Shopping for Portable Lamps

When there is no electrical outlet nearby or you want to bring light into a dark landscape, having a portable, rechargeable lamp comes in handy.

“The beauty of rechargeable lanterns is that we can put them into places where we don’t have power,” said Nathan Orsman, a lighting designer based in New York City and Southampton. “Near water and pools, or outdoor dining areas where we can’t pull a wire to do something more permanent.”

They are especially ideal for outdoor parties, Orsman said, because they can be used to temporarily illuminate stairs and tables. But they are also useful indoors, as bedside lamps that can light the path to the bathroom or the kitchen in the middle of the night.

In recent years, Orsman said, “the technology has become so much better,” with lamps that provide a more pleasing color of light, brighter output and better battery life.

“Buy them in bulk,” he said. “You will always use them.”

— How will you charge the lamp? Plan to store it near an outlet where it can easily be plugged in, because “if it’s not easy, you won’t do it,” Orsman said. Some companies also offer charging trays for multiple fixtures.

— Is it better to have warm or cool light? “We usually do warm white, which is around 2,500 to 2,700 kelvin,” Orsman said. “For more contemporary white-on-white projects, you might do 3,000 to 3,500 kelvin,” which is slightly cooler.

— How sturdy is it? A lighter weight will make it easier to carry, but for outdoor use, make sure you choose a lamp with some heft: You don’t want one that will be easily blown over.

Glass-and-leather lamp by Alexander Åhnebrink

$743 at De Padova: 212-431-8282 or depadova.com

Collapsible table or hanging lamp by Studio Natural

$567 at Foscarini: 212-257-4412 or foscarini.com

Portable lamp with oak handle by Inma Bermúdez for Marset

$210 at YLighting: 866-428-9289 or ylighting.com

Metal table lamp by Peter Ellis and Tammy Chiew for Neoz

From $298 at Greenchance: 310-929-5333 or neoz.us

Rechargeable woven lantern by Stephen Burks

From $1,300 at Dedon: 212-334-3345 or dedon.de