Can You Use a Rechargeable Lamp While It's Charging? (And Can You Leave It Plugged In?)

It's a very common question: the lamp is nearly flat, you're halfway through the evening, and you wonder whether you can plug it in and keep it on. A second question follows close behind: is it fine to leave a rechargeable lamp plugged in all the time? The answer depends on the lamp, so here's what we recommend for our USB-C cordless lamps, and what to check on any other lamp.

Our Advice: Charge First, Then Use

For our lamps, we recommend charging the lamp first and using it afterwards, rather than running it while it's plugged in. A rechargeable lamp is designed to run from its battery, so it works best when the charging and the lighting are kept separate.

Why It Varies Between Lamps

Not every rechargeable lamp is the same. Some are designed to work while plugged in, and their instructions say so. Others are designed to charge first and run afterwards. If you have a lamp from another brand, check its instructions rather than assuming.

Can You Leave It Plugged In All the Time?

We'd suggest not. Once the lamp is fully charged, unplug it. A battery doesn't need to be on the charger permanently, and keeping a charger connected when it isn't needed is an extra thing to go wrong. A lamp with a long runtime makes this easy, because you won't need to charge it often.

How to Charge Our Lamps

• Use the USB-C port. Our lamps charge by USB-C
• Use a good-quality USB-C cable and a standard USB charger, rather than a damaged or unbranded one
• Charge on a flat, hard surface, and don't cover the lamp while it charges
• Charge indoors, even for a lamp you use outside, such as Poise
• Unplug it once it's charged

If the Lamp Gets Hot or Looks Wrong

Stop charging and unplug it if the lamp or the charger feels unusually hot, if the casing looks swollen, or if the cable is damaged. Don't use it again until you've checked the manufacturer's guidance.

How to Avoid Needing to Use It While Charging

The easiest answer is a lamp that rarely runs flat:

• Halo runs for up to 120 hours at its lowest brightness
• Poise offers 12 to 24 hours depending on brightness
• Vela runs for up to 13 hours
• Domo has a 4000mAh battery

Charge it in the afternoon, and it's ready for the evening.

Final Thought

The simplest habit is the best one: charge the lamp when you're not using it, unplug it when it's done, and use it afterwards. And whatever lamp you have, the manufacturer's instructions are the final word.

Browse the full range of cordless, rechargeable table lamps at Aesthix Lume and find one with a runtime that suits you.