Floor lamps come in all different sizes, finishes, and brightness. Task lighting is key if you’re trying to read or work in a dark space, and the Greyleigh Fishel Utility 59-Inch Task/Reading Floor Lamp promises to provide all the light you need in a sleek, metallic design. To see if this floor lamp was as good as its claims, we put it to the test over the course of several weeks, using it at night to read and work. Here’s what we found.
Setup: Extremely easy
The Greyleigh Fishel Utility Task/Reading Floor Lamp arrived in a box that was so small, we actually thought it was the package of dog treats we ordered. The lamp comes disassembled in a few pieces, and it’s incredibly easy to put it together—really all that’s required is screwing the pole segments together. The power cord is already threaded through the pole, and it took less than five minutes for us to assemble the whole thing. However, once we stepped back from the lamp, we noticed the poles didn’t line up straight. Because it’s made up of two separate sections, things can get a bit wonky if you’re not careful. You have to use the included tool to tighten the two connecting bars, but even after we did that, the lamp was still a little off-kilter, especially when extended to its full height. Beyond that, it was just a matter of putting a bulb into the lamp. This product doesn’t include a light bulb, so we used a 72-watt soft white incandescent bulb that was lying around. The socket must not be perfectly straight, because the bulb actually screwed in a bit crooked. It ended up touching the side of the shade, but after a week of use, it didn’t seem to be causing any issues.
Design: Stylish, minus the power cord
The Greyleigh Fishel Utility Floor Lamp is available in four metallic shades, and we opted for the Antique Bronze, which is almost gold in its appearance. This particular color isn’t the easiest to work into decor—it’s quite bold, after all—but we think the Dark Bronze or Brushed Steel would be a little more versatile. The base of the lamp is 10 inches across, and it’s pretty heavy in order to keep the lamp steady. The pole that attaches to the base is 37 inches high, and it connects to the adjustable upper portion of the lamp, which can be adjusted between 46.5 and 59 inches high. We thought this was a really useful feature, especially for a task light, as it lets you find the perfect height for the surface you’re working on. The shade of this lamp is 8 inches long, and you can turn the light on or off using the pull chain that hangs down. There’s also a small metal bar that comes down behind the shade, and we think it’s for adjusting the angle of the light—though this is just a guess. The only thing we don’t like about the design of this lamp is its power cord, which is an awful yellow color. We’re guessing the idea was to “match” the color of the lamp itself, but the cord is really an eyesore, especially since it hangs down from the upper portion of the light. The cord is 72 inches long, but you’re probably going to want to hide as much of it as you can. The good news is that, judging from the product photos, the other lamp colors have normal cord colors like black, so the yellow cord is really only an issue if you choose the Antique Bronze finish. Looking for a different type of lamp? Browse our guide to the best home lamps.
Brightness: Ideal for reading
This lamp has an E26 bulb base and can be used with bulbs up to 100 watts. We chose to put a 72-watt incandescent bulb in it, which gives off more than 1,100 lumens. Overall, we were really pleased with the amount of light given off by the lamp. Not only does the shade direct all the light down, but it also has a reflective lining inside, which amplifies the amount of light given off. It provides the perfect amount of light for reading or working at night, and we can also see it being useful for detail-oriented tasks like crafting. Need a bulb to go with your new lamp? See our guide to the best light bulbs.
Price: Not too bad
Lamp prices can range pretty drastically, and the Greyleigh Fishel Utility Floor Lamp falls somewhere in the middle and can be found for around $150 (the price varies slightly depending on the color) on sale. This isn’t too expensive as task lamps go, and overall, the materials seem pretty high quality. Sure, there are a few little quirks, such as the crooked bulb and slight tilt, but we would be willing to pay $150 for the product.
Competition: Light up larger areas
Brightech Carter Floor Lamp: If you’re looking for an inexpensive lamp for your living room or bedroom, the Brightech Carter Floor Lamp, which we also tested, is both high quality and affordable. This simple lamp will fit in with a variety of decor styles, and its tall design is perfect for rooms with high ceilings. However, it’s not a great task lamp and is better for ambiance lighting. Stone & Beam Deco Metal Frame Living Room Standing Floor Lamp: Those with a more modern or even industrial style might prefer the Stone & Beam Deco Floor Lamp. We tested this lamp as well and liked its unique tripod-inspired base made from black metal. It’s best for illuminating small rooms, however, and won’t be much use as a task light. Check out our guide to the best floor lamps you can buy today. If you’re on the hunt for a task light and like the style of the Greyleigh Fishel Utility 59-Inch Task/Reading Floor Lamp, we say go for it. It does have a few small issues—namely its ugly cord and slight tilt—but they don’t take too much away from the product as a whole.
