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Why I love this deal
Late last year, as winter was setting in, I realized my reading nook wasn’t getting much light anymore. Since I spend a lot of time there, I thought it was time to buy a floor lamp so I could continue to enjoy my latest library read. I chose Amazon’sAmbimall Floor Lamp, which is currently on sale for $27 for Prime members, a 29% discount from its regular price of $38. I paid full price when I got it, but I can’t complain as it changed my space for the better. Now I’ve been using it for more than 12 months, and I can spend as long as I want in my reading nook, no matter what time of day it is, and clearly see what I’m reading.
Before I bought this lamp, I relied on the overhead light in the living room to help me see my book of choice. But our lighting in that room is a gentle amber, which I like for the mood of the space, but isn’t bright enough to clearly see by when it gets dark outside. Since buying the Ambimall floor lamp, I’ve used it most evenings, and it provides clear, focused light that’s perfect to read by. My cats appreciate this lamp, too, as they like to sleep on me when I’m reading in this chair, so it came with an unexpected perk!
Ambimall Floor Lamp, $27 (was $38) at Amazon
COurtesy of Amazon
Why it’s the perfect reading lamp
As a published author and a voracious reader, I can say that one of my greatest passions is reading. My reading nook is one of my favorite spots in the house. But after moving into an older home with lackluster lighting, I needed a floor lamp to properly light the area where I like to sit when I read. I’ve spent a year testing this lamp, as I mentioned before, and while it’s not perfect, it’s an ideal investment if you’re on a budget.
When I was shopping for a lamp, I knew I wanted something curved so I could focus the light directly on my book. But one thing I didn’t think of is that this lamp offers color temperature options. By pressing the on/off floor switch that’s located on the lamp cord, I can switch between a warm white (3000K), natural white (4000K), and daylight white (5000K) at any time, all without having to change the light bulb. This is unlike all the floor lamps I’ve owned in the past, which typically required specific bulbs for this. And the lamp does come with a 9-watt LED bulb, so you won’t need to have your own on hand.
I’ve enjoyed choosing between these options, opting for the warm white when I read at night and switching to the daylight white on overcast days. This lamp does not have dimming options, but since I’ve been happy with it as is, I haven’t felt a need for them.
One thing that took me by surprise about this lamp was the shade it comes with. In the past, any lampshade I’ve purchased has come assembled, and that’s simply how I thought all lampshades were made. Buying this lamp was my first time coming across a lampshade that you have to assemble. The shade is a single sheet of linen with velcro closures on the ends. To put it together, you wrap it around two wire hoops and secure the velcro closures. It looks fine once it’s assembled, but it does have a visible seam because of the way it’s constructed. I’m not a fan of this, so I turn the shade so the seam isn’t easy to see.
The lamp has a decent weight of 6.5 pounds, but its body is very thin and light. I’m not worried about it falling over, but I highlight this because it may not be a fit for a high-traffic home where things are bumped into by kids playing or energetic dogs running around. I use mine in a low-traffic area, so this doesn’t bother me, but it wouldn’t be for everyone. I tested it on both hardwood and low-pile carpet, and it was fine on both, although I can’t speak to how it would stand on a high-pile carpet.
This lamp only took me about five minutes to assemble, and no tools are required. Other than being a bit befuddled by the shade construction, I’m happy with it overall. It serves the purpose I bought it for perfectly, and I didn’t have to spend much on it, even though I paid full price.
The pros and cons of my $27 Amazon floor lamp
Pros
- Adjustable lighting: The lamp has an adjustable head, which is helpful for pointing the light in a focused area.
- Color temperature options: You can switch between warm white, natural white, and daylight white.
- Convenient pedal switch: The switch is on the cord and can be turned on and off with your foot.
- Easy assembly: Took about five minutes for me to assemble.
Cons
- Lightweight: The lamp isn’t very heavy and could be knocked over if you have large pets.
- No brightness adjustment: You can’t dim the light, as it only has one fixed brightness.
- Shade construction: The shade has to be assembled and has a visible seam, which looks cheap.
Related: Amazon’s smart touch lamp is discounted to just $20, and it’s ‘perfect for any room’
This lamp has more than 3,000 five-star ratings, so I’m not the only person who liked it. “I couldn’t be happier with this freestanding lamp!” one wrote, going on to say, “At five feet tall, it’s the perfect height to add warmth and light to any space without being overwhelming. Assembly was incredibly easy — just a few simple steps, and it was ready to go. No tools, no frustration!”
A second reviewer came up with a clever solution to add a dimmer. They wrote, “I put a dimmable bulb in (purchased separately) and plugged it into a simple dimmer switch. The foot switch still works, and I love that feature.”
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The Ambimall Floor Lamp has made my reading nook a more comfortable and pleasant place to be. I’m happy with its performance and feel it was worth what I paid for it. I may upgrade to something heavier one day, but considering it was under $40 when I bought it, I’m pleased with what I got. It’s an even better deal at $27, which is close to its lowest price of all time. But the price is only good for Amazon Prime members, so if you aren’t a member yet and want to get this deal, you can sign up here.
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