Which desk lamp/task light should I buy?

May 25, 2006 10:11 AM

What affordable, high quality halogen desk lamp/task light would you recommend? Ideally, the lamp should not have too large a footprint.
posted by NYCinephile to home & garden (12 comments total)

IKEA
posted by lain at 11:35 AM on May 25, 2006

Have you looked at the ikea website? They have a couple of seclections that have worked for me.
posted by johnd101 at 12:09 PM on May 25, 2006

I agree with lain. I own two of these and would highly recommend them.
posted by frecklefaerie at 12:10 PM on May 25, 2006

Frecklefaerie - thank you for finding that lamp - I had been looking for it as an example of a lamp to avoid, because I have seen it in operation and unless they've changed the design, current runs through those extendable arms. Not enough that you'd notice if you touch them, but enough to cause quite a spark if metal spans that gap and enough to blow the lamp base (if you're unlucky) or a circuit breaker if you are. I've seen both cases happen and neither are pretty (in the latter, the breaker took out half of a small office). This feature was discovered by someone who hung an ID badge on a chain over the lamp.
posted by plinth at 12:34 PM on May 25, 2006

You get what you pay for with halogen lights. My favorite desk lamp is a Holtkotter. Not cheap but they'll last forever.
posted by SteveInMaine at 1:59 PM on May 25, 2006

I've had one of these task lamps for years, and I love it, love it, love it. The indirect light is really easy on the eyes, and the spectrum it gives off is better than yellowy incandescents as well. Plus, replacement bulbs can be bought just about anywhere.
posted by CrayDrygu at 2:03 PM on May 25, 2006

Holy crap, I can't believe they run current through the structural elements of that lamp! I just shorted a wrench across it to test! It's true... I then push two of these lamps together to power both!

I wish I had my multimeter... does anyone know the potential accross the struts?
posted by phrontist at 2:17 PM on May 25, 2006

If you're talking about the Ikea halogen lamp, I think it's 12V as that's what the bulbs are rated for. 12V DC.
posted by GuyZero at 3:07 PM on May 25, 2006

I just ordered this USB flexlight.

Has anyone had any experience with it?
posted by NYCinephile at 9:54 AM on May 26, 2006

From what I've seen of those lights, you'll be lucky if it lights up a one foot circle. It'll probably be good for around 8".
posted by CrayDrygu at 7:10 PM on May 26, 2006

The USB flexlight arrived yesterday.

CrayDrygu is right. It provides just enough light to read a single page placed immediately next to my laptop.

Useful for working when you don't want to disturb someone sleeping nearby (I'm in a studio apartment). Definitely not a desklamp, though.

Thanks to Cray, also, for reminding me about ThinkGeek.
posted by NYCinephile at 2:36 AM on June 1, 2006

Ultimately, I was not very pleased with the USB task light.

I recently bought this Tensor desk lamp and have been quite pleased with it. It was affordable, is cleanly designed, and throws off pure, bright white light.
posted by NYCinephile at 4:19 AM on June 13, 2006