If you're not sure if light therapy is right for you, start with a smaller and less expensive lamp. This model is just like the Luxe light therapy lamp, but more compact and with fewer features. This LED bright white light therapy lamp comes with three brightness levels. Bright light therapy can improve sleep, boost mood and increase energy.

The three brightness settings, each delivering slightly different amounts of lux -- 5,000, 7,000 and 10,000. Like the Lux, it comes with a stand that sets the light panel at an angle. The simple design takes the guesswork out of using a therapy lamp. Just set it on a surface close to your face and turn it on.

The VT31's light panel is around 4.5 by 7 inches, so you may need to use it longer than the Luxe to get the same effects. At around $40, it's a good introduction to light therapy.

We liked this lamp out of the box. It's slim enough to fit in any tight space or crowded desk, and it feels solid. It has a modern look to it that doesn't scream "I am a therapy light," and it folds down when you're not using it. It has a simple power button that cycles through three light levels: low, medium and high.

What makes the Lumos different from the rest is that you can fold and rotate the light in many different ways to get the perfect angle. You want the light to be at eye level and this lamp makes that easy to accomplish.

The only knock we have against this light is that it has the smallest light panel out of all the lamps we tested, at just 1.37 by 6.25 inches. Again, consult with your doctor on how long you should use a therapy lamp each day -- with the smaller panel on this light, you might need to use it longer.

Can't decide between the Lumos and the HappyLight? If you want a therapy lamp that you can keep out all the time that you can position perfectly, get the Lumos. If you want a lamp that you don't have to fuss with, get the VT31.

Depending on where you live, how many hours of sunlight you get each day and your individual mental health needs, your doctor might recommend you get a large light panel. In that case, get the Boxelite. 

It's a 12.25 by 15.25-inch light therapy box that's one giant light panel. Despite its size, it manages to be sleek with a design that doesn't demand you hide in a closet when it's not in use. The Boxelite lightbox doesn't have any frills -- there's just an on-off switch -- and we don't mind that at all. What's unique about this light therapy box is that you can change the bulbs when they burn out.

We see this as a good buy for someone who lives so far North (or South) of the equator that you get 8 hours of daylight or less during the winter.

HappyLight Alba is a therapy lamp from Verilux, and it offers the same features as the HappyLight Luxe in a smaller size and for less money. It has four brightness settings, three color temperature settings and a timer that you can set in 10-minute intervals up to an hour.

The round shape is a departure for Verilux, which traditionally makes rectangular panels. At just 5.5 by 6.5 inches, Alba has a smaller light panel than the VT31. Given that bigger light panels are considered better for delivering as much light as possible in the least amount of time, we're inclined to pick a bigger lamp, such as the HappyLight Luxe or VT31, over this.

You can't beat this lamp for features and price. You get the color temperature settings and a timer that neither of those lamps has. Plus, you get a larger light panel than the Lumos. If those settings really call to you, then this lamp is a good buy. Right now, you can save $5 on the Verilux light using an on-page coupon.

The Theralite has a clever design, but not enough features to blow us away. This lightweight and compact light box has a 5- by 8-inch light panel, plus a built-in cover and stand, which makes it good for traveling. That being said, it is considerably thicker than the other lamps on this list. It has one brightness setting -- 10,000 lux -- and a simple on-off switch. We like that you can adjust the angle of the stand, change the height of the light and rotate the light between portrait and landscape orientations.

It's not the best compact therapy light in our book, and we're not convinced that this is the best travel light either. We'd rather make room in our bags for the Verilux HappyLight or the Lumos since it can be folded and rotated to make it thin and compact. 

The Carex Day-light Classic Plus lamp is by far the largest lamp on this list, with a light panel that's 13.5 by 15.5 inches. While that's just barely bigger than the Boxelite, the lamp's larger stand makes it take up far more space, measuring 31.1 inches tall, 15.75 inches wide and a full foot deep.

There's an adjustable stand that positions the light panel at eye level or above with the light shining down, which, according to some sources, is important. Still, this lamp is a behemoth and something you'll likely need to make room for in your home. Because it's big and heavy, stashing it away when you're done using it each day isn't practical. 

This bright light therapy lamp doesn't get any accolades for style -- it looks like a 2001 flat-screen TV. We could get past the dated design if the lamp felt sturdy, but the fit and finish are sloppy, with gaps between the plastic pieces and buttons to adjust the stand that are hard to press. 

It comes with two light modes: Task (5,000 lux) and Therapy (10,000 lux). Like the Northern Light Boxelite, the Carex Day-light Classic Plus is better suited for someone who gets very little natural daylight, such as someone who works in a windowless office or lives in areas that get limited natural light in the winter. If you don't mind the unwieldy size and dated design and want to save a few dollars from the Boxelite, this will serve you well.