Verilux HappyLight Liberty 7,500 Lux Energy Lamp Review: Slim, Portable and Easy to Use

Verilux-Liberty-7.5k

In Short


Product Name: Verilux HappyLight Liberty 7,500 Lux Energy Lamp
Latest Review Date: 26 August 2019
Price Guideline: $$$

A nicely customisable light at a good price – it might not have the full 10,000 lux but the Verilux HappyLight Liberty 7500 will certainly benefit you if your seasonal affective disorder isn’t too extreme.

MY RATING: 88%

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Features


  • 7,500 lux of illumination (note 10,000 lux is the recommended light intensity level to treat SAD effectively)
  • Customizable light therapy with high and low output settings and two interchangeable lenses
  • Compact, portable size
  • Natural spectrum light
  • UV free

Product Information


  • Light intensity: Up to 7,500 lux at 8 inches to 10 inches from lamp
  • Weight: 1.9lbs
  • Dimensions: 11.87” H x 6.3” W x 3.52” D
  • Cord Length: 72”
  • Bulb: 36W fluorescent. Rated to last 10,000 hours
  • Input Power: 110V. 120 VAC, 60Hz, 0.50 A

In The Box


  • HappyLight Liberty 7.5K Energy Lamp with bulb installed
  • User’s Guide
  • Two Interchangeable Lenses: Comfort (installed) and High-Energy
  • One year manufacturer’s warranty

So How Does the Verilux Happy Light Liberty 7,500 Work?


The Verilux Happy Light Liberty 7.5K comes with two lenses. A comfort lens (which is installed) and a high energy lens. It also has a high and low intensity switch on the unit as well.

Essentially this provides you with four customizable light intensities, starting with the lowest and working your way up to the highest:

  • Comfort Lens. Low Intensity. 2,500 lux.
  • Comfort Lens. High Intensity. 4,000 lux.
  • High Energy Lens. Low Intensity. 6,000 lux.
  • High Energy Lens. High Intensity. 7,500 lux.

The comfort lens has a blue-ish tint to the covering which softens and diffuses the light, the high energy lens is more of a white lens that allows brighter light through.

To replace the lenses you need to unscrew two large screws at the top of the unit, slide one lens out and the put in the other. A small screwdriver on a chain is provided to help with this.

You are advised to pre-test your sensitivity to the light by using the comfort lens and the low intensity setting and then position the lens 18 inches from your face before turning it on and sitting in front of it for ten minutes.

If you experience any discomfort stop and consult a doctor. If you don’t you may gradually then want to decrease your distance from the light and increase your usage time.

The optimum usage is to have the HappyLight somewhere between six inches and 24 inches from your face and slightly off center, with the light directed at your eyes, but without looking directly into it.

The recommended daily usage time is between 30 minutes and an hour each day. Note however that to get the full 7,500 lux you need to be 6 inches to 10 inches from the lamp.

It is a natural spectrum white light using a fluorescent 36W bulb that is rated to last 10,000 hours.


The Good


The main selling point of the HappyLight Liberty 7,500 lux is the customizable nature of the light. As mentioned the two different lens, the comfort lens and high energy lens, combined with the high and low light intensity settings offer four degrees of brightness from 2,500 lux up to 7,500 lux.

As everyone reacts different to light it is great to have this degree of flexibility in your light therapy sessions.

The size of this Verilux HappyLight is a plus also – it has a slim profile and a small footprint. It barely takes up any space and will fit practically anywhere ay home.

You could definitely take it to work with you and use the comfort lens to make it less obvious to those about you. Along with the fact it weighs less than 2lbs it is very easily transportable.

The light is bright (depending upon what lens you are using) but quite nice. It is actually a really great lamp to read by or to do other crafting or detailed work by.

The comfort lens diffuses the light and gives it a blue tint whereas the high energy lens produces an almost perfect white light.

It is pretty simple to use – pick your lens and whether you want it at high or low intensity – and off you go. It is also quite sturdy and robustly constructed.

The price is also quite reasonable considering Verilux are a well respected brand name in the field.


The Bad


So whilst it is great to have the option of two lenses to suit your light therapy needs it could be made easier to switch the lenses. You need to unscrew the top of the lamp to remove the current filter and put in the new one.

Whilst this isn’t that difficult to do, if there are two of you using the HappyLight who both want different light intensities then it will get annoying!

A simple snap in/snap out system like that the Verilux HappyLight 10k uses would be much quicker and easier.

As with other Verilux devices, you need to purchase a specific bulb should the bulb in light blow. The bulbs are expensive, costing almost $30 including shipping – quite an outlay in comparison to the cost of the light.

The typical recommendation when looking for a SAD light is that it needs to be 10,000 lux for it to be fully effective in treating Seasonal Affective Disorder.

This device is only a maximum of 7,500 lux and that is only when you are 8 to 10 inches from the light itself. This isn’t a deal breaker but means you need to spend more time in front of the light to get the same effects you would from a 10,000 lux light.

The device also doesn’t have a timer – meaning you have to keep track of your time in front of the light yourself – which is a bit of a pain.

Also the base cannot be tilted like the Verilux HappyLight 10k.

Finally whilst it is a compact size and very light, it could be made easier to travel with by the simple addition of a carry handle or somewhere to store the cord.


The Beautiful


Tall, narrow and well constructed it has an off/high/low switch, a rubberised base and the lenses fit perfectly without looking removeable.

It isn’t anything to write home about but the build is good and it will fit inconspicuously in most homes.


And Does It Work?


It doesn’t emit the recommended 10,000 lux but it does its job very well. One user who admitted to previously being horrendous and rude in the morning said they noticed an improvement in their mood within the first week of using it, to the point that they now wake up pleasantly most days.

Other users said the light noticeably improved their energy and optimism, with some calling it unbelievable and saying they cannot imagine anyone regretting purchasing it.

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


  • Customise the strength of the light to your own needs with two light intensity settings and two changeable light filters
  • Small with minimal footprint
  • Great to read or do detailed work by
  • Very light and easy to move around
  • Simple to use
  • Robustly constructed
  • Switching the lenses over can be a pain
  • Replacement bulbs are expensive
  • Only 7,500 lux
  • No timer

Conclusion


My Verdict

My Rating - 88%

88%

Good option for moderate SAD

Whilst the Verilux HappyLight 7.5k can’t be called no frills, it does lack some of the features of the higher end SAD lights, such as its big brother the Verilux HappyLight 10k which has a tilt-able base and easy snap in, snap out lenses.

However without offering the full 10,000 lux it does offer a nice variation of light that you can customise to your needs and it is small and easy to use.

If Seasonal Affective Disorder hits you hard in the winter then you will probably want to spend a bit more and go for the Verilux HappyLight 10k.

If your case of the winter blues is more moderate then this is a good compromise – a solid, well made, good quality light that works at a lower price.

User Rating: 4.4 ( 1 votes)

Other Options


If you are looking for something similar the Circadian Optics Luxy is a good portable SAD Light, or for just a bit more the Verilux HappyLight Liberty 10,000 is a real top notch option.

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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