Can You Make a Normal Lamp Cordless? Rechargeable Bulbs vs Cordless Lamps

You've found the perfect spot for a lamp, but there's no socket nearby. Or you love the lamp you already own and wonder if you can simply cut the cable and run it on a battery. It's a common question, especially in homes with few sockets, and the answer has a few parts. Here's what your options actually are.

Option 1: A Rechargeable Bulb in Your Existing Lamp

Some LED bulbs have a battery built in. You screw one into a lamp in place of a normal bulb. They can be a quick way to keep a favourite lamp working, but check the details before you buy:

• Many are designed as emergency or backup bulbs, which charge while the lamp is connected to the mains and keep the light on during a power cut. That's different from running a lamp with no cable at all
• The bulb has to fit: check the fitting type, such as screw or bayonet, and the size, so it works with your shade
• Battery life varies, so read the stated runtime and charging method on the product page

If you're thinking about this route, follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly.

Option 2: Taking a Mains Lamp Apart (Don't)

Some online advice suggests cutting off the plug and wiring in a battery pack. We'd steer clear of this. A mains lamp's wiring is designed to be connected to a plug and socket, and altering it yourself can cause faults or even a fire risk, especially if you're not trained to do it. If you want a cordless lamp, buy one built for the job.

Option 3: A Purpose-Built Cordless Lamp

A cordless lamp has the battery, LED and charging port designed to work together from the start. You charge it by USB, then carry it wherever you like. It's the simplest and safest way to get light where there isn't a socket.

Which One Makes Sense?

• Keep your lamp and use a rechargeable bulb if the lamp itself is special to you, such as a particular base or shade, and you've checked the bulb works with it
• Choose a cordless lamp if you mainly want light in a spot with no socket, and you don't mind getting a new lamp

For most people with a socket problem, a purpose-built cordless lamp is the easier choice.

Cordless Lamps Worth Looking At

• Classic is a bar-style touch lamp with a simple, upright shape that suits most rooms
• Plate is a Nordic-style touch lamp with a clean, minimal look
• Domo has a 4000mAh battery and a rounded mushroom-style shape
• Halo is a cordless dimmable lamp that runs for up to 120 hours at its lowest brightness

If You Only Want to Tidy the Cable

If the real problem is a trailing cable rather than a missing socket, there are other fixes. A cable cover or cord channel can keep a wire flat and out of the way. For a permanent change, such as adding a socket, ask a qualified electrician.

Final Thought

You can't simply turn a plug-in lamp into a cordless one by cutting the cable, and you shouldn't try. A rechargeable bulb is worth checking if you love your current lamp, and a purpose-built cordless lamp is the safe, simple answer for everything else.

Browse the full range of cordless, rechargeable table lamps at Aesthix Lume and find one for the spot with no socket.