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The Best Desk Lamp

Last updated on December 21, 2021

We looked at the top 9 Desk Lamps and dug through the reviews from 58 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Desk Lamps.

Best Desk Lamp

Our Review Process

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Those of us who spend a lot of time working at home barely even notice our desk lamps, and that’s a good thing. The last thing we want is a lamp that surprises us with a burned-out bulb, an easily toppled lamp structure or a light switch that sticks. Generally, we want a work light that works and stays out of the way.

That’s not to say that it has to be invisible or ugly. A desk lamp that fits in with the decor can brighten up a workspace in more ways than one. Finding one that’s right for your situation can be fun, but it’ll save you headaches to look at the boring specs first.

Foremost among these is the size of your lamp. Do you have a small desk? You’ll probably want a compact lamp, as well. (Although if it’s so small that every bit of surface area counts, you may want to consider a standing floor lamp instead.)

Bigger desks, of course, give you a little more leeway. But it’s also important to consider the size of your actual workspace. If most of your work is confined to a laptop screen, you really just need illumination in that small area. But if you’re using a larger area on your desk, make sure your lamp stands a little taller so that it can throw light in a wide arc. Of course, many modern desk lamps have a swivel head or points of articulation in the neck that let you adjust the height and location of the light. This can be a big help if you’re switching work areas often.

Many desk lamps might advertise their high-powered bulbs, throwing around lumen numbers into the thousands. Just remember that we’re talking about a desk lamp, not a ceiling light. Not many desks are large enough to need a high-wattage light, and 10W or so should be more than sufficient most workplaces. Some people might not even use desk lamps for work. A rustic retro lamp or stylish industrial model can add a great visual touch to any room, and the added functionality as an accent light can give it lots of versatility as an interior design element.

Finally, there’s the matter of the lamp itself. What sort of bulb should you have in it? Most desk lamps these days go with an LED bulb. For the most part, you should, too: They last about 50 times longer than a typical incandescent bulb, which is not only great for the environment but key for your work routine.

Our Picks For The Top Desk Lamps

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Best Overall

Lampat Natural Light Auto-Off Desk Lamp

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Lampat

Natural Light Auto-Off Desk Lamp

This powerful desk lamp switches between five levels of brightness and four operation modes with touch-sensitive controls. Its eco-friendly operation consumes less power than traditional desk lamps, and there's a shut-off feature that can be enabled if it sits idle for more than an hour. The rechargeable battery allows you to use it wirelessly if y...

Overall Take

Power-Saving LightThis efficient desk lamp with USB port uses less power and can even be used wirelessly.

Pros
" I can also say that this lamp is very bright and you do not have to strain your eyes. The lamp is also easy to set up because the instructions are very clear and simple to understand. It is also..."
Cons
"Light can be a bit bright for some. lamp base seems a bit oversized."
 Best Budget

Simple Designs LD1003 Traditional Pliable Desk Lamp

Simple Designs

Traditional Pliable Desk Lamp

You can purchase this handy desk lamp in black, gray, silver or white. It features an adjustable neck and a solid base that won't tip over. The on/off switch is conveniently located on the base of the lamp for ease of use.

Overall Take

Adjustable HeadThis desk lamp comes with an adjustable head, so you can position the light exactly where you need it to get the task at hand done.

Pros
" Further, the lamp has a flexible head and neck so that you can extend the lamp on any surface of the table."
 Best For Small Spaces

JOLY JOY Adjustable Flicker-Free Desk Lamp

JOLY JOY

Adjustable Flicker-Free Desk Lamp

Made with an eco-friendly LED light, this desk lamp won't flicker or distract you while you work. It has a three-point adjustable arm that lets you position the light exactly where you want it. The lamp also mounts to your desk using a clamp, so it won't take up any of your available work space.

Overall Take

Space-Saving ClampIf you have a small work area, this desk lamp with space-saving clamp will illuminate the area without taking up any room on your desk.

Pros
" The desk lamp is useful as well as beautiful things for home and offices. It can light up the whole room, and you can work comfortably during night hours. This is the stylish and long swing desk lamp with a..."
Cons
"The lightbulb is not replaceable. Some may find the power cord too short."

Simple Designs LD1036 Vintage Iron Desk Lamp

Simple Designs

Vintage Iron Desk Lamp

Available in a variety of finishes, this attractive desk lamp is designed to add style to your living space, as well as illuminate your work area. It features a clear glass shade and a handy on/off switch on the cord. You can also rotate it a full 360 degrees.

Overall Take

Stylish DesignIf you want a desk lamp that adds a decorative touch to your living space, this antique-style lamp is an excellent choice.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
16

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the desk lamps available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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58

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Awesometoplist, Archisoup, Lamp Picker, Irwin Corey, A Beauty Healthy.

42,556

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Desk Lamps and also dug through the reviews from 58 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Desk Lamps.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Simple Designs LD1003 Traditional Pliable Desk Lamp

Our Expert Score

0.0
1 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
1,798 user reviews

Our Take

You can purchase this handy desk lamp in black, gray, silver or white. It features an adjustable neck and a solid base that won't tip over. The on/off switch is conveniently located on the base of the lamp for ease of use.

What other experts liked

Further, the lamp has a flexible head and neck so that you can extend the lamp on any surface of the table.
- Awesometoplist

What to Look For

  • Modern lamps want to do a lot more than just light up your workload. There’s an increasing number of lamps on the marketplace that serve as miniature technology hubs. There are desk lamps that incorporate charging stations for your cell phone or smartwatch, some with wireless charging capability. There are even lamps that double as a Bluetooth speaker. This can be a great asset if you’re on a small desk where space is at a premium.
  • Older eyes need a little more care, and that’s especially important when you’re working close to a light source for extended periods of time. If your eyes are sensitive to glare, get a lamp with a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) or adjustable brightness that you can tweak at different times of the day.

Desk Lamp Rankings

1. Lampat Natural Light Auto-Off Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 21

2. Simple Designs LD1003 Traditional Pliable Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 6

3. JOLY JOY Adjustable Flicker-Free Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 5

4. Simple Designs LD1036 Vintage Iron Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 5

5. JUKSTG Office Dimming Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 4

6. Fugetek Recessed Anti-Eye Strain Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 20

7. LEPOWER Silicon Energy Saving Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 9

8. TW Lighting Modern Maneuverable Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 7

9. MEIKEE Customizable Cooling Desk Lamp

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 3

More to Explore

Estate sales and flea markets can turn up some great retro desk lamps, but they don’t come much more exotic than the one a North Wales couple found in 1953. It was an ornate ceramic globe that the pair had attached a lampshade to and were using as a desk lamp for decades. It was only in 2016 that a vendor realized the lamp was actually a hat stand made for Chinese Emperor Dauguang of the Qing dynasty over 200 years prior. It was subsequently sold at auction for a staggering £581,000 (over $750,000).

More to explore