The 12 Best Desk Lamps of 2021

Best Overall: Novogratz x Globe Electric Belmont Task Lamp

View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Bed Bath & Beyond

Novogratz x Globe Electric's Belmont Lamp isn’t an ordinary desk lamp—it’s a desk lamp that doubles as a phone charger. And when efficiency is what you’re after, that ability to multitask counts for a lot. On the base of the lamp, you’ll find a USB port you can use to charge your phone, your computer, your wireless headphones—or anything else that needs a little juice. Plus, the on/off switch is also located at the base, making it super accessible. This sleek (and affordable!) lamp is crafted from shiny metal, and its low-profile silhouette makes it an easy addition to any space.

Best Budget: Simple Designs Basic Metal Desk Lamp with Flexible Hose Neck

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot

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

View On Amazon

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

View On Food52 View On Virginiasin.com

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

View On Wayfair

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

View On Wayfair

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

View On Wayfair

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

View On Ikea

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

View On Wayfair

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

View On Design Within Reach View On Finnishdesignshop.com View On Hay.com

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

View On Pottery Barn

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.