We looked for highly rated lamps in different price ranges. When the lamp is aimed at an angle toward a ceiling or wall, it outshines most other desk lampsand even many floor ones. So dimming from 100% down to 14% brightness requires only an intuitive sliding motion, which we easily became accustomed to using without even a glance. The Slimline Modern Swing Arm Desk Table Lamp is a simple LED lamp with two standout features: an AC outlet and a USB port in the large, heavy base, both of which are handy when you dont want to reach under your desk to plug something in. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Not everyone liked the look of the lamp in a real-world setting. Using a lamp should not be this hard. Either way, we both took an immediate liking to the idiosyncratic personality of the Matin Lamp, a delicate-looking model with a very lightweight, yet stable, base. In reality, you could use a floor lamp or a desk lamp to read in bed (and many people do). Designed to be topped with an exposed and oversize round bulb (included), this lamp resembles an inverted exclamation point, complemented by a delightful touch-sensor on/off switch. Why its great: The Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 with Clamp is a nearly perfect desk lamp in its practicality versus price: Its lightweight yet stable, affordable but not cheaply made, and slender but capable of stretching high and wide, to cast a glare-free and adjustable light wherever its needed. Best for: A bedroom with other sources of light, inviting the Matin to warmly fill in a bedside corner. Because the long arm can fold down, the lamp is useful for tiny spaces, too. Get this if: You want a simple desk lamp with a replaceable bulb and an iconic design that suits most office decor. Too bright of a light, and your eyes will tire quickly; too little light, and youll strain your peepers from squinting. But once we positioned the Nova normally, that never occurred again. You may need to experiment with a few bulbs, but you can also use this lumens/watt calculator to figure out the best bulb for your room. And we thought the shiny coat on the black version (no longer available as a desk lamp) made the Fors look more plasticky than it did in online photos. A classic lamp, if you dont need to adjust it that often: The IKEA Hektar is one of the most popular desk lamps on IKEAs site. If and when this lamp becomes available in a standard-outlet version, well revisit it as a possible top pick. After 33 hours of research, were confident the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus is the best light therapy lamp to treat seasonal affective disorder. Best for: People who like to read in bed, specifically those who have a small bedroom that lacks a bedside table. Why its great: When looking at the HAY Matin Lamp, I saw a minimalist design evocative of Paris and chinoiserie. Dimensions: 34 by 13.6 by 7.9 inches (see PDF for details), Brightness levels: adjustable (touch button), Color temperature: 6,000 K (cool daylight). For more than a dozen years, Melanie Pinola has written about technology and home-office topics for sites such as Lifehacker, PCWorld, and Laptop Magazine. Also, one of our senior editors purchased this lamp, and the dimmer dial cracked after a few months of use. Also, since working from home is still a reality for many, Gregory turned on each lamp, positioned for both direct and indirect lighting, during a series of video calls, to see whether any of them improved how he looked on camera. Kindly put, its utilitarian. For the previous version of this guide, Wirecutter staff writer Anna Perling did extensive research on LED lighting and consulted lighting and optometry experts to determine the features that make the best desk lamps. This great-quality, highly adjustable aluminum LED desk lamp is affordable, and it can reach high and far. Learn more. But this non-height-adjustable desk lamp proved to be a non-starter for our own desk setup. The cord should prove more durable than rubber-coated ones, and having a lamps tail look as good as its body is a nice aesthetic touch. What kind of mood are you trying to create? Theres also an optional charging desktop base equipped with two USB-A ports and Qi wireless charging, but that brings with it a second cord trailed by its own hefty power brick, giving the lamp an ugly pigtail and marring an otherwise minimalist design. The cute, mushroom-shaped Lexon Mina M is marketed as a Medium LED lamp, but its smaller than many real-life mushrooms weve found while foraging. The metal lamp also has a heavy base, to prevent toppling. However, the base is too large: 2 inches tall, compared with the other lamps -inch to 1-inch base heights. Targets Project 62 Marble Lamp has been discontinued, so weve removed it from the guide. The Humanscale Novas ungainly dual power cord setupone powering the LED, the other for the charging basedetracts from the sleek minimalism of the lamp itself. If your room is on the tinier side, we recommend getting a lamp without a shade, or at least getting one that has a smaller shade. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Installing the PVC-laminated shade looks easy in the how-to video, but in person it took a few attempts to align and secure the Matin in place. We also looked at lamps that offer adjustable color temperature, like the Humanscale Nova, so you can choose between a warmer, golden light or a cooler, blue hue, depending on your preference. It also swivels 360 degrees from the base, has similar spring-tension articulation, and stretches more than 6 inches higher than the 90 Mini Mini, casting more light than its petite cousin. So those with small offices and desks beware. The Uplift E7s two-piece power cord is a bit of an eyesore on an otherwise thoughtfully designed lamp. A large table lamp on a small surface in a small room can look out of place. And when you pair it with a soft white bulb, the linen shade casts a relaxing, warm light. Yet we couldnt deny the appeal of the lamps buttery-smooth movement and its three-in-one adaptability as a task, spot, and ambient light source. Theres nothing fancy about the Alina, but we like that it looks substantial and modern without drawing too much attention to itself. The Anglepoise USB 90 Mini Mini Desk Lamp is a beautiful rendition of the archetypal desk lamp, but we dont think its best for most peoples bedrooms, since it runs on a USB port. It comes with IKEAs E12 bulb. Why its great: The minimalist Humanscale Nova LED lamp provides a soft and uniform light without any distracting glare, flickering, or harsh shadowsmaking it our favorite lamp for working in front of a computer. Well keep an eye on this feature. But its as basic as they come, sans any dimming or color-temperature options. When stretching the lamp to its highest reach (nearly 29 inches), we could illuminate the majority of our 70-inch-long desk with only a gentle tapering of light at the far edges. Many people who work at their desks rely solely on overhead lighting. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Best for: Average- to large-size rooms with one or more bedside tables. And the lamp head obstructed the monitor by about a half-inch, so we had to adapt to the lamp, rather than the other way around. Im a writer at Design Milk and the former managing home technology editor for Apartment Therapy. Theres no app integration or smart programmable options, but in everyday use, the E7s simplicity proved to be a virtue, not a vice. Its a tall, architect-style lamp with a chic brushed-metal finish and both wireless charging and a USB port. But if you want a cordless LED lamp that you can take anywherewe moved it from room to room a couple of timesits an interesting lamp. The Alinas 9-pound base keeps the lamp from tipping easily. Waveform Lighting has a good guide to lux versus lumens, if youre interested in learning more.). Lamps with shades or a tripod-style base require more space, and they look best on bedside tables with enough surface area to keep them from inching toward the edge (a half-foot of space on each side should be sufficient for avoiding accidental knock-overs). As of 2022, it seems the Fors is no longer sold in various colors and finishes, as it used to be; the only available color we saw was the nickel-plated one. You cant rotate the head on this lamp, but you can adjust the angle and height, thanks to a pivoting hinge on the arm. The ideal bedside lamp will fit nicely in your room, offer sufficient brightness for your needs, and help create a relaxing atmosphere that invites sleep. If you can find it, we still think its a great lamp. Although shaded table lamps are often synonymous with bedside lamp, we didnt limit our search to this definition. The term bedroom lighting is a meaningless and generic catchall for an assortment of lighting styles. Though most spring-tension desk lamps feature exposed cords at each elbow of articulation, the 90 Mini Minis snap-in assembly ditches this norm, channeling power from the lamps base to the LED assembly sans any visible cord or cabling. The lamp lacks only in its inability to fully rotate at its head, stopping about 10 degrees short of a complete turn. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. And once its assembled (PDF), its three-part adjustable aluminum arm can impressively reachlike an NBA centerup and outward, craning 34 inches up and 43 inches wide when fully outstretched (PDF). Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. How much light do you need? A desk lamp can illuminate the area behind or around your computer display, creating a more comfortable environment for your eyes. Because this lamp clamps onto a desks edge (an optional desk base is available, for $20), it doesnt require a lot of space. While reviewing thousands of lamps labeled as being for the bedroom, we pared our research down to 50 modelstaking into account aesthetics, price, user reviews, and the criteria listed belowbefore narrowing our initial testing list to 11. Although its the smallest lamp we tested, it stands more solidly than others, thanks to the quality of its powder-coated steel column and the oak base hidden underneath; the light feels surprisingly heavy for its 4-by-1-inch dimensions. It has a very high brightness setting with a warm color temperature. Whether tilting or swiveling, any adjustment required only one hand. by Kit Dillon, Anna Perling, and Nancy Redd. Ive previously written about floor lamps for Wirecutter, and my obsession with lighting in the home realm hasnt dimmed since then. Also, it has a propensity to kick backward like a catapult when positioned too far back and upward. We also didnt care for its crimping iron on a stand silhouette. A flexible-spring-arm desk lamp with classic design: The Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp is a larger version of the Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini, switching in a replaceable E26 base bulb instead of an integrated LED. Its minimalist silhouette, flat rotating LED array, and one-handed operation design are all plusses. Articles Gira (now discontinued) table lamp offers a striking, contemporary design, but in our tests it wobbled. And because everyone has different aesthetic preferences, we sought out desk lamps in a variety of style categories, from classic to modern. We researched hundreds of lamps and tested dozens to find the six best floor lamps, in various styles, under $300. Dont give in to tossing and turning because of random noises or light in your bedroom. This space-saving lamp is easier to hang and comes in a wider variety of finishes than other swing-arm designs we tested. Best for: Anyone who often reads in bed and doesnt want to disturb their partner with excess light. Our writer also tested how easy bedside wall lamps were to install. We havent noticed this being a widespread problem, but were keeping an eye out for this issue and will update the guide if needed. Other desk lamps (including ones we like) can look clunky, but the Mi lamp offers a refined and minimalist design. If you dont work on closeup tasks at your desk, if you dont feel eye fatigue with your current lighting scheme, and if you dont typically work in the evenings or in the dark (when an adjustable light can help reduce eyestrain), you might not need a desk lamp. We focused on shades and on lamps specific tasks, as well as on space-saving designs for setting a lamp on or near a nightstand. Shes thrilled when those topics intersectand when she gets to write about them in her PJs. Although the shade isnt adjustable, in our tests, reading near or under this lamp proved to be easy on the eyes. The Matins pleated shade illuminates the room with color, even when the lamp is off. At 25 inches high and 15 inches in diameter, this is a pretty big lamp; it looks best on a larger bedside table or dresser top, where its dimensions complement the space. A little practice is required to adjust brightness using the long press button-operated dimming controls. It took only a few uses for the controls to become an intuitive Look ma, no glancing required motion. This compact, adjustable lamp is powered via a wall outlet, USB-A port, or portable batteryfor an everywhere is my office convenience. Gregory Han is a design, travel, and lifestyle writer, and the co-author of Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire. Also, its easy to adjust with only one handstability you rarely see with lamps this small. Unlike arms on other models we tested, the 90 Mini Minis articulating arms never sprang forward or tipped backward, no matter how far we pushed the lamp head in either direction. The lamp arm is available in an assortment of finishes and materials, from natural brass to colored, powder-coated steel, so you can customize the lamp to complement a range of interiors. Melanie Pinola previously covered all things home office as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. Weve spent over a thousand hours testing more than 100 pieces of gear that encourage ergonomically healthy posture. Why its great: The IKEA Fors is one of the most physically adjustable lamps we tested (second to the Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini). We used the following criteria to determine our top picks: The Target Project 62 Modern Marble Accent Table Lamp (now discontinued) used to be one of our picks, but the design has been discontinued, so weve removed it from our lineup. The striking shape, touch sensor, and heavy base elevate it to a tiny design statement. He has tested and recommended everything from beds and alarm clocks to bedside lamps, floor lamps, and sofas for Wirecutter. When you rotate the lamp head over its center stand tube, a sleeve slides up to lock satisfyingly into place and directs light down through its perforated stemeffectively transforming into a warm, ambient torchiere. The on/off button switch on the back of the lamp delivers a satisfying tactile click with every press. Walmarts Mainstays 3.5 Watt LED Desk Lamp is one of the least expensive LED lamps we foundabout $15 at the time of writing. Lighting designer Linnaea Tillett explained, When you reduce contrast, its relaxing for your eye and keeps you from changing your focal perspective. Think of how harsh the bright light of a computer display is in the middle of the night; the strong contrast can make your eyes more fatigued. In our 2022 update, we researched nine more lamps and tested six more, based on the following criteria: These nice-to-have features also informed our choices: For the original guide, 23 staff members evaluated the 10 test models based on photos of the lamps and a brief description of their features. Its also backed by a lifetime warranty. A space-saving wall lamp: Onefortythree Wallace Lamp, A contemporary shaded lamp: Joss & Main Alina Table Lamp, A sturdy tripod lamp: Adesso Eden Table Lamp, A minimalist reading lamp: Xiaomi Mi LED Desk Lamp, A tiny statement piece: Andrew Neyer Goodnight Light, A readers delight: EQ3 Oxford Table Lamp, How to pick the right lamp for your bedroom, Lighting It Right: How to Choose the Perfect Table Lamp, Everything You Need to Block Light and Noise From Your Bedroom. A benefit of job-specific lighting: Having an adjustable lamp in your workspace reduces the contrast between the object you are focused on and the surrounding area. The Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini is impressively limber in its ability to twist, turn, and angle like a curious kitten, and it stays securely in place with a three-spring design (articulation can be loosened or tightened using an included hex tool). Keeping in theme with its diminutive size, the Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini connects via Micro-USB, but we wish it used a more-robust USB-A or USB-C connection. The all-metal wall bracket is easy to install; you secure it in place with just a screwdriver or drill. A rotating center tube and 180-degree V-shaped shade make the illumination easy and quick to adjust. And if youre regularly logging onto video calls, you might appreciate the Novas ability to soften harsh shadows when its used at low-medium brightness. *At the time of publishing, the price was $67. And when the Matin is on, its glow invites the transition between reading and sleep. Its slim (only 3.4 inches wide), and it has four touch-controlled brightness levels. Before that, he toiled behind a desk sketching childrens toys and furniture as an industrial designer. *At the time of publishing, the price was $180. At the lamps brightest setting, the periphery of its pleated, plastic-laminated cotton shade offers a very agreeable light for reading; at its two lower settings, the lamp takes on a more romantic presence. Keep in mind: This lamp demands a lot of real estate, not just because of its height but also because of the amount of horizontal space it requires. You can dim the lamp by holding down the power button, but execution is a bit clunky compared with the rest of the lamps straightforward simplicity. We also expanded our Other good desk lamps section, adding new options. Positioning a lamp near the corner can make a room look brighter by bouncing light off the walls and ceiling to reduce eyestrain. We were also impressed with the Novas easy assembly. Dimensions: 29 by 13 by 14 inches, with a 7-inch-diameter base. A slim, wooden lamp thats portable: With an octagonal base, the Octagon Portable Desk Light has the most unusual design of the lamps we considered, especially if you get it in the natural walnut wood finish. Note that its also a tall lamp (27 inches at its tallest), with a large, 7-inch base. The IKEA Forss on/off switch control is simple to operate. This portable and adjustable lamp has a compact base that can be powered using an outlet, rechargeable battery, or USB port. After researching over 51 desk lamps and testing 16, weve chosen our favorite desk lamps in a variety of styles and prices. Then Melanie tested each of the lamps throughout the day for over two weeks, comparing all the lamps side by side and taking note of the following: Melanie also measured each lamps lux level at the lowest and highest height settings, to see how each lamp performed with task lighting. After 33 hours of research, were confident the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus is the best light therapy lamp to treat seasonal affective disorder. We also appreciated the memory setting, which turns the Nova to its last-used brightness level, as well as a built-in energy-saving occupancy sensor, which turns the lamp off automatically when its left alone. And, unlike most desk lamps, this lamp includes a two-part power cord instead of one continuous lengthwhich could create an unnecessary point of breakage (and also doesnt look as tidy). The off-white linen shade helps to create a soothing light. The arm and head dont swivel, but you can adjust the height and tilt the lamp shade. Best for: Bedrooms where you want to add ambient light rather than focused reading light. Whether youre reading, dozing, or simply relaxing in bed, the right lighting goes a long way toward creating a soothing atmosphere. Before that, I designed childrens toys and furniture as an industrial designer, learning the ins and outs of mass-market product design from conception to manufacturing. The lightweight base is just too easy to push or knock over. It can reduce eye fatigue and help you better see what youre working on, and it can set the right mood for getting work done. We also found that when its time to call it a night, the shade is a convenient place to hang magazines, bookmarking where you left off. Some people rotate art on their walls, but hes known to switch out lighting throughout the year. Here are a few of our favorite small desks for cozy apartments and shared spaces. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Uplift also makes our top pick standing desk, so we know its a reliable company (and if you happen to be shopping for a desk, you can usually find discounts when bundling accessories). Turn it up all the way to read a book, or turn it down halfway or more when youre using a backlit device such as an iPad. Why its great: The Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini Desk Lamp is the most adjustable lamp we tested, and its our top pick for anyone who has to make every bit of available surface space count. But it didnt get as bright as the other lamps we tested. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in tech, productivity, and lifestyle/family topics. Melanie said as shes gotten older, she has noticed her eyes straining more when shes working on the computer. In 2022 tests, Gregory tried each lamp in a home-office environment, following guidelines established from our previous review. Compared with other task lamps we tested, this desk lamp is sturdier and sleeker, and provides better light. The integrated 10-watt LED is bright (without being distracting) and also dimmable. The Nova is also available with a desk clamp, a wall mount, a cooler 4,000 K light, or with extended arms for even greater reach (expect delivery to take a bit longer with these customizations added). Michelle Ullman, How to Pick a Bedside Lamp, The Spruce, February 9, 2019, Sherry Nothingam, Lighting It Right: How to Choose the Perfect Table Lamp, Decoist, January 12, 2016, How to Select the Perfect Table Lamp, Lamps Plus: Ideas & Advice, July 18, 2018, Ronda Kaysen, Light Bulbs That Help You Sleep, The New York Times, February 10, 2017, Extreme Remake: Bedroom Edition, The Better Sleep Council, November 30, 2018, Becca Caddy, The hidden superpowers of smart lights, The Ambient, February 21, 2018, Riya Patel, 10 best bedside lamps, Independent, July 10, 2018. The flat, 5-inch light head adjusts up and down and swivels nearly all the way around, so light can be aimed from varying heights and angles. The sum of its less-is-more design earned the Mi lamp both a Red Dot award and an iF World Design Guide award in 2017. With the turn of a dial, you can precisely adjust the brightness and temperature of the light (it goes up to 300 lumens and spans a color temperature range of 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin). But we think its small size, quality build, and one-button control simplicity may appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics as much as functionality. We preferred lamps that let us adjust the brightness levels (and made it intuitive to do so). *At the time of publishing, the price was $130. It has three lamp-arm hinges, a tall spring-loaded arm that rotates 180 degrees, and a lamp head that rotates 360 degrees, so you can aim the light anywhere. But when we needed to focus light on an exacting tasklike installing new keyboard switches or removing a bee stinger with tweezerswe could pull the arms downward just above the desk to cast a shadow-free, even light. Theres also an app to pair the lamps geographic location, syncing the Solarcycle Morphs color and brightness to the time of day. Unless youre in dire need of additional ports/power, skip this option. But the Kelvin didnt make the cut as a top pick after we observed flickering during video calls (previously invisible to the naked eye). A great desk lamp can transform your workspaceboth functionally and aesthetically. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. In the initial round of testing for this guide, we considered over 100 models and arrived at a short list of 42 promising desk lamps, which eventually got whittled to a final testing list of 10 lamps. It also has just one brightness level and temperature. Assembly requires just a tad more effort; both the lamp shade and the base slide into each side of the arms with a secure click, and two springs need to be stretched and attached for proper tension. Combined with the small, 3-inch lampshade, the area of light cast by this desk lamp is limited in comparison with light cast by our other picks. If youre really strained for space, the dual-function Edge Light Clock might offer an acceptable compromise, combining the features of a small light with an alarm clock. His work can be found at Design Milk, Dwell, Domino, Apartment Therapy, and Airbnb. Why its great: Many table lamps tip over easily, but thats not a problem with the Alina Table Lamp. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some minor glue remnants were present where a leg was adjoined to the center pipe, marring an otherwise smooth and fine finish. Its available with a base, clamp, wall arm, or as a drop-in desk support attachment. No problem. We considered dozens of options, ranging in price from $35 to $200, and we found seven that we recommend for a variety of bedroom styles and sizes. The brass finish of the Mistana Forrest Swing Arm Lamp arrived with visible scratches and marks across its arm, almost looking as if it had been used and repackaged. The luxurious golden finish of the Target Project 62 Dome LED Accent Lamp is only skin deep, and as soon as you pick it up, you realize why its so affordable. Flaws but not dealbreakers: Because the clamp needs a 2-inch lip to attach to (adjustable up to 2-inch thickness), not all desks may be able to accommodate the desk attachment without having to be pulled away from a wall. The automatic energy-saving on/off sensor failed us only once, when we were in a still, long reading mode and had the lamp blocked with other items. This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Erica Ogg. Its large size makes it best for low surfaces with sufficient space all around. This uncomplicated desk lamp uses LED bulbs instead of built-in LEDs, and its the most flexible model for positioning light just where you want it. Finally, to get real-world usability opinions from other people, Melanie asked four panelists to turn the lamps on and off, to change the brightness and color-temperature settings where available, and to adjust the lamp heights and angles as if they were shopping for a lamp in a store. Unlike those on cheaper tripod lamps, the fixed wooden legs on the Eden keep it from tipping easily. Preset modes control the lighting and color temperature for different activities, including reading and working with a computer. Here are the tools to create a quiet, dark sleep oasis. Get this if: You need a desk lamp that can adapt to different tasks throughout the day. This contemporary take on the bankers light works well as a bedside reading lamp, particularly due to its V-shaped shade, which you can angle conveniently where needed. The lamps organic stylea matte concrete base with a large, 25-inch-diameter off-white linen shadeappears soothing when its off as well as on (particularly when paired with a soft white bulb). The lamp cant tilt back at the base beyond a fixed angle, and the top arm can fling back with some velocity if positioned beyond 90 degrees. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Fashioned after the iconic British spring-armed lamp that has inspired innumerable knockoffs since its introduction, in the 1930s, this half-size update retains all the best features of the original design. More importantly, the brightness level was almost blindingly high in our tests, and the lamp felt and looked cheaper than the other lamps we tested. We found four of the best desk lamps in various styles to brighten up any workspace and help you stay on task. Power, dimming, and occupancy sensor controls are all incorporated into a single touch-sensitive strip, an interface that is easy to operate without even a glance. Our writer unboxed and assembled lamps in Wirecutters Los Angeles office. The lamps on/off control would be better placed on the lamp head, rather than dangling from the cord in the form of a cheaply constructed plastic power switch. Why its great: Although the Xiaomi Mi LED Desk Lamp is a desktop task lamp, its minimalist design and highly customizable light make it a standout bedside lamp for anyone who loves reading or working in bed. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company.