Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way
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What to look for
Adjustable colour temperature and a dimmer reduce eye strain; a USB port is handy.
Models worth comparing
From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.
Budget
IKEA FORSÅ
Students and home workers who want a simple, adjustable reading light for very little outlay.
All-steel arm, base and shade with a powder-coated finish
Both the arm and the head adjust to aim light where it is needed
Compact 35 cm height suits small desks and bedside tables
Watch out for: No bulb in the box, so you need to buy a separate E14 LED bulb before it works.
Anyone who wants a classic, well-built British task lamp that will last for decades on a smaller desk.
Spring-balanced arm holds its position smoothly at many angles
Aluminium shade and arms on a heavy cast-iron base for stability
Bulb included and covered by Anglepoise's lifetime guarantee once registered
Watch out for: Anglepoise lists only a simple shade switch, with no dimming or colour-temperature control, and the lifetime guarantee needs registering within 90 days.
We are gathering the customer ratings this board needs from UK shops. When they are in, the ranked list replaces this guide at the same address, scored the way every board is: star ratings weighed by how many people left them. How we score.