Working long hours on a computer can be tough on your eyes. That’s why good lighting is so important. It can boost your productivity, mood, and overall health. A great desk lamp can offer bright light, save energy, and be adjusted to your needs.
You might think a desk lamp is unnecessary if you already have overhead lighting. But that’s not the case. The best desk lamps offer extra light, not direct light, to brighten up the dim areas around your computer screen. This helps to get rid of glare and reduce eye strain and fatigue. Good desk lamps can mimic natural light and let you adjust the color temperature and brightness. Most desk lamps can be dimmed, and many come with handy features like wireless charging, adjustable lighting angles, blue light blocking, and more.
There are many types of desk lamps out there. Swing Arm Lamps have a movable, adjustable arm. Clamp Lamps use a sturdy clip to attach to a desk or other surface. Architect Style is the most popular type of task lamp, with an adjustable arm and lamp head. Gooseneck lamps have a long, flexible neck and can be a table lamp or a clip-on.
We’ve done some research and found the ten best desk lamps on Amazon. These picks are based on the lamps’ features, design, and reviews. Use this list as a guide when selecting your next desk lamp.
Our top pick is the Verilux HappyLight Duo. It’s not just a desk lamp – it’s a light therapy lamp. It provides up to 10,000 lux of UV-free, LED full spectrum natural light with three temperature and seven brightness settings. This lamp is flicker-free and mimics natural daylight. It has an Optix lens to control glare, reducing eye strain and fatigue. The lamp has a USB port for added convenience, and a compact form factor, making it perfect for a small desk.
The runner-up is the OTUS LED Motion Sensor Desk lamp. This gooseneck-style table lamp by OTUS has a motion sensor switch for a touchless on/off function. The 12 dimmable brightness levels and 3 color settings give you 36 customizable lighting settings to match any mood or activity. This metal lamp emits soft light to reduce eye strain from long-term computer screen viewing.
The best value lamp is the NovoLido LED Desk Lamp. This affordable lamp gives you multiple functions while still being budget-friendly. The NovoLido wireless phone charging desk lamp offers LED lighting with warm light and daylight color modes. You can choose your favorite color settings and save them. In addition, a phone holder, pen holder, and built-in USB charger offer convenience in one durable lamp.
When buying a desk lamp, consider its function, size, type of bulb, power source, style, and any extra features. LED bulbs use about 90% less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs. Some studies have shown that LED lighting causes less eye strain and headaches. Many of the best desk lamps on our list are LED lamps. Look for a desk lamp with customizable brightness and color modes, lamps that are dimmable, or lamps that provide “light therapy.” The number of lumens a desk lamp should have depends on the type of work you do at your desk. Generally, around 450 lumens is good for general work like reading and writing, and 800-1000 may be necessary for intricate, detailed work.
