The best desk lamp is one you can aim: an adjustable arm or head, a light that is bright enough to read and work by, and a colour temperature you can change through the day. For long hours at a desk, look for a lamp with stepless dimming and an adjustable colour temperature, and an anti-glare shade. For a bedside or study lamp where style matters more, choose the shape and finish to suit the room. This guide explains what to check, and lists desk lamps from our range.
Ready to browse? See all desk lamps, or read on to work out what to look for.
What to look for in a desk lamp
Adjustability. A desk lamp is only useful if the light goes where you need it. Look for an arm that adjusts in more than one place, or a height-adjustable stem, so you can aim the light at the page and keep the shadow of your hand out of the way.
Brightness and dimming. Check lumens, not watts, and look for stepless dimming so you can turn the light down in the evening. Our guide to understanding lumens explains the numbers.
Colour temperature. Cooler light of 4000K to 6000K helps with concentration during the day, and warmer light around 3000K is easier on the eyes in the evening. A lamp that lets you change between them is the most useful, and our guide to colour temperature explains when to use each.
Glare. A shade or reflector that shields your eyes from the light source reduces glare on the screen and the page, which matters during long sessions.
Built-in LED or a globe. A lamp with a built-in LED has nothing to replace, while a lamp that takes an E27 globe lets you choose the brightness and colour. Several lamps below take an E27 globe that is not included, so check the product page. See our guide to light globe fittings for the bases.
Desk lamps worth a look from our range
Task lamps with colour control.
- The Rupert LED Task Lamp is an 8 W LED lamp, 400 lumens, adjustable in two places, with touch switches on the base for colour temperature (3000K, 4000K and 6000K) and stepless dimming. It comes in black or white.
- The Templestowe LED Touch Lamp is a 12 W integrated LED with an anti-glare reflector, an adjustable height, stepless dimming, four colour temperatures (3000K to 6500K), a light sensor and a two-hour timer. It is rated at 640 lumens at 6500K.
A desk lamp that charges your phone. The Targa Desk Lamp has a USB socket on the side of the base for charging devices, and you can charge wirelessly by placing a phone on top of the base. It has a wide adjustable shade and comes in black or white. It takes an E27 globe, so check whether one is included on the product page.
Style and bedside lamps.
- The Oriel Ari is an adjustable desk or bedside reading lamp, with a toggle switch conveniently on the adjustable head. It is 510 mm tall, takes an E27 globe and the globe is not included.
- The Oriel Myra is a height-adjustable lamp with a black marble base and satin brass highlights, and you adjust it by loosening the knurled knob and lifting or lowering the arm. It suits Hamptons, industrial and traditional homes.
- The Benny has a scandustrial look, with matt metal and warm timber, 420 mm tall, taking an E27 globe, which is not included.
- The Domus Carter is a paper rope desk lamp on matt black metalware, 555 mm tall with a 170 mm shade, in black or natural. Its tall, narrow shade throws a tighter pool of light than a wide, low shade.
Setting up your desk light
- Place the lamp on the side opposite your writing hand, so your hand does not cast a shadow over what you are working on.
- Aim the light at the page or keyboard, not at your screen, to avoid reflections.
- Keep other light in the room. A bright desk lamp in a dark room strains the eyes, so pair it with softer room lighting. Our home office and desk lighting guide shows how.
- Use the warmest setting in the evening so the light does not feel harsh as the day winds down.
Frequently asked questions
What colour temperature is best for a desk lamp?
Cooler light of 4000K to 6000K suits daytime work, and warmer light around 3000K suits the evening. A lamp that can switch between them is the most flexible.
How bright should a desk lamp be?
Bright enough to read comfortably without strain. Compare the lumens on the product page, and choose a dimmable lamp so you can adjust the brightness to the time of day.
Which side should a desk lamp go on?
On the side opposite your writing hand, so your hand does not shade the page.
Does a desk lamp come with a globe?
Not always. A lamp with a built-in LED needs none, but lamps that take an E27 globe often do not include one, so check the product page.
Can I use a desk lamp as a bedside lamp?
Yes. Many of the lamps above work as bedside reading lights, and an adjustable head helps when you read in bed.
Find your desk lamp
Browse all desk lamps, or see our guide to floor lamps for a standing reading light. Lights For You delivers Australia-wide, and our Ashfield showroom in Sydney is open if you would like to see the lamps in person.
