E-reader Reading Light Recommendations

December 30, 2011 9:40 AM

Looking for recommendations for a reading light for an e-reader.

Do you have a reading light for your e-reader that you absolutely love? I've just picked up a Kindle (4), and I'm looking for a decent light for use in bed, and when I'm travelling at night. Some criteria:

Not integrated into a case - I don't tend to keep my devices in a case unless I'm throwing it in a bag with other stuff.

I think re-chargeable would be the way to go. Either with its own battery, or using an AAA (or possibly AA battery).

Nothing too bulky would be my preference, and a long battery life would be appreciated.

I'm in Canada, so being able to buy it in store here, or online from a Canadian source would be best.

posted by backwards guitar to Technology (7 answers total)

I use a Book Owl clip light with my Kindle. I've got the standard leather case that Amazon sells and clip the light to the open part of the case. The jaws are wide enough to clamp and hold on the Kindle itself if you don't use a case. It runs on the lithium "coin" type batteries; I had another book light before this one that also used the lithium batteries. I use it mainly in restaurants and airplanes, the battery life feels a lot longer than the advertised 15 hours. If I was buying again, i would buy a Book Owl but go for the next model up that has two LEDs instead of one.
posted by kovacs at 10:12 AM on December 30, 2011

Best answer: You want the Mighty Bright XtraFlex 2. Takes AAA batteries (or plugs into the wall) and is wide enough to clamp to a Kindle with or without case. It has two LEDs (though you can of course use just one) and it is extremely, extremely bright. I am not kidding about this. Seriously, when I had a power outage I used it instead of a flashlight because it is brighter than all of the flashlights I own.
posted by sineala at 10:31 AM on December 30, 2011

Best answer: Seconding the Mighty Bright. I have the travel flex which only needs 1 AAA battery.
posted by get off of my cloud at 10:46 AM on December 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

You want the Mighty Bright XtraFlex 2.

Yes. This is a very bright, lightweight and easy to clip book light.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:17 AM on December 30, 2011

Seconding Mighty Bright XtraFlex 2. I went through half a dozen book lights -- all of which died within a month or 2 -- before finally finding this. The one I use now is over a year old, and has traveled extensively. Very durable.

(But if I could find the same thing as a rechargeable, I'd buy it in a second.)
posted by coolguymichael at 12:21 PM on December 30, 2011

I have an Octovo Solis which is fantastic. It's basically a clip-on version of the LED case Amazon does. The light is very clear and bright but shines straight onto the Kindle screen with little spillage. Recommended.
posted by Happy Dave at 12:57 PM on December 30, 2011

Response by poster: It looks like I can get the Mighty Bright's at a local musical instrument shop, so I think I'm going to go that way. Leaning toward the Travel Flex, for the single battery, but may end up going for the XtraFlex 2 if it doesn't provide enough light.

Thanks for the other suggestions.
posted by backwards guitar at 2:26 PM on December 31, 2011