Cables are often annoying, especially on table lamps. So I decided to look for practical and stylish alternatives. These models in particular light me up.
1. Inita from Kanlux
2. BringMe from Hübsch
3. Numis from Paulmann
4. Tsumiki from Alessi
5. Focus from Kooduu
6. Smart Moon from Gingko
7. Goodnight from Kartell
Have you got one of these lamps? Would you recommend it? Or can you think of another well-designed table lamp with a touch dimmer or button? I’m all ears.
Like 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.
Table lamps with cables and cord switches really get on my nerves, especially in the bedroom when I need to turn the light on quickly at night. The switch is never where it should be. Smart home solutions and using my phone to control lighting aren’t my thing either. That’s why I’m looking for lamps with an integrated button, slider or better yet, a touch sensor. I found these seven models, which I think look good, are easy to use and made of high-quality materials. Not all of them are entirely cordless but at the very least, they’ve ditched the switch on the cable.
The Kanlux Iinita LED lamp is cordless, suitable for outdoor use and wows with its elegant metal housing and cool, matt finish. It’s easy to control with just one button for on, off and dimming. It also makes light work of charging via USB. If you like your decor a bit more colourful, Inita is also available in bright shades, such as yellow and red as well as the standard white and grey. All that’s missing is a tiltable head for targeted light and a bit more power. At 165 lumens, this lamp is intended for smaller use cases where high brightness isn’t required.
The BringMe table lamp from Danish brand Hübsch offers cordless style in six colours, from turquoise to gold, and also as a mini version. It boasts a dimmable touch function, waterproof steel housing and a rechargeable battery, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor use. The design is simple and provides focused, downward-directed light. At 200 lumens, it features slightly more power than the Inita model but is still a mood light.
BringMe reduces cable clutter. Source: Hübsch
BringMe sets the mood with both small and big lamps. Source: Hübsch
You dim the light on the base of the Numis and can switch between warm and cool white. At 1,150 lumens, this stylish black table lamp offers sufficient brightness for work spaces or to illuminate medium-sized rooms well. It’s made of aluminium and plastic and goes with lots of different interior design styles. But that’s not all. The adjustable joints on it allow you to customise the device to suit you. One highlight in particular is the wireless charging function in the base, which powers Qi-enabled smartphones. If black is too dark, you can also get hold of this in white.
The Numis isn’t portable, but it doesn’t come with any annoying rocker switches. You just tap and the light comes on. Source: Paulmann
The Italian brand Alessi is synonymous with creative design, and the Tsumiki table lamp is no exception. It owes its unique look to the fact it’s inspired by a Japanese board game where you build shapes out of wooden blocks. This wooden and metal lamp is operated via an on/off switch that functions both as a button and touch sensor. The magnetic attachment makes it easy to attach or remove the lamp from its base or other magnetic surfaces. Not only that, you can control where the light is directed. With an output of 100 lumens, it’s ideal for atmospheric lighting or use in smaller areas. «Tsumiki is available at Galaxus in blue, black and white.
The portable Tsumiki design lamp boasts magnetic coupling technology. Source: Alessi
This makes switching the Tsumiki on and off effortless. Source: Alessi
Imagine a lamp that’s more than just a light source; it’s your constant companion. Kooduu’s Fokus offers just that: a portable, rechargeable table lamp that’s steplessly dimmable. Perfect for any situation where you need soft light, including as a night light or for accent lighting, with a brightness of 80 to 100 lumens. Its robust steel housing and the PMMA diffuser (a special plastic for even light scattering) ensure uniform light distribution. The device is easy to use. Instead of buttons, you’ve got a practical slider. This lamp comes with a USB charging station and is available in five cool colours. The only disadvantage is that the lamp head isn’t adjustable.
You switch it on and off via a slider. Source: Kooduu
One touch on the wooden base of the Gingko Smart Moon lamp lets you alternate between three light modes: warm-yellow, cool-white and warm-white. At 2,700 lumens, this lamp provides pleasant brightness, ideal for reading or as accent lighting in the living room or bedroom. The focus here is clearly on design, as the 3D-printed moon floats magically above a base made of walnut or ash wood, which turns and gently and lights up. The moon is made of PLA (polylactide), a biodegradable plastic derived from renewable raw materials, such as corn starch and sugar cane. It’s a real must-have for all lunar fans. The only downside is that you can’t angle the light and the lamp isn’t completely cable-free.
The moon within your grasp: the sphere rotates seemingly weightlessly above the wooden base, just like its real-life counterpart in the sky. Source: Gingko
Kartell has made a name for itself with innovative design furniture and plastic products. It’s also created iconic pieces together with top designers and architects. A great example of this is the cordless Goodnight table lamp by Philippe Starck. Its slender shape is reminiscent of classic candles, combining modern technology with a covering that reflects a soft, warm light. However, because its 350 lumens are brighter than a candle, this model is suitable as accent lighting or a desk lamp when you don’t need extremely bright light. Goodnight is available in different versions – with a lampshade (plus cap) or wall bracket.
Starck’s design offers atmospheric light with three adjustable light intensities. Source: Kartell
The same design is also available as a wall-mounted model. Source: Kartell
