Adam holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Linguistics, and creative writing has always been his greatest passion. For more than 25 years he's been working for several well-known automobile and travel magazines as an editor and expert consultant, but when Adam started his writing path here, at WisePick, it turned out that he's capable of writing practically anything about everything.
Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known household appliances manufacturer, so no wonder he knows everything about almost everything you buy for your home.
Last updated: August 22, 2021
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Though you might think that finding the best touch lamp is just as easy as picking any other type of lamp, that isn’t the case. There are lots of different factors that you need to take into account before you find the perfect model for your needs.
For instance, you need to consider where you want to use it, as these touch lamps come in different designs and variations so that they work on a desk, in a living room, or in a bedroom. You also need to figure out how many brightness or color temperatures you need to suit your needs (our list offers a wide selection to choose from). No matter what, you are guaranteed to get an easy to use lamp that has very simple touch controls. This is just a small sampling of the things that you need to consider when looking for a good touch lamp. If you want to make sure that you get the perfect model for your needs, read on!
If you are looking for the best overall touch lamp for your home, then this is a great model to start with. This is a very compact lamp so that it is well suited to use on pretty much any tabletop surface, whether it be on a bedside table or a work desk. It is made with high-quality aluminum alloy that is resistant to breaking, even if the lamp gets bumped off of the table.
What really sets this lamp apart from its competitors is that it can be utilized in two different light modes. Its standard warm light is perfect for reading at night, as the 450 lumens provide just enough light to allow you to read. The other light mode, however, is where this lamp really shines.
This lamp can produce the entire RGB spectrum, which means, simply, that you can change the lamp to produce pretty much any color that you want. This is a great feature for anyone that likes to change their lighting to fit their mood. These different lights are a good way to provide light without harming your eyes at night.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind with this light is that, though it is bright enough for a reading or work light, it isn’t quite bright enough for illuminating a whole room. This will limit the placement of this lamp to right next to where you want to read or work.
If you are looking for a lamp that has the look of a more standard desk lamp, then this might be the model for you. This lamp has a very simple stand that helps to raise the light up a bit more. This makes it a whole lot easier to see whatever it is you are working on since the light is projected right down onto it. With this desk lamp, you also have the ability to shift between 7 different brightness levels and 5 color modes, which is a great way to find the right lighting for your needs. The bulbs are also a long-lasting LED, so you don’t need to worry about changing it for a good long time.
Another nice feature for this lamp is that it is designed so that you can adjust the angle. You can tilt the lamp so that the light is hitting exactly where you need it to be. This makes illuminating your book or your work all the better, which will make working late a whole lot easier.
This light also comes equipped with a USB port. This port will allow you to charge your phone or tablet while you work. It also frees up a plug in the wall so that you can use it for other purposes.
The only real issue that you will need to keep in mind with this lamp is that it takes a bit of time to turn off. The off button needs to be pushed for at least 5 seconds before the lamp shuts down, so be sure to give it plenty of time so that you don’t accidentally leave it on all night or day.
Most of the time, when folks think about touch lamps, they usually think of only illuminating a small portion of a room. While most models do fall into this category, this model is good for a whole room. This is thanks to its larger than average lumen output. This lamp is capable of producing up to 2000 lumens, which is more than enough to really light up your space. Of course, this model is also dimmable, so you can easily adjust the light to fit your needs. The bulb is also a long-lasting LED, so you won’t need to worry about changing it anytime soon.
Something else that really helps to make this an effective light for a larger room is the fact that it can be rotated and tilted. This function allows you to position the light exactly where you need it. It also helps to keep the light from shining in your face as well, which is a big help.
Though this light is quite tall, it has a relatively small footprint. This small base makes it easy to fit pretty much anywhere, regardless if you have a lot of space or not. The base is also weighted, which will keep the lamp from tipping over if you accidentally bump it.
The only real issue with this lamp is that, though it can be tilted, it can only do so in a limited manner. As such, you will not be able to aim it all the way down, which could limit you a bit if you want to really light up a smaller space.
If you are looking to make a statement with your new touch lamp, then this is an awesome option. It is a unique model and will be sure to become a great conversation starter whenever someone comes to your home or office. It is incredibly compact, making it perfect for setting on a desk or table. It is also quite durable, thanks to its cast-iron base. This base is also quite hefty for its size, which should reduce the chance of it being knocked to the floor.
Though this lamp is made to make a statement, it won’t cost you too much money. Thanks to its simplified design, this lamp is a great value. Even though you have to buy the bulbs separately, it certainly isn’t going to break the bank.
This light can be set to three different brightness settings, all by the touch of your hand. While its smaller than average size certainly won’t light up an entire room, it will definitely provide enough light for you to read or work by when it is on, and you are close enough to it.
One thing that you will need to be careful of with this light is that thanks to its unique design, the bulb is completely exposed. This could be an issue for two reasons. First of all, an exposed bulb is very easy to break, so you need to make sure it doesn’t get bumped at all. Secondly, you need to make sure that you don’t touch the bulb when it is on, as it could get somewhat hot.
If you are looking for a set of touch lamps to put on either side of your bed, then these might be a good buy. This set of lamps is very easy to use and quite compact. That makes them perfect for use on a nightstand in a bedroom. The fact that there are two only increases their value, since it will allow you to match up the décor in your room quite easily.
These lamps will provide you with three different brightness levels to choose from, which is perfect for a bedroom. That way, you can have a bit of light to sit up and read or just enough so that you can move around in the morning without waking up your partner. The base also has a USB built into it. This makes charging your phone overnight a lot easier, and will probably make it so that you can use your phone or tablet in bed without having to unplug it.
Even though these are compact lights, they can still put off a good bit of light. At the brightest setting, you will be able to put out about 800 lumens. The provided LED bulbs should last a good long time too, even if you use them on the highest setting.
One thing to keep in mind with this set is that they are more sensitive than some other touch lamps. As such, it might take you a bit of practice to use them to get the brightness level you desire. Thankfully, this shouldn’t be too difficult, and with time shouldn’t be an issue at all.
What are our favorite features?
Compact
LED bulbs included
3 brightness options
USB charger on base
What could be better?
Very sensitive
Things to Consider
In this section, we will guide you through everything that you need to know to find the best touch lamp for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through those as well if you need any further information.
Features to consider when choosing a touch control lamp
As you can imagine, there are lots of different factors that you need to take into account before you settle on your new touch lamp. In this section, we will carefully guide you through all of these considerations so that you can buy your lamp with confidence.
Design
The very first thing that you will want to accomplish in your search for a new touch lamp is to decide how you want it to look. Most touch lamps are very modern in their design and can be broken into two different groups. Basically, you can either choose from a tabletop lamp that has the bulb on a small base, or a floor style lamp that has the bulb on top of a taller stand. These two styles will provide you with different amounts of light and will also give your room a different feel, so you need to figure out which one works best for your space.
Table style lamps, like the AUKEY Table Lamp, are great for bedside tables, as they provide a tighter area of illumination that is perfect for reading a book while relaxing in bed. If you want a bit more illumination for a larger space, then a floor style lamp is the way to go. The Nekteck LED Floor Lamp is a great example of this type of touch lamp.
Color temperature (Kelvins)
While the Kelvin scale for temperature refers to how hot or cold something is, Kelvin for lighting means something completely different. Basically, it refers to how bright the whiteness of the light is. The higher the Kelvin color temperature number is, the brighter the whiteness of the light. This scale can help you to determine the type of lighting that you want in your space. If you are using your lamp in your bedroom, for instance, you will want a lower color temperature for a softer light appearance. In a living room or kitchen, however, you might want a brighter or higher temperature light, for a cleaner, sharper appearance. You just need to be careful, however, as lights that are referred to as having warm light will actually be less bright than a model that has cool light.
The MAXvolador Touch Control Table Lamp is a perfect fit for anyone looking for a soft, warm light for their bedroom. These lights will make the room feel that much more comfortable, which is just what you want in a bedroom. On the other hand, if you want a brighter white, then the TaoTronics TT-DL13B is a good option. This lamp is capable of providing a higher Kelvin temperature, which allows it to produce a brighter white light.
Brightness (Lumen)
Another important aspect that you need to carefully consider when it comes to finding your new touch lamp is just how bright you need it to be. This brightness is usually measured on a scale called Lumens, with higher numbers equaling brighter lights. Again, if you are using this lamp in a bedroom, the odds are that you can get by with a model that isn’t quite as bright as you would need in your living room.
The MAXvolador Touch Control Table Lamp is a good model for both spaces, however, thanks to their brightness of 800 lumens. This level of brightness would be good in a bedroom or a smaller living room. Of course, if you really want to light up an area, then the Nekteck LED Floor Lamp is going to be your best bet. It has a 2000 lumen limit, which makes it quite bright, even in larger spaces. Of course, it can also be dimmed, which will allow you to get just the right amount of light in the space you desire.
Materials used
Something else that you will want to think about before you make your final decision is the materials that the lamp will be made with. There are several different combinations and options out there, so you need to think about them carefully.
The most common materials are metal for the base and plastic for the rest, which make the lamps lightweight and easy to maneuver. This style of lamp is also quite durable on its base, though the plastic parts can be broken if they are dropped or knocked over.
If durability is something that you really want to have in your new lamp, then the Boncoo Touch Control Table Lamp is a good option. This lamp is made with a cast iron base, which makes it impervious to damage. Of course, the design of this lamp does leave the bulb uncovered, so you would need to be careful not to bump or hit that at all by accident.
If it’s dimmable
Another key factor that you will want to keep in mind while you are looking for your new lights is whether or not you want it to be dimmable. Dimmable lights are really nice to have since they allow you to change the amount of light in a room to fit your preference. Obviously, if you are going to be relaxing in your bed, you won’t need as much light as you do when you are getting dressed for work in the morning, and a dimmable light allows you to set the brightness to fit the need.
The TaoTronics TT-DL13B is a good option in this regard, as it has 5 different brightness levels that you can choose from. Of course, this does limit you a bit, since you might not be able to get the level of light just where you want it to be. For that, you need a fully dimmable light that operates on a sliding dimmable scale, like the Nekteck LED Floor Lamp.
Dimensions
Something else that will play a factor in where you can put your new touch lamp is how large it will be. Obviously, if you are going to use your lamp on a tabletop in your bedroom, then you don’t want a huge model. Conversely, if you want to light up a whole room, then you will definitely need a bigger lamp. It is best to measure your space before you make your final purchase. That will allow you to figure out your size limitations and adjust your needs accordingly.
If the name of the game for you is space-saving while still being able to produce a lot of light, then the AUKEY Table Lamp is a great option. This model has a very small footprint, which makes it perfect for setting on a table or a nightstand. It also is quite bright and can be set to multiple colors, which makes it a good fit for pretty much any space in the house.
If the bulb is included/if it’s necessary at all
While you might think that touch lamps and regular lamps utilize the same light bulbs, that is not always the case. Many of the models on our list utilize specialized bulbs, which are usually, unfortunately, not included. As such, it is a good idea to make sure that you order a bulb if you decide to get a model like the Boncoo Touch Control Table Lamp since you won’t get one with the lamp.
If changing bulbs isn’t your thing, then you can just get a model like the AUKEY Table Lamp or the TaoTronics TT-DL13B. These two lamps come equipped with LED bulbs. These bulbs are rated to last 35,000 hours of continuous use. This adds up to about 10 years, and since you won’t be running them all the time, you can rest assured that the bulb will last even longer than that. This makes these lamps, and any other LED touch lamp, a hassle-free way to get great light.
Warranty
Anytime that you buy anything new, whether it be a toaster, refrigerator, or a new lamp, you always should look for a model that comes with a good warranty. That way, should anything fail through normal use, you are covered for the repair. This is especially helpful for something as sophisticated as a touch lamp since there are different types of wiring that make them work in comparison to a normal lamp.
Even though all of the models on our list are made by reputable companies, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read through the warranties as carefully as possible. Many companies will claim to offer an outstanding warranty but will actually only cover some of the parts. By reading the warranty information carefully, you will guarantee that you know exactly what is and what isn’t covered by the manufacturer.
While you want to be able to see what you are working on at your desk, you don’t need a light that is bright enough to light up an entire room. As such, most desk lamps usually have a brightness level in the 400-800 lumen range. This amount of light will provide enough light to see what you are doing at your desk without blinding you. You might want to stick closer to the lower end of the lumen range provided here to make sure it isn’t too bright, especially if you are someone that is sensitive to light while you work.
There are multiple models on our list that will not require a bulb replacement for the lifetime of the lamp. Since these lights use LEDs, they are guaranteed to last for at least 10 years, even if you use the light every single day, all day long. Of course, you most likely will not do this, so you can rest assured that the light will last for even longer than that. The AUKEY Table Lamp, TaoTronics TT-DL13B, and Nekteck LED Floor Lamp are awesome options you can buy if you don’t want to worry about changing light bulbs.
Our Verdict
If you are looking for the best overall touch lamp, then we highly recommend that you check out the AUKEY Table Lamp. This model will allow you to seamlessly shift between different light colors and brightness levels, all while barely taking up any space at all. Plainly put, this is a great touch lamp!
The TaoTronics TT-DL13B is a great lamp if you are looking for a model to set on your work desk. The adjustable top makes it easy to get the light right where you need it, and the LED bulbs should last for years and years.
If you want the best touch lamp for your whole room, then the Nekteck LED Floor Lamp is the way to go. This larger than average lamp puts out a lot of light, has a compact footprint, is dimmable, and can be adjusted to aim the light where you need it.
