I read in bed almost every night. So does my wife, but she falls asleep faster than I do. Finding a book light that let me keep reading without waking her up took some trial and error. Along the way I learned more than I expected about color temperature, brightness levels, and why the position of your light matters as much as the light itself.
This guide covers everything I’ve figured out about LED book lights: how to choose one, how to use it properly, and which brands are worth your money.
Quick Navigation
- How to Use a Book Light Correctly
- Choosing the Right Light for Your Eyes
- Reading in Bed Without Disturbing Your Partner
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Best LED Book Light Brands
- FAQ
How to Use a Book Reading Light Correctly
A book light seems simple enough. Clip it on, turn it on, read. But where you position it affects how comfortable your eyes feel after an hour of reading.
Position the Light Above the Page
Research from the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that direct light from above eliminates shadows and improves reading speed and accuracy. Indirect light from the side or below casts shadows across the text, making your eyes work harder.
The goal is to light the page evenly without creating glare. If you can see a reflection of the light source on the page, adjust the angle until it disappears.
Keep the Light on Your Dominant Side
If you’re right-handed, position the light on your right side. This prevents your hand from casting shadows across the page when you turn pages. Left-handers should do the opposite.
Adjust as You Read
A light with a flexible gooseneck or adjustable arm lets you reposition as needed. This matters more than you might think. As you shift positions or move through a book, the optimal light angle changes. A rigid light that worked perfectly on page one might cast shadows by page fifty.
Choosing the Right LED Light for Your Eyes
Not all LED lights are the same. The two numbers that matter most are color temperature (measured in Kelvin) and brightness (measured in lumens).
Color Temperature: Warm vs Cool Light
Color temperature determines whether your light looks yellow-orange (warm) or blue-white (cool). The scale runs from about 2000K to 6500K.
For daytime reading: Neutral to cool white (4000K-5000K) mimics natural daylight. Studies published in Lighting Research & Technology found that cooler light temperatures improve alertness and cognitive performance. If you’re studying or need to stay focused, cooler light helps.
For nighttime reading: Warm white (2700K-3000K) is easier on your eyes before bed. Research in Sleep Medicine found that exposure to blue light before sleep disrupts melatonin production. Warmer light with less blue content helps you wind down and fall asleep faster after you put the book down.
For reading in bed before sleep: Amber light (around 1800K) is the gentlest option. Some book lights offer an amber mode specifically designed for nighttime reading. At this temperature, the light contains almost no blue wavelengths.
The sweet spot for most readers is somewhere between 2700K and 4000K, depending on the time of day and personal preference. Many LED book lights now offer adjustable color temperature so you can switch between warm and cool modes.
Brightness: How Many Lumens Do You Need?
Lumens measure how much light a source produces. More lumens means brighter light, but brighter isn’t always better for reading.
Book lights (clip-on): 25-50 lumens is typically enough when the light is positioned close to the page. Most clip-on book lights fall in this range.
Neck reading lights: Around 60 lumens works well since the light sits further from the page.
Bedside lamps: 450-900 lumens provides enough light for comfortable reading without being harsh.
For children: Around 15 lumens is preferable. Kids’ eyes are still developing, and intense light can cause discomfort.
One thing to consider: your lighting needs increase with age. Research suggests roughly a 1% increase in lighting requirements per year after age 10. A 60-year-old might need significantly more light than a 20-year-old to read comfortably. If you find yourself squinting, you probably need a brighter light or better positioning.
Reading in Bed Without Disturbing Your Partner
This is where I spent most of my trial and error. My wife is a light sleeper. A badly aimed book light meant we were both awake.
Use a Focused Beam
The key is a light that illuminates your book without lighting up the whole room. Look for lights specifically designed with a focused or directional beam. The light should hit the pages and stop there, not bleed onto the ceiling or across the bed.
Consider a Neck Light
Neck reading lights wrap around your neck and shine downward onto the book. Both LEDs point toward you, away from your partner. This design works better for not disturbing a sleeping spouse than a clip-on light, which can throw light sideways.
Neck lights are also hands-free. No clipping, no adjusting every time you turn the page, no worrying about the light flopping over when you shift positions.
Choose Warm or Amber Light
Warm light (2700K-3000K) or amber light (1800K) is less likely to disturb sleep than cool white light. Even if some light reaches your partner, warmer tones are less jarring than blue-white light.
Position Yourself Strategically
If your partner sleeps on your left, position the light on your right and angle your body slightly away from them. This puts your body between the light source and your partner.
The Backup Plan
A sleep mask for your partner solves the problem entirely. They’re cheap, and some people find they sleep better with one anyway. Audiobooks with headphones are another option if you’ve given up on physical books at bedtime.
Troubleshooting Common Book Light Issues
The Light Keeps Falling Off
Clip-on lights work better with hardcovers than paperbacks. If you mostly read paperbacks, look for a light with a wider clip or consider a neck light instead. Some clips are designed specifically for thin paperback covers.
My Eyes Feel Strained
Check the color temperature first. If you’re reading at night with a cool white (5000K+) light, switch to something warmer. Also check brightness, since too much light causes as many problems as too little. A dimmer function lets you dial in the right level.
The Battery Dies Too Fast
Rechargeable lights with USB-C charging are more convenient than battery-powered options. Look for lights with at least 20-30 hours of battery life on a single charge. Keep the charging cable on your nightstand and make it part of your routine.
The Light Is Too Bright on the Lowest Setting
Some book lights have poorly calibrated dimming. The “low” setting is still too bright for comfortable nighttime reading. Look for lights that specifically mention an amber or night mode, which typically runs around 20 lumens or less.
Best LED Book Light Brands
After testing various book lights and reading countless reviews, these are the brands that consistently deliver quality products.
Brightech
Brightech is a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in lighting products. They offer a three-year warranty on everything, which tells you something about their confidence in build quality.
What they do well:
- Adjustable brightness settings across multiple levels
- Rechargeable batteries on most models
- Lightweight, portable designs
- The Litespan LED floor lamp is excellent for dedicated reading chairs
Price range: $20-$30 for book lights, more for floor lamps
Best for: Readers who want a reliable brand with good warranty support
Energizer
You know Energizer from batteries, but they also make solid book lights. Their products tend to be straightforward and reliable rather than feature-packed.
What they do well:
- Long battery life (no surprise given their background)
- Durable construction
- Simple, no-fuss operation
- Flexible neck designs
Price range: $10-$30 depending on model
Best for: Readers who want something that just works without extra features
Vekkia
Vekkia has been focused on reading lights since 2017. They use advanced LED technology and tend to include more features than budget brands.
What they do well:
- Adjustable color temperature (warm, cool, and amber modes)
- Touch-sensitive controls
- Rechargeable batteries with USB-C
- The Vekkia Amber 9 LED is specifically designed for nighttime reading
Price range: Mid-range, typically $15-$25
Best for: Readers who want adjustable color temperature and modern features
Glocusent
Glocusent makes both clip-on book lights and neck reading lights. They’ve become popular for their partner-friendly designs.
What they do well:
- Focused beams that don’t disturb partners
- Multiple brightness and color temperature options
- High battery capacity (up to 80 hours on some models)
- Neck lights that stay in place
Price range: $15-$30
Best for: Readers who share a bed with a light-sensitive partner
IQ (Santoki)
IQ makes licensed LEGO book lights featuring characters from Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Ninjago. These are designed for kids but work fine for anyone who wants a book light with personality.
What they do well:
- Fun designs that kids actually want to use
- LED lights in the feet of minifigure-style lights
- Key ring attachment for backpacks
- Official LEGO licensing
Price range: $15-$30
Best for: Kids, or adults who appreciate Harry Potter and Star Wars
What’s Next
If you’re looking for specific product recommendations, check out our best book lights roundup where we compare individual models.
Shopping for a young reader? Our kids book lights guide covers options designed specifically for children, including the IQ LEGO lights mentioned above.
Harry Potter fans might also like our Harry Potter lamps guide for themed lighting options.
FAQ
Position the light above and slightly to the side of your page, on your dominant hand side. This eliminates shadows and prevents glare. Adjust the angle until you can’t see the light source reflected on the page. If your light has adjustable brightness, start lower and increase until you can read comfortably without squinting.
For daytime reading, neutral white LED light (4000K-5000K) improves focus and alertness. For nighttime reading, warm white (2700K-3000K) or amber (1800K) reduces eye strain and won’t interfere with sleep. LED lights with adjustable color temperature let you switch between modes depending on the time of day.
Yes, when used correctly. LED book lights produce less heat than incandescent bulbs and offer consistent brightness. The key is choosing the right color temperature (warmer for nighttime, cooler for daytime) and brightness level (25-50 lumens for clip-on lights). Avoid lights over 6500K, which can cause glare and discomfort during extended reading sessions.
Use a book light with a focused, directional beam that only illuminates your pages. Neck reading lights work well because they point downward toward you, away from your partner. Choose warm or amber light (2700K or lower) which is less disruptive to sleep than cool white light. Position yourself so your body blocks the light from reaching your partner’s side of the bed.
Clip the light to the top of your book cover or spine, angled to shine down onto the pages. For right-handed readers, position it on the right side to avoid shadows when turning pages. The light should be close enough to illuminate evenly but not so close that it creates a hot spot in the center of the page.