Ambient lighting and task lighting aren't chosen the same way

Separating ambient light from task light

The 3D lamps with an engraved acrylic plate, between €19.90 and €21.90, produce a diffuse, coloured light: they work as atmosphere behind a screen, never as main lighting. To work, you need a directed, neutral source, like the bench magnifier lamp at €28.99, which combines 5x magnification and three shades of white. Confusing the two means ending up soldering under a blue light.

Light behind the screen isn't only decorative

A light source placed behind the screen reduces the contrast between the panel and the dark wall, and therefore eye strain over a long session. The effect only works at low intensity and with a shade close to white. At maximum red or green saturation, you get a visual effect, not a gain in comfort.

What it doesn't do

  • No room lighting: these lamps are decorative or task-specific, they do not replace a ceiling light.
  • No guaranteed battery life: the USB models are designed to stay plugged in, a built-in battery is not a given.
  • No accurate colour rendering: for photo retouching or painting figurines, a decorative LED distorts the shades.

Retro-geek decor · LED pixel art · Wall decoration · Display cases and stands · Controller stands · Screen protection

Questions fréquentes

Are these lamps USB- or mains-powered?
The decorative lamps on this page run on 5 V over a USB cable: they plug into a charger, a monitor port or a USB power strip. Allow for a long enough cable, because a port on the back of a monitor is often badly placed for an object sitting in front of you.
Can you solder by the light of an ambient lamp?
No. An engraved plate spreads a wide, coloured light, with no direction and no contrast. For modding or soldering, the magnifier lamp at €28.99 brings 5x magnification and three shades of white, which stops you mixing up two neighbouring traces on a board.
Is the colour changed with a remote control?
Depending on the model, the setting goes through a button on the base, through a remote control, or through both, generally with sixteen preset colours. Check the page of the product you choose: the remote control is not supplied across the whole range.