Desk lamps are different to other lamps as they offer the flexibility to move the light around to suit your needs. Most modern lamps use LEDs to avoid eye strain and allow greater choice over light brightness and colour. LED lights also cost less and the bulbs don’t need to be changed as they last for years. Plus, there are battery-powered LED lamps, which are completely cordless and a must-have, in case of a power cut.
Known for their flexible arms and adjustable heads, a lot of the office desk lamp styles have been the same for decades. The long arms can provide light above a computer screen to help eye strain or be really close to the table if you are knitting a project with a complicated pattern. If you're looking for home office ideas, an articulated or architect's desk lamp is both a stylish and practical essential.
Best office desk lights at a glance:
• Best adjustable arm desk lamp: Slator Desk Lamp – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best banker’s-style desk lamp: Newrays Green Glass Bankers Light – Buy now on Amazon UK
• Best gooseneck desk lamp: Argos Home Desk Lamp-Duck Egg – Buy now on Argos
A lamp with a rotating head, swivel arm or flexible neck offers better versatility. Look for desk lamps that have adjustable features so that you can direct the light where you need it the most. Additionally, if you're doing close-up work and looking for a desk lamp for your craft room, for example, go for a lamp that has height and angle adjustments.
Some lamps come with automatic timers, motion sensors or eco-friendly features that help conserve energy when the lamp isn't in use. Or, if you want to control your lamp from your phone, consider using a smart plug to operate it; with some smart devices you can even monitor a lamp's energy consumption!
Best office desk lights
Best adjustable arm desk lamp
SlatorThe SLATOR Desk lamp has an adjustable arm to cast light directly where it's needed. At only 37cm high, this LED lamp is easy to move around the home for reading or craft work. It has a great timer feature making it the ideal lamp for your bedside table that will automatically turn off after 30 or 60 minutes. There are ten brightness settings and five different colour settings, making it great for different projects. Slator has also included a USB port so you can charge your phone from the lamp, which is ideal for your bedside table as the phone charger is one less thing to plug into the wall.
Pros
- It has a USB charging port so you can charge your phone
- A range of 10 brightness levels and 5 lighting modes
- Flexible arm and rotates so you can angle the light
- Touch turn-on and memory function for the settings you last chose
Cons
- Some reviews comment that if they accidentally touch the lamp it turns off
Best banker’s-style desk lamp
NewraysNewrays Green Glass Bankers Light is a great lighting choice for a desk or piano top to ooze vintage class and sophistication. It has a classic style with a heavy base and a green glass shade, evoking the type of lamp traditionally used in libraries and banks.
The emerald glass shade adds a great pop of colour to your room and can be adjusted to project more or less light out. The pull chord is six inches long, making it easy to reach to turn it on and off, and the base is heavy, so it doesn't move. The light is 36cm high and 26.5cm wide, so it fits nicely on a smaller desk.
Pros
- Looks more expensive than it is
- Stylish retro aesthetic, with different colour shades available
- Tilt the shade to adjust the brightness
Cons
- Shade can shatter, if dropped
- Lightbulb is not included
Best gooseneck desk lamp
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
The Argos Home Desk Lamp is a simple gooseneck lamp. The flexible neck makes it easy to direct the light in any direction.
This duck egg blue lamp is an everyday essential for your work desk or bedroom; this desk lamp offers excellent value for money and comes in many different colours to match your scheme. The head can be adjusted to where it is needed, and it comes with a chord switch to make it easy to turn on and off. At 38cm high, it is small enough for most spaces.
Pros
- Value for money
- Available in a range of stylish colours
- Flexible neck so you can adjust the angle
- Just the right size for an area with limited space
Cons
- It is a basic lamp
- On and off switch is on the lead rather than the base
- Reviewers sometimes report that the cord is slightly too short
- No ventilation for heat coming from the bulb itself or being switched on
Best desk lamp for task light
Habitatwww.argos.co.uk
Habitat have nailed it with this fun design to brighten up your desk and add a funky Skandi vibe. The lamp head can be rotated to point in different directions using the stick, so you don't burn your fingers. It's designed to cast a focused, bright light ideal for reading, writing and detailed work.
The cool base is great for space saving at only 17cm deep and your phone, pens or post-it notes can sit underneath it! The switch is on the chord to make it easy to turn on and the chord stretches to 1.8m so you can move it around your desk easily.
Pros
- Scandi style at a great price
- A stable base means it is sturdy
- Adjust the direction of the light with the heat protected stem at the back of the shade
Cons
- Customers say the strongest bulb it can take is not that bright
- Depending on the bulb you get, it can stick out of the shade
Best LED desk lamp
ElinkumeBright enough to light a whole room, this ELINKUME Spiral LED Table Lamp would look great on your desk. It has energy-efficient LED bulbs that last longer, consume less power and produce minimal heat. In addition, LED won't flicker or cause eyestrain. At only 12 watts, it is energy-saving and will help light up any work or projects you are doing. The round base is under five inches wide so it will fit easily on most desks. There is a switch on the chord that can turn the brightness up and down, too, to make it more ambient.
Pros
- Super value for money for a unique, sculptural lamp
- Brightness is dimmable and can be adjusted from a white, warm, and neutral
- Design is created to help protect eye health and fatigue
Cons
- Better suited for more ambient than task lighting
- Some reviewers reported that it is not compatible with Smart Plugs
Best architect desk lamp
OtusSimilar to a swing arm lamp, with a sleek and minimalist design, this OTUS LED Desk Lamp with Gesture Control evokes the style of lamp traditionally used by designers or architects for precision lighting.
To turn this LED lamp on, you wave your hand over the head, making it completely touch-free and good fun! There are 12 dimmable settings and three different colour options that can be programmed to memory, so you don't have to remember which setting you prefer. The head and arm are adjustable to help with your lighting needs for different projects. Being LED, it uses 80% less power than a standard bulb, and though you can't replace the bulb, it will last 25 years.
Pros
- Turns on with a swipe of your hand thanks to the infrared motion sensor
- Fully adjustable so that light can be angled in any direction
- Three colour modes and a dimmer
- Heavy and stable base
- LEDs generally use 80% less energy and have longer lifespans than traditional lamps
Cons
- Some customers had issues with the gesture control
- Integrated bulb so cannot be changed once it does eventually die
Best swing arm lamp
AnglepoiseAnglepoise is an iconic brand that is synonymous with articulated desk lamps. The adjustable design offers flexibility with an extendable arm that can be swung or pivoted for better positioning. The bulb is LED, so it's energy-efficient and flicker-free.
Reviews praise the timeless quality of their Angelpoise and it's better than cheaper alternatives because of its sturdiness.
Pros
- Beloved by fans of Angelpoise and timeless design
- Comes with an energy-efficient LED Bulb
- Sturdy, responsive and good quality built
Cons
- A minority of reviews comment they had faults with the spring tension
Best clip-on desk lamp
LeproThis sleek and Minimalist desk lamp clamps onto the edge of a desk or shelf, saving space while offering directed light. The Lepro Desk Lamp features a 360° adjustable gooseneck and rotatable base. Plus, it's USB-powered and can be plugged directly into a laptop or power bank. It features three colour modes and ten brightness levels with no harsh blue light, so it's kinder on the eyes.
Customers praise its space-saving design and unintrusive look. Reviews say it offers versatile lighting and is good value for money. Once clamped in place, it is sturdy.
Pros
- Sleek and space-saving design by being able to clamp on the edge of a desk
- Good value for money
- Adjustable position and angle
- Variable light in 3 colour modes and 10 brightness levels that's gentle on eyes
Cons
- A minority of customers had issues with the USB breaking
Best magnifying desk lamp
PUREliteThe PURElite Magnifying LED Desk Lamp includes a built-in magnifying glass and light. For precision work, this LED lamp can light up the whole workspace; it's ideal for crafts, electronics work, or any tasks requiring detailed focus. The 9cm lens has 3x magnification, and the smaller 2.5cm lens has 5x magnification. The arm length is flexible, so it's easy to position the lens and light. In addition, the lamp has low-energy LED bulbs and a dimmer switch control.
Pros
- Ideal for detailed work, jigsaws and crafting
- Offers up to 5x magnification and adjustable brightness
- Highly praised in customer reviews
- Foldable so can be transported easily
Cons
- A review comments that the 2.5cm lens is too small to be useful
What type of lighting is best for my work needs?
Task lighting: If you're doing detailed work like reading, writing, or computer tasks, consider lamps designed for task lighting. They provide focused, adjustable light to reduce eye strain.
Ambient lighting: If you need general, softer light for a relaxed atmosphere, a lamp with a wide light spread or diffused light may be better. Bedroom lights, for example, are purposely designed to create an ambience for unwinding.
Adjustable brightness: Does the lamp offer adjustable brightness levels? This is important for tailoring the light intensity to different times of the day or tasks.
What ergonomic and adjustable features should you look for in a desk lamp?
To make using your desk lamp comfortable and reduce eye strain, there are some features to look for. Desk lamps with adjustable arms and heads that tilt give precise light. Also, a lamp that is height adjustable can reduce glare on your computer monitor. Dimmable settings for customisable brightness are useful, depending on the task. Finally, easy-to-reach and operate controls should also be taken into account.
Why are LED bulbs a better option than incandescent?
LED bulbs are more energy-efficient, last longer, generate less heat, and provide brighter, more consistent lighting than incandescent bulbs. In addition, LED lighting has more features, such as being dimmable and colour-changing.
Ailsa Adams has contributed to Yours as a writer.