'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best book lights for bookworms
You can't always pick up your favorite book during the day -- sometimes, you must do your reading at night.
ZDNET Recommends
Book lights (also known as reading lights) are handy for shining a soft light on your pages in the dark, especially if you like to read in bed but don't want to disturb your sleeping partner by keeping a room lamp on for hours. And they're affordable, making them the perfect holiday gift for avid readers.
We've rounded up the best book lights that aren't bulky, are portable, and have a warm glow.
Also: The best e-readers aren't all Kindle
- Different color temperature options
- Adjustable arms
- Long battery life
- Very bright even on the lowest setting
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light specs: Features: 7 color options | 3 color temperatures | 6 brightness levels
The Glucusent LED Neck Reading Light is our best overall pick due to its adjustable ergonomic and hands-free design, along with its low price point. It also happens to be the #1 best-selling product in the "book lights" category on Amazon.
This reading light comes in three different colors (gray, blue, and pink), three color temperatures (yellow, warm white, and cool white), and six brightness levels. Its narrow beam angle design allows it to shine bright on the book you're reading while being dim enough to not disturb your partner in bed. In addition, it can work up to 80 hours on one charge and gives off 40 lumens of light.
- Amber glow doesn't block melatonin production
- Blocks blue light
- Four different color options
- Clip is slightly too large
Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light specs: Features: 4 color options | 3 brightness levels | 2.15 ounces
The Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light gives off a soft, amber glow that blocks 99.95% of the blue light spectrum so that your melatonin production is not interrupted when you use a light to read.
Also: The best Kindles
It comes in black, blue, red, and white with a 360-degree gooseneck design. Its three different brightness levels give off a maximum of 60 lumens while still ensuring the light's color temperature does not affect your eyes at night.
- Durable clip
- Easy charging
- Not a long battery life
Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp specs: Features: 4 brightness levels | Up to 23 lumens | Up to 4 hours of battery
If you use an older e-reader that does not have a backlight built-in, you'll need a reading light for nighttime reading. You can clip it to the back of your e-reader or a regular hardcover book.
Also: The best tablets for reading
This reading light has four different brightness levels, the highest one being 23 lumens. It can last four hours on a full charge, and its charging port is built right in, so there's no need for a cord to charge your reading light.
- Plenty of fun displays
- Doubles in use as a bookmark
- Cannot adjust brightness
- Light could be a warmer shade
Flexilight Reading Light specs: Features: 27 color options | 8 lumens | .8 ounces
This reading light also doubles as a placeholder for where you left off in your book. With 27 colors and designs to choose from, it's a stylish bookmark/book light option. There are even styles geared towards kids.
It's lightweight and thin enough to use as a bookmark, so you can always have it with you and your book of choice. It gives off 8 lumens of light; however, there is only one brightness level, so it cannot be adjusted. Also, keep in mind you'll have to replace the batteries down the line since it is battery-powered.
- Super portable design
- Charge it anywhere
- Click can be loud
- Only two brightness levels
Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light specs: Features: 6 color options | 20 lumens | 2 brightness levels
If you're just looking for a simple, portable reading light, the Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light is a great option. With six different colors (blue, green, black, pink, white, and yellow), it gives off 20 lumens with 3000k of warm light temperature. Unfortunately, however, there are only two brightness levels.
Its 360-degree flexible holder lets you focus the light exactly where you want it. This light also comes with a built-in USB charger like the Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp for easy charging anywhere.
What is the best book light?
The Glucusent LED Neck Reading Light is our top pick for the best book light because of its ergonomic design and six different brightness levels. However, if you're looking to shine a light on your e-reader, the Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp is a great pick. And, if you're concerned about bright light interrupting your sleep cycle, the Vekki Amber Rechargeable Book Light's soft amber glow will be best for you.
We've narrowed down other factors like price, lumens, and brightness levels below so you can choose the reading light that's best for you.
Book Light | Price | Lumens | Number of brightness levels |
Glucuscent LED Neck Reading Light | $22 | 40 lumens | 6 |
Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light | $14 | 60 lumens max | 3 |
Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp | $15 | 23 lumens max | 4 |
Flexilight Reading Light | $10 | 8 lumens | 0 |
Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light | $10 | 20 lumens | 2 |
Which book light is right for you?
While any of these book lights are great options, it ultimately comes down to how bright of a light you want, what size you prefer, and what price you're willing to spend.
Choose this book light... | If you want... |
Glucusent LED Neck Reading Light | The best overall option light for books. It has an adjustable and ergonomic design and it lasts up to 80 hours on a single charge. |
Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light | A soft, amber light to read at night. Avoid blue light that could contribute to wakefulness at night -- while also reading your favorite books. |
Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp | A book light for your e-reader. You can clip this light to the back of your e-reader or a regular hardcover novel. |
Flexilight Reading Light | A book light that can also double as a bookmark. This flexible reading light is lightweight and thin, with only one brightness level. |
Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light | A compact book light. This reading light is simple and portable, with a 360-degree flexible holder. |
How did we choose these book lights?
We selected these book lights and reading lights based on the number of positive reviews on each product and reading customers' experiences with the products. We also looked at the price and selected book lights and reading lights that are different enough to give you plenty of options.
How do book lights work?
Book lights allow you to read in the dark. Many models come with a clip you slide onto your book.
From there, you use the bendable arm to pool the light over the reading surface at an angle that works for you.
What is the difference between a book light and a reading light?
In this guide, we chose both book lights and reading lights. The names are used interchangeably, for a device that's meant to illuminate a small area so that you can get a better, closer look.
While a book light tends to be a type of light specifically used for reading a book or novel, a reading light can be used for not only reading but also writing, sketching, working on a computer, or crafting. But, again, both lights are considered the same thing.
What batteries do book lights use?
It's common for book lights to draw their power from Lithium or AAA batteries. If your book light contains rechargeable batteries, you'll have 6 to 10 hours of use between charges.
Are there alternative book lights to consider?
We chose a variety of book lights based on pricing, functionality, and more. If these options don't work, here are a few more reading lights to consider:
ALTERNATIVE
Energizer Clip on Book Light - Under $10
This compact book light has a 25-hour run time on a single charge.
ALTERNATIVE
Vekkia Book Light - Rechargeable
This 180-degree foldable book light weighs only 2.33 ounces. The light lasts 80 hours in the lowest setting and 8 hours in the strongest setting.
ALTERNATIVE
GearLight Rechargeable Book Light - Two-Pack
This light has three brightness settings and one charge lasts more than 30 hours.