Will a reading light disturb my sleeping partner?

A well-positioned reading light with a narrow beam angle minimizes partner disturbance. Gooseneck lights aimed directly at your book create the smallest light spill. Panel lights create broader illumination. In our testing, the Vekkia on amber mode at medium brightness was the least disturbing — the warm, focused beam stayed on the page without significant spill. Positioning the light on the side away from your partner also helps.

Is a reading light better than an e-reader with a backlit screen?

For physical books, a reading light is the only option. For e-readers, the built-in light (Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo) is more convenient because it illuminates the screen evenly without external devices. However, a warm reading light can be superior to an e-reader's built-in light if the e-reader lacks a warm color temperature option. The ideal setup for bedtime reading is a Kindle with warm backlight — no external light needed.

Best Reading Lights Under $20 2026