The concept of picture lights is not confined to the galleries only, if you have art in your house or photos; you can just get them online and hung them to make the experience even greater. But it does sound pretty simple. But it is pretty difficult to choose. In the galleries, these lights are selected by the professional. As you need the right kind of light, the right angle, and convenience. As you are not going to be helped by a professional. So, we have listed 8 of our picks that we believe to the bets the best picture lights available on the market. But we want to make an educated choice which is impossible if you do not know the factors involved in this kind of purchase.
Size
The size of the light matters. If you get a small light for a big frame or a big light for a small frame; you will get a disappointing result. The measurement is important and it needs to be done accurately.
Light Type
There are different types of lights available and you need to choose according to the art you are going to be displaying. Without knowing the art you intend to display it is impossible to recommend. But the general recommendation is LED. LED lights are best as they last long, they are bright and they do not emit UV rays that can harm the art.
Wattage
The Wattage of a light is the quantity of energy it takes to produce a certain amount of light. The unit of measurement is WATT. And remember, higher the wattage brighter the light. These are the common elements that you need to factor in while making the purchase. More details on these factors are detailed later “Buying Guide” in the article but for now, check out the products we have picked for you.
Best Picture Lights 2023 Table
Best Picture Lights Reviews
1. BIGLIGHT Picture Light
Notable Features
2-way switching 3 lighting modes Dimmable
If you are looking for a stunning wireless picture light, then BIGLIGHT is a considerable option. This is an attractive light, available in black color. The materials used are plastic and metal. The direction of the light is adjustable. The light’s arm can be expanded up to 13” and it can rotate 180 degrees. The brightness is also adjustable; you have the 50% option and the 100% option. It has 3 lighting modes; 3000K warm white, 4300K natural white, and 8000K cool white. It is battery powered. 3 AA batteries are required but they are not included in the package. It is a wall-mount light, installation is simple as the screws are provided. Pros
Attractive Sturdy material 13” expandable 180 degrees rotation Adjustable brightness
Cons
Not suitable for big frames.
2. LUXSWAY Picture Light
Notable Features
Soft brightness painting light Value for money Dimmable
If you love gold color, then you will love this picture light from LUXSWAY. It is made of plastic and metal. Brightness is adjustable and dimmable. One great thing about this one is that the direction of the light is adjustable. The light’s arm can be expanded up to 13” and it can rotate 180 degrees. The brightness is also adjustable; you have the 50% option and the 100% option. It is battery powered. 3 AA batteries are required but they are not included in the package. It is a wall-mount light, installation is simple as the screws are provided. Pros
Attractive Sturdy material 13” expandable 180 degrees rotation Adjustable brightness
Cons
Not suitable for big frames.
3. HONWELL Picture Light
Notable Features
Rechargeable Battery 3 lighting modes Dimmable
This is a flexible frame mount picture light that is completely made of plastic. It has excellent design and flexible directional rotation and equipped with rechargeable batteries. The direction of the light is adjustable. The tilt-head can be rotated 180 degrees and the neck can rotate 360 degrees. The brightness is also adjustable; you have the 50% option and the 100% option. It has 3 lighting modes; 3000K warm white, 4300K natural white, and 8000K cool white. It is battery powered. Comes with 2 rechargeable 2200 mAh Li-ion battery. Micro USB port for charging. 3 AA batteries are required but they are not included in the package. It is a wall-mount light, installation is simple as the screws are provided. Pros
Attractive 180 degrees rotation Neck rotation 360 degrees Adjustable brightness Rechargeable battery
Cons
Not very strong material Doesn’t hold a charge for that long
4. Concept Picture Light
Notable Features
Antique brass finish Remote controlled Dimmable
If you are looking for an antique-looking picture light for your frame, then Concept Lighting 202L could be an excellent choice for you. It’s a cordless light with an antique brass finish. It is a cordless picture light. It is dimmable and remote-controlled. The light uses an advanced solid-state circuit with pulse-width modulation that provides 80 hours of battery life. The light uses superior quality LED lights that include warm color rendition and even light distribution. The light uses 3 ‘C’ batteries and there is a remote control that comes with the light; it uses 2 AA batteries. Pros
Antique finish Sturdy material Adjustable brightness Remote controlled Long battery life
Cons
A luxurious option for sure but not a convenient one.
5. Westinghouse Picture Light
Notable Features
Antique brass finish Adjustable neck 8 feet long cord
We have another stunning looking picture light with a brass finish from Westinghouse. It has an antique brass finish. It has an 8 feet long cord and an on/off switch. This is a stunning light, made of brass. It has a 7-inch long antique brass finish and sleek lines. The neck is adjustable. But the flexibility isn’t there as it has a power cord so, it needs to be close to a wall socket. It comes with a single powerful 15 Watt bulb. This is an excellent product if you are going with the vintage theme. Pros
Stunning design Sturdy material Adjustable neck 7” slimline
Cons
Needs a wall socket
6. House of Troy Picture Light
Notable Features
2 different brightness level Brass finish Incandescent light
We have another brass finish picture light from the House of Troy. It is a 14” light with excellent design and 2 different brightness levels. This is an attractive picture light made of high-quality metal. The design is excellent, antique brass finish and 14” shade size. This light has a cord that extends below the picture. The on/off switch is on the cord and you can also adjust the brightness level. Its height is 2.25” and it comes with a powerful Incandescent bulb. The bulb is included in the package. Pros
Attractive Sturdy material 14” shade Adjustable brightness Incandescent bulb
Cons
Not a convenient product Needs a wall socket
7. E&Green Picture Lights
Notable Features
Brass finish Battery operated Non-Dimmable
This picture light has a classic design. It is slim and has a brass finish. Its length is 24.4 inches and light is non-dimmable. Apart from that, this one is a very value for money picture light with good features. This one comes with a premium quality metal construction. 90-degree swivel light and 120-degree beam angle. This is completely battery operated. So, a wall socket is not required. Pros
Attractive Sturdy material Battery operated
Cons
Not suitable for big frames.
8. Westek Picture Light
Notable Features
Adjustable light Remote controlled Dimmable 3 different colors
Our final pick is the wireless battery operated picture light from Westek. It looks sophisticated, available in 3 different colors. This one is completely made of plastic. The light is adjustable, the swivel head rotates 90 degrees. Its length is 16” and it is a wall-mounted light. It is Dimmable and its power saver mode turns off the light after 4 hours. Installation is simple. Wall mounting screws are included in the package. It runs on 3 ‘C’ batteries that are not included in the package. Pros
Attractive Wall-mount Remote controlled Battery operated Available in 3 different colors
Cons
Fully plastic material
Best Picture Light Buyer’s Guide
The only task of the picture lights is to illuminate the paintings or the photographs. Basically, the light needs to properly illuminate whatever it is attached to. This sounds like a simple task but it is pretty easy to get the wrong light and wrong lighting can ruin the integrity of a painting or a photograph. So, you need to pick them carefully after going through our buyer’s guide; where we will discuss some important subjects for this important purchase.
The Size of the Picture Lights
The size needs to be appropriate according to art. So, it is important to purchase the light, just the right size. We have tips for you to follow.
Measure the art. Take the measurement of the width very accurately. If the art is framed, you need to include the frame in the measurement. If you want to light that has a slim profile, then it is better to get a bit larger size. it will help to cover up the entirety of the piece. If the art is tall; very tall then you should get a light that extends a bit more further from the wall. So, it can properly light the entire piece.
Now, let us provide you with a chart to help you with your light purchase. If you purchase according to the chart we have provided, you will be able to purchase the right light for your picture.
The Position
The position of the light is incredibly important and you should go through our expert tips before installing the light fixture.
You have to focus the light beam in the center of the frame. Set it at approximately eye level. Then, make sure that the beam reached the top and the bottom of the frame correspondingly. The angle of the light is very important as well. If the light is completely straight, then it will create glare. If you have angled it too aggressively, the light will create long shadows. It needs to be just right. You will get the best result if you place the light at a 30-degree angle. You should go for LED lights. As they do not emit UV rays. Long-term exposure to UV rays can damage art and photographs.
Wall Mount VS Frame Mount
Of course, there are 2 types of mounts available. The wall mount goes in the wall and hangs above the frame. The frame mount attaches to the frame.
The wall mounts will be installed on the wall behind the art and it is permanent. Gives a professional vibe. The frame mount is attached directly to the frame itself. But it allows you to move the frame.
Both types have advantages and disadvantages. But the user has to make the ultimate choice here.
Power Source
Well, we are discussing lights. So, we have considered the power source of these picture lights. Of course, in the end, it will be your choice and your convenience that matters the most.
Plug-in Picture Lights
As the name suggests, you will have to plug them in an outlet just like regular lamps. These are the cheaper option and make it easier to re-position the lights. The presence of the cord can be an issue if you can easily hide it behind the frame.
Direct Wire Picture Lights
This is more of a permanent solution. The lights will be hardwired into your house’s electrical system.
Battery Operated
The battery-operated lights are expensive and they are easy to relocate. Outlets are unnecessary and provide a cleaner look.
The Light Type
After narrowing down your choices, you could get stuck on the choices of the bulb. There are a few options to consider.
LED Light
These lights are bright and energy-efficient. They will last for a few years. The best part is that LED lights do not emit UV rays that can potentially damage art and photographs.
Incandescent
These are warm light, an ideal option.
Halogen
Bright lights, suitable for illuminating a wide range of colors
CFLs
Similar to Incandescent Lights but more energy efficient.
Wattage
When it comes to purchasing lights, wattage is an important criterion to consider. Wattage of a light is the amount of energy required for producing a certain amount of light. With higher wattage, you will get brighter light. So, you have to consider the wattage that is suitable for the art or the photograph you wish to hang under the light.
Conclusion
Hence, it should be easier for you to pick a picture light that best suits your need. Going through the buyer’s guide and our extensive product list will make it easier to understand. But if you are still having trouble, let us recommend 3 products for you.
Our first pick is the BIGLIGHT Picture light. It is an LED light. Construction is sturdy and battery operated. It is dimmable and comes with 3 different lighting modes. Our second pick is from HONWELL Picture light. It is a good product with a rotating head and different lighting modes. But we like this due to its rechargeable battery. Our last pick is the plastic light from Westek Picture light. It has a modern design. Although, it is made of plastic it works really well. Battery operated and available in 3 different colors.
Comment * Name * Email * Website
Δ
