Let's just get right out and say it — cords are unsightly. So much so that, in my mind, they can truly throw off the vibe and elegance of a space. If my TV is mounted on the wall, you best believe that cord is camouflaged to the nth degree. If my phone charger is sitting next to my bed, I'm tucking that sucker away when it's not in use. It just keeps things a bit less cluttered, and looks much better, to boot.
As I continue my valiant quest of rounding up the best table lamps to buy right now, I have ventured into particularly practical territory, specifically as it relates to unnecessary and unsightly cords. Today, we're talking about portable table lamps, also known as cordless, wireless, or rechargeable table lamps. These lamps are ones you can pick up and carry with you from room to room because they lack the same power outlet tether as they're counterparts.
Portable table lamps bring unmatched flexibility while also improving safety, says interior designer Artem Kropovinsky. This 'renders them suitable for outdoor use, cozy spaces and constructing child-friendly zones that are aligned with the use of sustainable energy.'
They also make perfect decor for a desk or a bedside table, but could just as easily work on a living room end table or tucked in a corner of your kitchen, bringing light to spaces that aren't always accessible to a power outlet. Super versatile, with plenty of options for the design-minded. Let me show you some of my favorites!
12 of the best portable table lamps
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Price: $79.99
If you're looking for a statement-making centrepiece for your dining room table, we couldn't think of a better option than this one. The cool, post-modern tiered display adds dimension and intrigue to any room, and we love how the removable hoops of light add a soft and diffused glow to a room.
Price: $39
You'll want to snag this white table lamp before it's out of stock — with 4.5 stars, 260 customer reviews, and just 4/8 colorways in stock, something tells me it will be snatched up soon.
Price: $130
This small table lamp, created by the award-winning designer Federico de Majo of Venice, Italy, is available in seven different finishes — a color for every room and space.
Price: $89
Was: $134.40
This minimalist table lamp comes with a familiar silhouette and a touch dimmer, plus a convenient USB charging port.
Price: $148
A rattan shade steals the show with this Anthropologie option, simple and elegant with a finial touch dimmer switch.
Price: $175
This slim, green table lamp is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and would be perfect for ad hoc/bespoke lighting situations. Rather than keep it in one place, move it around as you need it.
Price: $99
From Danish-inspired design house HAY comes this portable table lamp complete with a sky blue base and exquisitely modern frame.
Price: $169
Though I am partial to this bright orange, the futuristic Mono is available in two other equally as charming colorways that would look great in a living room or bedroom.
Price: $300
With 3 light intensities and an up to 12-hour charge, the Gatsby would be ideal even if it weren't so chic and well-designed. Luckily, we get a little bit of both worlds.
Price: $325
That we find ourselves drawn to the contemporary Tom Dixon again and again shouldn't come as a shock, especially when you can buy something as show-stopping yet functional as this metallic table lamp.
Price: $430
The ceramic base on this stunning (but admittedly expensive) piece makes good on its namesake (Raku, the traditional Japanese pottery technique), while a perforated metal shade keeps things modern and unique.
Price: $29.99
This touch-sensor option would work great on an outdoor end table, as a table lamp for a desk, or under a few cabinets in the kitchen for some task lighting.
If you liked this, be sure to check out my other table lamp round-ups next, including best blue and white table lamps, best table lamps for the bedroom, best mid-century table lamps, and best table lamps for reading.
What qualities should I look for in a portable table lamp?
'I look for products that offer natural and warm light and long battery life,' Artem told me, before flagging that he looks for lamps with adjustable brightness settings, as well. 'I prefer the minimalist designs that are also durable and blend well with various interiors. These include designs that are not bulky nor ornate, so I can incorporate them and move around the house easily.'
'There is such a range of cordless on the market but I apply the same principles to buying my cordless lamps as I do to any other lamp,' added Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky, a designer lamp retailer. 'I want something that looks great that fits with my interior style, something heavy so it's not easily knocked over on the table, and something well made, using quality materials that I am going to love in my home forever.'
How should I incorporate portable table lamps?
Jo uses cordless/portable lamps on her 'bookshelves where there is no possibility of adding wiring without drilling holes and ruining them,' she told me. 'A couple of lamps add pools of light and color in what otherwise is quite a dark space and I change the shades depending upon my mood.'
Ultimately, though, the beauty of a portable table lamp is that you can move it wherever. 'Whether you're enjoying al fresco cocktails with friends, working on a jigsaw puzzle, or camping at a festival, the portability of a cordless lamp ensures you have adequate lighting wherever you go,' Jo went on. 'Its versatility empowers you to create ambiance and functionality without being limited by the availability of power outlets.'
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