Portable Lamps

It depends on the model and brightness, but many run for around 5–10 hours at full brightness and much longer when dimmed, often enough for several evenings at a low, dinner-party glow. Check the stated run time and charge time on the product page before buying, as they vary widely.

Many can. Look for an IP44 rating or higher for garden tables, terraces and balconies, which protects against splashes and light rain. Bring them indoors during heavy rain and charge them inside. Lamps without an IP rating should stay indoors. Rubber charging covers keep ports dry, and a damp lamp should be dried fully before it is plugged in to charge.

Anywhere without a socket: the dining table, a bookshelf, a bathroom, the kitchen island, a bedside in a rented flat or a summer terrace. They add warm, low-level light where wiring would be impossible, and can move from room to room as the evening goes on. Pairs work well on long tables.

Some are. Look at the lumen output on the product page: around 250–450 lumens is comfortable for reading, while many decorative cordless lamps produce less, giving mood lighting rather than task light. Lamps with adjustable brightness offer the most flexibility. Warm white suits evenings best, and a lamp with a diffused shade avoids glare across the dinner table.