The best desk lamps are the dedicated home office assistants you’ve prayed for, allowing you to burn the midnight oil sustainably, illuminate (and admire!) your work, and maybe even to serve as much-needed mood enhancers in your darkest hours. . Ideally, they’re flexible – repositioning themselves to allow you to work harder and smarter – iron-clad in disposition and makeup, and come with a guarantee in case they run out before their term ends.
For this roundup of the best desk lamps to anchor your workspace, we’ve called on some of our favorites from QG Past Home Awards, plus a few we’ve had the pleasure of owning and testing independently. Others are those that have made a name for themselves as desktop ornaments or superlative designs that we simply covet once the next direct deposit takes place.
Best Desk Lamp Overall: Anglepoise Type 75
The Pixar Lamp has essentially become the prototype of a superior desk lamp: angular, adjustable, and shaded so you can shine your light on those barely legible notes or that manuscript you’ve spent hours on. Designed by Sir Kenneth Grange, Anglepoise’s Type 75 lamp takes the Pixar model and offers it in a range of shades, from vibrant Mondrian primary colors to sensible, non-obtrusive neutrals. It’s one that’s gained a steady following among design bosses for their own desks, and at under $300, it’s a not-too-intoxicating investment for someone who wants to look like a creative or senior desktop drone. . Add to that a lifetime warranty and you’ve got a guaranteed desktop assistant for the long haul (with room for free tune-ups down the line).
The best high-tech desk lamp: Dyson Lightcycle
Dyson has recently expanded its circle of consumer magic to include desk lamps, like the Solarcycle which we won a Home Award this year. As with any Dyson device, it’s a certified overrun if you have the budget to buy one, allowing you to crank up the color temperature if your light situation rivals a morgue, or increase the brightness afterwards. sunset. This little guy hardly ever takes a break either (sound familiar?), self-regulating every minute to make sure you never get too much or too little light for the time of day. The light is also designed to reduce eye strain (aw) and adapts to your age and task via the Dyson Link app. Even better, it charges with a USB-C cable, so you can connect it directly to your Macbook and stay overnight.
The best mini desk lamp: Anglepoise USB 90 Mini
For smaller desk setups that need a small lamp to match, Anglepoise lamps are even available in mini miniature versions. This one has a slightly tapered shade compared to the 75, but it also has the advantage of not having to clutter up a crowded outlet. It plugs directly into your computer with a USB drive whenever you need to turn it on.
Best Clamp-On Desk Lamp: Luxo Task Light
For students and office nerds who are short on real desk space, there’s also Luxo’s corded task light, which can clip onto any desk splitter or monitor, or even perch on the edge of a desk, to shine a light where needed. This makes it more nimble and not limited to solid surfaces, and when combined with its powder coated spring appendage, it can tilt your light in any direction. Beyond the accessories, the shade itself is made of a tough as hell aluminum so that if gravity knocks the whole thing down, it’ll be ready to straddle your workspace again without any damage. durable on the outside.
Best Desk Lamp: Yowie Tiny Table Light
Gantri’s 3D printed lamps are about as futuristic as lighting, with a slew of designers rotating under his mantle each producing their own designs. This petite table lamp, pairing a groovy floral stem with a trendy mushroom, was designed in collaboration with Philly-based home goods store Yowie and stole our hearts at this year’s Home Awards. As with many Gantri lights, the lighting is dimmable but hazy and not very bright. So it’s more for ambiance than something very functional that we recommend you buy to light up a very dimly lit room. Still, it’s nice to watch as you contemplate the grim urgency of that email you’ve been putting off, or the impending block of meetings on your iCal. And at $248, it’s not too bad for a lasting boost.
Best Budget Desk Lamp: Lite Source Halotech
A halogen version of this lamp has a long track record of good performance, but you should probably opt for this energy-saving LED version which looks a lot more expensive than it is. It has a crane-like tilting neck to dive over your finest work, and uses sleek counterweights to keep it aloft. Press the dimmer at the base to dim your light to zero.
The Best Ultra-Slim Desk Lamp: Full Beam
Where other lamps are tall on long or thick bases, Fully’s Beam Light focuses on a desk lamp that cares more about staying out of your way. The light uses an extra-thin bendable arm to get just the right arc of light, plus an eco-friendly LED bulb that switches between four levels of brightness and warmth until you’ve struck the perfect balance to clear a smudge. Fortunately, you also have the option of choosing between a solid base or a clamp equipped with rubber pads to avoid damaging the surface of your desk.
The best desk lamp-slash-bedside lamp: Quattro
The Quattro work light boasts as much swivel as any industry, and can do so at 90 degrees of rotation, thanks to its adjustable arm that maintains its position via internal compression mechanics. Designed by famed lightning geek Robert Sonneman, it’s also available in a range of finishes and features a built-in dimmer switch so you can dial it back when you’ve tapped for the evening. We loved it so much we crowned it a Home Award in 2021, with the caveat that it’s probably even more fun lying around on your bedside table than rocking on your desk.
Best splurge-worthy desk lamp: in common with Arundel
If budget isn’t an issue, In Common With’s high-design table lamps are the pinnacle of stylish lighting. This Arundel model is like the Darth Vader of desk lamps: a striking expression of taste that would look just as fearsome perched on a stack of books as on a bedside table. It’s not super adjustable, but its long neck casts a wide arc to highlight whatever you’re looking at. Swap out the hue and base colors for a stark contrast if you’re looking for something jazzier than the monochromatic look.
