The reading light is most common among avid readers. When you are deeply engrossed in a book, it is unlikely that you will like the idea of dropping simply because the light in your room is becoming dim or your partner needs to sleep. With a reading light, you will be able to continue reading deep into the night without disturbing anyone. They are usually adjustable in a manner that encourages highly personalized use. They are optimized to keep readers focused on any book they are interested in.
While they are majorly used for reading at night, reading lights are also helpful in different other scenarios. They can be used by anyone that needs personalized lighting. They can be useful for a musician that is practicing at night; helping to illuminate the music notes or keyboards. Hobbyists and crafters can also find reading lights very helpful when they need sharper views to work on any project at night.
With so many models of book lights available on the market, it can be very difficult to pick one. This is why we are here; to help buyers make better decisions. Based on extensive research and testing, we have selected what we believe are the 7 best LED reading lights on the market at the moment. We will review these products and discuss further on how best you can make the right choice.
Our Top 7 Picks
1. Brighttech Litespan LED Bright Reading and Craft Floor Lamp
This is a versatile standing lamp that you will enjoy using as a reading light. It is perfect for those that are not fascinated by Clip-On lights and want something powerful for reading and other tasks that require efficient lighting. It can be placed on the floor, besides the bed or any flat surface close to where you want the light to focus on. The adjustable gooseneck will let you focus it just where you need the lighting most. It is very stable and will offer steady light.
There are so many remarkable things about this standing light: it produces 6,000K natural daylight spectrum white light with an output of 2,000 lumens. It also has an inbuilt LED light. This is a lot more than the average reading light offers. You can also change the brightness level to suit your needs at any time. It can also emit light in 5 different colors depending on your settings. The lamp has a sturdy design, even though it is lightweight. It is also easy to operate in spite of its many features. It is plugin operated and works with 110V – 220V outlets.
2. LuminoLite BO76SVC7SN Rechargeable 3000K Warm 6 LED Book
This is another powerful Clip-On reading light with 6 LED lights. It is a small, lightweight and well-designed light that you can take anywhere. The upgraded 3000K warm SMD LED technology is considered the best light color for eye-care reading. It will evenly light up about three times the area a normal light will light up, and you have three different brightness levels to choose from. It is great for bookworms and little children who need to protect their eyes.
The LuminoLite BO76SVC7SN Rechargeable reading light is easy to use. The secure padded clamp works perfectly and will keep the light properly secured and steady. You can easily adjust the position as you wish, thanks to the infinitely flexible neck. It comes with a built-in rechargeable 1000 mAh Li-ion battery that can last up to 60 hours when you are using the low setting. You have 4 different options when it comes to charging the lamp: USB ports, power banks, laptops, and power banks. The manufacturers offer three years warranty and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee when you purchase.
3. Vont LED Clip On Reading Light
This is a 12 LEDs eye protection book light that is perfect in every sense. Awarded Amazon’s Choice for ‘Clip-On’ Battery Powered Light, this is a highly rated reading light that offers incredible value for the money. It has a minimalist design with a wide clamp that makes it fit perfectly on your desk, bed, or the book you are reading. It is portable and lightweight; you can take it anywhere, and the powerful built 1000 mAh rechargeable battery will keep it shining bright for at least 8 hours of continuous use.
Using this reading light can be fun. It features a 3600 flexible gooseneck that lets you focus the light right where you need it. With the included USB cable, this sleek light can be powered by any charger, notebook, or Computer. It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
4. Mighty Bright 47012 Recharge Clip-On Rechargeable Book Light Reading Light
This is clearly one of the very best reading lights when it comes to portability and flexibility. It is a perfect all-purpose book light with lots of important features to make using it fun. It offers even illumination with 2 – 10 Lumens of adjustable brightness and its flexible neck. It is also beautifully designed in a manner that lets you fit it into any part of your backpack.
The Mighty Bright 47012 is not just for reading. It can perfectly serve as a computer light when you are working with a system that doesn’t have lighting. You can also use it on music stands, for tasks and hobbies, and as a travel companion. Another of its top quality is the incredible battery life: it can actually last for 60 hours at its lowest setting. It comes with a Micro USB charging cable that can be used with a good charger to power it fully within an hour. It has a one-year warranty.
5. Ecological Mart The Lamborghini of Book Lights
This is an eye care warm book light that offers warm, cool, and natural light types. It has so many incredible features, which is part of the reasons it is regarded as the Lamborghini of reading lights. It is a dual-headed light with 10 LEDs; you will appreciate this feature more when you need the two pages of a book to be illuminated at the same time.
Though this is not one of the most compact reading lights, it is still very easy to use and carry about. It has a powerful grip that works on all kinds of books, including paperbacks. It also comes with a 1200 mAh rechargeable battery that can last for up to 130 hours after a single charge when you use only 2 of the 10 LEDs. It comes in a valuable package that includes an extra-long USB cable, secure UL Listed charger 1.0A, and a beautiful Carry Back.
6. CeSunlight Rechargeable LED Book Light
This is a hands-free reading light you will enjoy using. This is an upgraded version of the product with lots of improvements. It is a premium and stylish light that you can hang across your neck and adjust just as you want for uncommon illumination. It has two steel alloy arms that are covered by soft silicon that is very flexible: it can be rotated in 3600 without any issue at all. The beautiful little device has 4 LEDs that output safe bright light. It also features 4 level brightness levels that you can select from.
When you talk about simple, compact and lightweight devices, this reading light ticks all the boxes. You can easily be folded and will fit into a suitcase or other carry-ons. It comes with a 700 mAh battery that can last between 6 – 8 hours with high brightness, 10 hours with normal brightness, and up to 12 hours on the minimum level. It is quite easy to use.
7. iKross Black Dual LED Clip-On Reading Light
This is the perfect reading light for those that prefer to read from kindle and other digital devices. Though it is perfectly okay for reading from normal books, it is specially designed to be great for Nook, eBook Readers, Tablet, Notebooks, and similar devices. It clips easily with these devices and is easily adjustable to meet the needs of users. It offers broader lighting with adjustable brightness (off/weak/high). This helps it to maximize battery life.
This reading light has a slim and compact design, making it easy to carry in bags or toolboxes. It also has a flexible gooseneck that facilitates targeting lighting that will not cast a shadow or obstruct the screen. It is powered by 3 AAA batteries (not included in the package).
How to choose the best reading light
As mentioned in the introductory part of this review, there are so many models of reading lights on the market. Looking at the products we have reviewed here, you can see that there are so many manufacturers in the market. The abundance of reading lights means you have more options to select from. It also means you have to sort through many options to find a good one. This is not often easy which is why we have tried to help.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Reading Light
Though we have reviewed the best 7 reading lights that are currently available, it is still important that you understand how to make an informed selection. Here are the major factors you must consider if you want to select a dependable reading lamp:
Your Specific Need
It is important that you have a clear understanding of what you are going to use the light. This is important for determining the type of reading light you will buy and the specific features to look out for. If you want a light you can use for reading and also for other tasks like jewelry making, you will have to find a versatile reading light.
Size of the Light
Compact and small lights are considered ideal for night reading. You need to pay attention to the size of the light you intend to buy: this is especially needful if you want a reading light you can easily carry about. Small lights are also better for focused lighting that will not disturb your partner or anyone that wants to sleep when you are reading.
Light Output and Color of Light
Generally, the more the light output a reading light offers, the better for the users. You need to look at this when making a purchase. It is also important that you buy a light that has a directional light output so that the light falls exactly where you need it to illuminate. You also need to pay attention to the color of light you will get from your reading light. To see clearly, you will need a proper white light. There are also some reading lights that deliver multiple color lighting. You can buy them if you want the versatility they offer, but ensure that proper white light is the prominent option.
Brightness Modes
Reading lights also need to have multiple brightness levels. The ability to adjust brightness levels will let you use the light in different environments. It will also let you use the light in the same room as your partner without preventing you from enjoying his/her sleep. Adjusting the brightness mode of the reading light will also help you to conserve power and prolong battery life.
Source of Power
It is also important that you consider the source of the power of the reading light you want to buy. Battery-powered lights are considered better for convenience and flexibility. If you are comfortable with plugin reading lights, understand that you won’t be able to use them in all places. If you are going for battery-powered reading lights, ensure that the battery can last for several hours. Lights with rechargeable batteries are highly regarded.
Clip and Flexible Neck
For clip-on book lights, the clamp must be strong enough to hold it in place and provide steady lighting as you read from a book or device. If you intend to clip the light to your table or bedside, the clamp must be sturdy. It is also important to buy a reading light with a flexible neck. Goosenecks allows you to adjust the light just how you want and focus the light where you need it to be.
Warranty
You should also consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer: this can give you an idea about the durability of the reading light.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reading lights last?
This will largely depend on the way the device was built and the materials used in building it. The type of bulb it has matters too. LED lights can serve for years.
What color of light is best for reading?
Proper white light is great for reading. While some other light colors can provide the needed illumination for reading, it is easier and better to read with white light.
Is it safe to read with reading lights always?
People are always concerned about the safety of using reading lights regularly. Many reading lights are properly designed to be safe for night reading. They shine brightly and do not affect the eye in any way.
Are Reading lights energy efficient?
Most modern reading lights are energy efficient. They are mostly made with LED bulbs which are generally energy-efficient.
Wrapping up
Reading lights are necessary if you want to be able to read or engage in delicate hobby or craftwork at night and in dark places. They have the necessary features to provide steady illumination that you can focus on your book, keyboard, drawing, or any craft you are working on. Finding the perfect reading lamp can be hard, considering the number of options available on the market. We have carefully researched and selected the best models that are available on the market right now. These are products from reputable manufacturers that have received many positive feedbacks from users. Buy with confidence as our list is well-vetted.
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