10 Best Desk Lamps for Your Home Office of 2023

The best desk lamp provides functionality and can help you better see the task you’re working on, whether that’s reading a book or typing on a computer on your desk.

It used to be that a desk lamp—also known as a “task lamp”—just turned on and off with a switch.

And its illuminance range was narrow and not uniform.

Nowadays, desk lamps are designed to lighten up a wider area with constant and consistent light distribution.

And finding a good desk lamp is more important than ever with being able to work from home becoming as common as going into a workplace.

Purchasing a new desk lamp may not seem complicated, but there are many models to choose from and so many features that you may want.

Such as a cordless desk lamp, an integrated USB charger, a LED bulb to help eliminate glare, apps that let you control your lamp via smartphone, and so many more.

So, before you buy, you should do some research to find the best task lamp that fulfills all your needs as well as your budget.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve put together a list of the best desk lamps by category to help you choose or give you a sense of what’s out there on the market.

In addition, we’ve given you the lowdown on how a desk lamp functions, what features are necessary, and which ones are frills.

Orren Ellis Taja 13" Desk Lamp: Best Cordless Desk Lamp

The Orren Ellis desk lamp eliminates the need for a free outlet near your desk or work area.

And sometimes we don’t have an outlet at all to power up our lamp.

Sure, you can use an extension cord, but the last thing you need is unsightly wires all over the place, cluttering your space.

This lamp has a built-in rechargeable battery that keeps the light on for up to four hours.

There are three different light modes designed to help you with your task on hand.

And a dimmer switch allows you to adjust the lamp with three different modes.

Finally, this minimalistic streamlined lamp is adjustable.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 13.3 x 6.8 x 6.8 inches.
• Bulb type: built-in 5-watt LED bulb
• Base material: plastic
• Switch type: touch

Lampat LED Table Lamp: Best Budget Desk Lamp

The Lampat costs under $30 and is our best budget desk lamp.

Don’t be fooled by the price. This LED lamp has features only found in higher-priced models.

The lamp switches between five levels of brightness and four operation modes have touch-sensitive controls.

The lamp is eco-friendly. If your lamp sits idle for an hour or more, it will shut off automatically.

The light runs on a rechargeable battery, so that saves you from consuming electricity and makes the light portable.

It will also declutter your desk area.

And you can use the lamp wirelessly in any part of your home anytime you need extra lighting.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 7 x 2.5 inches
• Bulb type: LED
• Wattage: 10
• Switch Style: Touch
• Material: plastic
• Color: Black

Dyson Lightcycle Desk Task Light: Best Desk Lamp for Functionality

Dyson is known for its technology and innovation, and now the company has expanded to include a desk lamp.

So, you know you’re getting a high-quality lamp with the most features and with a brilliant and beautiful design.

The Lightcycle does many things, but its best feature is its automatic adjustable color temperature.

All you have to do is slide your fingertip across the sensor bar.

The lamp’s “auto button” auto-adjusts to surrounding light as per the ambient lighting condition of the room, which ensures that your work area has consistent brightness.

The lamp also has glare protection to help reduce eye strain.

You can also change your light preferences and settings using the Dyson app when you pair your smartphone.

Lastly, the Dyson lamp is beautiful to look at. Function and style meet at this streamlined minimalistic design.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 27.7 x 7.5 x 27.6 inches
• Bulb type: LED (included)
• Overall material: stainless steel
• Switch type: finger swipe
• Adjustable height

Blossom Task Lamp: Best Whimsical Desk Lamp

Anthropologie always offers beautiful but playful serve wear, coffee mugs, and other accessories for your home.

The Blossom Task Lamp is no exception.

We chose this lamp because aesthetics play an important part in lamp design.

If you don’t like the look of your lamp, your work efficiency can go down.

So. this lamp is a great way to make your desk area pretty, and a way to bring florals into your room for a touch of femininity.

The petals are made of frosted glass that looks delicate. But the base and arm are heavy, made of iron, and finished with a glamorous brushed brass.

Besides the design, the lamp lacks any features. It’s just a lamp thatturns on and off manually.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 15.25 x 10 x 6.5 inches
• Shade: 4” height, 6.5 diameter
• Cord: 8’L
• Bulb type: bulb, 25-watt max (Bulb not included)
• Materials: frosted glass, marble veneer, iron; brushed brass finish.

BenQ Genie e-Reading Dimmable Variable Temperature LED Desk Lamp: Best Overall Desk Lamp

This is the most popular desk lamp on the market. Every “best table lamp” piece on the internet includes this model.

That’s because the desk lamp does it all.

It has an auto-dimming mode that detects ambient brightness, then dynamically adjusts to the brightness level to give you the right amount of light, no matter the time of day or night.

In so doing, the auto-dimmer allows for a comfortable work environment.

The wide desk illumination also lights up your entire desk so that you can see evenly.

The large size of the head is also designed so that the bulb reduces glare, which keeps the brightness at a smooth constant level. This means longer, more comfortable hours of reading or working.

In addition, you can adjust between cool and warm color temperatures and brightness to suit your reading needs with the touch of a knob.

So a cooler temperature is perfect for problem-solving tasks or when you need to concentrate. For relaxation, go with a warmer tone.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 23.2 x 8.7 x 24.6 inch.
• Bulb type: integrated 18-watt LED bulb
• Base material: aluminum
• Switch type: knob

LumiCharge 15.8 Silver All-In-One LED Desk Lamp: Best Efficient Desk Lamp

Lumicharge is an all-in-one workstation that allows for efficiency.

It has various charging methods, including a wireless Qi-enabled pad and a universal charging phone dock. You can charge two phones at the same time.

The fast 10-watt wireless charger allows you to charge any type of mobile phone you have. And this lamp needs no cables, which is perfect to get rid of unsightly clutter so you can work better. There’s also an extra USB port.

There are three charger styles to charge your phone: lightning, micro-USB, and USB-C charger. Or you can just place your smartphone on the wireless charging pad.

This multi-tasking lamp even includes a digital display on the arm where you can see the time, date, and temperature. Now you’ll never be late. Now you know what to wear!

In addition, the LED lighting system contains 3 different hues and 10 levels of brightness, which means you will always have the right lighting for any task you are doing, such as reading or working on your laptop.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 15.83 x 8.27 x 3.15 inches
• Batteries: 1 CR2 battery. (included)
• Power source: plug in
• Bulb type: LED (integrated)
• Lamp base material: aluminum
• Adjustable lamp head

Lepower Metal Desk Lamp: The Best Small Footprint Desk Lamp with a Clamp

If you want an affordable desk lamp that does its job but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a more expensive one, the Lepower is best for you.

This is a very sturdy lamp. The lampshade and base are made of heavy-duty metal and the lamp itself has an adjustable lamp arm and lamp head.

As such, despite its space-saving compact size, the lamp can light up your entire desk for overall continuity, reducing glare and shadows.

Because of its small footprint, this lamp is suitable for pocket-sized desks. But note that the lamp is tall in size and won’t construct the view of your desktop.

As a bonus, the lamp comes with a clip, so you can use the lamp in two ways. The clip allows you to have more desk space, especially when you are working in tiny quarters.

The goose-neck lamp, despite the price, has a nice easy-on-the-eyes aesthetic.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 23.6 x 9.1 x 27.6 inches
• Power source: corded electric
• Bulb type: LED (not included)
• Wattage: 6 watts
• Lamp base material: metal
• Adjustable lamp head
• Adjustable lamp arm
• Color: black

Lepro Smart Table Lamp: Best Smart Desk Lamp

This smart desk lamp is versatile. It can be used on your work desk, side table, or nightstand, anywhere you need a smart device.

And smart it is. The Lepro links seamlessly with both Alexa and Google Home so you can use the lamp via voice control. So, if you just left your workstation with the light on, you don’t have to go back to your desk to turn it off. Just say, “Alexa, turn off the lamp.”

When you use the Lepro LampUX app, it allows you to use your smartphone as if it were a remote control to set timers, choose colors, and control the intensity of your light.

In addition, you can control your lamp wherever you are and anytime when using the app.

Surprisingly affordable—it’s under $40—this compact LED lamp has dimmers and light options for cool in the daytime, warm when relaxing on the couch, and colorful for mood lighting.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 4.4 x 4.4 x 8.3 inches
• Power source: corded electric
• Bulb type: LED
• Wattage: 5 watts
• Switch style: touch
• Material: aluminum
• Finish: painted.
• Color: white

Eclisse Table Lamp by Artemide: Best Iconic Design Desk Light

Mid-century modern design was considered innovative in its heyday. Now seen as retro and iconic, mid-century modern items are all the craze.

The Eclisse is a unique lamp. It is not just award-winning for its appearance but the unique way the designer, Vico Magistretti used the form to integrate and dictate its functionality.

The base of the lamp can be positioned at two different heights, allowing it to function as a desk or bedside lamp.

A moveable inner shell eclipses the lightbulb for soft illumination when needed, the amount of light being completely controllable.

Versatile enough to be use as a desk lamp or nightstand lamp.

Product Features

• Dimensions: ‎7" H x 5" D
• Bulb type: incandescent or LED
• Wattage: 25W or 4W LED
• Material: Steel, technopolymer
• Style: Mid-Century Modern
• Color: White, orange, or red

Tunto LED1 Table Lamp: Best Sleek Modern Desk Lamp

While there are many great desk lamps out there for your home office, you might one that doesn't favor the clunky, awkward, or utilitarian look of most desk lamps.

The Tunto LED1 Table Lamp not only uses the simplest design form to make a minimal impact on its own appearance but integrates sleek molded wood to add a natural and pleasing aesthetic, which would be an asset to any desk or table.

The finished product is decidedly modern and Scandinavian--a popular look.

It's so sleek even the on/off switch is hidden and has a touch-sensitive function.

The ambient lighting itself is achieved through small dimmable LED apertures instead of a large bulb or light source, creating the perfect lighting for various tasks.

Its beautiful design and function won it one of the most prestigious design awards in the world --The Red Design Award.

Product Features

• Dimensions: 6.69" W; 14.6" D; 11.8" L
• Power source: plug-in
• Bulb type: Fixed Dimmable LED (integrated)
• Wattage: 10-16
• Lamp Material: Molded plywood
• Switch style: touch-sensitive switch
• Style: Modern Scandinavian
• Color: Oak or Black Oak

How We Decided

Trying to pin down the top-rated desk lamps is hard, but we managed to find the “best” based on the following factors:

Customer Ratings

Our list was conceived by looking at customers' ratings and reviews.

Much of our background research comes from reviews based on how well the customer liked the features of a table lamp.

We found customer reviews on Amazon, Home Depot, Best Buy, and more to be our best source for finding the best desk lamps by category.

We also generated our list with the help of “best of” lists on the following sites:

The Spruce, the New York Times, Business Insider, Lifewire, Architecture Lab, New York magazine, and more.

Unique Features Found in Desk Lamps

A desk lamp may seem like just a lamp, but some of the functionality and design features can make a huge difference in how we use lamps and how well they illuminate our area, and how they make your work area or desk look.

That’s why we looked at the aesthetics of different desk lamps because you want them designed to match or coordinate with your work area or match or coordinate with your personal style and mood.

We also concentrated on lamps with more unique attributes than just conventional desk lamps because much of the time, they can add the right illumination and minimize health risks like eye strain or eye fatigue.

That includes features like adjustable brightness and adjustable color temperature.

Price

When it comes to product reviews, the price can mean everything.

We looked at how affordable a desk lamp was and compared it to similar desk lamps that had the same features, or lack thereof.

The desk lamps listed here vary considerably in price but offer a wide range of uses, purposes, and designs.

What is a Desk Lamp?

A desk lamp, also called a “task lamp,” is designed to light a particular area such as your desk so that you can read, write, and use your computer more efficiently.

It usually comes with a base designed to fit on a desk or table.

Task lights allow for focused lighting where needed and not only helps relieve eye strain but also allows for more productivity.

Bad lighting can damage your physical and mental health, leading to headaches and fatigue.

Because a lamp desk can create the right illumination, this makes for an improved working environment without straining our eyes.

What to Look for in a Desk Lamp

The best desk lamp should include an adjustable height, angle, and brightness settings, as well as features such as an integrated USB port or a built-in LED.

You should also get a desk lamp that has a nice decorative touch that will match or color-coordinate with the décor of your home or home office. You will look at your lamp every day, so it’s best to find one that has a style that appeals to you.

Do You Really Need a Desk Lamp?

If you have overhead lights in your home office or a floor lamp, you might think that a desk lamp is superfluous or non-essential. After all, your computer or laptop monitor lights up.

You may be unaware but overhead lights and the light from your monitor actually increase eye strain, especially in the evening.

Using a good desk lamp especially with one that mimics day light can reduce eyestrain significantly.

Most task or desk lamps have built-in LED (light-emitting diodes) bulbs that are more comfortable to your retinas.

A major plus is that some desk lights tend to be adjustable, allowing you to position or adjust the light according to your needs and preference.

A good task lamp should be able to shine its light in a constant and consistent fashion on your desk but avoid hitting your face or eyes.

This eliminates glare to help reduce eye strain.

A good desk lamp also helps you focus on the task at hand. It allows you to hyper-focus your perception on what you’re doing.

Different Desk Lamp Styles

There are six basic types of desk lamps, all of which we touched upon in our reviews. These include:

Adjustable Arm Lamps

Allows you to move the light source closer or farther away depending on your needs.

Gooseneck Lamps

The flexible neck means you can rotate and maneuver the desk lamp in various positions.

Clip-on Lamps

Some lights have clip-on clamps while others are designed with a clip-on and don’t have a base to eliminate desk clutter.

And when you clamp your lamp on your desk, it saves space.

Magnifying Lamps

Comes with a magnifying lens so you can look at minuscule things without eyestrain, such as printed paper in a small font.

Banker Lamps

It is the most iconic desk lamp and is one of the few lamps on the market that are traditional. It has an aura that exudes bygone days when men worked at heavy wood desks in wood-paneled home libraries.

Why Is Adjustability So Important?

An adjustable frame—the head and stem—allows you to set the height and angle of the lamp that best suits your needs.

It’s a must-have feature because overall you will reduce eyestrain.

The right position means the light won’t shine straight into your eyes.

So the correct position of your lamp is above your head and out of your eyes. The light should never be in your direct line of sight.

To buy an adjustable lamp, you should assess how far the head and stem can be adjusted and in what directions, as well as how easy it is to make these adjustments.

If you move your lamp closer to you and above your work area, this can help reduce eye strain while reading a document or book that has smallish print.

In addition, adjustability can eliminate glare not just on a book, but also on your work surface, keyboard, computer monitor, and many other things.

If you can significantly reduce eye strain, then you can avoid its many consequences, such as eye soreness, headaches, light sensitivity, and more.

Note that the arm should be long enough to provide illumination across your entire desk area.

And an adjustable arm can do more than reduce eye strain. It also reduces the contrast between your surrounding area and the thing you are focused on.

When you eliminate contrast, this allows your eyes to relax and keeps you focused on the task at hand.

Finally, your desk lamp should swivel and tilt, which allows for more functionality.

Swivel and tilting can make you focus on a particular area on your desk or light up your entire desk.

Adjustable Brightness Is Important

Most office workers use their computers all day. But too much computer use can cause eye strain.

The desk lamp you buy should have adjustable brightness and different light temperatures.

Having a desk lamp with these features can make your eyes less fatigued.

After all, it’s hard to be productive in a dark room or if you’re experiencing eye strain.

Plus, as the hours go by while you work, your eyes will keep getting fatigued.

They need the right color spectrum to boost your productivity, and to help you focus on a task with little effort.

For example, in the afternoon, you should use a full spectrum LED light as it can simulate the sun, ensuring us from getting lazy or making us lack focus.

But some days you may need a brighter light, which is why an adjustable brightness is important to have.

Adjustable brightness allows you to change the light to best suit the task you’re working on.

You may want a warm light while staring at a computer or while relaxing.

And you may want a cool light when you are reading a document and need to take in all the details to avoid putting the document in front of your face to decipher it.

What is Color Temperature?

Color temperature is a measurement of the visual warmth or coolness of white light. It is measured in units of kelvin(K).

Color temperature is important to have in a lamp because the visual appeal of its light affects the atmosphere around you.

A desk lamp with an adjustable color temperature lets you choose the most suitable mood for diverse projects.

The higher K, the colder the illumination, and the bluer will the light appear.

Warm color temperatures are soothing and make for a nice atmosphere.

Cooler color temperatures stimulate brain activities and may increase productivity.

In addition, a cooler color temperature makes people think that bright lights are on, and this can help keep them alert. So no more falling asleep on your desk at work!

You may desire different effects depending on where you are and what you will use the task lamp for.

But if you don’t buy a desk lamp with color temperature, you may be stuck with one that only creates one kind of environment for very different tasks. 

For task lighting, go for greater kelvin(K), 4000K, and above because it’s more effective and better for illuminating, which means less eye-straining.

In general, desk lamps in a home office desk should typically range from 2700K to 3000K.

At an office desk, the general range should be a little higher, from

3000K - 3500K.

The Most Important Features to Look Out for When Searching for a Desk Lamp

Size

A desk lamp needs to be proportionate to your desk or workspace.

If you have a large desk, you should buy a large lamp.

And if you have a small desk, you’ll need a small lamp.

Since a desk lamp is essential to supplement natural or overhead lighting, it’s hard to be productive if your room is dark or if you’re having eye strain.

So for size, you should choose a low-profile lamp that will light your workspace while staying out of your way.

But if you have a small desk, such as in your college dorm where space is at a premium, you should look for a clamp lamp that attaches to the desk rather than sitting on top.

Style

You shouldn’t choose a desk lamp based on only its functionality. Aesthetics are important while searching for a lamp.

You’ll be looking at your lamp while working on your desk every time you sit down, so you’ll want one that conforms to your personal style.

The best of them come in modern designs, but if you don’t like minimalism, you should look for traditional lamps or lamps that make you happy.

And your choices are plenty. For example, there are swing-arm lamps and lamps with lamp shades.

Bulb Type

Most lamps on the market now have integrated or built-in LEDs.

LEDs are superior to fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs.

Fluorescent bulbs (CFL) produce light that mimics natural daylight. But they have no dimmer, so this is a bulb you should avoid.

Meanwhile, incandescent light bulbs provide high-level color definition and uniform light.

But incandescent bulbs falter when compared to LED bulbs. The lifespan of incandescent bulbs is relatively short, lasting only up to 1,000 hours.

The best choice is a LED bulb for two main reasons.

First, it lowers energy consumption which is better for the environment. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs can use up to 75% less energy.

Second, LEDs don’t have to be changed. Therefore, it has a very long lifespan. For example, a LED can last for around 25,000 hours.

You can even find LED lamps that last for up to 50,000 hours.

How to Avoid Eye Discomfort With a Desk Lamp?

Flickering happens when the light seems to shake and becomes unsteady. The fluctuations in voltage supply cause flickering.

Flickering should be addressed because it can cause discomfort in our bodies, such as headaches, migraines, and, of course, eye discomfort.

If you experience these things, you will notice your reduction in productivity and an inability to remain focused on the task at hand.

To get rid of flickering, go for a LED bulb or better, a flicker-free LED.

The Effects of Blue Light

A computer screen produces high-intensity blue light that is hazardous to our health.

Blue light—which includes the colors blue, indigo, and violet—disperses uneven light.

Just like flickering, blue light leads to an inability to focus and a reduction in contrast, which then leads to eye strain.

In these modern times, you can’t avoid blue light since we all spend hours looking at our computer screens.

The solution is to buy a desk lamp with an LED bulb that doesn’t release intensive blue light.

In addition, buy one that has a color temperature adjustment function.

This way, you do not need to worry about the hazards of blue light.

What are the Additional Features Found in Some Desk Lamps?

With new emerging technologies, you can expect to find the most unexpected advances and features available in desk lamps today.

With wifi and smart hubs, there are many more ways to turn on or off your lamp than just a clapper

App Connectivity

Some desk lamps come with an app. You use the app through Bluetooth to turn your smartphone into a remote to control your lamp.

This way, you can set times, choose colors, and control the intensity of your light.

Some desk lamp apps can even control your lamp no matter where you are and anytime.

So you can turn the light on beforehand before coming home or use it as if it were a timer where you can set it so that the lamp goes on at certain moments, which is great if you’re going on a vacation.

Voice Control

Many new desk lamps have voice control via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. This means you can turn the lamp on and off by simply using your voice.

USB Port

New desk lamps often come with a USB port as default. It’s such a great feature and comes in affordable models. You can charge your phone while you work. And some models can even charge wirelessly, although at a higher cost.

But if you’re worrying that the USB port will get in the way, most lamps hide the USB in its base or on its arm.