As we approach the end of the year, it’s time to take stock of our checklists and see what we still have left to accomplish before we ring in 2022. If you’ve been working from home and have been meaning to transform that home office into the one you’ve been dreaming about, now is as good a time as any to get going already. That’s right. It’s time to organize all of those looseleaf scraps, wash those 12 empty coffee mugs and purchase a new desk lamp to bring a little bit of light to your workspace.
If you’ve been working in the dark the past year, we get it, we’ve all been — both physically and mentally. Snagging yourself a new desk lamp is one of the more simple yet on-the-right-path moves you can make to boost serotonin levels and kick off a fresh start to the new year in a couple of months.
Desk lamps come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your preference, office space style and the amount of room you have on your already cluttered desk. For starters, we suggest ridding each and every item you don’t need on your desktop before browsing. This will help you better imagine what you can actually fit.
LED desk lamps are also quite trendy right now due to their long, long lifespan and for how much energy they typically save on your average electric bill. Realistically speaking, you can run an LED desk lamp all night and spend only pennies. It’s that effective.
How to Pair Lamps with Bulbs
Before adding or replacing a lightbulb, always make sure you read up on your lamp’s specifications. Adding a bulb with a higher wattage than your unit can handle can lead to overheating and in some cases, a fire. That goes for any electrical fixtures and standalone lamp units.
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It’s also important to check and match your unit’s base and voltage to the lightbulb in order to avoid any potential hazards. Then there are the other considerations: shape, type, lumens, color temperature and bulb life. Those aforementioned characteristics are typically a matter of personal preference, so be sure to scope out your space and decide exactly what kind of lighting you’re going for.
Want more ambiance in your office? Go for softer lighting. Looking for a retro vibe? Consider a vintage Edison look. Sometimes the lightbulb you choose can be just as important in setting the mood of a space as the lamp itself.
No matter what kind of desk lamp you’re scoping out, we’re here to help. Read on and discover the best desk lamps money can buy you right now.
1. BenQ eReading LED Desk Lamp
BEST FOR EYES
Excessive screen time and awkward lighting can lead to sore eyes, so if you’re worried about those peepers invest in a lamp that will help save your retinas in the long run. The BenQ desk lamp will protect your eyes with its intelligent design, which offers a flicker-free experience. The bright light also automatically adjusts to your environment with its auto-dimming mode, making it a solid choice for any office space.
2. Dyson Lightcycle Desk Task Light
BEST SPLURGE
This desk light isn’t exactly economic, but that’s because it delivers some pretty epic features. It automatically simulates the properties of natural daylight, for one, which can help to reduce eye strain. It also automatically adjusts to the surrounding light in order to keep you in a state of constant brightness, it senses motion to turn on when you’re near and off when you’re away for more than five minutes, and you can control it all from the palm of your hand thanks to the accompanying app. This lamp also comes with a five-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you don’t fall in love with it you can just as easily return it.
3. LED Desk Lamp, Touch Control Desk Lamp
BEST BUDGET LED DESK LAMP
This adjustable desk lamp is sleek and minimalist, making it perfect for an array of home offices and study desks. But you can also plug it in by USB port and easily fold up it, which makes this LED lamp a great travel option as well. Wherever you are, the soft and sturdy light brightens up any space thanks to the three brightness levels, and the touch control means you’ll have it up and running in no time.
4. Hammond Green Glass Brass Bankers Table Lamp
BEST RETRO PICK
You don’t have to be an accountant to appreciate the charm of this retro banker’s table lamp. The warm, brass plated finish and the pull-chain switch add lots of design appeal if you’re looking for that perfect something to cap off your space, but the adjustable shade tilt keeps it entirely functional, too.
5. Princeton Desk Lamp
BEST FOR COMPUTER WORK
This classic (yet timeless) desk lamp comes with many adjustable features, which are great for when you’re trying to set up the perfect amount of evenly distributed brightness to go with your computer setup. The lamp also comes in a rainbow of colors, so you know there’s an option that will look good in your space no matter what your décor.
6. LumiCharge LED Smart Adjustable Desk Lamp
BEST FOR HOME OFFICE
When you’re decking out your home office, a lamp that offers more than one function is always a safe bet. After all, you don’t want to clutter your workspace with all the things, do you? Enter the LumiCharge, which is a lamp, wireless charger and time display. It works with all kinds of phones and also comes with multiple brightness and color options, making it a handy addition to any home office space.
7. iVict Clip on LED Light
BEST VIDEO CONFERENCING
When you’re getting your Zoom on (because these days who isn’t?) having good lighting makes all the difference. Look for a light that allows you to control the brightness and color temperature, not to mention one that features adjustable positioning. The iVict offers all of that with its clip-on design, making it a sleek and easy addition to any desk.
8. Possini Euro Bentley French Bronze LED Modern Adjustable Desk Lamp
SLEEKEST DESIGN
When you have a small work surface you need your accessories to pack a punch. Enter this sleek LED desk lamp with an adjustable arm and head that allows you to light up a larger space while taking up very little surface area on the desk itself. Bonus points for the French bronze finish, which is perfect in modern living spaces, as well as the easy touch switch that makes turning it on and off a breeze.
9. Possini Euro Sentry Black and Antique Brass Desk Lamp with USB Port
DUAL FUNCTION
If you’ve got dual desk spaces that need lighting but you want to maximize function, a dual desk lamp may be the solution you’ve been looking for. Place this sturdy, energy-efficient LED model in the middle for controlled lighting on either side. Each bulb runs off its own switch, which means no more fighting over dark or dim. Meanwhile, the unit itself is adjustable so that each person can specify the lighting situation to their own unique preferences.
10. LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp
BEST INDUSTRIAL
Built with a heavy-duty, durable body, this metal desk lamp has that industrial feel you’re looking to add to your desk. It has a gooseneck for easy flexibility so you can light relatively anything on or near your desk and uses an LED bulb.
11. Room Essentials Task Table Lamp
BEST ESSENTIAL
Spice up your WFH spot with a desk lamp that adds a very subtle pop of color to your daily mundanities. This minty fresh-colored LED desk lamp is all you need to place next your MacBook, planner and collection of black pens to liven your space up a little.
12. Wrought Studio Cotta 22″ Blackened Bronze Desk Lamp
BEST STATEMENT
Want something a bit larger? This blacked bronze desk lamp is a perfect accent piece for any desk that will surely light up your interior. It’s designed with an asymmetrical base for a bit of pizazz and includes a French drum shade to top it off.
13. Urban Outfitters Ansel Table Lamp
MOST UNIQUE
Trade the classic table lamp design for a modern take with the Ansel table lamp. By merging the base and the lampshade into one solid glass structure, UO has created something entirely new. Let this baby softly glow up your interior space the way no other lamp can.
14. BOHON Clamp Lamp
BIGGEST SPACE SAVER
For those of you that refuse to clean your desk, hi, we know you exist. Although we really do suggest you get some fresh 2021 cleaning in order, this clamp LED desk lamp is perfect for you. It has a variety of lighting modes to choose from and packs a pretty bright punch. We also suggest this for anybody with a smaller desk or that might find themselves working on the road quite frequently, considering it’s very easy to pack.
15. Urban Outfitters Arturo Glass Table Lamp
QUIRKIEST PICK
Not everyone’s going to love a colored lamp sitting on their desk because they might find it a bit distracting, but for those of you who like a little fun, check out this glass table lamp from Urban Outfitters. It’s gorgeously crafted to light up your space with that modern glow you’re craving, so why not give it a shot?
16. Mercer41 Hammes 17” Brass Desk Lamp
BEST BRASS
Standing 17 inches tall, the Hammes brass desk lamp is perfect for anyone that wants a taste of that vintage-modern mix on their desktop. It comes with a built-in LED light that’s completely energy-efficient, so the likelihood you’ll ever even have to change the bulb is unlikely. Though it’s a bit pricy, it’s completely worth it.
17. Nintiue Industrial Table Lamp
BEST INDUSTRIAL
We named this industrial table lamp one of the best gifts for men due to its traditional yet ultramodern design we haven’t been able to stop drooling over. It comes with two USB ports at its base and is also fully dimmable, making itself one of the best desk lamps for men that money can buy.
18. Urban Outfitters Ida Table Lamp
MOST RUSTIC
Serving a lantern-style lamp on a silver platter is this fake bamboo table lamp with a round wood base. It feels like something that you’d expect to see on a desk in an overwater bungalow in Bali, so it’s a stellar way to bring tropical vibes to your own home office.
19. OttLite LED Shine Desk Lamp
BEST MULTITASKING
Reducing eye strain by up to 51%, the OttLite LED desk lamp is really something we’re impressed by. It will last for up to 40,000 hours and has a gooseneck to light up your world no matter where it is. It comes with a wireless phone charging base and even a USB port if your phone isn’t compatible.
20. Urban Outfitters Leopard Table Lamp
BEST ANIMAL PRINT
This desk lamp is perfect for the eccentric, gaudy type of person that loves to incorporate wacky knickknacks into their home interior. It had a bold base featuring none other than one of the jungle’s most ferocious felines: the leopard. It’s topped off with a woven shade to dim the bulb up top.
21. Trent Austin Design Anarosa 18″ Desk Lamp
MOST MINIMALIST
It doesn’t get more gorgeously simple than the Anarosa desk lamp. It’s designed with a minimalistic approach with a single large bulb hanging from a black stem. It’s completely LED compatible if you want to save some coin and looks best with clear bulbs.
22. Dreamholder Desk Lamp
BEST CATCH-ALL
Hold everything you could possibly need with the Dreamholder desk lamp. This lamp has the ability to save you a large amount of desk space with cubbies for items like notebooks, iPads and pencils. The lamp even comes with three USB ports and two outlets for easy electronic convenience.
23. Urban Outfitters Female Form Table Lamp
SEXIEST PICK
Bask in the sculptural beauty that is the female body with this eye-catching ceramic table lamp from Urban Outfitters. It’s completely tasteful and offers a warming, diffused light source for a bit of ambiance.