Mitolux Better Than Sunshine Review 2025: The Biohacker’s Vitamin D Sunlamp?

Whether your goal is performance, longevity, or simply optimal health…

Can a UVB sunlamp like Mitolux’s Better Than Sunshine outperform vitamin D supplements?

This pioneering light therapy panel combines the technologies usually found in multiple devices into one.

Mitolux claims you can get up to 4,000 IU of natural vitamin D production by merely exposing your skin to its light for 5 minutes

Although I wouldn’t rate any manmade product as truly ‘Better Than Sunshine,’ due to geolocation, skin type, season, schedule, and other factors…

For many people, this technology may provide invaluable nourishing light that the sun does not.

In this article, I’ll review Mitolux’s Better Than Sunshine (BTS) sunlamp to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Scientific Basis of Light Therapy With UVB

By some estimates, the average American spends up to 90% of their life indoors under artificial lighting.

The generic recommendation to offset lack of time outdoors? Take vitamin D supplements. Although called a ‘vitamin,’ vitamin D actually acts like a hormone in the body.

To learn more about this, see my article on UVA vs UVB light therapy.

Usually, UV light therapy is used in clinics with patients. However, a 2019 article concluded that at-home units are effective:

“Home NB-UVB phototherapy treatment was as effective as treatment in hospital, but exhibited cost-effective and a better compliance. However, the education of the patients should be strengthened to avoid excessive UVB exposure and related adverse events.”

Home vs hospital narrowband UVB treatment by a hand-held unit for new-onset vitiligo

The main concern is safety. Let’s explore whether or not Mitolux has considered safety adequately.

Mitolux Overview

Mitolux was founded out of personal necessity and developed the first broad-spectrum sunlamp that harnesses Ultraviolet-B, red, and near-infrared light safely and effectively in a single device.

When I asked their team technical questions about lighting, they were able to explain their rationale for each design choice, including using the particular 295nm narrowband UVB LEDs.

Device models

They’ve already innovated their design and expanded to offer multiple models for different goals and budgets:

• Mitolux Better Than Sunshine Sunlamp (Original)
• Mitolux BTS2 (New & Improved)
• Mitolux LITE Sunlamp (Simple & Budget-Friendly)

I recommend the BTS2 for most people, while the LITE option is ideal if price and simplicity are your primary concerns.

Mitolux Sunlamp features

Mitolux sunlamps have distinct features that set them apart from other light therapy panels:

• Scatter Reflector technology distributes light evenly for a more comfortable, even therapy (especially important with UV light)
• Proximity sensor ensures you stay a safe distance away from UVB
• Long light life of 20,000 hours equates to a product that will last
• Dynamic cycle mimics healthy solar exposure, protecting your biology before and after sessions
• Multiple wavelengths to harness the unique benefits of each light spectrum
• Several 2-in-1 devices with customizable modes for different use cases, light tolerance, and routines

You might be wondering why these features are important…

Benefits of Mitolux LEDs

I’ve previously written about the health benefits of red and infrared light therapy. With the addition of UVB and other unconventional wavelengths, Mitolux panels go even further.

Based on both their research and mine, I’ll share the benefits of each wavelength and the Mitolux models that include them:

Multiple wavelengths of red and near infrared light increase energy production by the mitochondria and promote efficient ATP synthesis [R]. This can even reduce blood sugar levels [R]!

The benefits you experience depend on your current health, cellular energy production, light exposure, and many other factors.

How Mitolux Works

The Better Than Sunshine panel has several distinct modes:

• UVB Mode (P)
• Healing (H)
• Fireplace Modes (1 & 2)

Note that only UVB Mode (P) emits UVB. Aside from UVB, the other modes emit the same wavelengths.

The mode you choose determines the panel’s wavelength output and session duration.

UVB mode

Phototherapy (P) mode is the distinguishing feature of this panel.

This mode delivers a dynamic light spectrum with the appropriate UVB. Sessions begin and end with non-UV wavelengths to protect and repair your skin.

To use UVB therapy safely and effectively, consider these factors:

• Skin tone
• Strength of light
• Distance from light
• Time of treatment

You can customize the UVB power level based on your skin tone, with settings from level 1 (very pale) up to level 8 (very dark).

Next, choose the appropriate session duration:

• Light skin tones: 3-5 minutes
• Mid-skin tones: 5-10 minutes
• Dark skin tones: 10-15 minutes

Depending on your current and desired vitamin D levels, they suggest using the panel 2-5 times per week.

Luckily, Better Than Sunshine manages your proximity. If you get too close to the panel (<16 inches), the proximity alarm beeps to warn you.

Healing mode is also a great addition.

Healing mode (red & infrared)

Like most light therapy panels, the BTS Healing Mode emits red and near-infrared light. However, it also produces amber light, setting it apart from many competitors.

Each wavelength has distinct benefits. Amber light, in particular, deserves more exploration (not just for enhancing UVB recovery, but for its broader healing properties)

While their UVB Mode must be used from a distance and sparingly on certain parts of the body, Healing Mode works more broadly.

They recommend using this mode from just 3-12 inches away. For superficial use cases (face, neck, hands, chest), use it for 5-10 minutes from a distance of 6-12 inches.

For deeper treatment (muscles, ligaments, joints, pain relief), position yourself 3-6 inches away for 10-15 minutes.

If you want red and infrared light therapy, this will be your go-to mode.

Fireplace mode 1 & 2

Newer BTS Model 2.0 panels come with additional modes for more passive use.

Fireplace Mode 1 — This mode reduces the effects of excess blue light exposure throughout the day (great for heavy computer, TV, or phone users).

Fireplace Mode 2 — Mimics candlelight, which helps alleviate stress, supports your circadian rhythm, and improves sleep.

I personally haven’t used these modes, so I can’t confirm how well they work, but it’s nice to see additional modes supporting health goals that unimodal panels may negatively impact (i.e., sleep).

My Experience With Mitolux

For years, I considered purchasing a Sperti Vitamin D lamp. I chose not to, because of safety concerns over fluorescent lighting.

I also considered building my own, but decided against it due to the risks of miscalculating UV irradiance from a homemade panel.

Several months ago, I was thrilled when the Mitolux team offered to send me a BTS panel to test out.

When I unboxed it, I immediately noticed some significant differences. The build quality feels high, with a front-facing control pad and a built-in adjustable stand.

I have several large panels, so the smaller physical size of the BTS surprised me. It fits conveniently on my work table, making passive light therapy easy—especially with the BTS 2 model

Before using it, I tested the panel with my EMF meter to make sure that electrosmog levels match their technical specs. They do.

I use it about 5 days per week on setting P3 for 5-10 minutes.

I didn’t expect it to increase my already high vitamin D levels, as I get tons of natural light exposure and my blood tests reflect that.

Interestingly, during the least sunny time of the year (between November and March), my vitamin D levels didn’t drop at all.

To my surprise, I noticed that it disrupts my sleep if I use UVB Mode too late—a logical effect since UVB naturally peaks around solar noon.

The BTS doesn’t boost my mood as much as sunlight, but it may have a slight impact on my mood.

I prefer to use it around mid-day to mimic natural sunlight exposure. In some ways, it’s superior to other light.

Comparison of Ways to Boost Vitamin D Levels

You have several ways to optimize your vitamin D levels.

Here’s a sidebyside breakdown of Mitolux vs. Sperti and other Vitamin D lamps versus supplements.

As you can see, each has distinct pros and cons.

Mitolux vs Sperti

When comparing vitamin D sunlamps, you’ll certainly come across Sperti. Sperti has been selling sunlamps for nearly 100 years and now offers 3 models. Their most popular model, the Vitamin D lamp, sells for $819.

The Sperti lamp has a short 1,000 hour bulb life, is clinically tested, and weighs 13 pounds. It comes with an extensive 7-year product warranty.

The biggest drawback is its use of fluorescent lighting technology. Fluorescent light has major issues with electrosmog (EMF), flicker, mercury off-gassing, and fragility.

I personally prefer Mitolux Better Than Sunshine over Sperti because it’s more affordable, compact, uses safer LED technology, protects the skin from UVB, has multiple modes, and weighs less than half.

Mitolux vs. Sunlight

An obvious comparison to make is between sunlight and Mitolux light therapy panels. Sunlight’s impact on your vitamin D production varies dramatically depending on your geography, seasonality, and genetics.

I highly recommend maximizing your natural sunlight exposure, as the sun provides powerful full-spectrum light

If you live in the tropics, you probably don’t need a panel, as ample natural UVB is readily available.

However, for many people, producing enough vitamin D from sunlight alone may not be possible.

Mitolux doesn’t replicate the sun’s full spectrum, but it emits therapeutic doses of key wavelengths to address the most significant deficiencies.

Mitolux vs Vitamin D Supplements

UVB light therapy does much more than just increase vitamin D.

Vitamin D supplements have become the most popular way to boost levels. Indeed, they can work great.

Again, due to genetics, some people do not respond well to supplements. For example, common polymorphisms in the VDR gene (which encode the vitamin D receptor) impacts how well your body processes vitamin D supplements specifically.

Even if genetics were not an issue, your body must process vitamin D supplements. This requires a healthy gut for absorption, ideal levels of vitamin D-binding protein for transport, adequate fat intake, and ample cofactors like magnesium.

There’s also a much higher risk of toxicity with supplementation.

While vitamin D supplements can warrant use, quality UVB phototherapy lamps provide a better bioactive form and a wider range of benefits.

Mitolux Better Than Sunshine Lamp Questions & Answers

Final Verdict: Is Mitolux ‘Better than Sunshine?’

Calling any product ‘Better than Sunshine’ is an extraordinary claim.

But compared to the other vitamin D sunlamps and lights I’ve come across, the claim holds up. The safe inclusion of UV light sets this device apart from all the top red and infrared light therapy panels I’ve reviewed.

Mitolux has already released the BTS 2.0 version, and the team is clearly passionate about health optimization through smart therapeutic light exposure.

This panel is small, portable, well-built, powerful, and intelligently designed to safely deliver UV light.

It maintained my vitamin D levels even through the darker winter months

It costs more than a typical red and near-infrared light panel, but few panels on the market include UVB light.

The next closest competitor I came across charges more than twice as much ($1,999) for their UV light panel.

The Mitolux sunlamp could be a great fit for you depending on your genetics, schedule, blood work, and geographical location.

While it won’t replace sunlight, it does complement it nicely.

Have you tried vitamin D sunlamps? Share your experience in the comments below!

Mitolux Better Than Sunshine

Mitolux redefines UVB light therapy with a cutting-edge sunlamp that blends UVB, red, and near-infrared light. Unlike traditional vitamin D lamps, it uses LED technology for safer, flicker-free, and low-EMF exposure. With smart safety features and customizable modes, Mitolux offers a precise and effective way to harness the benefits of therapeutic light. But is there a catch?

Editor's Rating:
4.65

Pros

• 13/14 customizable modes for UVB + amber + red light therapy
• 5-7 different beneficial light wavelengths
• 20,000-hour light lifespan
• Uses LED technology, eliminating flicker & EMF risks
• Scatter Reflector technology evenly disburses light
• Dynamic wavelengths protect skin before and after UVB exposure

Cons

• Not ideal for those prone to sunburn
• Using UVB mode too late in the disrupts sleep
• Still doesn't fully replace natural sunlight exposure
• Didn't increase my (already high) vitamin D levels