Best Cordless Picture Light Buying Guide
Let us assume that this is your first time purchasing a picture light. Do you know what you are looking for? It is usually helpful to get a bit of knowledge on the product you are shopping for to identify a product that gives good value for money. When it comes to cordless picture lights, you should consider the following:
Type of picture lights
Light hitting a picture at the right angle and intensity can make all the difference in its presentation. That is why there is a need for patience in comprehending the different lights available and their strong points. The cordless picture lights readily available in the market include:
LED picture lights
When it comes to lighting LED seems to do no wrong because they can produce intense light while being energy efficient. These lights are durable; hence, they can be used for lengthy periods without any significant damage. Furthermore, these lights are not expensive, and they won’t alter your pictures because they don’t emit too much heat, infrared, or UV rays.
LED picture lights are also portable because their structure bears no heavy electrical components. That is why you find mobile galleries and street artists utilizing cordless picture lights.
A fine example of a lightweight but powerful model for large pictures is the Concept Lighting 301L Remote Control Picture Light. The sleek model is remote-controlled, offers dimmable lights, and possesses a light intensity of 144 lumens.
Halogen picture lights
Apart from the LED lights that rely on batteries, halogen and incandescent lights need electricity to work. Both these picture lights can produce excess heat that may damage the picture, but they are pretty affordable. These models more popular in past decades, but people are slowly adapting to LED lights because they are safer and offer good value for money.
Size of the picture
When looking for a suitable picture light, you need to consider the size of the picture. A large picture needs a sizeable light to ensure that all areas are covered.
It is not good to invest in a picture light only to find out that the size is unsuitable. You can ask your supplier to recommend a light that will cover the dimensions of your picture. They may recommend models with an adjustable head that will permit the entire picture to be lit without purchasing a larger light.
Also, consider the size and material of the picture frame because it may need to support the weight of the lights for models that have clamps. If your frame is shiny, you don’t want to get a light that is too bright because then it will create some unnecessary glare.
Length of lifespan
Unless you only require a temporary picture light, it is good to purchase a cordless picture light with a decent lifespan. The lifespan of cordless picture light is determined by the number of hours it can run before it dies out. Models with a longer lifespan of 100,000 hours feature higher-quality materials that allow the picture light to survive impact even when dropped.
Basic models are not badly off with a lifespan of 30,000 hours because, by the time the lights die, you would have gotten enough use out of them to get value for your money.
The intensity of the lights
The way to determine if the cordless lights you are about to buy are powerful is by looking at the lumens. Lights with more intensity will have a higher number of lumens than their counterparts. For example, the Method Lights ML-FM LED Picture Light has a lumen count of 680, which is higher than the more affordable LUXSWAY Wireless Picture Light with 100 lumens.
For you to get a picture with more lumens and a longer lifespan of 50,000 hours like the Method Lights ML-FM model, you have to spend a little more. However, this does not mean the more lumens, the better for your picture; a model offering 100 lumens will work just fine for a small picture.
Safety measures
It is not too common, but picture lights can overheat due to the inability to handle excess power or inadequate heat sinking. Most of the models in the market are LED lights, which are safe to use because they are designed to operate in both cool and high-temperature environments.
If the cordless picture light’s components are of good quality and the design is electrically sound, you should not have a safety issue dealing with LED lights. Consider purchasing a LED picture light with a timer like the BIGLIGHT Wireless LED Picture Light if you don’t want the light to operate the whole day.
You can program it when you want it to run and dim the intensity of light when needed, therefore saving energy.
Complementing colors
It may be a small detail, but you may want the color of the cordless picture light’s surface to complement your picture frame. You don’t want to have a picture light that is too light or too dark that it looks out of place. Cordless picture lights are available in different colors; hence it’s up to you to pick a color that you feel is suitable for your picture.
Mounting options
Every cordless picture light will offer you mounting options to suit your preference. You can select from clamp, wall, and ceiling mounting to make sure the picture gets light at the right angle.
Clamp mounts are affordable and easy-to-use options for those who don’t want to dig bore into walls and ceilings. The cordless picture lights are suspended from the picture frame, and you can remove them when you don’t need them.
A fitting example of a model with quality clamps is the HONWELL Rechargeable Picture Light, but you can choose to mount it on the wall too. This picture light offers a timer, dimming features, and an adjustable head to find the best angle that illuminates your picture perfectly.
FAQs
How much running time can an LED picture light offer?
This depends on the battery capacity of the light and how often it is in use. Another thing that may affect the running time is the intensity of the lights; models with dimmable features use less energy than models with fixed intensities.
Decent lights provide a running time between 20-100 hours or more depending on the quality of materials used. Lights of less quality will have a shorter running time; therefore, you need something more long-lasting, so spend wisely.
How can I ensure my picture light is not too bright?
The best way to do this is to work with a model that offers dimmable lights. This way, you can add or lessen the intensity of the light depending on the environment. It is always best to observe how the light hits the picture from a distance so that you can gauge the picture’s visibility.
Many cordless picture lights come with remote controls; hence you can alter the intensity from a comfortable distance to see the different results.
Do LED lights cause pictures to fade?
No, LED lights do not cause pictures to fade because they don’t emit harmful rays like UV that cause colors to fade over time. They also do not generate enough heat to harm your pictures, therefore rest easy. LED lights are preferred because they are cost-effective and they consume little energy.
Are LED picture lights durable?
Yes, most of them are unless you purchase the cheap models with low-quality features. A durable picture light should be able to withstand some impact because accidents happen. Picture lights with weak assembly materials can become useless in one drop.
Final Thoughts
People think that you can just buy anything on a whim, but sometimes care is required to avoid wasting your money. You may be in a hurry to make a purchase, and you end up buying a picture light of the wrong size. That is why patience while shopping will save you a lot of frustration.
Now that you understand the basics, it is time to pick the best cordless picture light within your budget range. You can select the premium-priced Method Lights ML-FM LED Picture Light which is elegant, easily attachable and has an adjustable lens. It also offers a lifespan of 50,000 hours, a timer, and a color temperature of 2700K- 7000k.
Another great option is the Concept Lighting 301L Remote Control Picture Light with a lifespan of 50,000 hours and a total output of 120 lumens to illuminate large pictures. A less expensive option is the LUXSWAY Wireless Picture Light with a 180-degree rotating head, a life span of 30,000 hours, and remote control for easy operations.
You don’t have to believe what people say; try these best cordless picture lights and see for yourself!
