Lighting · Buying guide · Modern Studio, Laguna Beach
The best cordless rechargeable lamps: Tom Dixon, Humble & more.
A cordless lamp goes where there’s no outlet: the dining table, a bookshelf, the patio. We compare run time, light color, dimming, charging and weather rating for Humble’s rechargeable table lights and Tom Dixon’s Bell, Pose and Melt portables.
At a glance
Eight cordless lamps compared.
Run times are the makers’ figures. Humble’s longest times are on the lowest (“Candle”) setting; brighter settings run shorter.
| Lamp | Battery life | Light color | Dimming | Weather | Charging | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humble One | Up to 140 h | 2200K | 3 steps | IP65 | Qi or USB-C | From $185 |
| Humble Two | 70–95 h | 2700K | 3 steps | IP65 | Qi or USB-C | $239 |
| Humble Air | 100–140 h | 2500K | 3 steps, remote | IP65 | Qi or USB-C | $289 |
| Humble Bug | 75–100 h | 2500K | 3 steps, touch, Zigbee | IP65 | Qi or USB-C | $349 |
| Humble Firefly | 100–140 h | Warm white | 4 steps (Bronze / Smoked) | IP65 | Qi only (Bronze / Smoked) | $219 |
| Tom Dixon Bell | 6–9 h | 2700–3000K | Continuous | Indoor & outdoor* | Magnetic USB-C | From $193 |
| Tom Dixon Pose | 6–9 h | 2700–3000K | 3 steps | Indoor & outdoor* | Rechargeable | From $217.50 |
| Tom Dixon Melt | Up to 10 h | n/a | n/a | See note | Magnetic USB-C | From $291 |
*Tom Dixon describes Bell and Pose as suitable for indoor and outdoor use but does not list an IP rating on the product pages we checked. Tom Dixon’s Melt Small Portable page also describes indoor and outdoor use, but the instruction sheet we reviewed says indoor use only, so we suggest keeping Melt indoors until the brand confirms it.
What to look for
Five things that matter more than looks.
- Run timeCheck which setting the hours refer to. A lamp rated 140 hours on low may run a fraction of that on high.
- Light colorLower Kelvin is warmer. 2200K reads like candlelight; 2700–3000K is closer to a standard warm bulb.
- Weather ratingHumble describes IP65 as protection against rain. For uncovered patios, choose a rated lamp and bring it in when not in use for long periods.
- ChargingQi wireless pads make a set of lamps easy to keep topped up. Some versions are Qi only, and adapters are often not included.
- Dimming & controlStep dimming, continuous dimming, a remote or smart-home control. Humble’s Bug works with Zigbee hubs such as Hue.
Humble
Small, warm and rated for rain.
Every Humble table light here is rated IP65, dims, and charges wirelessly on a Qi pad (most also by USB-C cable). They’re small enough to set two or three down a dining table, and Humble designs them for hospitality as well as homes.
Humble also makes a six-lamp wireless charger, a remote and storage boxes for keeping a set ready.
Humble · exposed bulb
Humble One Table Light
From $185
Ø 3.3″ × H 7.7″ · 2200K · IP65
A filament-style bulb on an aluminium base, in nine finishes from Cinnamon to White Marble. Up to 140 hours on the lowest setting.
View details
Humble · mushroom
Humble Two Table Light
$239
Ø 3.5″ × H 8.3″ · 2700K · IP65
A slim stem with a metal, polycarbonate or linen shade. Qi wireless or USB-C charging.
View details
Humble · tall & slim
Humble Air Table Light
$289
Ø 3.9″ × H 10.2″ · 2500K · IP65
The tallest Humble here, with a remote-controlled 3-step dimmer.
View details
Humble · smart dome
Humble Bug Table Light
$349
Ø 3.9″ × H 11.3″ · 81 lm · IP65
A larger dome with touch control and Zigbee 3.0 support for Hue, Tuya and IKEA. The brightest Humble here.
View details
Humble · lantern
Humble Firefly Table Light
$219
Ø 3.4″ × H 4.6″ · IP65
A low glass lantern. The updated Bronze / Smoked version charges by Qi only, with the charger sold separately.
View detailsTom Dixon
Sculptural portables from London.
Tom Dixon’s portables are bigger statements with shorter run times: 6–9 hours for Bell and Pose and up to 10 for Melt, per Tom Dixon. Think of them as evening lamps you charge between uses.
Bell comes in the widest color range, from high-gloss black and moss to polished gold and copper. Pose aims a magnified beam where you need it.
Tom Dixon · Bell
Bell Portable Light
From $193
6–9 hours · 2700K to 3000K
High-gloss or polished metal, a concealed diffuser, continuous dimming and a magnetic USB-C charger. Tom Dixon describes it as suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
View details
Tom Dixon · Pose
Pose Portable Light
From $217.50
6–9 hours · 2700K to 3000K
An adjustable cone that pivots and rotates to aim a magnified beam, with 3-step dimming. Made for indoor-outdoor living, per Tom Dixon.
View details
Tom Dixon · Melt
Melt Small Portable Light
From $291
Up to 10 hours · USB-C magnetic charger
Mirror-like when off, glowing like hot-blown glass when lit. Made in Germany.
View detailsWhere to use them
The table, the shelf, the patio, the gift.
Dining table. Two or three small lamps down the center light faces without glare. Humble One at 2200K is closest to candlelight.
Shelves and consoles. No cord to hide. Bell suits a bookshelf; Firefly fits a low shelf.
Patio and fire pit. Choose an IP65 Humble and pair it with a fire table for long Southern California evenings.
Gifts. Every lamp above starts under $350, and none needs installation.
The hard-wired upgrade
Love the look? Put it over the table.
Melt and Beat also come as pendants for a permanent fixture over a dining table or island.
Tom Dixon · Melt pendant
Melt LED Mini Pendant
$768
Approx. 11″ diameter × 10.6″ H
The same mirror-to-glow effect, hard-wired over a table or island.
Lead time: typically ships in 2–6 weeks; confirm at order
View details
Tom Dixon · Beat pendant
Beat LED Wide Pendant
$591
Approx. 14.2″ diameter × 6.3″ H
Hand-spun, hand-beaten brass from Northern India with a warm golden interior.
Lead time: typically ships in 2–6 weeks; confirm at order
View detailsCordless lamp questions
Frequently asked
How long do cordless lamps last on a charge?
It depends on the setting. Humble lists up to 140 hours on its lowest setting for the One and Air, and far less on high. Tom Dixon lists 6–9 hours for Bell and Pose and up to 10 hours for Melt.
Can I use a cordless lamp outdoors?
Choose one rated for it. Every Humble lamp here is IP65, which Humble describes as protection against rain. Tom Dixon describes Bell and Pose as suitable indoors and outdoors. Bring lamps inside when you won’t use them for a while.
Do they charge wirelessly?
Humble’s lamps charge on a Qi pad, and most also by the included USB-A to USB-C cable. The updated Firefly in Bronze / Smoked is Qi only, and the charger is sold separately. Tom Dixon’s Bell and Melt use a magnetic USB-C charger.
Which is the warmest light?
Humble One at 2200K. Bell and Pose switch between 2700K and 3000K.
Are adapters included?
Humble lists the adapter as not included for its lamps (5V 2A recommended). Check each product page before gifting.
Sources
- Bell Portable run time, charging, dimming, indoor/outdoor: Tom Dixon
- Pose Portable run time, dimming, color temperature: Tom Dixon
- Melt Small Portable run time and charging: Tom Dixon
- Melt Portable instruction sheet (“This product is for indoors use only”): Tom Dixon instructions, MEPO01xxUN (PDF)
Humble specifications are from the manufacturer listings on our product pages.
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