home · 2026-04-04
Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp
A modern icon that earns its keep. Effortless positioning, a reassuring build, and the best task light we've used.
TL;DR
What we liked
- Effortless spring-balanced arm
- Solid, repairable construction
- Takes any E27 bulb
- Timeless design in many finishes
What could improve
- No integrated LED or dimming
- Light quality depends on your bulb choice
- Premium price for a task lamp
Score breakdown
Kenneth Grange's Type 75 is the lamp on a thousand designers' desks. We used one as a daily task light for two months to see whether the design-icon status is earned or merely inherited.
Key facts
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Task lamp (E27) |
| Mechanism | 3-spring balanced arm |
| Build | Metal, repairable |
| Bulb | Not included |
| Finishes | Multiple |
| Price | £180 |
How we tested home lighting
Home lighting is evaluated for light quality as much as design. We look at glare control, diffusion, colour rendering, dimming behaviour, installation friction, repairability, and whether the fixture improves the room in daily use rather than only looking good in product photos.
Design & Build
The three-spring constant-tension mechanism is the whole point: the head stays exactly where you place it, with no drift, and repositions with one finger. Everything is metal and serviceable — springs and shades are replaceable, so this is a lamp you repair rather than replace. Our matte-black unit felt built to outlast its owner.
Light Quality
The Type 75 takes a standard E27 bulb, so light quality is in your hands. Paired with a CRI 95+ 2700K bulb it produced a clean, glare-free pool ideal for reading and detail work; the deep shade keeps light off the screen and out of your eyes. We'd avoid bare high-output bulbs, which the open shade can't tame.
Verdict
At around £180 it's an investment for a task lamp, but it's the rare object that works flawlessly and will still be working in decades. Buy a good high-CRI bulb to match. For a desk or bedside reading light, it's our top home pick.
Who should buy it?
Buy it if
Anyone wanting a precise, lasting reading or desk light that's also a design icon.
Skip it if
Buyers wanting an integrated LED, built-in dimming, or a low price.
Alternatives we considered
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our testing, the Anglepoise Type 75 Desk Lamp scored 8.7/10. A modern icon that earns its keep. Effortless positioning, a reassuring build, and the best task light we've used.
The main limitations we found: No integrated LED or dimming. Light quality depends on your bulb choice. Premium price for a task lamp. Despite these, the overall performance remains strong for its category.
In the home category, this product stands out for: Effortless spring-balanced arm. Check our comparison pages for detailed head-to-head matchups.