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
Best Overall:
Best for Kids:
Best for Reading:
Best for Living Room:
Best Mushroom Shape:
Most Portable:
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:
- John Barnes, design expert at Lamps Plus