essential but it certainly makes the lamp more practical to use.
Learn more about the Beurer TL 100 lamp

Medisana LT 460 - Portable light therapy lamp

Medisana, active on the market for about 30 years, is one of the most important companies in the world that deals with people's health and well-being.
This device, as small and light as a tablet, is particularly suitable for traveling.

Features :

• 2 levels of light intensity: up to 10,000 lux
• Can be used horizontally or vertically thanks to the magnetic support
• LED technology
• UV filter protection
• Complies with the European standard for medical devices
• Surface size: 20.5 x 12 x 1.5cm
• Weight: 200 gr

Our opinion: the Medisana brand is a valid guarantee of professionalism and this device has an excellent quality-price ratio. Small and handy lamp, it is effective with treatments lasting at least 30 minutes and must be kept at a distance of about 10 cm. Less powerful than the other proposals, this one is suitable for those with a limited purchase budget.
More information on the Medisana LT 460 lamp

Tecboss - Phototherapy lamp with timer

The Tecboss phototherapy lamp, equipped with a built-in automatic timer, has different color temperatures (white, natural white and warm white) suitable for different work environments. It also has an adjustable brightness on 5 levels of intensity.

Description :

• Rear bracket to rotate the angle, adaptable to any work station
• Brightness selectable between 5 intensity levels, up to 10,000 lux
• Built-in automatic timer from 10 to 60 minutes in 4 sessions (10/20/30/60 minutes)
• With the memory function, you can automatically save the frequently used mode
• LED technology
• Free of UV rays
• Powered by USB cable
• Case included in the package

Our opinion: despite the excellent functionality, this lamp model is the cheapest among those proposed by us. Given the maximum intensity it can achieve, this is not a very powerful device but we still believe it performs well. It is an excellent phototherapy lamp for those on a limited purchase budget.
More information on the Tecboss lamp.

Beurer TL 41 - Compact light therapy lamp

The Beurer TL41 light therapy lamp has a compact shape and minimalist design. It's smaller in size than other top-of-the-line lamp models and you'll need to make sure you're close enough to the screen to enjoy the benefits, but the price is cheaper.

Features:

• 10,000 lux of power
• Use: to be placed close to the face (max 20 cm)
• Ideal for office use
• LED technology: homogeneous and comfortable lighting
• Flicker-free and UV-free
• One button operation
• Accredited medical device
• Screen area: 27 x 20.7 x 8cm

Our opinion: it is the minimalist Beurer model par excellence. This lamp has only one function and is effective if the treatment is done at a close distance (20 cm). It is not very practical.
More information on the Beurer TL 41 lamp.

Choosing a phototherapy lamp: benefits and advice for use

• How we select the products:

As with all guides, tests and comparisons, we check several selection criteria:

>> Analysis of scientific studies on the effects of light therapy
>> Study and comparison of the different models existing on the market
>> Survey on product certification standards and brand founders
>> Notices and returns from users who have purchased products on different merchant sites
>> After-sales service, delivery, prices

• The special case of sunrise and sunset simulators:

Several brands offer models of sunrise and sunset simulators with integrated alarm clocks, not to be confused with phototherapy lamps.
In these devices, the light intensity rarely exceeds 300 lux: they are mostly bedroom lamps with the aim of reconciling sleep or, on the contrary, of encouraging a gentle awakening.

This model of sunrise and sunset simulator, Philips Somneo, is ideal for all those people who are looking for a multifunctional bedside lamp: reading lamp, alarm clock with natural light, radio, soft music and sleep monitoring ... an object with a particular design for an elegant environment.
Learn more about the Philips Somneo lamp

The first uses of phototherapy date back to Ancient Egypt, when the positive effects of sunlight on our body were already known.

In the early 1900s, the Danish physician Niels Ryberg Finsen made an important discovery: phototherapy can also be used to treat skin problems. This study is considered the precursor to the use of light rays for therapeutic purposes.

Subsequently, in 1984, following the research of Dr. Normal E. Rosenthal, psychiatrist and researcher, who highlighted the link between the lack of light and seasonal depression (if our body is less exposed to light, the production of serotonin, "the" hormone of good humor "), several companies have started developing systems to make the most of the positive effects of light. It is in this context that the first real lamps for phototherapy were born.

Nowadays, widely used to combat mood disorders, chronic fatigue or jet lag, the phototherapy lamp is a natural solution to improve one's well-being, especially in the winter season.

The ideal would be to start phototherapy treatments in early winter, from November onwards, when the days get shorter.
In fact, to ensure a balanced biological rhythm, our body needs to be exposed to the sun's rays every day. In the absence of a regular exposure, or in the case of a limited one (for example when the days get shorter), the photoreceptors in our retina cannot regulate the production of melatonin. It is thanks to melatonin, also known as 'L"sleep hormone ", that we fall asleep every night.
The body therefore needs its daily dose of light to properly regulate the sleep rhythm and to be able to stay energetic during the winter.

In case of sleep disturbances, jet-lag, low energy or seasonal depression, the daily exposure to light radiation from a phototherapy lamp allows the body to restore the correct functioning of the biological cycle.

>> Difficulty getting up in the morning, chronic fatigue and seasonal depression:
a 30 minute session every morning throughout the winter, at maximum intensity (10,000 lux) and close enough to the face.

>> Jet lag and high sleep patterns due to shift work:
a 30-minute session at the end of the day, every day for as long as needed.

The first effects will be felt after a few days. For noticeable results, it is recommended to perform regular treatments, every day, for at least 30 minutes.

>> Size: the size of the lamp will have a direct impact on its use and efficiency. For the light rays to be sufficiently effective on the photoreceptors of the retina, the spectrum must be broad enough. For example, a screen that is too small will only be effective at a maximum distance of 20cm. But it must also be considered that a larger lamp will sell for a higher price and will need more space to be placed.

>> Price: A great phototherapy lamp rarely costs less than 60 euros, except for any special offers. The larger models, in fact, can cost around 200 euros.

>> Radiation intensity and power: these lamps must have sufficient light intensity, also known as "lux". It has been established that an "exposure to the intensity" of 10,000 lux, for 30 minutes a day, is the intensity needed to benefit from light therapy.

>> Certifications and standards: Currently, the CE 0123 standard is the accreditation that indicates that a medical device is compliant without risk to health. Phototherapy lamps must be certified as photobiologically safe (according to the European standard EN 627471).

>> Design and ergonomics: the shape of the lamp is important to ensure practical daily use. Especially if it will be placed on a table or desk (exposure during breakfast or in the morning in the office), the shape of the screen must be congenial to the space available. Some large-format models can be fixed on the wall, so you can enjoy light therapy even while on the move (the brightness must however be sufficient and the exposure prolonged).

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