10 of the Absolute Best Lamps for Your Desk, According to Reviews

Whether you're burning the midnight oil or hoping to avoid harsh, overhead lights at all costs, grabbing the best lamp for your desk is essential. And as long as it physically fits on your tabletop and emits a nice glow, your search is over, right? Well, not quite.

If you ask us, finding the perfect desk lamp is a lot like shopping for a sofa. While it seems there's too much to choose from, it's the tiny details that will make a few stand out. We're here to help by answering a few of your biggest and brightest questions all while sharing a few of our top picks on the market right now. From seriously chic shades to high-tech treasures, consider this roundup your permission to shine bright.

What to Consider When Buying a Desk Lamp

Since simply searching "desk lamp" will yield thousands—if not, hundreds of thousands—of results, you'll want to narrow down your search. But, where to begin? First, think about the lamp's silhouette. Though task lamps are consistent crowd-pleasers, they can be tilted to shine a direct light on your work, You'll also want to consider a lamp's compatible wattage. After all, a desk lamp can only shine as bright as its bulb. As a general rule of thumb, look for lamps that can accommodate at least a 60-watt light allowing you to actually see your keyboard or notebook.

From there, it's all about personal preference. Does your lamp have a bevy of brightness levels? What about a USB port to charge your phone? Can it light up your entire desk without taking up too much precious square footage? And, of course, you'll want to make sure your lamp fits comfortably within your budget.

How We Selected Desk Lamps

We've proven that we're able to assist you in narrowing down a lamp that works for you. To make that happen, we scanned all the most positive reviews while factoring in budget, silhouette, and of course, the special features of the lamp. Shop on and allow our recs to illuminate you.