Atmospheric outdoor lighting: pulling the plug on tangled cables
29.4.2025
Translation: Julia Graham
Pictures: Pia Seidel
Who says lights always have to be plugged in? Cordless lamps let you bring atmosphere to your balcony, garden or even just your living room but without all that cable clutter.
There are now a lot of cordless outdoor lights available that are both practical and versatile. I’ve chosen a few models from the Galaxus range – some simple, others more eye-catching. They don’t give you daylight levels of brightness, but that’s exactly the point: atmosphere instead of floodlighting. And if the weather doesn’t play along, these lamps looks just as good inside.
1. Light, airy and cool
All my favourites have an opaque lamp shade, except for Aldet from the Spanish brand Kave Home. This design features a rope shade in turquoise, terracotta and black, which creates interesting shadow patterns depending how the light falls. Aldet’s integrated solar panel charges the lamp during the day, giving it 48 hours runtime in energy-save mode. Three adjustable brightness levels ensure it adapts to any mood. And it’s also weatherproof (IP44).
One minor drawback is the charging time. Given it requires a full day to recharge, you need a bit of patience, especially as the battery only lasts twelve hours at full brightness. Nevertheless, the Aldet wins me over with its airy look.
Source: Kave Home
2. Trendy butter yellow
The Janea LED rechargeable table lamp from the German brand Lindby comes in trendy butter yellow and features a simple design. The touch function brings brightness with the tap of a finger. And with its IP54 certification, it’s perfect for outdoor use. The 420 lumens provide atmospheric light without being dazzling.
The six-hour battery life is fine for cosy evenings, but it might be a bit short for longer nights.
Source: Lindby
3. Truly multifunctional
If it’s flexibility you’re after, the shiny aluminium design of Oloha from Dutch brand Fatboy works as a table lamp, wall ornament, fruit bowl or decorative highlight. With infinitely variable dimming, this magnetic, warm white LED light (2,200 K) creates a pleasant atmosphere that lasts up to 90 hours (at the lowest setting). Recharging in just an hour and a half, this lamp is incredibly practical.
At 14 lumens, however, the light output of Oloha is more subtle and better suited to accent lighting. You’ll also need to bring it inside if the weather’s bad.
Source: Fatboy
4. Timeless and portable but a bit heavy
The portable Camp table lamp from Danish brand Hübsch turns heads with its grooved surface and understated shape. Whether in the shade sand or black, this lamp looks timeless and blends easily into different decors. Made of glass and metal, this lamp looks high-quality and is suitable for outdoor use. The paracord strap adds a splash of colour and a practical, flexible touch for hanging it wherever it’s needed. Meanwhile, the dimmable option allows you to customise the mood with lighting. Thanks to its eight hours of battery life, the device can easily illuminate the space for an entire evening.
What could be better? Well, there is one slight drawback. Although the design may look elegant, the materials used mean it also weighs 1 kg, which isn’t ideal if you want to travel light. Equally, while eight hours of battery life are good, this might not be enough if you intend to use it for long periods.
Source: Pretty
5. Maritime minimalism
The Light 105 gets the green light with its minimalist, Danish design and a touch of maritime elegance. Its hemp rope handle is both practical and oozes natural charm. With a plastic body and IP67 certification, the lamp is suitable for outdoor use and has a run time of up to 24 hours. You can adjust the brightness and colour temperature in just a few steps with the app and Bluetooth connection.
One slight snag is that with 170 lumens, this lamps is intended more for soft mood lighting and less for illuminating large areas.
Source: SackIT
6. The art of the oval
With dimmable, warm light (3,000 K), Hoop from the German brand Blomus creates a feel-good atmosphere, both indoors and outdoors. Its IP54 certification makes this lamp weatherproof. And at reduced brightness, the battery lasts up to 40 hours. The Hoop fits in seamlessly in any setting, as it’s available in black and white. What’s particularly practical about this lamp is the fact it’s equipped with a magnetic charging feature.
Despite all of this, there’s a minor snag. Because the Hoop focuses more on ambience than brightness, it’s not as appropriate as a work light.
Source: Blomus
7. Retro vibes for indoors and outdoors
A touch of 70s charm paired with modern technology is how I’d summarise the Ylyad table lamp from Am.Pm. Its round, clean design goes well with a lot of interior design, be it on the balcony or in the living room. With three brightness levels (20, 106 or 215 lumens), this lamp adapts to what you need, while the light itself (2,700 K) has a warm feel. Its IP44 protection rating withstands light rain and the battery lasts up to 20 hours.
The only downside is that the LED is embedded into the lamp itself, as is the case with so many cordless models. What’s more, the IP44 protection rating might not be sufficient for some outdoor use, as the lamp is only protected against splashes of water.
Source: Am.Pm
8. Scandi chic meets Italian flair
The lights from &tradition represent Scandinavian minimalism, timeless aesthetics and a warm, harmonious light. The outdoor version Lucca SC5 doesn’t disappoint. Inspired by the charming lanterns of the Italian city of Lucca, it combines tradition with modernity. The mouth-blown glass combined with a sturdy metal frame and subtle brass details create a sophisticated look. You can choose from three light levels and thanks to IP44 protection, it can even withstand rain. Its USB charging feature also makes it straightforward to operate.
Looking at the drawbacks, the 12-hour battery life could be short depending on what you intend to use it for. What’s more, the high-quality materials don’t equate to a lightweight device.
Source: &tradition
9. All in white
The Apollo by Studio 0405 for Hay is a portable table lamp that focuses on a clear, pared-back design rather than brash colours. Its soft handmade opal glass curves and seamless silhouette lend it a look that’s understated but by no means boring. With its integrated rechargeable battery, touch dimmer and cosy warm light (2,800 K), the Apollo exudes charismatic flair wherever it’s placed. The lamp’s IP44 protection rating lets you use it on the balcony or terrace without worrying about it.
Is there any catch? The 10-hour charging time could be shorter – it requires patience – and the price tag might also be a bit high for some people.
Source: Hay
Header image: Fatboy
Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.chLike a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.
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