TaoTronics TT-DL16 LED Desk Lamp Review

We purchased the TaoTronics TT-DL16 LED Lamp so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

If you’re paying over $60 for an LED desk lamp, you should be looking for a modern, flexible design with some neat features. TaoTronics’ TT-DL16 LED lamp impressed us with on all counts, with its glass touchscreen panel and impressive range of motion. Welcome additions include both a memory and favorite function, and a night light, which all adds up to an impressive high-end package.

Design: Gorgeously modern and durable

The rectangular lamp base measures 5.31 by 7.44 by 0.94 inches (HWD). The front third of the base features an attractive glass top with six touch buttons that softly lit up when the lamp was powered on. When off but connected to power, only the power light is lit. A brightness slider is also featured on the glass panel, providing six different levels of brightness by either gently sliding a finger, or tapping either icon on the end to instantly transition from maximum dimness or brightness.

The glass panel also features two buttons to cycle through the five different color temperature modes, helpfully blinking the icon when it can’t go any warmer or cooler. The timer function is a standard hour-long sleep mode, while the favorite button lets us save an exact color and brightness level. That’s in addition to the TT-DL16 always remembering its last setting.

Finally, there’s a Night Light button to quickly power the light off, and turn on the night light on the side of the LED panel—a very welcoming feature that’s perfect when making a nightly bathroom trip. That said, as much as we enjoyed the look and feel of the glass panel, it picks up dust and hair quite easily.

Setup Process: Heavy but foldable

The TT-DL16 comes assembled and folded in a heavy box, including the power cord and static-free cloth as its only accessories. The thick stainless steel arms can extend up to an angled vertical height of 28 inches. The upper arm can rotate up to 90 degrees, including neatly folding inside itself, while the LED panel can easily turn 90 degrees both left and right.

The lower arm is not nearly as easy to operate, however. Even with the relatively heavy base, we had to place a firm hand on the base and apply a substantial amount of pressure to rotate the lower arm both vertically (90 degrees forward and 54 degrees backward) and horizontally (90 degrees left and right). This is not a swing arm lamp that sees constant movement. You would want to find the perfect angle and leave it there while making occasional adjustments to the lamp head.

Color Temperature/Brightness: Impressive range of colors and brightness levels

With 12 watts and a color rendering index (CRI) of over 80, the TaoTronics TT-DL16 is one of the more powerful LED lamps we’ve reviewed, capable of color temperatures up to 6500K, creating a fluorescent-like field of pure white. The total color temperature range includes five levels, from around 6000-6500K down to an amber-colored 2700-3000K. And unlike many desk lamps, the TT-DL16 features two buttons to cycle through colors, making it a bit easier to find the desired temperature. When the maximum temperature is reached on either extreme, the button helpfully blinks.

The TT-DL16 is also capable of an impressive six brightness levels, easily dimmable via the slider on the glass panel touchscreen. It can also quickly go from maximum dimness to maximum brightness with the touch of a button, and include buttons on each increment in case pressing a button is easier than sliding your finger. It’s an attractive design that works well.

We were also big fans of the night light, which is located on the rear of the lamp head. Tapping the night light button on the touch panel instantly shuts off the LED light and turns on the much softer night light.

Smart Light Options: Lots of extra features

Most modern desk lamps have memory functions that remember the last settings before the lamp was powered off, and the TT-DL16 is no different. It goes a step beyond, however, and includes a favorite function. By holding down the favorite button on the touch panel, the lamp will store the exact color and brightness level. Tapping the favorite button will then restore those settings.

Both the main light and the night light can utilize the timer function, setting the lamp to power off in 60 minutes. Timers or sleep modes are also becoming standard in desk lamps, but the added benefit of the night light makes it far more useful.

Finally, the TT-DL16 includes a single 5V/2A charging port, allowing you to easily charge your phone or other devices. It’s a big plus not having to choose between the lamp’s power cord and plugging in another device.

Price: Worth the price

At $70, the TaoTronics TT-DL16 is one of the more expensive LED desktop lamps you can buy. Yet we feel it’s worth the price. The glass touchscreen panel looks and feels great. Five temperatures and six brightness levels, plus both a memory and favorites function, ensure you have plenty of lighting options. The upper arm and lamp head’s rotational configurations are more than satisfying and we loved having an ambient night light option and USB port.

Taotronics TT-DL16 vs. Lampat LED Lamp

You can find many of the TT-DL16’s features in cheaper lamps at half the cost, including a USB port and a full range of color temperature and brightness, such as the Lampat LED Lamp. For the TaoTronics price, it’s less about the lighting and more about the physical design, where its steel body, flexible arms and lamp head, and glass panel shines supreme.

Similar Products We've Reviewed:

• BYB E430 LED Lamp
• Lightblade 1500S LED Lamp
• Youkoyi A509 LED Lamp