The best spot for a lamp is rarely next to an outlet: a sofa table floating in the room, an entry console, the middle of a dining table. Modern Lantern, a family company founded in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2011 by designers Stephen and Carrie Fitzwater, makes real table lamps that run on a removable, rechargeable battery so light can go exactly where you need it.
How the battery works
A 12V lithium-ion pack hides in the base. It clicks out like a camera battery and charges on the included UL-listed wall charger, so the lamp itself never moves. The removable battery system is protected by US Patent 9,347,633. Add a spare pack and the light never has to go out; years from now you replace the pack, not the lamp.
Lamps we love
- Bartlett in Ivory on Antique Brass: hand-glazed ceramic made in the USA, 28+ hours per charge.
- Alexis in Antique Brass: a slim stick lamp that telescopes from 29" to 34".
- Mini Art Deco in Antique Brass: the best-selling mini with a frosted glass dome and a 3-way touch dimmer.
- Emily in Antique Brass: a sconce you can hang yourself, no wiring.
Questions we hear
How long do the lamps run on a charge?
Table lamps with the 7000 mAh pack run 28 to 32+ hours; mini lamps run 24 to 70+ hours depending on the light setting.
How do I recharge?
Pop the battery out of the base and set it on the wall charger: about 4 hours for the large pack and 2 hours for a mini pack.
Can they go outdoors?
The Mini Outdoor lamp is made for it. The other lamps are for indoor use.
Shop the full Modern Lantern collection, including spare batteries and chargers.