The 5 Best Desk Lamps for Brightening Up Your Workspace

Whether you are looking to dress up your desk a bit, or just need a functioning light with lots of brightness options, a desk lamp can be the answer to both of these. They are a great way to help illuminate your desk area without being as bright as an overhead light, and they can provide less glare as well as giving a warm, inviting glow. A good desk lamp will also provide ample light without taking up a ton of space, or blinding you while you are trying to work.

Since there are so many options out there, we have gathered up some of the best options for all types of needs, wants, and aesthetics. Check out our tips for shopping below, and in depth reviews on our top 5 picks for the best desk lamps this year.

The Best Desk Lamps of 2022

What to Consider

While a lot of choosing a desk lamp comes down to aesthetics, there are some key features that you will want to consider to make sure that it will serve all of your needs. The most important is going to be adjustability—this pertains both to movement of the frame as well as colors and brightness of the light. While not all lights are or need to be adjustable in either way, having that option can make them more versatile, and will help you light your desk properly no matter the time of day.

Also consider the type of lightbulb—many will have LED lights now which have the option of being brighter, and using less energy than traditional lightbulbs. Finally consider the size and extra features. You will want a lamp with a relatively small footprint so it doesn't take up too much space, and if it has extras like wireless charging or a clock built-in it can also save some extra room on your desk.

How We Selected

To find the best desk lamps among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available and considered their size, brightness, adjustability, price, and design. We then looked at both expert reviews and customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these lamps on sites like Amazon, to settle on the products you'll find below.

Looking for a way to get in some more movement during the work day? Check out these great under desk treadmills.