The 11 Best Desk Lamps of 2024

Ever felt that annoying headache while sitting on your desk for a little while? If yes, you’d agree that your eyes become itchy and irritated after just a few minutes. Don’t blame your genes, though! That headache and eye strain might be caused by poor lighting. Even if you want to get natural light from your window, you might notice that your eyes have become sensitive to light.

Wondering what’s wrong?Inadequate or inconsistent lighting can be the culprit if you’ve lost the motivation to use your desk for studying, reading, writing, typing, or crafting. Even if you currently use a desk lamp, chances are that it’s no more providing the right ergonomics for you. Lack of adjustability might be another reason you’re no longer interested in doing the desk work you loved to do earlier. It’s crystal-clear: you need a reliable desk lamp.

It’s not just about having a fluorescent light while carrying out an important task on a desk. There are numerous factors to look for in a desk lamp that will help you enjoy your desk time without giving you an eye strain.

Since there is a myriad of options available on the market, it might often confuse those who prefer an all-in-one desk lamp. Therefore, we’ve made the search easier when it comes to choosing the best desk lamps for 2021.

Let’s find out about each one in detail and make a choice accordingly.

Best Overall: TaoTronics

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Designed to provide soft, non-flickering, and stable light, TaoTronics will help you say goodbye to eye fatigue. The company strives to innovate user-friendly appliances that are sure to meet the needs of the consumers.

It has made it possible by implementing advanced technology in its products. The same goes for the quality of the TaoTronics desk lamp. It’s specifically designed for those who want an all-in-one solution while carrying out tasks that demand the highest levels of concentration. Besides using the no-flicker LED, touch controls pad, adjustable design, and a variety of color modes, you wouldn’t need to sacrifice the light when you need to charge your devices. Its USB port will do the job for you.

Best as the Smart Memory Lamp: MOICO LED Desk Lamp

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A table lamp shouldn’t hurt your eyes. So, this LED desk lamp is the perfect option with its eye-caring feature. It also boasts five color modes and brightness levels, which means you can use this item for reading, working, and even as a nightlight. What’s more, it’s also possible to set a timer for various tasks.

You can switch between the modes on this lamp using touch technology. You don’t even have to worry about clicking through all the settings to get that perfect combination; the smart memory function will remember everything! The adjustable rotation head and charging port are just a few more convenient features to remember when looking for the best desk lamp around.

Best for Adjustability: JUKSTG LED Desk Lamp

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As far as adjustable table lamps go, here’s an option that will give you no less than 10 brightness levels with 5 lighting modes. The controls are touch-sensitive while the blue light filter is just one of the unique features in this item.

With a high color rendering index, we can be assured of a decent viewing experience. The light is also stable and soft, which makes for an eye-friendly experience every single time. Again, the lamp will remember your preferred mode and brightness when you turn it on the next time. The modern design here has a somewhat unique round head. This shape makes the lamp easier to move out of the way.

Best for Setting a Timer: AFROG Desk Lamp

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You need a lot of features for a truly practical desk lamp. So, be sure to check this one out. It has a charging port, several light modes, brightness levels, an auto timer, adapter, and wireless charging.

The charging experience here is a powerful one since you can opt for either port charging or fast wireless charging. If someone needs a nightlight to fall asleep, they can simply set the timer and drift off—the lamp will turn off by itself in an hour or 30 minutes, depending on the setting. This way, you can have your light and not have to worry about turning it off to save electricity.

Best for Flexibility: Miady Desk Lamp

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When you’re studying for college or have to stay up at night for work tasks, it might be essential to have a 360-degree flexible desk lamp. When you have the Milady option at hand, you might have to look no further. This lamp comes with eye-caring technology, a few color and bright modes, and an adapter for power charging. Among its best features are its flexibility and adjustability. Therefore, you can look into this one if you have to change positions a lot.

The design here consists of several LED bulbs which provide a stable light that won’t strain the eyes. When you want to change modes, a touch is all you need.

Best for Quality: MEIKEE Desk Lamp

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When you’re on the lookout for a clean and simple desk lamp, this entry-level option might be just the thing. There’s a wide range of colors and brightness levels while the base is rotatable. The neck also bends at two places. So, it’s fairly easy to adjust this lamp whichever way you want.

The other features in this lamp are nothing to sneeze at either. You have the basic auto timer in place, along with touch control, a memory function, and several lighting plus brightness levels. Perhaps, one of the best aspects here is the quality aluminum alloy. This provides excellent heat respiration and protects the lifespans of the LEDs inside.

Best for Portability: Dott Arts Desk Lamp

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Everyone has their own specifications for an LED desk lamp and this one seems to tick most of the boxes. It’s a dimmable lamp with an adjustable arm, a foldable structure, and three brightness levels. While some features here might be basic, you probably won’t need them anymore for most situations.

The cool white lighting feature here is suitable for working and studying as well as a bit of nighttime reading. Since the design is a foldable one, college students can easily pack it up for their dorm room or to take it back home. The arm is flexible up to 230 degrees. So, we can even place this lamp on a shelf instead of having it take up the desk space.

Best for Durability: LITOM Desk Lamp

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This is a desk lamp that provides all the basics, and then, some other features too. You can set it up for studying, reading, working, or whatever else you need it for. The color temperatures and brightness levels are easily adjustable while the USB charging port makes it easy to place the lamp anywhere.

There has been at least one upgrade on this particular lamp which means that manufacturers are aware of their product’s design. The new design has an estimated lifespan of over 50,000. This lamp might be what you need for the long haul at college, in a home office, or in a kid’s bedroom.

Best for Versatility: Lampat LED Desk Lamp

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This is a lamp that might be your ideal device to brighten up your home office, bedroom, or any sort of covered space. The material is modern composite while the design is collapsible and built for versatile use. With the high-quality LED lights, you’re not likely to experience eye pain or tiredness from the brightness.

We especially like how the USB charging port here is configured to sync with tablets, smartphones, and other devices. The control panel makes it convenient to adjust the settings even for the young ones. What’s more, the LED is designed to last for up to 25 years. All in all, this seems like a useful investment in the long run.

Best for Both Décor and Functionality: Yarra Decor Bedside Lamp with USB Port

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When you’re looking for a modern lamp, it’s got to have some convenient features. Enter the touch control Yarra Decor table lamp, where you get a USB port, three dimmer settings, and even a charging port for your devices. The charging feature remains constant even when the lamp is not in use. So, this is the perfect choice for a home office, college dorm, or just a regular bedroom.

This lamp also boasts a minimalist design, providing several practical functions as well as a decorative role. Use it for creating a dim glow for a nightlight, a bright light for studying, or somewhere in between. The money-back-guarantee and general warranty also put our minds at ease here.

Best for Functionality: LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp

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With the LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp, you’re sure to get a durable, bright aesthetic for your study, office, bedroom, living room, and any other place in your home. It has several functions. So, you can choose which one makes you the most comfortable. Since it has a clip-on option, you can even choose to have it on a shelf or table, whichever is more convenient. The sturdy base and frame also make it perfect for use as a standing unit.

The flexibility and adjustability of this lamp are great as well. Its light can focus on several areas while the compact size also serves to save space. It’s also an attractive design. So, feel free to use it for decorating an empty corner.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Desk Lamps

You’ll be surprised to know that several factors play a significant role in the purchase of a desk lamp. Here are the crucial ones we’ve highlighted for you:

Check the adjustability

Glare isn’t your friend at all. Lamps providing high-intensity light that your eyes are naturally not adapted to may affect your visual performance. Therefore, looking at the level of adjustability in a desk lamp is the key to getting the best option.

Though it’s important to look for optimal brightness, you should be able to adjust the beam according to your eye comfort. That’s only possible if you go for adjustable desk lamps. An adjustable desk lamp is moveable and it will let you place the beam exactly the way you want while minimizing glare.

Consider the required size of the lamp

The size of the lamp should be in alignment with the size of your desk. If you use a smaller desk, you should choose lamps that have smaller bases. This will give you ample space to work on. If you have a larger desk, you can look for lamps that provide extra reach.

Whichever the case, it’s wise to follow a general rule: the source of light should always be placed slightly higher than the head but shouldn’t be parallel to your eyes to avoid glare. Excessively high placement of the lamp may diffuse the light. Therefore, the trick is to maintain balance keeping in mind the space available, the size of your desk, and the eye level.

Also, consider the size of the arm. It should be flexible as well as long enough to provide light on the surface where you want it the most. With the adjustable arm, you can even keep it out of your way when you don’t need excessive light.

Know about the color spectrum

Too much brightness can trigger the effects of eye strain. You might need high brightness if you’re using a desk lamp during the daytime. Likewise, you should prefer a dim color spectrum at night time. Therefore, knowledge about the color temperature the desk lamps provide. The best bet is to select the one that provides a range of color temperatures so you can adjust the brightness according to your requirements.

Another way to choose a desk lamp is to consider your preferred usage of a desk lamp according to your activities that require focused lighting. Do you prefer using a desk lamp right after dawn or just before bedtime? If you’re a morning person, you need a desk lamp with the highest color spectrum. Likewise, you should go for a desk lamp with dim light if you love working on your desk at nighttime. If you don’t have a specific routine, it’s wise to choose a desk lamp that provides varied color temperatures.

Look for additional features

You never know when you might want more from a desk lamp. Therefore, it’s always better to look for outstanding features that will increase your productivity later on. Some of these features include wireless charging of various devices, night light, automatic timers, and dimmer switches.

Several desk lamps also come with a USB charging port which is a plus, especially while working on projects that require higher levels of concentration and when moving to a nearby charging switch might lead to distractions. You’ll also notice that some desk lamps come with dual USB ports to charge multiple devices simultaneously. All in all, it depends on your charging needs.

Aesthetics is another feature you can look for while choosing a desk lamp. This makes sense if you’re buying a desk lamp for your room as it will enhance the overall ambiance of your surroundings.

Inquire about the energy efficiency

Energy efficiency doesn’t only help you save the environment but is equally beneficial for your pocket as it can have an impact on the energy bills. Therefore, make sure that you know about the energy rating of the chosen desk lamp before finalizing your purchase decision.

A desk lamp with a good energy rating will ensure that the appliance doesn’t consume excessive electricity. Besides, it shows credibility about the legitimacy of the construction parts. So, if your work requires working under the lamp all day, you should give the highest priority to this feature while choosing a desk lamp.

FAQS

Q: Should I prefer LED desk lamps over other lamp types?
A: Yes. That’s because LED light bulbs are friendly to the eyes. LED light reduces headaches caused by eye strain while helping you get a comfortable sleep. Unlike fluorescent bulbs that emit harmful UV rays, LED lighting doesn’t do that, and thus, it prevents the damage that might have caused by typical bulbs. Therefore, it’s a logical decision if LED desk lamps are on your priority list.

Q: Why white light shouldn’t be preferable?
A: White light might interfere with your sleep quality. A stronger white light will trick your brain by presenting an illusion of daylight. This cannot only hinder your sleep but also cause frustration while affecting overall health. Smartphone screens and fluorescent bulbs are two main sources of white light. The best bet is to choose the desk lamp that provides LED lighting.

Q: How to use the desk lamp for the first time?
A: Read the instructions manual before trying to set up the desk lamp yourself. Besides, you should place the desk lamp in a way that the shadows of your hands don’t create distractions while you’re at work. For instance, you can position the lamp on the left side if you work right-handedly. However, you’ll be able to get additional light if your desk lamp provides adjustability. If that’s the case, you should position the lamp in a way that it doesn’t reflect your computer screen.

To position the desk lamp as accurately as possible, make sure that the distance between the bottom of the lampshade and the top of the desk is 15 inches. This level of adjustability will be ideal for shedding light on the reading materials.

Q: Can I sleep with the desk lamp light on?
A: It might help avoid any possible accidents especially during nighttime but it’s not recommended to sleep with the desk lamp lights on. There are two reasons for this: first, it keeps you away from achieving deep sleep. Second, keeping the lamplight on will lead to an increase in your energy bills. Plus, it might interfere with the efficiency of the desk lamp in the long run.

Q: How often should I clean my desk lamp?
A: It depends. If the desk lamp is placed in a room where there are chances of collecting a lot of dust (for instance, near a window or any airy place), you should clean it every other day. But if the place has limited access to dust, you can clean it every week.

Q: How should I clean the desk lamp?
A: Unplug your desk lamp from the power source. Till now, the light bulb must be hot. Wait for ten minutes to cool it down. Now, take a soft cloth, a brush, and a laundry detergent (make sure not to use bleach or any harsh chemical as it might damage the material of the desk lamp). Start cleaning the edges and corners with the help of the brush.

Slightly spray the detergent onto the soft cloth and gently wipe the exterior of the lamp with this cloth. Once it’s cleaned, dry the lamp and let it switched off for at least half an hour. It’s done.

The Takeaway

Though you have a diversified range of the best desk lamps available on the market, it might sometimes become confusing as to which one to choose among a myriad of options. That’s when this guide will help you identify the desk lamp that best suits your needs.

The perfect lamp depends on what your budget is as well as what exactly you want to achieve with the help of its light. For instance, if your activities include studying for long hours without bothering your eyes with the excess glare, the TaoTronics LED desk lamp will be your friend in need. But if you’re looking for a desk lamp that gives you a spotlight in several modes even while relaxing, you should get the LAMPAT LED desk lamp.

Of course, it might take you some time to get used to your new desk lamp. But that’s how it is! You should go through the manual especially if it’s the first time you’ve got a desk lamp for your space. Once it’s all set up, you’ll gradually be adjusted to working under the new lamp.