Here are our favorite light products for painting miniatures.; check out the best desk and hobby lamp solutions out there!
Updated on April 2nd, 2025, by Rob Baer, with new information and links for hobby lamps.
Let’s be honest—painting miniatures without the right lighting is like trying to paint in a cave with a glow stick. If your colors look off or your detail work ends in a blurry mess, your lamp might be the real villain. As someone who’s spent more hours hunched over tiny plastic warriors than we’d care to admit, we’ve tested enough hobby lights to know which ones actually do the job.
In this guide, we’re breaking down the best lights and lamps for painting miniatures—from flexible desk setups to precision hobby lighting that won’t strain your eyes or mess with your color accuracy. Ready to stop squinting and start painting with clarity? Let’s get into it.
Stop Squinting—Your Minis Deserve Better Lighting
Don’t have time to read the whole post? Here’s a quick list of the top 5 if you need to grab one of these lights or lamps for painting miniatures and Warhammer right now!
Snag your new hobby lamp from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
- Hobby Desk Light Halo- This is a pretty cheap DIY solution; check out Rob’s tutorial.
- Lampat Dimmable LED Desk Lamp
- Overhead Triple Bright Lamp
- Game Envy LUCENT Art Hobby Light For Miniatures
- Neatfi XL 2,200 Lumens LED Task Lamp
What is the Best Hobby Light For Painting Miniatures?
The best hobby light for painting miniatures depends on individual preferences, but the Neatfi XL has gained popularity for its exceptional features (and has become one of our favorites). It offers adjustable brightness, color accuracy, and a flexible design for precise lighting during miniature painting.
What Features Should I Consider When Choosing a Hobby Lamp For Miniature Painting?
When choosing a miniature painting lamp, we like to consider the following features to find the best light for miniature painting:
- Adjustable Brightness: Choose a light with customizable brightness levels to suit different painting environments.
- Color Temperature Control: Opt for a light with adjustable color temperatures to simulate natural light and enhance color accuracy.
- Adjustable Design: Look for lights with flexible arms or adjustable heads for precise positioning over your painting area.
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): Ensure that the light has a high CRI to accurately represent the colors of your miniatures.
- Portability: If you don’t have a place where you paint all the time (and don’t need a desk light for painting miniatures), you’ll need a lamp you can move.
- Eye-friendly Technology: Choose a light with anti-glare and flicker-free technology to reduce eye strain during extended painting sessions.
#5: DIY Halo Set Up
This is a DIY solution, but luckily, Rob made a full tutorial on how to do it! This gives you great lighting, but considering it takes some work, it takes the number five spot (but beats out plenty of LED lamps). If you want to learn how to make your own setup for cheap, check out Rob’s tutorial on it here.
#4: $20 Lampat Dimmable LED Desk Lamp
This is possibly the cheapest solution; it’s very portable and a great all-around light. However, it doesn’t offer quite the same lighting or blue light options as the others. If you just need something easy to use and portable, this is a great option! Plus, it fits well in the Monument Hobbies EVO Go Bags as well!
Here are some of the features of this light:
- Four lighting modes and five brightness levels—because your eyeballs deserve options.
- Built-in USB port, so your phone can recharge while you do too.
- Natural light setting keeps your eyes from staging a revolt.
- Auto-off timer kicks in after an hour—perfect for those “just one more highlight” sessions.
#3: Redgrass R9 Desk Lamp
You know how some lamps just get the job done? Well, this isn’t one of them. It’s like the superhero of lamps. Imagine a color rendering index of 98.5+; we’re talking about colors so spot-on, a high-end printer would throw a fit of jealousy. And with 1800 lumens, it’s like turning your desk into a mini movie studio. Perfect lighting, no flickers, no shadows, and absolutely no glare.
It’s the dream setup for any serious artist or mini-painter who’s tired of squinting.
But let’s talk brass tacks—or should I say, gold coins? This beauty will set you back a cool $259.99. Yeah, that’s a chunk of change. You could snag three LUCENTs or a whole army of paint and brushes for that price. Plus, this lamp isn’t exactly the nomadic type; it demands a permanent spot on your desk, so don’t expect to take it on your weekend getaways.
If you’re all about that crème de la crème lighting and don’t mind splurging a bit, then the Redgrass R9 isn’t just a lamp; it’s the king of the castle.
#2 Neatfi XL 2,200 Lumens LED Bulbs Task Lamp
In addition to the pretty solid specs, this lamp comes with a full three-year warranty when you purchase it from Amazon. That helps to sweeten the deal since you can test it without having to worry if it’s not really your cup of tea.
Here are the specs:
- Pro-Level Lighting – Whether you’re crafting for fun or working like a boss, 117 LED SMD lights spread across a roomy 20-inch span keep every inch of your space bright and clear. From painting to sewing to squint-free reading—this lamp’s got you covered.
- Flexible & Fuss-Free – Four brightness settings (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) and a clamp that bends to your will. Angle it how you like and light up your workflow with zero hassle.
- Easy on the Eyes – Built-in eye-protection tech means no more post-session headaches or eye strain. Work longer, feel better, curse less.
- Eco-Smart & Desk-Friendly – Bright, efficient LEDs that save energy, paired with a slim, sleek build that keeps your workspace clean and chaos-free.
#1 Game Envy LUCENT Art Hobby Light For Miniatures
For a high-quality hobby light, $80 is an excellent price and less than Rob paid for his overhead desk lights. It rocks five fully adjustable LED panels and a super-crisp 95+ CRI for good lighting and color accuracy that won’t lie to your eyeballs.
With 1350 lumens of brightness and light, you can tweak it to fit your vibe; it’s perfect for painting minis, sewing, sketching, fly tying—whatever you’re into. Bonus: It’s compact enough to toss in your bag for classes, cons, or wherever your craft takes you.
Lucky for our Spikey Bits readers, you can get 10% off this great deal by using the discount code SPIKEY when you order!
Wrap It Up—And Light It Right
No more painting in the shadows. The right lamp makes a massive difference, and all the options here earn their spot for good reason—whether it’s portability, brightness, or color accuracy, there’s a match for every hobby bench.
Want budget-friendly? Got it. Want pro-level lighting with zero eye strain for long painting sessions? Covered.
Pick what fits your setup, plug it in, and see what you’ve been missing—literally. No matter which lamp you choose to light your miniatures, you’ll have to decide between cost and functionality. But any of the ones on this list should be a great addition to your hobby setup!
Check Out Our List of the Top 50 Hobby Products Here!
What light or lamp do you like the best for miniature painting or Warhammer hobbying?
