Desk lamp under $50: what to look for
A desk lamp under $50 should be adjustable, bright enough and warm or neutral in color. Here is what to check, and one feature you can skip.
Manon Lambert2 min read
What should a desk lamp under $50 have? An arm that moves, a dimmer and a color you like.
The reason
A desk lamp is there to light your work without glare. An arm that bends lets you aim the light at the page, not at your eyes. A dimmer lets you lower it in the evening. Typically a warm to neutral white (about 3000 to 4000 K, a unit for color) is easier on tired eyes than a cold blue white.
Check the lumens, which measure brightness. For reading and writing, a few hundred lumens at the page is usually plenty, according to common lighting advice. More is not better.
What to check
- Dimmer and color settings. Look for several steps.
- Arm that holds position. It should not droop.
- Plug type. A USB powered lamp is fine for a small desk. A mains lamp is brighter.
- Safety mark. Look for a recognized lab mark on a plugged in lamp.
Where to put it
Place the lamp on the side opposite your writing hand. That keeps your hand from casting a shadow on the page. Aim the light at the desk, not at the screen. If you use a computer, keep room light on as well, so your eyes do not jump between a bright screen and a dark room.
The exception
If your lamp is old but sturdy, a new bulb may fix it for a few dollars. A warm white LED bulb in an existing lamp is the cheapest upgrade. See LED vs incandescent bulbs for how bulbs compare.
Skip lamps with speakers, phone chargers and flashing lights. They cost more and break first. If you are setting up a work space, an office chair under $100 is usually the better place for money.
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