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BlogOur content is meticulously curated through independent research, testing, reviews, and AI-driven recommendations, all designed to present you with the finest product choices. When you make a purchase through our links, it could result in us earning a commission.Light Up Your Workspace With the Best Clamp Lights
Last updated: 1 Mar 2024- Best Overall: VIVOSUN Clamp Light Shop Now ➔
- Best Value: Simple Deluxe Clamp Light Shop Now ➔
- Most Powerful: Woods Clamp Light Shop Now ➔
- Most Stylish: Sun-Rising Clamp Light Shop Now ➔
- Best Features: BOHON Clamp Light Shop Now ➔
View all ContentsComparing the Leading Clamp Lights of 2024
Best Overall
At the top of the list, we’ve got a two-pack of bright clamp lights from VIVOSUN. With impressive dimensions — 9.53 x 9.5 x 5.91 inches — and 150 watts of power, each of these lamps is powerful enough to light up your garage, studio, or workshop. What’s more, the reflective aluminum lamp shade also helps amplify the brightness. Featuring a convenient on/off switch and easy-to-use angular adjustability on the neck, this two-pack package is extremely lightweight, weighing only 1.9 pounds. Plus, these clamp lights each ship with a strong clamping clip and a 6-foot power cord. All you need to do is purchase your favorite bulb and you’ll be ready to get to work. Thanks to the amazing reviews and how incredibly simple these lamps are to use, we’ve chosen this clamp light set as our best overall pick.
Pros
- Energy-efficient lighting with a reflective lampshade
- Comes in a pack of two
- Very high brightness
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a bulb
Best Value
Who says you need to spend large amounts of money to light your workshop? Say hello to the Simple Deluxe Clamp Light, which offers the best value for your money on this list. It has an 8.5-inch aluminum reflector with a bulb base rated for a 150-watt B26 bulb, which is sold separately. This clamp light also features a ball joint that provides seamless angle adjustability to position the light directly onto your project or workbench.
What’s more, the whole package feels very sturdy with a clip-on spring grip that’s strongly built and non-marring, as well as a 6-foot power cord with a molded, rugged plug. Plus, you can choose from a pack of one, two, six, or 12 lamps depending on your lighting needs.
Pros
- Features an adjustable ball joint for angling
- Durable and sturdy build quality
- Rubberized clamps won’t scratch your workspace
Cons
- It may not look good in all rooms
Most Powerful
This clamp light by Woods is for the heavy-duty workers out there. Accommodating a bulb of up to 300 watts, this light offers some serious brightness to those who need it. Designed for professional workers with huge projects to complete in their workshop, this clamp light has an industrial look that will fit in perfectly with most rustic workspaces. With the dimensions of 23 x 17 x 13 inches, it’s also the largest clamp light on our list.
Featuring an aluminum reflector, scratch-resistant clamps, and angle adjustability of up to 10 degrees, this clamp light is also an ideal light for indoor plants and photography. Plus, it has a bulb guard, which means you can use it as a heating solution in a chicken brooder setup.
Pros
- Large, bright light up to 300 watts
- Can be used as a grow light for plants
- Features a grill bulb protector
Cons
- Heavy and not as portable
Most Stylish
At number four, we’ve got the most visually appealing clamp light on the list by Sun-Rising. Unlike the industrial-looking lamps, this one can easily add to the aesthetics of your desk, study space, or even your bedroom. It’s available in seven different colors, so you can match it with your interior decor.
What’s more, this stylish lamp comes with an LED bulb pre-fitted inside, which provides warm, soft light. At just 30 watts of power consumption, this lamp provides sufficient light for indoor use without amping up your energy bill. Plus, at just 9 ounces, it’s portable enough to offer multi-purpose functionality as a bedside lamp, desk lamp, or reading light — especially since the 360-degree rotatable clip can grip onto just about anything.
Pros
- Long lifespan at 50,000+ hours
- Safe for indoor use with RoHS certification
- Comes in a variety of vibrant colors
Cons
- Not very bright
Best Features
This great-looking clamp light by BOHON is ideal for indoor use. It features a highly power-efficient 10-watt LED lamp with advanced features like brightness adjustability, an auto-off timer setting, and USB power connectivity. With multiple connectivity options, you can hook this lamp up to your desktop PC or use the included AC Adapter to power it from a wall outlet.
What’s more, choose from three different shades of color temperature — warm white, natural white, and cool white — and 10 levels of brightness, all of which are conveniently controlled using the four-button switch integrated into the lamp’s light. The whole clamp lamp only weighs about 1 pound and features a sturdy metal build.
Pros
- The neutral black color matches any interior
- Flicker-free light doesn’t harm the eyes
- Easily adjustable with a 360-degree gooseneck
Cons
- Less bright than other options
Buying Guide: Clamp Light
We’ve covered many different types of clamp lights in our list above, but which one’s right for you? To determine that, you need to keep several features, factors, and considerations in mind. The basic criteria should be finding a lamp that not only looks sleek but also fulfills all your lighting needs. Our buying guide has everything you need to know to make an informed purchase decision!
What Do You Need It For?
The first question to ask yourself is what you need a clamp light for. Is it going to function as an aesthetic addition to add to the decor of your bedroom? If so, a well-designed lamp with very low wattage is ideal. But if you genuinely need extra lighting to help you read, work or study, we recommend an indoor lamp with adjustability and slightly higher brightness.
If you have slightly more unique needs like studio lighting for photography, providing artificial lighting to your indoor plants, setting up a bird brooder, or lighting up a dim garage, we recommend an aluminum-shade option. Keep in mind that studios might need brighter, more powerful lights while a 150-watt light is often plenty for a garage.
What to Look for in a Clamp Light for Your Desk
If you’re buying a clamp light for your workspace, there are plenty of features and factors to consider before you press that “add to cart” button.
Material
First, consider what the lamp is made of. Materials determine the longevity, feel, and visual appeal of a clamp light. The most durable option is metal. It’s relatively heavy and expensive but lasts for years and looks sleek with a painted or polished finish.
Plastic, on the other hand, is more portable and cheap, but it still looks great as there are often many styles and colors to choose from. Choose your material wisely, keeping your budget and aesthetic preferences in mind.
Bulb type
While we’ve only included LED clamp lamps in our top five list, the market also offers clamp lights with halogen, compact fluorescent light (CFL), and incandescent bulbs. We recommend sticking with an LED option with a flicker-free bulb as it’s the most energy-efficient, bright, and durable option.
Clip size and build
If you plan on using your clamp light in more than one place, such as the headboard of your bed for occasional nighttime reading, a wide clip is ideal. It offers more multi-purpose flexibility as it can clip onto almost anything.
Besides the size, you should also make sure that the clip has a firm hold of the surface so that it doesn’t move around or vibrate as you write something down or type on the keyboard. Keep in mind that a strong grip doesn’t mean it should scratch up the surface of your desk. Always look for a lamp with a rubberized clip to protect your furniture.
Neck adjustability
The lamp’s neck should be easily adjustable at any angle so you can use it in the least obtrusive position, directing the light right where you need it.
Lampshade
Make sure that the lampshade completely covers the light to avoid an irritating glare while you’re working or studying.
Features
Features like tone and brightness adjustment are also very helpful as you might need warmer, cooler, or brighter light depending on the time of day.
Design
Lastly, consider the lamp’s design to see if it matches the style of your room and workspace. With so many options available, you can never be too picky when it comes to these visual components!
Clamp Lights FAQ
Can my clamp light overheat?
Yes, a clamp light can overheat, melt, and even become a fire hazard if you use a bulb that’s of a higher wattage than the capacity of the bulb base.
What’s an E26 bulb?
This refers to the bulb base on a clamp light. The letter “E” stands for Edison Screw, which is the most common standard in lamps. The number “26” denotes its diameter in millimeters (equivalent to 1 inch).
Can clamp lights stand?
Yes, while the whole point of clip-on lamps is to save surface space, some models have a large enough clip to independently stand on the floor or a leveled surface.
Article Contributors
Read More About Popular Woodworking Reviews Team HereThe Popular Woodworking Review Team’s product reviews and comprehensive guides are here to help you select the best gear and tools to efficiently complete top-quality woodworking projects.
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