Which Reading Lamp Should You Choose? Ideas & Advice

Are you looking for a reading lamp that doesn't dazzle and won't tire your eyes?

Do you want to work in good conditions on your project, your courses or simply read a book, but you are tired of sitting for hours at your desk?

In this article, I will share with you tips and good ideas so that you can find a reading lamp that suits your needs.

Did you know that working in a pleasant space increases productivity?

That's why having an effective reading lamp will make your eyes less tired and allow you to be more productive, so follow our advice carefully.

Reading lamp, all our advice

What do you need to choose the right reading light? Good brightness and good ergonomics.

Taking care of your eyes is important; vision can seriously deteriorate if you read in a dark place or if the lamp used is too bright. So here are some tips.

First of all, the reading lamp should be placed at a certain distance, more or less 50 cm, so that you are not too affected by the blue light it gives off.

Even if your mind is focused on reading, your brain unconsciously picks up everything that is happening around you and specifically the light that comes from the LED lighting.

If your eyes can't keep up due to poor lighting, your ability to read or study will be severely impacted. Hence the importance of choosing the right desk lamp.

How bright should a lamp be for optimal reading?

As a general rule of thumb, a reading lamp with 300-500 lux illumination is suitable for your workspace (working on a computer or taking notes), 500-1000 lux for typical office work, and 1000+ lux for visual performance such as detailed drawing or precise mechanical work.

But what does lux mean? It's the amount of light in a specific area, represented primarily by brightness.

Unfortunately, this value is rarely discussed, as it remains important for our eyes. This means that you must adjust it according to your environment for optimal brightness .

There's a tool to measure it called a lux meter. I was amazed at how expensive they can be! Up to €1,500! That's definitely too much, even for a perfect reading environment.

Is LED suitable for reading?

Many parents ask this question. LED reading lamps have several advantages over traditional light bulbs.

They have much better energy efficiency (50% energy savings and therefore lower climate impact), a long lifespan (20,000 to 50,000 hours) and are more durable (no filament or glass to break).

In fact, it is energy efficient and can operate for thousands of hours.

For reading, the huge advantage is that if you invest in LED desk lamps, most of the time you will be able to adjust its brightness.

Why is light temperature important for reading?

We have seen previously that if you want to benefit from a desk lamp that will last over the long term, it is better to choose an LED lamp.

Most of our lights have a dimmer switch . This will allow you, for example, not to disturb your partner sleeping next to you! You will be able to control the lighting and target it over a short distance.

And what about the color of the light? The most common types are “warm lights” or “cool lights.”
But before we talk about the right color temperature, let's take a quick look at this chart.

In the table below you can see what time of day the light temperature corresponds to and what is considered warm light or cool light.

The warm lights that occur naturally at sunrise and sunset are a yellowish-orange. This type of color is more relaxing not only for your eyes, but also for your mood.

They will have a positive impact on your day. Personally, I prefer to read in the evening . After a long day at the office, it relaxes and refreshes me.

I use this Modern Desk Lamp, which is ideal; it diffuses a soft colored light. Comfort for my eyes in the evening is very important, as I come home tired from work.

It is important for the quality of your sleep to set the brightness temperature to a warmer tone in the evening.

Research has shown that blue light before bed impairs your sleep, and I've already highlighted in other articles how important good quality sleep is for your health , productivity, and mood.

In the morning, at sunrise, daylight is pleasant and comfortable. This feeling is the basis of my research to offer you lamps whose light most closely resembles this. Even if nothing beats natural sunlight.

My favorite lamp for reading a book

So, what's my favorite lamp for reading a book? I really like clip-on and flexible reading lamps because they allow me to direct the light wherever I want. This protects my eyes from fatigue and prevents exhaustion, even headaches.

Brightness shouldn't come from just one direction to avoid shadows. That's why clip-on or USB-powered devices are convenient because you can use them on a laptop. Plus, they're often adjustable.

And for reading in bed?

What is the best lamp for reading in bed before going to sleep?

A clip-on reading lamp is ideal, allowing you to extend your reading pleasure without having to get up. You could also consider bedside lamps with adjustable brightness.

If sleep becomes difficult, you can turn it off with a simple touch. For more information, I've written an article to help you choose the best bedside lamp for your needs.

Reading your book in bed before going to sleep is still more enjoyable than watching television. Personally, the bedroom is reserved for relaxation, so no TV! However, if you're studying, I don't recommend studying in bed; it's not comfortable.

You need to keep work, your studies, and everything that occupies your professional life out of your bed, or even your bedroom. Getting quality sleep and a night's rest to recharge your batteries is the best way to successfully complete your studies or work.

When I walk into the bedroom, work disappears from my mind. I hope I have been able to guide you as best as possible in your quest for the best reading lamp , I invite you to come and take a look at our different lighting collections, you will certainly find something that suits you!

Feel free to ask me questions in the comments and subscribe to our newsletter to find out about trends and new products!

Norah