Three of the best portable smart lamps for when using the big light is just too much

Smart lighting is one of the best applications of smart home technology, as it makes an instant, obvious change to your surroundings, and is also pretty easy to get set up. Stuff has written hundreds of articles on the subject, but they tend to shed most light on bulbs you plug into existing ceiling lights or table lamps.

These lamps are something different. They’re self-contained and rechargable, so all you have to do is plonk them on a shelf and get them connected without all that faffing around with light switches and ladders.

Wiz Mobile Portable Light

Price £80 / go.stuff.tv/WizPortable

What’s the story

This is a simple indoor wireless lamp with a rechargeable battery and a nice soft handle for carrying around your home. Control it using your phone or voice assistant, or via the touch panel. The headline feature here is its flexibility with colours: it can throw out endless combinations of soft light and colourful gradients. Impressively, it claims 50,000 switch cycles and should last 25 years (!) if you use it for 2.7hrs per day.

Is it any good?

This isn’t a living-room lamp like the other two, but that doesn’t make it any less useful around the house. The handle is, well, handy, and the robust master switch on the bottom is easy to find in the dark. The only downside with the Wiz is that its construction feels a little plasticky.

Humble One Smart

Price from €129 / go.stuff.tv/HumbleOne

What’s the story?

An understated and stylish portable lamp with retro vibes, the Humble One Smart comes in a variety of base finishes. Fully charged, it provides up to 140hrs of mood lighting and has three settings (low, medium and high) – handy if you’re relaxing in the moody gloom but need to read something, for example. Pairing with your home’s smart lighting means you can control it with your phone, voice or motion sensor.

Is it any good?

This smart product couldn’t be any simpler and we are here for it. The modern equivalent of the traditional bulb, it gives a warm glow that instantly creates a cosy feel. Toggling between settings is super-easy using the button on the base, and you can even take it outside thanks to its IP65 waterproof rating.

Philips Hue Go Table Lamp

Price £140 / go.stuff.tv/HueGo

What’s the story?

This one’s a portable table lamp that you can control with the Hue app or your voice assistant, via Wi-Fi if you have the Hue Bridge or via Bluetooth if you haven’t. Easily dimmable, it comes with preset light scenes: just tap the top to cycle through them. It’s also waterproof, so you can use it in the garden. Available in black or white, it comes with a charging dock – simply lift the lamp off to take it with you.

Is it any good?

This is a useful lamp with a streamlined design, though it’s not that sophisticated in terms of looks, especially when it’s off. But the charging system does make it flexible, as there’s no unplugging required. And the ability to change the light colour without needing the app is a real boon.