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How to choose a desk lamp for a school student

Published: 30.01.2021
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When choosing a desk lamp for a school child, there are several things to consider. Children spend a lot of time at the desk and if the lighting is wrong, it is inevitable that over the years vision problems will arise, and the child will be more tired. It is very important not only to create a comfortable work environment, but also to be able to adjust the light flow as necessary to perform the lessons.

The child's workplace should be perfectly illuminated.
The child's workplace should be perfectly lit.

What quality and safety parameters are worth choosing

There are several aspects, given which it is not difficult to choose a lamp for a schoolchild. Therefore, it is worth studying all the recommendations, there are no minutiae here, every nuance is important. It is better to look longer, but choose a good-quality lamp.

Mounting and stability

Many people overlook this point, meanwhile a lot depends on the base. First of all, you need to pay attention to its surface. If the support part is covered with shiny or glossy paint, it will reflect light and create discomfort for the eyes. Over time, such a small thing can cause visual impairment. It is also necessary to deal with other aspects:

  1. The size should ensure stability. The lamp should not topple over if it is caught by the elbow or accidentally pushed. Many models have a weighting element inserted in the base, which serves as a counterweight and balances the heavy plafond.
  2. To prevent the supporting part from sliding on the table top and securely fixed to it, stickers or improvised legs of porous rubber are used most often. These can be both dots and strips, due to this, the table lamp will be securely held even on a slippery surface.
  3. Screw clamp - a screw device with which you can fix the lamp on the edge of the tabletop. The main advantage of this solution is that it does not take up space on the table, so it is also suitable for limited space. The clamp allows you to adjust to any tabletop thickness, which is also important. Rubber pads on the jaws ensure attachment without damaging the surface.
  4. The clip resembles a regular clothespin and attaches to the table in the same way as a clamp, without taking up space on the work surface. Fixing is much faster, but less reliable. Suitable for small lamps, which weigh a little and do not create a lot of load on the mount.
USB connector is a great addition to the lamp base.
The USB connector is a great addition to the base of the lamp.

There are models in which you can remove the classic base and put a clamp. They allow you to choose a convenient mounting option.

Read also

Ways to attach a table lamp

 

Type of lamp and its power

When choosing a table lamp, you need to pay attention to what light sources are used in it. The most common type is the E27 base, for which there are different types of lamps, but the seat is massive and not suitable for models with a small plafond. More compact socket E14 (so-called "minion"), the lamp is smaller, but the choice is not as wide. The main types of bulbs used in lighting fixtures:

  1. Incandescent bulbs.. The most inefficient type, which is not distinguished by the quality of light and brightness. In the plafonds you can use variants with a capacity of 40 to 60 watts, they heat up very strongly during operation. Because of this, the plafond overheats, touching it can be unsafe. And when you work for a long time, the plastic elements can become deformed or yellowed.
  2. Halogen lamps are not often used in luminaires, but there are models designed for them. The maximum power should not exceed 60 watts, and the light source also heats up, though not as much as incandescent bulbs. They shine better, brightness is more suited to illuminate the work area.
  3. Fluorescent lamps are good for table lamps. They do not heat up when working and give good light, but because of the invisible flicker the eye is tired when working for a long time. Most commonly used versions with 2G7 and G23 bases, the best wattage is 11 watts. Do not use in children due to the fact that the lamp contains mercury vapor, which is not safe if it breaks.
  4. LED bulbs are best suited for table lamps. They consume very little power (no more than 12 watts). They are characterized by a long service life, the bulbs work many times longer than any analogue. At the same time almost no heat, so even if a child touches a light source, it will not get a burn.

    LED bulbs are more compact than traditional bulbs.
    LED bulbs are more compact than traditional bulbs.
  5. LED table lamps - A separate type that does not use interchangeable elements. Diodes are built into the design, which allows you to make the plafonds small and the design is many times lighter than usual. The quality of light is not inferior to classic models.

LED models can run on both 220 V and 12 V, which allows the use of batteries, rechargeable batteries, or even connect the wire to a USB connector on your computer.

Color temperature for classes

The possibility of selecting this parameter is only in fixtures with LED lamps or built-in LEDs. The other types have a constant color temperature and it is impossible to change it.

Ophthalmologists recommend using warm white light, as the closest to natural sunlight. You should not choose cold shades, although they illuminate better, but over time there is internal tension in the eye muscles, which accumulates fatigue.

 Only warm and natural white color.
Only warm and natural white color is suitable for a child.

If the luminaire uses interchangeable lamps, you have to put versions with a warm white light. The indication is always on the packaging, so it is not difficult to choose, the power should not be more than 12 watts.

When the table lamp has a brightness control (dimmer), you can adjust the brightness and choose the right one. This is especially true for models with built-in LEDs.

Appearance

Addressing the question of what to choose a lamp for a schoolchild, do not miss the appearance. This point is important, but it should not be the main choice, then we should take into account the following:

  1. The age of the child. For the youngest, it is better to choose bright models, which can be combined with fairy tale characters or decorated with pictures. It is good when there is a dimmed light mode to use the lamp as a nightlight. Older schoolchildren will suit austere models or futuristic options.
  2. Style of execution. It is worth taking into account the situation in the room and, if possible, match the table lamp to it.
  3. The color of the lamp is better to match the interior. The surface should not be glossy so as not to create glare. Neutral shades will do - white, pastel tones, etc.
  4. The design of the bar. In the simplest variants it is a flexible support in a corrugated casing. In the more advanced ones, the legs are multi-component with locks and the ability to adjust the light to any place on the table.
Desk lamps with favourite cartoon characters.
For younger students, you can find table lamps with characters from your favorite cartoons.

Many models are available in several colors, which simplifies the choice.

The presence of additional options

Table lamps can have many additional functions that expand the functionality of the equipment and make it versatile:

  1. Touch controls. It is much more reliable than buttons, as there are no moving parts, it is less dirty and does not break when exposed to water. The sensor not only turns the light on and off, but can also adjust its brightness.
  2. The presence of a remote control. It is convenient, you can turn the lamp on and off from anywhere in the room. If there are no buttons on the body, it is worth monitoring the charge of the batteries - when they run out, you will not be able to turn on the lamp.
  3. Control from a smartphone. You need to put a special application on the gadget, through which you can regulate the work of the table lamp and change the brightness.
  4. Electronic clock and built-in thermometer are also often installed in the body of the table lamp. This will allow you to control the microclimate in the room, and the child will keep track of the time if he has to go to class or somewhere else.
  5. One or more USB sockets in the base, through which you can charge any devices.
  6. An alcove or compartment for stationery and useful little things can also come in handy.
  7. Decorative lighting will improve the appearance and can be used as a night light during sleep. It should not be bright, it is better to have the ability to turn off.
  8. Wireless charger built into the base of the table lamp will be appreciated by all modern schoolchildren.
The wireless charger is a great addition to the modern table lamp.
Wireless charging is a great addition to the modern table lamp.

There are wireless models of lamps, this is a good solution if there is no outlet near the child's desk.

Recommended lighting standards of a schoolchild's workplace

It makes no sense to enumerate the norms of SNiP, as it is still impossible to check them at home. But with the observance of simple recommendations to ensure normal lighting of the schoolchild's desk is not difficult:

  1. The light must be sufficiently bright (not less than 300 Lumens) and aimed specifically at the work area. Therefore, the plafond should be easily and quickly adjustable.
  2. The surface of the desk should be matte, so as not to reflect light and not to create discomfort to the eyesight.
  3. For right-handed people the desk lamp should be placed on the left side, for left-handed people it should be placed on the right side.
  4. The optimal light is warm white, it makes your eyes tired the least.

There is no need to turn off the general lighting if the desk lamp is on. When it is dark around, your eyes get tired more.

Quality lighting for the workplace
Quality lighting is the first requirement for a school student's desk.

Video: What parameters you need to pay attention to when choosing a desk lamp.

Rating of the most popular models

There are thousands of models on sale, it is difficult to determine the quality and reliability at a glance. It is much easier to consider those table lamps that have earned a good reputation among users.

Xiaomi Philips Eyecare Smart Lamp 2

How to choose a desk lamp for a school student
You can wrap the lamp and use it as a nightlight.

Minimalistic design that a child will love. No unnecessary details and elements, flexible bar, the position of which is easy to change. Features are as follows:
  1. Manual brightness adjustment and through an app on your smartphone.
  2. The color temperature is comfortable for the eyes, there is a separate mode for children's reading.
  3. The backlight in the support allows you to use the table lamp as a night light.

Of the disadvantages noted except that the power cord is short at 1.4 m.

ODEON LIGHT BRUSO 2334/1T

How to choose a desk lamp for a school student
Organizer in the base - a great solution for storing pens, pencils and other small things.

The Italian luminaire is distinguished by a good quality of assembly and stylish design. There are no modern additions, but it has its own advantages:
  1. The flexible leg is easily adjustable and can be set in any position.
  2. You can put light bulbs of different types.
  3. The organizer in the base will help to keep the necessary small things at hand.
How to choose a desk lamp for a school student
ODEON LIGHT BRUSO

The build quality is high, while the price is small for such a table lamp.

Supra SL-TL315.

The model has a huge number of adjustments thanks to the swivel joints.
The model has a huge number of adjustments thanks to the swivel joints.

A modern lamp, which is suitable for teenagers and older children. Made of metal and plastic, the assembly is reliable. The features are:
  1. The touch control allows you to not only turn on the lamp, but also to accurately adjust its brightness.
  2. The adjustment system is convenient, allows you to illuminate any place on the table.
  3. LED resource of 50,000 hours.

The lamp gives a bright light, which allows the child to do homework and not get tired.

Choosing a desk lamp for a school child is not difficult if you consider the recommendations from the review and take into account the age of the child. Today's children love options with different add-ons and the ability to control from a smartphone, it is worth remembering.

Comments:
  • Natalia
    Reply to the post

    School kids sometimes sit at their lessons until very late at night and there's just no way without a good table lamp! For our daughter we bought the table lamp Era, it is firmly attached to the table and thanks to the hinge joints it can be adjusted as desired, illuminates the child's workplace perfectly. I think this is a convenient and inexpensive lamp.

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