11 Best Desk Lamps That’ll Illuminate Any Space 2023

By Jake Smith

Whether your workspace is feeling drab or you’re moving into a new space, there's never a bad time to treat yourself to one of the best desk lamps. They add light to any table, of course, but they can also double as statement-making pieces of home decor (along with picks like platform bed frames and striking area rugs). Picking the right one is a matter of balancing your technical needs with your taste.

Desk lamps, first and foremost, should cast enough light for you to see what you’re working on clearly, without eye strain. "A great desk lamp will offer you the lighting you need while also contributing to the overall design," says Lindsey Goddard, a Chicago-based interior designer and founder of her own design studio. If you’re after direct light, she recommends sticking mostly to true desk lamps; if aesthetics or soft lighting are more important, table lamps can be added to the mix.

"Lamps are such a great place to have a little fun and add lots of character to a room," explains Alyssa Kapito, a New York-based interior designer and founder of her eponymous design studio. "I love lamps that have an interesting form that you don't normally see." With those criteria in mind, we curated the absolute best desk lamps for any kind of home. No matter if you’re in the market for a strictly functional workhorse or a statement piece, there's something here for everyone (and every budget).

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When you picture a desk lamp, one like this bestseller probably pops into your mind. This style, known as an architect or drafting lamp, features an ultra-adjustable arm and neck, allowing you to pinpoint exactly where you want your lighting. It's earned hundreds of glowing reviews, many of which praise its ease of assembly and timeless looks.

Pros: Highly adjustable, small base, affordable

Cons: Requires assembly

Size: 6.8x28"

Materials: Metal

Max wattage: 60W

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With a simple design and minimal footprint, this no-nonsense task lamp is great for pretty much any kind of work. You can toggle between 10 brightness settings and five color temperatures, which range from white to warm light that mimics the look of an incandescent bulb. The light swivels up to 225 degrees, giving it some of the most adjustability and versatility you’ll find anywhere.

Pros: Highly adjustable, multiple brightness levels, affordable, auto-timer function

Cons: Techy design

Size: 4.5x7x14.5"

Materials: ‎Aluminum, iron, plastic

Max wattage: 6W

Perhaps the most elegant swing-arm desk lamp we’ve ever seen, this beauty was designed in 2004 based on a ’70s version of a light first introduced in the ’50s. It's simple and effortless, providing super-adjustable lighting and fitting into any design scheme. And in the most nondepressing way possible, it totally looks like a prop from Severance. "The right lamp can completely transform a room, and it's the number one area I encourage clients to invest in," Goddard says, so consider the splurge worthwhile.

Pros: Arrives fully assembled, includes a bulb, timeless design, expert-recommended

Cons: Expensive

Size: 26x24x19"

Materials: Aluminum, cast-iron

Max wattage: 10W

For a less utilitarian take on task lighting, turn to this vintage-inspired find, which offers energy efficiency in a retro body. There are two glass lampshades to choose from: white for natural light and peach for warm light.

Pros: Built-in LED light, unique design

Cons: Soft light, not adjustable

Size: 11.5x6x14.5"

Materials: Brass, iridescent glass

Max wattage: 8W

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Inspired by midcentury decor and coated in a matte brass finish, this metal desk lamp is one of the most affordable ways to class up your home office. It's compatible with incandescent, halogen, and LED lightbulbs, and the swivel neck provides plenty of versatility.

Pros: Pivoting neck, modern design, multiple colors and styles

Cons: Might be unbalanced

Size: 17x6.5x20"

Materials: Metal

Max wattage: 60W

It's no surprise that this li’l mushroom lamp is one of Urban Outfitters’ top-selling pieces of decor—just look at it! You can choose from five colors (including milky white, green, and tortoiseshell brown) to match any interior aesthetic. It excels as an ambient light source for a small desk or a nightstand; if you have a larger room, it could also double as an extra-cute night light.

Pros: One-of-a-kind finishing, soft glow

Cons: Small

Size: 7.78x9.82"

Materials: Glass

Max wattage: 60W

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By Bella Cacciatore

By Perrie Samotin

By Jake Smith

A few thoughtful touches, including an opal glass shade and a dimmer switch on its base, set this curved-neck lamp apart from the competition. It's a good desk light for pretty much anyone, especially if you need more diffuse lighting over your workspace. Just make sure you only use energy-saving LED bulbs with this pick; incandescent ones will have too high a wattage.

Pros: Dimmer switch, shiny brass finish

Cons: Only compatible with LED bulbs

Size: 7x7x22.8"

Materials: Metal, glass

Max wattage: 4W

This OttLite desk light includes a wireless charger, allowing you to juice up your smartphone just by setting it on the base. (A USB port on the back will charge anything that still requires cords.) Choose from three color modes with three brightness settings each, then adjust its height with two points of articulation. Plus, there are no buttons—just touch controls on the base. The future is now.

Pros: Charging pad, USB charging port, multiple lighting modes

Cons: Techy design

Size: 6.6x4.8x20.3"

Materials: Plastic

Max wattage: 8W

Despite its diminutive lamp head, this portable LED option casts a healthy glow for journaling, typing, or drawing. Leave it on its base to charge the battery, then bring it anywhere you go—inside by your reading nook or outside on the porch—for up to 13 hours on a single charge.

Pros: 13-hour battery, portable design, outdoor-friendly

Cons: Long charge time

Size: 4.13" x 4.13" x 11.42"

Materials: Aluminum

Max wattage: 2.2W

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Article's Leap lamp has a wide head that casts direct, bright light wherever you angle it—perfect for reading at any time of day. "The lamp is even better-looking in person," one shopper raves, echoing tons of other glowing reviews. Add it to your desk or favorite side table, pick out a new book, and enjoy.

Pros: Swivel head, complementary bulb, direct light

Cons: Assembly required

Size: 20x23x8"

Materials: Metal

Max wattage: 40W

By Bella Cacciatore

By Perrie Samotin

By Jake Smith

This Anthropologie find comes highly recommended by Goddard, and it's easy to see why: Its classic shape contrasts perfectly with an unexpected velvet finish. It also features a dimming function, allowing you to customize exactly how much light you cast. "Take a risk, and when you find something you absolutely love, don't second-guess yourself," Goddard says. (Better yet, there's a matching floor lamp.)

Pros: Dimmer switch, unique design

Cons: Pricey, not adjustable

Size: 4.75x26"

Materials: Wood, brass, cotton velvet

Max wattage: 60W

Save when you shop for the best desk lamps with these Anthropologie promo codes.

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