SunBooster SLS2000

pros and cons

Pros

• Easy to set up and use
• Potential sunlight boost for anyone stuck inside during winter
• Helpful for people stuck in the office all day

Cons

• Expensive
• Alternatives are cheaper

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Have you been outside today? Whether it's in the office or at home, chances are you've spent most of your time indoors. In fact, we spend 90% of our time inside, according to the EPA. 

Now, a new slate of products is available to combat our growing homebody tendencies. Why step outside when you can buy something that mimics the outdoors indoors? This latest product is a $249 device that attaches to your laptop to bathe you in infrared throughout the day. 

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SunLED, the company behind the infrared light device, known as the SunBooster SLS2000, unveiled its product earlier this year at CES. Built for desk-based workers and those living in places with long winters, the device conveniently mimics the sun's rays (minus the actual light). 

The SunBooster emits this near-infrared (NIR) light through three LEDs. It has a motion sensor to calibrate the right distance before administering the light, as near-infrared light can be harmful if it's too close. After a session, which can last between two and four hours, the device will turn off, show weekly progress, and NIR light intake. 

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We all know the benefits of being in the sun. The benefits of NIR light are similar. According to SunLED, it can improve mood and reduce drowsiness. It can help reduce inflammation and boost energy.  One study found that it has beneficial metabolic and antioxidant effects. The study found that it can help in the recovery process of atherothrombotic stroke, brain injury, and neurodegeneration. Another study found that NIR light can have beneficial effects on humans in winter. And another study found that ambient exposure to NIR has positive effects on parasympathetic activity by increasing high frequency heart rate variability. 

As a desk-based worker who spends most of her day inside, I tested out the SunBooster, whose product and function sounded simple enough. I tried it out during the last chunk of a cold, dark winter. Could it boost my energy and my mood throughout the workday? I also talked to a doctor about the science behind infrared light -- and whether people really need a device like this. 

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Out of the box, the SunBooster is simple to set up. All it takes is a quick USB-C connection to your laptop or monitor. After setup, it took around three hours to get to 100% NIR intake completion. But if you're at your computer all day, that time won't feel too long. 

So, did the light boost my mood? I tested the SunBooster during the dark days of winter in the northeast, and I can't really tell. I did feel like I was doing something good for my mood by attaching this thing to my laptop and hitting my daily intake goals. But maybe that's the whole point. 

Family physician Dr. Mike Sevilla noted some potential dangers of misusing the SunBooster in an interview with ZDNET. Because the device sits at eye level, overexposure could have negative impacts such as cataracts. Of course, the device turns off once it has emitted a sufficient amount of NIR, so you probably won't have the adverse effects of NIR overexposure. He also said that light therapy products and their validity can feel like "the Wild West" due to lack of independent research and regulation. 

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Would he buy this device? "For the price, I probably would not use this product. There are other ways to get to the goals that you want," Sevilla said. 

There are alternatives to the SunBooster that don't cost over $200 and deliver equally beneficial results, Sevilla said. Consider getting better sleep, improving your diet, and exercising regularly. You don't need a device for those.

ZDNET's buying advice 

The SunBooster worked as advertised and was very easy to set up and use. There were no issues in using the product itself, but the issue is whether you need a $249 device to mimic the sun and improve focus or boost mood. I can't tell if I got any objective benefits from the SunBooster, but it made me feel I was doing something beneficial for my health. For those who live in cold, dark climates, this could be another tool that helps you -- mentally, physically, or both -- during lightless winters, especially if your work keeps you inside for most of the day. 

If you've exhausted all your other wellness options, it's something to consider. But be conscious that these devices aren't regulated and the alternatives for focus and mood cost a lot less - they might just take more time than it takes to put a light on your laptop.