Best Bedside Reading Lamps: A Glow-up for Book Lovers and Night Owls

It might sound obvious, but a decent lamp can make or break your bedtime reading habit. Too dim, and you’ll strain your eyes. Too harsh, and you’ll disturb your sleep cycle, or worse, your sleeping partner. The right reading lamp balances illumination, flexibility and comfort.

If you or someone you love has reduced vision, getting the light right is critical. Soft ambient light alone won’t cut it. You need a focused beam with the right brightness level and colour temperature (more on that soon).

Bright, even lighting helps to reduce glare, boost contrast, and reduce fatigue, meaning you can enjoy your book, crossword, or Sudoku longer, with less strain.

Bendy and brilliant, gooseneck lamps are a reader’s dream. The flexible neck lets you direct light exactly where you need it, whether that's a novel or a notepad. Best for:

• Readers who move around in bed
• Adjustable light positioning
• Those with poor eyesight needing focused brightness

Our top pick: Check out this Woody Flexi Neck Table Lamp – sleek, subtle, and super functional.

Anglepoise lamps have been a lighting icon since the 1930s, and for good reason. Their clever spring-loaded arms offer precise control and a sturdy stance, with plenty of reach from the bedside. Best for:

• Style-conscious bookworms
• Larger bedside tables
• Stable lighting with long reach

Our top pick: We adore this Swing Arm Desk Lamp for its balance of form and function.

No bedside table? No stress. Wall-mounted bedside lamps with swing arms or directional heads are brilliant for freeing up space and adding a modern edge to your room. Best for:

• Minimalists and small bedrooms
• Couples (no more lighting battles!)
• Fixed, directional lighting

Fan of fuss-free function? Try this Adjustable Wall Spotlight. It pivots perfectly for night-time tasks.

Portable lights are handy little heroes. Compact, lightweight, and USB rechargeable models are especially useful for readers, students, or anyone who moves between spaces. With touch controls and adjustable brightness, they offer just the right amount of glow, wherever you need it. Best for:

• Budget-friendly lighting
• Renters or students
• On-the-go readers or tech users

Get the glow. Check out our Rechargeable Table Lamp for cordless brilliance in a sleek, space-saving design.

Want no-fuss, finger-tip control? Touch lamps offer just that, ideal for middle-of-the-night reading or adjusting brightness for sleepy eyes. Best for:

• People with limited dexterity
• Easy on/off access
• Gradual light adjustment

Smooth operator, check out this Touch Lamp Pair, great for dual bedsides.

1. Brightness (Lumens)

A good reading lamp should emit at least 400–600 lumens. For poor eyesight, consider 800 lumens or more for crisp page illumination.

2. Colour temperature

Choose bulbs with a colour temperature between 4000K and 6500K. This “cool white” or “daylight” tone helps boost contrast and reduces eye strain.

3. Adjustable direction

A must-have! Whether it’s a bendy neck or swivel head, make sure your lamp can target the light right where you need it.

4. Dimmability

A dimmable lamp lets you find that sweet spot—bright enough to read, gentle enough to wind down.

5. Ease of use

For those with dexterity or vision challenges, touch controls, large buttons or intuitive switches make life much easier.

Here’s a curated selection from our Bedside Table Lamps collection:

• Avery Rechargeable LED Table Lamp in Gold: a timeless design without the limitations of wires
• Birdie Bobbin Sage Green Table Lamp with Pink Trim Scallop Shade: a style so versatile you could have one in every room
• Sunrise Clock and Nightlight with Bluetooth Speaker and Wireless Charging: a smart sunrise alarm clock light that you can even use to charge your phone
• Monda Brushed Copper Adjustable Table Lamp: allows you to position the light to suit your needs
• Morris Dome Shade Table Lamp in Teal: midcentury industrial lamp design with a modern twist

• Even the best lamp can underperform if it’s not placed properly. Here’s how to get it right:
• Height: Place the lamp so the bottom of the shade is roughly level with your eyes when seated or lying in bed.
• Angle: Tilt or rotate the lamp so light falls directly onto the page, not your eyes.
• Distance: Keep the lamp about 40–50 cm away from your reading material.
• Side: Position the lamp on your opposite side to your dominant hand to minimise shadow.

If you or a loved one lives with macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma or general low vision, choose lamps with:

• High lumen output (800–1000 lm)
• Flicker-free LED bulbs
• Adjustable brightness and colour spectrum
• Wide, even light spread
• Easy-to-use controls (touch or large switches)

Many users find daylight-simulating bulbs the most comfortable, offering high contrast without the harshness of bluish LEDs.

Learn more about lighting for low vision on the Macular Society website.