How to choose a desk lamp: cordless, study, reading and eye-friendly light

Short answer: Choose a desk lamp by what you will use it for. For studying, work and long reading sessions you need around 500 lux on the desk surface, a neutral white light of 3500–4500 K, a CRI of at least 80, flicker-free LEDs and a dimmer – usually a 400–800 lumen task lamp with an adjustable head. For dining tables, bedsides, restaurants and terraces a decorative lamp of 150–300 lumens with warm 2700–3000 K light is enough. If you do not want a cable, choose a cordless (rechargeable) table lamp and check its battery capacity (mAh), charging time, runtime on low and full brightness and, for outdoor use, at least IP44 protection.

Types of table lamp: which one do you need?

"Table lamp" covers two quite different needs:

• Desk (study) lamp: Concentrates light on part of the desk. The head or arm can be adjusted and the output is strong. For computer work, homework, drawing and long reading.
• Reading lamp: Directed at a book next to an armchair or bed. Less powerful than a desk lamp but still adjustable.
• Decorative (ambient) table lamp: Shaded, mushroom-shaped or slim stem lamps. They spread soft light around and light up the room, but are not enough for detailed tasks.
• Cordless (rechargeable) table lamp: Has a built-in battery and works without a socket. Most give ambient light and are used in restaurants, cafés, on dining tables, bedsides and terraces.

The difference matters: an elegant 150–300 lumen cordless lamp gives lovely light at dinner but is not enough on its own for hours of studying. The reverse is also true: a powerful, cool-white task lamp feels harsh in a bedroom or on a restaurant table.

Colour temperature: how many Kelvin?

Light colour is measured in Kelvin (K). Low values are yellowish, high values bluish white.

• 2700–3000 K (warm white): Bedroom, living room, dining table, restaurant and terrace. Relaxing, and comfortable for evening reading.
• 3500–4500 K (neutral white): Studying, office and long desk work. Shows colours naturally and helps concentration.
• 5000–6500 K (cool white): Very detailed work, crafts, repairs. Long use late in the evening can disturb your sleep rhythm.

If you do different things during the day, a lamp with switchable colour temperature (CCT, "3 colours") is practical. More in our guide on which colour temperature to choose.

How bright: lumens and lux

Lumens (lm) is the total light output of the lamp. Lux (lx) is how much of it actually lands on your desk. For your eyes, lux is what counts.

• The European workplace lighting standard EN 12464-1 recommends 500 lx on the task area for writing, reading and computer work. It is a good target at home too.
• The light reaching the desk depends on the lamp's lumens, its height and how well the head focuses the light. For task lamps that direct light downwards, 400–800 lm is a common range; fine work such as drawing needs more.
• Decorative and cordless table lamps usually give 100–300 lm – a pleasant pool of light around the table, enough for short reading.
• Do not leave the room dark with only a desk lamp on. A very bright desk in a dark room makes the eyes constantly readjust and tire. Keep a ceiling or wall light on.

The link between watts and lumens is explained in lumens, watts and colour temperature.

What makes a lamp easy on the eyes?

"Eye-friendly" is not a label but a combination of features:

• No flicker: Cheap LED drivers switch the light on and off faster than the eye notices; over time this can cause headaches and eye strain. Simple test: point your phone camera at the lamp – moving stripes on the screen mean flicker. Try it dimmed as well, as flicker often appears at low levels. In the EU, Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/2020 sets limits for flicker (Pst LM ≤ 1.0) and stroboscopic effect (SVM) in light sources.
• Colour rendering index (CRI, Ra): How naturally the light shows colours. At least 80 for reading and study; 90 or more for colour work such as painting or photo editing.
• No glare: When seated you should not see the LED or bulb directly. The shade should cover the light source so the light goes to the desk and book, not into your eyes. Glossy desk surfaces reflect light and cause glare.
• Dimmable: Day and evening, book and screen need different light levels. Stepped or continuous dimming helps.
• Blue light: The photobiological safety of lamps is classified under EN 62471; products marked "RG0" (exempt) or "RG1" (low risk) are safe in normal use. Choosing warm light in the evening is also more relaxing.

Where to put a desk or study lamp

• Right-handed people place the lamp on the left, left-handed people on the right, so the hand does not cast a shadow on the paper.
• The lamp head should sit slightly above eye level and in front; light should fall on the desk from above and the side.
• At a computer, put the lamp beside the screen and aim it at the keyboard and paper, not the screen, so there are no reflections.
• A reading lamp stands beside or slightly behind the armchair so the light comes over your shoulder onto the book.
• An adjustable head or arm makes it easy to adapt the lamp to different tasks.

For the general lighting of a work area see office and shop lighting; for bedside light see bedroom lighting.

Cordless (rechargeable) table lamps: what to check

A cordless table lamp runs on a built-in lithium battery, without cable or socket. It is popular where no cable can reach the table, in restaurants and on terraces. When comparing, look at:

• Battery capacity (mAh): At the same power a larger battery lasts longer. Capacity alone is not enough – check the wattage and the dimming level too.
• Runtime: Manufacturers usually give separate figures for the lowest and highest setting. At full brightness it can be a few hours, dimmed tens of hours. Judge by the setting you will actually use.
• Charging time and input: USB-C charging is common and works with a phone charger. A full charge usually takes a few hours.
• Dimming and colour: Touch dimming and 3 colour temperatures let you use the same lamp warm at dinner and whiter for work.
• Body and weight: A metal body and heavy base make the lamp harder to knock over – important in restaurants.
• For restaurants: Check that the runtime covers an evening service. Putting the lamps on charge at the same time every day avoids them going out mid-service.

Battery care: Do not leave the lamp fully discharged for long; if you will not use it, store it half charged in a cool place. Charge in a dry place with a suitable USB adapter. Never open a damaged or swollen battery yourself.

IP44 for restaurants, cafés and terraces

The IP rating shows how well the lamp is protected against dust and water.

• IP20: Dry indoor use only.
• IP44: Protected against objects over 1 mm and splashing water from any direction. Suitable for balconies, terraces, garden tables and restaurant patios; drizzle and splashes are fine.
• IP65 and above: Protected against water jets; needed for fittings that stay outdoors permanently.

Do not leave an IP44 lamp out in the rain, do not submerge it and do not charge it while wet. More in IP ratings explained and, for general garden and terrace light, how to light a garden.

What is a mushroom table lamp?

A mushroom lamp has a wide, round shade sitting on a slim stem. Light spreads softly from under the shade onto the table and around it; because the source is hidden, there is little glare. It suits dining tables, bedsides, consoles and restaurant or café tables. Since the light cannot be directed, it is not recommended as the only light for long studying or detailed work. Rechargeable mushroom lamps can be moved from table to table.

Safety for corded lamps and sockets

A plug-in table lamp needs an earthed socket near the table. Extension leads and power strips are not a permanent solution, and cables should not cross walkways. If you need a new socket by the desk or a new circuit in a restaurant or on a terrace, have it installed by a qualified electrician. Cordless lamps remove this need in many places.

Cordless table lamps in our shop

Our rechargeable table lamp category has three cordless LED table lamps by Braytron. All are IP44, CRI 80 or higher, charge at 5 V and can be used outdoors:

• Braytron Tower 1: Classic shade on a slim metal body. 3 W, 300 lm, 3000 K, 2600 mAh battery, charges via USB-C in about 4 hours; up to 30 hours dimmed and 6 hours at full brightness; stepped dimming. Ø82 × 371 mm, white and black.
• Braytron Tower 2: Wide mushroom shade, conical metal body. 3 W, 300 lm, 3 colour temperatures, 2600 mAh battery, about 4 hours via USB-C; 30 hours dimmed, 6 hours at full brightness; stepped dimming. Ø138 × 276 mm, white, black and green.
• Braytron Luxe: Slim stem, round flat head. 2 W, 150 lm, 3 colour temperatures, 1800 mAh battery, charges in 4–6 hours, runs up to 12 hours. Ø80 × 340 mm, white, black and gold.

These lamps are for ambient and table light: restaurants, cafés, hotels, dining tables, bedsides and terraces. For long study sessions, combine them with an adjustable task lamp.

• → Rechargeable table lamps
• → Braytron Tower 2 mushroom table lamp
• → Braytron Tower 1 cordless table lamp
• → Braytron Luxe cordless table lamp