How Many Lumens for a Desk Lamp: Is 500 Lumens Good Enough for Reading?

Q: How do LED lumens match incandescent watts?

Because unscrupulous companies began advertising "60 W equivalents" on their products that were not the same brightness, the government added "lumens" to the Lighting Facts to enable consumers to see the results of standardized brightness tests – and make correct comparisons.

When it comes to reading, there is nothing more important than having the right amount of light. More light may be needed to focus on text. Less light, and you won't be able to see the words on the page. So, how many lumens does a desk lamp need to provide the perfect amount of light for reading?

In this blog post, we'll look at some different desk lamps and discuss their lumen ratings. We'll also explore whether 500 or 1000 lumens are enough for reading or if you might need something with a higher lumen rating for computer work and task lighting.

benq e-reading desk lamp best for reading

What is a lumen, and what does it mean for a reading lamp?

A lumen is a unit of measurement that gauges the amount of light emitted by a source. When it comes to reading lamps, you want to look for a lamp that emits between 500 and 1000 lumens. This range of light is bright enough to allow you to see text clearly, but not so bright that it will cause eye strain.

In addition, you want to ensure that light is focused in a way that minimizes glare. A good reading lamp will provide even, diffuse lighting that illuminates the entire page without creating any hotspots. With suitable lumen output and light distribution, a reading lamp helps you enjoy your reading more than ever.

Understanding Correlations Between Watts and Lumens

With incandescent bulbs, brightness is usually measured in watts. This made it easy to understand brightness levels, and the light pattern is relatively uniform. Sure, there are specialty lights such as halogen and more industrial lights like fluorescent, but everyone has a pretty clear idea of what kind of brightness to expect from 60 watts, for example.

With LED lights things get more complicated. Lumens become the new measurement manufacturers use and the small size of LEDs enables new and innovative designs that would be impossible with traditional incandescent lamps. But these designs often don’t deliver the results people expect, so something had to be done to make it easy to get a good LED desk lamp.

How do LED lumens match incandescent watts?

Because some companies began advertising "60W equivalents" on their products that were not the same brightness at all, governments added "lumens" to specifications to help consumers understand the results of standardized brightness tests and make correct comparisons.

But for those who still think in "watts" rather than "lumens," below is the lumens to watts conversion chart:

Lumens	Incandescent Watts	Halogen Watts	LED Watts
Lumens 100	Incandescent Watts 7	Halogen Watts 6	LED Watts 2
Lumens 375	Incandescent Watts 25	Halogen Watts 20	LED Watts 4
Lumens 450	Incandescent Watts 30	Halogen Watts 25	LED Watts 5
Lumens 800	Incandescent Watts 60	Halogen Watts 45	LED Watts 9
Lumens 1100	Incandescent Watts 75	Halogen Watts 60	LED Watts 12
Lumens 1600	Incandescent Watts 100	Halogen Watts 90	LED Watts 17

How many lumens do you need for a good reading light?

When choosing a reading light, the number of lumens you need depends on your preferences. However, as a general rule, you should look for at least 500 lumens. This will provide enough light for most people to read without causing eye strain. So, if you're looking for a good reading light, make sure it has at least 500 lumens.

benq mindduo 2 kids study desk lamp for picture book reading

What is the best lumen rating for a desk lamp?

The answer, of course, depends on the reader. Some people can read comfortably in dim lighting, while others need bright light to see the words on the page.

Typically, 450 lumens are sufficient for reading, writing, or general work, but the 500 number holds true as a minimum.

For more intricate tasks, 800 to 1100 lumens may be necessary. To achieve office lighting of 300 lux, an LED lamp should be at least 600 lumens. You can get 500 lux for your workspace with a 1000-lumen desk light.

Factors to consider when buying a desk lamp for reading: types of light-bulbs, size, and style

When it comes to picking the best reading lamp, there are a few things you need to take into account. First, you need to consider the type of lightbulb you want to use.

LED bulbs vs. incandescent bulbs

LED bulbs are a popular choice because they're energy-efficient and long lasting. However, they can emit a harsh light that may be tough on eyes, so you may want to use an incandescent bulb instead.

Size and shape of the Lamp

Another thing to think about is the size and shape of the lamp. A small desk lamp might be fine for occasional reading, but if you're a voracious reader, you'll need something that casts a more expansive light.

Choosing a style that fits your taste and décor

And finally, you'll need to decide on a style that fits your taste and décor. Whether you want something sleek and modern or cozy and traditional, there's sure to be a reading lamp that's perfect for you.

girl reading in bed with benq e-reading desk lamp

Should you buy an LED or incandescent reading lamp?

LED lamps are more energy-efficient than incandescent lamps, so they'll save you money in the long run. They also emit less heat, so they're safer to use around children and pets. However, LED lamps can be more expensive upfront and may provide less light than an incandescent lamp.

Incandescent lamps are less expensive than LED lamps and provide a warm, inviting light that's perfect for reading. However, they're not as energy-efficient as LED lamps, and they emit more heat, so they're not ideal for use around children or pets.

When choosing a reading lamp, it's essential to consider your needs and budget. But no matter which type of lamp you choose, you'll be sure to enjoy many hours of reading under its calming light.

Where to place your reading lamp for optimum lighting

If you're like most people, you probably only spend a little time thinking about your reading lamp. But if you're looking for the perfect reading spot, it's worth considering where to place your light.

The ideal location for a reading lamp is on the left side of your chair, about shoulder height. This will ensure that the light shines directly on the reading screen or page rather than into your eyes. It's also essential to ensure that the lamp is not too close to the chair, as this can create glare.

One last thing- how shape impacts a desk lamp's brightness

reading desk lamp placing on the left hand side of the reader

The other component is how the lamp distributes light. Again, for incandescent bulbs, the light usually goes everywhere. But with LED, a good designer can create a custom shape without too much difficulty to make the light work harder. For example, the BenQ ScreenBar desk lamp sits above your monitor and creates a light pattern that looks like a sideways "D," which directs the light onto the desk but not on the monitor.

The technical measurement for this is called "lux," where the brightness is measured in the center at a specific height. In the example above, ScreenBar is estimated at 320 lumens (slightly less than a traditional 40 watt bulb). Still, because it focuses its light around the desk area and not the monitor it is pretty bright on the desk, measuring 1000 lux from 45cm high.

The BenQ e-Reading lamp is designed to cover a larger desk area (while still avoiding the monitor), so it has a more rectangular light footprint and a curved head that enables a larger desk area to be well-lit. This lamp generates 900 lumens (over 60 watt equivalent) with 1300 lux in the center, demonstrating that it is reallocating light into the other areas of the desk rather than in the center.

Final Thought - Two Bright Desk Lamps for your Office

Now that you know all there is to know about lumens, you're ready to go out and buy the best reading lamp for your needs. Be sure to consider the size and shape of the Lamp and where you'll be placing it.

And don't forget, if you are looking at desk lamps for your home or work office space, make sure to check out the BenQ monitor ScreenBar and e-reading desk lamp. The new BenQ ScreenBar and e-reading lamps have a built-in sensor and just a simple tap keeps them adjusting brightness throughout the day to deliver 500 lux to your desk. They also include additional specifications that allow you to alternate between warm and cool light, which can help work with different color palettes.

What do you think about our eye-care lighting? You should really see it for yourself!