Choosing a Reading Light
Choose the Best Book Light for Your Reading Life
No matter when--at home or while traveling--or how--printed books or e-readers--you read, there's a book light that's right for the reading task.
With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein (and your memory of The Sound of Music soundtrack), some of our least-favorite things: Squinting. Overhead lights on airplanes. Bad hotel-room lighting. Grumbly spouses who don't understand why we won't just close the book, shut off the light, and go to sleep. And, yes, aging.
The good news: there's a personal reading light that will help with every last one of those problems. (Yes, even the grumbling will stop.) But, what kind of book light is right for your needs? The Lightwedge Original? A book light that does double duty as a bookmark? One made just for e-readers? When it comes to reading lights, one bulb definitely does not fit all.
Why buy a book light?
First, let's clear up the why of owning a reading light: It's all about your visual comfort. There's kind of a happy medium between a good amount of lighting and glare. That's where book lights really (excuse the pun) shine. Since you control the angle of the light and can easily move your book to reduce glare, your eye comfort is instantly amped up.
While discomfort caused by low light won't harm your long-term eye health, it can put a wrinkle in your day (and, possibly, your brow). Bad lighting can lead to eyestrain, headache above the brows, and, even, lower productivity; the harder it is to read, the more likely it is you'll fall asleep mid-sentence (or spreadsheet).
Travelers take note (as if you hadn't already noticed): one of the glariest lights around is that overhead horror on airplanes. Instead of switching it on, turn on a book light instead. Personal travel reading lights also help combat the lack of control you have over the background illumination on planes; it's usually lights-out on night flights and too bright during the day. You can position an ancillary light to reduce glare on the page of your hardcover or paperback book, e-reader screen, or computer monitor.
The right book light for your reading needs…
No matter when--at home or while traveling--or how--printed books or e-readers--you read, there's a book light that's right for the reading task.
With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein (and your memory of The Sound of Music soundtrack), some of our least-favorite things: Squinting. Overhead lights on airplanes. Bad hotel-room lighting. Grumbly spouses who don't understand why we won't just close the book, shut off the light, and go to sleep. And, yes, aging.
The good news: there's a personal reading light that will help with every last one of those problems. (Yes, even the grumbling will stop.) But, what kind of book light is right for your needs? The Lightwedge Original? A book light that does double duty as a bookmark? One made just for e-readers? When it comes to reading lights, one bulb definitely does not fit all.
Why buy a book light?
First, let's clear up the why of owning a reading light: It's all about your visual comfort. There's kind of a happy medium between a good amount of lighting and glare. That's where book lights really (excuse the pun) shine. Since you control the angle of the light and can easily move your book to reduce glare, your eye comfort is instantly amped up.
While discomfort caused by low light won't harm your long-term eye health, it can put a wrinkle in your day (and, possibly, your brow). Bad lighting can lead to eyestrain, headache above the brows, and, even, lower productivity; the harder it is to read, the more likely it is you'll fall asleep mid-sentence (or spreadsheet).
Travelers take note (as if you hadn't already noticed): one of the glariest lights around is that overhead horror on airplanes. Instead of switching it on, turn on a book light instead. Personal travel reading lights also help combat the lack of control you have over the background illumination on planes; it's usually lights-out on night flights and too bright during the day. You can position an ancillary light to reduce glare on the page of your hardcover or paperback book, e-reader screen, or computer monitor.
The right book light for your reading needs…
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Do you like to read in bed (without bothering your bedmate)? There's one clear choice: the LightWedge. The reading light's optical-grade acrylic lens spreads light on the page--and only on the page. Snoozy McSnoozerson won't even know you stayed up reading into the wee hours of the morning. An added benefit for your own, eventual, sleep: LightWedge provides a softer, gentler light that allows your body to produce less melatonin than the bright beams thrown off by bedside lamps. So, when you finally find out whodunit, you'll sleep that much easier. |
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Need a book light for travel? It's quick work to slip the LightWedge into its protective carrying case and right into your bag with your book. Another option: a portable book light. Designed for storage, lights like the Flex Neck Tech Light fold up quickly and take up a minimal amount of space in carry-on bags. Also, consider a book light with a rechargeable battery. You don't have to lug extra batteries along or spend travel time buying replacements. (LightWedge fans can rejoice: the rechargeable LightWedge 2.0 is rechargeable!) |
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Do you read the old-fashioned way--printed books and periodicals--or on an e-reader? Traditionalists should consider any of the three LightWedges or a clip light. If you prefer your Shakespeare or Steinbeck served up by E-ink, choose a book light made just for e-readers. The frames on e-readers are, often, too shallow to accommodate a traditional reading light. Reading lights made specifically for e-readers won't block the display. |
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Do you give hardcover and paperback books equal attention? The LightWedge Original is sized for hardcover and paperback books. For readers who stick with paperbacks, the Original's slightly smaller sibling, the LightWedge Paperback, is the way to go. Like a light that holds its own place? Try one the most unique members of the LightWedge family: the patented Spike Light. It can handle any (and every) kind of book you throw its way. |
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Always looking for a bookmark? Skip out on toting extra accessories around. The Bookmark Light was designed for the job. You'll never have to dogear a book again. |
