Reading Lamps

Reading Lamps

What is a Reading Lamp for?

With a floor reading lamp, the lamp is designed to be tall enough to place the light above your shoulder or eye level while you are sitting. When seated to read, for example, a reading floor lamp will typically aim all of its light downwards so that the maximum light output shines below, onto your reading surface. The lamp won't be tall enough typically to function this way when standing, so they are best suited for using light while sitting down.

You can also use a regular floor lamp as a reading lamp, provided it's not a torchiere lamp. With a floor lamp shade, at least some of the light will be directed down below the lamp, so it can be positioned near to or over a seating area. But for optimal reading brightness you'll want a proper chairside reading lamp.

Reading Lamp Benefits

• See Easier - Stylish and functional, they shine the light exactly where you need it, perfect for reading newspapers, books, or magazines. Place these lamps next to your favorite relaxation chair.
• Reduce Eyestrain - Floor Reading Lamps designed to reduce eyestrain and help you enjoy your book or magazine. Perfect for illuminating reading or needle work. Stop straining your eyes. Improve your lighting to read quicker with better comprehension and look good doing it! (an essential companion for the avid reader and diligent student)
• Portable - Position the light just above eye level over your shoulder for the best light. Easy to move to the perfect position.
• Versatile - Add reading floor lamps to your room and they'll double as room lighting and reading lights.

Choosing the Best Floor Reading Lamp

• Color Rating -One of the most important factors in choosing a lamp for reading is the spectrum of light. Typically, lights that are closest in spectrum to sunlight are the easiest on your eyes.  Look for lamps with "degrees Kelvin" ratings of 3,500 - 6,000 for "daylight" reading lamps.
• Positioning - Make sure your lamp is tall enough to shine over your shoulder or position your floor lamp properly to shine right where you need it. Many reading lamps come with an adjustable arm to obtain the ideal angle. If you use an electronic reader, you may want to position the lamp so that it avoids shining directly on the screen to avoid glare.
• Style - Find a style to blend with your decor. Lucky we have so many choices!

Our selection of cheap reading lights is as versatile as they are affordable. We have a wide range of lamps to read by, which brighten the room with style, and lend that extra light wherever you might need it.

Make the most of your reading light

Often reading lights will comprise a lamp head which is adjustable. Usually the higher of the lamp can be adjusted, such as either to raise it up and down, or to angle the head of the lamp via a gooseneck flexible arm.

This flexibility allows you to move and position the lamp head for optimal reading. For example you'll want to make sure the light is aiming either from behind you or to one side, rather than in front. You can usually angle the reading lamp head so that it is shining "away" from you, onto your book surface. This will help to reduce glare.

You'll also find that modern reading lamps such as led reading lamps will feature an adjustable dimmable brightness, and in some cases maybe even the color temperature, which allows you to set the lamp to suit your eyesight. This also helps you to adjust to the level of brightness in the room. For example in the darkness of evening you may want a dimmer light than a full intensity reading lamp in daytime.

What about a reading floor torchiere?

Sometimes you can find a torchier-style floor lamp, which typically aims most of its light upwards to bounce off the ceiling. But it may also include a "reading arm", which is a little side-arm light which shines light downwards to aid in reading. This can help improve the brightness of light below the lamp, but still places most of the lamp's light output in the background. You'll find these lamps are less focused for reading and dealing with fine details, so you'll be better off with a dedicated reading lamp.