Best Desk Lamp in 2023 - Desk Lamp Reviews and Ratings

We spent over 18 hours researching and testing 20 different desk lamps and found that style, amount of light produced, and energy efficiency were most important. The LE LED Desk Lamp scored high marks in all categories and is our top pick. The compact base of this lamp prevents it from taking up tons of room on your desk. The light it produces is plenty for studying or anything else you need good lighting to do. The design of the lamp makes it easy to position. There are 7 dimming levels and they are touch sensitive.

Desk Lamp Reviews

Desk lamps are compact and can be used in an office, on a night table, or anywhere you want to read and get good light close to the source. They can be very stylish and add to the décor of the room. Desk lamps bring a unique dynamic to your desk, table, or other space. They are a high functioning accessory which will help you accommplish more by bringing more light to an area. They reduce eye strain giving them function and can add personality to the space.

Desk lamps come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors, and brightness levels. Adding features will increase the function of the lamp and make it more useful. Modern lamps reduce the amount of desk space they require leaving you with more room for other work. LED lighting is the newest light source which reduces the heat and increases light output using less energy. They are also very compact lights allowing lamps to be smaller than previous generation lamps. These desk lamps were selected as our top picks because of their incredible efficiency, style, good quality, and array of features.

1. LE

Best Overall Desk Lamp

4,093 Reviews

LE Dimmable LED Desk Lamp, 7-Level Brightness Adjustable, Soft Touch Dimmer, Daylight White, Eye Care Natural Light, High Intensity Office Task Lamp for…

5/5 Product Rating

The Le Dimmable LED desk lamp is a top pick because it is both attractive and functional. The modern design takes up minimal space on the desk while providing great light. The base is compact and the lamp arm can hover above the desk to bring light to wherever you need it. This allows you to adjust the light, reduce shadows and eye strain and bring optimum lighting to every experience. This desk lamp can easily be positioned over books, writing project, a laptop, text books and any other work project. The Le Dimmable LED desk lamp features seven different dimming levels that can all be controlled by a touch sensitive panel. When the lamp is turned off, when it is turned on again it will return to the most recent setting.

This desk lamp has a sturdy base and the ability to adjust and rotate its head up to 270 degrees. The arm can bend up to 150 degrees and it features a 340 degree removable base. With this flexibility and design there is no place the light won’t be able to reach. The LED lights do not flicker when they are turned on and will last for many years under normal use. You will be provided with hours of long lasting and bright visibility with no flashes, flickering, or distractions. The LED lights produce minimum levels of heat which will reduce wear on your furniture as well as the heat in your work area. The light will not have a glare or cast shadows which increase eye strain. This desk lamp is specifically designed to be easy and comfortable on your eyes during long periods of use. The LE dimmable LED lamp is crafted with safety in mind. The lamp head as well as the lamp army are both created from high quality aluminum which will withstand heavy and frequent use.

– Sarah Lytle

2. Tao Tronics

Best Overall Desk Lamp – Runner Up

4.8/5 Product Rating

The Tao Tronics desk lamp is a top pick because it takes a nontraditional approach in its design and function. This lamp is intended not just to sit at the corner of your desk, but to hover above your work and bring light to the work area or items beneath it. This desk lamp is jam packed with features including energy efficient LED lights which reduce energy use up to 75% from standard bulbs. The small LED lights are able to spread the light over a larger space and reduce glare and eye strain. It will provide better light for your work or project and also save you money. The Tao Tronics desk lamp features a dimmable light setting that provides seven different brightness settings to customize each use for the maximum visual experience.

This desk lamp has a flicker free LED so every experience will be calm and comfortable without any distractions from the light itself. The light remains cool even if it is on all day. The Tao Tronics desk lamp offers a mood setting in which you can select the color of light you prefer. Options include natural light, cool white, white, yellow, and warm yellow. This makes the lamp perfect on a night stand or in an area where you want different colors of light for different occasions. You can adjust the light color and the brightness for each option. You are able to choose the color that best highlights or lowlights your work.

The Tao Tronics lamp features a USB port where you can connect other devices to use along with your new desk lamp. The lamp also features the option of angling the lamp arm up or down to shine light in different directions. Adjustments can be made to bend the arm 90 degrees left and right (side to side) as well as 135 degrees up or down to optimize your light wherever you need it.

– Sarah Lytle

3. LAMPAT

Best Budget Desk Lamp

Sale

9,478 Reviews

Lampat LED Desk Lamp, Dimmable LED Table Lamp Black, 4 Lighting Modes, 5-Level Dimmer, Touch-Sensitive Control Panel, 1-Hour Auto Timer, 5V/2A USB Charging…

4.5/5 Product Rating

The LAMPAT dimmable LED desk lamp is our top pick because it is packed full of features that could brighten anyone’s day. This lamp does not simply sit at the corner of your desk and bring light to the area, it is designed with a compact base and an arm that is intended to hover above your work for better lighting. It provides a detailed and extremely well lit area to reduce glare and reflections so you can see your work better. The LAMPAT desk lamp can be easily positioned over a key board, book, paper, or wherever your needs may be. The arm sits high enough that it will never block your line of sight and can be adjusted to meet your needs.

There are four lighting modes and five different brightness settings on the LAMPAT dimmable LED desk lamp, so you can personalize each experience. In addition to providing great light the LAMPAT desk lamp features a USB port that can charge your phone or attach to any device with a USB port. The light source is an LED light which can last up to 25 years under normal use. It uses very little electricity and burns much cooler than traditional lighting. Now you can light up your space without the heat. Even after the light has been on for hours you can touch the light with your hand and it never gets hot.

Other useful features include a one hour auto off function to ensure that you won’t waste electricity or energy should you forget to turn it off. The arm is able to at an angle up to 180 degrees for easy storage. It can extend outward to 140 degree angle for a variety of lighting options. This desk lamp can easily transform your desk or space into a more visible stylish, and efficient space.

– Sarah Lytle

Summary of Our Top Picks
Desk lamps have come a long way from your standard desk lamp that forever sat at the corner of your desk or table taking up half the desk bringing minimal light and lots of heat to the area. Today, desk lamps have evolved and offer customers the better light and higher rates of satisfaction because of the ability to customize your experience from lighting color, to brightness levels.

All three of our top picks offer LED lighting in a compact lamp that conserves desk space. These modern designs are both attractive and functional. They all offer different degrees of rotation allowing you the best possible lighting. The Tao Tronics and Le Dimmable offer 7 brightness settings while the Lampat offers 5. The Tao Tronics and Lampat also offer color options that allow you to adjust the setting to a whiter or more orange light depending on your specific needs at the time. These two also featurte a USB port for increased versatility.

Each lamp has different degrees of movement. The Le Dimmable offers the highest, with the ability to adjust the base by 340 degrees, the head 270 degrees and the arm 150 degrees. The Lampat can adjust the arm 180 degrees and the double section arm can move outward up to 140 degrees. This is the only one with two sections of the arm for the maximum reach. The Toa Tronics is the only one that can move from left to right up to 90 degrees and 135 degrees up and down.

No matter which lamp you choose you are sure to find they are both functional and versatile and will meet all your desk top lighting needs.

4. TaoTronics Elune

5. TaoTronics Dimmable

6. Ikea

7. TaoTronics Gooseneck

8. Boyon

9. Boston Harbor

10. TROND

Desk Lamp Buying Guide

What is a Desk Lamp?

Desk lamps offer a variety of qualities and functions that can personalize your experience under these high functioning lights allowing you to have the exact brightness and color for the application. There are a number of different features to consider before choosing the best lamp for your personal needs.

Where will the desk lamp be used? This is an important question when identifying the best desk lamp to suit your needs. Desk lamps can be used on tables, desks, night stands and other lighting environments. If the lamp is used where you will be writing, using a computer, sewing, reading or other activities the color of the light, amount of light, and reach of the lamp will be factored into the decision. A desk lamp used on a side table in a bedroom for example, requires a softer light than one used in an office. Flexibility in terms of dimming, light color and rotation options will impact its usefulness. Identify your needs up front will ensure you are able to light up your particular space most efficiently.

What kind of lighting will you require? If you work in a low light area, or a space where others may also be working you may need to have a concentrated stream of dim light. For reading you want a brighter light to reduce glare and eye strain, for sleeping you want a softer dimmer light. The desk lamps may offer different brightness settings allowing you to customize the brightness for your needs.

Does the area you intent to light have a power source? Unfortunately, in some cases the areas that need the most light are also the ones with limited access to a power source. Desk lamps can offer the choice of being electric or battery power. Some lamps can be lit with a USB adapter which can then be powered through an outlet with an adapter or a computer.

Features to Consider

Valuable features that can be included in a desk lamp include the following.

Dimming function will offer several different levels of lighting ranging from very bright to dim. Dimmable lamps are much more versatile and can adjust the light for your specific needs. Some lamps dim by having fewer or more lights lit, while others actually adjust the brightness of all available lights. LEDs are very small lights but a reduction in the number of lights can impact the spread of the light as well as the brightness.

Rotating head, arms, and base give you the ability to adjust light levels in very specific areas. For example, you can place the light directly over your work or have it cash the light to a particular side without moving the lamp base. This feature allows you to easily maneuver, and shine light where needed most without having to reposition and move the desk lamp and will help you better dim or highlight your work based on the angle you position it.

Lighting color can impact the mood and feel of the light. This feature will make your eyes more comfortable or better showcase the items requiring light. Some colors available might include natural light, white, or yellow, also referred to as cool white or warm white.

USB port options is a new feature being added to modern lamps. This can be beneficial to those who enjoy connecting other devices to either charge or use alongside the desk lamp.

Chorded or non USB or battery operated lamps can increase the flexibility and does not require a nearby outlet, but still require extra lighting. These units are very portable and can be used anywhere.

Non Flickering LEDS reduce eye irritation, save electricity and provide a consistent and uninterrupted stream of light.

Auto off function is a timed feature that will shut itself off after the given period of time, saving energy.

Energy Saving LED lights only burn a few watts yet offer a lot of light for the power usage. They also burn less heat and operate for much longer periods of time before needing to be changed. LED lights can last for many years without every changing a bulb. Energy savings can reduce electric usage up to 75%.

Conclusion

Desk lamps can be an essential part of most people’s lives. They are so useful and can be placed on nearly any desk or table. Extra light can reduce eye strain, save energy, and provide a clean and clear line of site to your work, projects or hobbies. Not only can desk lamps be a crucial accessory to your work place, it brings a high functioning and high quality light to any room or space, making them very popular among consumers.