10 Best Reading Lights for Bed Use in 2024

Photo: medicdaily.co

If you are one those avid book readers that cannot go to bed without reading a book or your line of work entails a lot of reading, you need to have the best reading light for bed.

A bed reading light is a small and portable light (usually an LED light) that will clip onto the book or a table to allow you to illuminate the light on the book you are reading.

Besides providing adequate light to allow you to see what you are reading, other benefits of reading lights include protecting your eyes by eliminating the need to use regular spotlights, and they also make it easy to get a proper reading angle.

To help you find the right one for you, here we review 10 of the best ones and also explain what to look for when shopping.

10 Best Reading Lights for Bed – Review 

IMAGE	​PRODUCT	​FEATURES
	1. Vekkia B076SVC7SN (Best Overall)	Up to 60 hours run time Wider light beam coverage Secure and adjustable padded clamp 360-degree adjustable neck
	2. IdeaWorks JB6921 (Best Budget)	More budget-friendly 24 brighter LED lights Uses both battery and USB charge Handy display magnifier Collapsible for easy storage
	3. Mighty Bright 40512 (Best Battery-Powered)	Convenient AAA battery operation Energy-efficient and durable LEDs Sturdy grip clips Precisely engineered lens
	4. LuminoLite BH-01 (Versatile & Attractive)	Highly versatile design with 2 necks and multiple modes and settings Attractive style and finish Steady and even light distribution Well-built and durable
	5. Eyocean 43237-2 (Simple, Stylish & Functional)	Simple but stylish design 360-degrees flexible neck for increased functionality Durable metal and plastic build High-quality LED bulbs Energy-saving and more eco-friendly
	6. Vont VNT-RLW1 (Reliable & Gentle on the Eyes)	12 reliable and gentle LED lights 360-degree rotating gooseneck Easy to use touch switch Wide and sturdy grip clamp
	7. Acegoo A18-RL1-H-D (Minimalistic Light with Comfortable Soft Light)	Minimalistic and space-saving Delivers a comfortable soft light Flexible neck for directional lighting Simple touch switch Allows for more focused illumination
	8. Ecologic Mart Amber Book Light (Pleasurable Reading & Better Sleep Guaranteed)	Sleep-promoting and gentle on the eye light Single switch for easy use Highly flexible arm Complete kit with everything you need
	9. Mighty Bright 47012 (Multipurpose Light with Long Run Time)	Versatile all-purpose design Continuous dimming feature Longer 60-hour runtime Lightweight and portable
	10. WITHit R-CLP-014-29-CB-03 (Perfect for eBooks)	Ideal shape, size and light output for reading eBooks Easy to secure clip-on design Reduced glare Flexible neck design Lightweight and portable

1. Vekkia B076SVC7SN – Best Overall

Photo: Vekkia

• Power: Battery-powered, 1000 mAH, Rechargeable
• Lighting Time: Up to 60 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 modes
• Net Weight: 2.1 oz.

With a powerful 1,000 mAH battery that will provide a run time of up to 60 hours and 3 different light modes, this Vekkia reading light is our best overall product as it delivers both reliability and versatility at an affordable price tag.

This reading light has been designed for convenience as it will come with an infinitely adjustable neck that is 360-degree rotatable to allow you to focus the light just where you want it.

Also, this reading light provides a wide coverage area to allow you to illuminate the book adequately. And mounting it on the book or table is made easier by the well-padded and an easily adjustable clamp.

To make this an even better reading light, it will come in a smaller and more portable design that allows you to carry and use it from anywhere.

The two brighter setting levels 2 and 3 can be a little too bright which and will easily illuminate a huge part of a room. This means they might not be very ideal for use when sleeping with someone. But, this extra brightness makes the light even more versatile.

Pros:

• Relatively longer run time
• Infinitely adjustable neck
• Provides wider coverage are
• Adjustable and well-padded clamp
• Small and highly portable

Cons:

• Some settings can be a little too bright

2. IdeaWorks JB6921 – Best Budget Reading Light

Photo: IdeaWorks

• Power: 4 AA batteries or corded-electric
• Lighting Time: Up to 8 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 levels
• Net Weight: 5.9 oz.

IdealWorks JB6921 is the best LED bed reading light on our list for anyone shopping for something highly reliable but on a small budget.

Despite being the cheapest model on our list, this light still has a lot to offer as it uses a total of 24 LED lights to deliver exceptional light quality, and you can choose from 3 brightness levels to suit your specific needs.

This reading light is built with convenience in mind as it will allow you to use either 4 AA batteries or USB charger. And you can also use it as a regular lamp by adding the magnifier cover.

Storing this light when not in use is made easy by the easily collapsible design that allows you to fold it into a small, space-saving size.

Although the neck on this reading light is still quite flexible, it will not be as flexible as the other styles of lights on our list. However, it is still good enough to ensure maximum effectiveness. Also, this light uses up the battery quite fast, but the good news is that it can work as a corded electric model.

Pros:

• Relatively more affordable
• Collapsible space-saving design
• Can use either a USB charger or batteries
• Magnifier cover allows it to work as a regular lamp
• Easy brightness levels change

Cons:

• Less flexible neck
• Uses up batteries a little too fast

3. Mighty Bright 40512 – Best Battery-Powered Bed Reading Light

Photo: Mighty Bright

• Power: 3 AAA batteries                                 
• Lighting Time: Up to 30 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 levels
• Net Weight: 4.8 oz.

Nothing beats the convenience of a battery-operated reading light like this one by Mighty Bright as you can use it from almost anywhere provided you have 3 AAA batteries, which are quite cheap and easy to get.

Besides the convenience of battery-operation, this reading light offers some highly durable and energy-efficient LEDs that will ensure the batteries last long enough. And when you buy the light, it will be ready for immediate use as it comes with the batteries.

Also, when you run out of battery, you will not have to stop reading as this light can also be plugged in via USB, and hence making it even more convenient.

Users will love the highly flexible neck as it will make it easy to direct the light just where you want it, and the mount clips are designed to grip almost anything, and hence making this an even more convenient light.

While the coverage could be better since you will have to adjust the light almost any time you turn a page, this is hardly a big deal because even with the best lights, you will still need to make some adjustments when reading.

Pros:

• Convenient and user-friendly battery-operation
• Long-lasting and energy-efficient LEDs
• Easy clip and twist mount
• Highly flexible neck

Cons:

• Coverage could be better

4. LuminoLite BH-01 – Versatile and Attractive

Photo: LuminoLite

• Power: Battery-powered, 1000 mAH, Rechargeable                        
• Lighting Time: Up to 10 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 modes
• Net Weight: 3.36 oz.

The more versatile design of the LuminoLite BH-01 is what gives it an edge over many other lights on our review. This versatility stems from the fact that the light comes with two necks, 3 modes, and up to 6 brightness levels to allow you to customize the light to suit various uses.

Also, the sleeker and more attractive finish is a good addition to the design as it will ensure the light will look good anywhere you place it.

Users will love that it has been built to deliver a steadier and more even light distribution and that it will feature a sturdy and more durable overall construction to ensure many years of use.

This light is a little bulkier when compared to others on our reading lights for bed review, but this is mostly from the two necks and built-in battery, which given their obvious advantages make up for the extra bulk.

Pros:

• More versatile design
• Sleek finish will look good anywhere
• Easier to use and sturdy
• Steady and even light distribution

Cons:

• A little bulkier

5. Eyocean 43237-2 – Simple, Stylish and Functional

Photo: Eyocean

• Power: Corded-electric
• Brightness Modes: 3 modes
• Net Weight: 15.5 oz.

The simple design that makes this reading light super easy to use is one of the key things that draw many users to it, but most will love that it looks more stylish and will hence complement any décor.

This highly functional bed reading light comes with a 360-degree rotating neck that will allow you to focus the light just where you want it.

Clamping is made easy by the highly durable and sturdy metal clamp that opens up wide enough to clamp into almost any table or book.

And when using this light, you can be confident of not only getting enough light but also a light that is safer and gentler on your eyes. Better yet, it is a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly reading light.

The blue light indicator that glows continuously can be annoying, and this is more so if you keep the light very close to you when sleeping. But, simply unplugging the light when going to bed or even covering the light with tape should be enough to take care of this minor issue.

Pros:

• Simple to use and stylish design
• Highly flexible neck
• Durable metal clamp
• High-quality, eye-protecting LEDs
• More energy-saving light

Cons:

• Continuously glowing blue light indicator can be annoying

6. Vont VNT-RLW1 – Reliable and Gentle on the Eyes

Photo: Vont

• Power: Battery-powered, 1000 mAH, Rechargeable                        
• Lighting Time: Up to 8 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 levels
• Net Weight: 4.8 oz.

The best book lights for reading in bed are those that not only provide adequate light but will be gentle on your eyes like the Vont VNT-RLW1.

This highly reliable light uses 12 high-quality LED lights that together not only provide adequate lighting but also eliminate glare and flicker to protect your eyes. And there are 3 levels of light intensity for increased versatility.

With this reading light, you will get a 360-degree rotating light to ensure flexible light focusing, and choosing your preferred light mode or brightness is made simpler by the slick touch switch.

Also, with this light, you will get a sturdy and wide enough clamp to allow you to mount it anywhere. And to crown it all, this light delivers fast USB charging and is quite energy-efficient.

The clamp in this reading light is not padded, but it is still smooth enough to ensure it does not scratch any surface it is placed on. Also, despite this reading light being quite bulky, this will hardly be an issue provided you have a table nearby to clamp it on.

Pros:

• Highly reliable LEDs with a gentle light
• More flexible gooseneck
• Wide clamp with a sturdy grip
• Slick touch switch
• Fast USB-charging and energy-efficient

Cons:

• Clamp is not padded
• A little bulky for clipping on a book

7. Acegoo A18-RL1-H-D – Minimalistic Light with Comfortable Soft Light

Photo: Acegoo

• Power: Corded-electric
• Brightness Modes: Multiple levels
• Net Weight: 12 oz.

The minimalistic design is one of the key highlights of this Acegoo reading light, and it makes it perfect for those that prefer something that takes as little space as possible while still delivering adequate lighting.

This bed reading light comes with a narrow beam that ensures you get focused illumination that will adequately illuminate the book without any distracting light in the rest of the room.

The light uses a simple touch switch and will come with a more flexible gooseneck to allow you to direct the light where you want it. And this will be an ideal light for wall and headboard mounting.

Being the priciest model on our reading lights for bed review, some users might find this light a little pricier, but with the build and light quality, it is worth it. Also, brightness adjustment takes some getting used to, but as you use the light more and more it becomes a breeze. 

Pros:

• Minimalistic design takes up little space
• Narrow beam allows for focused illumination
• Simple touch switch
• Comfortable warm light
• More flexible gooseneck

Cons:

• Relatively more expensive
• Brightness adjustment has a learning curve

8. Ecologic Mart Amber Book Light – Pleasurable Reading and Better Sleep Guaranteed

Photo: Ecologic Mart

• Power: Battery-powered, 1200 mAH, Rechargeable
• Lighting Time: Up to 30 hours
• Brightness Modes: 3 modes
• Net Weight: 6.4 oz.

Besides ensuring you get enough light to read your books comfortably in bed, this Ecologic Mart light has also been designed to deliver a sleep-enhancing light spectrum so that you sleep better afterward.

The battery-powered light uses a 1,200 mAH battery to deliver up to 30 hours of run time, which means that it will be several days before you need to recharge it even if you read every day.

Flexibility is guaranteed by the more flexible arm that you can use to direct the light just where you like. And securing this light on a book or table should be more straightforward as it will come with a secure and sturdy clip.

When you buy this light, you also get everything you need including an extra-long cable, carry bag and charger.

Despite being sturdy and secure, the clip seems a little bulky and might not be very ideal for certain books, but for those that like reading the larger books with more pages, it will still be okay.

Pros:

• Ideal light for reading and sleep-promotion
• More flexible arm
• Comes with extra-long cable and carry bag
• Secure and sturdy clip

Cons:

• Clip is a little bulky

9. Mighty Bright 47012 – Multipurpose Light with Long Run Time

Photo: Mighty Bright

• Power: Battery-powered
• Lighting Time: Up to 60 hours
• Brightness Modes: Multiple levels
• Net Weight: 1.28 oz.

The multipurpose Mighty Bright 47012 is designed to provide a comprehensive reading solution when in the bedroom as it will clip easily onto almost any book, and it has a flexible gooseneck to allow you to direct the light precisely where you want it.

Another key thing that makes this one of the best bed reading lights is the longer battery life as it will deliver up to 60 hours of continuous reading. Better yet, the battery only takes just 1 hour to fully charge for minimal downtimes.

The light uses some more energy-efficient LEDs, which can be dimmed more precisely to deliver just the right amount of light for you thanks to a continuous dimming function. And users will love the more compact and lightweight design as it makes this reading light highly portable.

A wider coverage area would be better, but the good news is that this reading light will still cover most of the book when reading. Also, despite being one of the priciest on our list, this light is still fairly priced given its quality.

Pros:

• Versatile and multifunctional
• Longer battery life
• Energy-efficient LEDs
• Precise continuous dimming function
• More lightweight and portable

Cons:

• Coverage area could be wider
• Relatively pricey

10. WITHit R-CLP-014-29-CB-03 – The Perfect Bed Reading Light for eBooks

Photo: WITHit

• Power: Battery-powered
• Net Weight: 2.4 oz.

If you are one of the many modern book readers that prefer eBooks over paper books, you will love this reading light as its shape, design, size, and light output are perfect for eBooks. But, it still works well enough for regular books.

The convenient clip-on also makes this one of the best bed reading lights as it will allow you to secure it easily on the book you are reading. And it stays in place tightly to ensure you can read comfortably.

The flexible neck design allows you to focus the light effortlessly. Many users will also love that it illuminates with little glare, and you can use it to read with little eye strain even in complete darkness.

Depending on the book that you are reading, this reading light might not cover the entire page, but the highly flexible neck makes up for this as you can easily focus the light where you want it.

Pros:

• Perfect light for reading eBooks
• Convenient clip-on for easy securing
• Highly flexible neck design
• Illuminates with less glare
• Small, lightweight and more portable design

Cons:

• Might not cover the entire page

How to Buy the Best Reading Light for Bed

Photo: cabtivist.com

Here are some of the most important things to consider when looking for the best bed reading lights.

1. Power

Like with any light type or even any other lighting fixture for your home, power should always be one of the first factors to consider when shopping for a reading light for bed use. And this is because power will determine everything from the brightness that you get to the effectiveness of the light.

Here you will first need to decide whether to go for a battery-powered or corded electric type. Battery-powered models like the LuminoLite BH-01 will be perfect when you want something conveniently portable and do not want to deal with cords.

But, with the battery-operated lights, you also need to consider the battery power and make sure you go for at least 1,000 mAH as it will ensure a longer run time.

The corded-electric ones like the Acegoo A18-RL1-H-D, on the other hand, will be ideal when you want something that delivers consistent power supply and do not want to keep buying batteries.

2. Lighting Time

You do not want a reading light for bed use that will only give you a few minutes of run time because you will not be able to read enough before you have to recharge the unit.

But, this is only so when using the battery-powered types since the corded ones will provide an unlimited run time as they are plugged into a power outlet.

The ideal run time for you depends on how much reading you do, but something that with at least 8 hours run time like Vont VNT-RLW1 will be perfect as it will reduce the recharging frequency.

3. Color Temperature

Color temperature is how the light will appear, and it is measured in Kelvins. Color temperature will affect how you view what you are reading and also the overall reading experience.

The scale ranges from 1,000 to 10,000 kelvins, and the best lights for reading are those that will have a color temperature that is somewhere around 3,000 Kelvins.

3,000-kelvin color temperature is warm and will be perfect for reading because lights that deliver higher temperatures than this will keep you alert and make it hard to sleep afterward while those with a lower one will make you sleepy within a short time.

4. Brightness Modes

Good reading light for bed should be adjustable to allow you to use it in different conditions and for different applications.

Multiple brightness modes are what will allow for this and also ensure that you will get a more versatile and flexible reading light.

Different models will have different modes and brightness levels, but something that will allow you to choose from at least 3 modes will be good enough.

5. Compactness

Although these reading lights are obviously smaller than regular bedside spotlights, they will still not all come in one size. Hence, when picking one, you will need to consider the size or its compactness.

Something as compact as possible while still providing enough light and flexibility will be the best choice.

A compact light will be portable and easy to use as you can easily clip it on a table or book when reading, and it will not take up any significant space or add any unnecessary weight to your book.

6. Durability

These reading lights might not be expensive, but you still have to make sure that whatever you choose is highly durable.

Durability stems from the material used to make the reading light, and most will be typically made from a combination of plastic and metal.

Also, there are some all-metal ones like Acegoo A18-RL1-H-D that are designed to be super sturdy and highly durable to ensure you get many years of service.

Conclusion

Reading does not have to stop when you go to bed because, with the best reading light for bed, you can still read as much as you want comfortably, and there is a model for everyone on our top 10 reviews above.

With that said, the Vekkia B076SVC7SN takes our top overall spot as it delivers up to 60 hours of run time, wider beam coverage and a flexible 360-degree rotatable gooseneck.

The IdeaWorks JB6921, on the other hand, is our recommendation for anyone looking for a more affordable model that still delivers exceptional light quality and the convenience of both battery and USB operation.

Read More: The Best Floor Lamps for Reading