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. 

Also: The best e-readers aren't all Kindle

Based on portability, brightness level, and design, we rounded up the best book lights you can buy, with the Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light  as our top pick. Read on for more details, the pros and cons, along with other great options you can buy. 

The best book lights of 2023 

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light

Best book light overall

Glocusent/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Different color temperature options
• Adjustable arms
• Long battery life
• Comfortable fit
• Narrow beam angle

Cons

• Very bright even on the lowest setting
• Pricey

More Details

Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light features:7 color options 3 color temperatures 6 brightness levels

The Glucusent LED Neck Reading Lightis 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.

View now at Amazon

Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light

Best amber light book light

Vekkia/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Amber glow doesn't block melatonin production
• Blocks blue light
• Four different color options
• Long battery life

Cons

• Clip is slightly too large
• Metal can tear pages

More Details

Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Lightfeatures: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.

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Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp

Best book light for e-readers

Ytuomzi/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Durable clip
• Easy charging
• Fast charging
• Flexiblearm

Cons

• Not a long battery life
• Limited brightness

More Details

Ytuomzi LED Reading Lampfeatures: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.  

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Flexilight Reading Light

Best book light that doubles as a bookmark

Flexilight/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Plenty of fun displays
• Doubles in use as a bookmark
• Flexible
• Affordable

Cons

• Cannot adjust brightness
• Light could be a warmer shade

More Details

Flexilight Reading Lightfeatures: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.

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Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light

Best compact book light

Dewenwils/Getty Images Pros & Cons Pros

• Super portable design
• Charge it anywhere
• Warm lighting
• Built-in USB

Cons

• Click can be loud
• Only two brightness levels

More Details

Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Lightfeatures: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.

View now at Amazon

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. 

Best book light	Cost	Lumens	Brightness levels
Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light	$22	40 lumens	6
Vekkia Amber Rechargeable Book Light	$14	60 lumens	3
Ytuomzi LED Reading Lamp	$13	23 lumens	4
Flexilight Reading Light	$10	8 lumens	0
Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book Light	$9	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 these factors.

• Construction: From metal to plastic, book lights are made of many different materials. Consider durability and whether each book light will work with the type of books that you read.

• Brightness levels: Some book lights allow you to control the brightness levels of your book light. This means that you can easily adjust lighting based on the time of day and your location. While some reading lights do not allow you to make adjustments at all, we found that our top pick for the best book light, the Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light, has the most brightness levels with six total.

• Price: Book lights are generally affordable, but the cost can vary based on things like features and constructions. The best book lights range in cost from$9 to$22, making it easy to purchase your new book light for less than$25.

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: 

Best book light under$10

Energizer Clip on Book Light

This compact book light has a 25-hour run time on a single charge. 

View at Amazon

Best rechargeable book light

Vekkia Book Light

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.

View at Amazon

Best two-pack book light

GearLight Rechargeable Book Light

This light has three brightness settings and one charge lasts more than 30 hours.

View at Amazon

Best book light for kids

Flexilight Pal Reading Light

Share your love of reading with your children by sharing this 2-in-1 reading clip and book light. 

View at Amazon

Best reading light for glasses

Nachteule Rechargeable Book Light for Glasses

If you wear eyeglasses, this best reading light is made specifically for you with a clip-on, rechargeable design.

View at Amazon

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