Corded vs Cordless Table Lamps

The short answer

Choose a corded table lamp for reading, working and any spot where you want bright, reliable light every evening, because it takes a standard bulb and never runs out. Choose a cordless rechargeable lamp for places with no outlet nearby, like a dining table, a bookshelf, an entry console or a balcony table, where you want soft mood light more than task light. Most small homes are best served by corded lamps for the main jobs and one or two cordless lamps for atmosphere.

Side by side

	Corded table lamps	Cordless table lamps
Power	Wall outlet; cord often about 6 feet (1.8 m)	Built-in rechargeable battery, often charged by USB
Brightness	Takes a standard bulb; 800 lumens (a 60-watt equivalent LED) is common, more if the lamp allows	Built-in LED, often a few hundred lumens at most
Run time	Unlimited	Often several hours on high and longer on low, then a recharge
Bulbs	Replaceable; choose color and brightness	Usually built in, not replaceable
Color	Any bulb; 2700K is a warm, cozy white	Often warm 2700 to 3000K, sometimes adjustable
Typical height	18 to 30 inches (46 to 76 cm)	Often 8 to 14 inches (20 to 36 cm)
Placement	Within reach of an outlet	Anywhere, including outdoors if rated for it
Lifespan	Many years; just change the bulb	Battery wears out over a few years
Cost level	Low to high	Mid for the size

When a corded lamp is the better buy

A corded lamp does the real lighting work in a home. Because it takes an ordinary bulb, you choose how bright and how warm the light is, and you can switch to a brighter bulb later as long as you stay within the lamp’s maximum wattage. For reading in bed or on the sofa, about 800 lumens aimed at the page is a comfortable starting point.

Corded lamps also come in every size and style, from small bedside lamps to tall living-room lamps with wide shades. Our guide to table lamps covers sizing and shade shapes, and our guide to modern neutral table lamps covers simple styles that suit most rooms. For LED designs, see our guide to LED table lamps.

Size the lamp to its table. A common rule is that the bottom of the shade sits around eye level when you’re seated, which usually means a lamp of roughly 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm) on an end table beside a sofa.

The cord is the only real downside. Run it along the wall or behind furniture, not across a walkway where someone can trip. Never run a lamp cord under a rug, where it can be damaged and overheat. Keep corded lamps away from sinks, bathtubs and anywhere water splashes.

When a cordless lamp is the better buy

A cordless lamp goes where outlets don’t. The middle of a dining table, a bookshelf, a windowsill, a hallway console or a balcony table can all get a warm pool of light without an extension cord.

Treat it as mood light, not task light. Most cordless lamps are much dimmer than a corded lamp with a standard bulb, and they usually run longest on their lowest setting. Check the run time at the brightness you’ll actually use, not just the maximum.

Charging is part of owning one. Most charge by USB in a few hours, so pick a spot near a charger to dock it during the day. Use the cable that came with it or a reputable charger, charge it on a hard surface rather than a bed or sofa, and follow the maker’s advice about leaving it plugged in.

If you want one outside, check that it’s rated for outdoor use; a rating such as IP44 means it can handle splashes, though most still shouldn’t stay out in heavy rain.

In a small space

Plan light in layers. Overhead light covers the room, lamps light the places you sit, and small accent lamps add warmth. If your overhead light is weak or harsh, start there; our guides to modern LED chandeliers and glass ball chandeliers are a good place to start. In a rental, ask your landlord before swapping a fixture, and have a hardwired light installed by a qualified electrician.

In a small apartment, outlets are often in the wrong place. A cordless lamp solves the dining table and the bookshelf without cords running across the floor. A corded lamp with a slim base on a nightstand frees up space for a phone and a glass of water.

Warm light makes a small room feel calmer at night. Bulbs around 2700K, used at lamp height rather than all from the ceiling, do more for a cozy feel than any shade. Our guide to making your home feel cozy covers how to layer them.

Care and lifespan

Corded: dust the shade with a soft brush or lint roller, unplug before changing bulbs, and replace any lamp with a cracked, frayed or hot cord rather than taping it. A well-made corded lamp lasts for many years, since only the bulb wears out.

Cordless: charge it regularly rather than letting it sit flat for months, since rechargeable batteries age faster when stored empty. Expect the run time to shorten over a few years as the battery ages. In most cordless lamps the battery isn’t replaceable, so that’s usually the end of the lamp’s life, and it should go to battery or electronics recycling rather than the trash.