Description
The NorthStar 10,000 delivers high-intensity, evenly distributed light designed to support your daily routine. With up to 10,000 lux at 24 inches, it provides a simple and effective way to incorporate bright light into your environment—at home or at work.
Product Highlights
- 10,000 lux at 24 inches
- Seven-year warranty for the original owner
- 60-day, 100% money-back trial
- High-reflective interior (95%) for optimal light distribution
- Two broad-spectrum bulbs (UV-free, CRI 84, 4100K)
- Quiet electronic ballast (25,000 Hz) with flicker-free operation
- Compact design for tabletop or office use
- Low-glare, prismatic diffuser for comfortable viewing
- Versatile positioning: horizontal, vertical, wall-mounted, or optional stand
Kennaty Jaxson (verified owner) –
I bought one of these boxes over 5 years ago and use it everyday. It has never needed a new bulb and is still working great. It is a very good product.
John Williams (verified owner) –
I bought this unit a bit skeptical of whether or not light would work for treating my winter blues. After a few days, I found myself feeling more energetic and less tired than I have felt in months. I plan on giving this to a couple of my family members to help get them through this winter season. Thank you for making such a great product.
PIA (verified owner) –
I had tried a light box from a friend from ANL and liked it so much that I bought my own. I am so looking forward to the long happy winter that awaits me! What an easy to use great product.
Brooke (verified owner) –
I borrowed the Northstar from a friend last fall and used it all winter. It made such a huge difference in my mood, ability to sleep and get up and get going in the mornings. I had purchased a smaller light and it just didnt seem to help. This light box worked for me! No more winter blues . I cant say enough about this light box. I had to get my own. My friend wants hers back.
Richard (verified owner) –
I purchased this Alaska light box in 2009 and had it next to me on my home office desk all winter. I can’t believe what a difference it made in my attitude during a long dark Minnesota winter. I liked it so much I purchased a second unit for my wife to use in our den while she is reading during winter season. Now we will both be in good moods all winter!
Tedd Riggs (verified owner) –
I have owned now two of the Alaska Northern Lights and can only say good words about them. The quality of construction is superb, not some cheap plastic or tin lights, these are built to last, look very well with their modern design and more then any of these items, they Work, and very very well.
I live in Seattle where the winters are long and dark and winter blues had been a problem for quite some time for me, these light are wonderful, I feel so relaxed at first and then more energy. Its my small vacation all to myself and its provided a entire new outlook on life. Give the light 2-3 days and my guess is you will feel a wonderful difference. I sure have.
Adrock (verified owner) –
I recently purchased a North Star 10,000 light box from alaskanorthernlights.com. I live in Minnesota, where the winters can be especially dark and brutal. I was really dragging through the days last winter (especially in January and February) so I decided to give bright light therapy a try.
I’m sure that your initial reaction will be…”Well…this just looks like a fluorescent light fixture from the office…” when you first take it out of the box. Once you have it assembled (easy) and flip that switch the first time…you’ll see that it is no ordinary light. 10,000 LUX of beautiful white light with absolutely no ballast noise just POURS out of this light box. I gotta say…I’m just starting out with it but this is going to really put a BIG dent in the winter blues (oversleeping, no energy, etc.). I’m a believer.
SMASH the winter blues…grab one of these TODAY!
Ron Reddy (verified owner) –
I was listening to NPR and heard the program at the above link regarding winter blues.
True to what’s said in the article, this light box works great to help with the winter blues. I believe this is the most expensive light box, but definitively worth it.
Patrick L. (verified owner) –
I got the light 2 days ago and what a difference it has made. I feel energized and alert all day. It seems like my winter days are almost as enjoyable as my summer days now. BUY IT!
Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL (verified owner) –
The Light Box / Alaska Northern Lights is an excellent tool. It provides the light to help mimic the sun. By Gregg L. Friedman MD, Psychiatrist, Hallandale Beach, FL
Carole Greg (verified owner) –
I live in the middle of the U.S. and I am hoping all the reviews I have read are right. I have used lights, but nothing like this. Today it is the end of September, 2012, and I can feel the gloom starting to set in. The light arrived today, boxed well and the quality is fine. At this time all is well with the light, and I am feeling as if I could sleep about 10 hours a night. During the summer, I can sleep about 6 hours a night and feel great, so I am hoping to return to the great feeling even if I have to sleep 8 hours a day. I will update in the future as the dark days come into play. I have this light at arms length to my right side as not to cause glare on my laptop. As I add to my review I will try to post hours used and how I feel at that usage. As I said, I have used other lights, but this is bright and I can actually feel the difference already with just a few hours of use. The price on this product is not cheap but either is the cost of not feeling good. The quality of construction, and the speed of shipping is high, if it works as I am expecting, I plan to purchase another light for the left side. You can relate to how this feels by thinking of the first sunny warm day in the spring. However as I already stated, first day, first hours, but it is looking good and feeling great. Three hours 9-28
12/22 update: Yes the product is pricey but well worth every penny. I am loving the way it adds mega light to my day. 15 to 30 minutes on the right side of my face. For me, the effect is so great that I have to watch how much light I am getting. This has shown me exactly how sensitive I am to the drop off of light as the increase of my energy is great with this light. I am still working out the time spent with this product on. Well worth the money spent; I would buy it again and again.
Canuck Girl (verified owner) –
On the advice of a good friend, I purchased a light box from ANL in fall of 2007. Up until that time I ended up on meds every winter. After just a couple of days of using the light box I found my mood lifting. I use it from September to end of April about 20 minutes each day. It sits on my vanity while I apply my makeup and style my hair. It is an exceptional product. This is my 5th winter and it still works perfectly. I haven’t even had to replace any bulbs.
Jo E. Cable (verified owner) –
Best Purchase I’ve ever spent on myself!
I was so desperate to get help. After searching and comparing different Light Boxes for 3-5 hours on the internet I picked the Alaska Northern Lights and have no regrets. Everyone is different so there’s no need to tell you the time length it took for me to start noticing the difference.. just know that when I began to feel a change for the better in me.. I found hope! I will tell you I have had the light for six weeks. The most important thing I want you to know is this…. if you are experiencing winter blues, please please get a Light Box.
Happy User (verified owner) –
I bought my light in July but have waited for winter weather to give review to see how well it worked. It works great. I have a bad case of winter blues and it definitely helped. I live in the Northwest with lots of cloudy, rainy weather. I feel more energetic and happier. It is sturdy, reliable, and safe. I checked this out carefully. It is rather big and I needed to buy the stand for convenience so I would suggest getting them together for less money. The stand moves easily and the light box is secure on it. Definitely a good buy if you have space for it.
RJ (verified owner) –
I’ll be dog gone, something works like they said it would. I feel so much better using the Light Box – Alaska Northern Lights. It took 30 min. every morning for me. Took three days using Northern Lights before it worked well for me. Worth the money.
RJ in Linden, MI
scrapqueen (verified owner) –
I was very impressed with the customer service. My product came with one bulb broken. I called and was sent one right away. The product itself is great quality and well worth the money I was pleased. Im beginning to feel my spirits pick up thank you
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I have known that my husband deals with winter blues for most of our 27 yrs of marriage; it was such a drag to have to remove all the curtains in our bedroom because I need dark and quiet to sleep and even then I have problems sleeping. Recently there was a speaker at our local hospital. I decided to look into the lights. I purchased a very small, portable one for me and this big one to go in the living room. I exercised this morning under the light of this big one. It was very nice. I have not had to take the afternoon meds and hope that I will eventually have the peace of mind and courage to not take the morning one. It feels good to feel good.
AZLazy (verified owner) –
I have owned a box just like this when I lived in Indiana. When I moved to Phoenix, I sold it… But Phoenix too can have periods of gray days, so I ordered this one. I am back to my old self now. Don’t fall for those lights with less than 10,000 lux. They won’t help. Also, I discovered their customer service is amazing. I was missing a part, called them, got their voice mail, left a message, and the next day I received the part. They had figured out my address, left me a voice mail, and overnighted the part to me.
bradley (verified owner) –
Im from chicago and winter is not my best season. Im already tired before getting out of bed. My doctor recommended this “box” which i thought is a waste of money considering its price. But my doctor is right. Now im not dragging myself to work. I just turn this on when i eat my cereal for 15 minutes and i can feel the difference. I even bought another one for a friend to help her too.
Stephen Thoemmes (verified owner) –
I moved from Arizona to Oregon 3 years ago. Been dealing with winter blues all this time. To combat it my doctor recommended a light box. He suggested a blue light box. I purchased one, which was very expensive for its size, and used it daily for the past 5 months. No results. I gave in and purchased the Northern Lights product. It was well worth it. I went to their website to purchase the large floor stand since this is a large lightbox. Another great move. I use this light with the rolling stand in my home office and in less than a month my mood is lighter and I feel invigorated. So in my mind I can’t chalk it up to the ‘placebo effect’ since I used another type of light earlier to no effect. This light made a marked difference. So I would suggest purchasing this light and its optional floor stand and drive away the blues.
Douglas E (verified owner) –
I just bought this to combat a lifetime tendency toward winter blues, so have not used it a full, low-light season yet, but with my one month of use, I was very impressed. Easy to assemble and use, and very powerful. It lights up our whole first floor. 🙂
Desert Sage (verified owner) –
It took about a week, but I definitely noticed an upswing in my morning mood. This is especially true if I’m very close to the lights. There are WAY worse ways to throw away $300. I took a chance and it’s paid off.
Customer (verified owner) –
I bought this light for my daughter. She also lives in an interior townhome that doesn’t get a lot of natural light. She hasn’t used it as much as I had hoped but I can say this light is super bright and just having it on in the room brightens my mood.
Jay (verified owner) –
I’m very satisfied, it’s very powerful, not any problems with it, no sound, sturdy.
Purchasing tip: for light boxes you need 10,000 lux (a measure of brightness) AT THE DISTANCE YOU USE IT. So, a box that it is rated at 10,000 lux at 12″ means that it needs to be 12.0 inches from your face to get that light amount. And that’s an annoyingly close distance, and most people don’t have the patience and lifestyle do that close anyway, think about where you put it — do you really want it 12.0 inches or closer to your face? no way. You want to be able to read, or watch TV or whatever.. In contrast this is 10,000 at 24 inches, which is much more powerful, so you can be comfortably two feet away. It’s a big big big difference from a 10,000lux/12inches box, which I’ve also tried. It’s much easier to use this in the real world in your home while doing other things (laptop, reading, even TV) when there is more flexibility in where you can position it because of how strong it is.
I’ve had it at least a year and works for me, and the handle on the side is very sturdy and solid build quality. I use it vertically (handle on the side).
This thing is not tiny, I’d like it to be less bulky in my dream world. you can tuck it next to the couch or something when not in use, and then put on the side table in vertical orientation when in use.
summary: Recommended. I’ve owned three light boxes of different types (one conventional and 10,000lux/12″ and one blue LED mobile one), and this wins for general home use by a large margin assuming the physical size isn’t a deal breaker for you.
J. P. Cummings (verified owner) –
It works, period. Consistency is key, as is usage at about the same time every morning. If you think you suffer from winter blues, this is money well-spent, hands down.
It takes the lamps/bulbs a few minutes to reach full output; follow the instructions and it will serve you well. Well-built container, functional handle, and easy on/off switch.
Strong recommend.
BL (verified owner) –
If you need a boost from the winter blues, this light box is the way to go. Don’t waste your money or your mental health on cheap imitations. This box puts out sunglasses worthy light and as the bulbs warm up and brighten so will your mood. These boxes are lightweight and portable. Move them with you, or better yet buy a couple so you have one in each room. It’s especially great to use in the bedroom after your alarm goes off on those cold dark mornings. Flip the light box on when you hit your snooze button. You will be ready to rise and shine when your alarm goes off again.
Dana (verified owner) –
I have never written a review before about anything. I am so excited to say that the Lightbox works. I was so skeptical but decided to invest in it anyway. I am on day six of using the lightbox and today I felt better than I have in years, I can’t wait to see how each day progresses. I started out the first two days for three hours next to the box, an hour and half the third day, an hour the fourth day and a half hour the fifth and sixth day. Not only did I feel happy today…I woke up easily this morning without feeling like I was getting out of syrup. I really can’t believe that something so simple could be so profoud.
Take the leap, spend the money and reap the benefits. It really is worth it!!!!!!!
Clifford Mays (verified owner) –
Bought this for my loved one after a lot of research. Very Happy
Christopher A. Cage (verified owner) –
Product is great…love it in winter
JFed2 (verified owner) –
I did research for a while on light boxes and still wasn’t sure. But I was in a hospital recently and they had this light box there. After about five minutes of using it, I knew it was the one. The light is bright white and I really feel like I’m sitting out in the sun (without the heat obviously). I use it every day now and couldn’t be happier with this light!
Their customer service is also fabulous. When I received the light, one of the bulbs was broken. We contacted the company, and I had two brand new bulbs at my door the next day. Very friendly too.
Diane C. (verified owner) –
Yes! It worked! I wasn’t sure if I actually had winter blues because I feel this way all year. But, I work in a room with no windows and have for decades. I bought the light box a month ago and having it on for just 15 to 30 minutes each morning when I wake up has worked miracles. It was worth the price for the difference it has made.
necie11 (verified owner) –
I am in love with this product. I should have ordered it years ago. Now I look forward to the winter months in the Midwest. I’m prepared.
Bob-The-Buyer (verified owner) –
Excellent product. Received quickly and well packaged. Has helped with dark winter blues since I have been using it daily. Prior to purchase I had a chat with the manufacturer online who answered all my questions.
Customer (verified owner) –
Just want to show a “before-after”… It changes everything! Perfect!! So bright! Good mood!!
Celeste Martin (verified owner) –
The light is very easy to put together because the lights come wrapped inside the box. Only need a Phillips head screwdriver to put this together. Very bright and if light is going to work for you this light would be successful.
AnnetteT (verified owner) –
Great for boosting your mood during those long winter days & works great on those grey days as well.
Bargain hunter (verified owner) –
I bought my lightbox elsewhere, but I sure love it! As soon as I wake up I go downstairs, flip it on, and surf the internet or read a book. I use it for about an hour each morning. It, and a 10,000 lux portable unit I own, has really lifted my spirits, just within a couple weeks of use. It really helps me feel more alert, I have more energy, and it just cheers me up. I can’t imagine NOT using it every morning, it is a very pleasurable experience that I look forward to each and every day. I often turn it on briefly in the early afternoon as well, but I don’t recommend using it later in the day as it can stimulate you too much and falling asleep might be more difficult (I learned from experience one day). This is very well made, and I feel like it will last forever (even the bulbs last several years). Very good investment for your mood and well-being. I love that you can use it vertically or horizontally, and the handle on it gives it some measure of portability when I want to switch rooms. The handle too, is very sturdy. I call this my suitcase light LOL. It does not give me eye strain yet it is very bright. And you can be up to 24″ away so it’s not right next to your face.
Stephen (verified owner) –
Makes HUGE difference in my mood and energy levels
I bought this from Alaska Northern Lights probably 8-10 years ago. LEDs were not available at that time. I was living in Seattle when I bought this Seattle has very short days in the fall & winter and has notoriously grey skies for 5-6 months out of the year. I found ANL and they had a money back guarantee. I had always noticed getting down in fall, even when I lived in Texas for 35 years, but after moving to Seattle, it became more noticeable. Before using this, I had THREE alarm clocks in the morning and still could barely wake up. Apparently my body hibernates in the the winter. After ONE week of using this light, I was waking up without an alarm clock and before the first alarm went off. SOLD! I started using it in the mornings beginning every September and never had my energy levels or mood drop again.
One of the things that set this light apart from many of the others is that it still puts out 10,000 Lux when it is 25″ away from your face. Most other units require them to be 12″ (one foot) away from your face to deliver 10,000 Lux. That is too close to be practical. Do your research here. A cheaper light is cheaper for a reason. This one really works.
With this light, I just set it next to my computer and sit there for 30 min to 1 hr. Started bringing it into the office since it can be difficult to have that much extra time in the morning. Co-workers made comments, but all were supportive. Some even bought their own lights.
This company (Alaska Northern Lights) definitely builds one of the best products on the market. Their website has a comparison chart for other manufacturers. Yes, you can find cheaper models, but I’m convinced this is better, no matter the cost. Using it (or not using it) makes a dramatic difference. If I were shopping again, I’d look at their LED versions instead. They sell both.
It’s made a HUGE difference in my energy levels and wakefulness.
Bethany (verified owner) –
A+ Product
I have tried quite a few light boxes and this one really is a great quality. It is big enough for me AND my hubby to sit in front of it while watching the morning news. It has helped us so much and I would recommend it to everyone!
WinterHappy (verified owner) –
A Winter Must!
My Northstar 10,000 is perfect for our dark mornings here the north country. I was concerned at first with its large size but when i turned it on my whole room lit up. I’m glad I spent the extra time to research this larger light box.
Preacher (verified owner) –
As advertised.
Julie (verified owner) –
I received the item today and it works beautifully. It’s a very nice compact sized light. I love how its the size of a medium briefcase. The light isn’t overbearing or blinding. I love how its a soft white bright light. It will help me beat my winter blues during the dark Iowa winter months. Thank you Alaska Northern lights! I love it! It’s a lifesaver.
Lee (verified owner) –
I love the way the light makes me feel. Really hoping it’s not just a plesibo affect thing. I dont understand how the box works but I like the way I feel and so do my dogs.
Dr. Christopher Pederson MD, MPH, DABPM (verified owner) –
I recommend both the NorthStar 10,000 and the Aurora LightPad MAX for all my patients that suffer. I am a true believer in bright light and have numerous patients benefit from this product.
Elizabeth Hawley (verified owner) –
We received this item as a gift. We love it! We keep it on for 30 minutes to an hour daily – usually in the evening when we are all home. This will come in very handy next fall as the daylight begins to decrease up on the North Slope of Alaska.
Shamonce (verified owner) –
I love everything about this lamp. The VA ordered this for me. I live where there is little to no sunshine during winter months. This affects my mood tremendously. I’m so grateful for this product. I couldn’t be happier. My boyfriend commented on how much happier and energetic I am since I started using the lamp.
The thing is, you have to be consistent with your usage. I use it almost everyday for at least 30 mins. Sometimes, I use it longer than the recommended 30 mins. I use it within the first 30 minutes of waking up. If you can afford it, it’s a great investment. Remember to take care of your mental health.
Linda S, Mother | River Falls, WI (verified owner) –
To avoid adding medication, we decided to try to your light box specifically. Erica has come alive. Her conversation is better, she is more cheerful and eager to engage with those around her. Erica says, “It makes my eyes light up.” Thanks for giving us an effective alternative to medication.
Renee D. | New Bedford, MA (verified owner) –
Previously, I found it difficult to function on my job as teacher during the dark winter months. I used meds for a few years, but I did not like the resulting feeling of being “drugged” or the accompanying weight gain. My doctor recommended trying a light, so I researched light boxes and settled on your wonderful product.
Kindle Customer (verified owner) –
I want people to know this is a QUALITY PRODUCT!
I have had this identical box since the mid-90’s – I bought it directly from the manufacturer because back then few people knew about this kind of light or the benefits. I worked in an office and since I spent more time there than at home (and I had the space there) I took it in with me. When people came into my area, they would say “Wow – that’s so bright!” and they’d play at shielding their eyes while they commented. But, when I turned the light off, there was a collective “Uhhhhh” of displeasure. I kept it on for hours and it worked beautifully. Now, I don’t know about that needing to replace the bulbs every 4 years – mine kept lighting up like the Energizer Bunny was in there for years. As a matter of fact, it was sometime in the last 5 or so years that it stopped working and I just haven’t had a chance to do anything about it yet (nor, thankfully, have I had the need to) – may just be the bulbs! So glad I saw this here. The price has actually gone down a couple cents – I think I paid $300 even for it back in the mid-90’s. If you’re thinking about it, it’s well worth the investment. And, I just want to add, I have received no compensation of any kind for my “endorsement.” If you can get by with one of those much less expensive lights, go for it, but personally, I don’t want to be tied to within 5 inches of anything for whatever length of time, and with this light you really don’t have to be.
Barbara B | Beaverton, OR (verified owner) –
I live in Oregon. We have a lot of days without sunshine, and I have suffered the effects of SAD. Since using my Alaska Northern Lights box, life is much more positive. When making the decision to purchase some type of light, I considered the ease of use. Your light box with the floor stand is the best!
J. Pless (verified owner) –
I’ve owned one of these boxes for almost 20 years. Have probably changed the bulbs 3 or 4 times and ordered the bulbs directly from the manufacturer. These light boxes cost more because they are better quality. 10,000 lux at 24″ says it all. I can actually feel my mood lift when I start a session. If you suffer from the winter blues don’t hesitate to order this box. It is quality and built to last.
JTgreek (verified owner) –
Found item I was looking for here at the best price online. Good delivery time too.
Gama and Papa Bear (verified owner) –
Product was purchased to be used for wellness. Product was chosen based upon a small study done at Yale’s medical school. light has worked wonderfully, and am happy with the result.
Laura (verified owner) –
Goood item and cheap price
I like this item so much and so good i really recommended
Jordan (verified owner) –
My daughter received this as a gift from her grandmother. The winter months in PA are a very dark time of the year. We turn the Alaska lamp on in the morning and it stays on until an hour or so before time to go to bed. We have already noticed how much of a difference it makes with those 5:30pm darkness days. When we place it on the floor we have also noticed our husky lying nearby. Looking forward to using it all through our winter months here in PA.
Aaron Buckland (verified owner) –
I got one of these from the VA. Works perfectly for what it is supposed to do.
Natalie (verified owner) –
I am very happy with my new light box. I use it every morning. As a result, I’m in a better mood and I have more energy. If you live in a cloudy dark part of the country, this is the best salutation.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I needed the light for health due to living in the Pacific North West, we have so little light for 6 mo in winter and spring it really helped. I did a lot of research before purchasing this. While it is more costly than other options, the value is unmatched as other choices were awkward to position (you have to sit within a foot or so of the lamp for efficacy), had too cool or warm light or had high glare value making it uncomfortable. The Northstar had all of the important things to make it good for me: high lux, low glare, and most importantly imho, you can position it so the light mimics natural light coming into your eyes from above. I placed it on my nightstand and turn it on as soon as I wake up. Helps with getting up in the dark and dreary am.
Thomas Antonio (verified owner) –
I’ve been using the NorthStar lamp for two winters now, and it’s genuinely been a game changer for me. Before this, I’d tried smaller lights, but they didn’t have the power or effect I was hoping for. The NorthStar’s larger size and brighter output make all the difference. Winters used to drag on, but now I feel brighter, more energized and noticeably more positive throughout the darker months.
Josh Gilstrap (verified owner) –
We have a NorthStar 10,000 and love it. Over time we’ve just had to replace the bulbs and ballasts (which is totally normal given years of use!), and getting new bulbs and information on the ballasts was super easy from the great staff at AlaskaNorthernLights.
Rich “GMG” Guth (verified owner) –
I moved to the midwest after decades of living in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose. The winters have been tough for me here. The Alaska Northern Lights NorthStar – 10,000-25,000 LUX UV Free Premium Light has really helped me. It is well constructed. I use it at 24 inches which delivers 10,000 LUX. But it also delivers 25,000 LUX at 8 inches. I am very glad I bought it!
Sharon Joyner (verified owner) –
I live in Virginia. I have been using the Northstar light box from Alaska Northern Lights year-round since 2012 with outstanding results. (This is my 14th year.) By sitting beside the light box every morning, the bright light not only helps me feel better, but using it also helps me sleep well at night.
Stephen Murphy (verified owner) –
Bought it several years ago and several family members have used it during long winters in New England. Handle gently but perfect size for bedroom. Easy to use and really works well.