Which Lamp or Magnifier Lamp Should You Choose?

Olivia Miller
Product & buying expert with 15+ years of retail experience

Buying Guide Tips and Tricks magnifier lamp lamp guide

A magnifier lamp is the must-have accessory for every embroiderer, crocheter, knitter, sewer or reader who wants to combine enjoyment and comfort. Working without straining your eyes calls for optimal lighting, and sometimes a magnifier to make things easier. La Maison du Canevas et de La Broderie offers you a wide range of lamps and magnifier lamps. Here’s a handy guide to help you make your choice.

From €40

Available models:

Lamp and magnifier lamp
Floor-standing, table or multifunction…
LED or bulb

Why get a lamp or magnifier lamp?

Whatever your age or quality of eyesight, your eyes are precious and deserve to be looked after. With screens now everywhere, they tend to tire faster, especially if you’re doing an activity that requires focus and precision. Lamps and magnifier lamps help protect your eyesight no matter your activity. So above all, it’s an investment in your long-term comfort and health.
As we age, the retina receives less and less light. Most people over 60 need three times more light than people in their twenties. At the same time, incoming light becomes more scattered, reducing contrast between colours and making details harder to see. The eye also takes longer to adjust to changes in intensity and different light levels. That’s why it’s important to have a light source that’s even, adjustable, and always constant in intensity. A magnifier is a great bonus, giving you extra help to make out fine details.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a lamp or magnifier lamp:

Where will you use your lamp or magnifier lamp most often?

If you’re usually settled in an armchair or sofa, go for a floor-standing lamp or magnifier lamp. Usually fitted with a flexible arm, it lets you stay comfortably seated while enjoying maximum lighting and visual assistance, adjustable to your needs.
If you do handicrafts seated at a table or in a workshop, choose a table lamp or magnifier lamp. If you don’t need a magnifier, pick a model with an LED tube for even light across your whole work area. If you do need a magnifier, go for round, flexible models so you can position it well and keep a posture that protects your back. These lamps and magnifier lamps come with a base or a clamp system that screws onto the edge of the table — handy for saving space in your work area!

Do you often need to change locations or travel?

If you enjoy several different crafts and tend to move around the house to practise them, there’s no need to invest in several lamps or magnifier lamps. Choose a multifunction magnifier lamp. These magnifier lamps can easily switch from a floor-standing model to a table model. Some models even offer a clip-on version, adapting to all your needs and situations.
If you travel or have occasional needs, choose portable lamps and magnifier lamps. Small, easy to carry yet highly effective, they let you always have help on hand wherever you are.

What type of light should you choose?
For maximum brightness and comfort, choose lamps that mimic “daylight” (Daylight). Most lamps today feature LED lighting. This technology delivers better, more intense and more stable brightness while limiting energy consumption. Intensity isn’t measured the same way for LEDs as for classic bulbs — here we talk about lumens or lux per m2. Choose a light of at least 500 lm.
Note: LED lighting can come with LED bulbs or with integrated LEDs. Integrated LEDs cannot be replaced. LED lighting has a long lifespan, but this is worth considering before you buy.

What magnifier magnification should you choose?
It all depends on the level of help you need, but to avoid eye strain during extended use, a magnification of 4 (12 dioptres) is recommended. Some magnifiers offer different lenses to swap depending on your needs, or extra lenses to add.

Isabelle’s tip

Magnifier lamps give you extra help to see better. However, you should keep the room’s overall lighting on too, so they work effectively and you avoid eye strain.
An elongated bulb, with the option to position it horizontally, spreads light evenly across your work area.
Place the lamp below eye level to avoid glare and light the work area directly.