We tested the best desk lamps: here’s what turned us on

We picked a range of lamps from both well-known brands and online retailers such as Amazon. In our quest to find the best desk lamp, we looked for lights that offered extra functions, such as mood enhancement and clever tech, as well as more traditional lamps at affordable prices.

Each desk lamp was tested by our user in a home environment during the day and at night. A variety of tasks were undertaken while using the lamps, including working on a screen, writing in a notebook and reading documents. A series of additional technical and practical tests were also conducted at the Saga Exceptional testing centre.

I’ll admit to still testing this light at the time of writing – not because I’m behind schedule, but simply because I want to enjoy its beauty for just a little while longer.

I’ve never owned an Anglepoise, but I have always coveted one. Now I temporarily have one in my possession, it’s everything I hoped it would be. From the traditional twisted cord to the name and model number engraved on the brass block at the base of the lamp, to the silky smooth movement as you change the positioning, it’s truly a work of art.

It requires minimal assembly (you must attach two springs), which made me a little nervous at the thought of damaging something so precious, but it was simple. It also comes with spare fittings and Anglepoise-branded spanners, which had us smiling in delight at the test centre. With a lifetime guarantee, the lamp feels like an investment you would never have to worry about.

And although to some it may seem an over-enthusiastic response, there are certain brands in the world of interiors that are placed on a pedestal – Anglepoise being one of them. To have it live up to its reputation is reaffirming and reassuring in a world where trends encourage us to make cheaper purchases, that are disposed of all too soon.

In more practical terms, the lamp is bright, multi-directional, can be raised, lowered, angled and is operated via a cable switch located 42cm away from the base. If anything, putting the switch a little closer would be my only suggestion for improvement. If the cable trailed behind or to the side of your desk, you’d have to pull the cable up to reach the switch.

The heaviest of the lights we tested, there was no fear of it toppling – even when extended to its full height. Available in three colours – black, ink blue or elephant grey, the brass detailing also adds a pleasing sense of tradition but not to the point where it wouldn’t sit comfortably in a contemporary setting.

Everything about this desk lamp. It’s impossible to not like something that lives up to, and beyond, expectation.

We’ll have to start saving before we can afford to buy our own.

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and this rings true when you consider the amount of Anglepoise look-alike lamps on the market. And although this one has a slightly different shaped lampshade, the angular and adjustable nature of the body is one we’ve seen time and time again.

The flexibility of the design means it’s ideal as a desk lamp. It can be raised, lowered and the light tilted to either side. And although, as you’d expect from Ikea, this one comes flat-packed, it’s easy to assemble.

It doesn’t come with a bulb but it’s a standard E14 screw-in bulb, which is easy to source. There’s also a clear prompt to purchase bulbs if you buy online.

As with most of the lamps tested, it provided a good source of light for working on a variety of tasks. The light fall off was even and although it was on the lower end of the luxe ratings, this is down to the fact it will only provide as much light as the bulb you put in it. Given purchase of this lamp is unlikely to be based on its ability to mimic daylight, it would be unfair to assess it on this. Instead, it’s more about design, functionality and its overall performance as a desk lamp.

In the case of the Forså it scores well on all counts. It comes in six colours, the cable is long and the switch close enough to the base of the lamp to avoid contorting yourself. Our testing experts calculate it would cost around £10 a year to run if left on all the time. It came third in the friction test, so is unlikely to fall over easily if accidentally knocked.

Most things about this desk lamp. It looks good, works hard and although in comparison to an Anglepoise it just doesn’t have the same calibre of detailed design, we’d happily buy one.

It’s flatpack and although there’s a choice of six colours, we’d have liked to see some brighter options – especially if you work in a more colourful environment.

In true Dyson style, the Solarcycle Morph is a futuristically designed desk light that claims to provide intelligent light based on your personal needs, location and even age. It ‘morphs’ the light it projects as well as offering several configurations in terms of shape. It also comes with access to an app that lets you programme and schedule it from your phone or tablet.

That said, the assembly of the lamp was a little more clunky than you’d normally expect from a Dyson product. The lamp is mainly pre-assembled, other than the base unit, which you attach using a plastic ring. The power cord is then inserted into the base of the lamp.

I’d recommend watching the instruction video before you start, as I personally found the process a little awkward. It took a few attempts to thread the ring onto the base, which is heavy. The raised sections of the ring, which are designed to help you turn it, felt too small. And while the instructions suggest you use the base of the box to rest the lamp on, it wasn’t quite as simple as I’d hoped. When we reassembled the unit at the test centre, colleagues encountered similar problems.

Despite this, when it comes to clever tech, it’s absolutely something to behold. While there are manual controls on the top of the light to adjust the brightness and warmth, using the app gives you the greatest functionality. After downloading the app and registering the light, you can then set it to link to your location. This means the light automatically changes to match the amount of daylight you have in your area.

You can still override this with the manual controls on top of the light, although as these touch-sensitive buttons are positioned on the top of the light, it’s hard not to make unwanted adjustments if you want to shift the direction of the lamp. I suspect with extended use, you’d learn to touch it elsewhere.

The joints, angles and moveable head (which is remarkably small in size for something so bright) also mean you can move the light to face either your desk, or perhaps highlight artwork on your walls at night. You can also close the light and arm together, which means the light shines through the metal grille section on the upstand. It made me feel automatically warm, as it felt like I was looking at a mini patio heater.

Concerned about energy use? You can set the lamp to be movement activated so that it switches on and off as you leave the room. You can also schedule it to shut down slowly at a set bedtime, and the reverse come morning. Handy if you’re an early riser and want to work in your bedroom without needing to switch the main lights on. I trialled both and would recommend reducing the brightness for the morning setting.

For security during holiday periods, you can set the light to ‘away’ which means it switches on and off at random times in the evening.

Would I buy one? If I worked in a job that required hours of detailed desk work, or simply loved the futuristic look and had some spare cash – maybe, as there’s no questioning its performance. However, based on aesthetics it sadly doesn’t work with my home decor.

Its performance as a desk light was exemplary and the option to personalise it via an app makes it practically bespoke. It performed well in all our practical tests, proving stable and superb in terms of brightness.

This amount of hi-tech comes at a price. It was the most expensive lamp we tested, coming in at £499.99. You’d also need access to a smartphone or tablet in order to download the app and make the most of the extra functionality. It was also the second most expensive desk lamp to run on full brightness with a projection of £32 a year if run 24/7. However, the fact that this reduces to £4 when on its lowest setting makes it more likely the figure would be way lower as the light changes according to natural available daylight.

As someone affected by the change in seasons, (a condition referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD) I was excited to test this new lamp from Lumie. Marketed as a light that simulates daylight, to help improve focus and mood, it also claims crystal-clear illumination to help with detailed tasks and ensure maximum eye comfort. I wear contact lenses and I often find them dry when working in a heavily lit environment. Could this be a solution?

The lamp arrives assembled and has two plug options for using it in the UK or Europe. It’s touch activated, so there are no issues with switches positioned on cables. Pop in the cable, tuck it into the notch on the base to avoid instability, and simply touch the name Lumie on the base to turn the light on. Swipe across the light to increase or decrease the brightness. When the name is fully illuminated (all the letters are lit up), so is the lamp.

In terms of movement, the head of the lamp moves up and down and tilts to either side. It’s larger than several of the lamps tested, but there’s no doubt about the quality of the light that floods out. It’s white, bright and an instant boost to your desk – even when it’s sunny outside.

At night time, it made the arrival of darker evenings more bearable, and as I left the lamp in situ for several days, I did find I felt brighter when it was switched on.

Looks-wise, it’s a simple design that some might say looks slightly clinical, but it is available in five colours: black, white, green, blue and a zingy yellow if you want to really boost your sunny mood.

Although it’s more expensive than your standard desk lamp, as with the Dyson Solarcyle Morph, it’s not just an average light and, therefore, comes at a premium price.

According to manufacturer’s tests, it also scores highly on the colour rating index, meaning it shows colours in their true form, which is handy if you work at detail with colours – something that isn’t always the case if your bulb doesn’t produce quite as pure a light.

The quality and power of the light, the fact it made us look healthier on a Zoom call, the spread of light provided by the wider surface of the lamp and how it brightened up a work zone. Whether the feeling of an improved mood is real or not, we liked how we felt when we used it.

The overall look is a bit clinical and it’s clearly a ‘task’ lamp. If you’re after something more decorative, this may not work for you.

Although this light didn’t come from a recognised brand, it was chosen as it was easily available on Amazon and had extra functionality in the form of a wireless charging pad. The constant cry of ‘I’ve lost my charging cable’ in my house means I’m always open to options that are fixed in place.

It arrived in a slim box and was very much ‘plug and play’. The instructions were clear, and it was simply a case of unfolding the light, popping in the power cord and switching it on. The cable itself was a good length and the touch pad controls meant I could avoid having to lean awkwardly behind the desk to find a cable mounted switch.

Touch-pad settings mean you can alter both the brightness and of the light so it either gives off a cool white light, or a warmer, yellow tone. The long lamp head also meant a good surface area of light was emitted that provided a noticeable difference to my working environment.

The wireless charging pad worked with my iPhone and Airpods and was ideal to keep my phone topped up during working hours. Both items charged quickly and there’s also a connection on the back of the light if you need to plug in a cable.

However, it’s very light in weight and scored zero on our friction test, which suggests it could easily be toppled. But it did provide the highest number of lumens in comparison to other lights in a similar price bracket. It’s also economical to run, costing only £14 a year on the highest setting and £4 if turned down low.

Our biggest complaint? The head could be angled up and down, but not tilted to the side. This limited where the light could be directed.

The touch control, wireless charging option and adjustable lighting modes. We were expecting less from this lamp, given the price, and were pleasantly surprised at how well it performed. Although it’s lightweight and simple in design, it fulfilled a lot of the brief.

The lack of ability to move the light to either side. It’s also more modern in design and may not work in an environment that’s more home and less office.

Iconic in design, this banker lamp, with its hand-blown dark green shade and crafted brass components, immediately added a sense of nostalgia to my surroundings.

Although it may not suit more contemporary interiors, there’s no questioning its stature and professional presence. Weighty, providing the second longest cable length of all lamps and with a neat on and off pull cord located next to the lampshade, it’s immediately ready for use once plugged due to having a bulb and easy set-up.

I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that you could tilt the lampshade more than I had anticipated. It was ideal for casting a greater spread of light over documents and paperwork, or simply providing a pleasing glow throughout the day.

At night, it became more colourful, casting a soft green glow over the wall behind my desk, while still providing a bright-enough light to facilitate work.

Although there may be other brands producing the same design, The Classic British Lighting Company prides itself on its level of craftmanship. Handmade by skilled artisans in the UK, it’s solid, well-made and would look perfectly at home in a study decorated with dark woods and richly coloured fabrics.

The classical design and the quality of workmanship.

The limited amount of directional light. and the cost of running it using the bulb provided which would equate to £71 a year.

We chose this lamp as, although it leans more towards a table lamp in design terms, not everyone needs a full-time employee when it comes to the role of desk lamp. For some, having the flexibility of a light they can move around is more important, which is why we opted for this pretty rechargeable option from established lighting brand, Pooky.

Aesthetically it’s a little work of art with a white marble and gold design, hidden LED light and a discrete charging port on the base. Offering three levels of dimmable lighting (all operated by touching the top of the lamp), it doesn’t offer any opportunity to direct the light. But it does emanate a pleasing glow and is brighter than expected on full strength.

As it’s rechargeable, there’s no need to worry about trailing cords, meaning you could also easily move it to different settings, depending on your needs. It’s more than stylish enough to grace a desk but is equally at home on a bedside table, or indeed outdoors during warmer months – but remember to bring it inside at the end of the night.

While it’s probably not the lamp for you if you need a more functional product, if you just like to sit at a bureau to catch up on emails, write a letter or catch up on crosswords it may fit the bill. It’s sturdy and slighty squat reducing the worry of it being knocked over and offers around 10 hours of light on full charge.

It’s more expensive than convential desk lamps but given you could use it in a variety of locations, its dual identity makes it a little more value for money.

Although when we came to recharge the light, the connection inside broke, Pooky dealt with the problem quickly and efficiently, leaving us confident about the level of customer service you would receive if your item was unexpectedly faulty.

How it looked. It’s pretty, would work well in a variety of interiors and would grace a desk, table, bar or would be great for decorating a kitchen island.

It’s more about form rather than function. It was nice addition to my desk but felt like a decorative item rather than one that would help me when at work.

Who doesn’t love John Lewis? It’s a firm favourite at Saga Exceptional and we know our readers love it, too, which is why – when it comes to testing – we’re likely to include an item from the brand.

With its own label, the Anyday brand constantly expanding, it seemed sensible to choose a desk lamp from this range. It’s one that will remain in stock for some time and falls in the lower price bracket.

Classical, but still slightly modern in design with brushed chrome detailing and a glass shade, it’s also available in a brass finish. It arrived with some level of assembly required – but no instructions. It also came minus a bulb and, as it wasn’t a standard one, I had to go out to buy it.

There was also a tool in the box that took me a while to figure out its purpose, but proved to be extremely effective. It was for removing and reattaching the plastic ring that holds the lampshade in . But this information wasn’t in the instructions. I would imagine it will work on similar light fittings, so is worth keeping hold of if you buy this light.

Once the light is assembled, plugged in and switched on at the mains, it’s operated by touch control. The lamp is highly sensitive. Just the lightest of touches – anywhere on the body other than the shade – turns it on or off.

In practical terms, this isn’t always helpful, since it switches on or off every time you adjust the of the lamp (the neck is flexible so that you can adjust direction).

Aside from this niggle, the cable was long, the light emitted was bright and the flexible neck gave a range of movement. It isn’t very heavy, so was one of the easiest to push in the friction test, meaning it may be easy to topple. In terms of design, it was neither too traditional or too modern making it work in a range of home office ideas.

When it comes to running costs, it was economical, with an estimated running cost of £8 a year if left on 24/7.

The simple, clean design. Although it only switches on and off, sometimes that’s all you need a desk lamp to do. It was refreshing that once it was assembled, it needed no other input to make it work.

The over-sensitive touch control. It would have been better if the flexible neck wasn’t affected by touch. A simple instruction leaflet would also have been beneficial.