Keep the summer glow going with one of these stylish portable lights that can be used indoors and out. Handy as the evenings get longer, these portable outdoor lights are lightweight and reliable and will help the intrepid gardener achieve their autumn and winter garden goals. These are also perfect garden lamps for use in your conservatory or potting shed if you’re working on cleaning tools, potting seedlings or completing your autumn clear-up.
They are also excellent for entertaining too and the below portable lamps will allow you to have your way light perfectly as the sun goes down or comes up with friends outside.
When choosing your ideal portable light, think about how you’re going to use it. Will it be used for vital work in near darkness, or just to infuse the garden atmosphere in the autumn and winter? Aim for as robust as possible if you plan to use your garden lamp regularly.
Don’t miss our piece on how to use light in the garden, or our guides to the best solar garden lights and the best lighting for front gardens.
The best portable lights
Humble One Cordless LED Table Lamp
This portable light has a vintage aesthetic and a warm glow of a traditional glass bulb – without the high energy usage. The twisted filament it is made from tiny, energy efficient LEDs. It can be used indoors or out, thanks to its IP65 waterproof certification that offers protection against rain. It also has three settings – candle, ambient or work – and charges wirelessly through a QI standard charger – and a via USB-C cable (supplied). After one full charge, which takes 4-6 hours, the light gives up to 140 hours of light. All of the components are serviceable and replaceable, and the bulb is replaceable, too – which should ensure that it has a long life in your home and garden. It comes in four finishes: black, cinnamon, linen and moss.
Dimensions: 8.5cm x 8.5cm x 19.5cm
Tsuki Portable Light
An exceptionally fun portable light option for your garden, the Tsuki lamp can be used indoors or outdoors. It’s remote operated and one of our favourite things about it is that it changes colour to suit the mood and is dimmable too.
It’s a rechargeable option, offering eight hours of use, and is fitted with an LED bulb. There are also several sizes available if you don’t want to plump for the large option.
We love this as a garden lamp option, but it would also look funky on a balcony or indoor worktop too.
Large, £185
Fermob Mooon! LED Wireless Lamp
One of the key things you’ll need from your portable lights is lift-ability. This portable outdoor light option from Fernmob is a lovely lightweight option, as it is made from tinted aluminium: it weighs 750g.
Taking its inspiration from 19th century street lamps, this garden lamp is charged wirelessly by USB and it has up to ten hours battery life. There’s an option for warm or cold light and a dimmer option too.
There are several different vibrant colours to choose from and it’s 41 cm tall, so a collection of these portable outdoor lights on a garden table may be the way forward.
£109
Bud Portable Light
A cute and botanically themed portable light, this design is from Melissa Yip from Innermost and comes in a satisfyingly wide variety of colours. It’s only 20cm high, so a small, unobtrusive option, and it is dimmable too, with three levels of brightness. There’s a tiny USB charging socket and one charge will result in 20 hours.
It’s the sort of garden lamp that’s easy to fit in your hand so one of the most portable options on this list.
£99
Hay PC Portable Light
A particularly versatile option, this portable outdoor light is again wireless with a rechargeable battery.
This design comes from Pierre Charpin and it is specifically designed as a go-anywhere lamp. We like its simplicity and its tulip-shaped top. It’s lightweight and, crucially, splashproof, so could be your perfect garden accompaniment.
The battery is rechargeable with a USB cable and offers up to ten hours battery life. There’s an LED, replaceable light source included.
£69
Carrie Portable Light
The Scandinavians know a thing or two about darkness from those long, cold winters. This design comes direct from Nord Architects and has a powder-coated steel base and an opal glass shade which offers diffused light.
This option is probably not for the hardworking gardeners among us, but it offers a handy way of transporting your light from garden room, balcony, to sitting room. One charge lasts between six and eight hours.
£170,
Flos Bellhop LED USB-C Touch Table Portable Light
A portable light that was made with the design museum in mind it surely an attractive addition to any household. This wireless bellhop table lamp is made from colour polycarbonate and again, this option is probably not one for hardcore gardening activities. Think more entertaining in the conservatory or balcony.
It offers glare-free light which can be dimmed to four different levels using the button on the base of the light. This portable light also can be used wirelessly for up to 24 hours and its height is 21 cm.
£175
Lucca Portable Table Lamp
A timeless, elegant option for your portable garden lamp which stays lit for up to 12 hours. The design includes the option of a handle, which means you can place it on a table or side, or also hang it in a shed while you work.
The design company, Space from Copenhagen, has taken the city of Tuscany as its inspiration and we love the aesthetic. As with all these portable lights, there’s a USB charging port and an in-built battery. Its height is 28 cm.
£120,
Elipta Rechargeable Battery Outdoor LED Table Lamp
The Elipta Outdoor LED Table Lamp is the perfect light for alfresco dining on long summer evenings. It has an integrated, warm white low-energy LED light, so no bulb is required, and a powder coated die-cast aluminium body. It offers nine hours of light once fully charged via USB (which takes between five and seven hours). It is operated by a touch switch. The lamp is PF54 rated, which means that it offers some water protection. It comes with a three-year warranty.
Dimensions: 38cm x 11cm x 10cm