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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
The right desk lamp is a reliable light source and a stylish accent for your workspace.
We evaluated dozens of lamps, evaluating brightness, design, value, and added features. Our favorite, the Brightever Industrial Dimmable Desk Lamp, is small but effective and can also charge your smartphone.
Here are the best desk lamps.
Best Overall: Brightever Industrial Dimmable Desk Lamp
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Amazon
Has USB charging
Affordable
3-way dimming
No wireless charging
What do buyers say? 95% of 390+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
When you're working at home, an ideal desk lamp is bright enough to keep you focused and comes with features for greater efficiency. Our best overall pick, the Brightever Industrial Dimmable Desk Lamp, soars above the competition in those areas. Not only does this lamp have multiple light settings, but it also has two USB charging ports and an outlet to power your phone, laptop, smartwatch, or wireless headphones.
With three dimmer settings, this light is excellent for bright light in the morning and throughout the day, and slightly dimmer light once dusk falls to help your eyes adjust. You don't have to hit a particular button to see this effect—simply touch any part of the lamp to activate the dimmer settings. You can also move the 360-degree rotating head for the best lighting angle.
If you want a multitasking lamp for your desk, the Brightever checks many boxes. It's compact, made from durable metal materials, and is reasonably priced for the quality you're getting.
Best Budget: Simple Designs Basic Metal Desk Lamp with Flexible Hose Neck
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Courtesy of Walmart
Affordable
Adjustable
Comes in various colors
Might be too small for larger desks
For a lamp that'll get the job done without breaking the bank, consider the Simple Designs Basic Metal Desk Lamp with Flexible Hose Neck. The budget-friendly style is offered in a few colors and is pretty small too, so it won't take up too much desk space. It has a minimal design as well, so it'll pair well with any desk accessories you already have. Plus, it has a flexible neck that allows you to adjust the lamp to your liking, so you'll always have your preferred lighting.
Best LED: Himigo LED Desk Lamp
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Courtesy of Amazon
Has multiple modes and brightness levels
Touch switch
Comes with either wireless or USB charging
Not the most attractive option
For a desk lamp that perfectly pairs style and function, you can't go wrong with the Himigo LED Desk Lamp. Designed with an LED panel, it has a modern style that'll pair easily with any existing furniture and decor. It has a rotating arm as well that makes it easy to pivot the lamp to your liking. As an added bonus, the lamp also has USB or wireless charging capabilities. The best part? It features five color modes and five brightness levels, so it'll give you perfect lighting both day and night.
Best Small: SIN MIMA Lamp
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Comes in various colors
Small footprint
Bulb is included
Handmade
Expensive
The SIN Handmade MIMA Lamp is so pretty it could double as a work of art, and it’s compact enough to put on just about any desk—even a very crowded one. The lamp stands at 4 inches tall, 4 inches wide, and 3.5 inches deep, so you can rest assured knowing it won’t demand much space on your desk. And since half of its form is an exposed lightbulb, you can trust that it’ll emit plenty of light, despite its small size.
Best Industrial: Trent Austin Design Keystone 19" Desk Lamp
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Courtesy of Wayfair
Comes in various colors
Affordable
Could also function as a bedside lamp
On/off switch is on the cord, so not as accessible
Searching for a desk lamp that feels sleek, simple, and just a little bit industrial? Wayfair’s Trent Austin Design Keystone 19" Desk Lamp may be exactly what you’re looking for. The lamp features a sleek metal base and clear glass shade that'll work just as well on a nightstand as it will on a desk. And, at 19 inches, the lamp stands pretty tall, so you can rest assured knowing you’ll get all the light you need. It's pretty affordable too, so you can get more than one for different areas of your home.
Best Vintage: Three Posts Teen Totnes Desk Lamp
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Adjustable
Long cord length
Small footprint
Only comes in one color
Wayfair’s Three Posts Totnes Desk Lamp offers a budget-friendly way to add some vintage style to your home. The lamp is crafted from metal and finished with a matte black coating that leaves it feeling just a little antique, and it’s lined with ornate brass joints that make it feel even older and more elegant. Of course, these joints aren’t merely aesthetic—the lamp hinges at each of them, so you can adjust each one to expand or contract your lamp until it perfectly suits your space. And since the lamp boasts a conical lampshade, you can direct light exactly where you want it.
Best Wooden: Orren Ellis Foxe Desk Lamp
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Built-in LED light
Adjustable
Dimmable
Expensive
Not as bright as other options
Wooden desk lamps abound, and Wayfair’s Orren Ellis Foxe Desk Lamp is a surprisingly sleek option that's ideal for fans of minimalist design. The lamp is made from a combination of manufactured wood and matte black metal—two materials that play very well together—and it boasts a nice low-profile silhouette.
The lamp is made up of three simple pieces: a flat metal base, a narrow wooden stand, and a long metal bar lined with LED lights. The wooden stand and metal bar meet at a hinge, allowing you to adjust the lamp’s angle. And you can take advantage of the lamp’s built-in dimmer any time you want to switch up the ambiance.
Best Clamp: IKEA NÄVLINGE LED Clamp Spotlight
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Budget-friendly
Slim design
Built-in LED light
Only comes in one color
Clamp lamps make it easy to bring light into your office without wasting precious desk space. How? They clamp onto the side of your desk rather than sitting on top of it. These lamps can be a little tough to find, but IKEA has a few options on hand, including the NÄVLINGE LED Clamp Spotlight. This low-profile desk lamp is crafted from plastic and metal, and its powder-coated finish leaves it looking both matte and modern. The clamp lining the lamp’s base promises to be easy to adjust, and that built-in flexibility means you can reliably get proper lighting.
Best with USB: Mack & Milo Adorra Desk Lamp
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Built-in USB port
LED bulb is included
Has wireless and USB charging
Expensive
Not as bright as other options
A desk lamp that doubles as a device charger can add a ton of efficiency to any home office, and Wayfair’s Mack & Milo Adorra Desk Lamp offers a particularly cute way to multitask. The metal lamp is rendered in a sleek color scheme (shiny brass and matte black), and its frosted bulb packs plenty of style. The lamp’s base comes equipped with a wireless charging dock you can use to recharge your phone—and as if that weren’t enough, it also boasts a built-in USB port you can use to charge your other go-to devices.
Best Cordless: HAY PC Portable Lamp
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Comes in various colors
Small footprint
Dimmable
Bulb is included
Expensive
Needs to be charged frequently
Let’s just admit it: Cords can get in the way. But cordless desk lamps that are stylish, practical, and space-efficient can be really tough to find. That’s where HAY’s PC Portable Lamp comes in. The LED lamp is battery-operated, and when it’s fully charged, it promises to keep you going for up to 10 hours at a time. The durable lamp is indoor/outdoor-friendly, so you can use it on your desk during the workday and as outdoor lighting on your patio at night. And since it comes in four color schemes, you can easily find an option that suits your space.
Best Swing Arm: Pottery Barn Ridge LED USB Task Lamp
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Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Wireless charger and USB port
Adjustable
Available in two finishes
Expensive
Classic, eye-catching, and incredibly useful, Pottery Barn's Ridge Task Lamp makes a great addition to any home office. The lamp boasts a swing-arm design, which means its base is made up of two different bars that connect via a hinge. Since this hinge is totally adjustable, you can extend the lamp to make it taller—or contract it to create a more targeted spotlight. And of course, you can change the lamp’s angle at any time. This makes it easy to customize the lighting set-up at your desk, giving you the exact ambiance you need at all times.
Best Modern: AllModern Jean Table Lamp
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Modern design
Bulb is included
Durable
Expensive
On/off switch is on the cord, so not as accessible
AllModern’s Jean Table Lamp is a striking option that’s sure to make a statement in your space. And since it promises to give off plenty of light, you can rest assured knowing you don’t have to pick between form and function—you can simply have both. The lamp is crafted from iron and finished with a sleek black or white coating, depending on which option you choose. The lamp also boasts a few vibrant gold accents, which make it feel warm and homey—despite its dramatically curved silhouette.
Our top pick is the Brightever Dimmable Desk Lamp (view at Amazon). Its small footprint, affordable price tag, and convenient charging port make it an easy win for any home office. Looking for something more affordable? Try the Simple Designs Basic Metal Desk Lamp with Flexible Hose Neck (view at Amazon), a super budget-friendly option that is small and convenient.
What to Look for in a Desk Lamp
Size
Desk space is precious, so you don’t want a desk lamp that demands too much real estate. Look for a low-profile lamp that will stay out of your way while still offering plenty of light. If you really have a small desk, consider a clamp lamp that attaches to the side rather than sits on top, or a wall lamp.
Style
Desk lamps come in an array of different styles, including swing-arm lamps, classic task lamps, and more. Snag an option you’ll love looking at throughout the workday—and make sure it offers the kind of light you’re looking for.
Extras
Many desk lamps come equipped with extra features, like built-in USB ports or wireless charging pads. These add-ons aren’t necessary, but since they can make your set-up more efficient, they can be really nice to have.
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Are desk lamps bad for your eyes?
Desk lamps aren’t necessarily bad for your eyes, but working in an environment that’s too harshly lit or too dimly lit may cause eye strain. If you notice that your eyes feel unusually sore, dry, or watery when you use a desk lamp, consider talking to an optometrist. They can help you understand why you’re experiencing these symptoms, and they can also let you know whether you need to switch up your desk lamp.
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How do you design a desk lamp?
If you’re struggling to find a desk lamp that ticks all the boxes, you may be tempted to design your own. And while that might sound like a lot of work, there are a few different ways to pull it off. The easiest option is to combine a lamp base with a lampshade you’ve found somewhere else. But if you don’t mind a DIY project, you can also make your own desk lamp using plywood or cement. Finally, if you want to go all out, you can design a desk lamp from scratch using a 3D modeling program, then, you can talk to a manufacturer about bringing your vision to life.
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What essentials belong on my desk?
When deciding which essentials belong on your desk, consider what items you use most frequently. If you reach for a notebook, planner, or folder every day, keep it nearby. And do the same with other go-to supplies, like pens and pencils. By focusing on making things convenient for your future self, you’ll end up with a desk that feels organized and easy to navigate.
Why Trust The Spruce?
As a seasoned lifestyle writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands what a difference a great product recommendation can make. That’s why she makes sure to recommend products that are sleek, reliable, and well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. To write this article, she selected lamps based on their materials, extra features, and style.