9 Best Lamps for Drawings in 2024: Tested & Rated

You may think it is very easy to select the best lamp for drawing. However, once you start looking for that perfect option, you may get really confused. Like many people today, I often feel like there are just too many choices to pick from when I'm shopping.

In addition to general requirements for a desk lamp like proper, understandable operation, I also want it to prevent eye strain. Since I draw both during the day at work and in the evenings at home, I need a lamp that's easy to move around and one that takes up little space.

That's why I tried out more than 50 of the best-rated and most well-known lamps available in all price ranges. After testing them all, I picked out the top options that would suit the needs of almost any artist.

I have been using lamps for drawing for many years and I know what's important to consider. Below, I'll sum up what I've discovered.

After conducting thorough research, I'm certain that the top choice is the BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp. Its sleek design fits well anywhere, and it has many options for positioning and adjusting the light. Thus, you'll have the perfect brightness to see every detail in your drawings without straining your eyes during long drawing sessions.

If you're on a budget and need something easy to carry around, I suggest checking out the OttLite Clip-On LED Lamp. It's small and flexible, perfect for artists and hobbyists who like detailed work. Even though it's compact, it's surprisingly powerful.

I'm really impressed with how sturdy the lamp is. Besides, the light it gives off is very good. I typically have this lamp for artists at my desk, right in front of a couple of monitors on stands. It's super easy to adjust, offering top-quality pivot points on the arms and a ball adjustment on the light head.

The BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp lights up my entire desk with good light. In fact, now I can see minute details in my drawings that I hadn't noticed before.

In addition, I can not only control how bright the light is but also change its color temperature. There are even automatic modes for defining and setting the best lighting for a room, depending on whether you're reading or drawing. I believe it's an excellent drawing lamp and I like that I have it in my workspace. Plus, it's very easy on the eyes, preventing possible strain.

My life hack to reduce eye strain while working: I always use desk lamps with adjustable brightness and color temperature. This way, I can make my workspace warm and well-lit, so my eyes are comfortable.

The Honeywell Lamp will meet your needs if you are after something small and simple to put together. It's ideal for a small table, just like the one I have in my home office. The base is sturdy and weighty, and because it's compact, it fits nicely on my desk. Moreover, I appreciate how tall and long the light bar is.

The variety of colors and brightness levels is sufficient for illuminating my workspace. There are three different light temperature settings, but I usually keep it on the middle one to make sure my eyes stay comfortable while drawing.

I also think it is very helpful that the lamp has USB and USC ports. Thus, I can charge my cell phone and other gadgets. I mount iPads to a pegboard that gets power from the lamp's USB ports. One of them serves as a handy reference tool while I'm drawing. It's such a relief not to stress about battery levels, as everything is covered in this lamp.

This model is one of the best lamps for painting, especially for artists like me who are often deep into drafting. It's packed with fantastic features that can make your work so much easier.

I'm not a fan of working in glaringly bright offices. So, I appreciate that this lamp offers three types of light, different brightness levels, and the possibility to choose angles and positions.

The wireless charging base works without issues. What’s more, there are three different ports located under the front of the base. Using them, you can charge your smartphone via Lightning, USB-C, and micro-USB connections.

It can charge two smartphones simultaneously, along with my Apple Smartwatch. It's also equipped with a motion sensor light that activates when you're within ten feet of it. I also like that this drafting lamp features a digital clock display that not only shows the date but also indicates the current room temperature.

My life hack to reduce eye fatigue while working: I am always accurate with the position of my desk lamp. Thus, I can prevent glare and focus the light exactly where I want it on my drawing area. The trick is to find that perfect spot to avoid shadows or reflections.

This clip-on lamp has completely transformed my drawing setup. It boasts an adjustable four-section design, which means it takes several seconds to adjust it the way you want. Besides, it produced proper direct lighting, which is crucial for drawing tasks.

There are also 3 different light options, 4 color temperatures, and 5 brightness levels. I can confidently say that it provides unmatched customization to fit my preferences.

The "night eye" feature is another advantage of this table lamp for drawing. It casts lighting that doesn't strain my eyes when I work late at night. It seems that designers really went the extra mile to care about users’ eye health. I believe it can become a perfect variant for anyone who, like me, spends long hours at their desks.

The praiseworthy feature of this lamp is its versatility. It not only offers great lighting but also takes up little space due to its clip-on design. I often use it no matter whether I’m working, reading, or enjoying some screen time on my laptop.

I rely on The Lepro LED Desk Lamp both for drafting tasks and hobbies. It has a minimalist design, which is clean and simple. In fact, that is something I prefer. It fits neatly on my desk without occupying too much space. Moreover, it is possible to adjust angles to receive the best lighting.

Working under super bright office lights can be difficult. This light for workbench is a fantastic alternative. It gives me the perfect amount of light to draw without making the process uncomfortable for my eyes. I can also change brightness and use any of three different colors for different tasks and moods.

I really like how well-made and easy to use this lamp is. You don't need to put it together. Just plug it in and you are good to go. The touch buttons are great too. Tap them to change the brightness and color.

My life hack to reduce eye fatigue while working: I often take short breaks to rest them. Every 20 minutes, I do the 20-20-20 rule: I take a 20-second break to look at something far away, about 20 feet.

The Neatfi XL LED Task Lamp has significantly improved my drawing experience. I have to work in a sun-filled area, so selecting a lamp for such conditions is rather hard. However, this lamp has proven to be very efficient even in such a situation. It offers a well-designed light source and three adjustable settings that provide optimal illumination for my workspace.

The part that emits light is quite large. It consists of bright LEDs that provide steady and glare-free illumination. The lamp also boasts flexibility. Moreover, it doesn't heat up, even when used for a long time.

I installed this lamp for drawing on the desk without any problem though the surface wasn’t even. There is a sturdy clamp, so you can be sure it won’t fall. This is very important for me. I like the possibility of changing brightness and colors, but I wish designers used something different instead of a double-touch button.

I admire how functional my studio lighting kit has become with the Pzloz LED Desk Lamp. With its lengthy lightbar, it delivers sufficient illumination without going overboard. Besides, thanks to a flexible gooseneck I can place it conveniently behind my monitor whenever necessary, thus maintaining a clutter-free workspace.

For me, the most impressive factor is how the light spreads evenly across the entire room. Though the lamp has an elongated design, the individual LED bulbs remain indiscernible. Therefore, you’ll get even illumination. Moreover, the gooseneck is lightweight yet sturdy, maintaining the lamp's position firmly without any drooping.

The compact size of the desk mount is a definite advantage. Although the wireless remote is a helpful touch, if you lose it, you may face problems controlling your lamp. In general, the lamp provides perfectly lights my room. It can even serve as the main light source if needed.

My life hack to reduce eye fatigue while working: I always try to keep my eyes hydrated by blinking and fine-tuning the lighting to avoid glare. Also, I ensure my drawing area is well-lit.

The TORCHSTAR Metal Desk Lamp is my go-to lamp for drafting tasks. I like the attachment that keeps it firmly in place on my drafting table, so there will be no accidental movement while I’m working. Plus, it is possible to adjust light and I can direct it exactly where I want.

The lamp has a long-lasting design, which is an undeniable advantage. Even though it's rather small, I know that it is remarkably versatile. Whether I'm focusing on detailed drawings up close or need sufficient light from a distance, I can fully rely on this drafting lamp.

The lamp stands out with a solid, secure base and strong, flexible arms. Frankly speaking, it exceeded my drafting requirements, especially with its standard bulb instead of some fancy elements. The weighted base ensures it remains steady no matter what.

The OttLite Clip-On LED Lamp is one of the best lamps for drawing and drafting when working remotely. I clamp it to my easel and it delivers ideal lighting for my workspace. Since I've transitioned to working from home, it has become my indispensable lighting tool. I don’t have to use ceiling lights to get precise illumination.

Even though this lamp is cheap, it works really well. The clamp can be adjusted to different angles, which is perfect for my small home office where regular lights won't fit. At first, I wasn't sure about its size, but it actually lights up a large area really well.

One of the advantages is a strong light bulb. Besides, it is possible to change the settings quickly thanks to its flexible neck. The lamp is light and the clip is strong, so it's easy to put it on my table or easel. It's just what I need to light up the area where I work on my projects. The long cord makes it even easier to use.

My life hack to reduce eye fatigue while working: Anti-glare screens or filters on my devices work wonders for minimizing eye fatigue. They help cut down on glare and reflections that can tire out my eyes, especially when drawing for many hours in a row.

Finding the perfect desk lamp might sound easy. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when picking the right model for you.

Controls for brightness and color temperature. When picking a lamp, make sure it allows changing brightness and color. Warm or neutral colors are best when you need to concentrate, e.g., when drawing. By tweaking the brightness, you can create the perfect mood for your workspace.

• For detailed tasks like drawing, I suggest sticking with warm white light between 2700K and 3500K. This kind of light gives off a cozy vibe, like the glow from old-school incandescent bulbs. It's easier on the eyes during long work stints, so your eyes won’t get tired.
• You can also go for neutral white light for drawing between 3500K and 4500K. This is balanced, natural-looking light that helps you stay focused. It is also sharp but without feeling too harsh, unlike cooler temperatures.
• I suggest avoiding desk lamps for drawing that have cool white or daylight color temperatures above 5000K. Those colder, bluish tones can be a bit too much, making the work area feel uncomfortable.

Adjustable system. Look for a lamp with a flexible and adjustable arm or gooseneck. That way, you can point the light exactly to where you need it on your drawing surface.

Eye-friendly features. Opt for a lamp with flicker-free lighting. It can help ease eye strain and fatigue if you work for a long.

Memory function. A lamp will remember your preferred settings, so you can instantly get back to work with the same lighting setup. This is super convenient.

USB charging port. There are models with integrated USB ports. It means you can draw something while your gadgets are charging.

Energy efficiency. LED desk lamps use less energy, are budget-friendly, and generate less heat than halogen or incandescent lamps. This makes them a smart option for drawing because they're practical and won't make you uncomfortable with excess warmth.

Beam spread and light intensity. Consider how wide the light shines and how bright it is. A lamp that spreads light evenly and has a power output between 200 and 500 lumens can give you enough light for drawing without being too intense.

My life hack to reduce eye fatigue while working: Make sure you have good posture and set up your workspace in an ergonomic manner. I've adjusted my desk, chair, and drawing supplies to make sure I have a comfortable workspace.