The Best Cordless Lamps are Sleek and Versatile (2024)

If you have a limited amount of electrical outlets or just want on-the-go lighting, cordless lamps are the ideal solution. After a short charge using a USB cable that is often included with the lamp, these battery-powered fixtures can be used to illuminate closets, the underside of kitchen cabinets, outdoor spaces, such as decking lighting, and more. Most options use LED bulbs, which “are a great choice, as they have a very low heat signature, even when left on for an extended period of time,” says John Barnes, a design expert at Lamps Plus.

Additionally LED bulbs offer a brighter light often for the same amount of wattage, making them an energy-efficient feature of cordless lamps. To help you narrow down your search, we reviewed top-rated models for every room, purpose, and occasion. We made sure to evaluate battery life, brightness, and additional features to find the best cordless lamps on the market.

Our Top Picks

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What We Like

  • Can be repositioned

  • Energy-saving LED lights

  • Multiple color and brightness settings

What We Don't Like

  • Needs an overhead place to hold it

The Baseus Rechargeable LED Desk Lamp works in a variety of settings and can even be taken on the go. Its versatility and portability are what earn it the top spot on our list. The base is magnetic, and you can remove the LED light as needed. It also comes with a 3M adhesive strip to keep it in place on a non-magnetic surface. When it’s time to recharge it, use the included lightning USB-C charger for extra-fast recharging.

This lamp comes with three color modes and three brightness levels, allowing you to customize it to your needs—whether you want a bright task light in the kitchen or a bedside lamp. The angle can also be adjusted a full 80 degrees from the base, though you’ll still need to have a place to mount the light. Ideally, that would be over the workspace, such as on an upper cabinet in the kitchen or an overhead shelf above your desk.

This is a smaller light than some others and is best used as a task light for individuals working, reading, or cooking. If you want a light that will illuminate the entire room, this isn’t it. However, it’s easy to reposition, and it can serve multiple purposes around your home.

Dimensions: 4.4 x 0.74 x 0.6 inches | Material: Plastic, metal | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Brightness Levels: Low, medium, high

What We Like

  • Minimalist design

  • Multiple light settings

  • Touch sensor control

What We Don't Like

  • Controls are not intuitive

Considering its low price point, this table lamp has an impressive number of features that make it our favorite budget option. With three color options (warm white, natural white, and cool white) and four brightness levels to choose from, it can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. To adjust, all you have to do is use the touchpad at the base of the lamp. There aren’t any buttons, so it may take some time to figure out how to get the exact setting that you want. The lamp also has a memory setting, so you won’t need to manually adjust each time that you turn it off and on.

This lamp has a minimalist style and function, which works great in with modern decor. The adjustable gooseneck can change the height and angle of the light as well as the overall look of the lamp.

Dimensions: 6.5 x 7.48 x 15.74 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Brightness Levels: Dim, bright, brighter, brightest

What We Like

  • Can be used indoors or outdoors

  • Rechargeable bulb

  • Sturdy base

What We Don't Like

  • Have to remove bulb to recharge it

  • Bulky and heavy to move

This table lamp would look great indoors or out and is made of durable concrete to withstand the elements. It is made for outdoor use, with a concrete base. It has an LED light that is included and uses less power than a traditional bulb. You can recharge it and get up to 24 hours of continuous illumination on a single full charge.

At 14.5 pounds, this lamp is heavier than most other table lamps its size. That means it won’t tip over, and it is still lightweight enough to move if you need to. You can use it inside, which may help the white shade stay cleaner, but it is also rated to hold up well as an outdoor lamp.

Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 24.75 inches | Material: Concrete and fabric | Power Source: Rechargeable bulb | Brightness Levels: One

What We Like

  • Includes a night light, sound machine, and clock

  • Can access bedtime stories and lullabies

  • Can program or set timer via an app

What We Don't Like

  • Not great for task lighting

If you want a cordless lamp that can help your child sleep, the Hatch Rest night light is a top pick among parents. You can start using this light as a sound machine and night light with your baby and continue through their toddlerhood and childhood. It's programmable via an app so that it comes on at a certain time, either by making soothing sounds or increasing the brightness of the light. To adjust the light or sound remotely, use the user-friendly Hatch app. It even has a dimmable clock and access to lullabies and bedtime stories via Wi-Fi.

This is a smaller lamp and is designed to be used as ambiance more than a task light. It is bright enough to read bedtime stories as your child winds down. But once your child is old enough to need something to work on homework, it may be time to go with a table lamp.

Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.61 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Rechargeable USB | Brightness Levels: Adjustable

What We Like

  • Touch switch

  • Built-in USB port

  • Three brightness settings

What We Don't Like

  • Can’t be used with other bulbs

  • Shorter battery life

Thanks to its flexible neck and three brightness settings, the OttLite LED Desk Lamp is ideal for bedside and desk-side use, particularly for reading. You can set the brightness higher when you want to read and dim it as you get closer to bedtime, and it's compact enough to move from room to room. You can choose from two colors (white and black), and it has a touch switch for easy operation.

This lamp comes with a rechargeable LED bulb, which is rated for 50,000 hours total, and it comes with a USB charging cord for added convenience. Just note that, if you're using it regularly, you'll have to charge the lamp every few days.

Dimensions: 12.5 x 7.5 x 3 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Rechargeable bulb | Brightness Levels: Three

What We Like

  • Multiple modes of use

  • USB charging cord included

  • Modern design

What We Don't Like

  • Light is not adjustable

This light adds style and function, two things that are important in a living room space. You can use it as a tabletop lamp with the included base, as a hanging lamp with the included rope, or as an elevated table lamp by attaching it to the included stand. It has a sleek contemporary design that works best with modern and minimalist decor.

This lamp really does come with everything that you need to set it up and use it. It can be used indoors or outdoors but doesn’t have much adjustability in the light output. The real benefit comes from the modern style that it brings to your space.

Dimensions: 8.66 x 8.66 x 12.99 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Brightness Levels: One

What We Like

  • Comes in multiple colors

  • Everything included

  • Already assembled

What We Don't Like

  • Not a lot of light output

From lights to blankets, mushroom decor has been all the rage lately. The Hay Pao Portable Lamp translates the mushroom lamp trend to a cordless design. Perfectly portable, this adorable lamp is on the smaller side and comes in four colors: white, gray, black, and red. It has a high gloss finish and can run for up to 10 hours on one battery charge. The light has a soft glow, giving it more ambiance than some other lamps.

This lamp is lightweight and portable, perfect for taking between rooms or even outdoors, as long as you bring it back in when you come inside. It comes already assembled and even includes the bulb. All you have to do is turn it on.

Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 9 inches | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Battery | Brightness Levels: One

What We Like

  • Multiple color combinations

  • Charging cord included

  • Long battery life

What We Don't Like

  • Not a lot of extra features

This lantern-style cordless lamp can be carried by one hand from place to place. The colorful handle on the URI Portable Table Lamp is functional and fun. There are four color combinations for the base and handle. The light is in the center and comes out of a large opaque lightbox. The carrying handle sets it apart from other cordless lamps, since it is built for carrying from place to place. It can be used indoors or out, another great feature for a portable lantern.

It has three light settings that are controlled by a dimmer, but otherwise the controls are pretty simple. One charge lasts for between eight and 20 hours, depending on the light setting you select. It takes around three hours to fully charge from zero. This lamp is a good mix of design and functionality, but it doesn’t have a lot of extra features.

Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 9.8 inches | Material: Metal | Power Source: Rechargeable USB | Brightness Levels: Low, medium, high

Final Verdict

Our best overall pick, Baseus Rechargeable LED Desk Lamp, has multiple settings, including color and brightness options. You can also use this repositionable lamp in a variety of rooms for different purposes. For an affordable cordless table lamp, consider our best budget choice the Maythank Cordless Table Lamp, which can also be adjusted using an integrated touch control.

What to Look for in a Cordless Lamp

Size

Before you buy a cordless lamp, we recommend measuring the space that you want to use it in. If it’s a table lamp, pay close attention to the base to make sure that you have enough room for it. The shade may also extend beyond the body of the lamp, making it larger.

Design

Some design features, such as a carrying handle, touch controls, or adjustable brightness are functional. Others, including finish, color, and shade style, are there to help the lamp fit in with your existing decor. Depending on your needs, you may want something with more functional design that is utilitarian or prefer a high-style lamp that looks great.

Battery Life

One of the benefits of a cordless lamp is that you don’t need to plug it in. Most come with a charging cord that you will need to plug in when it’s time to recharge. Look for a lamp with at least 10 hours of battery life, or more if you plan to use it frequently. If you have to recharge constantly, your cordless lamp will quickly become a corded lamp. Some can’t even be used while recharging, such as those with rechargeable bulbs.

Standout Features

Touch Control

If you want a lamp with adjustable light and brightness without a bulky control panel, look for one with sleek touch controls. Even simple on/off designs can use a touch panel that removes unsightly buttons and switches. These can be harder to learn if they aren’t labeled, but most come with a helpful user’s manual.

Dimmers

Some lamps come with a dimming or adjustable brightness feature. If you know that you’ll be using a lamp for different purposes, such as cooking and reading, you may want to look for one that can be dimmed. Often, these lamps require a specific dimmable bulb, which can come included.

FAQ

  • Do lamps need to match?

    No, lamps do not need to match. Incorporating various styles, finishes, and heights of lamps can be an easy way to create visual interest that is layered. If you prefer a more minimalist look, however, matching lamps keep things sleek and modern.

  • How many lumens should a lamp be?

    The brightness of a light is measured in lumens and refers to the actual amount of light that the bulb gives off. The U.S. Department of Energy says that most bulbs give off between 450 and 1,600 lumens. A higher lumen amount results in a brighter light.

    “It all depends on the size of the space, but for a small 4x4 bedroom closet, all you really need is around a 1,200 lumens, which is comparable to a 75-watt incandescent bulb,” says Barnes. “If the space is larger, you can up the lumens from a single light source to around 2,500, comparable to a 150-watt incandescent.”

    Keep in mind that some lamps are compatible with different light bulbs. This means that you can opt for a brighter or dimmer bulb, depending on your needs. Lamps that come with a bulb included may require that you use only that bulb.

  • How long do batteries last in cordless lamps?

    Battery life depends on the design and the brightness that you set the lamp at. Most range between 10 and 24 hours of use. If you turn the brightness down, it can extend the battery life of some lamps.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer who specializes in home and family products. Katie has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. To compile this list, she looked for highly rated cordless lamps that could be adjusted, as well as those with great design and features.

Our Experts:

The Best Cordless Lamps are Sleek and Versatile (2024)

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