The best craft lights in 2023

Best Craft lights; a woman works at a craft table lit by a warm and bright llight
(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

The best craft lights come in all sizes and in a range of materials to ensure you're drawing, craft or painting projects are lit properly, reducing shadows and easing the strain on your eyes.

In this article, I've brought together the very best craft lights, so know your money will be spent wisely. I've included a range of light types, from multi-function floor lamps to slim and adjustable desk lights, and you'll find products here to suit a range of budgets. 

Now, scroll down and see if any of my suggested best craft lights suit your needs. Be sure to check the sizes of each lamp as they vary quite a bit, and some have unique features such as special dimmers and magnifying lenses. Take a look at our guide to the best craft tables if you're keen to refresh your room. And the same goes if you're using the best sewing machines and even the best cricut machines

Now, scroll down and see if any of my suggested best craft lights suit your needs. Be sure to check the sizes of each lamp as they vary quite a bit, and some have unique features such as special dimmers and magnifying lenses.

The best craft lights: desktop

The best craft lights; a bending silver craft light

(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

01. Daylight Company Techne Artist Lamp

The best craft light for desks and small easels

Specifications

Features: Clips onto desks and easels
Size: ‎ 50 x 43.5 x 30 cm
Weight: 1.4 kg
Colour temperature: 6000 Kelvins

Reasons to buy

+
Can fix to desks and art easels
+
360 degree shade rotation
+
Switch between three brightnesses

Reasons to avoid

-
Smaller than some on this list

The Daylight Company Techne Artist Lamp is a fantastic option if you're a generally creative person who paints, draws and crafts. This smart brushed steel craft lamp can attach to a desk, easel or drawing board to light your work area and remove shadows.

The clap is easy to attach, sturdy and won't mark or ruin your desk or easel, and the lamp's head can be swivelled through 360 degrees for ease of use and flexibility. The lamp can be switched between three colour temperature settings enabling a daylight quality 6000 Kelvins or a cooler temperature (3000, 2000 or 1000 Lux).

Not only is the Daylight Company Techne Artist Lamp easy to set-up, bright and flexible it also looks stylish – the metal finish and slim design looks great in room and can also neatly fold away when not in use. Perfect

Product shot of the Native Lighting Onyx Black Task Lamp, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

02. Native Lighting Onyx Black Task Lamp

The best craft light for large projects

Specifications

Features: Large lighting surface, flexible
Size: ‎98 x 50 x 9.5cm
Weight: 1.8 kg
Colour temperature: 6500 Kelvins

Reasons to buy

+
Lights wide workspaces
+
Large shade and lighting area
+
Sleek looks

Reasons to avoid

-
Overkill for small projects

This high-powered LED professional lamp can be positioned on any flat workspace and it’s designed to light up wide areas. This sets it apart from other craft lights, and lends itself to large workstations, drawing boards and wide paintings. 

Its premium metal design looks very sleek, and the arm allows you to position the lamp head at your desired height. There’s also a large shade, which can be smoothly adjusted vertically, horizontally and laterally to any desired position, so that daylight is always where you want it. 

Product shot of Cricut Bright 360 table light, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Cricut)

03. Cricut Bright 360 table light

The best craft light for Cricut

Specifications

Features: Large square head light, 95 CRI, slider brightness
Size: 22 x 79–99 x 42–69cm
Weight: 2.4 kg
Colour temperature: 1500 Lux

Reasons to buy

+
Large light head
+
Up to 3000 lumen
+
Slider for brightness

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the brightest lamp

If you're seeking the best craft light for Cricut projects, the Cricut Bright 360 table light is one of our top recommendations. Featuring a four-foot-square lamp head, it has a wide lighting area and can be adjusted in any direction. It can reach 95 on the Color Rendering Index (CRI) for rich, accurate colours and has an adjustable brightness from warm to bright white, reaching up to 1500 Lux.

This craft lamp features a slider switch to adjust the brightness of the light, though at 1500 Lux it's not the cleanest light on my list, though that 95 CRI makes up for some of this and the brightness is more than enough disperse most shadows. The biggest advantages of the Cricut Bright 360 is its incredibly flexible lamp head that can be manoeuvred in many directions over your art and craft projects.

Product shot of The Daylight Company MAG Lamp S, one of the best lamps for crafting

(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

04. Daylight Company MAG Lamp S

The best craft light for close work

Specifications

Features: ‎Magnifying lamp, 2-step dimmer
Size: 56x17.5x75 cm
Weight: 1.5 kg
Colour temperature: 6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Slim and elegant
+
Good value 
+
Touch sensitive

Reasons to avoid

-
Very sensitive switch

The Daylight Company MAG Lamp S is one of the company's most popular craft lights. This is the newer version of Daylight Company’s best-selling magnifying lamp Dn1020 – it’s a great modern looking craft lamp with an attractive slim design, perfect for detailed projects and at a modest price point too. 

The MAG Lamp S features two brightness levels and a 12.7cm diameter, 3 diopter (1.75x) glass lens and it’s also touch sensitive. Thanks to the adjustable spring arm you can position the magnifier exactly where you need it. It can suffer from a very sensitive on switch, but this can also be a good thing when you're in the middle of a project and need the light on quickly.

Product shot of the Native Lighting Lumina Desk Lamp, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Amazon )

05. Native Lighting Lumina Desk Lamp

The best craft light for a desk

Specifications

Features: 5-step dimmer,
Size: 21.5cm x 5.5cm (head), 11cm (height)
Weight: 0.3 kg
Colour temperature: ‎2800K, 4000K, 6500 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Flexible gooseneck
+
3 brightness levels 
+
3 colour settings

Reasons to avoid

-
This one's expensive 

This is one of the best lamps for crafting around, but it comes at a price. We love the flexible gooseneck that clamps to the edge of a desk or other flat surface, enabling you to position the light exactly where you want it and providing a long reach when required. The Lumina Desk Lamp has three brightness levels on three different colour settings (2800K, 4000K and 6500K) making it perfect for a wide range of crafts. It even comes with its own remote control.

Looks-wise, Native Lighting – a Scandinavian inspired lamp manufacturer – creates its products with a minimalist approach, and the Lumina Desk Lamp has all the hallmarks of its design outlook. It's not the cheapest, though.

Product shot of the Ominilight Gooseneck Desk Lamp, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Ominilight)

06. Ominilight Gooseneck Desk Lamp

The most stylish craft light

Specifications

Features: 3 brightness levels, dimmable, touch control
Size: 20 x 20x 26 cm
Weight: 1.5 kg
Colour temperature: 4000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design 
+
Multiple colours
+
Flexible and well-built 

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't reach colour temperatures of rivals

The Ominilight Gooseneck Desk Lamp is a nicely designed and stylish desk light that can also double as a decent craft light. This lamp can be adjusted in many ways, and its gooseneck design is flexible and well made. Above all, it looks great sitting on your desk and comes in a swathe of colours, including red, bronze, grey and white.

What stands against it is its lack of high-end colour temperature. While most of the craft lights on our list reach levels of 6000K, here you only get 4000K. It's still bright, but when you need the power to pull contrast from a sewing project it will be lacking.

This is, however, a nice lamp that can be used for crafting. It offers a large lit area and the 16 LED beads manage to spread the light nicely.

Product shot of the Grelae Dimmable Desk Light, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Amazon )

07. Grelae Dimmable Desk Light

The best craft light for beginners

Specifications

Features: ‎Energy saving, memory function, flexible, dimmable, touch sensitive control, eye protection
Size: ‎14 x 10 x 34cm
Weight: 400g
Colour temperature: 3000 – 6000 Kelvins

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable 
+
Feature packed 
+
Money-back guarantee

Reasons to avoid

-
Pen pot can get in the way

If you’re new to craft lamps, this is well worth a look, as it carries a 30-day money-back guarantee and one year warranty too. This craft light has a gooseneck design that enables you to point the lamp, which mimics natural light, in any direction. 

This lamp for crafting features sensitive touch control and allows you to change brightness from 5% to 100%, as well as offering three colour temperatures. Using the advanced memory function, it can even remember the last brightness setting to save your time.

It has a compact design, with space for desk essentials and a built-in 6000mAh rechargeable lithium battery – charge for six hours and use wirelessly for 10 to 30 hours. You can even recharge your smartphone via the built-in 5V/1A USB output while using the lamp.

This is a solid desk light that has good functionality for crafting. The pen-pot design is a mixed bag, however. It's nicely done and can store a couple of pens and bits, but it can also get in the way.

The best craft lights: floor standing

Product shot of The Daylight Company's Duo, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

01. Daylight Company Duo

The best craft light overall

Specifications

Features: 4 brightness levels, dimmer, two adjustable light heads
Size: 210 x 53 x 132 cm
Weight: 3.5 kg
Colour temperature: 6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
4 dimmable brightness levels
+
Large lighting area
+
Lights are independently adjustable

Reasons to avoid

-
Odd switch choice

We'll start with the best craft light overall. The Daylight Company Duo lamp ticks all the boxes for a great all-round performer. 

The tall stand ensures it can reach above even the largest table, or sit behind and over an easel. The two light heads can be independently moved and lit, which you can have one dimmer than the other. Once you've played around with it a bit, you'll find that this is a great way to disperse shadows.

Being separately lit can highlight one problem, though: the colour temperature switch needs to be clicked through each setting to reach the one you want. It's a small issue but can take longer to set up than some craft lights.

This is our only quibble, though, with what is an elegantly designed craft light that is suitable for all kinds of craft and art projects. 

It can be turned up to an impressive 6000K for true daylight quality, it looks great, and its size is perfect. Note that if you find the floor lamp too large, you can also get the same Duo light in a clamp lamp and table lamp style.

The best craft lights; a large floor lamp for artists

(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

02. Daylight Company Artist Studio Lamp

The best craft light for traditional artists

Specifications

Features: 4 brightness levels, dimmer, two adjustable light heads
Size: 28 x 26 x 220 cm
Weight: ‎2.35 kg
Colour temperature: 6,500 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Bright, direct light
+
Large, tall frame
+
Supports up to four lamps

Reasons to avoid

-
Can feel fragile

The Daylight Company Artist Studio Lamp is the best large craft light for artists who use easels and need a good art lamp. This a tall stand with a tripod support and it comes with one lamp that can output 6,500K / 1,800 Lumens. If you ned to keep your easel well light and reduce shadows, this is ideal.

This craft light comes with one lamp but can also support up to four lamps and they attach easily using The Daylight Company's patented 'Clamp-Lock' system. While sturdy and the tripod design for the base offers good stability if you add more lamps it will reduce mobility. 

If you need to upgrade your craft room with this lamp, take a look at my guide to the best art easels for painting.

(Image credit: The Daylight Company )
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03. Daylight Company Gemini Floor Lamp

The best craft light for flexibility

Specifications

Features: 4 settings, dimmable
Size: 61.49 x 62.99 x 135 cm
Weight: 2.4 kg
Colour temperature: ‎6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Flexible 
+
Foldable 
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive 

The Daylight Company Gemini Floor Lamp is a professional craft light from a highly regarded UK brand. It delivers high contrast and accurate colour matching and features a dual shade flex to wherever you need them to shine. 

The Gemini Floor Lamp has a slim structure and high-quality design. It's lightweight yet stable, and very flexible. Best of all, it weighs just 2.4g and neatly folds and packs into its carry-bag.

Despite its size and flexibility, this craft light delivers the 6000K you need from a good quality lamp for crafting. It's great for pulling in close and lighting areas of a project, while its flexibility means you can keep it at arm's length too.

The best craft lights; a slim black craft light

(Image credit: The Daylight Company)

04. Daylight Company Electra lamp

The best craft light for versatility

Specifications

Features: 4 settings, dimmable
Size: 43.9 x 33.2 x 7.3 cm
Weight: 4 kg
Colour temperature: Up to ‎6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Ideal size for sewing and crafts 
+
Flexible arm and lamp cover 
+
Three temperature settings

Reasons to avoid

-
Temperature control switch is fiddly

The Daylight Company Electra LED lamp is a nice, if expensive, addition to any craft room. This bright and flexible floor-standing lamp features three colour temperature settings and comes in a unique black satin finish that makes it stand out in the home or the craft room.

A subtle switch enables you to raise the temperature to 6,000K, or reduce it to a cool light 4,000K or warm light 2,700K. The slim design means it's just as good used in the home as a reading light or hanging over a craft table. The size means it's perfect for lifting above a craft table – over a sewing or craft machine – and the anti-glare shade means it will remove all shadows from your workspace.

Overall The Daylight Company Electra LED lamp is a well-made, bright and versatile lamp that will come in useful around the home. The only quibble is with the temperature control button that can be a little sticky, but this is a small issue many users will not mind.

The best craft lights include the Brightech Litespan, a black lamp with a wooden stand

(Image credit: Brightech)

05. Brightech Litespan

The best craft light for multiple rooms

Specifications

Features: Adjustable pole, touch switch
Size: ‎26 x 22.9 x 154.9 cm
Weight: 0.28 grams
Colour temperature: ‎6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Adjustable gooseneck
+
Painted pole, wood finish
+
Bright lamp

Reasons to avoid

-
Packaged with only a US plug

The Brightech Litespan comes with many of the features you need from a good craft lamp, including a daylight light, 6000 Kelvin LED and a touch switch for ease of use. But unlike some of the other best craft lights on my list this one is designed to sit in your craft room and your living room. 

The black lightweight pole is easily assembled and can be adjusted to the height you need. The back painted pole is finished top and bottom with a wooden stand and a wooden lamp casing. It also comes in a darker Havana Brown, Jet Black and a glossy Titanium Silver.

If you're being energy conscious right now, then consider the Brightech Litespan shines at a bright 850-950 lumens and only uses 12 watts of electricity. On a personal note, the pole is attached at the very rear of the lamp's stand so it can be pushed up to a wall and save on space.

Product shot of the ARSUK Floor Magnifier LED Lamp, one of the best craft lights

(Image credit: Amazon)

06. LASTAR Standing Lamp

The best craft floor light for value

Specifications

Features: 4 light modes, memory function
Size: 8.3 x 8.3 x 64.4 cm
Weight: 2.18 kg
Colour temperature: 3000-6000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
4 lighting settings
+
Unique memory function
+
Good value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Feels a bit wobbly

The LASTAR Standing Lamp is a great value floor light for crafting that comes with some excellent features, such as the adjustable light temperature and brightness that can vary across four settings – ideal for reading, crafting a dim lighting to rest the eyes.

This craft lamp features a timer setting and memory function too, so it will turn off after 45-minutes and when you restart from the plug it will return to the most recently used settings rather than the standard brightness.

This is a good lamp for crafting, and its 66 LEDs are spaced nicely around the lamp's head for even distribution. The neck of the light can be rotated in 360 degrees too, so it's good for positioning. One downside, the lamp can be a little wobbly but this is fine if you sit in one place and leave it alone.

The best craft lights are represented by a tall slime floor lamp made from metal

(Image credit: Brightech)

07. Brightech Leaf

The best craft light for style

Specifications

Features: ‎Swing Arm, Energy Saving, Touch Sensitive Control
Size: ‎53 x 19 x 3.9 cm
Weight: ‎3.44 kg
Colour temperature: 3000 Kelvin

Reasons to buy

+
Beautifully made
+
Sturdy and stylus
+
Flexible lamp head

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 3000K colour temperature

The Brightech Leaf is a beautiful looking LED floor lamp that comes in two colours, black and silver. While it only has a colour temperature of 3000 Kelvins while some on my list reach 6000 Kelvins, which is a better daylight range for crafting, the Leaf is well made and has a wonderful swing art that makes it useful for lighting details when needed and folding away when not required.

It does light at 1150 lumens, so it is bright even if the light is 'yellow' rather than bright white. The Leaf features an energy saving mode and comes with a three-level touch sensitive switch to adjust the power and brightness. The 'pharmacy' style shade around the lamp helps the light focus on a particular area. This is a good floor lamp for multiple tasks.

The best craft lights: frequent questions

What is a craft light?

Good craft lights are able to illuminate a space and disperse shadows. Most are LED and reach 6000K, these have largely no heat but are very bright. The best craft lights will lift the contrast on anything being lit, which is why a good reading light can also be a good lamp for crafting.

What do Lumens measure in crafting lamps?

Lumens is a measurement of the brightness of the light, or how much light is being generated. For crafting and sewing, you want a light that is around 2000-2500 Lumens. 

What do Kelvins measure in crafting lamps?

Kelvins is the temperature of the light being produced. A yellow dim light is around 3000K. A bright white light, useful for dispersing shadows, is 6000K. 

Are LED lights the best for crafting and art?

High wattage LED light bulbs are the best for craft lights and lamps for artists. These can come in various watt strengths and produce a range of colour temperatures. It's good to consider how you will use the light; will it be at a distance for an art easel or closer in for working with Cricut machines and sewing machines?

What are the best brands of craft lights?

If money is no object, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality lamp from The Daylight Company, Purelite or Native Lighting. There are less expensive options too. Regardless of cost, look for a large and movable light head and ideally with colour temperature control to adjust through the day. 

Does a craft light need to be moveable?

Ideally, yes. You need to be able to position a craft light so it can disperse shadows and pull the contrast out of the fabric, paper or craft project being worked on. For this reason you need to be able to move the lamp as the light in a room changes.

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Ian Dean

Ian Dean is Digital Arts & Design Editor at Creative Bloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and leading video game title Official PlayStation Magazine. In his early career he wrote for music and film magazines including Uncut and SFX. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his love to bring the latest news on NFTs, video game art and tech, and more to Creative Bloq, and in his spare time he doodles in Corel Painter, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5. He's also a keen Cricut user and laser cutter fan, and is currently crafting on Glowforge and xTools M1.

With contributions from