Despite being a lifelong book lover, I’ve only recently began to develop a solid reading routine. I always intended to be the kind of person who reads for an hour before bed, but it never seemed to work out that way. It turned out there were two things holding me back: an unrealistic expectation of how much time I had to put aside for reading before bed and not having a bedside lamp. The best reading lamps make reading in bed comfortable and easy — much more relaxing than having to roll our of bed to turn the light switch off just as you’ve gotten cozy and drowsy.
There are so many options when it comes to reading lamps, though. You have to consider what you’re using it for: is it stationed in one place, or do you want it to be portable? Do you have a spot cleared off on a nightstand, or does it need to be clamped onto your headboard or the wall? Would you prefer a floor lamp or a smaller version? Then, there’s extra features like color changes and USB ports for charging. And that’s not even getting into how it fits into your decor!
Since everyone will have their own criteria for what qualifies as the best reading lamps, I’ve included a range of options for different styles and uses. They have been carefully vetted, though: each of these has at least 1,000 Amazon reviews with at least a 4.5 star average. Most of them are also dimmable, so you can adjust to your preferred reading light.
Bedside Reading Lamps
White Crown LED Desk Lamp for $25
Although there are many similarly-designed lamps, this one comes highly rated, and it’s the one that boosted my own reading life! It’s an LED lamp that’s adjustable in a multitude of ways: the arm not only bends up and down, but also rotates, making it easy to point the light where you need it. It’s dimmable and has different color modes, so you can choose between warmer or cooler light. Plus, it has a USB port for charging your phone, and an auto-off timer if you’re someone who falls asleep while reading.
BenQ eReading LED Desk Lamp for $189
The deluxe version of the LED desk lamp (or bedside reading lamp) is the BenQ. The curved cap offers a wider reading surface, and it has 13 levels of color temperatures and 23 brightness levels. It’s auto-dimmable, meaning that it automatically adjusts to the lighting in your room. It also doesn’t cause screen glare, if you want it double as office lighting. It’s available in a range of colors.
Bedside Lamp with Round Flaxen Shade for $30
If you prefer a bedside lamp with a classic design, you might like this one with a round fabric lamp. You still get the perks of an LED lamp, though, including a USB port and dimmable light. This is also touch controlled, so you can adjust the lighting by tapping the base. It’s available in a range of shade colors. (You might also be interested in this similar bedside lamp with a square shade for $17.)
2 Pack of Side Table Lamps with Grey Shades for $56
This two pack is great for readers who want matching lamps on both sides of the bed at a low cost. They are dimmable with touch control, and each has two USB ports.
Industrial Table Lamp for $40
If you have an industrial aesthetic, this will be one of the best reading lamps for you. It adjusts between 10% and 100% brightness with a knob on the base, and it also includes two USB ports.
Color Changing Touch Lamp for $24
This would make a fun lamp for a kid’s or teen’s bedroom — or yours, if you’re still fun. No judgement. It’s touch-activated and lights up in a bunch of different colors, which are also dimmable. It promises that the highest setting is bright enough for reading, while the rest are a more diffuse light. It also has a USB port for charging.
There you have it: 16 of the best reading lamps you can choose from! I hope that no matter your style or use case, you found something that could improve your reading life here. Looking for more? Try: