I’m On A Mission To Read 100 Books This Year — And This 1 Accessory Is My Secret Weapon
I'm on a mission to read 100 books this year. I've made good progress (61 down, 39 to go!), but I've noticed my eyes feeling a little strained the more I try to read at night using either just the overhead light in my apartment or my bedside lamp, which doesn't direct light as directly onto the page as I'd like. So, I'm on the hunt for a portable reading light that can illuminate my next read. But where to find one?
Amazon has dozens of options, to the point that the choice feels overwhelming, but in my perusing, I've managed to narrow down some of the options I think are the best to get. If, like me, you want a portable reading light that will do its job and do it well, take a look at the list below and decide with me which is your favorite (I have several strong contenders).
Amazon
A popular bendable book light you can wear around your neck
We've covered this neck light before for its many practical uses : Wear it to read, work, draw and more without using your hands or clipping anything to your book or device. We even gave it a HuffPost Shopping Award in 2025 for its handiness. The light's three color temperature and six brightness level modes can allow you to use the light in bed without disturbing your partner's rest if that's a concern (the light also has a narrow 90-degree beam). You can get a neck light in seven colors.
Promising review: "The best reading light! Easy to use, options for light color (non-blue) and brightness. Just wearing it around your neck naturally puts the light right where you need it on the page to read in bed! A++++" — Karenn
Amazon
A bookmark-style clip-on light
This rechargeable clip-on light, available in nine colors, offers brightness between 10% and 100%, as well as three color temperatures so you can customize it as you wish. The head also rotates up to 90 degrees and tilts up to 60 degrees, so it's able to direct light where you need it most. The battery is also blessedly long-lasting, with up to 80 hours of juice on a full USB-C charge.
Amazon
A rechargeable clip-on book light beloved by a HuffPost editor
In a previous story , Lindsay Holmes , HuffPost deputy director of life, shouted out this clip-on reading light , saying, "For anyone who enjoys reading or crafting and it's too dark, this light has the longest battery life ever. I use it for needlepointing and reading and I've maybe only charged it once since I got it in April." (At the time of publication, that's three months of use.) The light's horizontal design covers a wider surface area, perfect for reading, and the three color temperatures and stepless dimming options make it simple to find your preferred lighting. The light clips on to your book for a hands-free experience, and the gooseneck is bendable and flexible.
Amazon
A blue light-blocking amber reading light
Are you reading at night and hoping to block out blue light before you sleep? Try this amber reading light that creates a warm glow with adjustable dimming. Some research has shown amber light to be more soothing to the human brain than other colors. The light has a milky cover for eye protection, and the neck is bendable and flexible. The other cool thing about this light is that the base can be clipped on to your book, device or headboard depending on the size, but the base can also be stood up on its own if you want to use it as a more traditional reading or desk light.
Amazon
A funky, flexible mushroom light that clips on to your furniture
While this light is primarily marketed toward college kids looking for dorm lighting, I believe anyone with whimsical taste in decor can get a kick out of the colorful mushroom clip-on. Equipped with three light modes and 10 brightness levels (not to mention five color modes), you have so many options with this lamp. The base clips on to your headboard, bed rails, desk or shelf rather than your book, so you don't have to hold up the weight of the light yourself as you read, while the bendable neck still ensures the light is directed right where you want it. This comes in two colors.
Promising review: "For an avid reader, this little light is a miracle! It clamps to the headboard, allowing the perfect angle for reading in bed, no matter what position I lie. Then it switches to a warm tourqouis night light so I don't trip over the dogs. Great product - worth every penny! Oh, and great customer service also!" — M.L.Partridge
Amazon
A wearable neck fan that doubles as a reading light
You probably know about our love for wearable neck fans , in addition to the wearable neck light mentioned earlier in this list. But now you can combine both of those items into one, with this portable neck fan that also has a built-in reading light. Now you can read in low light settings while also staying cool, if you, for example, live in a hotter climate or are on vacation somewhere warmer. (You can also use each function independent of the other.)
The downside of this one is that the light has fewer customization options available, but the fan has six speeds, and the neck is designed with a soft silicone pad and arms that you can freely widen for your comfort. Get the device in three colors.
Amazon
A two-pronged rechargeable clip-on light to cover extra surface area
What sets this clip-on light apart from others is the "whale tail" design, with a separate light on either side of the base that you can spread like wings to cover more surface area as needed. The light is rechargeable with a USB-C cable, and can last up to 80 hours on one charge. The light comes with three color modes and five brightness levels, and of course has a goose neck that you can bend as desired.
Promising review: "I love this thing. It really holds its charge for a long time and I love the fact that it has at least four different colors and levels of light. It's useful for holding my place in a book and then just flipping on the light to read. I use it all the time." — Amazon Customer
Amazon
Another bookmark-style clip-on light that comes in even more colors
How cute is this little clip-on light ? It comes in 16 colors, from classic black or white to a range of pastels and neons to add some fun to your reading time. Enjoy three brightness settings and/or stepless dimming, up to 80 hours of battery life and three color temperatures, including a blue light-blocking warm amber. The base of the light can be tilted, as can the round head, which also swivels side to side. Charge this one with a USB-A port.
Amazon
A flashlight that clips on to your clothes
Admittedly, this one isn't really advertised as a reading light, but multiple reviewers mention using it for that specific purpose. T his light clips on to your clothes, making it wearable but possibly less bulky than something like a neck light. You just press it to turn it on — there are three light modes, but the general white light is the one you'll use for reading (the others are red light, which is useful for emergencies). Best of all, this one is multifunctional: If you're a night runner, or just use the bathroom in the middle of the night a lot but don't have nightlights, you can use this light for safety beyond its usefulness for reading.
Promising review: "This little clip on light is a brilliant idea and a lifesaver. I leave it on my shirt in the evening so if I need to use it really quick, it's right there. It's awesome when sitting in bed reading at night or if you want to sit in the dark and read a book. It's great in my closets that don't have any lighting and it's awesome when you drop your keys and you can't find them I love the fact that it has a blinking red light which is fantastic if you go for a walk at night. It's great for children it's overall fantastic!" — JazzyChic
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