With so many of us taking up crafting, from crochet to embroidery, there’s a growing demand for good lighting so we can see what we’re doing!
A craft light differs from regular lighting, as it should replicate daylight with a colour temperature of around 5500K. A good lamp can reduce eye strain and brighten your mood, so it's a good idea to get one if you do a lot of crafting.
We’ve tested a selection of the best craft lamps to suit all budgets and craft workspaces – whether you have a dedicated craft room or you prefer to sit on the sofa in your evenings. You’ll find floor standing lamps, portable clasp lamps and freestanding desk lamps below.
Best craft lights at a glance
- Best desk lamp | BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp
- Best floor lamp | Serious Readers High Definition Floor Light
How we tested
We tested multiple craft lights based on five main criteria: brightness, functionality, design, portability, and value for money. Using a light meter app, we measured the lux output from 50cm away and compared it to EU standards for indoor work lighting. We evaluated different lighting modes in various crafting scenarios, adjusting angles and positions to assess performance.
We also examined the design for aesthetic appeal and ergonomic functionality, considering each light's portability and ease of transport. Finally, we assessed value for money by comparing features and performance against the price to determine affordability.
Best craft lights
BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp
Best desk lamp
Key features
- Lux output: 300-1600
- Colour temperature options: 13
- Brightness levels: 23
- Dimensions (cm): 59 x 22 x 62.5
- Weight (kg): 4.8
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
- RRP: £199 | $229
I recently tried out the BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp, and it's been a game-changer for my crafting setup. The lamp’s unique curved head and wide light dispersion of up to 110cm make it stand out from typical desk lamps.
The brightness levels are impressive, and the built-in ambient light sensor is a fantastic feature that adjusts the light based on the surrounding environment. Whether I’m reading a book or working on a screen, the lamp provides optimal lighting with a comfortable 500 lux for screens and a bright 1000 lux for paper mode.
Functionality-wise, this lamp is top-notch. I love the touch control on the metal ring for easy on/off and brightness adjustments, along with the knob for customising brightness and colour temperature. With 23 brightness levels and 13 colour temperatures, the lighting experience is highly personalized.
The lamp's design is sleek and modern, available in silver, gold, or blue, and the patented ball-joint makes adjusting angles effortless. While the lamp is quite sturdy with its heavy base, making it less portable, the optional Desk Clamp adds flexibility for repositioning.
Overall, considering its features, build quality, and LED lifespan, the BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp offers excellent value for money.
Read our full review of the BenQ e-Reading Desk Lamp for more details.
Pros: Huge range of lighting options | Sensor detects ideal lighting conditions | Modern design
Cons: Not as portable as some
Serious Readers High Definition Floor Light
Best floor lamp
Key features
- Lux output: 3,600 - 7,200
- Colour temperature options: Daylight only
- Dimensions (cm): 144 x 20
- Weight (kg): 3kg
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 5 years
- RRP: £399.99
I recently got my hands on the Serious Readers High Definition Floor Light, and it’s been an impressive addition to my space.
This lamp mimics daylight perfectly, making detailed work and reading much easier without causing eyestrain. The intuitive controls on the light head make it easy to dim the brightness and adjust the beam.
Despite its solid build, the lamp is lightweight at just under 3kg and stands at 144cm with a 20cm base diameter, making it easy to move around and fit under furniture.
Design-wise, the black model with a brass finish looks sleek and modern. The build quality is exceptional, with a sturdy flexible arm and precision swivel joint for precise light positioning.
Though it lacks adjustable colour temperature, its consistent daylight simulation is excellent for my needs. At £399.99, it’s not the cheapest option, but its durability, functionality, and five-year warranty make it a worthwhile investment.
Read our full review of the Serious Readers High Definition Floor Light for more details.
Pros: Exceptionally bright light | Dimmable and adjustable beam | Stylish, modern aesthetic | Lightweight and portable
Cons: Temperature of light not adjustable
- Buy now from Amazon (£399.99)
Best of the rest
We haven't tested these lamps, but after extensive research we think they'd be a good choice!
1. Daylight Slimline 3 Table Lamp
Key features
- Lux output: 3,000 (at 30cm)
- Colour temperature options: Daylight only
- Dimensions (cm): 65 x 76 x 2
- Weight (kg): 0.9
- Adjustable angles: Flexible joints
- Warranty: 2 years
- RRP: £149.99 | $244.99
Made from beautiful brushed chrome, Daylight Company’s powerful Slimline LED Table Lamp features an easy-to-use clamp system and two unique flex points, so you can manipulate the light to shine exactly where you need it, because, let’s face it, the tiny bulbs on our sewing machines are never enough!
The long arm reach gives wide, even light coverage, which is ideal for large work surfaces (yep, you can cut sewing patterns to your heart’s content, day or night) and the clever light source helps to reduce eye strain and glare too – genius! This is definitely a good daylight lamp for sewing!
Pros: Long arm provides large breadth of light | Clamp system saves space | 4 high quality brightness settings
Cons: Can't adjust colour temperature
2. Purelight 4-in-1 Crafters Magnifying Lamp
Key features
- Lux output: Not specified
- Colour temperature options: 6500K (Daylight)
- Dimensions (cm): 155 x 50
- Weight (kg): 3.48
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- RRP: £79.99 | $160
Great for if you want versatile lighting to fit a variety of craft situations, this nifty little lamp can be used as a floor lamp, desk lamp or table lamp– clever eh? It offers instant brightness with little heat, making it great if you're planning to settle down for a lengthy craft session.
We like it for knitting, sewing and embroidery but you could use it for any detailed craft work or as a reading lamp too. Along with the light, it also comes with a 6-inch glass lens which acts to magnify your work – making it a handy contender to consider if you struggling to thread a needle or you're working on a high count cross stitch fabric – in fact it even has a chart holder and accessories tray.
Pros: Can be used with mains or battery | Handy features like accessories tray, clamp, magnifying glass | Dimmable brightness
Cons: Not as aesthetically pleasing as some | Can't adjust colour temperature
3. Skyleo LED Desk Lamp with Clamp
Key features
- Lux output: 1100
- Colour temperature options: 3200K-6500K
- Dimensions (cm): 40 x 5 x 70
- Weight (kg): 0.7
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- RRP: £29.99 | $22.99
If you're looking for a trusty lamp but have limited budget to spend, this could be the one for you. This handy desk lamp with clamp offers you 3 light modes – white light 6000K, daylight 4500K or warm light 3000K, with 10 levels of brightness to choose between.
It has a strong aluminium clamp which can be attached to table tops of up to 2.1 inches and it rotates easily so you can get the position and angle you need.
To protect your eyes it is non-flickering, anti glare and with no ultraviolet rays. It's energy saving and uses 75% less power than traditional incandescent lights, while its hidden cabling lets you have a completely free desk surface.
Pros: Very affordable | Multiple colour options | Clasp for desk space saving | Dimmable brightness
Cons: Reviews suggest it doesn't live up to the 1100 lux output claims
4. Daylight Company Lumi Task Lamp
Key features
- Lux output: 3,800 (at 30cm)
- Colour temperature options: Daylight
- Dimensions (cm): 58.5 x 51 x 70
- Weight (kg): 2
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
- RRP: £129.99 | $259.99
Enhance your crafting experience, day or night, with this nifty lamp from Daylight Company. LUMI is ideal to use on any desk, workspace or cutting table, with an easily adjustable shade to help you spread light into any desired position, and an adaptable dimmer with two settings to control the amount of light.
The natural daylight glow will show your fabrics, threads and yarns at their best, enabling perfect colour matching and easy piecing... what more could a maker want?! It's one of the best daylight craft lamps for sewing and quilting.
Pros: Large bar provides plenty of light | Clamp allows for more desk space | Plenty of adjustability
Cons: Only two brightness settings
- Buy now in the US from Amazon ($171.34)
5. John Lewis & Partners Oliver LED Floor Lamp
Key features
- Lux output: Not specified (345 lumens)
- Colour temperature options: 3500K
- Dimensions (cm): 149 x 23 x 53cm
- Weight (kg): 3.3
- Adjustable angles: No
- Warranty: 5 years
- RRP: £80
This one's for everyone out there looking for a stylish floor lamp that will brighten up their room visually as well as literally. It has a sleek, modern and minimalist style and features a non-replaceable integrated LED light, using about 85% less energy than traditional bulbs.
It offers a bright light, while the adjustable head can be directed wherever you need it. While the light can't be replaced, it does promise 20,000 hours of light with a 5W bulb that gives a light of 345 Lumens.
Pros: Stylish, aesthetically pleasing design | Affordable | Easy to move around
Cons: Only one brightness setting/colour temperature | No adjustable angles
6. Kenley Natural Floor Daylight Lamp
Key features
- Lux output:
- Colour temperature options: 6400K
- Dimensions (cm): 135 x 25x 27
- Weight (kg): 4.85
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
- RRP: £59.99 | $64.89
We especially like the introductory promise of this lamp – it offers you a light "like noon sunshine" – sounds good right? It gives the effect of full daylight at any time of night or on a dull day, with a colour temperature of 6400K. The energy saving bulb included lasts for up to 8,000 hours and uses just 27W of electricity.
It's lightweight and portable, measuring 63in (160cm) tall with an adjustable swivel neck. Another nice touch – it comes with a 69in (175cm) cable so has a pretty long reach if you're crafting a bit away from your nearest plug socket.
Pros: Comes with a long cable | Close to daylight | Affordable
Cons: No brightness or temperature adjustability | Not very stylish
- Buy now in the US from Amazon ($64.89)
7. Dyson Solar Cycle Morph Task Light
Key features
- Lux output: 1,546
- Colour temperature options: 2700-6500 K
- Dimensions (cm): 52.3 x 41.4 x 20
- Weight (kg): 3.5
- Adjustable angles: Yes
- Warranty: 5 years
- RRP: £499.99 | $649.99
Okay, so this one will set you back (it's the most expensive lamp in this article), but it is pretty swanky so worth considering if you have a bigger budget and really do struggle in the dark winter months. It promises light quality that will last for 60 years so it is a once-in-a lifetime purchase and you can pay for it in monthly instalments if the initial outlay is out of your reach.
But let's talk details – what do you get for your money. Well basically the best of product engineering that you would expect from Dyson. It includes nifty Heat Pipe technology will keeps its 6 high-power LEDs cool enough to protect the light it offers for 6 decades.
It's a powerful beast (over 1000 lux) with glare protection and low optical flicker. It has been designed with a 3 Axis Glide motion that means you can easily adjust this powerful light precisely where you need it: vertically, horizontally or through 360° and it has a slide touch dimmer so you can set the light level that's right for you.
Pros: Highly reputable brand | Adjustable brightness and temperature | Adjustable angles | 5 year warranty
Cons: Expensive
- Check availability from Dyson (£400.00 or £33 a month for 1 year)
Why trust Gathered
Gathered is proud to be the home of some of the UK's leading craft brands, including Simply Sewing, Today's Quilter, and The World of Cross Stitching. Our editorial teams are deeply ingrained in the craft community, offering expert advice with decades of craft publishing experience.
The team at Gathered draw upon our expert resources to curate the best and most up-to-date products, ensuring you get the most reliable information to fuel your creativity.
What are the benefits of buying a craft lamp?
There are lots of benefits to buying a craft light. As we’ve mentioned, preventing eye strain is one of the biggest benefits.
Did you know when you’re sewing you generally need five times the amount of light that you normally find in your home? If you’re using a brighter lamp, you’ll be able to sew or quilt with greater precision, so the finished craft project will look much more professional.
Using a good craft light means that you can have longer craft sessions, because your eyes won’t tire as quickly. They are also invaluable on rainy days when there is less natural light – and for long dark evenings in the winter. If you have poor eyesight, you may also find a craft lamp useful for reading, doing jigsaws and for other hobbies too.
Craft lamps are also extremely useful for artists, who need consistent light when they’re producing their artwork. For example, you’ll be able to judge whether you’ve mixed your colours correctly and how they will look in natural light.
What to look for when choosing a desk lamp for crafting
There are lots of brilliant lights out there, but we’d recommend choosing one specifically designed for arts and crafts for best results.
Here are some things you should consider when choosing your craft lamp:
CRI (colour rendering index)
When you're choosing a light for your artwork or crafting, it's important to look at the lamp's CRI. The higher the number, the closer the light will be to actual daylight. This will help you to check how your colours will appear in natural light.
Light quality
- Dimmability: can you alter the brightness of the lamp when you need to? This is a handy feature to have, as it allows you to adjust the settings of your lamp throughout the day.
- Brightness: the brightness of a light is measured in Lumens and this can help you to understand how powerful your lamp is.
- Temperature: some craft lights allow you to change the temperature of your lamp. If you’re crafting in the evening, you may wish to use a warm light as blue light is believed to disrupt your sleep cycle. If choosing accurate colours is important to you, then it’s best to stick to the daylight setting.
Flexibility
Can you adjust the height or angle of the lamp to suit your needs? Or would you be happy with a fixed lamp?
Desk attachment
Some craft lamps can be clamped onto your desk, allowing you to position it securely wherever you need your light source to be. It also takes up less room on the table top, so you have more space for crafting! This feature is often available for overhead desk lamps.
Cable length
This might sound obvious, but it’s worth checking the length of the cable and whether it is long enough for your craft or art space.
Style
If you’re going to invest in a craft lamp, you want it to look good! Luckily there are lots of elegant craft lamps available on the market to choose from.
Craft in comfort with the best daylight craft lamps
Getting your lighting right makes a huge difference to how comfortable you are when crafting. Not only will it help you to see those tiny details, but will also help reduce eye strain – meaning you can craft for longer.
Get your craft stash organised
AS well as getting your lighting right, organising your supplies so you can easily find what you need will make your crafting time a lot more enjoyable. Check out the best craft room storage solutions with Gathered.
