15 Best Piano Lights 2024 For Well Lit Playing – USB Lamps Considered

Every piano player needs a piano, or at the very least, a keyboard.

But it doesn’t take long for it to dawn on you that you also need accessories. Namely, a piano lamp is a must, especially if you’re a performing musician.

In this guide, we look at the best piano lights for easy sheet music reading. We also answer some of your top questions at the end.

Let’s get started.

Best Option: BenQ Black PL19_D PianoLight

Featuring a sleek, modern design, the BenQ PL19_D piano light should be considered a premium option for serious pianists. Specs wise, this is the best piano light you can buy.

This piano light can be used to illuminate every key on your piano as well as your sheet music.

The base is sturdy and heavy and has a soft bottom. So, if you’re worried about this light damaging your instrument, assuming you’re careful, you shouldn’t encounter any issues.

The height and direction of the light is adjustable. You can adjust the height from five to 15 inches, and it also has a 360-degree tilting angle.

Further, it comes with a built-in light sensor to detect the surrounding brightness, though it is possible to manually adjust the dimmer. You can even adjust the color temperature from a cool tone (5000 K) to a warm one (2700 K).

Finally, the anti-glare functionality can reduce eye strain.

Many buyers said that, while it was pricey, they thought it was worth the money. There were some who felt it wasn’t bright enough though.

Item weight: 11.23 lbs.

Package dimensions: 20.72 x 4.87 x 13.67 inches

Cocoweb GPLED22D 22” Grand Piano Lamp

The Cocoweb GPLED22D features a sleek black design with brass accents. As with the BenQ, its price is kind of up there, but depending on what you’re looking for, it might just be the perfect choice for you.

This product promises to be 80% more energy efficient than traditional piano lamps. The pre-installed LEDs last over 50,000 hours and they prevent eye strain and fatigue.

The light emits minimal heat and comes with a directional swivel shade too.

Buyers thought the light worked great when plugged into a wall socket. They also liked its classy look.

Others felt it wasn’t well designed, though, and some even thought it was too complicated to use.

Item weight: 2.5 lbs.

Package dimensions: 8 x 22 x 12 inches

HomeFocus LED Piano Desk Table Lamp

The HomeFocus LED piano light features a wide design, with 19.57” of width. A five-Watt SMD LED is included, and it emits a warm 3000 K light. This sturdy desk lamp features a lifespan of 30,000 to 50,000 hours under normal use.

It also comes with a three-way touch dimmer and is height adjustable.

Overall, reviewers thought it was affordable, great quality, and nicely designed.

Negative reviews were either few and far between or mostly inconsequential.

Item weight: 4.29 lbs.

Package dimensions: 19.5 x 16 x 6 inches

K&M Stands 12297B Piano LED Lamp

The K&M Stands 12297B piano LED lamp comes with a high intensity LED light, with 12 LED bulbs. It measures 11.65” long and comes with a gooseneck arm. The base is made of die-cast zinc, and of course, it comes with a black finish.

Most customers thought it was a bright, high-quality lamp at a decent price point.

Some thought it was a little dim and had issues with the power source though.

Item weight: 2.25 lbs.

Package dimensions: 15.75 x 11.8 x 1.25 inches

Boston Harbor ATB-8004 Piano Desk Lamp

For those that favor a little more of a traditional design, the reasonably priced Boston Harbor ATB-8004 might seem a solid option.

This piano light features a round base and a metal shade with a satin nickel finish. It stands 14-1/2” in height and uses 40-Watt T10 bulbs. The bulbs aren’t included, though, so they will need to be purchased separately.

Most customers thought it was perfect for their needs and enjoyed the finish and design of the product.

Others called its quality into question and some even found it a little unbalanced (lopsided).

Item weight: 3.15 lbs.

Package dimensions: 18.25 x 15 x 12 inches

NUNET Dimmable Piano/Desk USB Lamp

The NUNET dimmable piano/desk lamp comes with three dimmable lighting modes – bright, dim, and warm. It features a soft lighting source to protect your eyes and the brightness is adjustable.

The two LED tube arms can be stretched and adjusted to change the illumination area. The base joint and upper joint are both adjustable.

The lamp is made of high-quality aluminum alloy with 56pcs LEDs and features a high-tech design.

There’s quite a bit of praise for this piano lamp with users saying it’s bright, sleek, and energy efficient.

Others noted that a power supply had to be purchased separately and weren’t crazy about the fact that it’s a USB powered light.

Item weight: 2.97 lbs.

Package dimensions: 14 x 2 x 6 inches

AKT LIGHTING Piano Desk Lamp Dimmable Table Lamp – USB Power Input

The AKT LIGHTING piano desk lamp comes with three color modes (from 3000K to 5700 K). It features a USB input and has a USB outlet charging port too.

It has adjustable angle LED tube arms to optimize lighting direction and position. Its body is made of adonized aluminum and the light is energy efficient.

Many buyers liked its brightness and thought it was easy to use too.

Some users didn’t like that the included USB cable was a bright white though. Understandable, since piano players are generally looking for black cords to match their piano light, especially for performances.

Item weight: 2.2 lbs.

Package dimensions: 15.2 x 7 x 2.8 inches

Home Intuition Classic Antique Retro Adjustable Leaning Piano Lamp

The Home Intuition classic antique retro piano lamp is another option featuring a more traditional design.

This piano light comes with a round base, adjustable metal shade with a stain nickel finish, neutral look and design, uses 40-watt T10 bulbs, and is LED compatible. The light has an overall height of 14-1/2”.

As with an option mentioned earlier, bulbs are sold separately. Take note.

Most customers thought it was stable and classy. They also said it lit their sheet music quite well.

Some said the packaging it arrived in was insufficient and the light should have been better packaged and protected though.

Item weight: 3.69 lbs.

Package dimensions: 6 x 11 x 14.5 inches

Lumiens L9 – Music Stand Light Clip On – Battery Powered

The Lumiens L9 is advertised as one of the longest lasting piano lights on the market. And its price isn’t too shabby.

It comes with an optical grade lens for evenly distributed light, an adjustable gooseneck, and it can be used for just about anything – piano, worktable, mixing board, desk, DJs, and more. It features nine LED lights with two levels of brightness.

Do keep in mind, though, that this is a clip-on light. The clip at the bottom is not a base.

Buyers thought it was better than expected and some even thought it was the best portable light available.

But some said it should have been better for the price and thought it wasn’t bright enough either.

Item weight: 6.1 ounces

Package dimensions: 8 x 2 x 5 inches

Vekkia Royal Super Bright 29 LED Music Stand Light

Here’s another clip-on option in the form of the Vekkia royal superb right 29 LED music stand light.

This piano light comes with infinite color temperature control and three brightness levels (low, medium, and high). It also features memory function, and of course, it comes with 29 LED lights.

Customers thought it was classy, bright, and flexible.

Others, however, said it was not as bright as they thought it would be.

Item weight: 12.3 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.36 x 3.54 x 11.2 inches

Vekkia Professional Musician 3000K-6000K Super Bright 19 LED Music Stand Light

The Vekkia super bright music stand light comes in black or pink.

It comes with nine-level dimmable functionality with three color temperatures (warm, white, and mixed), three brightness levels (low, medium, high), and the ability to adjust brightness.

You also get 19 broadbeam LEDs with anti-glare shield, rechargeable battery, 360-degree flexible neck, and of course, it’s lightweight to boot.

It clips onto anything and is USB charging too.

Reviewers thought the light was well-built, long-lasting, stylish, and enjoyed the color settings too. Some even said it was the best music stand light they’ve ever found.

Others thought it was just okay and had issues with the power cord as well.

Item weight: 8.4 ounces

Package dimensions: 2.32 x 3.5 x 11.22 inches

Kootek Music Stand Light

Now we’re going to look at a few budget options. The Kootek music stand light features 10 bright LEDs, built-in rechargeable lithium battery, AC adapter and USB cord, and is lightweight.

This piano light can stand on your desk or be clipped onto your music stand. It also has two brightness settings and an adjustable gooseneck.

Reviewers liked that it was bright, portable, and thought it worked great for performances too.

Some thought it was poorly designed and a little too big though.

Item weight: 14.5 ounces

Package dimensions: 9.05 x 2.69 x 2.36 inches

Vont Clip On Book Light

Some consider the Vont clip on book light to be the best value for the money. It comes with a strong, flexible neck, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, a lifetime warranty, and it features a portable and lightweight design.

This piano lamp can be clipped onto just about anything and it keeps the light localized, especially for performance situations.

Buyers said it was a bright, mentioned that it could be used anywhere, and liked the rechargeable battery too.

Some didn’t like that it was battery operated, though, and others said the power cord was a little short. At this price range, it’s not surprising that some corners wee cut though.

Item weight: 4.8 ounces

Package dimensions: 10 x 2 x 2.7 inches

LEPOWER LED Clip On Light

The LEPOWER LED clip on light is another worthy budget option. It comes with a durable, 38cm flexible neck, 2.36-inch maximum width clip, brightness and color adjustability, AC adapter, and an eye-friendly design. It is also USB compatible.

Users liked the color temperatures, strong clamp, flexible arm, and thought it was great value too.

But some thought it could have been brighter and more flexible.

Item weight: Unknown

Package dimensions: 4.53 x 2.95 x 28.35 inches

Vshinic Clip On Music Light Stand 9 LED Orchestra Lamp

We have one more budget option in the form of the Vshinic clip on music light stand. This piano light features nine LEDs, optical grade lens, two brightness settings, clip, and allows for 20 hours of continuous use with three AA batteries.

Its gooseneck is 10” in length, and the product also comes with an AC adapter and USB cable.

Reviewers liked its lightweight design, brightness, and compact size.

Some felt it didn’t hold its charge for long enough though.

Item weight: 9.5 ounces

Package dimensions: 0.9 x 2.2 x 0.6 inches

What Should I Look For In A Piano Light?

As you’ve seen, piano lights come in a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or a little unsure of which to buy, which is why we’ve put together this section of the guide for you.

It may seem commonsense, but of course the best piano lamp is the one that caters to your needs. If it works for you, it’s a good choice. Arriving at that choice can be a different matter though.

Which is why we’re going to be looking at several criteria to help you whittle down your options.

Specifically, we’re going to be looking at:

• Adjustability
• Brightness
• The right tool for the job
• Budget

Let’s take an in-depth look at these factors.

Adjustability

Some piano lights are more adjustable than others. It’s not necessary that they be adjustable, assuming they illuminate your sheet music or keys in the manner desired but finding that “perfect fit” can take some trial and error.

Some pianists prefer a bendable gooseneck so that they can control the direction of the illumination directly. Others are fine with more traditional stationary options. One is not right or wrong.

And, when it comes to adjustability, the lighting mode and brightness can also be factors. Different options are going to work for different situations. Or, at the very least, you’re likely to have your own preferences.

So, the key point here is to consider what will work for you. If you have no experience with piano lamps, then simply make your best guess. If you do, then consider what has worked for you and what hasn’t worked for you based on experience. This should help you whittle down your options somewhat.

Brightness

The brightness of a piano light is obviously a factor. A light can be too bright or not bright enough (or just perfect, as the case may be). And if it isn’t adjustable, you’re stuck with what you’ve got.

Brightness can depend a lot on the type of light or bulb used too. And if you want to do some additional research on this, it’s easy enough to Google it.

Lights with more adjustability and functionality may offer more options but again, they work for some and don’t necessarily work for others.

A light is better than no light, so if you’re new to piano lamps, you will probably find that any option will do the trick. If you have used one before, that could be a different matter and you may need to do more digging.

So, the key takeaway here is to consider what you require in terms of illumination. You can get a sense of which lights work best by scanning the information already provided, and if need be, by reading additional reviews. Lighting can be somewhat personal, so buy with your best interests in mind.

The Right Tool For The Job

Are you a beginner pianist? Someone who occasionally performs? A professional pianist with a regular performance schedule?

This will likely be a factor in choosing a piano lamp, as your frequency of use and application is going to vary quite a bit.

What you need is the right tool for the job. For example, if you need your lamp to stay on for long hours, an AC option or long-lasting battery option is preferable.

The venue can obviously be a major factor too. Will you be practicing or performing at home, in churches, theaters, concert halls, clubs, or otherwise? Based on your environment, your requirements may differ.

Of course, no one knows better than you exactly what you need. So the main takeaway here is to find the right tool based on how it’s going to be used.

Budget

Generally, piano lamps aren’t at a price point that should make you go broke. Most cost somewhere in the range of $15 to $240. That said, you may not need the $240 option unless you know it’s the right tool for the job, and the $15 option may only work for beginners or casual users.

We always recommend purchasing based on your budget and advise against going into debt for your purchase. We know this is probably an inexpensive purchase in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on your bank balance.

So, as much as possible, buy within your budget or save up if you need an upgrade.

Why Do I Need A Piano Light?

Pianists generally read off sheet music or lead sheets. Improvisation or playing completely from memory is a rare skill, though some pianists can pull it off!

The only problem? Lighting. Even in the best lit homes, sometimes shadows can be cast on your sheet music, making it harder for you to see what you should be playing. Having a nearby, dedicated source of light can help you see what you’re playing and make fewer mistakes overall.

Piano lamps can come in especially handy in less well-lit environments like basements, rehearsal rooms, studios, clubs, and so forth.

Professionals use piano lights too. They can often be found performing in churches, concert halls, theaters, and so forth. The stage can be a low light environment, and lighting may change during performance, so if you don’t have a dedicated source of light, you’d need to rely entirely on muscle memory, which can be tough.

If you’re a world-famous pianist, then it’s unlikely you’d ever be preparing a light for yourself. Most venues or techs know to prepare well in advance. But not all pros are at that level, and generally need to ensure they have their own piano lamp too.

So, a piano light can come in handy in just about any situation. It’s not a necessity for every piano player, but most will benefit for having one at the ready.

What Are The Best Piano Light Brands?

There are many brands and manufacturers making piano lights. The best brand is going to come down to personal preference – who you trust, which products you like, and so forth.

Still, the following are among the best and most trusted brands making piano lamps. Let’s have a look.

BenQ

BenQ is a Taiwanese consumer electronics company that’s headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan. Their parent organization is Qisda Coporation.

BenQ is most known for their LCD monitors, projectors, speakers, and lighting. So, you can certainly trust them to make a solid piano light if called upon.

Cocoweb

Cocoweb is a company with over 50 years of experience in high-end art lighting and LED light fixtures. Again, a trustworthy brand when it comes to lighting products.

König & Meyer

König & Meyer or K&M was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Wertheim am Main, Germany.

They make music stands, instrument stands, drum thrones and benches, keyboard stands, accessories for home recording, mic stands, speaker stands, multimedia equipment, and more.

AKT Lighting

AKT Lighting is a global lighting company. They specialize in emergency and exit lights.

Lumiens

Lumiens was founded in 2014 and specialize in portable LED lights for reading, music stands, and more.

Best Piano Lights, Final Thoughts

A piano lamp is a simple piece of gear. But it performs a vital function – it allows you to see your music while you’re performing it. And that’s kind of a big deal, especially if you’re performing for an audience.

Choosing a piano light can be kind of a daunting task. But if you comb through our guide, we’re confident you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. We've highlighted some of the best gear, and also gave you some factors to consider when buying.

Happy shopping!