🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 181 (from laksa111)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa181.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical, ml_categories_json AS ml_categories_json, ml_types_json AS ml_types_json, ml_intent_types_json AS ml_intent_types_json, meta_language AS meta_language, attrs_author AS attrs_author, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_publish_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(attrs_original_publish_time), 0) AS attrs_original_publish_time, ifNull(attrs_is_republished, 0) AS attrs_is_republished, ifNull(attrs_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_nr_words, ifNull(attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, 0) AS attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words, ifNull(body_ext_links_number, 0) AS body_ext_links_number, ifNull(body_int_links_number, 0) AS body_int_links_number, ifNull(meta_nofollow, 0) AS meta_nofollow, ifNull(meta_noarchive, 0) AS meta_noarchive, ifNull(props_was_rendered, 0) AS props_was_rendered, ifNull(src_redirect, \'\') AS src_redirect, ifNull(download_time_msec, 0) AS download_time_msec, ifNull(download_ttfb_msec, 0) AS download_ttfb_msec, ifNull(download_size, 0) AS download_size FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps","crawl_time":1777013358,"first_indexed_time":1768519778,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,businessinsider!www,\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps s443","src_root_hash":"15170859634011428381","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"The Best Desk Lamps of 2026 - Business Insider","meta_descriptions":["The best desk lamps are adjustable, easy to use, and energy efficient. We tested task lamps that reduce eye strain and brighten up your workspace."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"2026-01-15T22:31:27.067Z\nWhen you spend hours at your desk, the right task lighting makes all the difference. The best desk lamp doesn't just brighten your immediate space, it reduces eye strain, sharpens focus, and can help you stay energized well into the evening.\nWe consulted with three experts — an ophthalmologist, an ergonomist, and an engineer — and tested various lighting options. Our picks for the best desk lamps provide consistent, adjustable illumination so you can tackle anything from late-night computer work to hands-on projects without fatigue. Our top choice is the\nBenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp\n, which is highly adjustable and tall enough to use with desktop computers. For a more budget-friendly choice,\nHoneywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp\ncosts just $40. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small spaces and laptop users. The LED bulbs offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\nLearn more about\nhow Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products\n. For more home office recommendations, check out our guides to the\nbest standing desks\nand\nbest ergonomic chairs\n, as well as our favorite\nuseful desk accessories.\nOur recommendations for the best desk lamps\nBest overall:\nBenQ e-Reading LED Swing Arm Desk Lamp -\nSee at Amazon\nBest budget:\nHoneywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp -\nSee at Amazon\nBest for video calls:\nHumanscale Nova Desk Light -\nSee at Humanscale\nBest for eye strain:\nDyson Solarcycle Morph -\nSee at Dyson\nBest work lamp:\nFORSÅ Work Lamp -\nSee at IKEA\nBest design:\nGantri Aim Task Light -\nSee at Gantri\nBest overall\nBenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings.\nThe BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp comes in three attractive matte finishes and boasts a sleek body design that is highly adjustable.\nThe LED desk lamp can easily be arranged above a full-size computer monitor as it extends vertically up to 30 inches, making it significantly larger than the other desk lamps we tested. The lamp's head is mounted on a ball joint so that you can pivot it in any direction, and the arm rotates 360 degrees at the base, making this lamp extremely versatile. Despite its somewhat complex design, the lamp was quick and easy to set up and adjust. It's also compatible with several accessories, including a desk clamp and floor extension stand, for extra versatility.\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\nIts \"smile-shaped\" head is just over 15 inches long and casts wider lighting coverage. It easily illuminated my whole workspace, which is around 48 inches wide, and I rarely needed my usual overhead light. The light produces an impressive 1,800 lux on its brightest setting, and its LEDs provide flicker-free lighting to prevent eye strain. Although it was the heaviest lamp we tested, I was never worried about it tipping over, even as I adjusted the arms, as the base is sturdy.\nThe BenQ lamp has 22 brightness settings and 13 temperature options that adjust with a knob and can be mixed and matched—the most of any of the best desk lamps we tested. This lamp also has an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness to suit your environment automatically. (I sometimes had to tweak these settings, but not by much.) It also has a special e-reading mode that's brighter at the sides of the lamp's head and darker at the middle, and it proved effective for reducing glare when I was reading on my computer screen.\nBest budget\nHoneywell  Sunturalux Desk Lamp\nThe Honeywell  Sunturalux Desk Lamp has a compact base for smaller work areas with LED bulbs that offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\nIn addition to its wallet-friendly price, the Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Desk Lamp offers a wide range of functionality in a compact form, making it well-suited for smaller desk setups. The base of this sleek lamp is just 2-by-4 inches, and it has one fixed arm that extends up from the base and a second arm that hinges up and down 180 degrees. It comes in three finishes.  \nBecause this task lamp is only around 13 inches, it wasn't tall enough to use with my desktop computer, but it was great for working on my laptop. It has one simple dial that controls all its functions — if you press the knob down, you can choose between the three light temperatures, and twisting the dial in either direction will turn the brightness up or down. To turn the lamp off, press the dial down for a few seconds. It's easy and intuitive to operate. \nThis lamp has a compact base that’s just 2 inches wide, and it offers adjustable brightness and lighting temperature. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\nThe Honeywell lamp has a frosted piece of plastic over the LED nodes to diffuse the light a bit, but I still found that the lamp caused eye fatigue at higher brightness settings, especially if I was working for long periods. However, I was able to prevent it from bothering my eyes by turning the brightness down or angling the arm away from my work area a bit more. \nIn terms of special features, this desk lamp has two USB charging ports on top of the base: one for USB-A plugs and one for USB-C plugs. I liked that they're easy to access (some lamps have these ports hidden on the back of the lamp), and they came in handy when I needed to charge my phone during the day.\nBest for video calls\nHumanscale Nova Desk Lamp\nThe Humanscale Nova Desk Light is fully adjustable in positioning and brightness. The LED bulb rotates to deliver glare-free light where you want it most, making it ideal for both video calls and task work.\nIf you spend a lot of your day on video calls, your lighting can have a big impact on how you look on screen. Beyond working well as standard task lighting, the Humanscale Nova Task rotates 180 degrees, making it easy to position the light exactly where you want it for Zoom calls and other video meetings.\nThe LED lighting is carefully engineered to reduce glare and eye strain. The LEDs are arranged around the edge of the round lamp head and directed inward through layered lighting guides, creating even, diffused light without harsh glare or bright spots. The LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours and are backed by a 10-year warranty.\nThe highly adjustable LED lamp head can twist to function like a \"ring light\" for video calls. \nJaclyn Turner\/Business Insider\nThe controls are sleek and unobtrusive, and not initially obvious. You adjust brightness with the dimmer touch bar (between 14% and 100%) and power the light on and off by giving the touch bar a tap. In fact, I rely on the motion detection system to operate hands-free. I have't had to adjust or turn off the lighting in months, it just flicks on when I approach and remembers the setting each time. After 15 minutes of inactivity, it will shut off. On rare occasion I am so still at my desk that it shuts off, but a quick movement, and it turns back on again. It's also energy-saving with the motion sensor, though the light doesn't use much energy anyways, just seven watts. If you prefer manual control, the motion sensor can be disabled.\nBoth the lamp body and head can be adjusted easily with one hand. The hinges glide smoothly with just enough resistance to hold their position, allowing you to adjust the head, arm, and swivel the lamp in any direction.\nThe Nova feels sturdy and well-made, with an aluminum body and steel hinges, and is made with 70% recycled materials. Beyond the standard tabletop base, the Nova is available with a clamp mount, wall mount, or a charging base, adding to its versatility. The 3000K Warm Light version is the most widely available, but if you prefer a Cool Light option, Humanscale offers it directly through its website.\nDyson Solarcycle Morph\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain.\nFew lamps with auto-adjusting dimmers came up in my research, but the Dyson Solarcycle Morph (formerly the Lightcycle Morph) met our criteria for testing. This Energy Star-certified smart desk lamp automatically adjusts its warmth and brightness throughout the day based on your location.\nDuring testing, I was impressed that the lamp optimized its settings to suit my environment, and I never experienced any eye strain. Its near-constant micro-adjustments happen every 60 seconds. However, you have to give the Dyson Link app permission to access your location for the lamp to do this.\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Insider\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph has the sleek, modern design you'd expect from the brand, though I was surprised at its 7.7-pound weight. The lamp's vertical stem offers a 360-degree range of motion, and you can also twist the upper half of its horizontal arm to point the light sideways or upward for ambient lighting. When the arm is placed back over the lamp's base, it lights up the stem, creating a gentle ambient light that reduces blue light.\nYou're able to adjust both the lamp's warmth and brightness from the top of its arm, but frankly, these controls are a bit finicky to use. I found it significantly easier to adjust the lamp via the Dyson Link app, which allows you to save custom brightness and warmth settings for specific situations and even your age. The Solarcycle Morph also automatically turns itself off and on when you leave and enter the room.\nBest work lamp\nIkea Forsa Work Lamp\nThe FORSÅ Work Lamp has a sturdy metal construction, and its architect-style design offers a wide range of motion.\nIf you desire a more traditional desk lamp style, consider an architect lamp, a style easily recognizable by its multiple hinges along the arm and more concentrated task light. I like this Ikea FORSÅ work lamp, an inexpensive option available in a shiny nickel-plated finish. I tested this lamp in a turquoise color that is no longer available.\nUnlike most of the lamps I tested, the FORSÅ required a bit of assembly — I had to attach the arm to the base, set up the springs that control its movement, and connect the dome that holds the lightbulb. Additionally, this lamp doesn't include a light bulb, so you have to purchase an E12-style bulb (often called a chandelier bulb) separately.\nIkea's FORSÅ lamp is a timeless architect lamp style that blend affordability with a sturdy and highly functional design. It is not dimmable however, and you need to add your own bulb. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\nWhile it took a little more effort to set up, the FORSÅ is impressively sturdy once assembled. The base is heavily weighted, so I was never worried about it tipping over, and I loved that the lamp has three hinges that let you move it into virtually any orientation. Of all the lamps I tested, this one offered the most range of motion.\nFor testing, I outfitted the FORSÅ with a standard 40-watt E12 light bulb with a \"soft white\" hue (2,700 K). I assumed it would create a fairly narrow field of light due to its domed shade, but the lamp lit up a surprisingly large area. It provided enough light for my whole desk surface, and it was ideal for both task work and general computer work. The dome also helped to prevent eye strain, as it keeps the light bulb covered so you're not looking directly at it.\nThe one major downside of this lamp is that the brightness and color temperature aren't adjustable. It has a simple on\/off toggle switch on the power cord for operation. However, as a workaround, you could outfit the lamp with a smart E12 bulb — such as this one from\nPhilips Hue\n— allowing you to dim the light and change it to virtually any color.\nBest design\nGantri Aim Task Light\nThe Gantri Aim Task Light will be a statement piece on your desk, thanks to its contemporary 3D printed design.\nThroughout the course of testing, I discovered that most desk lamps are either good-looking or functional — not both. The Gantri Aim Task Light was the only product that fit both requirements, offering a stylish design that will make a statement in your office while still being functional for everyday use. \nThis lamp has a unique contemporary design that's 3D printed from sustainable planted-based materials. It's available in a plethora of colors, and the whole thing is made to order and assembled in California, so delivery can take up to 30 days. To my surprise, you'd never be able to tell it was 3D printed. The exterior is perfectly smooth and free from any seams or lines. The arm of the lamp rotates smoothly around 360 degrees, and the lampshade can be tilted back and forth to angle the light toward your workspace. If you just want subtle ambient light, the lamp's head can sit on top of the base to gently illuminate the area. The light is a bit bulkier than others, though, so you'll need to have plenty of space on your desk for it. \nThis sleek 3D printed lamp is a statement piece for your desk, and it’s also impressively functional. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\nThe Aim Task Light has a control panel mid-way down the power cord and a slider to adjust the lamp's brightness to your preferred level. While using the lamp, I found that the diffuser positioned over the light bulb helps reduce eye strain, especially later in the day. The light does have a fixed color temperature of 2,700 K, but you can change the bulb as needed, swapping it out for a different color or replacing it if it burns out. (Many LED desk lights don't have replaceable bulbs, which means when they burn out, the lamp is essentially useless.) \nWhile the Gantri Aim Task Lamp is our top pick for a stylish desk lamp, the\nAnglepoise Type 80 Desk Lamp\nwas a close runner-up. It has a sleek contemporary form that's less bulky than the Gantri, and it comes in several trendy matte finishes that will add a fun pop of color to your desk. The height of the Anglepoise lamp makes it well-suited for larger workspaces, but it did cause a bit of eye strain and isn't dimmable, which is why the Gantri ultimately edged it out.\nRead our\nGantri review\nwith a few of our favorite styles.\nWhat to look for in the best desk lamps\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph pairs with your phone and automatically syncs its light output based on geolocation. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Insider\nChoosing the best desk lamp might not seem like a complicated task, but there are a number of features you'll want to look for when selecting what fixture will work best for your needs.\nRange of motion:\nAll experts consulted for this guide agreed that lamps should be adjustable, and the larger the range of movement, the better. McGowan said lamps should have \"the ability to be positioned to exclude glare on the work surface, keyboard, input display, computer display, or other equipment.\" A wide range of motion also allows you to move a lamp's light source closer to paper or other objects when needed. \nBase:\nThe best desk lamps come in various shapes and sizes. If you have minimal desk space, try a lamp with a clamp base that can attach to your desk, headboard, or kitchen table. If you've ever wondered why some desks have holes in them, it is actually for a desk lamp and other cords, so the wires and base can slip through the bottom to be hidden.\nBrightness and color temperature:\nExtended computer use can cause eye strain, but proper lighting can help minimize the effects. \"Having the appropriate color spectrum has been shown to benefit our sleep\/wake cycle, contributing to fatigue and eye strain,\" said Bert. Look for a light with brightness settings and different light temperatures, allowing you to adjust the color spectrum throughout the day.\nLED:\nLEDs are long-lasting, don't get overly warm, and are often adjustable for brightness and color temperature (more warm or cool). For the most natural-looking light, look for a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), between 85 and 100. \nEnergy efficiency:\nIf you're using a lamp all day, an energy-efficient model can help save you money. Luckily, most of today's best desk lamps use LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. You may also want to look for a light that is\nEnergy Star-certified\n, which must use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs. \nAdditional features:\nMany desk lamps offer additional features, including wireless charging or USB ports. If you're looking for a model that can charge your phone, make sure it's compatible with your particular phone model — some only work with the latest iPhones and Androids.\nHow we tested the best desk lamps\nWe tested nearly a dozen desk lamps, taking into account range of motion, brightness levels, ease of control, and appearance. \nCamryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\nI've been a product reviewer for four years now, so I used my experience testing household products, including lamps, to develop a comprehensive testing methodology. I also consulted various experts, including\nBenjamin Bert\n, MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center; Blake McGowan, director of ergonomics research at\nVelocityEHS\n; and Matthew Thorpe, a senior sales engineer at\nFagerhult Lighting\nin London. \nWith their advice in mind, I came up with several essential features to evaluate, and from there, I was able to determine which of the best desk lamps to test. When testing these desk lamps, I considered several key factors, including their range of motion, brightness levels, and ease of control. I used each one in my home office for at least two full consecutive workdays.\nDesk lamps FAQs\nWhat is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp?\nWhile it makes perfect sense to place any sort of lamp at your desk, a standard table lamp offers broader, more ambient light and functions more as decor and ambiance, while desks lighting will have more targeted and focused light dedicated toward tasking. They often will have features like adjustable arms or brightness aimed at reducing eye strain and increasing visibility.\nAre LED desk lamps good for the eyes?\nLEDs can be harsh on your eyes when not diffused. \"Bare LEDs are an extremely bright point source — lots of light from a very small space — so look for a well-made fitting that will control the light with a diffuser,\" says Thorpe. \nWhat are the disadvantages of LED lamps?\nLED lamps are more expensive than those with replaceable bulbs, and it can be difficult to replace built-in LEDs at the end of their life cycle. \nWhich bulbs are the best for a desk lamp?\nA dimmable LED light is the best bulb choice for a desk lamp. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them well worth the investment. \nWhat color temperature should my desk lamp be?\nIt depends on what you're looking for in a desk lamp.\nCool lights boost productivity, whereas warm lights are more soothing\nand relaxing. For getting the most work done, a cooler tone is ideal. If you're having a stressful day and need some extra soothing, warm light is a good bet. Many of the lamps we tested and recommend let you toggle between warm and cool lighting depending on your personal preference.\nCamryn Rabideau\nFreelance Reporter, Insider Reviews\nCamryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.Camryn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied journalism, as well as product and interior design. In her spare time, she can usually be found taking her dog on adventures or baking something sweet.\nLearn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here\n.\nRead more\nRead less\nYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story\nhere\n.\nDisclosure: Written and researched by the\nInsider Reviews\nteam. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at\nreviews@businessinsider.com\n.","attrs_markdown":"[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/subscription)\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/subscription\/newsletter)\n\nJump To Section\n\n[Best overall](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-overall)\n\n[Best budget](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-budget)\n\n[Best for video calls](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-for-video-calls)\n\n[Best for eye strain](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-for-eye-strain)\n\n[Best work lampwith phone charging](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-work-lampwith-phone-charging)\n\n[Best design](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-design)\n\n[What to look for](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#what-to-look-for)\n\n[How we tested](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#how-we-tested)\n\n[FAQs](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#faqs)\n\n[Business](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/business)\n\n[Strategy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/strategy)\n\n[Economy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/economy)\n\n[Finance](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/finance)\n\n[Retail](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/retail)\n\n[Advertising](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/advertising)\n\n[Careers](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/careers)\n\n[Law](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/law)\n\n[Media](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/media)\n\n[Real Estate](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/real-estate)\n\n[Small Business](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/smallbusiness)\n\n[The Better Work Project](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/sc\/introducing-the-better-work-project-hub)\n\n[Personal Finance](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/personal-finance)\n\n[Tech](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/tech)\n\n[Science](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/science)\n\n[AI](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/artificial-intelligence)\n\n[Enterprise](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/enterprise)\n\n[Transportation](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/transportation)\n\n[Startups](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/startups)\n\n[Innovation](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/innovation)\n\n[Markets](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/)\n\n[Stocks](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/stocks)\n\n[Indices](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/indices)\n\n[Commodities](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/commodities)\n\n[Crypto](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/cryptocurrencies)\n\n[Currencies](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/currencies)\n\n[ETFs](https:\/\/markets.businessinsider.com\/etfs)\n\n[Lifestyle](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/lifestyle)\n\n[Entertainment](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/entertainment)\n\n[Culture](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/culture)\n\n[Travel](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/travel)\n\n[Food](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/food)\n\n[Health](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/health)\n\n[Education](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/education)\n\n[Parenting](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/parenting)\n\n[Military & Defense](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/defense)\n\n[Politics](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/politics)\n\n[Reviews](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides)\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home)\n\n[Kitchen](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/kitchen)\n\n[Style](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/style)\n\n[Streaming](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/streaming)\n\n[Pets](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/pets)\n\n[Tech](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/tech)\n\n[Deals](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/deals)\n\n[Gifts](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/gifts)\n\n[Tickets](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/tickets)\n\n[Video](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/video)\n\n[Big Business](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/big-business)\n\n[So Expensive](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/so-expensive)\n\n[View From Above](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/view-from-above)\n\n[Small Business](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/small-business)\n\n[Authorized Account](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/authorized-account)\n\n[Risky Business](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/risky-business)\n\n[Boot Camp](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/boot-camp)\n\n[Still Standing](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/still-standing)\n\n[How Crime Works](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/how-crime-works)\n\n[Life Lessons](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/show\/life-lessons)\n\n[Subscribe](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/subscription)\n\n[My account]()\n\n[Log in]()\n\n[Newsletters](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/subscription\/newsletter)\n\nUS edition\n\n[Deutschland & Österreich](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.de\/?IR=C)\n\n[España](https:\/\/businessinsider.es\/)\n\n[Japan](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.jp\/)\n\n[Polska](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com.pl\/?IR=C)\n\n[TW 全球中文版](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.tw\/)\n\n[Get the app](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/app \"Get the Business Insider app\")\n\n[Reviews](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides)\n\n[Home Reviews](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home)\n# The best desk lamps of 2026, tested and reviewed for function and style\nWritten by   [Camryn Rabideau](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/camryn-rabideau)  edited by [Jaclyn Turner](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/jaclyn-turner)\n\nWhen you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/about-us)\n\n![A side by side: on the left, a lamp on a desk with a mug, laptop, and plant. On the right: desk lamps lined up in a row.](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/689e4246a17a8c5b4052e6b7?width=700)\n\nForm and function: the right desk lamp will look good in your space, reduce eye strain, and provide ample light.  Camryn Rabideau; Business Insider\n\n[Best overall](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-overall)\n\n[Best budget](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-budget)\n\n[Best for video calls](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-for-video-calls)\n\n[Best for eye strain](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-for-eye-strain)\n\n[Best work lampwith phone charging](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-work-lampwith-phone-charging)\n\n[Best design](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#best-design)\n\n[What to look for](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#what-to-look-for)\n\n[How we tested](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#how-we-tested)\n\n[FAQs](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#faqs)\n\n2026-01-15T22:31:27.067Z\n\nShare\n\nCopy link\n\n[Email](<mailto:?subject=The best desk lamps of 2026, tested and reviewed for function and style&body=The%20best%20desk%20lamps%20of%202026%2C%20tested%20and%20reviewed%20for%20function%20and%20style%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&> \"Email\")\n\nFacebook\n\nWhatsApp\n\nX\n\nLinkedIn\n\nBluesky\n\nThreads\n\nAn icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.\n\nImpact Link\n\nSave Saved\n\n[Read in app](https:\/\/insider-app.onelink.me\/4cpG\/?af_js_web=true&af_ss_ver=2_3_0&af_dp=insider%3A%2F%2Fbi%2Fpost%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&af_force_deeplink=true&is_retargeting=true&deep_link_value=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&pid=businessinsider&c=post_page_share_bar_v2_smart_4.13.23 \"Download the app\")\n\nWhen you spend hours at your desk, the right task lighting makes all the difference. The best desk lamp doesn't just brighten your immediate space, it reduces eye strain, sharpens focus, and can help you stay energized well into the evening.\n\nWe consulted with three experts — an ophthalmologist, an ergonomist, and an engineer — and tested various lighting options. Our picks for the best desk lamps provide consistent, adjustable illumination so you can tackle anything from late-night computer work to hands-on projects without fatigue. Our top choice is the [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1), which is highly adjustable and tall enough to use with desktop computers. For a more budget-friendly choice, [Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) costs just \\$40. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small spaces and laptop users. The LED bulbs offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\n\nLearn more about [how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/our-expertise-home-insider-home-product-reviews). For more home office recommendations, check out our guides to the [best standing desks](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-standing-desk) and [best ergonomic chairs](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-ergonomic-chair), as well as our favorite [useful desk accessories.](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/useful-desk-accessories)\n\n## **Our recommendations for the best desk lamps**\n**Best overall:** BenQ e-Reading LED Swing Arm Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\n**Best budget:** Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\n**Best for video calls:** Humanscale Nova Desk Light - [See at Humanscale](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=0b8861ddc569dc5a307f9000f367f207e58973192c9bbf41c661e972940c57bd&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Fnova-task-light-configurator.cfm%3Fconfiguration%3DNV3EBW-)\n\n**Best for eye strain:** Dyson Solarcycle Morph - [See at Dyson](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=3b018c57d6347e735dc31d67156b41b9c734b9f396a5a56cbda306b83ae0fbd4&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack-brass)\n\n**Best work lamp:** FORSÅ Work Lamp - [See at IKEA](http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F&key=a0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\n**Best design:** Gantri Aim Task Light - [See at Gantri](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=50b8088a0f14e9767ee9ba607afe4124ce97f315665288f15fc721f3237630a1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%2F%3Fid%3D16190%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon)\n***\n## Best overall\n[![BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp silver](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/659c16e8ec62ab5daf818236?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\n[BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings.\n\n[Check price at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Tall enough to illuminate desktop computers\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Modern design\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Numerous warmth settings with simple controls\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Wide range of motion\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Large frame might not suit small spaces\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Heavy\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:8\\.7 x 8.7 x 24.38 inches, 10.4 pounds\n- LED lifetime:50,000 hours\n- Brightness:Adjustable (900 lumens, 1,800 lux)\n- Color temperature:13 settings (2,700 K to 5,700 K)\n- Wattage:18 watts\n\nThe BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp comes in three attractive matte finishes and boasts a sleek body design that is highly adjustable.\n\nThe LED desk lamp can easily be arranged above a full-size computer monitor as it extends vertically up to 30 inches, making it significantly larger than the other desk lamps we tested. The lamp's head is mounted on a ball joint so that you can pivot it in any direction, and the arm rotates 360 degrees at the base, making this lamp extremely versatile. Despite its somewhat complex design, the lamp was quick and easy to set up and adjust. It's also compatible with several accessories, including a desk clamp and floor extension stand, for extra versatility.\n\n![BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp on a desk next to a Mac computer monitor](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nIts \"smile-shaped\" head is just over 15 inches long and casts wider lighting coverage. It easily illuminated my whole workspace, which is around 48 inches wide, and I rarely needed my usual overhead light. The light produces an impressive 1,800 lux on its brightest setting, and its LEDs provide flicker-free lighting to prevent eye strain. Although it was the heaviest lamp we tested, I was never worried about it tipping over, even as I adjusted the arms, as the base is sturdy.\n\nThe BenQ lamp has 22 brightness settings and 13 temperature options that adjust with a knob and can be mixed and matched—the most of any of the best desk lamps we tested. This lamp also has an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness to suit your environment automatically. (I sometimes had to tweak these settings, but not by much.) It also has a special e-reading mode that's brighter at the sides of the lamp's head and darker at the middle, and it proved effective for reducing glare when I was reading on my computer screen.\n***\n## Best budget\n[![The Honeywell LED Desk Lamp in the color black.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/65809eb550edbc52a8655d40?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\n[Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\nThe Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp has a compact base for smaller work areas with LED bulbs that offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\n\n[Check price at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Affordable\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Highly compact base\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Adjustable brightness and color temperature\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Built-in charging ports\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Easy to knock over\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Not tall enough for larger desktop computers\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:4 x 2 x 16.65 inches, 2.44 pounds\n- LED lifetime:30,000 hours\n- Brightness:Adjustable (500 lumens)\n- Color temperature:3 settings (3,000 K \/ 4,000 K \/ 5,500 K)\n- Wattage:10 watts\n\nIn addition to its wallet-friendly price, the Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Desk Lamp offers a wide range of functionality in a compact form, making it well-suited for smaller desk setups. The base of this sleek lamp is just 2-by-4 inches, and it has one fixed arm that extends up from the base and a second arm that hinges up and down 180 degrees. It comes in three finishes.\n\nBecause this task lamp is only around 13 inches, it wasn't tall enough to use with my desktop computer, but it was great for working on my laptop. It has one simple dial that controls all its functions — if you press the knob down, you can choose between the three light temperatures, and twisting the dial in either direction will turn the brightness up or down. To turn the lamp off, press the dial down for a few seconds. It's easy and intuitive to operate.\n\n![The Honeywell Foldable Modern Desk Lamp set up on a wooden desk, being used to light up a workspace with a laptop.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThis lamp has a compact base that’s just 2 inches wide, and it offers adjustable brightness and lighting temperature.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nThe Honeywell lamp has a frosted piece of plastic over the LED nodes to diffuse the light a bit, but I still found that the lamp caused eye fatigue at higher brightness settings, especially if I was working for long periods. However, I was able to prevent it from bothering my eyes by turning the brightness down or angling the arm away from my work area a bit more.\n\nIn terms of special features, this desk lamp has two USB charging ports on top of the base: one for USB-A plugs and one for USB-C plugs. I liked that they're easy to access (some lamps have these ports hidden on the back of the lamp), and they came in handy when I needed to charge my phone during the day.\n\n## Best for video calls\n[![humanscale nova task lamp](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6969364e764ca5f34d2a8616?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481)\n\n[Humanscale Nova Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481)\n\nThe Humanscale Nova Desk Light is fully adjustable in positioning and brightness. The LED bulb rotates to deliver glare-free light where you want it most, making it ideal for both video calls and task work.\n\n[Check price at Wayfair](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481)   [Check price at Humanscale](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=46ef2c6e9a0cf8bc766b2d173ec623e9d0321b2531a3903fb5bb303113b7f5a2&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Flighting%2Fnova-desk-light)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Adjustable positioning and brightness\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Produces glare-free light\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Occupancy sensor turns on and off automatically\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Also available with a clamp, wall mount, or base with wireless charging\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Long 10-year warranty\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Learning curve to operate, but once you have your favorite settings, you're set\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Sometimes the motion detector turns off if you're too still\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Slower delivery time\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:13 x 9 x 13.8 inches; 9 pounds\n- LED Lifetime:50,000 hours\n- Brightness:Adjustable (740 lumens)\n- Color temperature:3000K (Warm White) or 4000K (Cool White)\n- Wattage:7 watts\n\nIf you spend a lot of your day on video calls, your lighting can have a big impact on how you look on screen. Beyond working well as standard task lighting, the Humanscale Nova Task rotates 180 degrees, making it easy to position the light exactly where you want it for Zoom calls and other video meetings.\n\nThe LED lighting is carefully engineered to reduce glare and eye strain. The LEDs are arranged around the edge of the round lamp head and directed inward through layered lighting guides, creating even, diffused light without harsh glare or bright spots. The LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours and are backed by a 10-year warranty.\n\n![Humanscale nova lamp with a laptop](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe highly adjustable LED lamp head can twist to function like a \"ring light\" for video calls.  Jaclyn Turner\/Business Insider\n\nThe controls are sleek and unobtrusive, and not initially obvious. You adjust brightness with the dimmer touch bar (between 14% and 100%) and power the light on and off by giving the touch bar a tap. In fact, I rely on the motion detection system to operate hands-free. I have't had to adjust or turn off the lighting in months, it just flicks on when I approach and remembers the setting each time. After 15 minutes of inactivity, it will shut off. On rare occasion I am so still at my desk that it shuts off, but a quick movement, and it turns back on again. It's also energy-saving with the motion sensor, though the light doesn't use much energy anyways, just seven watts. If you prefer manual control, the motion sensor can be disabled.\n\nBoth the lamp body and head can be adjusted easily with one hand. The hinges glide smoothly with just enough resistance to hold their position, allowing you to adjust the head, arm, and swivel the lamp in any direction.\n\nThe Nova feels sturdy and well-made, with an aluminum body and steel hinges, and is made with 70% recycled materials. Beyond the standard tabletop base, the Nova is available with a clamp mount, wall mount, or a charging base, adding to its versatility. The 3000K Warm Light version is the most widely available, but if you prefer a Cool Light option, Humanscale offers it directly through its website.\n***\n## Best for eye strain\n[![Dyson LightCycle Morph showcase](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6012f0d96dfbe10018e00852?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68)\n\n[Dyson Solarcycle Morph](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain.\n\n[Check price at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68)   [Check price at Dyson](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=6490ccc7b13d604dd29bbc7dcd7da6ca9c6e2a2bc271a88af02364db50978d53&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Wide range of movement\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Automatically adjusts warmth and brightness based on your location\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Can be controlled via Dyson Link app\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Turns on\/off automatically when you leave or enter the room\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Very expensive\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Physical controls are tricky to use\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  App needs your location for full functionality\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:20\\.6 x 16.3 x 7.9 inches, 7.7 pounds\n- LED lifetime:181,000 hours\n- Brightness:Adjustable (850 lumens, 1,546 lux)\n- Color temperature:1,800 K to 6,500 K\n- Wattage:11\\.2 watts\n\nFew lamps with auto-adjusting dimmers came up in my research, but the Dyson Solarcycle Morph (formerly the Lightcycle Morph) met our criteria for testing. This Energy Star-certified smart desk lamp automatically adjusts its warmth and brightness throughout the day based on your location.\n\nDuring testing, I was impressed that the lamp optimized its settings to suit my environment, and I never experienced any eye strain. Its near-constant micro-adjustments happen every 60 seconds. However, you have to give the Dyson Link app permission to access your location for the lamp to do this.\n\n![A white Dyson Lightcycle Morph shining light on a brown desk with Macbook pro laptop next to a white-potted house plant.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain.  Camryn Rabideau\/Insider\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph has the sleek, modern design you'd expect from the brand, though I was surprised at its 7.7-pound weight. The lamp's vertical stem offers a 360-degree range of motion, and you can also twist the upper half of its horizontal arm to point the light sideways or upward for ambient lighting. When the arm is placed back over the lamp's base, it lights up the stem, creating a gentle ambient light that reduces blue light.\n\nYou're able to adjust both the lamp's warmth and brightness from the top of its arm, but frankly, these controls are a bit finicky to use. I found it significantly easier to adjust the lamp via the Dyson Link app, which allows you to save custom brightness and warmth settings for specific situations and even your age. The Solarcycle Morph also automatically turns itself off and on when you leave and enter the room.\n***\n## Best work lamp\n[![Ikea Forsa Work Lamp nickel](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68a35bbfa17a8c5b40530901?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F)\n\n[Ikea Forsa Work Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F)\n\nThe FORSÅ Work Lamp has a sturdy metal construction, and its architect-style design offers a wide range of motion.\n\n[Check price at IKEA](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Wide range of motion\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Lights a large area\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Domed shade prevents eye strain\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Sturdy metal construction\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Affordable\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Bulb not included\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Unable to adjust brightness\/color temperature\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:5 x 6 x 14 inches, 5.68 pounds\n- LED lifetime:Varies by bulb\n- Brightness:Varies by bulb\n- Color temperature:Varies by bulb\n- Wattage:40 watts\n\nIf you desire a more traditional desk lamp style, consider an architect lamp, a style easily recognizable by its multiple hinges along the arm and more concentrated task light. I like this Ikea FORSÅ work lamp, an inexpensive option available in a shiny nickel-plated finish. I tested this lamp in a turquoise color that is no longer available.\n\nUnlike most of the lamps I tested, the FORSÅ required a bit of assembly — I had to attach the arm to the base, set up the springs that control its movement, and connect the dome that holds the lightbulb. Additionally, this lamp doesn't include a light bulb, so you have to purchase an E12-style bulb (often called a chandelier bulb) separately.\n\n![The IKEA FORSÅ Work Lamp being used to light up a notebook on a wooden desk.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nIkea's FORSÅ lamp is a timeless architect lamp style that blend affordability with a sturdy and highly functional design. It is not dimmable however, and you need to add your own bulb.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nWhile it took a little more effort to set up, the FORSÅ is impressively sturdy once assembled. The base is heavily weighted, so I was never worried about it tipping over, and I loved that the lamp has three hinges that let you move it into virtually any orientation. Of all the lamps I tested, this one offered the most range of motion.\n\nFor testing, I outfitted the FORSÅ with a standard 40-watt E12 light bulb with a \"soft white\" hue (2,700 K). I assumed it would create a fairly narrow field of light due to its domed shade, but the lamp lit up a surprisingly large area. It provided enough light for my whole desk surface, and it was ideal for both task work and general computer work. The dome also helped to prevent eye strain, as it keeps the light bulb covered so you're not looking directly at it.\n\nThe one major downside of this lamp is that the brightness and color temperature aren't adjustable. It has a simple on\/off toggle switch on the power cord for operation. However, as a workaround, you could outfit the lamp with a smart E12 bulb — such as this one from [Philips Hue](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=27cf0a670f2e6293d454e794c91e34cdd218cb9e02777edd9f6466486d3c09c1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPhilips-Hue-Bluetooth-Compatible-Assistant%2Fdp%2FB08BNNHLNS%2F) — allowing you to dim the light and change it to virtually any color.\n***\n## Best design\n[![A Gantri Aim Task Light in the color carbon.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6580a10a50edbc52a8655e9f?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\n[Gantri Aim Task Light](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\nThe Gantri Aim Task Light will be a statement piece on your desk, thanks to its contemporary 3D printed design.\n\n[Check price at Gantri](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\n**What we like**\n\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Cool modern design\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Diffuser over light bulb reduces eye strain\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Adjustable brightness\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Bulb can be changed out as needed\n- A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.\n  Sustainably made in California\n\n**What we don’t like**\n\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Somewhat bulky\n- Two crossed lines that form an 'X'.\n  Fixed color temperature\n\n**Specifics**\n\n- Dimensions:6 x 14 x 22 inches, 8 pounds\n- LED lifetime:15,000 hours\n- Brightness: Adjustable (730 lumens)\n- Color temperature: 2,700 K\n- Wattage:6\\.4 watts\n\nThroughout the course of testing, I discovered that most desk lamps are either good-looking or functional — not both. The Gantri Aim Task Light was the only product that fit both requirements, offering a stylish design that will make a statement in your office while still being functional for everyday use.\n\nThis lamp has a unique contemporary design that's 3D printed from sustainable planted-based materials. It's available in a plethora of colors, and the whole thing is made to order and assembled in California, so delivery can take up to 30 days. To my surprise, you'd never be able to tell it was 3D printed. The exterior is perfectly smooth and free from any seams or lines. The arm of the lamp rotates smoothly around 360 degrees, and the lampshade can be tilted back and forth to angle the light toward your workspace. If you just want subtle ambient light, the lamp's head can sit on top of the base to gently illuminate the area. The light is a bit bulkier than others, though, so you'll need to have plenty of space on your desk for it.\n\n![The green Gantri Aim Task Lamp on a wooden desk, lighting up a laptop.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThis sleek 3D printed lamp is a statement piece for your desk, and it’s also impressively functional.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nThe Aim Task Light has a control panel mid-way down the power cord and a slider to adjust the lamp's brightness to your preferred level. While using the lamp, I found that the diffuser positioned over the light bulb helps reduce eye strain, especially later in the day. The light does have a fixed color temperature of 2,700 K, but you can change the bulb as needed, swapping it out for a different color or replacing it if it burns out. (Many LED desk lights don't have replaceable bulbs, which means when they burn out, the lamp is essentially useless.)\n\nWhile the Gantri Aim Task Lamp is our top pick for a stylish desk lamp, the [Anglepoise Type 80 Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=56b139b470b53013f7691fc4883994063941adb110a6344bb0af1c96954d5953&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.2modern.com%2Fproducts%2Ftype-80-desk-lamp%3Fvariant%3D29419163844653) was a close runner-up. It has a sleek contemporary form that's less bulky than the Gantri, and it comes in several trendy matte finishes that will add a fun pop of color to your desk. The height of the Anglepoise lamp makes it well-suited for larger workspaces, but it did cause a bit of eye strain and isn't dimmable, which is why the Gantri ultimately edged it out.\n\nRead our [Gantri review](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/gantri-lamp-review) with a few of our favorite styles.\n***\n## What to look for in the best desk lamps\n![A phone resting on the base of the Dyson Lightcycle Morph lamp showing the words \"synchronized\" on the phone screen in the Dyson Link app.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph pairs with your phone and automatically syncs its light output based on geolocation.  Camryn Rabideau\/Insider\n\nChoosing the best desk lamp might not seem like a complicated task, but there are a number of features you'll want to look for when selecting what fixture will work best for your needs.\n\n**Range of motion:** All experts consulted for this guide agreed that lamps should be adjustable, and the larger the range of movement, the better. McGowan said lamps should have \"the ability to be positioned to exclude glare on the work surface, keyboard, input display, computer display, or other equipment.\" A wide range of motion also allows you to move a lamp's light source closer to paper or other objects when needed.\n\n**Base:** The best desk lamps come in various shapes and sizes. If you have minimal desk space, try a lamp with a clamp base that can attach to your desk, headboard, or kitchen table. If you've ever wondered why some desks have holes in them, it is actually for a desk lamp and other cords, so the wires and base can slip through the bottom to be hidden.\n\n**Brightness and color temperature:** Extended computer use can cause eye strain, but proper lighting can help minimize the effects. \"Having the appropriate color spectrum has been shown to benefit our sleep\/wake cycle, contributing to fatigue and eye strain,\" said Bert. Look for a light with brightness settings and different light temperatures, allowing you to adjust the color spectrum throughout the day.\n\n**LED:** LEDs are long-lasting, don't get overly warm, and are often adjustable for brightness and color temperature (more warm or cool). For the most natural-looking light, look for a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), between 85 and 100.\n\n**Energy efficiency:** If you're using a lamp all day, an energy-efficient model can help save you money. Luckily, most of today's best desk lamps use LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. You may also want to look for a light that is [Energy Star-certified](https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/productfinder\/product\/certified-light-fixtures\/results), which must use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs.\n\n**Additional features:** Many desk lamps offer additional features, including wireless charging or USB ports. If you're looking for a model that can charge your phone, make sure it's compatible with your particular phone model — some only work with the latest iPhones and Androids.\n***\n## How we tested the best desk lamps\n![A photo of the different desk lamps on a wooden table.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nWe tested nearly a dozen desk lamps, taking into account range of motion, brightness levels, ease of control, and appearance.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nI've been a product reviewer for four years now, so I used my experience testing household products, including lamps, to develop a comprehensive testing methodology. I also consulted various experts, including [Benjamin Bert](https:\/\/www.memorialcare.org\/providers\/benjamin-b-bert), MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center; Blake McGowan, director of ergonomics research at [VelocityEHS](https:\/\/www.ehs.com\/solutions\/office-ergonomics\/); and Matthew Thorpe, a senior sales engineer at [Fagerhult Lighting](https:\/\/www.fagerhult.com\/) in London.\n\nWith their advice in mind, I came up with several essential features to evaluate, and from there, I was able to determine which of the best desk lamps to test. When testing these desk lamps, I considered several key factors, including their range of motion, brightness levels, and ease of control. I used each one in my home office for at least two full consecutive workdays.\n***\n## Desk lamps FAQs\n### What is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp?\nWhile it makes perfect sense to place any sort of lamp at your desk, a standard table lamp offers broader, more ambient light and functions more as decor and ambiance, while desks lighting will have more targeted and focused light dedicated toward tasking. They often will have features like adjustable arms or brightness aimed at reducing eye strain and increasing visibility.\n\n### **Are LED desk lamps good for the eyes?**\nLEDs can be harsh on your eyes when not diffused. \"Bare LEDs are an extremely bright point source — lots of light from a very small space — so look for a well-made fitting that will control the light with a diffuser,\" says Thorpe.\n\n### **What are the disadvantages of LED lamps?**\nLED lamps are more expensive than those with replaceable bulbs, and it can be difficult to replace built-in LEDs at the end of their life cycle.\n\n### Which bulbs are the best for a desk lamp?\nA dimmable LED light is the best bulb choice for a desk lamp. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them well worth the investment.\n\n### What color temperature should my desk lamp be?\nIt depends on what you're looking for in a desk lamp. [Cool lights boost productivity, whereas warm lights are more soothing](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8481791\/) and relaxing. For getting the most work done, a cooler tone is ideal. If you're having a stressful day and need some extra soothing, warm light is a good bet. Many of the lamps we tested and recommend let you toggle between warm and cool lighting depending on your personal preference.\n\n[![Camryn Rabideau](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5fb2ec6f1c741f0019aca1ea?crop=1:1&width=256&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/camryn-rabideau)\n\n[Camryn Rabideau](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/camryn-rabideau)\n\nFreelance Reporter, Insider Reviews\n\nCamryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.Camryn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied journalism, as well as product and interior design. In her spare time, she can usually be found taking her dog on adventures or baking something sweet. [Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews).\n\nRead more\n\nRead less\n\nYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story [here](https:\/\/www.parsintl.com\/publication\/business-insider\/).  \n  \nDisclosure: Written and researched by the [Insider Reviews](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides) team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [reviews@businessinsider.com](mailto:reviews@businessinsider.com).\n\nA white circle with a black border surrounding a chevron pointing up. It indicates 'click here to go back to the top of the page'.\n\n## Read next\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know\n\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know\n\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know\n\n![](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know\n\n[![Business Insider](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/stacked-black.svg)](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ \"Visit Business Insider\")\n\n[![Download on the App Store](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/badges\/app-store-badge.svg)](https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/app\/apple-store\/id554260576?mt=8)\n\n[![Get it on Google Play](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>) ![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/badges\/google-play-badge.svg)](https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.freerange360.mpp.businessinsider)\n\nLegal & Privacy\n\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/terms)\n- [Terms of Sale](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/terms-of-sale)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/privacy-policy)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/accessibility)\n- [Code of Ethics Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/code-of-ethics)\n- [Reprints & Permissions](https:\/\/www.parsintl.com\/publication\/business-insider\/)\n- [Disclaimer](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/disclaimer)\n- [Advertising Policies](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/advertising-policies)\n- [Conflict of Interest Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/conflict-of-interest-policy)\n- [Commerce Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/commerce-policy)\n- [Coupons Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/coupons-privacy-policy)\n- [Coupons Terms](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/coupons-terms)\n- [Cookie Settings](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps)\n\nCompany\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/about-us)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/work-at-business-insider)\n- [Advertise With Us](https:\/\/advertising.businessinsider.com\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/contact)\n- [News Tips](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/secure-news-tips)\n- [Company News](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/category\/business-insider-press-room)\n- [Awards](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/awards)\n- [Masthead](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/masthead)\n\nOther\n\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/sitemap\/html\/index.html)\n- [Stock quotes by finanzen.net](https:\/\/www.finanzen.net\/)\n- [Corrections](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/category\/corrections)\n- [Community Guidelines](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/community-guidelines)\n- [AI Use](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/how-the-business-insider-newsroom-uses-ai)\n- [BI Live](https:\/\/live.businessinsider.com\/)\n\nInternational Editions\n\n- [AT](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.de\/?IR=C)\n- [DE](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.de\/?IR=C)\n- [ES](https:\/\/businessinsider.es\/)\n- [JP](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.jp\/)\n- [PL](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com.pl\/?IR=C)\n- [TW](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.tw\/)\n\n[Copyright © 2026](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/terms) Insider Inc. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/privacy-policy).\n\n![Insider.com TM Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/insider-com-trademark-opt.svg)\n\n![Insider](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/Insider-logo-dark-opt.svg)\n\n![Insider-Inc Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/insider-inc.svg)\n\n![Tech Insider Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/BI\/US\/logos\/Tech-Insider-opt.svg)\n\n![Business Insider DE Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/BI\/DE\/logos\/BI-DE-Black-on-Light-final-footer-logo-opt.svg)\n\n![Insider Media Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/MI\/logos\/markets-insider-stacked.svg)\n\n![Insider Media Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/insider-media.svg)\n\n![News Insider Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/news-insider.svg)\n\n![Silicon Alley Logo](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C\/svg%3E>)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/INSIDER\/US\/logos\/silicon-alley-insider.svg)\n\n![](https:\/\/sb.scorecardresearch.com\/p?c1=2&c2=9900186&cv=3.6.0&;cj=1&comscorekw=)\n\nJump to\n\n1. [Main content](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#post-headline)\n2. [Search](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#search)\n3. [Account](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-desk-lamps#account)\n4. [Jump to top of page](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/)\n\n![Business Insider](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/public\/assets\/logos\/placeholder.png)\n\n## Follow  Following\nEvery time  publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox\\!\n\nLook out for an alert in your inbox the next time  publishes a story\\!\n\nEvery time a new  story is published, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox\\!\n\nLook out for an alert in your inbox the next time a new  story is published\\!\n\nEnter your email\n\nSign up\n\nBy clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider’s [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/privacy-policy).\n\n[More stories by]()  [More stories from]()","attrs_readable_markdown":"2026-01-15T22:31:27.067Z\n\nWhen you spend hours at your desk, the right task lighting makes all the difference. The best desk lamp doesn't just brighten your immediate space, it reduces eye strain, sharpens focus, and can help you stay energized well into the evening.\n\nWe consulted with three experts — an ophthalmologist, an ergonomist, and an engineer — and tested various lighting options. Our picks for the best desk lamps provide consistent, adjustable illumination so you can tackle anything from late-night computer work to hands-on projects without fatigue. Our top choice is the [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1), which is highly adjustable and tall enough to use with desktop computers. For a more budget-friendly choice, [Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) costs just \\$40. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small spaces and laptop users. The LED bulbs offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\n\nLearn more about [how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/our-expertise-home-insider-home-product-reviews). For more home office recommendations, check out our guides to the [best standing desks](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-standing-desk) and [best ergonomic chairs](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/best-ergonomic-chair), as well as our favorite [useful desk accessories.](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/useful-desk-accessories)\n\n## **Our recommendations for the best desk lamps**\n**Best overall:** BenQ e-Reading LED Swing Arm Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\n**Best budget:** Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\n**Best for video calls:** Humanscale Nova Desk Light - [See at Humanscale](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=0b8861ddc569dc5a307f9000f367f207e58973192c9bbf41c661e972940c57bd&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Fnova-task-light-configurator.cfm%3Fconfiguration%3DNV3EBW-)\n\n**Best for eye strain:** Dyson Solarcycle Morph - [See at Dyson](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=3b018c57d6347e735dc31d67156b41b9c734b9f396a5a56cbda306b83ae0fbd4&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack-brass)\n\n**Best work lamp:** FORSÅ Work Lamp - [See at IKEA](http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com\/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F&key=a0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\n**Best design:** Gantri Aim Task Light - [See at Gantri](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=50b8088a0f14e9767ee9ba607afe4124ce97f315665288f15fc721f3237630a1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%2F%3Fid%3D16190%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon)\n***\n## Best overall\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/659c16e8ec62ab5daf818236?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\n[BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1)\n\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings.\n\nThe BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp comes in three attractive matte finishes and boasts a sleek body design that is highly adjustable.\n\nThe LED desk lamp can easily be arranged above a full-size computer monitor as it extends vertically up to 30 inches, making it significantly larger than the other desk lamps we tested. The lamp's head is mounted on a ball joint so that you can pivot it in any direction, and the arm rotates 360 degrees at the base, making this lamp extremely versatile. Despite its somewhat complex design, the lamp was quick and easy to set up and adjust. It's also compatible with several accessories, including a desk clamp and floor extension stand, for extra versatility.\n\n![BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp on a desk next to a Mac computer monitor](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nSporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nIts \"smile-shaped\" head is just over 15 inches long and casts wider lighting coverage. It easily illuminated my whole workspace, which is around 48 inches wide, and I rarely needed my usual overhead light. The light produces an impressive 1,800 lux on its brightest setting, and its LEDs provide flicker-free lighting to prevent eye strain. Although it was the heaviest lamp we tested, I was never worried about it tipping over, even as I adjusted the arms, as the base is sturdy.\n\nThe BenQ lamp has 22 brightness settings and 13 temperature options that adjust with a knob and can be mixed and matched—the most of any of the best desk lamps we tested. This lamp also has an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness to suit your environment automatically. (I sometimes had to tweak these settings, but not by much.) It also has a special e-reading mode that's brighter at the sides of the lamp's head and darker at the middle, and it proved effective for reducing glare when I was reading on my computer screen.\n***\n## Best budget\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/65809eb550edbc52a8655d40?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\n[Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46)\n\nThe Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp has a compact base for smaller work areas with LED bulbs that offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures.\n\nIn addition to its wallet-friendly price, the Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Desk Lamp offers a wide range of functionality in a compact form, making it well-suited for smaller desk setups. The base of this sleek lamp is just 2-by-4 inches, and it has one fixed arm that extends up from the base and a second arm that hinges up and down 180 degrees. It comes in three finishes.\n\nBecause this task lamp is only around 13 inches, it wasn't tall enough to use with my desktop computer, but it was great for working on my laptop. It has one simple dial that controls all its functions — if you press the knob down, you can choose between the three light temperatures, and twisting the dial in either direction will turn the brightness up or down. To turn the lamp off, press the dial down for a few seconds. It's easy and intuitive to operate.\n\n![The Honeywell Foldable Modern Desk Lamp set up on a wooden desk, being used to light up a workspace with a laptop.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThis lamp has a compact base that’s just 2 inches wide, and it offers adjustable brightness and lighting temperature.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nThe Honeywell lamp has a frosted piece of plastic over the LED nodes to diffuse the light a bit, but I still found that the lamp caused eye fatigue at higher brightness settings, especially if I was working for long periods. However, I was able to prevent it from bothering my eyes by turning the brightness down or angling the arm away from my work area a bit more.\n\nIn terms of special features, this desk lamp has two USB charging ports on top of the base: one for USB-A plugs and one for USB-C plugs. I liked that they're easy to access (some lamps have these ports hidden on the back of the lamp), and they came in handy when I needed to charge my phone during the day.\n\n## Best for video calls\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6969364e764ca5f34d2a8616?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481)\n\n[Humanscale Nova Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481)\n\nThe Humanscale Nova Desk Light is fully adjustable in positioning and brightness. The LED bulb rotates to deliver glare-free light where you want it most, making it ideal for both video calls and task work.\n\nIf you spend a lot of your day on video calls, your lighting can have a big impact on how you look on screen. Beyond working well as standard task lighting, the Humanscale Nova Task rotates 180 degrees, making it easy to position the light exactly where you want it for Zoom calls and other video meetings.\n\nThe LED lighting is carefully engineered to reduce glare and eye strain. The LEDs are arranged around the edge of the round lamp head and directed inward through layered lighting guides, creating even, diffused light without harsh glare or bright spots. The LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours and are backed by a 10-year warranty.\n\n![Humanscale nova lamp with a laptop](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe highly adjustable LED lamp head can twist to function like a \"ring light\" for video calls.  Jaclyn Turner\/Business Insider\n\nThe controls are sleek and unobtrusive, and not initially obvious. You adjust brightness with the dimmer touch bar (between 14% and 100%) and power the light on and off by giving the touch bar a tap. In fact, I rely on the motion detection system to operate hands-free. I have't had to adjust or turn off the lighting in months, it just flicks on when I approach and remembers the setting each time. After 15 minutes of inactivity, it will shut off. On rare occasion I am so still at my desk that it shuts off, but a quick movement, and it turns back on again. It's also energy-saving with the motion sensor, though the light doesn't use much energy anyways, just seven watts. If you prefer manual control, the motion sensor can be disabled.\n\nBoth the lamp body and head can be adjusted easily with one hand. The hinges glide smoothly with just enough resistance to hold their position, allowing you to adjust the head, arm, and swivel the lamp in any direction.\n\nThe Nova feels sturdy and well-made, with an aluminum body and steel hinges, and is made with 70% recycled materials. Beyond the standard tabletop base, the Nova is available with a clamp mount, wall mount, or a charging base, adding to its versatility. The 3000K Warm Light version is the most widely available, but if you prefer a Cool Light option, Humanscale offers it directly through its website.\n***\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6012f0d96dfbe10018e00852?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68)\n\n[Dyson Solarcycle Morph](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain.\n\nFew lamps with auto-adjusting dimmers came up in my research, but the Dyson Solarcycle Morph (formerly the Lightcycle Morph) met our criteria for testing. This Energy Star-certified smart desk lamp automatically adjusts its warmth and brightness throughout the day based on your location.\n\nDuring testing, I was impressed that the lamp optimized its settings to suit my environment, and I never experienced any eye strain. Its near-constant micro-adjustments happen every 60 seconds. However, you have to give the Dyson Link app permission to access your location for the lamp to do this.\n\n![A white Dyson Lightcycle Morph shining light on a brown desk with Macbook pro laptop next to a white-potted house plant.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain.  Camryn Rabideau\/Insider\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph has the sleek, modern design you'd expect from the brand, though I was surprised at its 7.7-pound weight. The lamp's vertical stem offers a 360-degree range of motion, and you can also twist the upper half of its horizontal arm to point the light sideways or upward for ambient lighting. When the arm is placed back over the lamp's base, it lights up the stem, creating a gentle ambient light that reduces blue light.\n\nYou're able to adjust both the lamp's warmth and brightness from the top of its arm, but frankly, these controls are a bit finicky to use. I found it significantly easier to adjust the lamp via the Dyson Link app, which allows you to save custom brightness and warmth settings for specific situations and even your age. The Solarcycle Morph also automatically turns itself off and on when you leave and enter the room.\n***\n## Best work lamp\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/68a35bbfa17a8c5b40530901?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F)\n\n[Ikea Forsa Work Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F)\n\nThe FORSÅ Work Lamp has a sturdy metal construction, and its architect-style design offers a wide range of motion.\n\nIf you desire a more traditional desk lamp style, consider an architect lamp, a style easily recognizable by its multiple hinges along the arm and more concentrated task light. I like this Ikea FORSÅ work lamp, an inexpensive option available in a shiny nickel-plated finish. I tested this lamp in a turquoise color that is no longer available.\n\nUnlike most of the lamps I tested, the FORSÅ required a bit of assembly — I had to attach the arm to the base, set up the springs that control its movement, and connect the dome that holds the lightbulb. Additionally, this lamp doesn't include a light bulb, so you have to purchase an E12-style bulb (often called a chandelier bulb) separately.\n\n![The IKEA FORSÅ Work Lamp being used to light up a notebook on a wooden desk.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nIkea's FORSÅ lamp is a timeless architect lamp style that blend affordability with a sturdy and highly functional design. It is not dimmable however, and you need to add your own bulb.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nWhile it took a little more effort to set up, the FORSÅ is impressively sturdy once assembled. The base is heavily weighted, so I was never worried about it tipping over, and I loved that the lamp has three hinges that let you move it into virtually any orientation. Of all the lamps I tested, this one offered the most range of motion.\n\nFor testing, I outfitted the FORSÅ with a standard 40-watt E12 light bulb with a \"soft white\" hue (2,700 K). I assumed it would create a fairly narrow field of light due to its domed shade, but the lamp lit up a surprisingly large area. It provided enough light for my whole desk surface, and it was ideal for both task work and general computer work. The dome also helped to prevent eye strain, as it keeps the light bulb covered so you're not looking directly at it.\n\nThe one major downside of this lamp is that the brightness and color temperature aren't adjustable. It has a simple on\/off toggle switch on the power cord for operation. However, as a workaround, you could outfit the lamp with a smart E12 bulb — such as this one from [Philips Hue](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=27cf0a670f2e6293d454e794c91e34cdd218cb9e02777edd9f6466486d3c09c1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPhilips-Hue-Bluetooth-Compatible-Assistant%2Fdp%2FB08BNNHLNS%2F) — allowing you to dim the light and change it to virtually any color.\n***\n## Best design\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/6580a10a50edbc52a8655e9f?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\n[Gantri Aim Task Light](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e)\n\nThe Gantri Aim Task Light will be a statement piece on your desk, thanks to its contemporary 3D printed design.\n\nThroughout the course of testing, I discovered that most desk lamps are either good-looking or functional — not both. The Gantri Aim Task Light was the only product that fit both requirements, offering a stylish design that will make a statement in your office while still being functional for everyday use.\n\nThis lamp has a unique contemporary design that's 3D printed from sustainable planted-based materials. It's available in a plethora of colors, and the whole thing is made to order and assembled in California, so delivery can take up to 30 days. To my surprise, you'd never be able to tell it was 3D printed. The exterior is perfectly smooth and free from any seams or lines. The arm of the lamp rotates smoothly around 360 degrees, and the lampshade can be tilted back and forth to angle the light toward your workspace. If you just want subtle ambient light, the lamp's head can sit on top of the base to gently illuminate the area. The light is a bit bulkier than others, though, so you'll need to have plenty of space on your desk for it.\n\n![The green Gantri Aim Task Lamp on a wooden desk, lighting up a laptop.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThis sleek 3D printed lamp is a statement piece for your desk, and it’s also impressively functional.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nThe Aim Task Light has a control panel mid-way down the power cord and a slider to adjust the lamp's brightness to your preferred level. While using the lamp, I found that the diffuser positioned over the light bulb helps reduce eye strain, especially later in the day. The light does have a fixed color temperature of 2,700 K, but you can change the bulb as needed, swapping it out for a different color or replacing it if it burns out. (Many LED desk lights don't have replaceable bulbs, which means when they burn out, the lamp is essentially useless.)\n\nWhile the Gantri Aim Task Lamp is our top pick for a stylish desk lamp, the [Anglepoise Type 80 Desk Lamp](https:\/\/affiliate.insider.com\/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=56b139b470b53013f7691fc4883994063941adb110a6344bb0af1c96954d5953&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.2modern.com%2Fproducts%2Ftype-80-desk-lamp%3Fvariant%3D29419163844653) was a close runner-up. It has a sleek contemporary form that's less bulky than the Gantri, and it comes in several trendy matte finishes that will add a fun pop of color to your desk. The height of the Anglepoise lamp makes it well-suited for larger workspaces, but it did cause a bit of eye strain and isn't dimmable, which is why the Gantri ultimately edged it out.\n\nRead our [Gantri review](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides\/home\/gantri-lamp-review) with a few of our favorite styles.\n***\n## What to look for in the best desk lamps\n![A phone resting on the base of the Dyson Lightcycle Morph lamp showing the words \"synchronized\" on the phone screen in the Dyson Link app.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nThe Dyson Solarcycle Morph pairs with your phone and automatically syncs its light output based on geolocation.  Camryn Rabideau\/Insider\n\nChoosing the best desk lamp might not seem like a complicated task, but there are a number of features you'll want to look for when selecting what fixture will work best for your needs.\n\n**Range of motion:** All experts consulted for this guide agreed that lamps should be adjustable, and the larger the range of movement, the better. McGowan said lamps should have \"the ability to be positioned to exclude glare on the work surface, keyboard, input display, computer display, or other equipment.\" A wide range of motion also allows you to move a lamp's light source closer to paper or other objects when needed.\n\n**Base:** The best desk lamps come in various shapes and sizes. If you have minimal desk space, try a lamp with a clamp base that can attach to your desk, headboard, or kitchen table. If you've ever wondered why some desks have holes in them, it is actually for a desk lamp and other cords, so the wires and base can slip through the bottom to be hidden.\n\n**Brightness and color temperature:** Extended computer use can cause eye strain, but proper lighting can help minimize the effects. \"Having the appropriate color spectrum has been shown to benefit our sleep\/wake cycle, contributing to fatigue and eye strain,\" said Bert. Look for a light with brightness settings and different light temperatures, allowing you to adjust the color spectrum throughout the day.\n\n**LED:** LEDs are long-lasting, don't get overly warm, and are often adjustable for brightness and color temperature (more warm or cool). For the most natural-looking light, look for a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), between 85 and 100.\n\n**Energy efficiency:** If you're using a lamp all day, an energy-efficient model can help save you money. Luckily, most of today's best desk lamps use LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. You may also want to look for a light that is [Energy Star-certified](https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/productfinder\/product\/certified-light-fixtures\/results), which must use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs.\n\n**Additional features:** Many desk lamps offer additional features, including wireless charging or USB ports. If you're looking for a model that can charge your phone, make sure it's compatible with your particular phone model — some only work with the latest iPhones and Androids.\n***\n## How we tested the best desk lamps\n![A photo of the different desk lamps on a wooden table.](<data:image\/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg' width='1' height='1'\/%3E>)\n\nWe tested nearly a dozen desk lamps, taking into account range of motion, brightness levels, ease of control, and appearance.  Camryn Rabideau\/Business Insider\n\nI've been a product reviewer for four years now, so I used my experience testing household products, including lamps, to develop a comprehensive testing methodology. I also consulted various experts, including [Benjamin Bert](https:\/\/www.memorialcare.org\/providers\/benjamin-b-bert), MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center; Blake McGowan, director of ergonomics research at [VelocityEHS](https:\/\/www.ehs.com\/solutions\/office-ergonomics\/); and Matthew Thorpe, a senior sales engineer at [Fagerhult Lighting](https:\/\/www.fagerhult.com\/) in London.\n\nWith their advice in mind, I came up with several essential features to evaluate, and from there, I was able to determine which of the best desk lamps to test. When testing these desk lamps, I considered several key factors, including their range of motion, brightness levels, and ease of control. I used each one in my home office for at least two full consecutive workdays.\n***\n## Desk lamps FAQs\n### What is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp?\nWhile it makes perfect sense to place any sort of lamp at your desk, a standard table lamp offers broader, more ambient light and functions more as decor and ambiance, while desks lighting will have more targeted and focused light dedicated toward tasking. They often will have features like adjustable arms or brightness aimed at reducing eye strain and increasing visibility.\n\n### **Are LED desk lamps good for the eyes?**\nLEDs can be harsh on your eyes when not diffused. \"Bare LEDs are an extremely bright point source — lots of light from a very small space — so look for a well-made fitting that will control the light with a diffuser,\" says Thorpe.\n\n### **What are the disadvantages of LED lamps?**\nLED lamps are more expensive than those with replaceable bulbs, and it can be difficult to replace built-in LEDs at the end of their life cycle.\n\n### Which bulbs are the best for a desk lamp?\nA dimmable LED light is the best bulb choice for a desk lamp. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them well worth the investment.\n\n### What color temperature should my desk lamp be?\nIt depends on what you're looking for in a desk lamp. [Cool lights boost productivity, whereas warm lights are more soothing](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8481791\/) and relaxing. For getting the most work done, a cooler tone is ideal. If you're having a stressful day and need some extra soothing, warm light is a good bet. Many of the lamps we tested and recommend let you toggle between warm and cool lighting depending on your personal preference.\n\n[![](https:\/\/i.insider.com\/5fb2ec6f1c741f0019aca1ea?crop=1:1&width=256&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/camryn-rabideau)\n\n[Camryn Rabideau](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/author\/camryn-rabideau)\n\nFreelance Reporter, Insider Reviews\n\nCamryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.Camryn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied journalism, as well as product and interior design. In her spare time, she can usually be found taking her dog on adventures or baking something sweet. [Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews).\n\nRead more Read less\n\nYou can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story [here](https:\/\/www.parsintl.com\/publication\/business-insider\/).\n\nDisclosure: Written and researched by the [Insider Reviews](https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/guides) team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [reviews@businessinsider.com](mailto:reviews@businessinsider.com).","meta_canonical":null,"ml_categories_json":"{\"\/Home_and_Garden\":922,\"\/Home_and_Garden\/Home_Furnishings\":884,\"\/Home_and_Garden\/Home_Furnishings\/Lamps_and_Lighting\":651,\"\/Shopping\":189}","ml_types_json":"{\"\/Article\":927,\"\/Article\/Product_or_Brand_Review\":910}","ml_intent_types_json":"{\"Commercial\":973,\"Informational\":284}","meta_language":"en-us","attrs_author":null,"attrs_publish_time":0,"attrs_original_publish_time":1768519778,"attrs_is_republished":0,"attrs_nr_words":"5040","attrs_boilerpipe_nr_words":"3545","body_ext_links_number":57,"body_int_links_number":101,"meta_nofollow":0,"meta_noarchive":0,"props_was_rendered":0,"src_redirect":"","download_time_msec":189,"download_ttfb_msec":160,"download_size":66729}

3. Robots.txt Check

Query:

Response:

4. Spam/Ban Check

Query:

Response:

5. Seen Status Check

ℹ️ Skipped - page is already crawled

📄

INDEXABLE

✅

CRAWLED

15 hours ago

🤖

ROBOTS ALLOWED

Page Info Filters

Filter	Status	Condition	Details
HTTP status	PASS	`download_http_code = 200`	HTTP 200
Age cutoff	PASS	`download_stamp > now() - 6 MONTH`	0 months ago
History drop	PASS	`isNull(history_drop_reason)`	No drop reason
Spam/ban	PASS	`fh_dont_index != 1 AND ml_spam_score = 0`	ml_spam_score=0
Canonical	PASS	`meta_canonical IS NULL OR = '' OR = src_unparsed`	Not set

Page Details

Property

Value

URL

https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps

Last Crawled

2026-04-24 06:49:18 (15 hours ago)

First Indexed

2026-01-15 23:29:38 (3 months ago)

HTTP Status Code

200

Content

Meta Title

The Best Desk Lamps of 2026 - Business Insider

Meta Description

The best desk lamps are adjustable, easy to use, and energy efficient. We tested task lamps that reduce eye strain and brighten up your workspace.

Meta Canonical

null

Boilerpipe Text

Markdown

[Subscribe](https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription) [Newsletters](https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter) Jump To Section [Best overall](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-overall) [Best budget](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-budget) [Best for video calls](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-for-video-calls) [Best for eye strain](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-for-eye-strain) [Best work lampwith phone charging](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-work-lampwith-phone-charging) [Best design](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-design) [What to look for](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#what-to-look-for) [How we tested](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#how-we-tested) [FAQs](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#faqs) [Business](https://www.businessinsider.com/business) [Strategy](https://www.businessinsider.com/strategy) [Economy](https://www.businessinsider.com/economy) [Finance](https://www.businessinsider.com/finance) [Retail](https://www.businessinsider.com/retail) [Advertising](https://www.businessinsider.com/advertising) [Careers](https://www.businessinsider.com/careers) [Law](https://www.businessinsider.com/law) [Media](https://www.businessinsider.com/media) [Real Estate](https://www.businessinsider.com/real-estate) [Small Business](https://www.businessinsider.com/smallbusiness) [The Better Work Project](https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/introducing-the-better-work-project-hub) [Personal Finance](https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance) [Tech](https://www.businessinsider.com/tech) [Science](https://www.businessinsider.com/science) [AI](https://www.businessinsider.com/artificial-intelligence) [Enterprise](https://www.businessinsider.com/enterprise) [Transportation](https://www.businessinsider.com/transportation) [Startups](https://www.businessinsider.com/startups) [Innovation](https://www.businessinsider.com/innovation) [Markets](https://markets.businessinsider.com/) [Stocks](https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks) [Indices](https://markets.businessinsider.com/indices) [Commodities](https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities) [Crypto](https://markets.businessinsider.com/cryptocurrencies) [Currencies](https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies) [ETFs](https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs) [Lifestyle](https://www.businessinsider.com/lifestyle) [Entertainment](https://www.businessinsider.com/entertainment) [Culture](https://www.businessinsider.com/culture) [Travel](https://www.businessinsider.com/travel) [Food](https://www.businessinsider.com/food) [Health](https://www.businessinsider.com/health) [Education](https://www.businessinsider.com/education) [Parenting](https://www.businessinsider.com/parenting) [Military & Defense](https://www.businessinsider.com/defense) [Politics](https://www.businessinsider.com/politics) [Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides) [Home](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home) [Kitchen](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen) [Style](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/style) [Streaming](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/streaming) [Pets](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/pets) [Tech](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech) [Deals](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/deals) [Gifts](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/gifts) [Tickets](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tickets) [Video](https://www.businessinsider.com/video) [Big Business](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/big-business) [So Expensive](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/so-expensive) [View From Above](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/view-from-above) [Small Business](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/small-business) [Authorized Account](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/authorized-account) [Risky Business](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/risky-business) [Boot Camp](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/boot-camp) [Still Standing](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/still-standing) [How Crime Works](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/how-crime-works) [Life Lessons](https://www.businessinsider.com/show/life-lessons) [Subscribe](https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription) [My account]() [Log in]() [Newsletters](https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter) US edition [Deutschland & Österreich](https://www.businessinsider.de/?IR=C) [España](https://businessinsider.es/) [Japan](https://www.businessinsider.jp/) [Polska](https://www.businessinsider.com.pl/?IR=C) [TW 全球中文版](https://www.businessinsider.tw/) [Get the app](https://www.businessinsider.com/app "Get the Business Insider app") [Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides) [Home Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home) # The best desk lamps of 2026, tested and reviewed for function and style Written by [Camryn Rabideau](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/camryn-rabideau) edited by [Jaclyn Turner](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jaclyn-turner) When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. [Learn more](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/about-us) ![A side by side: on the left, a lamp on a desk with a mug, laptop, and plant. On the right: desk lamps lined up in a row.](https://i.insider.com/689e4246a17a8c5b4052e6b7?width=700) Form and function: the right desk lamp will look good in your space, reduce eye strain, and provide ample light. Camryn Rabideau; Business Insider [Best overall](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-overall) [Best budget](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-budget) [Best for video calls](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-for-video-calls) [Best for eye strain](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-for-eye-strain) [Best work lampwith phone charging](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-work-lampwith-phone-charging) [Best design](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#best-design) [What to look for](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#what-to-look-for) [How we tested](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#how-we-tested) [FAQs](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#faqs) 2026-01-15T22:31:27.067Z Share Copy link [Email](<mailto:?subject=The best desk lamps of 2026, tested and reviewed for function and style&body=The%20best%20desk%20lamps%20of%202026%2C%20tested%20and%20reviewed%20for%20function%20and%20style%0D%0A%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&> "Email") Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved [Read in app](https://insider-app.onelink.me/4cpG/?af_js_web=true&af_ss_ver=2_3_0&af_dp=insider%3A%2F%2Fbi%2Fpost%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&af_force_deeplink=true&is_retargeting=true&deep_link_value=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fguides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&pid=businessinsider&c=post_page_share_bar_v2_smart_4.13.23 "Download the app") When you spend hours at your desk, the right task lighting makes all the difference. The best desk lamp doesn't just brighten your immediate space, it reduces eye strain, sharpens focus, and can help you stay energized well into the evening. We consulted with three experts — an ophthalmologist, an ergonomist, and an engineer — and tested various lighting options. Our picks for the best desk lamps provide consistent, adjustable illumination so you can tackle anything from late-night computer work to hands-on projects without fatigue. Our top choice is the [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1), which is highly adjustable and tall enough to use with desktop computers. For a more budget-friendly choice, [Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) costs just \$40. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small spaces and laptop users. The LED bulbs offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures. Learn more about [how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/our-expertise-home-insider-home-product-reviews). For more home office recommendations, check out our guides to the [best standing desks](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-standing-desk) and [best ergonomic chairs](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-ergonomic-chair), as well as our favorite [useful desk accessories.](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/useful-desk-accessories) ## **Our recommendations for the best desk lamps** **Best overall:** BenQ e-Reading LED Swing Arm Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) **Best budget:** Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) **Best for video calls:** Humanscale Nova Desk Light - [See at Humanscale](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=0b8861ddc569dc5a307f9000f367f207e58973192c9bbf41c661e972940c57bd&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Fnova-task-light-configurator.cfm%3Fconfiguration%3DNV3EBW-) **Best for eye strain:** Dyson Solarcycle Morph - [See at Dyson](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=3b018c57d6347e735dc31d67156b41b9c734b9f396a5a56cbda306b83ae0fbd4&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack-brass) **Best work lamp:** FORSÅ Work Lamp - [See at IKEA](http://redirect.viglink.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F&key=a0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) **Best design:** Gantri Aim Task Light - [See at Gantri](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=50b8088a0f14e9767ee9ba607afe4124ce97f315665288f15fc721f3237630a1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%2F%3Fid%3D16190%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon) *** ## Best overall [![BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp silver](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/659c16e8ec62ab5daf818236?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) Sporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings. [Check price at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Tall enough to illuminate desktop computers - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Modern design - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Numerous warmth settings with simple controls - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Wide range of motion **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Large frame might not suit small spaces - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Heavy **Specifics** - Dimensions:8\.7 x 8.7 x 24.38 inches, 10.4 pounds - LED lifetime:50,000 hours - Brightness:Adjustable (900 lumens, 1,800 lux) - Color temperature:13 settings (2,700 K to 5,700 K) - Wattage:18 watts The BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp comes in three attractive matte finishes and boasts a sleek body design that is highly adjustable. The LED desk lamp can easily be arranged above a full-size computer monitor as it extends vertically up to 30 inches, making it significantly larger than the other desk lamps we tested. The lamp's head is mounted on a ball joint so that you can pivot it in any direction, and the arm rotates 360 degrees at the base, making this lamp extremely versatile. Despite its somewhat complex design, the lamp was quick and easy to set up and adjust. It's also compatible with several accessories, including a desk clamp and floor extension stand, for extra versatility. ![BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp on a desk next to a Mac computer monitor](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) Sporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider Its "smile-shaped" head is just over 15 inches long and casts wider lighting coverage. It easily illuminated my whole workspace, which is around 48 inches wide, and I rarely needed my usual overhead light. The light produces an impressive 1,800 lux on its brightest setting, and its LEDs provide flicker-free lighting to prevent eye strain. Although it was the heaviest lamp we tested, I was never worried about it tipping over, even as I adjusted the arms, as the base is sturdy. The BenQ lamp has 22 brightness settings and 13 temperature options that adjust with a knob and can be mixed and matched—the most of any of the best desk lamps we tested. This lamp also has an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness to suit your environment automatically. (I sometimes had to tweak these settings, but not by much.) It also has a special e-reading mode that's brighter at the sides of the lamp's head and darker at the middle, and it proved effective for reducing glare when I was reading on my computer screen. *** ## Best budget [![The Honeywell LED Desk Lamp in the color black.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/65809eb550edbc52a8655d40?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) [Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) The Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp has a compact base for smaller work areas with LED bulbs that offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures. [Check price at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Highly compact base - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable brightness and color temperature - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Built-in charging ports **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Easy to knock over - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Not tall enough for larger desktop computers **Specifics** - Dimensions:4 x 2 x 16.65 inches, 2.44 pounds - LED lifetime:30,000 hours - Brightness:Adjustable (500 lumens) - Color temperature:3 settings (3,000 K / 4,000 K / 5,500 K) - Wattage:10 watts In addition to its wallet-friendly price, the Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Desk Lamp offers a wide range of functionality in a compact form, making it well-suited for smaller desk setups. The base of this sleek lamp is just 2-by-4 inches, and it has one fixed arm that extends up from the base and a second arm that hinges up and down 180 degrees. It comes in three finishes. Because this task lamp is only around 13 inches, it wasn't tall enough to use with my desktop computer, but it was great for working on my laptop. It has one simple dial that controls all its functions — if you press the knob down, you can choose between the three light temperatures, and twisting the dial in either direction will turn the brightness up or down. To turn the lamp off, press the dial down for a few seconds. It's easy and intuitive to operate. ![The Honeywell Foldable Modern Desk Lamp set up on a wooden desk, being used to light up a workspace with a laptop.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) This lamp has a compact base that’s just 2 inches wide, and it offers adjustable brightness and lighting temperature. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider The Honeywell lamp has a frosted piece of plastic over the LED nodes to diffuse the light a bit, but I still found that the lamp caused eye fatigue at higher brightness settings, especially if I was working for long periods. However, I was able to prevent it from bothering my eyes by turning the brightness down or angling the arm away from my work area a bit more. In terms of special features, this desk lamp has two USB charging ports on top of the base: one for USB-A plugs and one for USB-C plugs. I liked that they're easy to access (some lamps have these ports hidden on the back of the lamp), and they came in handy when I needed to charge my phone during the day. ## Best for video calls [![humanscale nova task lamp](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/6969364e764ca5f34d2a8616?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481) [Humanscale Nova Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481) The Humanscale Nova Desk Light is fully adjustable in positioning and brightness. The LED bulb rotates to deliver glare-free light where you want it most, making it ideal for both video calls and task work. [Check price at Wayfair](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481) [Check price at Humanscale](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=46ef2c6e9a0cf8bc766b2d173ec623e9d0321b2531a3903fb5bb303113b7f5a2&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Flighting%2Fnova-desk-light) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable positioning and brightness - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Produces glare-free light - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Occupancy sensor turns on and off automatically - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Also available with a clamp, wall mount, or base with wireless charging - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Long 10-year warranty **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Learning curve to operate, but once you have your favorite settings, you're set - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Sometimes the motion detector turns off if you're too still - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Slower delivery time **Specifics** - Dimensions:13 x 9 x 13.8 inches; 9 pounds - LED Lifetime:50,000 hours - Brightness:Adjustable (740 lumens) - Color temperature:3000K (Warm White) or 4000K (Cool White) - Wattage:7 watts If you spend a lot of your day on video calls, your lighting can have a big impact on how you look on screen. Beyond working well as standard task lighting, the Humanscale Nova Task rotates 180 degrees, making it easy to position the light exactly where you want it for Zoom calls and other video meetings. The LED lighting is carefully engineered to reduce glare and eye strain. The LEDs are arranged around the edge of the round lamp head and directed inward through layered lighting guides, creating even, diffused light without harsh glare or bright spots. The LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours and are backed by a 10-year warranty. ![Humanscale nova lamp with a laptop](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The highly adjustable LED lamp head can twist to function like a "ring light" for video calls. Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider The controls are sleek and unobtrusive, and not initially obvious. You adjust brightness with the dimmer touch bar (between 14% and 100%) and power the light on and off by giving the touch bar a tap. In fact, I rely on the motion detection system to operate hands-free. I have't had to adjust or turn off the lighting in months, it just flicks on when I approach and remembers the setting each time. After 15 minutes of inactivity, it will shut off. On rare occasion I am so still at my desk that it shuts off, but a quick movement, and it turns back on again. It's also energy-saving with the motion sensor, though the light doesn't use much energy anyways, just seven watts. If you prefer manual control, the motion sensor can be disabled. Both the lamp body and head can be adjusted easily with one hand. The hinges glide smoothly with just enough resistance to hold their position, allowing you to adjust the head, arm, and swivel the lamp in any direction. The Nova feels sturdy and well-made, with an aluminum body and steel hinges, and is made with 70% recycled materials. Beyond the standard tabletop base, the Nova is available with a clamp mount, wall mount, or a charging base, adding to its versatility. The 3000K Warm Light version is the most widely available, but if you prefer a Cool Light option, Humanscale offers it directly through its website. *** ## Best for eye strain [![Dyson LightCycle Morph showcase](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/6012f0d96dfbe10018e00852?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68) [Dyson Solarcycle Morph](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain. [Check price at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68) [Check price at Dyson](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=6490ccc7b13d604dd29bbc7dcd7da6ca9c6e2a2bc271a88af02364db50978d53&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Wide range of movement - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Automatically adjusts warmth and brightness based on your location - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can be controlled via Dyson Link app - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Turns on/off automatically when you leave or enter the room **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Very expensive - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Physical controls are tricky to use - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. App needs your location for full functionality **Specifics** - Dimensions:20\.6 x 16.3 x 7.9 inches, 7.7 pounds - LED lifetime:181,000 hours - Brightness:Adjustable (850 lumens, 1,546 lux) - Color temperature:1,800 K to 6,500 K - Wattage:11\.2 watts Few lamps with auto-adjusting dimmers came up in my research, but the Dyson Solarcycle Morph (formerly the Lightcycle Morph) met our criteria for testing. This Energy Star-certified smart desk lamp automatically adjusts its warmth and brightness throughout the day based on your location. During testing, I was impressed that the lamp optimized its settings to suit my environment, and I never experienced any eye strain. Its near-constant micro-adjustments happen every 60 seconds. However, you have to give the Dyson Link app permission to access your location for the lamp to do this. ![A white Dyson Lightcycle Morph shining light on a brown desk with Macbook pro laptop next to a white-potted house plant.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain. Camryn Rabideau/Insider The Dyson Solarcycle Morph has the sleek, modern design you'd expect from the brand, though I was surprised at its 7.7-pound weight. The lamp's vertical stem offers a 360-degree range of motion, and you can also twist the upper half of its horizontal arm to point the light sideways or upward for ambient lighting. When the arm is placed back over the lamp's base, it lights up the stem, creating a gentle ambient light that reduces blue light. You're able to adjust both the lamp's warmth and brightness from the top of its arm, but frankly, these controls are a bit finicky to use. I found it significantly easier to adjust the lamp via the Dyson Link app, which allows you to save custom brightness and warmth settings for specific situations and even your age. The Solarcycle Morph also automatically turns itself off and on when you leave and enter the room. *** ## Best work lamp [![Ikea Forsa Work Lamp nickel](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/68a35bbfa17a8c5b40530901?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F) [Ikea Forsa Work Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F) The FORSÅ Work Lamp has a sturdy metal construction, and its architect-style design offers a wide range of motion. [Check price at IKEA](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Wide range of motion - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Lights a large area - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Domed shade prevents eye strain - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Sturdy metal construction - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Bulb not included - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Unable to adjust brightness/color temperature **Specifics** - Dimensions:5 x 6 x 14 inches, 5.68 pounds - LED lifetime:Varies by bulb - Brightness:Varies by bulb - Color temperature:Varies by bulb - Wattage:40 watts If you desire a more traditional desk lamp style, consider an architect lamp, a style easily recognizable by its multiple hinges along the arm and more concentrated task light. I like this Ikea FORSÅ work lamp, an inexpensive option available in a shiny nickel-plated finish. I tested this lamp in a turquoise color that is no longer available. Unlike most of the lamps I tested, the FORSÅ required a bit of assembly — I had to attach the arm to the base, set up the springs that control its movement, and connect the dome that holds the lightbulb. Additionally, this lamp doesn't include a light bulb, so you have to purchase an E12-style bulb (often called a chandelier bulb) separately. ![The IKEA FORSÅ Work Lamp being used to light up a notebook on a wooden desk.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) Ikea's FORSÅ lamp is a timeless architect lamp style that blend affordability with a sturdy and highly functional design. It is not dimmable however, and you need to add your own bulb. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider While it took a little more effort to set up, the FORSÅ is impressively sturdy once assembled. The base is heavily weighted, so I was never worried about it tipping over, and I loved that the lamp has three hinges that let you move it into virtually any orientation. Of all the lamps I tested, this one offered the most range of motion. For testing, I outfitted the FORSÅ with a standard 40-watt E12 light bulb with a "soft white" hue (2,700 K). I assumed it would create a fairly narrow field of light due to its domed shade, but the lamp lit up a surprisingly large area. It provided enough light for my whole desk surface, and it was ideal for both task work and general computer work. The dome also helped to prevent eye strain, as it keeps the light bulb covered so you're not looking directly at it. The one major downside of this lamp is that the brightness and color temperature aren't adjustable. It has a simple on/off toggle switch on the power cord for operation. However, as a workaround, you could outfit the lamp with a smart E12 bulb — such as this one from [Philips Hue](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=27cf0a670f2e6293d454e794c91e34cdd218cb9e02777edd9f6466486d3c09c1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPhilips-Hue-Bluetooth-Compatible-Assistant%2Fdp%2FB08BNNHLNS%2F) — allowing you to dim the light and change it to virtually any color. *** ## Best design [![A Gantri Aim Task Light in the color carbon.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/6580a10a50edbc52a8655e9f?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) [Gantri Aim Task Light](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) The Gantri Aim Task Light will be a statement piece on your desk, thanks to its contemporary 3D printed design. [Check price at Gantri](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) **What we like** - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cool modern design - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diffuser over light bulb reduces eye strain - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Adjustable brightness - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Bulb can be changed out as needed - A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Sustainably made in California **What we don’t like** - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Somewhat bulky - Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Fixed color temperature **Specifics** - Dimensions:6 x 14 x 22 inches, 8 pounds - LED lifetime:15,000 hours - Brightness: Adjustable (730 lumens) - Color temperature: 2,700 K - Wattage:6\.4 watts Throughout the course of testing, I discovered that most desk lamps are either good-looking or functional — not both. The Gantri Aim Task Light was the only product that fit both requirements, offering a stylish design that will make a statement in your office while still being functional for everyday use. This lamp has a unique contemporary design that's 3D printed from sustainable planted-based materials. It's available in a plethora of colors, and the whole thing is made to order and assembled in California, so delivery can take up to 30 days. To my surprise, you'd never be able to tell it was 3D printed. The exterior is perfectly smooth and free from any seams or lines. The arm of the lamp rotates smoothly around 360 degrees, and the lampshade can be tilted back and forth to angle the light toward your workspace. If you just want subtle ambient light, the lamp's head can sit on top of the base to gently illuminate the area. The light is a bit bulkier than others, though, so you'll need to have plenty of space on your desk for it. ![The green Gantri Aim Task Lamp on a wooden desk, lighting up a laptop.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) This sleek 3D printed lamp is a statement piece for your desk, and it’s also impressively functional. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider The Aim Task Light has a control panel mid-way down the power cord and a slider to adjust the lamp's brightness to your preferred level. While using the lamp, I found that the diffuser positioned over the light bulb helps reduce eye strain, especially later in the day. The light does have a fixed color temperature of 2,700 K, but you can change the bulb as needed, swapping it out for a different color or replacing it if it burns out. (Many LED desk lights don't have replaceable bulbs, which means when they burn out, the lamp is essentially useless.) While the Gantri Aim Task Lamp is our top pick for a stylish desk lamp, the [Anglepoise Type 80 Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=56b139b470b53013f7691fc4883994063941adb110a6344bb0af1c96954d5953&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.2modern.com%2Fproducts%2Ftype-80-desk-lamp%3Fvariant%3D29419163844653) was a close runner-up. It has a sleek contemporary form that's less bulky than the Gantri, and it comes in several trendy matte finishes that will add a fun pop of color to your desk. The height of the Anglepoise lamp makes it well-suited for larger workspaces, but it did cause a bit of eye strain and isn't dimmable, which is why the Gantri ultimately edged it out. Read our [Gantri review](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/gantri-lamp-review) with a few of our favorite styles. *** ## What to look for in the best desk lamps ![A phone resting on the base of the Dyson Lightcycle Morph lamp showing the words "synchronized" on the phone screen in the Dyson Link app.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph pairs with your phone and automatically syncs its light output based on geolocation. Camryn Rabideau/Insider Choosing the best desk lamp might not seem like a complicated task, but there are a number of features you'll want to look for when selecting what fixture will work best for your needs. **Range of motion:** All experts consulted for this guide agreed that lamps should be adjustable, and the larger the range of movement, the better. McGowan said lamps should have "the ability to be positioned to exclude glare on the work surface, keyboard, input display, computer display, or other equipment." A wide range of motion also allows you to move a lamp's light source closer to paper or other objects when needed. **Base:** The best desk lamps come in various shapes and sizes. If you have minimal desk space, try a lamp with a clamp base that can attach to your desk, headboard, or kitchen table. If you've ever wondered why some desks have holes in them, it is actually for a desk lamp and other cords, so the wires and base can slip through the bottom to be hidden. **Brightness and color temperature:** Extended computer use can cause eye strain, but proper lighting can help minimize the effects. "Having the appropriate color spectrum has been shown to benefit our sleep/wake cycle, contributing to fatigue and eye strain," said Bert. Look for a light with brightness settings and different light temperatures, allowing you to adjust the color spectrum throughout the day. **LED:** LEDs are long-lasting, don't get overly warm, and are often adjustable for brightness and color temperature (more warm or cool). For the most natural-looking light, look for a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), between 85 and 100. **Energy efficiency:** If you're using a lamp all day, an energy-efficient model can help save you money. Luckily, most of today's best desk lamps use LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. You may also want to look for a light that is [Energy Star-certified](https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-light-fixtures/results), which must use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs. **Additional features:** Many desk lamps offer additional features, including wireless charging or USB ports. If you're looking for a model that can charge your phone, make sure it's compatible with your particular phone model — some only work with the latest iPhones and Androids. *** ## How we tested the best desk lamps ![A photo of the different desk lamps on a wooden table.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) We tested nearly a dozen desk lamps, taking into account range of motion, brightness levels, ease of control, and appearance. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider I've been a product reviewer for four years now, so I used my experience testing household products, including lamps, to develop a comprehensive testing methodology. I also consulted various experts, including [Benjamin Bert](https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/benjamin-b-bert), MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center; Blake McGowan, director of ergonomics research at [VelocityEHS](https://www.ehs.com/solutions/office-ergonomics/); and Matthew Thorpe, a senior sales engineer at [Fagerhult Lighting](https://www.fagerhult.com/) in London. With their advice in mind, I came up with several essential features to evaluate, and from there, I was able to determine which of the best desk lamps to test. When testing these desk lamps, I considered several key factors, including their range of motion, brightness levels, and ease of control. I used each one in my home office for at least two full consecutive workdays. *** ## Desk lamps FAQs ### What is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp? While it makes perfect sense to place any sort of lamp at your desk, a standard table lamp offers broader, more ambient light and functions more as decor and ambiance, while desks lighting will have more targeted and focused light dedicated toward tasking. They often will have features like adjustable arms or brightness aimed at reducing eye strain and increasing visibility. ### **Are LED desk lamps good for the eyes?** LEDs can be harsh on your eyes when not diffused. "Bare LEDs are an extremely bright point source — lots of light from a very small space — so look for a well-made fitting that will control the light with a diffuser," says Thorpe. ### **What are the disadvantages of LED lamps?** LED lamps are more expensive than those with replaceable bulbs, and it can be difficult to replace built-in LEDs at the end of their life cycle. ### Which bulbs are the best for a desk lamp? A dimmable LED light is the best bulb choice for a desk lamp. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them well worth the investment. ### What color temperature should my desk lamp be? It depends on what you're looking for in a desk lamp. [Cool lights boost productivity, whereas warm lights are more soothing](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8481791/) and relaxing. For getting the most work done, a cooler tone is ideal. If you're having a stressful day and need some extra soothing, warm light is a good bet. Many of the lamps we tested and recommend let you toggle between warm and cool lighting depending on your personal preference. [![Camryn Rabideau](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://i.insider.com/5fb2ec6f1c741f0019aca1ea?crop=1:1&width=256&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/camryn-rabideau) [Camryn Rabideau](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/camryn-rabideau) Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.Camryn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied journalism, as well as product and interior design. In her spare time, she can usually be found taking her dog on adventures or baking something sweet. [Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here](https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews). Read more Read less You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story [here](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/business-insider/). Disclosure: Written and researched by the [Insider Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides) team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [reviews@businessinsider.com](mailto:reviews@businessinsider.com). A white circle with a black border surrounding a chevron pointing up. It indicates 'click here to go back to the top of the page'. ## Read next ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know ![](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ### Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know [![Business Insider](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/stacked-black.svg)](https://www.businessinsider.com/ "Visit Business Insider") [![Download on the App Store](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/badges/app-store-badge.svg)](https://itunes.apple.com/app/apple-store/id554260576?mt=8) [![Get it on Google Play](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/badges/google-play-badge.svg)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.freerange360.mpp.businessinsider) Legal & Privacy - [Terms of Service](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) - [Terms of Sale](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms-of-sale) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/privacy-policy) - [Accessibility](https://www.businessinsider.com/accessibility) - [Code of Ethics Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/code-of-ethics) - [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/business-insider/) - [Disclaimer](https://www.businessinsider.com/disclaimer) - [Advertising Policies](https://www.businessinsider.com/advertising-policies) - [Conflict of Interest Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/conflict-of-interest-policy) - [Commerce Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/commerce-policy) - [Coupons Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/coupons-privacy-policy) - [Coupons Terms](https://www.businessinsider.com/coupons-terms) - [Cookie Settings](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps) Company - [About Us](https://www.businessinsider.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.businessinsider.com/work-at-business-insider) - [Advertise With Us](https://advertising.businessinsider.com/) - [Contact Us](https://www.businessinsider.com/contact) - [News Tips](https://www.businessinsider.com/secure-news-tips) - [Company News](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/business-insider-press-room) - [Awards](https://www.businessinsider.com/awards) - [Masthead](https://www.businessinsider.com/masthead) Other - [Sitemap](https://www.businessinsider.com/sitemap/html/index.html) - [Stock quotes by finanzen.net](https://www.finanzen.net/) - [Corrections](https://www.businessinsider.com/category/corrections) - [Community Guidelines](https://www.businessinsider.com/community-guidelines) - [AI Use](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-business-insider-newsroom-uses-ai) - [BI Live](https://live.businessinsider.com/) International Editions - [AT](https://www.businessinsider.de/?IR=C) - [DE](https://www.businessinsider.de/?IR=C) - [ES](https://businessinsider.es/) - [JP](https://www.businessinsider.jp/) - [PL](https://www.businessinsider.com.pl/?IR=C) - [TW](https://www.businessinsider.tw/) [Copyright © 2026](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) Insider Inc. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our [Terms of Service](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/privacy-policy). ![Insider.com TM Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/insider-com-trademark-opt.svg) ![Insider](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/Insider-logo-dark-opt.svg) ![Insider-Inc Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/insider-inc.svg) ![Tech Insider Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/BI/US/logos/Tech-Insider-opt.svg) ![Business Insider DE Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/BI/DE/logos/BI-DE-Black-on-Light-final-footer-logo-opt.svg) ![Insider Media Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/MI/logos/markets-insider-stacked.svg) ![Insider Media Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/insider-media.svg) ![News Insider Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/news-insider.svg) ![Silicon Alley Logo](<data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' viewBox='0 0 1 1'%3E%3C/svg%3E>) ![](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/INSIDER/US/logos/silicon-alley-insider.svg) ![](https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&c2=9900186&cv=3.6.0&;cj=1&comscorekw=) Jump to 1. [Main content](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#post-headline) 2. [Search](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#search) 3. [Account](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-desk-lamps#account) 4. [Jump to top of page](https://www.businessinsider.com/) ![Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/public/assets/logos/placeholder.png) ## Follow Following Every time publishes a story, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox\! Look out for an alert in your inbox the next time publishes a story\! Every time a new story is published, you’ll get an alert straight to your inbox\! Look out for an alert in your inbox the next time a new story is published\! Enter your email Sign up By clicking “Sign up”, you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider’s [Terms of Service](https://www.businessinsider.com/terms) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.businessinsider.com/privacy-policy). [More stories by]() [More stories from]()

Readable Markdown

2026-01-15T22:31:27.067Z When you spend hours at your desk, the right task lighting makes all the difference. The best desk lamp doesn't just brighten your immediate space, it reduces eye strain, sharpens focus, and can help you stay energized well into the evening. We consulted with three experts — an ophthalmologist, an ergonomist, and an engineer — and tested various lighting options. Our picks for the best desk lamps provide consistent, adjustable illumination so you can tackle anything from late-night computer work to hands-on projects without fatigue. Our top choice is the [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1), which is highly adjustable and tall enough to use with desktop computers. For a more budget-friendly choice, [Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) costs just \$40. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small spaces and laptop users. The LED bulbs offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures. Learn more about [how Business Insider Reviews tests and researches home products](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/our-expertise-home-insider-home-product-reviews). For more home office recommendations, check out our guides to the [best standing desks](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-standing-desk) and [best ergonomic chairs](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/best-ergonomic-chair), as well as our favorite [useful desk accessories.](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/useful-desk-accessories) ## **Our recommendations for the best desk lamps** **Best overall:** BenQ e-Reading LED Swing Arm Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) **Best budget:** Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Modern Desk Lamp - [See at Amazon](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cb2c6b2c30e7c03ea1d79e8e7712f10a539351fe694f6eaf7ede3eacc8414024&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FHoneywell-Desk-Lamp-Home-Office%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) **Best for video calls:** Humanscale Nova Desk Light - [See at Humanscale](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=0b8861ddc569dc5a307f9000f367f207e58973192c9bbf41c661e972940c57bd&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.humanscale.com%2Fproducts%2Fnova-task-light-configurator.cfm%3Fconfiguration%3DNV3EBW-) **Best for eye strain:** Dyson Solarcycle Morph - [See at Dyson](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=3b018c57d6347e735dc31d67156b41b9c734b9f396a5a56cbda306b83ae0fbd4&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dyson.com%2Flighting%2Fdesk-lamps%2Fsolarcycle-morph-cd06%2Fblack-brass) **Best work lamp:** FORSÅ Work Lamp - [See at IKEA](http://redirect.viglink.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F&key=a0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) **Best design:** Gantri Aim Task Light - [See at Gantri](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=50b8088a0f14e9767ee9ba607afe4124ce97f315665288f15fc721f3237630a1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%2F%3Fid%3D16190%26amp%3Burl%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon) *** ## Best overall [![](https://i.insider.com/659c16e8ec62ab5daf818236?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) [BenQ e-Reading LED Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e78e1d8954c72e880944f98e47c204fa8c8591503763195fa0456c102362339f&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FBenQ-Genie-Eye-Caring-Ultrawide-Adjustable%2Fdp%2FB0CVKN82QR%3Fth%3D1) Sporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings. The BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp comes in three attractive matte finishes and boasts a sleek body design that is highly adjustable. The LED desk lamp can easily be arranged above a full-size computer monitor as it extends vertically up to 30 inches, making it significantly larger than the other desk lamps we tested. The lamp's head is mounted on a ball joint so that you can pivot it in any direction, and the arm rotates 360 degrees at the base, making this lamp extremely versatile. Despite its somewhat complex design, the lamp was quick and easy to set up and adjust. It's also compatible with several accessories, including a desk clamp and floor extension stand, for extra versatility. ![BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp on a desk next to a Mac computer monitor](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) Sporting a modern design, the BenQ e-Reading LED Swing-Arm Desk Lamp provides wide light coverage, a large range of motion, and adjustable brightness and temperature settings. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider Its "smile-shaped" head is just over 15 inches long and casts wider lighting coverage. It easily illuminated my whole workspace, which is around 48 inches wide, and I rarely needed my usual overhead light. The light produces an impressive 1,800 lux on its brightest setting, and its LEDs provide flicker-free lighting to prevent eye strain. Although it was the heaviest lamp we tested, I was never worried about it tipping over, even as I adjusted the arms, as the base is sturdy. The BenQ lamp has 22 brightness settings and 13 temperature options that adjust with a knob and can be mixed and matched—the most of any of the best desk lamps we tested. This lamp also has an ambient light sensor to adjust the brightness to suit your environment automatically. (I sometimes had to tweak these settings, but not by much.) It also has a special e-reading mode that's brighter at the sides of the lamp's head and darker at the middle, and it proved effective for reducing glare when I was reading on my computer screen. *** ## Best budget [![](https://i.insider.com/65809eb550edbc52a8655d40?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) [Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=1675e4d76b1665884e036433be716f8695c0171c88ac759f628cd3c9197e9ac0&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C277LF46) The Honeywell Sunturalux Desk Lamp has a compact base for smaller work areas with LED bulbs that offer adjustable brightness and color temperatures. In addition to its wallet-friendly price, the Honeywell Sunturalux Foldable Desk Lamp offers a wide range of functionality in a compact form, making it well-suited for smaller desk setups. The base of this sleek lamp is just 2-by-4 inches, and it has one fixed arm that extends up from the base and a second arm that hinges up and down 180 degrees. It comes in three finishes. Because this task lamp is only around 13 inches, it wasn't tall enough to use with my desktop computer, but it was great for working on my laptop. It has one simple dial that controls all its functions — if you press the knob down, you can choose between the three light temperatures, and twisting the dial in either direction will turn the brightness up or down. To turn the lamp off, press the dial down for a few seconds. It's easy and intuitive to operate. ![The Honeywell Foldable Modern Desk Lamp set up on a wooden desk, being used to light up a workspace with a laptop.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) This lamp has a compact base that’s just 2 inches wide, and it offers adjustable brightness and lighting temperature. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider The Honeywell lamp has a frosted piece of plastic over the LED nodes to diffuse the light a bit, but I still found that the lamp caused eye fatigue at higher brightness settings, especially if I was working for long periods. However, I was able to prevent it from bothering my eyes by turning the brightness down or angling the arm away from my work area a bit more. In terms of special features, this desk lamp has two USB charging ports on top of the base: one for USB-A plugs and one for USB-C plugs. I liked that they're easy to access (some lamps have these ports hidden on the back of the lamp), and they came in handy when I needed to charge my phone during the day. ## Best for video calls [![](https://i.insider.com/6969364e764ca5f34d2a8616?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481) [Humanscale Nova Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=e136c24c932f9a7f35d6c8e49743119244822ff48427625022d8cf544f522c72&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wayfair.com%2Flighting%2Fpdp%2Fhumanscale-nova-328-desk-lamp-gcwn7788.html%3Fpiid%3D48220481) The Humanscale Nova Desk Light is fully adjustable in positioning and brightness. The LED bulb rotates to deliver glare-free light where you want it most, making it ideal for both video calls and task work. If you spend a lot of your day on video calls, your lighting can have a big impact on how you look on screen. Beyond working well as standard task lighting, the Humanscale Nova Task rotates 180 degrees, making it easy to position the light exactly where you want it for Zoom calls and other video meetings. The LED lighting is carefully engineered to reduce glare and eye strain. The LEDs are arranged around the edge of the round lamp head and directed inward through layered lighting guides, creating even, diffused light without harsh glare or bright spots. The LEDs are rated to last 50,000 hours and are backed by a 10-year warranty. ![Humanscale nova lamp with a laptop](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The highly adjustable LED lamp head can twist to function like a "ring light" for video calls. Jaclyn Turner/Business Insider The controls are sleek and unobtrusive, and not initially obvious. You adjust brightness with the dimmer touch bar (between 14% and 100%) and power the light on and off by giving the touch bar a tap. In fact, I rely on the motion detection system to operate hands-free. I have't had to adjust or turn off the lighting in months, it just flicks on when I approach and remembers the setting each time. After 15 minutes of inactivity, it will shut off. On rare occasion I am so still at my desk that it shuts off, but a quick movement, and it turns back on again. It's also energy-saving with the motion sensor, though the light doesn't use much energy anyways, just seven watts. If you prefer manual control, the motion sensor can be disabled. Both the lamp body and head can be adjusted easily with one hand. The hinges glide smoothly with just enough resistance to hold their position, allowing you to adjust the head, arm, and swivel the lamp in any direction. The Nova feels sturdy and well-made, with an aluminum body and steel hinges, and is made with 70% recycled materials. Beyond the standard tabletop base, the Nova is available with a clamp mount, wall mount, or a charging base, adding to its versatility. The 3000K Warm Light version is the most widely available, but if you prefer a Cool Light option, Humanscale offers it directly through its website. *** [![](https://i.insider.com/6012f0d96dfbe10018e00852?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68) [Dyson Solarcycle Morph](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=a449a73b15811e7017a63a9449e9a38de3c9dcd387e8d7e7d5d35de0b6bf55ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDyson-Solarcycle-MorphTM-Desk-Light%2Fdp%2FB0CHN12G68) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain. Few lamps with auto-adjusting dimmers came up in my research, but the Dyson Solarcycle Morph (formerly the Lightcycle Morph) met our criteria for testing. This Energy Star-certified smart desk lamp automatically adjusts its warmth and brightness throughout the day based on your location. During testing, I was impressed that the lamp optimized its settings to suit my environment, and I never experienced any eye strain. Its near-constant micro-adjustments happen every 60 seconds. However, you have to give the Dyson Link app permission to access your location for the lamp to do this. ![A white Dyson Lightcycle Morph shining light on a brown desk with Macbook pro laptop next to a white-potted house plant.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph automatically adjusts its brightness and light temperature throughout the day based on your precise location, helping to reduce eye strain. Camryn Rabideau/Insider The Dyson Solarcycle Morph has the sleek, modern design you'd expect from the brand, though I was surprised at its 7.7-pound weight. The lamp's vertical stem offers a 360-degree range of motion, and you can also twist the upper half of its horizontal arm to point the light sideways or upward for ambient lighting. When the arm is placed back over the lamp's base, it lights up the stem, creating a gentle ambient light that reduces blue light. You're able to adjust both the lamp's warmth and brightness from the top of its arm, but frankly, these controls are a bit finicky to use. I found it significantly easier to adjust the lamp via the Dyson Link app, which allows you to save custom brightness and warmth settings for specific situations and even your age. The Solarcycle Morph also automatically turns itself off and on when you leave and enter the room. *** ## Best work lamp [![](https://i.insider.com/68a35bbfa17a8c5b40530901?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F) [Ikea Forsa Work Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=cfb9f2b5cb7707890c495da584f1f4fbb6be45b6c0a44f0377563eda58c05448&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ikea.com%2Fus%2Fen%2Fp%2Fforsa-work-lamp-nickel-plated-60146764%2F) The FORSÅ Work Lamp has a sturdy metal construction, and its architect-style design offers a wide range of motion. If you desire a more traditional desk lamp style, consider an architect lamp, a style easily recognizable by its multiple hinges along the arm and more concentrated task light. I like this Ikea FORSÅ work lamp, an inexpensive option available in a shiny nickel-plated finish. I tested this lamp in a turquoise color that is no longer available. Unlike most of the lamps I tested, the FORSÅ required a bit of assembly — I had to attach the arm to the base, set up the springs that control its movement, and connect the dome that holds the lightbulb. Additionally, this lamp doesn't include a light bulb, so you have to purchase an E12-style bulb (often called a chandelier bulb) separately. ![The IKEA FORSÅ Work Lamp being used to light up a notebook on a wooden desk.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) Ikea's FORSÅ lamp is a timeless architect lamp style that blend affordability with a sturdy and highly functional design. It is not dimmable however, and you need to add your own bulb. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider While it took a little more effort to set up, the FORSÅ is impressively sturdy once assembled. The base is heavily weighted, so I was never worried about it tipping over, and I loved that the lamp has three hinges that let you move it into virtually any orientation. Of all the lamps I tested, this one offered the most range of motion. For testing, I outfitted the FORSÅ with a standard 40-watt E12 light bulb with a "soft white" hue (2,700 K). I assumed it would create a fairly narrow field of light due to its domed shade, but the lamp lit up a surprisingly large area. It provided enough light for my whole desk surface, and it was ideal for both task work and general computer work. The dome also helped to prevent eye strain, as it keeps the light bulb covered so you're not looking directly at it. The one major downside of this lamp is that the brightness and color temperature aren't adjustable. It has a simple on/off toggle switch on the power cord for operation. However, as a workaround, you could outfit the lamp with a smart E12 bulb — such as this one from [Philips Hue](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=27cf0a670f2e6293d454e794c91e34cdd218cb9e02777edd9f6466486d3c09c1&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPhilips-Hue-Bluetooth-Compatible-Assistant%2Fdp%2FB08BNNHLNS%2F) — allowing you to dim the light and change it to virtually any color. *** ## Best design [![](https://i.insider.com/6580a10a50edbc52a8655e9f?width=600&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) [Gantri Aim Task Light](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=096c2e128b7c43fc3155ef9d7c20a95485ea5eaae753f7d2451201f5964660ab&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Aquicksilver&u=http%3A%2F%2Fredirect.viglink.com%2F%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.gantri.com%252Fproducts%252F10103%252Faim-task-table-light-by-smart-design%252F10103-lg-carbon%26key%3Da0a489b80c119e1fb25b8b4606294f7e) The Gantri Aim Task Light will be a statement piece on your desk, thanks to its contemporary 3D printed design. Throughout the course of testing, I discovered that most desk lamps are either good-looking or functional — not both. The Gantri Aim Task Light was the only product that fit both requirements, offering a stylish design that will make a statement in your office while still being functional for everyday use. This lamp has a unique contemporary design that's 3D printed from sustainable planted-based materials. It's available in a plethora of colors, and the whole thing is made to order and assembled in California, so delivery can take up to 30 days. To my surprise, you'd never be able to tell it was 3D printed. The exterior is perfectly smooth and free from any seams or lines. The arm of the lamp rotates smoothly around 360 degrees, and the lampshade can be tilted back and forth to angle the light toward your workspace. If you just want subtle ambient light, the lamp's head can sit on top of the base to gently illuminate the area. The light is a bit bulkier than others, though, so you'll need to have plenty of space on your desk for it. ![The green Gantri Aim Task Lamp on a wooden desk, lighting up a laptop.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) This sleek 3D printed lamp is a statement piece for your desk, and it’s also impressively functional. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider The Aim Task Light has a control panel mid-way down the power cord and a slider to adjust the lamp's brightness to your preferred level. While using the lamp, I found that the diffuser positioned over the light bulb helps reduce eye strain, especially later in the day. The light does have a fixed color temperature of 2,700 K, but you can change the bulb as needed, swapping it out for a different color or replacing it if it burns out. (Many LED desk lights don't have replaceable bulbs, which means when they burn out, the lamp is essentially useless.) While the Gantri Aim Task Lamp is our top pick for a stylish desk lamp, the [Anglepoise Type 80 Desk Lamp](https://affiliate.insider.com/?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-15116983108xz-20&h=56b139b470b53013f7691fc4883994063941adb110a6344bb0af1c96954d5953&platform=browser&postID=69690ae406deafac974acbef&postSlug=guides%2Fhome%2Fbest-desk-lamps&tags=service%3Acapi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.2modern.com%2Fproducts%2Ftype-80-desk-lamp%3Fvariant%3D29419163844653) was a close runner-up. It has a sleek contemporary form that's less bulky than the Gantri, and it comes in several trendy matte finishes that will add a fun pop of color to your desk. The height of the Anglepoise lamp makes it well-suited for larger workspaces, but it did cause a bit of eye strain and isn't dimmable, which is why the Gantri ultimately edged it out. Read our [Gantri review](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/home/gantri-lamp-review) with a few of our favorite styles. *** ## What to look for in the best desk lamps ![A phone resting on the base of the Dyson Lightcycle Morph lamp showing the words "synchronized" on the phone screen in the Dyson Link app.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) The Dyson Solarcycle Morph pairs with your phone and automatically syncs its light output based on geolocation. Camryn Rabideau/Insider Choosing the best desk lamp might not seem like a complicated task, but there are a number of features you'll want to look for when selecting what fixture will work best for your needs. **Range of motion:** All experts consulted for this guide agreed that lamps should be adjustable, and the larger the range of movement, the better. McGowan said lamps should have "the ability to be positioned to exclude glare on the work surface, keyboard, input display, computer display, or other equipment." A wide range of motion also allows you to move a lamp's light source closer to paper or other objects when needed. **Base:** The best desk lamps come in various shapes and sizes. If you have minimal desk space, try a lamp with a clamp base that can attach to your desk, headboard, or kitchen table. If you've ever wondered why some desks have holes in them, it is actually for a desk lamp and other cords, so the wires and base can slip through the bottom to be hidden. **Brightness and color temperature:** Extended computer use can cause eye strain, but proper lighting can help minimize the effects. "Having the appropriate color spectrum has been shown to benefit our sleep/wake cycle, contributing to fatigue and eye strain," said Bert. Look for a light with brightness settings and different light temperatures, allowing you to adjust the color spectrum throughout the day. **LED:** LEDs are long-lasting, don't get overly warm, and are often adjustable for brightness and color temperature (more warm or cool). For the most natural-looking light, look for a higher Color Rendering Index (CRI), between 85 and 100. **Energy efficiency:** If you're using a lamp all day, an energy-efficient model can help save you money. Luckily, most of today's best desk lamps use LED bulbs, which consume less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs. You may also want to look for a light that is [Energy Star-certified](https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-light-fixtures/results), which must use 90% less energy than traditional models using incandescent light bulbs. **Additional features:** Many desk lamps offer additional features, including wireless charging or USB ports. If you're looking for a model that can charge your phone, make sure it's compatible with your particular phone model — some only work with the latest iPhones and Androids. *** ## How we tested the best desk lamps ![A photo of the different desk lamps on a wooden table.](<data:image/svg+xml,%3C%3Fxml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'%3F%3E%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='1' height='1'/%3E>) We tested nearly a dozen desk lamps, taking into account range of motion, brightness levels, ease of control, and appearance. Camryn Rabideau/Business Insider I've been a product reviewer for four years now, so I used my experience testing household products, including lamps, to develop a comprehensive testing methodology. I also consulted various experts, including [Benjamin Bert](https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/benjamin-b-bert), MD, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center; Blake McGowan, director of ergonomics research at [VelocityEHS](https://www.ehs.com/solutions/office-ergonomics/); and Matthew Thorpe, a senior sales engineer at [Fagerhult Lighting](https://www.fagerhult.com/) in London. With their advice in mind, I came up with several essential features to evaluate, and from there, I was able to determine which of the best desk lamps to test. When testing these desk lamps, I considered several key factors, including their range of motion, brightness levels, and ease of control. I used each one in my home office for at least two full consecutive workdays. *** ## Desk lamps FAQs ### What is the difference between a table lamp and a desk lamp? While it makes perfect sense to place any sort of lamp at your desk, a standard table lamp offers broader, more ambient light and functions more as decor and ambiance, while desks lighting will have more targeted and focused light dedicated toward tasking. They often will have features like adjustable arms or brightness aimed at reducing eye strain and increasing visibility. ### **Are LED desk lamps good for the eyes?** LEDs can be harsh on your eyes when not diffused. "Bare LEDs are an extremely bright point source — lots of light from a very small space — so look for a well-made fitting that will control the light with a diffuser," says Thorpe. ### **What are the disadvantages of LED lamps?** LED lamps are more expensive than those with replaceable bulbs, and it can be difficult to replace built-in LEDs at the end of their life cycle. ### Which bulbs are the best for a desk lamp? A dimmable LED light is the best bulb choice for a desk lamp. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them well worth the investment. ### What color temperature should my desk lamp be? It depends on what you're looking for in a desk lamp. [Cool lights boost productivity, whereas warm lights are more soothing](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8481791/) and relaxing. For getting the most work done, a cooler tone is ideal. If you're having a stressful day and need some extra soothing, warm light is a good bet. Many of the lamps we tested and recommend let you toggle between warm and cool lighting depending on your personal preference. [![](https://i.insider.com/5fb2ec6f1c741f0019aca1ea?crop=1:1&width=256&format=jpeg&auto=webp)](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/camryn-rabideau) [Camryn Rabideau](https://www.businessinsider.com/author/camryn-rabideau) Freelance Reporter, Insider Reviews Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.Camryn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island, where she studied journalism, as well as product and interior design. In her spare time, she can usually be found taking her dog on adventures or baking something sweet. [Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here](https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews). Read more Read less You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story [here](https://www.parsintl.com/publication/business-insider/). Disclosure: Written and researched by the [Insider Reviews](https://www.businessinsider.com/guides) team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [reviews@businessinsider.com](mailto:reviews@businessinsider.com).

ML Classification

ML Categories

/Home_and_Garden		92.2%
/Home_and_Garden/Home_Furnishings		88.4%
/Home_and_Garden/Home_Furnishings/Lamps_and_Lighting		65.1%
/Shopping		18.9%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Home_and_Garden": 922,
    "/Home_and_Garden/Home_Furnishings": 884,
    "/Home_and_Garden/Home_Furnishings/Lamps_and_Lighting": 651,
    "/Shopping": 189
}

ML Page Types

/Article		92.7%
/Article/Product_or_Brand_Review		91.0%

Raw JSON

{
    "/Article": 927,
    "/Article/Product_or_Brand_Review": 910
}

ML Intent Types

Commercial		97.3%
Informational		28.4%

Raw JSON

{
    "Commercial": 973,
    "Informational": 284
}

Content Metadata

Language

en-us

Author

null

Publish Time

not set

Original Publish Time

2026-01-15 23:29:38 (3 months ago)

Republished

Word Count (Total)

5,040

Word Count (Content)

3,545

Links

External Links

Internal Links

101

Technical SEO

Meta Nofollow

Meta Noarchive

JS Rendered

Redirect Target

null

Performance

Download Time (ms)

189

TTFB (ms)

160

Download Size (bytes)

66,729

Shard

181 (laksa)

Root Hash

15170859634011428381

Unparsed URL

com,businessinsider!www,/guides/home/best-desk-lamps s443