Without cables acting as an anchor, portable, battery-powered table lamps give us a new freedom to take total control of the light and ambience in our homes.

We've been incredibly excited to see our favourite brands "throw off the shackles" in recent years and embrace portable technology in their table lamps. Today, our favourite designs are being reimagined in a way that allows them to fulfil the needs of our lives today, and isn't that exactly what great design is all about?

We're huge fans of Dieter Rams here at Utility and his 10 principles of good design. The battery-powered (charged via USB) portable table lamps below pretty much check every one of his boxes so, have a look for yourself and make your interior lighting start working for you.



1. Flos Bon Jour Unplugged

When Philippe Starck designed his Bon Jour table lamp in 2015 he noted that he'd "dreamed of making a rechargeable battery-powered lamp for 20 years" but technology had now caught up. "The battery exists, the lamp exists and the quality exists. The wires will disappear".

Available in four finishes, from minimal white to luxe chrome, and boasting 6 hours of charge from full, the Bon Jour lamp from Flos Lighting is as beautiful as it's corded cousin but compact and lightweight enough to take with you as you navigate your home.

Shop the Bon Jour Unplugged, starting at £225 at Utility today.


2. &Tradition Flowerpot VP9

Even the most classic designs can do with an upgrade to better suit the needs of a modern world. The &Tradition Flowerpot VP9 Portable Table Lamp is the newest member of the highly-admired Flowerpot Collection, designed by Verner Panton.

Slightly smaller than the original Table Lamp (1968) version and lightweight for ease of movement, the VP9 enables you to enjoy a cosy ambience wherever you are in the home.

Shop the &Tradition VP9 Portable Table lamp online at Utility today, £145.


3. Louis Poulsen Panthella Portable

Instantly recognisable, the Panthella Portable is a scaled-down verson of Verner Panton's original Panthella Table Lamp. This miniature Panthella provides any space with a harmonic and glare-free light, enabling you to enjoy Panton’s design out in the open too. 

Just like its older brother, the Panthella Portable emits a soft and comfortable illumination. The hemispherical shade reflects the light downwards, and the material used ensures that the majority of the light is spread diffusely in the room from the surface of the shade.

Shop the Panthella Portable Table lamp online at Utility today, £175.


4. Hay PC Portable Table Lamp

The PC Portable Table Lamp from Hay is a designer table lamp designed by Pierre Charpin. Made from ABS plastic this demure table lamp is rechargeable and will run consistently for 10 hours before needing a recharge (via a USB cable).

It features an LED light source and is small and portable so can be carried anywhere for convenient and wire-free illumination. Use in the garden or inside. Sophisticated and well priced it spans the borders between office add home, inside or out and its use is limitless.

Shop the PC Portable Table Lamp online at Utility today, £79.


5. &Tradition Lucca Table Lamp

The &Tradition SC51 Lucca Portable Table Lamp designed by SPACE Copenhagen is a versatile modern take on the traditional lantern. Taking on the beautiful golden glow found in the nocturnal light of the Mediterranean, this lamp is rightly named after the historic northern Tuscan city of Lucca, a word that is similar to the Italian term for "light".

The softly rounded glass housed in its elegant metal structure creates an inviting warm glow, with a stylish carrying handle, the lamp can be moved freely from indoor to outdoor. Ideal to be placed on a side table, hung on the wall or used illuminate an outdoor seating area. 

Shop the &Tradition Lucca Table Lamp online at Utility today, £120.


6. Menu JWDA Portable Lamp

The popular Menu JWDA Lamp is now available as a Portable Table Lamp. This compact and attractive lamp can be moved around the home with ease. With a durable, stamped steel base available in three contemporary colours, the JWDA Portable Lamp sits well in any modern space. The glass shade is mouth-blown and the milled brass knob controls the level of light that the lamp emits, so you can create the perfect ambience.  This beautiful light provides up to 10 hours of soft, ambient light when fully charged and has a USB charger at the base.

Shop the Menu JWDA Portable Table Lamp at Utility today, £150.


7. Ferm Living Meridian Portable Lamp

Designed in collaboration with design studio 'Regular Company', the Meridian Portable Lamp is characterised by its three simple geometric elements, that combined present a clean, modern expression.

Boasting an impressive 12 hour battery life, Meridian from Ferm Living is another portable, dimmable lighting solution that works in a multitude of settings.

Shop the Ferm Living Meridian Portable Lamp online at Utility today, £149.


8. &Tradition Manhattan SC52 Table Lamp

A beautifully proportioned and aesthetically balanced lamp, the SC52 from &Tradition features a natural canvas shade that contrasts beautifully with the industrial-inspired base, which is made from anodized aluminium with columned detailing.

Manhatten has a 3 step dimming function and boasts as impressive 11 hours battery life and the brightest setting.

Shop the &Tradition Manhattan Table Lamp online at Utility today, £145


9. Flos Bellhop Table Lamp

Designed by prolific design dup Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, the Flos Bellhop Table Lamp is a lesson in sleek simplicity. Described as a modern-day candle the Bellhop table lamp casts an atmospheric pool of comfortable, anti-glare light.

With a lighting life of up to 24 hours coupled with a 4 step dimmer function (activated through a push-button on the base of the lamp), the Bellhop is the perfect all-day companion.

Shop the Flos Bellhop online at Utility today, £175


10. AYTM Luceo Portable Table Lamp

The Luceo Portable Table Lamp is part of the stunning Luceo lighting collection by modern Danish design brand AYTM. Defined by smooth rounded curves and contrasting geometric shapes, the Luceo, which takes its name from the Latin word for "to shine" is a wonderfully compact lamp that will become a timeless addition to any modern interior space.

The cool mix of striking glass base and powder-coated metal body gives Luceo a playful expression that enhances the transparency of the glass and strength and hardness of the metal. Designed to be moved from space to space, the Luceo is suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

Shop the AYTM Luceo Portable Table Lamp online at Utility today, £149


11. &Tradition Setago Portable Table Lamp

The &Tradition Setago JH27 Portable Table Lamp prioritises stylish versatility. Designed by renowned designer Jaime Hayon, and named after the Spanish word for mushroom, the lamp has a distinctive structure thats create a petite light source. This portable lamp is unburdened by an electrical cord making it seamlessly move from room to room, providing ambient, inviting light.

Available in a range of beautifully matched colourways, with a sophisticated brass dimmer, Setago adds a touch of subtle elegance to any environment.

Shop the &Tradition Setago Table Lamp online at Utility today, £100


There you have it. 10 fantastic examples of portable table lamps for the modern home. So, do we think this is the end of cabled table lamps?


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