Expert Evaluation
Advantages
- Stylish design
- Lightweight and portable
- Precisely adjustable luminosity
Disadvantages
- Angle not adjustable
- High price
Our Conclusion
The Dash is a visually appealing SAD lamp that’s compact and lightweight. You can tweak the brightness to your liking, but the fixed angle can be a letdown. If it had that feature, it would be nearly flawless.
Price When Reviewed
Not available for purchase in the US
Design and Construction
### Compact but powerful design
– Diameter is a modest 16cm
– Featherlight at 415g
– Choice of two colors: Pistachio White or Terracotta Pink
Once upon a time, SAD lamps were large, clunky devices that dominated your kitchen counter. However, the **Lumie Dash** makes those behemoths seem outdated. This lamp is small – about the size of a travel mirror or a table tennis paddle. It has a diameter of 16cm, and the base is unobtrusive enough to not clutter your workspace. If you’re into posting stylish photos on Instagram, you’ll adore this; it’s ideal for a minimalist aesthetic, rather than tucked away in a cabinet.
It comes in two colors, Pistachio White and Terracotta Pink. We’ve evaluated the pink variant, but choose whichever complements your room’s vibe.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
It only weighs 415g! Meaning, it’s lighter than a can of beans. You can easily toss it in your bag while moving between your apartment and a friend’s place. The only limitation is that it must be plugged in, so no wireless options are available. Ensure there’s a power outlet nearby.
Functionality and Features
### Simple controls, fixed position
– Brightness can be finely adjusted
– Fixed angle at 65° (unfortunate!)
– User-friendly touch panel controls
Setting it up is incredibly straightforward, even your grandma could manage. Simply plug it in, and you’re set. The controls are embedded in the base and are adequately responsive – no need for excessive force. You use the + and – marks to control brightness or toggle it on/off. Simple enough, right? The **Lumie Dash** offers up to 10,000 lux of brightness, delivering a concentrated dose of daylight during the dreary winter days.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
However, there’s a drawback: this lamp remains at one fixed angle. Yep, no bending, rotating, or adjusting the angle. You’ll need to reposition *yourself* to achieve the best light for your face. It’s set at an upward angle of 65°, which works well if you’re sitting right in front of it. But if you’re planning to use it as a work lamp or for delicately slicing focaccia while basked in its gentle light, you’re out of luck.
On the bright side, it perfectly illuminates your face on video calls. So if you want to appear presentable on Zoom during the winter, this could be your new best friend.
Pricing and Availability
### Prepare your wallet
– £179 in the UK
– Not available in the US (at least not yet)
This product isn’t budget-friendly. It costs **£179** – including VAT. But if you have a formal SAD diagnosis, you can reclaim the VAT when ordering directly from Lumie, which brings the total down to **£149.17**. Still, you have to consider: is it truly worth it?
Emma Rowley / Foundry
If you’re outside the UK, unfortunately, it isn’t readily available in the US. However, Lumie does have other SAD lighting options in the US, like the Vitamin L, if you’re eager to combat that seasonal sadness.
Is the Lumie Dash Worth Buying?
If you’re in the market for a **stylish** and **compact SAD lamp** that doesn’t resemble something from the 1980s, the Dash might be just what you need. It’s **small**, **portable**, and provides **fine brightness adjustments**, which is great. However, it’s rather pricy for a device that’s limited to a fixed angle. If that inflexibility and price don’t deter you, then it’s worth trying out – it can provide solace through the bleak winter months.
Conclusion
### “A Trendy Tool or a Practical Light?”
The **Lumie Dash** is akin to that friend who’s always suggesting brunch at *hip* cafes – visually appealing but somewhat rigid when it comes to practical use. It boasts a lovely design and provides excellent illumination, but for £179, I expected a bit more adaptability (literally). Ideal for managing your SAD, but not particularly versatile for other uses.
