Lightphoria 10,000 Lux Energy Lamp Review: Will This Budget SAD Light Leave You on Cloud 9?

Lightphoria-header

In Short


Product Name: Sphere Gadget Technologies Lightphoria 10,000 Lux Energy Lamp
Latest Review Date: 29 August 2019
Price Guideline: $$$

Modestly priced, fantastically portable and 10,000 lux makes the Lightphoria 10,000 Lux Energy Light eminently buyable.

MY RATING: 84%


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Features


  • Fully portable SAD light that emits 10,000 lux light – 10,000 lux is the recommended light intensity level to treat SAD effectively
  • Adjustable light intensity levels – Low (5,000 lux), Medium (8,000 lux), High (10,000 lux)

  • Programmable timer – set to either 15, 30 or 45 minutes
  • Small and compact, take it with you on your travels
  • 72 Energy-efficient LEDs consumes only 7.2 watts and is rated for more than 20 years
  • Tilt-back stand

Product Information


  • Product dimensions: 6 x 6.5 x 1 inches
  • Product weight: 15.8 ounces
  • Power Output Adapter: 110v-240v
  • Max light intensity: 10,000 lux
  • One-year warranty through manufacturer
  • Power cord length: 30 inches

In The Box


  • The Sphere Gadget Technologies Lightphoria SAD light
  • Nylon travel pouch
  • 110v-240v worldwide-compatible AC adapter included
  • Instruction guide

So How Does the Lightphoria Energy Light Work?


Made by Sphere Gadgets the Lightphoria Energy Light is one of the cheaper SAD lamps on the market.

The light offers the full 10,000 lux brightness that is recommended but actually has three light intensity settings – 5,000 lux, 8,000 lux and 10,000 lux and a programmable timer you can set to either 15, 30 or 45 minutes.

Simply place it around 12 to 24 inches away from you, select your light intensity, set the timer and bam – off you go. All you should need is to use it for 15 to 30 minutes each morning. Just make sure the light is received into your eyes without shining directly into them.

It emits the 10,000 lux at 12 inches from you and emits full spectrum white light and also has a one year warranty

To get the most out of this – use it every morning within two hours of waking up. If you use it within three hours of going to bed it could disrupt your sleep.

It also comes with a travel pouch and a 110v-240v worldwide-compatible AC adapter. The power cord is 30 inches long.

That is the basics out of the way, but how does this little box of light fare?


The Good


So one of the main plus points of this SAD light is its size. It measures around 6 x 6.5 inches and is about an inch wide. To put it into perspective it is roughly the size and thickness of a thin paperback book – so it is very compact.

Consequently it is also very lightweight. Both of these factors mean of course that is completely portable – you will have no trouble packing it if you are going away on a holiday or to a hotel for a night or two.

It also has a handy travel pouch. Just make sure you take the plug with you – this has to be plugged in to be powered, there is no battery power.

Another plus point is the price. There are a couple of portable SAD lights, and admittedly these use batteries, but they cost around $200 and you cannot adjust the strength of the light or set a timer.

If you are after a 10,000 lux SAD light (which lets face it you should be) this is a great option. There are higher end SAD lamps with more features but you will end up paying a lot more.

As mentioned above it also packs its punch with a 10,000 lux light strength, which is the recommended strength to have a positive effect on the mood.

The Lightphoria 10,000 Lux Energy Light Lamp is very simple and easy to use.

The timer has three settings (15 minutes, 30 minutes and 45 minutes) and there are three intensities to choose from – Low (5,000 lux), Medium (8,000 lux) and High (10,000 lux).

The few buttons you do have to press are large and operating it is self-explanatory. Easy peasy.

Other bits and pieces – well it uses LED lights, the average of which lasts between 25,000 and 50,000 hours, so based on using the lamp for an hour a day, every day, the bulbs will last just over 68 years.

It doesn’t emit any UV light and it also doesn’t throw any heat – that is to say the unit itself does not get hot. Neither does it give off any odd hot plastic smells which can sometimes be a problem.

Throw in a one year guarantee and good customer service and you have a pretty good little light.


The Bad


So the main drawback with this SAD light is the fact that it has no battery power – it has to be plugged in whilst you use it. So whilst it is portable you always need to be near a power source to use it. The fact the power cord is quite short doesn’t help either.

Tied in with this, it means that the light can be tricky to position correctly. The Lightphoria has a stand, but it is a bit flimsy and you can only tilt the lightbox in one specific angle.

The stand is designed only to be placed on a regular desk level – it can be adjusted so it can be placed higher or lower.

It also has a tendency to collapse quite easily which can be annoying. There are ways around this though – and it might just be that you have to invest in cheap piece of material to place under it and give it more traction.

The unit does have a slightly cheap feeling. It does feel like it might smash to pieces if dropped on the floor, but as long as you are careful it will be fine.

You do need to also be quite close to the light to get the full benefit of the 10,000 lux – as it has a fairly narrow field of light. The light field is around 2 x 4.5inches, so you can’t move your heard around too much otherwise you may move your eyes from the light field and need to reposition the unit. It just means you need to find a setup you are comfortable with and stick to it.

Some users do complain that the light is actually too bright! That it is almost a blinding light if you look at it (which you shouldn’t of course!). Just make sure you position it to the side of the eyes so it is not directly in your field of vision and you will be fine.


The Beautiful


Not much to say here. The Lightphoria is an inoffensive looking SAD light. Small, easy to move around, nice flicker free light. You won’t really notice it when it is not turned on.


And Does It Work?


Now of course this is something that can vary from person to person but the overwhelming opinion is that the Lightphoria does elevate your mood and help combat SAD if used regularly each morning.

Generally reviews are hugely positive with many users saying it makes them feel much more alert, alive and interested in life again.

This is a strong light, so you will need to introduce yourself to the light gradually and get it set up so it is positioned to hit your eyes perfectly as it can be a bit fiddly. You just want to be able to flick the on switch and soak up the light.

SAD charity SADA have released figures showing that light therapy is effective in up to 85% of diagnosed cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is backed up by study after study that show light therapy makes a difference to those suffering with SAD:

In short – the chances are it will make a difference for you!


Pros

Cons


  • Incredibly compact and portable
  • Gives you the recommended 10,000 lux
  • Very reasonably priced
  • Very easy to use
  • Emits no UV light
  • No battery power
  • Slightly cheap feeling
  • Can be fiddly to position
  • Narrow field of light

Conclusion


My Verdict

My Rating - 84%

84%

The Lightphoria 10,000 Lux Energy Light is all in all a fantastic option. Want 10,000 lux light strength? Check. Want a portable design you can take with you anywhere you want? Check. Want something that is incredibly easy to use? Check. Want all of this for less $70? Check.

Something of this price is bound to have a couple of downsides, so just be prepared to always have to plug it in. The field of light is slightly small, but not detrimentally so, it is perfectly adequate as long as you don’t fidget outrageously!

It is a great product and delivers more than some SAD lights that are more expensive. Well worth purchasing

User Rating: 4.4 ( 1 votes)

Other Options


An alternative portable, budget SAD light is the Circadian Optics Luxy, which has a minimal footprint and a really nice light – I love it and it is worth checking out.

Or for the ultimate in portability you can try the Deluxe Feel Bright Light – a wearable SAD Light that fits onto a visor and shines into your eyes. It is a lot less uncomfortable then it sounds!

If money isn’t an option then my favourite SAD Lights are mainly made by Circadian Optics – my favorite of which is the Circadian Optics Lampu.

Carex Health Brands also offer some good options.

The Carex Day-Light Classic is great as it provides light from above (the best way to receive light therapy) and has a huge field of light.

The Carex Day-Light Sky takes things one step further – it has the same huge field of light and provides light from above, but is amazingly adjustable and has a fantastic build quality – if you can afford it then this is the best lamp to get.

Another great option is the Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10k. This is reasonably priced and another top of the line SAD Light – with a lovely tone of light and a flexible design that can also be wall mounted.

If you would like to leave your personal review or experience of this product, or if you have any questions, please do leave them below. I would love to hear your feedback!

Don’t forget you can also check out our SAD Light Reviews Index for all of my SAD Light Reviews on one page or read my SAD Light Buyers’ Guide to pick the best SAD Light for you.

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