Reading lamps are a key tool to stay up at night for those trying to study or do work as other lights in the house are turned off. It can also help people wind down as they read or simply do something with their hands, such as jewelry-making or tailoring work. These are common devices that have been around for decades, yet new technologies are making them more compatible with the digital present.
Reading lamps can be affixed to any number of surfaces in a room, including on the book or laptop themselves. They can vary in their brightness, temperature, and even the way they are powered. Since most lights may look alike but have different features, it can be hard to decide which one to get. We’ve laid out our evaluations of some of the more popular offerings:
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How We Picked
Reading lamps are a very personal device; if it isn’t serving the intended use, it is basically useless. Knowing what to look for in a reading lamp is important to realize and decide for oneself before purchasing. Here are the things we looked at before making our purchase:
Power source
Reading lamps can be powered in a variety of ways. The most convenient option will be in the eye of the beholder. Some lamps are powered by a standard AC cord. These can be plugged into most typical wall outlets.
More modern lamps have USB connectivity. These can be plugged into wall chargers, computers, or other USB ports. Some get charged this way and can be used without a cord, others have a USB cord as part of their design and need no further cords to charge.
Adjustability
Lamps that cannot be adjusted better have the right amount of brightness and the right temperature for the user, or else it will be unsatisfactory most times it is used. Lamps typically have switches or knobs that can adjust the brightness or the temperature. A select few allow toggling both aspects of the light.
Brightness typically comes in two or three different levels, which helps to adjust the lamp based on the amount of ambient light is in the room. The difference between warm or white light can make the difference in setting the mood or for how pleasing it is on different sets of eyes. Some reading lamps come with warm or white bulbs; some let users toggle between both.
Positioning
Thought most reading lamps have clamps, that doesn’t mean they function the same way. Some clamps have foam or rubber clamps that are meant to protect the surface of the mounting furniture. Metal or plastic clamps, if too tight, could potentially damage the surface, especially if the lamp is accidentally hit while clamped.
Certain brands have made it possible for the lamps to be mounted on a wall or to hang from the ceiling. As these are more permanent positions for a lamp, the portable nature of these products is negated. Lamps that can also stand on their own without being clipped to anything are good options for using while at a desk.
Tips
Not sure which reading lamp is right for you? Instead of shopping in the dark, take a look at the below tips:
- Where will you be using this?
- If this reading lamp will be attached to a headboard or bed frame, make sure that the clamp can open wide enough for that surface.
- If the surface is sensitive, like certain types of wood, it is important that the clamp has some protective anti-scratch coating, like foam or rubber.
- Are you far-sighted?
- Those that have a hard time reading, especially at night, may want to buy the brightest reading light available.
- Adjustable brightness functionality is helpful for those whose ability to read is affected by the level of light in the room. Sometimes a harsh, bright light in a moderately lit room has too much glare and makes it difficult to read in its own right.
