LED Table Lamps

An LED table lamp can serve as a task light or an accent light. Using LED or light emitting diode bulbs makes them energy-efficient and suitable for reading. These bulbs produce less heat than incandescent and halogen lamps. They are also longer lasting. Staples carries a wide selection of these desktop lighting fixtures from different brands.

Choosing the Right LED Table Lamp
The most important factors to consider when looking for an LED lamp include size, design and build material. Choose a lamp that is big and bright enough for your room but not so big as to overwhelm the space. Desk lamp designs vary widely. The most common styles include clamp-on task lights, desk lamps with adjustable necks and accent lights with shades. Get a clip or clamp-on lamp for a cramped workspace. Adjustable neck options offer flexibility and allow users to direct light where needed. You can use them for ambient and task lighting. Most LED table lamps are made of sturdy plastic but you can easily find models made of metal and wood.

Consider Power Input and Bulb Brightness When Picking an LED Table Lamp
You can either get a plug-in or battery-powered LED lamp. Plug-in models usually have higher light outputs but need to sit close to a power outlet. Since LED bulbs consume very little energy, it is possible to find a plug-in option that draws power from a USB port, providing task lighting while tethered to a computer. Battery-powered lamps are even more flexible. These cordless lighting fixtures are movable and can serve as emergency lighting outdoors. Choose a model that provides a few hours of light before you need to recharge or change its battery. The ideal LED table lamp should offer dimmable lighting or at least have different levels of brightness.

Do LED Bulbs get Hot?
Yes. LED light bulbs do get hot but not as much as incandescent, halogen and CFL bulbs. The heat sink at the base of an LED bulb removes heat from the diffuser or plastic dome at the top. While the diffuser does get warm, the heat sink gets quite hot and you should never handle a lit LED bulb by that part.

What do Lumen and Color Temperature Mean for LED Lamps?
Lumen is a measure of brightness and a better indicator of light output than the wattage of a bulb. The higher the lumens, the brighter it is. The typical 60-watt incandescent light bulb produces 800 lumens. This is approximately the same light output as an 8-watt LED bulb. Color temperature describes the appearance of light. Regular LED bulbs produce cool white light with a color temperature rating between 3500K and 4100K. If you prefer the warm white light of incandescent bulbs, choose one equipped with a 2700K bulb. Above 5000K, an LED bulb produces very cool white light and has the color of daylight.

Can Long Exposure to LED Light Damage Your Eyes?
No. LED bulbs produce visible light similar to sunlight. This is close to natural light and is not intense enough to cause damage to the human eye. It would take long hours of directly staring at a bright LED bulb to cause harm.