It might not be your eyes.
Find the right Serious Light
We make three reading lights. All use the same daylight technology. They differ in power, control and price. Most people choose the HD Original.Recommended by 500+ opticians • 99.4% of people keep theirs • Up to 90-day home trial
Hand-built in Great Britain • Free collection if you change your mind
Why your lamp is working against you
Ever notice how reading by a window feels effortless, but the same page under a lamp becomes a struggle by evening? That is not tiredness — it is the light itself.
Ordinary bulbs — including most LEDs — use a blue chip that leaves gaps in the visible light spectrum. Your brain compensates, filling in the missing wavelengths from memory. That effort is what tires your eyes by evening and makes small print harder than it should be.
Every Serious Light uses a rare-earth purple LED chip that rebuilds the full spectrum of natural daylight. Colour fidelity: 98 out of 100. There are no gaps for your brain to fill. Text looks sharper and colours stay true.
This is the same technology trusted by the conservation studios of the British Museum, the control tower at Heathrow, and over 500 opticians across the UK. More than one million Serious Lights are in use in 93 countries.
"I can give patients the best prescription, but unless the lighting is right, they won't get the best vision. Once I turn the light on, they see the difference."
Tracey Taylor, Optometrist BSc (Hons) MCOptom
Three lights. One recommendation.
All three use Daylight Wavelength Technology™. They differ in brightness, beam control and price.
Best value
HD Essential
from £349.99
Full daylight spectrum at a lower price. Simpler controls, less brightness. Good for second rooms or lighter use.
HD Essential
from £349.99
Full daylight spectrum at a lower price. Simpler controls, less brightness. Good for second rooms or lighter use.
Recommended — Pro-level light, £50 less
HD Original
from £399.99
Same light engine as the Pro. Same brightness, same adjustable beam, same stepless dimmer. Without the extras most people never use.
HD Original
from £399.99
Same light engine as the Pro. Same brightness, same adjustable beam, same stepless dimmer. Without the extras most people never use.
Cordless & remote
HD Pro
from £449.99
Everything the Original offers, plus cordless and remote options. Choose this only if you want those conveniences. Otherwise, the Original is the same light for £50 less.
HD Pro
from £449.99
Everything the Original offers, plus cordless and remote options. Choose this only if you want those conveniences. Otherwise, the Original is the same light for £50 less.
Not sure? Try one at home — you have up to 90 days to decide. Or call 0800 032 9366 for an honest steer.
Most popular
The HD Original
Switch it on and the page looks different. Not brighter in the way a stronger bulb is brighter. Clearer. The small print on a medicine bottle becomes legible. The words sit still on the page instead of swimming. The same light engine as our flagship Pro, without the extras.
"Not cheap but well worth the quality of life you get from these lights — my eyesight is too precious to waste time with inferior lighting."Mrs Thoday, Market Rasen
After years under ordinary lamps, your eyes have learned to compensate. They squint. They strain. They accept that evenings are harder. The HD Original is what changes that.
- Clear, sharp light on the page
98 out of 100 for colour fidelity. Full spectrum natural daylight. Reds look red again, not brownish. Words have depth instead of looking flat. - Up to 7,200 lux — 12 times more than a 60W bulb
Fine print on medicine bottles, phone bills, recipes — legible again. - Adjustable beam
One twist narrows it for a single column of fine print. One twist back opens it for a full broadsheet or a jigsaw on the coffee table. - Stepless dimmer with memory
Set it once and it remembers. Every time you switch on, it returns to exactly where you left it. - Snooze timer
The light fades down gently when you are ready to sleep. You do not need to reach up. - Hand-built in Britain
Made in our Aylesbury workshop. The specialist components inside a single HD Original cost more to manufacture than many entire lamps sell for. Aerospace-grade arm guaranteed for life. - Floor or table. Heavyweight or lightweight. Black or Heritage White.
Floor Light
£449.99
Pro Floor is £499.99
Table Light
£399.99
Pro Table is £449.99
Recommended by 500+ opticians • 5-year warranty • Free returns collection
Or order by phone: 0800 032 9366
What about the HD Pro?
The Original gives you the same light on the page. Same engine, same beam, same dimmer, same 7,200 lux.
The Pro adds cordless and remote control — conveniences, not improvements to the light itself. Fit a rechargeable battery (£50) and go cable-free. Add a remote handset (£50). Later, specialist chromatic filters (£99.99) or a diffuser lens (£9.99). If you know you want those, the Pro is worth the extra £50. Most people do not need them.
Floor £499.99 • Table £449.99
The HD Essential
The same Daylight Wavelength Technology™ at a lower power: 4,800 lux instead of 7,200. The beam width is fixed. Dimming is press-and-hold rather than stepless. The trial is 30 days, not 90.
It is still a proper Serious Light, and better than anything else you will find at the price. Good for a second room, lighter reading, or as a starting point. For your main reading chair, the Original gives you more.
Floor £399.99 • Table £349.99
Side by side
All three use Daylight Wavelength Technology™ (CRI 98%) at 4,000K natural daylight, with a 5-year warranty. Here is where they differ:
| HD Essential | HD Original ★ | HD Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 4,800 lux | 7,200 lux | 7,200 lux |
| vs a 60W bulb | 8x more light | Up to 12x more light | Up to 12x more light |
| Beam | Wide, even flood | Spot to flood (adjustable) | Spot to flood (adjustable) |
| Dimming | Press-and-hold | Stepless thumbwheel with memory | Stepless thumbwheel with memory |
| Snooze timer | — | ✓ Built in | ✓ Built in |
| Pro-only upgrades | All optional, sold separately | ||
| Go cordless | — | — | ✓ Battery £50 |
| Remote handset | — | — | ✓ £50 |
| Comfort filters | — | — | ✓ £99.99 |
| Diffuser lens | — | — | ✓ £9.99 |
| Home trial | 30 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Light source warranty | Bulb: 3 years | Light engine: 5 years | Light engine: 5 years |
| Finishes | Black or Heritage White | Black or Heritage White | Black |
| Floor light | £399.99 | £449.99 | £499.99 |
| Table light | £349.99 | £399.99 | £449.99 |
The HD Original gives you the same light on the page as the Pro — the same brightness, the same beam control, the same dimmer — for £50 less. The only question is whether you need cordless or remote. If you do not, the Original is the one.
Need help deciding? 0800 032 9366 Mon–Fri, 8:30am–5:30pm
What you get with every Serious Light
Whichever you choose, this is standard:
- Daylight Wavelength Technology™
The full, balanced spectrum of natural daylight. CRI 98% across the range. - A Stay-Put Flexible Arm
Position it once. It does not move. Guaranteed for life. - Dimmable
Find the right level for your eyes, without fuss.
- 5-Year Warranty
All three lights guaranteed for five full years. - Try It at Home First
90 days with the Original and Pro. 30 days with the Essential. - Zero Flicker
Constant-current drivers mean completely steady light at any brightness. No hum, no strobe, no fatigue.
99.4% of people keep theirs
We give you 90 days with the HD Original and HD Pro because it takes time for your eyes to stop compensating for bad light. Use it every evening. Read under it, work under it, fall asleep under it. If it does not make a difference, call us. We collect it from your door and refund you in full, including delivery.
The Essential comes with a 30-day trial. Same promise. If you are not happy, we collect it and refund you in full.
*Based on return rates for the HD Original and HD Pro.
"I have AMD and have not read a book for over 2 years, now I have. I am thrilled beyond words, why did I wait."
— Mrs Simmonds, Guildford
Ready to choose?
For most people, the answer is the HD Original. Same light on the page as the Pro, for £50 less. Order today, reading under it within the week.
HD Essential
from £349.99
- Full daylight spectrum, simpler controls
- 30-day home trial
Recommended — Pro-level light, £50 less
HD Original
from £399.99
HD Original
from £399.99
- Pro-level light, beam and dimmer for £50 less
- 90-day home trial. 99.4% keep theirs.
Or call 0800 032 9366 to order by phone
HD Pro
from £449.99
- Same light, plus cordless and remote options
- 90-day home trial. 99.4% keep theirs.
Something more portable?
Cordless daylight you carry from room to room.
HD ROAM £99.99
500g. 4.5 hours per charge. Black or white. 30-day trial.
View HD ROAM →
HD Mini £149.99
5 hours battery. 98% CRI. Charges your phone. 30-day trial.
View HD Mini →
Your questions, answered
If yours is not here, call us on 0800 032 9366 and we will answer it personally.
Which one is right for me?
Which light do most people choose?
The HD Original. Same light engine as the Pro — same brightness, same beam, same dimmer — without the cordless and remote options. The light on the page is identical.
When should I choose the HD Pro instead?
Only if you specifically want cordless or remote control. The Pro accepts a rechargeable battery (£50), a remote handset (£50), and specialist chromatic filters (£99.99). The light on the page is identical to the Original. If you do not need those extras, the Original is the better buy.
I have AMD, cataracts or glaucoma. Which should I get?
The HD Original or the HD Pro. Both deliver up to 7,200 lux with an adjustable beam. People with eye conditions tell us the extra power and control make a real difference. The 90-day trial gives your eyes time to adjust. The Essential is less powerful and may not be enough.
Is the Essential worth considering?
For a second room or lighter use, yes. It uses the same daylight technology at a lower power (4,800 lux vs 7,200). But for your main reading chair, the Original gives you more.
Floor or table?
The floor light stands behind your chair and shines over your shoulder. The table light sits beside you on a desk, side table or bedside. Both deliver the same quality of light. Choose whichever fits where you read most.
How the light works
Why is this better than the lamp I already have?
Most lamps use a blue LED chip that leaves gaps in the light spectrum. Your brain fills in what is missing, and that effort is what tires your eyes by evening. Every Serious Light uses a rare-earth purple chip that rebuilds the full spectrum. The HD Original and Pro deliver up to 12 times more usable light on your page than a 60W bulb. Most people notice the difference within minutes.
Do the Original and Pro really produce the same light?
Yes. Both use the same light engine: 7,200 lux maximum, 98 out of 100 for colour fidelity, adjustable beam, stepless dimmer with memory, and snooze. The Pro adds cordless, remote, and filter options. The light itself is identical.
What colour is the light?
All three produce 4,000K natural daylight — a clean, balanced white. Not blue, not yellow, not harsh. The Pro also accepts optional chromatic filters if you prefer a warmer tone.
Does it flicker?
No. Zero flicker at any brightness. All three use constant-current drivers, so the output is steady. If you are sensitive to flicker from screens or fluorescent tubes, you will notice.
Is the light harsh or glaring?
No. All three are fully dimmable and the light falls on the page, not in your eyes. The Original and Pro also have a snooze mode that fades the light down when you are ready to sleep.
Getting started
Is it easy to set up?
The HD Original and Essential arrive fully assembled and ready to use. The Pro comes in two parts that screw together by hand in seconds. No tools needed.
How big is it?
The floor lights stand 144–152cm tall and tuck behind a chair or beside a sofa. The table lights are 64–71cm and sit on a desk, side table or bedside. Both have a small footprint and the flexible arm means you position the head exactly where you need it.
Can I replace the light source myself?
Yes. The Original and Pro use a light engine with a quick release — just as easy as changing a bulb. Guaranteed for 5 years. The Essential bulb pulls out and a replacement pushes in, guaranteed for 3 years. After that, replacements are available directly from us.
Is it expensive to run?
No. All three use between 6 and 7 watts — roughly a tenth of a traditional 60W bulb. You could leave it on all evening for pennies.
Ordering, delivery and returns
How quickly will it arrive?
UK mainland delivery is usually within 5 working days via DHL. You can choose your delivery date at checkout. Delivery is £12.95.
What if I don't get on with it?
90 days to try the Original and Pro, 30 days for the Essential. If it is not right, we collect it from your door and give you a full refund, including delivery. You can also swap for a different model. Please keep the original packaging.
What if I buy the Essential and wish I had gone for the Original?
You can swap within your trial period. Call us and we will arrange it. Many people do upgrade, and we make it straightforward.
What is the warranty?
All three carry a full 5-year warranty. The Original and Pro light engine is guaranteed for 5 years. The Essential bulb for 3 years. The stay-put flexible arm is guaranteed for life.
Talk to someone who knows these lights
Our advisors know every model inside out. They will give you an honest steer and you can place your order over the phone if you prefer.
0800 032 9366
Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Or send us a question and we will get back to you