Best side table lamp

Side table lamps light your living room or bedroom with a soft glow, providing a cozy feeling for reading or relaxing.

side table lamp
(Image credit: Amazon)

Overhead lighting can be harsh, which is why side table lamps are so popular. They help set the mood in any room and bring a warmth that stark lighting above you cannot. Whatever your décor style, there is a side table lamp that will fit into or accent your room. We’ve collected our favorite options, so read on to check them out.

Staff pick

side table lamp

(Image credit: Amazon)

YARRA-DECOR bedside lamp with USB port

Wood base with USB charging

Power devices when the lamp is on or off.

Pros:

  • Provides an extra USB port 
  • Bulb included 
  • Three dimming modes

Cons:

  • Finicky touch control
  • Too dim for daylight use
  • Shade only anchored by bulb

Instead of looking for a light switch in the dark or struggling with a power cord, this lamp can be turned on with just a touch. It offers three different light levels and even comes with a bulb, so you don’t need to run out and buy one. There are two USB ports on the base, allowing you to charge devices and streamline cable locations on your desk.

Shine on

side table lamp

(Image credit: Amazon)

Simple Designs chrome table lamp

Shiny chrome finish on base

Choose a shade color to accent your room.

Pros:

  • Reflective base adds more light
  • Multiple colors to choose from
  • Takes up very little space

Cons:

  • Shade is quite delicate
  • Smaller than expected
  • Doesn't utilize standard bulbs

If you need to light a small space, like a nightstand or crowded desk, this should be your go-to option. The lamp's small format lets it fit almost anywhere, and it provides enough light to read by or create ambiance in a room. You’ll also be able to match it to your existing décor since the shade is available in over ten colors. 

Modern and cozy

side table lamp

(Image credit: Amazon)

Aooshine table lamp

Adds warmth to any room

The power toggle is built into the cord.

Pros:

  • Tall lampshade 
  • Warm illumination is ideal for bedrooms and living rooms
  • Cute and affordable

Cons:

  • Need to use cord control to turn on and off
  • Odor when first unpacking
  • Bulb not included

This modern-meets-cozy-comfort lamp has a square black base under a beige-colored linen shade. Place an E26 bulb of your choosing (up to 60 watts) in the socket to add warm hues through the linen shade to your room. The shade itself has textured elements that appear when lit, and the overall height of the lamp is 13.2 inches.

Cozy colorful lighting

Small, cylinder-shaped touch-lamp bedside table lamp.

(Image credit: Amazon)

UNIFUN night light

Portable, rechargeable, dimmable

This sleek and modern bedside table lamp features a dimmable function and long-lasting battery life, making it the perfect addition to any bedroom.

Pros:

  • Several color modes and brightness levels
  • Affordable and compact
  • Has a handle to make it portable

Cons:

  • Need to cycle through lighting modes when you first turn it on
  • USB power cable not included
  • Only candlelight strength

This lamp has a sleek, modern design that will complement any decor and the fact that it is rechargeable means that you don't have to worry about constantly replacing batteries.

One of the standout features of this lamp is its dimmable function. With just a touch of a button, you can adjust the brightness to suit your needs, whether you're reading a book, working on a project, or just need a soft glow to relax. It's compact, lightweight, and has a handle, making it easy to carry around with you from room to room or while camping if you desire.

Charge up

side table lamp

(Image credit: Amazon)

MAXvolador touch-control table lamps

Best for multiple mobile device users

The ultimate option for centralizing your charging devices.

Pros:

  • Two USB outlets and two power outlets on each lamp
  • Modern look
  • Bright but dimmable

Cons:

  • Instructions may not be helpful
  • Variable touch sensitivity
  • Sometimes turn on randomly

Struggling to find a spot to plug in another mobile device? These lamps have two USB outlets in the front and two AC outlets on the top of the base near the back. Each lamp comes with a 2700K LED bulb and can be adjusted for low, medium, or high light with a few taps on the base. 

Slim profile

side table lamp

(Image credit: Amazon)

Hifree touch Lamp, 3-way dimmable nightstand light

Choose your light color

Supports RGB options and different light temperatures.

Pros:

  • Small enough to fit anywhere 
  • Color options help you personalize a room
  • Built-it USB and electric outlets

Cons:

  • Need to cycle through different modes to get the one you want
  • Turns on by itself sometimes
  • Touch sensitivity varies between products

Change the illumination mode with a variety of touch-control patterns on the base of this lamp. You'll be able to choose from three lighting temperatures, as well as RGB colors, helping to set the mood in a room. Whether you need a lamp to read by or one to offset the glow of a TV, this lamp offers the most customizations in our collection with just a few taps.

Adding more light

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Our favorite side table lamps offer a variety of features, so choosing one can be difficult. However, our favorite option is the YARRA-DECOR bedside lamp with USB port. This option lets you set the mood, add accent lighting, or use it as a nightlight. It has a minimal profile and looks like a classic lamp, but also has a USB port and an outlet in the base.

If you want something that looks more like a standard lamp, consider the Simple Designs chrome table lamp. When it comes to illuminating a compact area such as a cluttered work desk or a nightstand, this lamp is an excellent choice as its petite size enables it to fit into virtually any nook or cranny while still offering ample illumination for reading or setting the mood; furthermore, you can customize it to complement your current interior design scheme with a selection of over ten different colored shades.

Why trust us?

 At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible. 

Freelance Writer

Nicole Cozma is a freelance writer for Future. She's known for being inquisitive and finding the tiny details that may otherwise go unnoticed. When she's not writing about products, she can be found playing Blizzard game titles, doing copy editing work, cooking, or expanding her photography skills. 

With contributions from