A brightness number only becomes useful when you know where it was measured.
Start with the distance
Lux measures the amount of light reaching a surface. A lamp rated at 10,000 lux provides that amount at a stated measuring position. Moving farther away changes the light reaching you, so a rating without a distance is an incomplete comparison.
Rise is manufacturer-rated at 10,000 lux at approximately 30–36 cm. Mini is rated at 10,000 lux at approximately 25 cm. These figures do not mean that either lamp fills an entire room with 10,000 lux.
Brightness and colour are different things
Lux describes light reaching a surface. Kelvin describes the appearance of the light. Mini uses 3,000 K warm-white LEDs; Rise uses 4,000 K LEDs. A warmer-looking lamp can still have a high lux rating at its specified distance.
Think about where you will sit
Before choosing, consider your desk, breakfast table or reading spot. Is there room for the lamp on a stable surface and for you to sit at the recommended distance? An adjustable stand may help with positioning, but it does not remove the need to follow the supplied instructions.
Read the whole specification
- Compare brightness at the stated distance.
- Check the size, stand and power requirements.
- Look for brightness controls and a timer if those features matter to you.
- Follow the product instructions for positioning, timing and session length.
Photographs illustrate the product. Screen brightness and camera exposure cannot show you how much light a lamp will deliver.
Compare Rise and Mini ↗Product sources: Carex Day-Light Elite and Carex TheraLite. Manufacturer specifications reviewed 9 September 2026.