SAD Lamp and Sunrise Alarm Claims Audit

The six published claims

This table compares disclosure quality, not real-world brightness. A larger stated distance can make a lamp easier to position, but the manufacturer claim alone does not prove uniform output, comfort, durability, or effectiveness for a particular person.

Why the distance belongs beside the lux figure

Lux describes illuminance at a surface. Moving away from a lamp changes the amount of light reaching that surface, so “10,000 lux” is incomplete without the measurement distance. In this sample, the manufacturer-stated distance varies by 2.5 times, from 10 cm to 25 cm.

We do not extrapolate output at other distances. A simple inverse-square calculation assumes a point source and does not reliably describe a large LED panel at close range. Without a manufacturer photometric chart or independent measurements, a calculated bedside or desk value would look more precise than the evidence allows.

SAD lamp and sunrise alarm are different categories

A daylight therapy lamp is sold around a high illuminance claim used while awake and positioned at a stated distance. A sunrise alarm gradually changes bedroom light around wake time. A device can combine features, but a sunrise function does not establish a 10,000-lux therapy claim, and a 10,000-lux panel does not automatically provide a gradual wake routine.

Safety criteria from NHS guidance

The NHS describes 10,000 lux as standard when choosing a light box or SAD lamp and says to look for UV-free output plus a UKCA or CE mark. It also advises speaking to a GP before trying light therapy because it may not be suitable for some eye conditions or medicines that increase light sensitivity. Follow the product instructions rather than copying another lamp’s distance or session time.

How to compare a product page

1. Find the exact lux claim and the distance used for it.
2. Check whether UV-free output and a relevant conformity mark are stated.
3. Check whether the timer changes brightness or only switches the lamp off.
4. Confirm the panel can be positioned at the stated distance during normal use.
5. Read the manual for contraindications and the manufacturer’s session instructions.

What this audit does not establish

It does not establish measured output, output uniformity, long-term reliability, individual health outcomes, or which lamp is “best”. Those conclusions need different evidence. The table is useful because it exposes whether the headline number is accompanied by the distance and operating mode required to interpret it.

For the wider room setup, see the Connected Bedroom and Starter Smart Home route map. App-controlled lamps also depend on a secure home Wi-Fi setup and a family password manager for shared account credentials and recovery.