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Jun 23, 2023

The 4 Best Desk Lamps of 2023

We added three new picks: the Uplift E7, Humanscale Nova, and Anglepoise 90 Mini

We added three new picks: the Uplift E7, Humanscale Nova, and Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini. We also expanded our Other good desk lamps section, adding new options.

We moved some of our previous picks—the Possini Euro Magnum, TaoTronics LED Lamp, and Franklin Iron Works’ Bronze Turnbuckle LED Lamp—to our Competition section.

A great desk lamp can transform your workspace—both functionally and aesthetically. It can reduce eye fatigue and help you better see what you’re working on, and it can set the right mood for getting work done. A great lamp can also be a design statement. After researching over 51 desk lamps and testing 16, we’ve chosen our favorite desk lamps in a variety of styles and prices.

We favored built-in LEDs and LED bulbs, due to their long lifespan and, in some cases, adjustable color temperature.

We like when power switches are on the lamp (not on the cord) because this makes them easier to turn on and off.

We preferred lamps that let us adjust the brightness levels (and made it intuitive to do so).

We wanted lamps that would look good on any desk, complement different decor styles, and last a lifetime.

This great-quality, highly adjustable aluminum LED desk lamp is affordable, and it can reach high and far.

Get this if: You need a desk lamp that can adapt to different tasks throughout the day.

Why it's great: The Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 with Clamp is a nearly perfect desk lamp in its practicality versus price: It's lightweight yet stable, affordable but not cheaply made, and slender but capable of stretching high and wide, to cast a glare-free and adjustable light wherever it's needed.

The E7 isn't going to win any style awards, but the lamp's rangy, simple design is unobtrusive. Kindly put, it's utilitarian. Because this lamp clamps onto a desk's edge (an optional desk base is available, for $20), it doesn't require a lot of space. And once it's assembled (PDF), its three-part adjustable aluminum arm can impressively reach—like an NBA center—up and outward, craning 34 inches up and 43 inches wide when fully outstretched (PDF). It took just a few minutes to assemble the lamp and secure the clamp to our desk, and it was easy to do.

The 11-by-1-inch LED assembly is sheathed in smooth aluminum and shines up to 685 lumens bright (more on lumens here), with an adjustable head that nods up or down in a 190-degree range of motion. We wished the lamp head could also rotate to each side, but the two lamp arms make up for this drawback with gymnast-like flexibility: The first joint of articulation bends 110 degrees, and the second articulation point offers an even more limber 210 degrees—allowing for seemingly endless angles for the lamp to shine its light. Watch the video here to see more detail on how the lamp can be adjusted.

There's no app integration or smart programmable options, but in everyday use, the E7's simplicity proved to be a virtue, not a vice. The E7's controls are tasked to a single square button on the LED light bar, allowing for stepless dimming and brightness adjustments with a tap or long hold. It took only a few uses for the controls to become an intuitive "Look ma, no glancing required" motion. Uplift also makes our top pick standing desk, so we know it's a reliable company (and if you happen to be shopping for a desk, you can usually find discounts when bundling accessories).

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Because the clamp needs a 2-inch lip to attach to (adjustable up to 2¼-inch thickness), not all desks may be able to accommodate the desk attachment without having to be pulled away from a wall. The lamp can't tilt back at the base beyond a fixed angle, and the top arm can fling back with some velocity if positioned beyond 90 degrees. The power switch is made of cheap plastic. And, unlike most desk lamps, this lamp includes a two-part power cord instead of one continuous length—which could create an unnecessary point of breakage (and also doesn't look as tidy).

Dimensions: 34 by 13.6 by 7.9 inches (see PDF for details)

LED bulb included: yes, built in

Brightness levels: adjustable (touch button)

Color temperature: 6,000 K (cool daylight)

Phone charging: none

Wattage: 9 watts

Warranty: 15 years

This minimalist desk lamp provides a soft, glare-free adjustable light, and when it senses no one is around, it shuts off automatically to save energy.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $564.

Get this if: You want a soft, glare-free, uniform light source that won't tire the eyes and can double as serviceable video-conference lighting.

Why it's great: The minimalist Humanscale Nova LED lamp provides a soft and uniform light without any distracting glare, flickering, or harsh shadows—making it our favorite lamp for working in front of a computer. The lamp achieves this uniform pool of light by adding a diffuser lens over the LED array. The Nova also has a touch-bar control running along its top arm. So dimming from 100% down to 14% brightness requires only an intuitive sliding motion, which we easily became accustomed to using without even a glance.

A big reason we liked this lamp was its effortless, silent adjustability. Whether tilting or swiveling, any adjustment required only one hand. The flat, 5-inch light head adjusts up and down and swivels nearly all the way around, so light can be aimed from varying heights and angles. We were also impressed with the Nova's easy assembly. Just drop the preassembled arm and light head into the weighted desktop base, plug in the Nova, and it's ready to use.

When stretching the lamp to its highest reach (nearly 29 inches), we could illuminate the majority of our 70-inch-long desk with only a gentle tapering of light at the far edges. But when we needed to focus light on an exacting task—like installing new keyboard switches or removing a bee stinger with tweezers—we could pull the arms downward just above the desk to cast a shadow-free, even light.

We also appreciated the memory setting, which turns the Nova to its last-used brightness level, as well as a built-in energy-saving occupancy sensor, which turns the lamp off automatically when it's left alone. And if you’re regularly logging onto video calls, you might appreciate the Nova's ability to soften harsh shadows when it's used at low-medium brightness.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Although this lamp can reach far forward, its two-piece arm cannot tilt backward beyond a subtle angled position. The automatic energy-saving on/off sensor failed us only once, when we were in a still, long reading mode and had the lamp blocked with other items. But once we positioned the Nova normally, that never occurred again. We’ll keep an eye on this feature.

The Nova is also available with a desk clamp, a wall mount, a cooler 4,000 K light, or with extended arms for even greater reach (expect delivery to take a bit longer with these customizations added). There's also an optional charging desktop base equipped with two USB-A ports and Qi wireless charging, but that brings with it a second cord trailed by its own hefty power brick, giving the lamp an ugly pigtail and marring an otherwise minimalist design. Unless you’re in dire need of additional ports/power, skip this option.

Dimensions: 29 by 13 by 14 inches, with a 7½-inch-diameter base

LED bulb included: yes, built in

Brightness levels: adjustable (touch button)

Color temperature: warm (3,000 K)

Phone charging: optional add-on

Wattage: 7 watts

Warranty: 10 years

This uncomplicated desk lamp uses LED bulbs instead of built-in LEDs, and it's the most flexible model for positioning light just where you want it.

Get this if: You want a simple desk lamp with a replaceable bulb and an iconic design that suits most office decor.

Why it's great: The IKEA Forså is one of the most physically adjustable lamps we tested (second to the Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini). It has three lamp-arm hinges, a tall spring-loaded arm that rotates 180 degrees, and a lamp head that rotates 360 degrees, so you can aim the light anywhere. The metal lamp also has a heavy base, to prevent toppling.

Unlike with many other lamps we tested, with this one there's no confusing touch interface to tap or to slide your fingers across—there's simply an on/off switch on the cord next to the base.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Not everyone liked the look of the lamp in a real-world setting. One tester said it looked clunky. And we thought the shiny coat on the black version (no longer available as a desk lamp) made the Forså look more plasticky than it did in online photos. The newer, nickel-plated version we tested in 2022 is a nicer finish, but it's also a fingerprint magnet. As of 2022, it seems the Forså is no longer sold in various colors and finishes, as it used to be; the only available color we saw was the nickel-plated one.

You can't adjust the Forså's brightness or color temperature, but you can choose a different bulb to suit your lighting preferences, up to 40 watts. But in its out-of-the-box configuration, this lamp is dimmer than all of our picks. It comes with IKEA's E12 bulb.

Dimensions: 21 by 6 by 6 inches, with a round base

LED bulb included: yes

Brightness levels: one

Color temperature: warm (2,300 K)

Phone charging: no

Wattage: 40 watts max

Warranty: one year

This portable and adjustable lamp has a compact base that can be powered using an outlet, rechargeable battery, or USB port.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $160.

Get this if: You work from a small desk. This compact, adjustable lamp is powered via a wall outlet, USB-A port, or portable battery—for an "everywhere is my office" convenience.

Why it's great: The Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini Desk Lamp is the most adjustable lamp we tested, and it's our top pick for anyone who has to make every bit of available surface space count. Fashioned after the iconic British spring-armed lamp that has inspired innumerable knockoffs since its introduction, in the 1930s, this half-size update retains all the best features of the original design. It adds an efficient LED, and it can be plugged into an electrical outlet, USB port, or run off of its rechargeable battery pack for cordless operation.

The Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini is impressively limber in its ability to twist, turn, and angle like a curious kitten, and it stays securely in place with a three-spring design (articulation can be loosened or tightened using an included hex tool). Though most spring-tension desk lamps feature exposed cords at each elbow of articulation, the 90 Mini Mini's snap-in assembly ditches this norm, channeling power from the lamp's base to the LED assembly sans any visible cord or cabling. Thus, the base and shade-head assembly can rotate, unimpeded, a full 360 degrees. Unlike arms on other models we tested, the 90 Mini Mini's articulating arms never sprang forward or tipped backward, no matter how far we pushed the lamp head in either direction. And because the lamp sits on a heavy, 5-inch-diameter base, it stands its ground, even when pushed at its highest point. Also, it's easy to adjust with only one hand—stability you rarely see with lamps this small.

Though not exceedingly bright, the lamp's integrated, 40-watt-equivalent LEDs give off a pleasantly diffuse, warm light that won't tire eyes while you’re working from a computer or reading printed material. Turning the lamp on and off is simple because it has a single tactile button, located on the top of the lamp shade. Assembly requires just a tad more effort; both the lamp shade and the base slide into each side of the arms with a secure click, and two springs need to be stretched and attached for proper tension.

Flaws but not dealbreakers: Fully extended, the arms reach to only 20½ inches in height. Combined with the small, 3½-inch lampshade, the area of light cast by this desk lamp is limited in comparison with light cast by our other picks. This makes the 90 Mini Mini best suited for use with a laptop, for reading, or for other tasks that don't require a large area of illumination and that can be supplemented by a secondary light source. You can dim the lamp by holding down the power button, but execution is a bit clunky compared with the rest of the lamp's straightforward simplicity. The 90 Mini Mini connects to power at the base via a Micro-USB power cord (a connection with a tendency to loosen and fail over time compared with more-robust USB-A or USB-C connections).

Dimensions: 20.5 by 4.7 by 4.7 inches, with a round base and 59-inch cord

LED bulb included: yes, built in

Brightness levels: adjustable (470 lumens)

Color temperature: warm (3,000 K)

Phone charging: no

Wattage: 4 watts

Warranty: lifetime warranty

An adaptable (but pricey) desk lamp: The Dyson Solarcycle Morph's unique, industrial-modern design and hefty price tag won't turn everyone on. Yet we couldn't deny the appeal of the lamp's buttery-smooth movement and its three-in-one adaptability as a task, spot, and ambient light source. When you rotate the lamp head over its center stand tube, a sleeve slides up to lock satisfyingly into place and directs light down through its perforated stem—effectively transforming into a warm, ambient torchiere. When the lamp is aimed at an angle toward a ceiling or wall, it outshines most other desk lamps—and even many floor ones. There's also an app to pair the lamp's geographic location, syncing the Solarcycle Morph's color and brightness to the time of day. But this non-height-adjustable desk lamp proved to be a non-starter for our own desk setup. With our external monitor standing at a similar height, the two battled for elbow room. And the lamp head obstructed the monitor by about a half-inch, so we had to adapt to the lamp, rather than the other way around.

A flexible-spring-arm desk lamp with classic design: The Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp is a larger version of the Anglepoise 90 Mini Mini, switching in a replaceable E26 base bulb instead of an integrated LED. It also swivels 360 degrees from the base, has similar spring-tension articulation, and stretches more than 6 inches higher than the 90 Mini Mini, casting more light than its petite cousin. The Type 75's classic design and its oh-so-nice-to-touch anodized aluminum matte finish make it aesthetically at home in spaces that are modern, traditional, and every style in between. It's also backed by a lifetime warranty. The lamp lacks only in its inability to fully rotate at its head, stopping about 10 degrees short of a complete turn.

A modernist lamp you can operate with one hand: The FLOS Kelvin is an elegantly designed architect's lamp that we’ve owned for nearly a decade and that we’ve come to appreciate for its simple-to-operate tap-touch controls, smooth adjustability, and high-quality build (it won't be moved without intent). It's available with a base, clamp, wall arm, or as a drop-in desk support attachment. Its minimalist silhouette, flat rotating LED array, and one-handed operation design are all plusses. But the Kelvin didn't make the cut as a top pick after we observed flickering during video calls (previously invisible to the naked eye). Also, it has a propensity to kick backward like a catapult when positioned too far back and upward.

A small desk lamp that can double as a bedside lamp: Another option for laptop users trying to make the most of a small desk is the Louis Poulsen NJP Mini. It arrives fully assembled, and it features a tip-proof heavy steel base and an angled aluminum arm, with a 342-degree turning radius you can nudge away or near with one finger. The integrated 10-watt LED is bright (without being distracting) and also dimmable. The LEDs are tucked almost halfway back into the lamp shade, so the design eliminates distracting glare. The NJP Mini is a design object with a design pedigree price tag to match. It's probably even better suited as a bedside lamp. But we think its small size, quality build, and one-button control simplicity may appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics as much as functionality.

A slim, wooden lamp that's portable: With an octagonal base, the Octagon Portable Desk Light has the most unusual design of the lamps we considered, especially if you get it in the natural walnut wood finish. It's also one of the few cordless (and therefore portable) lamps we encountered in our research that also had positive reviews. It's slim (only 3.4 inches wide), and it has four touch-controlled brightness levels. But it didn't get as bright as the other lamps we tested. We didn't include it as a pick because it toppled often during testing, and several panelists disliked the design. But if you want a cordless LED lamp that you can take anywhere—we moved it from room to room a couple of times—it's an interesting lamp.

A classic lamp, if you don't need to adjust it that often: The IKEA Hektar is one of the most popular desk lamps on IKEA's site. It's a tall, architect-style lamp with a chic brushed-metal finish and both wireless charging and a USB port. It's more top-heavy than other lamps, which made it less likely to hold its position at certain angles in our tests. But if you like the style and don't plan on using the lamp angled at 90 degrees, it could be a great fit for your home office. Note that it's also a tall lamp (27 inches at its tallest), with a large, 7-inch base.

Many people who work at their desks rely solely on overhead lighting. But experts recommend having a mix of light sources in every room—overhead, task, and accent lighting—for ambiance and a balance between light and shadow. A desk lamp—specifically a "task lamp" that lets you control the light distribution on your desk—offers benefits that can affect not just your mood but your health as well.

A benefit of job-specific lighting: Having an adjustable lamp in your workspace reduces the contrast between the object you are focused on and the surrounding area. Lighting designer Linnaea Tillett explained, "When you reduce contrast, it's relaxing for your eye and keeps you from changing your focal perspective." Think of how harsh the bright light of a computer display is in the middle of the night; the strong contrast can make your eyes more fatigued. A desk lamp can illuminate the area behind or around your computer display, creating a more comfortable environment for your eyes.

If you don't work on closeup tasks at your desk, if you don't feel eye fatigue with your current lighting scheme, and if you don't typically work in the evenings or in the dark (when an adjustable light can help reduce eyestrain), you might not need a desk lamp.

Gregory Han is a writer at Design Milk. And since 2006 he has been writing about home decor for a multitude of design-focused outlets, including Dwell, Domino, and Apartment Therapy, where for years he helped everyday people turn houses into homes. Before that, he toiled behind a desk sketching children's toys and furniture as an industrial designer. He has tested and recommended everything from beds and alarm clocks to bedside lamps, floor lamps, and sofas for Wirecutter. Some people rotate art on their walls, but he's known to switch out lighting throughout the year.

For more than a dozen years, Melanie Pinola has written about technology and home-office topics for sites such as Lifehacker, PCWorld, and Laptop Magazine. For over four years at Wirecutter, she tested and reviewed gear, including home-office essentials such as office chairs and ergonomic keyboards. Melanie said as she's gotten older, she has noticed her eyes straining more when she's working on the computer. So she's particularly interested in task lighting that could reduce that fatigue.

For the previous version of this guide, Wirecutter staff writer Anna Perling did extensive research on LED lighting and consulted lighting and optometry experts to determine the features that make the best desk lamps. These experts included: Geoff Goral, senior designer at the Lighting Design Alliance; Linnaea Tillett, head of Tillett Lighting Design Associates; Nicole Graeber, a development engineer at the California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California Davis; Dr. Gregory Good, professor emeritus of clinical optometry at the Ohio State University College of Optometry; Mark Lien, industry relations manager of the Illuminating Engineering Society; and Wirecutter's own lighting enthusiast, Dan Koeppel.

We started our research as most people would: looking at online roundups of lamps (though there aren't many that are worthwhile) and combing through the best-seller lists and owner reviews at retailer sites such as Amazon, Wayfair, Target, IKEA, Rejuvenation, and Lamps Plus. In 2022, we again sifted through major retailers, but we also increased our budget cap and explored some more-design-oriented options to fit more decor styles.

We looked for highly rated lamps in different price ranges. And because everyone has different aesthetic preferences, we sought out desk lamps in a variety of style categories, from classic to modern.

Most of the lamps we considered for this guide come with built-in LEDs. LED bulbs have extremely long lifespans—the lamps we looked at should last an estimated 50,000 hours, or about 24 years for the average 40-hours-per-week workday. Compared with incandescent, halogen, or compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, LED bulbs or lamps with built-in LEDs are cheaper and more energy-efficient, which is better for the environment. Conversely, for lamps with built-in LEDs, even though the lifespan can be well over two decades, you may be left with an unusable lamp after that time if you can't change the bulb.

We also looked at lamps that offer adjustable color temperature, like the Humanscale Nova, so you can choose between a warmer, golden light or a cooler, blue hue, depending on your preference.

In the initial round of testing for this guide, we considered over 100 models and arrived at a short list of 42 promising desk lamps, which eventually got whittled to a final testing list of 10 lamps. In our 2022 update, we researched nine more lamps and tested six more, based on the following criteria:

These nice-to-have features also informed our choices:

For the original guide, 23 staff members evaluated the 10 test models based on photos of the lamps and a brief description of their features. Staffers voted on their favorite lamps overall and in each price category.

Then Melanie tested each of the lamps throughout the day for over two weeks, comparing all the lamps side by side and taking note of the following:

Melanie also measured each lamp's lux level at the lowest and highest height settings, to see how each lamp performed with task lighting. Lux measures the intensity of light on a surface area, such as a desk or table. Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) says that 500 lux is average for office lighting, but higher levels are needed for detailed work, such as proofreading a paper or doing architectural drawings. (You’ll likely see "lumens" mentioned in lamp specs. But that's not as helpful for task lamps as lux readings because a lumens measurement refers to the total amount of light emitted from the source, rather than how brightly a surface is illuminated. Waveform Lighting has a good guide to lux versus lumens, if you’re interested in learning more.)

Finally, to get real-world usability opinions from other people, Melanie asked four panelists to turn the lamps on and off, to change the brightness and color-temperature settings where available, and to adjust the lamp heights and angles as if they were shopping for a lamp in a store.

In 2022 tests, Gregory tried each lamp in a home-office environment, following guidelines established from our previous review. And he worked beside each model as a primary light source for a minimum of three hours each. He also reviewed the adjustability of each model, measured arm reach and swivel distance, and may have even lightly slapped the desk lamps around to test their stability. Also, since working from home is still a reality for many, Gregory turned on each lamp, positioned for both direct and indirect lighting, during a series of video calls, to see whether any of them improved how he looked on camera.

The TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp with Qi-Enabled Wireless Charger was a previously recommended model. But in comparison with some of our new picks, this lamp's cheap plastic construction and limited height adjustability stood out as noticeably inferior in fit and finish—especially when it was compared with the similarly priced but superior build and intuitive core functions of the Uplift E7. We also didn't care for its crimping iron on a stand silhouette.

The Possini Euro Magnum French Bronze LED Desk Lamp was a previous pick in this guide, but it kept going in and out of stock. If you can find it, we still think it's a great lamp. The Possini is sturdy, attractive, and barely takes up space on a desk. You can't rotate the head on this lamp, but you can adjust the angle and height, thanks to a pivoting hinge on the arm. You also won't be able to charge a phone or adjust the color temperature, but you can manipulate the brightness at three levels.

The Franklin Iron Works Bronze Turnbuckle LED Desk Lamp was also a previous pick, but it kept going out of stock. This lamp has a great rustic industrial style, while still looking clean and modern. It was one of the heaviest lamps we tested. The arm and head don't swivel, but you can adjust the height and tilt the lamp shade. Keep in mind: This lamp demands a lot of real estate, not just because of its height but also because of the amount of horizontal space it requires. So those with small offices and desks beware. It also has just one brightness level and temperature.

The OTUS Architect Desk Lamp boasts a ton of features that sound useful—12 brightness levels and three color settings, and you can wave your hand above the lamp to turn it on or off, like a Jedi. But it looks much less attractive in real life than it does in promotional photos—like a tall, flimsy microphone stand—and it topples easily. We also had difficulty adjusting the color and brightness of the lamp with the buttons at the top. Using a lamp should not be this hard.

The Slimline Modern Swing Arm Desk Table Lamp is a simple LED lamp with two standout features: an AC outlet and a USB port in the large, heavy base, both of which are handy when you don't want to reach under your desk to plug something in. However, the base is too large: 2 inches tall, compared with the other lamps’ ½-inch to 1-inch base heights. Because the lamp isn't height-adjustable (though it does swivel, as its name implies), we found it less versatile for most workspaces. That said, it could be a great bedside or end table lamp, thanks to its added ports. It has a very high brightness setting with a warm color temperature.

Walmart's Mainstays 3.5 Watt LED Desk Lamp is one of the least expensive LED lamps we found—about $15 at the time of writing. It also has a built-in USB port. But at 9.5 inches tall when bent at 90 degrees, it's tiny and probably best only for a student's desk or a small workspace. More importantly, the brightness level was almost blindingly high in our tests, and the lamp felt and looked cheaper than the other lamps we tested.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Erica Ogg.

Gregory Han

Gregory Han is a design, travel, and lifestyle writer, and the co-author of Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire. His work can be found at Design Milk, Dwell, Domino, Apartment Therapy, and Airbnb.

Melanie Pinola

Melanie Pinola previously covered all things home office as a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. She has contributed to print and online publications such as The New York Times, Lifehacker, and PCWorld, specializing in tech, productivity, and lifestyle/family topics. She's thrilled when those topics intersect—and when she gets to write about them in her PJs.

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