Gone are the days of feeling like Ebenezer Scrooge as you drag your old camping light out of the closet to shine a bit of light on your al fresco dinner. Portable lights have been given the designer treatment in recent years, often making it tough to discern what belongs inside and what can take off on a little fresh-air adventure—though, of course, there are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping around for cordless lamps.
First, treat your outdoor space like any other room in your home. “I ensure the shape and finish complement the other design elements in the space, so the lamp feels intentional,” says Leah Ring, founder of the LA-based design studio Another Human. “If it looks like a cohesive part of something, it won’t feel like a temporary solution or an afterthought.” It’s also important to remember that the line between indoor and outdoor lamps is a blurry one: “These days, so many lamps are portable that we often use them as bedside lamps, or countertop accents in a kitchen—anywhere where a plug or cord is one thing too many,” says Jen Levy, co-founder of Baltimore-based Surrounded By Color. If you’re looking for something outdoor-specific, prioritize weather-durable materials like stainless steel or powder-coated aluminum that you can leave outside; but if you want a lamp that can do both, we have you covered.
The Best Cordless Lamps, According to Vogue
Best Overall Cordless Lamp
Philippe Starck for Flos Bon Jour unplugged lamp
Read moreBest Designer Cordless Lamp
Verner Panton for &Tradition Flowerpot VP9 table lamp
Read moreBest Indoor-Outdoor Cordless Lamp
Hay PC portable lamp
Read moreBest Hanging Cordless Lamp
Space Copenhagen Lucca hanging lamp
Read moreBest Lantern-style Cordless Lamp
Q&A Balmuda lantern
Read moreBest Bluetooth Speaker Cordless Lamp
Adesso Lighting Sensa Play lamp
Read moreBest Affordable Cordless Lamp
Ikea Solvinden lamp
Read more
Ahead, 12 cordless lamps that deserve an invite to your next aperitivo hour.
Philippe Starck for Flos
Bon Jour unplugged lamp
- Why We Love It: If you’re skeptical that a portable lamp can actually look elevated enough for a seat at the table, Bon Jour Unplugged is here to prove otherwise. Sleek and compact, it has all the presence of a traditional designer table lamp—minus the cord clutter. And thanks to adjustable light settings, it’s just as good at illuminating your latest bedtime read as it is at supplying a little low-lit dinner party magic.
- Materials: Aluminum, plastic
- Dimensions: 10.6” H x 5.1” D
- Color Options: Chrome, copper, blue, mint, black, white, rose, grey
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
