Preparation
If you love to read before bed, you know the struggle of getting cozy under the covers only to have to get back up and turn the lights off before drifting to sleep. Remedy this by investing in a book light that easily clicks off; you can stash it on your nightstand when you’re done with your latest page turner. While these mini lamps are convenient gadgets, it’s also important to choose a quality iteration to protect your eyes while reading in low light. “When reading a book in dim light or looking at a screen much brighter than your surroundings, your eyes work a little harder to focus and you tend to blink less, which can cause dry eye or eye strain,” explains Roma Patel, MD, clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Adjusting lighting to a comfortable setting, she says, can help reduce this discomfort, which is where book lights come in. You have several models to choose from: Some clip directly onto a novel’s binding, while others are mounted to the wall—or you can even opt for a bedside lamp that pulls double duty as a book light. Here, we’ve corralled a number of options that will make your nighttime reading comfortable and strain-free.
Best Overall: Vavofo Rechargeable Reading LightBest Clip-on: Vekkia Bookmark Book LightBest Portable: Dewenwils USB Rechargeable Book LightBest Overhead: Kagwon Wall Reading Light Best Neck Light: Glocusent LED Neck Reading Light
Before we dive into some of our top picks, let’s break down the qualities that make for a good book light. “Especially for reading, it’s best to focus bright light directly where it is needed,” says Ilyse Haberman, MB, ophthalmologist at New York University Langone Eye Center. “The older people are, the more light they need to comfortably read. Brighter light helps to constrict the pupil, which helps with your near vision.” For that reason, it’s best to chose a book light that’s bright and adjustable, so it points directly onto the reading material. Additionally, look for lights that have various intensity settings and those with a yellow filter, which can alleviate eye strain and make it easier to focus on the words you’re reading.
