After several hours of research, I finally made my selection of the 4 best desk lamps among more than twenty models available at the moment.My favorite is the Wilit T3 . This mid-range model makes it possible to work really comfortably. This lamp, suitable for children’s homework as well as for homework, also works perfectly as a mood lamp. You will also find at the end of this article a buying guide to choose a desk lamp perfectly in tune with your needs.
The best cheap desk lamps
Entry-level models are traditional desk lamps. If they are orientable, to offer you perfect writing and reading comfort, they only offer one level of brightness.
It is therefore advisable to equip them with a suitable bulb. If there are cheap desk lamps with a neat design, they can have a small weakness: stability. We will therefore carefully check the quality of the foot.
Ikea Forså : the best cheap
Since its creation in 1943, Ikea has offered the services of some of the greatest designers. If the brand popularized the Scandinavian style, it also produced a few pieces that became legendary and a long line of regularly reissued bestsellers.
Among his unmissable classics: the Forså desk lamp. A small functional price, with impeccable style.
In the category of functional and comfortable desk lamps, the free-standing model with articulated arm is a classic. It is no surprise that Ikea took it to revisit it. So we find a classic design, combined with a contemporary design.
This traditional model therefore displays more refined lines. It is also available in many colors. The Nickel version is undoubtedly the most versatile: whether you are more Scandinavian, industrial or rustic contemporary decor, it will blend perfectly into your interior.
Made of steel, the Forså desk lamp displays rock solid durability. With a height of 35 cm, it adapts to all situations: children’s or adult’s desk, reading at the end of the sofa, etc. It has a space-saving foot 15 cm in diameter: there is none no less heavy and very stable.
This lamp is equipped with a 12 cm shade. It is designed to be used preferably with an E14 bulb. We particularly appreciate the fairly long power cable of this model: 1.8 m.
Installation is simple, especially as the Forså desk lamp is delivered with its instructions. We appreciate the screw that allows you to fix the foot: an element that seems obvious and yet… many lamps of this type do not, which considerably affects their stability when it is necessary to adjust the arm.
On the maintenance side, this lamp is not very demanding. Be careful, however, to comply with Ikea’s recommendations: do not use anything other than a cloth dampened in a mild detergent and wipe thoroughly with a soft cloth. Without it, you risk leaving traces that are not pleasant to the eye (especially on the Nickel version).
The Forså desk lamp will find its place on the desk of adults as well as in a teenage bedroom. Timeless, solid and functional: it is definitely THE model that stands out in the low price category.
And to tell the truth, it is also able to stand up to more high-end models!
The best mid-range desk lamps
In this price range, you will find very pretty LED models. Stable, with easy-to-adjust arms and heads, these desk lamps provide comfortable lighting.
Especially since it is generally not only possible to adjust the intensity level, but also the color temperature. You can therefore benefit from a luminaire which will adjust to all your activities: reading and writing, working on screen etc.
Wilit T3 : the best mid-range
Wilit belongs to this category of brands which exclusively sell their products online. His specialty is office lighting, which will find its place at work as well as at home.
The Wilit T3 is one of its bestsellers. The reason for success? Real versatility!
Equipped with a flexible swan neck at 90 ° and a lamp head that can rotate 45 °, the Wilit T3 desk lamp is easy to handle. Nothing could be simpler than orienting it perfectly, for maximum writing and reading comfort.
If this lamp is designed for the office, it turns out to be ultra-versatile. It has its full effect in supplemental lighting in the living room or as a bedside lamp, in the bedroom for children or adults.
The Wilit T3 is distinguished by the variety of settings it offers. Equipped with LED bulbs, it has 3 levels of brightness.
It is also possible to enjoy the colorful effects of its spherical base. The settings, tactile, are very intuitive. We note all the same that the touch control can occasionally prove a little capricious when it comes to choosing a specific color …
Good point: the possibility of dissociating the lamp and the stand. It is therefore possible to combine the lights or to use them independently. We also appreciate the quality of the lamp: the LEDs produce a uniform lighting, which is not aggressive for the eyes.
On the design side, the Wilit T3 displays ultra contemporary clean lines. It is distinguished by its round foot, which can also worry at first glance. Do not panic: the lamp displays excellent stability!
Topelek : a simple and effective alternative
When it comes to high-performance table lamps, Topelek is never far away. If the brand is more specifically known for its affordable mice and keyboards, it indeed offers an interesting range of table lamps.
And among its most successful products, we find this LED desk lamp, very comfortable when it comes to reading or writing without ruining your eyes.
The Topelek desk lamp displays an ultra-contemporary minimalist design. It offers excellent flexibility: 180 ° for the arm, 90 ° for the lamp.
It is therefore quite easy to perfectly adjust its axis. You can also fold it up when you’re not using it. If this lamp displays a silhouette while lightness, do not worry: it is nonetheless very stable.
Unlike the Wilit T3 lamp , this model is more specifically designed for reading and writing. Here, no colored lights, to distill a relaxing atmosphere, but 3 levels of brightness and 3 color modes, ranging from cold white to warm white. Enough to work comfortably, especially since this LED model is uniform and gentle on the eyes.
The operation of this lamp is simple and intuitive. The lamp is equipped with a single button that allows you to turn it on or off. Adjustments are made by a simple long press. Great idea: the memory function, which allows you to keep your settings from one use to another!
The Topelek lamp is delivered with its instructions, its USB cable and its adapter. This model works either on mains or on a USB socket.
Good to know all the same: the lamp works better on mains. It is indeed devoid of battery, and when plugged into a USB socket, it may take a little time to turn on.
This model is a particularly relevant choice if you mainly work on a computer or tablet. The first level of intensity is indeed very well dosed for screens.
Without superfluous options, the Topelek desk lamp is nonetheless very efficient and above all, extremely comfortable for working. If versatility is not your priority and you are looking for an office model exclusively, no doubt: it is the perfect model!
The best high-end desk lamps
The high-end models are distinguished first by the choice of materials. From an aesthetic point of view, these are therefore beautiful objects, with neat finishes, benefiting from excellent solidity.
You will also find LED models offering more varied intensity levels and color temperatures.
TaoTronics : the best high-end
Based in China, the TaoTronics company specializes in electronics. In addition to high-quality speakers and headphones, the brand offers a range of smart LED lamps. And in particular this aluminum lamp with some rather practical functions.
The TaoTronics desk lamp displays a fine, minimalist and ultra modern silhouette. If its aluminum structure is very elegant, it also has the significant advantage of being extremely robust.
The lamp base rotates 145 ° and the head tilts 135 °. It therefore allows a fairly precise adjustment, even if we regret that the lamp does not rotate. The fairly concentrated light beam is particularly suitable for reading.
This lamp is delivered with its manual in French, its AC adapter – vertical and fairly thin – and a microfiber cloth. Note that it can be registered with the manufacturer, which gives you a free guarantee.
First of all, this model offers an interesting choice of light temperatures: 2900K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K and 6000K. You also have 5 intensity levels. Suffice to say that it is possible to perfectly adjust the lighting to your activity!
With two discreet buttons, this desk lamp is as intuitive as it is practical. This model also has a memory function, which will keep your setting from one use to another.
If the TaoTronics lamp is designed for the office, it is just as comfortable on a bedside table. Especially in terms of comfort, nothing to complain about!
This model produces functional and comfortable lighting, which does not attack the eyes. It is indeed equipped with an anti-glare system which proves to be very effective.
This lamp has the distinction of being equipped with an integrated USB port, which allows in particular to charge a smartphone while working. This detail is a particularly interesting idea, because it is between the printer, the computer and the light fixtures, it is common to run out of electrical outlets near the office, and the multiple sockets are not really elegant (not to mention the complications at the time to clean up!).
The TaoTronics desk lamp is probably not flawless. It nevertheless benefits from smart details – integrated USB port and well-designed adapter – and it displays an elegant design and meticulous finishes. With a price that remains affordable, it is one of the best value for money on the market.
The products of my selection on sale for now
How to choose your desk lamp?
Office lighting isn’t just about comfort. It’s also about protecting your eyes.
It doesn’t matter if you only put us in your office for the time needed to settle your bills or spend several hours a day there as part of a work at home: the choice of the lamp should not be made lightly!
The right combination
Your desk lamp should provide you with enough light to read and write comfortably. But beware of an all too common error: it is not intended to provide full lighting for the office!
Even a lamp of excellent quality would end up spoiling your view if you just rely on it. Your desk lamp should therefore always be used in combination with a ceiling or floor lamp, which provides indirect lighting.
The different types of desk lamps
The traditional desk lamp
It is equipped with an articulated arm and head. This type of lamp is extremely practical because you can adjust the height and the axis of the light beam according to your needs at the moment. To be functional, it must be easy to handle. It is therefore a question of choosing a stable model, on which the foot and fixed firmly.
The clamp desk lamp
It attaches to your work plan (or even to your computer screen for the most compact models). It’s a great alternative if you don’t have a lot of space. However, choose an arm long enough for you to work comfortably.
The optimal height
Specialists recommend opting for a desk lamp whose head is 40 cm above the worktop.
The type of lighting
The symmetrically lit desk lamp intensely illuminates a specific area. A pattern with asymmetric lighting covers a wider area, and they produce diffuse lighting. The choice therefore depends on your needs and your habits.
Asymmetric lighting is flexible enough to allow you to read and write comfortably. If you have activities that require targeted lighting, symmetrical lighting will be more suitable.
The type of bulbs
There are 4 types of bulbs.
LED
It has the longest lifespan. It does not produce heat, which is particularly pleasant in summer. It provides precise lighting. However, the color rendering remains average.
The incandescent lamp
It is more suitable for domestic lighting because it produces heat and its life is short: you will have to replace it very frequently. However, it ensures good color rendering.
The fluorescent lamp
It is quite common. With a lifespan of 10,000 hours on average, it is quite suitable for lighting a workstation. The color rendering is not exceptional and it gives off little heat.
The halogen lamp
It offers excellent color rendering. But it gives off a strong heat. It is therefore hardly suitable for the desk lamp.
Light intensity and warmth
The majority of LED desk lamps offer at least 3 intensity levels. Many of them also allow you to choose between warm and cold light. It is therefore relatively easy to find the ideal combination, depending on your activity at the time (and your age … because after 45 years, more intense lighting is needed!).
If you opt for a traditional model, like the Ikea Forså lamp , the intensity and the heat will be fixed. It is therefore advisable to choose the bulb with the greatest care. To make your choice, it is therefore necessary to know the basics.
The cold lighting (white light), powerful, imitates daylight. It is the most suitable choice for meticulous work (for example, the realization of a reduced model)
Warm lighting (yellow light) is more relaxing.
Opal bulb provides diffuse and uniform lighting
A transparent bulb is more suitable for a luminaire fitted with a lampshade
For classic office work, professionals recommend the use of a bulb from 450 to 500 lux. If you are engaged in meticulous tasks, it is best to opt for a bulb of at least 1000 lux.
The work plan
To work comfortably, the choice of the desk lamp is essential, but it is not enough. Pay particular attention to reflective surfaces!
The reflection of the light beam can dazzle you in extreme cases. In the long run, this can tire your eyesight. So do not hesitate to equip yourself with a desk pad or a lamp mat to remedy this problem.
The different functions
Desk lamps can have more or less attractive options. The choice depends exclusively on your needs.
Date and time display
Integrated USB port
It is most appreciated at home, where it is common that there is a lack of sockets in the office.
Memory
Convenient for LED models, this function will save you from having to redo all your settings each time you switch on.
Design
The desk lamp is a light that must above all be useful. It is nonetheless a visible element, and it is more pleasant to opt for a model that harmonizes with your decor.
Today, there are such a variety of models that it is easy to find desk lamps available in all styles: bohemian, contemporary, industrial … Be careful, all the same, not to neglect basic checks.
Your lamp must be very stable. Ideally, the arm and head rotate. You should be able to handle them easily. The quality of the materials should not be overlooked. Metal is a safe bet to enjoy a desk lamp that lasts.
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