Here at SAD.org.uk we only recommend products that are supported by genuine medical research.
At the bottom of this page we have provided a list of established manufacturers/brands that supply light therapy products of the highest quality, all of which are medically proven to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder and are fully CE certified. After sales care is also important to us and each of these manufacturers provide excellent warranties and there is good availability of replacement parts.
Each company in our Recommended Manufacturers list is registered with the Medical Devices Agency as a certified manufacturer of light therapy equipment as required by European Union legislation. (CE 0120, designed and built to conform to EN60601-1/-2, EC93/42, EC89/336, EN60598 and EN46002).
SAD.org.uk only recommend manufacturers that are on the list below.
To treat SAD you need a proven Light Box (also known as a SAD Lamp or Light Therapy Box).
Light Box definition according to SAD.org.uk:
Please Note:
*A Dawn Simulator is NOT a SAD Light. A Dawn Simulator only treats some of the sleep related symptoms of SAD but does NOT treat the root cause which is a lack of daylight. There is a common misconception that a Dawn Simulator fully treats SAD, but this is not correct. A Dawn Simulator provides an artificial dawn to gently wake the user (some also feature Sunsets to help aid sleep) which is a fantastic alternative to a blaring alarm or a radio blasting out, but it does not give a full SAD treatment.
** Some stand alone bulbs (with standard bayonet/screw fittings) that can be placed in standard home ceiling fittings and lamps are marketed as being SAD Lights. This is misleading as unless they emit 10000 lux they cannot be classed as powerful enough to treat Seasonal Affective Disorder. A this time there is no standard bulb, full spectrum bulb or daylight bulb that is powerful enough to treat SAD. They emit a pleasant light that can reduce tiredness and give better visual accurity but there benefit in treating SAD is unproven and not based on any medical research that we have been made aware of.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT CHEAPER LIGHT BOXES MAY APPEAR TO BE A BARGAIN BUT THEY CAN OFTEN BE INEFFECTIVE AND NOT PROVIDE THE RIGHT LEVELS OF THE CORRECT LIGHT. WE ONLY EVER RECOMMEND BUYING A LIGHT THERAPY PRODUCT THAT IS BACKED UP BY THOROUGH, GENUINE MEDICAL RESEARCH – FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD SEE YOU BUYING A PRODUCT THAT IS USELESS AND AS EFFECTIVE AS A NORMAL LIGHT BULB.
SAD.org.uk only recommend buying from the following manufacturers:
Manufacturers who wish to be included in this list must contact us providing evidence of medical research, EU certification and other requirements.