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We carefully tested 11 of the best desk lamps in lab-style side-by-side tests. A good desk lamp is an essential mainstay for any home office or bedside, and our testers made sure to test each model's adjustability, lighting coverage, and features to help you find the lamp that best suits your needs. Whether you're looking for something sleek and bright, classic and dimmable, or something with extra features like charging ports or touch control, we've got you covered in our round-up of best desk lamps.
With so many lighting options on the market, it can be difficult to find the best products to illuminate your home and office. Luckily, we've thoroughly tested home goods like floor lamps, the top-rated LED strip lights, and even outdoor solar lights to help you find the right lighting solutions for your space. We've also tested other home accessories like the top-rated table fans and tower fans to keep you cool.
Editor's Note: Our desk lamp review was updated on January 5, 2024, to provide additional recommendations for comparison to existing award winners.
Flexible neck may wear out with constant adjustment
The EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp not only wins our award for most light coverage, but is also one of the most modern, attractive, and thoughtfully designed lamps we tested. The long LED bar is ultra wide-spanning 31.5 inches across and can illuminate an entire desk. The LEDs themselves are angled at 45 degrees to thoughtfully illuminate your desk and keyboard without bouncing light off your computer screen and creating glare. The touch buttons allow you to change brightness and color temperature, and there is an additional automatic light-sensing feature that will adjust the lamp based on the ambient light in the room. We love this desk lamp for use at a serious workstation where you plan to spend hours in front of the computer and prefer bright, wide light coverage over a more directional light source.
The EppieBasic can only be clamped to a desk and will only fully tighten on surfaces that are between 0.5 and 3.4 inches thick. We also observed the flexible neck gradually wearing out with use, and it eventually stopped being able to maintain its highest position. Despite a little drooping, our test model still managed to maintain a decent height. Aside from these shortcomings, we appreciated the functionality and aesthetics of this lamp and rated it highly among the competition.
This powerful LED lamp is sure to provide great light coverage for your desk or work station.
When it comes to getting the most value out of one of these appliances, it's hard to beat the Lampat LED. This model comes equipped with light-up buttons on a minimalist body with five brightness levels and four lighting modes. We're happy the designers thought to include a 1-hour auto-off for those times when you're too tired to remember to worry about the light. This model has a 5V/1A USB charging port that can be very useful for charging various USB-powered devices.
The Lampat is a bit difficult to get adjusted to the perfect spot — the recoil preloaded into the elbows seems to be a bit much to deal with compared to other models. Still, considering the features and settings, we think it's hard to top this model at this low price. For those who need a bit more adjustment options, perhaps the iVict Clip-On LED is better suited. A clip-on light with a flexible body makes it extremely easy to position for tasks such as reading or as a versatile home office accessory.
If you want a high-performance modern desk lamp, we think the LAMPAT LED is a solid choice.
The best thing about the LEPower Metal Desk Lamp is its simplicity. This model offers a decent degree of malleability and is easy to use. Its pleasantness stems from its lack of extraneous features, ports, touch controls, and the fact that it uses basic household light bulbs. It's also fantastic for the designers to incorporate heat dissipation holes into the lamp head's upper side. This model is very compact — with a 5-¾-inch diameter base and a maximum height of 18-â…› inches. Overall, we found the LEPower to be very easy to operate.
The LEPower is shorter than many of the other models in our review. If you want maximum vertical flexibility from your lamp, this is not the one. The LEPower Metal also casts some relatively coarse shadows thanks to its traditional bulbs, and it lacks variable light settings. If you want a more customizable model, it will make sense to go with a higher-end product. That said, if all you're looking for is a simple light source, we think the LEPower is a solid choice. If a more powerful light is what you're after, check out the Mchatte LED. Equipped with ten different levels of brightness and a wireless phone charger, the MChatte is ideal for those seeking more features and a brighter light.
The LEPOWER Metal Desk Lamp offers classic functionality and style.
For those that prefer a clamp-on style desk light over a lamp with a larger footprint, we recommend checking out the Globe Electric 56963. Its large clamp opening should fit most desktops, and it's a straightforward system to operate and mount. This model can extend to a maximum height of 32 inches, making it perfect for projects that require extra space. The spring-assisted articulating elbows on the 56963 make it notably easy to adjust with one hand. This lamp also has an extra-long 6 ft cord that reduces the potential need for an extension cord to position it in your workspace.
However, the Globe Electric lacks touch controls, a USB plug, adjustable light levels, or colors. There's also no getting around the fact that this lamp is enormous — this is one of the bulkiest models we've gotten our hands on. That said, if you're in the market for a clamp-style desk or workshop lamp, it's hard to beat the simplicity and adjustability of the Globe Electric 56963. If you have funds to spend and want a clamp-on light with better ergonomics, we recommend taking another look at the EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp. An incredibly bright light that offers wide light coverage and the ability to adjust color temperature and brightness — all without taking up valuable work space.
If you're looking for a clamp-on model, it's hard to beat the Globe Electric 56963.
If you're seeking a desk lamp that offers wireless phone charging without draining your bank account, check out the Mchatte LED. Not only does this budget model have a large charging pad, but it also has five different color settings and ten levels of brightness. For those that tend to forget to hit the lights at the end of the night or just want to conserve power, you may find the timer to be particularly useful. The Mchatte also has a USB-A port on the base's backside for charging devices that aren't wireless enabled.
Although the Mchatte LED appears to have a similar design to other models in our review, the lamp head does not tilt, so if you need to articulate your light horizontally, you'll want to choose a different lamp. We noticed that the LED wireless charging indicator light is always on while a device is on the pad. This isn't a big deal, but if you're the type that prefers complete darkness to sleep, this model may not be the best choice for a bedside table. Shortcomings aside, the Mchatte LED is the way to go for an affordable lamp with wireless charging capabilities.
The Mchatte LED offers wireless phone charging in addition to most of the features we like to see out of a desk lamp but at a fraction of the price of the top models.
The NovoLido Rechargeable is a solid choice for a small, portable lamp. This model has an internal rechargeable battery, allowing you to use it wherever you want. We love the flexible neck that lets you aim the light beam where you need it most. We found the NovoLido to be exceptionally useful on smaller desks. It has a phone stand to keep your device facing you and out of the way and a pen holder to keep your workspace orderly.
We were not impressed with the length of the charging cable included with the NovoLido. If you intend to keep it permanently plugged in, you may need an extension cord; otherwise, this model must be charged fairly frequently. This lamp is very compact and light but easily knocked over, likely due to its flimsy construction. Flaws aside, if you're in the market for a rechargeable lamp, the NovoLido is an excellent choice.
We love that the iVict Clip-On LED has so many different light settings — it features ten different brightness levels combined with three different light temperature settings. This light should easily suit your illumination level, setting needs between the warm light, warm-white light, and white light options. It's also highly portable and would easily fit in a briefcase or messenger bag along with your laptop, which makes it an excellent choice for those who are always traveling or working on the road.
Out of all the desktop clamp models in our review, we found that the iVict Clip-On LED wasn't super stable. We're also not thrilled that the controls for this device are on the power cable. Most modern lamps have all of the controls bundled up on the unit itself using a touch management system. The lighting produced by the iVict is relatively weak at its brightest setting. This would not be the best choice for the main office lamp, but it might make sense to be used as a reading lamp positioned next to a comfy chair. If you're keeping budget in mind but need more light power the Lampat LED is a great alternative. Impressive light output and an included USB charging port make the Lampat a worthy choice for those seeking a more versatile lamp.
The iVict is perfect for a personal reading light.
The TROND LED is a decent clamp-style desk lamp. We like its flexible pipe neck and integrated memory with a three-level dimmer. This product is not made to be clipped onto books — it is a full-sized task lamp. It's great that this model has three different brightness levels. We measured this lamp with lux ratings of 200, 440, and 761 in its various settings.
We would like to see more padding on the clip to protect the desk. It's also a bit awkward to hold the power button down for so long to turn this model off. The detachable 92-inch cord might seem like a good idea on paper, but realistically the cord connection adds more parts and more things to lose.
The TROND Halo does an okay job, but there are better options available.
It's very cool that the JUKSTG 14W LED has four different lighting color options. We also like that it has seven different dimming levels to best match the given situation. Touch controls are always a plus, and we are fans of the 1-hour time off mechanism that helps keep your power bill low. This device also has multi-angle adjustments for optimized lighting on the lamp head, the elbow, and the foot.
Sadly, we found many flaws with the JUKSTG 14W LED. This lamp seems delicate and poorly constructed, lending an overall cheap feel. We also noticed that the light's glare makes the controls nearly impossible to read. And be careful when moving it around; it tends to get unusually hot and easily folds in on itself. Getting the knobs tight enough to keep the JUKSTG from collapsing was tricky.
We were less than impressed with the overall construction and performance of this model.
The Simple Designs LD1003 is your run-of-the-mill, bare-bones lamp. We appreciate this model's small footprint — its circular base is only five inches in diameter. The LD1003 has a neck that is easily flexed into the desired position, making it a good choice for those who are continually adjusting their lamp.
Unfortunately, compared to the more modern lamps on the market, the Simple Designs doesn't seem quite up to date. This appliance lacks any touch controls, usb connections, or wireless charging capabilities. It uses standard bulbs, which might be ideal for some people, but at GearLab, we prefer LEDs that last longer and consume less energy. The LD1003 showed up to the lab looking pretty thrashed — ours arrived banged up and dirty. Despite its flaws, we think that the Simple Designs LD1003 is still a decent choice if you want the most elementary design in a desk lamp. Another option if accessories and portability are front of mind is the NovoLido Rechargeable. With touch controls, a pen holder, and a USB charging port, the NovoLido is a competitive package for a small form desk lamp.
There are better options than this model for only a few bucks more.
Credit: Laura Casner
Why Trust GearLab
We selected the 11 lamps here for purchase and testing. We flicked, switched, twisted, and adjusted these products for weeks, living with them in our homes and offices. We carefully looked into the various light colors, brightness settings, and extra features that each model offers. We used a laboratory-grade light meter to measure luminosity units and subjectively judged each model's usability level. Finally, we carefully measured the amount of adjustability each model can offer you for the most in-depth desk lamp review possible.
To evaluate desk lamps, we created a team composed of our Head of Testing Austin Palmer, one of our strongest tech product review editors, Ross Patton, and desk lamp enthusiast and review editor, Miya Tsudome. Austin has tested hundreds of products at GearLab since the inception of the company and is no stranger to what head-to-head, unbiased comparison means. Ross has been in product R&D for more than ten years, and with a formal education in environmental science, you can bet that he is no stranger to lab practices. Miya has tested a wide variety of products for GearLab, ranging from wireless keyboards to book lights, and therefore has a keen sense of what makes or breaks a good desk space accessory. Ross's education, coupled with Austin's experience and Miya's gear sense, makes for the perfect no-holds-barred evaluation of desk lamps.
We tested all the features of each desk lamp.
A birds-eye view through the iVict clip-on reading light
Some models offer various light color settings
Analysis and Test Results
Our analysis is divided into three individual metrics, thoroughly outlined in the sections below. We analyzed the degree of adjustability and the size of the area in which each lamp can disperse light, then carefully inspected each model's extra features.
Adjustability
The days of fixed lamps are in the past — we can now bend, flex, and adjust our lighting source into the perfect position for the task at hand. To test this metric, we assessed how well each lamp could be fine-tuned by twisting and turning the various joints, pivots, and elbows. We also subjectively judged the ease of customization.
Our favorite clamp-style desk lamp in the adjustability department is the Globe Electric 56963. This model features two spring-assisted elbows and a third pivot on the lamp head. With a total maximum height of nearly 3 feet, we think this lamp would make an excellent choice for those with large desks or large documents such as maps or blueprints. Lastly, its extra-large clamp makes it a perfect choice for nearly any desk or workbench.
The clamp on the Globe Electric opens to more than two inches
Credit: Austin Palmer
Offering ever so slightly less adjustability than the Globe Electric is the Lampat LED. This model's head twists 70 degrees in either direction, and the entire arm rotates 90 degrees either way on the base, but the body only adjusts by 40 degrees. The Mchatte LED rotates 85 degrees either way on the base, and the lamp head folds to 225 degrees, but the head does not tilt.
The Lampat LED flexes into a variety of positions but can also be set symmetrically
Credit: Laura Casner
Finally, if you're looking for a basic, traditional model that still offers a bit of adjustability, we recommend the LEPower Metal Desk Lamp or the NovoLido Rechargeable. Both of these models feature a flexible neck that can be bent and twisted into an array of positions. While anything but traditional, the EppieBasic also features a simple, flexible neck, but our testers noticed it drooping from the weight of the LED bar after a period of time.
The LEPOWER flexible neck is easy to use
Credit: Laura Casner
Coverage & Lighting
To score this metric, we used our expert panel of judges to subjectively assess the brightness, softness, or harshness that each lamp was able to produce. We also looked carefully at each model's various color and power settings. Lastly, we used a laboratory-grade light meter to get some hard data on the amount of illuminance each lamp can emit.
The EppieBasic LED Desk Lamp is the champion of this metric, with its 31.5-inch long LED bar that can illuminate your entire desk or workstation. With a touch of a button, you can adjust the brightness or light color. This lamp also boasts an automatic light sensor mode that will adjust to the optimal light intensity for your work environment. The beauty of this light is that it takes up little space on your desk by clamping to the back, and the long LED bar fits nicely over your computer or over your workspace, providing adjustable, full-coverage light.
Whether you need to illuminate your computer desk space or light up your work station, the EppieBasic provides great coverage and adjustability.
Credit: Laura Casner
"Lux" is a standard unit in lighting that measures luminous flux per unit area — in other words, it is a measurement that describes the intensity of light.
The Lampat LED Desk Lamp is a close runner-up to the EppieBasic in the coverage & lighting department. We love that this model offers four different light color options: reading, studying, relaxing, and sleeping. In addition to the color options, it also has five individual brightness settings, so you can set your lighting to the perfect ambiance and a night light on the side of the lamp head for when the main bulbs are not in use. When we broke out the light meter, we were very impressed with the Lampat LED. At its highest setting, this model achieved 1715 lux.
We found that the Mchatte LED offers plenty of light to illuminate a keyboard, book, or small workspace, but it is not nearly as bright as many models with a lux rating of 450.
As far as clamp-style versions go, we are fans of the Globe Electric 56963 coverage. Thanks to its large degree of adjustability, specifically regarding height, it is easy to set it to light up a larger area. This model lacks any adjustable settings, and the level of brightness will entirely depend on the type of bulb you get. If you know that you don't need a super bright lamp, the NovoLido Rechargeable still gets the job done.
The light emitted from the Globe Electric covers a large area thanks to its option to extend high above a desk
Credit: Laura Casner
Features
To gauge features, we carefully inspected each model and tested all of the framework's bonus bits that the designers thought to add. There was a significant degree of variance between the desk lamps in this metric as some lights have one simple switch, while others have touch controls, USB ports, and even wireless charging capabilities for your phone or other Qi-enabled devices.
If you want a light that provides several color tones & brightnesses, wireless charging, and a timer, check out our favorite budget model — the Mchatte LED. Having a timer is great for energy savings when you leave your desk and forget to turn off your lamp, and the wireless charging feature makes keeping your phone powered up easy and cord-free.
The Mchatte LED has touch controls and a wireless charging pad.
If you have a device with wireless charging capabilities, simply place it on the lamp base and you battery levels will begin to rise.
The EppieBasic lamp lacks any USB ports or wireless charging capabilities, but our testers liked its automatic light sensor that adjusts the lamp based on the ambient light in the room.
The built-in, intelligent light sensor is the button to the left of the power. You can adjust the color and brightness of the lamp using the buttons on the far left.
Credit: Laura Casner
For those seeking a slightly simpler version that still offers a few extras, we recommend the Lampat LED. This model has light-up buttons that make it easy to determine which mode you are using. The Lampat also features a 5V/1A USB port and the capability to set a 60-minute timer.
The main benefit to purchasing the NovoLido is that it is rechargeable. As a bonus, it is also designed to hold pens and works as a cell phone stand. For those looking to charge a device with a USB cord, this model also acts as a power bank.
This model has a USB plug, a cell phone stand, and a pen holder.
Credit: Jason Peters
Some people may only need a bare desk lamp with no frills or added controls. We recommend the LEPower as a model with a base or the Globe Electric 56963 for a clamp-style version if this describes you. Both of these models have a simple switch with one setting, so you won't have to learn how to control yet another electronic device.
Sometimes keeping things simple can save headache and frustration
Credit: Austin Palmer
Conclusion
We hope that you enjoyed reading our comprehensive desk lamp review. You now can purchase the perfect model for you and your needs, whether you desire maximum brightness, the most bells & whistles, or the best budget option. It is our goal at GearLab to offer our readers the utmost degree of professional advice, so come on back and visit us anytime you're faced with a daunting purchasing decision.
