Article reviewed by Jesús Andrade, an electronics engineer with an MBA from ESIC. He combines 20 years’ experience developing emergency lighting and risk-prevention devices with a strong background in business management. Andrade is currently CTO at SVE Worldwide, a company specialising in industrial risk-prevention solutions.
If you are wondering what to look for before buying a rechargeable table lamp online, there are several factors worth considering. Lighting plays an important role in everyday life, helping us carry out daily activities when there is little natural light or after dark. That is why it makes sense to look carefully at a lamp’s main features before buying one.
If you decide that a rechargeable LED table lamp is the right option for you, there are several aspects to consider. Intended use, materials, charging method, battery capacity and runtime, lumens, brightness levels… The list is fairly long, so let’s go through it step by step.
Contents
Uses for a rechargeable table lamp
Materials used in a cordless lamp
Charging methods for a portable lamp
Luminous flux: what lumens tell you
Brightness levels in a rechargeable LED lamp
IP protection for indoor and outdoor cordless lamps
What to look for before buying a rechargeable table lamp online
The LILAK rechargeable table lamp
Frequently asked questions about what to look for before buying a rechargeable table lamp online
Uses for a rechargeable table lamp
The question may seem obvious, but what exactly do we want a rechargeable LED lamp for at home?
Rechargeable table lamps have one clear advantage: because they contain a battery, they do not need to remain permanently connected to the mains. This makes them easy to move around and allows us to use them when there is no plug socket nearby, or even during a power cut, provided the battery is charged.
However, the fact that a lamp is cordless does not necessarily mean that it is suitable for outdoor use. If we want to use it on a patio or in the garden, we need to check that the manufacturer specifies that it is suitable for this purpose and, among other things, look at its IP rating.
We should therefore consider whether we want a lamp for lighting a patio or garden, or whether it will mainly be used indoors for specific purposes such as reading, ambient lighting or providing a soft background light.
Materials used in a cordless lamp
The material used for the body of a rechargeable table lamp is another factor worth considering when choosing one.
A wide range of materials can be used in lamps, but here we are referring specifically to the main body, which can have a significant influence on the lamp’s appearance, weight and durability.
Whether the lamp will be used indoors or outdoors, along with the type of design we prefer, are two factors worth taking into account.
Rechargeable lamps are available in a wide variety of materials. Which one is best suited to how you plan to use the lamp?
If you are looking for a lightweight material that makes the lamp easy to move while also offering good impact resistance, ABS can be worth considering. If you prefer a transparent finish similar to glass, acrylic (PMMA) can be another option.
Charging methods for a portable lamp
One of the main advantages of a rechargeable lamp is that its battery can be recharged through multiple charging cycles over its useful life. But how can the lamp itself be charged?
One of the most common methods is a USB cable connected to a compatible power supply. USB-C connectors are now widely used, although the type of connection and charging specifications vary from one product to another.
Alternative charging methods can include small photovoltaic cells, which convert energy from sunlight into electricity, or even a small dynamo or generator powered by movement.
Battery capacity and runtime
When comparing the amount of energy available in batteries operating at different voltages, watt-hours (Wh) are the most useful unit to consider.
Product listings for many rechargeable LED lamps tend to highlight runtime, while more detailed information about the battery itself may be provided in the product’s technical specifications.
Runtime varies considerably between rechargeable cordless lamps, so the most suitable option will once again depend on our needs.
Runtime does not depend solely on battery capacity. The selected brightness level, the power consumption of the LED system, the efficiency of the electronics and the condition of the battery can all have an effect. As a general rule, the higher the brightness setting, the shorter the available runtime.
Luminous flux: what lumens tell you
The luminous flux of an LED lamp is measured in lumens (lm). The more lumens a lamp produces, the greater the total amount of visible light it emits.
But how many lumens does a cordless lamp need? That depends on how we intend to use it.
Lumens should not be confused with lux (lx). Lumens indicate the luminous flux emitted by a light source, whereas lux measures how much light reaches a particular surface. One lux is equal to one lumen per square metre.
For this reason, there is no single lumen figure that is suitable for every use. For activities such as reading, studying or working, what matters is not only the lamp’s total luminous flux but also the amount of light that reaches the surface we want to illuminate. Factors such as the distance from the lamp and the way in which it distributes light will also affect this.
Colour temperature
Colour temperature is another factor worth considering. It is expressed in kelvin (K) and can be used to distinguish approximately between warm, neutral and cool light.
Although the exact boundaries can vary slightly depending on the manufacturer or classification used, the following ranges can be used as a general guide:
- Warm light is typically around 2700 to 3000 K.
- Neutral light is generally around 3500 to 4500 K.
- Cool or daylight-like light is usually around 5000 to 6500 K.
The lower the colour temperature, the warmer or more yellow the light tends to appear. As the colour temperature increases, the light appears whiter and then progressively more bluish.
The most suitable colour temperature for a rechargeable LED lamp will once again depend on how we plan to use it.
If we want ambient or background lighting for the living room, warm light can be a good choice. If we are looking for a rechargeable table lamp for working or studying, neutral light may be suitable, although the final choice will also depend on personal preference and the other lighting in the room.
Brightness levels in a rechargeable LED lamp
We have already discussed lumens as one of the factors to consider when choosing a lamp. Many LED models also allow users to select between several brightness levels.
This means we can use a lower light level when we want soft ambient or background lighting and increase it when we need more light for a particular activity.
Brightness settings can also have a direct effect on runtime. In general, using the lamp at a higher brightness level will drain the battery more quickly than using a lower setting.
Some models even allow users to change the colour temperature and, in certain cases, the colour of the light itself.
IP protection for indoor and outdoor cordless lamps
Another feature worth considering in a rechargeable lamp for the home is its IP (Ingress Protection) rating, particularly if we plan to use it outdoors where it may be exposed to dust or water.
The IP code indicates the degree of protection provided by an enclosure against access to hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects and water.
An IP rating commonly consists of two digits after the letters IP.
The first digit indicates the level of protection against solid objects and dust. On this scale, a rating of 6 represents the highest level of protection against dust ingress.
The second digit indicates the level of protection against water and must be interpreted according to the test conditions established for each rating.
For example, if a rechargeable table lamp has an IP67 rating, the first number indicates a high level of protection against dust ingress, while the second indicates protection against temporary immersion in water under specified test conditions.
This does not mean that an IP67 lamp is waterproof under all circumstances. Before using any lamp outdoors, we should always check its intended use and the manufacturer’s specific recommendations.
| Feature | Some options you may find |
| 🏠 Uses | Indoor · Outdoor · Reading · Working or studying · Ambient lighting · Emergency use |
| 🧱 Materials | ABS · Acrylic · Aluminium · Steel · Glass · Wood |
| 🔌 Charging method | USB-C · Other USB connectors · Photovoltaic cells · Dynamo or hand-powered generator |
| 🔋 Battery capacity and runtime | Different capacities in Wh · Runtime varies according to brightness level and product specifications |
| 💡 Luminous flux | Lower output for ambient lighting · Higher output for reading, studying or tasks requiring more light |
| 🌡️ Colour temperature | Warm (approx. 2700–3000 K) · Neutral (approx. 3500–4500 K) · Cool (approx. 5000–6500 K) |
| 🎚️ Brightness levels | Single level · Several levels · Continuous dimming · Different colour temperatures |
| 💧 IP rating | Different levels of protection against dust and water, such as IP20, IP44, IP65 or IP67, depending on the product |
| 📏 Dimensions and weight | Compact, lightweight models · Larger and heavier models |
| 📦 Accessories included | Charging cable · Power adaptor · Charging base · Other accessories depending on the model |
| 🛡️ Guarantee and returns | Statutory guarantee · Additional commercial guarantee · Different return conditions depending on the seller |
| 🛒 Manufacturer and seller | Direct from the manufacturer · Specialist retailer · Marketplace · Distributor |
What to look for before buying a rechargeable table lamp online
The features covered so far, including intended use, materials, battery runtime, luminous flux, colour temperature, brightness levels and IP protection, are some of the main factors to consider before deciding whether a particular battery-powered lamp is right for you.
If you are buying a rechargeable lamp online, it is also worth checking aspects related to the purchasing process itself: who the manufacturer or seller is, what technical information is provided, the product’s dimensions and weight, which charging accessories are included, and the guarantee and returns policy.
If anything is unclear, do not hesitate to contact the seller before buying. No one wants to end up with another lamp at home that they do not need.
The LILAK rechargeable table lamp
At LILAK, we offer a rechargeable table light with several brightness levels to make it as versatile as possible. Although it is designed primarily for indoor use, its IP rating also allows it to be used outdoors when required. The option to switch between standard use and an emergency mode in the event of a power cut extends its range of applications beyond many of the lamps currently available on the market.
Frequently asked questions about what to look for before buying a rechargeable table lamp online
How long should I charge my rechargeable lamp for?
There is no single charging time that applies to all rechargeable lamps. It depends on factors including the battery type and capacity, the charging management system and the power supply being used.
The best approach is always to follow the charging time specified by the manufacturer and use a power supply that is compatible with the product’s specifications.
How do I choose a rechargeable lamp?
Before buying a rechargeable table lamp, there are several factors worth considering. Some of the most important include how we plan to use it, the materials, charging method, battery capacity and runtime, luminous flux, colour temperature, brightness levels and IP rating.
The importance of each feature will depend on our own needs and priorities.
What types of rechargeable lamps are available?
There are many different types of lamps with rechargeable batteries. They can be categorised by their intended use, for example table lamps, reading lamps, ambient lamps or outdoor lamps, as well as by their charging system, materials, runtime, luminous flux, colour temperature, brightness levels and IP rating.
The best option is the one whose features most closely match how we intend to use it.