I tried the Sunbooster SLS2000 infrared laptop light — did it help?

SunLED’s Sunbooster SLS2000 is a $265 device that attaches to a laptop to deliver near-infrared (NIR) light through three LEDs. Built for desk-based workers and people in long winters, it uses a motion sensor to calibrate the right distance before administering light.

Sessions can last between two and four hours, and the device displays weekly progress and NIR intake. Setup is simple: a USB-C connection to your laptop or monitor. In testing it took around three hours to reach 100% NIR intake, a time that won’t feel long if you spend the day at your computer.

I used the Sunbooster during the dark days of winter in the northeast and couldn’t tell if it objectively boosted my mood or energy; I did feel like I was doing something beneficial by hitting daily intake goals. The science is mixed. A 2022 study found indoor NIR irradiance is at least 100 times lower than direct sunlight and likely too low to induce an appreciable biological benefit.

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