All of us can probably agree that overhead lighting is hardly the most flattering. Not only can it make us look a bit ghoulish, but it also doesn’t set a great ambiance. That’s why we’re team Lit From the Side. The only issue? Electrical sockets—or a lack thereof. More often than not, the surfaces on which we want to pop a little lamp—bookshelves, for one—are nowhere near an outlet. If they are, the only option is to swing the lamp’s ugly floor in front of the furniture to reach the outlet. It’s just not a good look.
Luckily, there is a solution: cordless lamps. Plenty of lighting brands sell a variety of beautiful table lamps that need only a battery or two to run for hours on end. Some, in fact, just need a quick charge sans batteries. So, if you are in the midst of upgrading your reading nook, nightstand, or any other small table that doesn’t have an electrical outlet within reach, fret not. Ahead, we are sharing all of our favorite cordless lamps that offer plenty of diffused light in all the right places. The best part? We scoured the internet for every type of lamp in every style and price point, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’ll surely find it here.
Without further adieu, take a peek at our favorite cordless lamps of the moment. We have a feeling you’ll be snapping one up!
Originally designed by Verner Panton in the 1960s, this tulip lamp boasts serious staying power. Made entirely of metal (and available in myriad colors), this midcentury table lamp weighs just two pounds, so if you decide you want to move it around throughout the day and night, you don’t have to worry about pulling a muscle. What’s more, it works as well indoors as it does outside. One thing to note, though: Because the bulb is covered, the light is much softer than a traditional shaded table lamp. This may not be the lamp you’ll use to work from home, but it’s definitely ideal for anyone who wants a candlelight feel without the fire hazard.
Price: $360
Dimensions: 11″ H x 6″ W
Battery life: 10 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Bookshelves and dining tables
Here’s a much more traditionally designed table lamp that works with pretty much any style, so if you feel like you may swap out the decorative details in the room, you don’t have to replace the lamp; it pairs well with almost anything. Just be sure that you use a similar metallic finish to create a sense of cohesion. Our favorite element of this lamp is the part you wouldn’t know just from looking at it: It uses a rechargeable LED light and comes with a touch dimmer. Just tap the base to make the light brighter or softer.
Price: $499
Dimensions: 12″ H x 6.5″ W
Battery life: 10 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Desks and nightstands
In case you missed it, olive green is having a moment right now, and this cordless lamp is making a serious case for investing in the trend. If green isn’t your thing, worry not. It comes in 11 other shades, including bright red, lilac, and more. The Lieselot lamp is also made entirely from glass, so this may be one you don’t want to move from place to place, as it may break with too much handling. Otherwise, give it a good home and let it make your desk, bookcase, or anything else just that much cooler.
Price: $85
Dimensions: 9″ H x 9″ W
Battery life: 10 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Accent tables
Pooky Lighting is easily one of our favorite brands because the pieces feel both whimsical and practical, which, admittedly, is a hard balance to strike. This Pooky piece comprises a solid glass orb (it’s heavy), brass fixtures, and the beloved Pooky shades. If this one isn’t doing it for you, feel free to get any other. The shades are interchangeable, so all you need ot do is find one (or two) you like and swap them out as you so choose.
Price: $180
Dimensions: 8″ H x 5″ W
Battery life: 15 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Bookshelves, nightstands, and desks
You can never go wrong with a solid white table lamp because it doesn’t take up much visual space, but it packs a big punch in terms of style. Plus, once you charge it, the light can last anywhere between nine and 30 hours, depending on the dimmer setting. Yes, there is a dimmer setting, so feel free to turn it on and set the mood.
Price: $600
Dimensions: 16″ H x 10.5″ W
Battery life: 9-30 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Desks and nightstands
Available in antique brass (pictured), brown, and navy blue, this mushroom-inspired table lamp is more about style than lighting up the room, so maybe don’t make this your task light while you cook or read. Since the shade is opaque, the light is cast down rather than out, but what it lacks in brightness it makes up for in its ability to start a conversation.
Price: $198
Dimensions: 7″ H x 6″ W
Battery life: 12 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Nightstands
Last but certainly not least, Soho Home’s Emmie lamp looks like something you’d happen upon in one of the brand’s exclusive members-only clubs. Luckily, you don’t need a membership to bring Emmie home. The soft beige shade gives the light a romantic, diffused look that, no matter what temperature bulb setting you enlist, casts a warm glow across the walls.
Price: $350
Dimensions: 11″ H x 6″ W
Battery life: 12 hours
Charging: USB
Best for: Bookshelves, desks, and accent tables
At the end of the day, the biggest deciding factor in a cordless lamp is battery life. If the lamp itself will remain on and usable for mere minutes, it’s useless. Ideally, look for cordless lamps that will stay on for a minimum of 10 hours on their brightest setting. That’s probably the most prominent consideration. The second, and perhaps equally important, is whether or not the lamp is dimmable, especially if you plan on placing the lamp on your nightstand, where you’ll want a brighter setting while you read your book before bed, and a dimmer setting when you’re relaxing without the need for specific task lighting. Next, think about style and price point. Those are much more personal decisions, and they’re also why we opted for a range of lamps on our carefully curated list.
When it comes to accessories and decor, Homeworthy is an expert on all things style, so when we recommend products, you can trust they’re products we have, want, or are already in our shopping carts. Take, for instance, Pooky Lighting, a Homeworthy favorite. More than a few Homeworthy editors and producers live with Pooky lamps in our homes, and we’d recommend them to anyone who asks. Second, we want to make sure that the lamps we choose to highlight are high-quality, stylish, and luxurious in all the right ways.
When it comes to decorating a layered space, floor coverings are more important than you…
When it comes to decorating a carefully curated space, any designer will admit that the…
Whittington Hall was built in the early 1830s by famed architect David Webster. Today, its residents…
As anyone with an affinity for taste will surely admit, what antique homes lack in…
When Italian antiques dealer and interior designer Enrica Stabile bought her cozy centuries-old home tucked…
In Athens, Georgia, designer Jade Joyner created a European-inspired family compound where two distinct homes…