We See Hundreds of Lamps Every Season and These Are the Best Ones

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Anyone who's ever looked in the mirror or taken a selfie under recessed lights only to realize that they don't look as good as they feel, it's not you! It's your overhead lighting. Instead, opt for the best table lamps, which are the unsung heroes of lighting. Not only do they offer a much-welcome sense of warmth and ambiance, but they also are an easy way to incorporate your personal style the way overhead lights don't.

As is typically the case when we recommend products, we tested out all of the options on our list to make sure that we can confirm how incredible the table lamps are before claiming they’re “the best.” Ahead, you’ll find everything from a super-affordable desk lamp that offers exceptionally bright light to an authentic reproduction of a classic 1970s piece made entirely of metal. When we consider the elements that make a good lamp, a few come to mind, including material, cord length, ease of operation, type of bulb, and, of course, the aesthetic. Because table lamps tend to end up in the bedroom or living room, our options are relaxation-friendly: they are finished in soothing shades, are compatible with soft white bulbs, and more. So, if you’re in the market to bring some light into the house, opt for one of these lamps we love.

Shop more House Beautiful-approved lighting:

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Ripple Ceramic Table Lamp

For anyone who doesn't want to lean too far in either direction of the stereotypical gendered design aesthetic, you can't go wrong with a soft blue-ish green. It doesn't feel overly masculine or feminine. Plus, this particular lamp is such a pale shade that we'd consider it a neutral that can pair well with any pre-existing palette. "When I moved into my new apartment with my boyfriend, I was a little worried it would look like a mish-mash of the things we accumulated separately for our own apartments over the years. (We did get rid of a lot of furniture, though). So when I bought new things to complement the pieces we brought with us, I wanted to make sure those things were sophisticated and gender-neutral," Associate Shopping Editor Jessica Cherner explains. "These lamps were my first purchase for the new place. I love them so much. The muted aqua color perfectly complements the gray and cream palette, the size works on the nightstands, and, come on, they're just so cute." These lamps are available to buy individually or as a set, and they also come in white if you want something more neutral for your space.

Mini Bocksbeutal Concrete Table Lamp

Of course, any table lamp that will sit on a smaller surface, like a nightstand or desk, must be big enough to provide plenty of light but not so big that it looks ridiculous. Enter this adorable table lamp that's just over nine inches tall. "I bought this for my boyfriend's desk because it leans more masculine, but not in a cheesy way, it fits in the palette of the room, and it's small enough not to overtake the desk," Cherner notes. "The most important reason I picked this particular lamp, though, is the brightness. Almost every review I read mentioned that this thing is bright, and it is. For such a small lamp that works only with a tiny bulb, it can light up the entire room better than an overhead light. My only qualm is that the glow leans more daylight than soft white, but I guess that probably helps keep him focused while he works."

Walter Cordless Table Lamp

The annoying element for most table lamps is the often unattractive cord, which is one of the myriad reasons we love Pooky Lighting's Walter lamp: it's completely cordless. It's not battery-operated, so there's no need to stock up on triple As. "It comes with a charging cord, so when the lamp dies, simply plug it into the closest electrical outlet, let it charge for a while (about eight hours), and enjoy 10 hours of light," Cherner says. "I know, I know. Eight hours is a long time to charge, but if you plug it in while you sleep, you're good to go for the whole day." Did we mention there are three brightness settings for their little lamps?

Atollo Table Lamp

Anyone looking for a table lamp to live beside a screen, like a television or monitor, needs one with a metal shade because it doesn't allow any light to permeate. Yes, the whole point of a lamp is to allow as much light as possible to shine through, but any light casting off a screen will create a glare. That's where metal shades come in; they cast all the light downward, so you can still enjoy some light without the annoying glare on your TV during movie night. It's a win-win. "I know this price seems insane for a table lamp that doesn't do anything other than cast light downward (the metal shade makes it impossible for light to shine upward), but I have been obsessed with this lamp for years. When I finally found it on sale in this crazy-cool color, I shamelessly impulse purchased it, and all these months later, I have no regrets," Cherner says. "I have a soft spot for vintage lighting from the 1970s, which probably explains my love of this lamp. We use it when we're watching TV because it keeps the room somewhat lit without casting a glare on the TV screen above it." Sadly, it's sold out in this minty shade, but it does come in both black and white (pictured).

Resin Table Lamp

You may be able to tell that we have a thing for blue tones and that's because they work in seemingly every space: These more muted shades can serve as both a neutral that works with other neutrals, and as a pop of color in a more brightly decorated space. "I bought this lamp years ago, so the design is slightly different now than it was then, but it is one of the most fun pops of color in my otherwise neutral bedroom. Plus, the little bumps give this a little bit more textural interest, which makes it more fun, in my opinion," tester Betty Ann Gilrain explains. "The color is great because it's definitely pretty punchy, but it's not aggressive at all, so if your bedroom or living room can't handle anything too bright, this is a great option."

Blaire Alabaster Table Lamp

Nothing is cooler than a lamp with a hidden light built right into the base—especially when that base is a cool-to-the touch alabaster that feels utterly European. After all, most of the world's alabaster is naturally located in Italy and Spain. "When I moved, I enlisted RH's in-house design services to help me outfit my apartment. I was going for an approachable but elevated Italian pied-à-terre vibe, and these heavy alabaster lamps on my nightstands definitely fit the bill," tester Rachel Cherner says. "You can't really tell from far away, but up close, the lamps have really subtle veining that makes them a bit more interesting than a plain, boring white ceramic lamp with a matching shade. Plus, the light glows in the base, which is such a fun and unexpected detail I love. At night, it's such a soft, warm light that makes me feel relaxed enough to sleep." Not to mention, because these lamps are from RH's teen line, they're not nearly as expensive as the table lamps from the regular RH collections.

How We Chose the Best Table Lamps

To help narrow down the candidate pool of beautiful table lamps, I first asked our team of editors for their tried-and-true picks. We all have different tastes when it comes to design and also live in every type of space, from studio apartments to historic homes, so you can trust the lamp choices are varied and come in a range of prices. We made sure to pick only the styles that we love and even waxed poetic about them so you could get a better sense of why you should make the purchase.

A few factors played into our honest reviews—namely how long we've had them, ease of assembly, pros, cons, whether or not it was worth the price, and more. We'll start with perhaps the most important element: timeline. We asked all of the testers to use their lamp for at least a month before sending their detailed feedback. After all, anything could work for a week or two, but after living with something you may have had to assemble yourself for a full month, that's when you'll start to notice the faults and misgivings. Luckily, none of us had any glaring issues that negatively impacted our personal experiences, which is saying a lot because we tested quite a few products. Next, we asked for some assembly notes: Was it easy to put together? Did the lamp come with the necessary tools? If no assembly was required, was white glove delivery here? You get the idea. And, of course, because no product is perfect, we wanted to get the truth about any and all cons, including lead times, the number of parts, where and how it was made, etc.

While RH's alabaster lamp lights the room with a bulb, it also offers some ambient light from within the natural stone base.

What Size Table Lamp Should You Get?

The size of your table lamp depends on two elements: the dimensions of your table and your personal style. If you're shopping for a table lamp to pop on your nightstand, the lamp can be pretty big, as it will likely be one of only a few items on the surface. Just be sure it's not overwhelming the space or so big that it may fall off. If, on the other hand, you're buying a table lamp for a desk, stay on the smaller side—even if you have a big desk. Here's why: A giant table lamp will shine down on your screen, causing a glare that makes reading your laptop or monitor impossible. Second, a super tall or wide table lamp may look a bit odd on a standard-height desk, as if it doesn't really belong there. For a desk, we'd say don't go taller than 15 inches.

What Is the Best Light Bulb for a Table Lamp?

Before buying a bulb for your table lamp, be sure to consult the info page to make sure you're buying the right one. So, what is the right one? There are a few factors, two of which are non-negotiable, and one is based on your preference. The first two are wattage and base size. As for the wattage, most table lamps have a maximum of around 60. If you go lower, nothing will happen, but if you exceed the maximum wattage, the bulb can overheat, explode, and cause a fire. It can also melt the socket, which is usually plastic, and release toxic fumes that are dangerous to breathe in. The second non-negotiable is base size: The part of the bulb you screw into the base is not always the same size, so if you buy a bulb whose base is too big or too small, it simply won't screw into the lamp. For instance, the Amazon lamp on our list takes a bulb with an E12 base, which is tiny. Most table lamps take an E26 or E27 bulb, but check before shopping for your bulb. The last element to consider before buying a light bulb for your lamp is the bulb temperature. Bulbs with a range of 2700K to 3000K will cast a warm-hued light that's ideal for any room you want to relax. On the other hand, 4000K to 4500K is a cooler-toned white light ideal for areas you want to focus in, like a home office.

Oluce's Atollo lamp is one of the most iconic on the market. It first debuted in 1977, but luckily for anyone who loves vintage design and doesn't want to deal with re-wiring an old lamp, this is available at DWR.

Why Trust House Beautiful?

House Beautiful is dedicated to finding the best pieces for your home, no matter what your budget or design preference is. As a shopping editor on a non-stop mission to incorporate the best of the best decor into my own home, I am constantly surveying my favorite brands' new releases to test for myself. When it comes to recommending products, I love to combine my own expertise with thorough research and testing to give you first-person accounts of the market's best home products. Plus, the editors at House Beautiful have covered lighting from all angles, from recommending the best outdoor patio lights for your space to ideas for hanging your lights outdoor. In addition, whether you need help with boob light replacements, lights for your kitchen, or more online places to shop, we've got you covered. Our editors made sure every story is well-researched and if needed, testing is involved, so that you can feel good about the products we're recommending.

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