Are you looking to travel with your hobby? Do you want the best portable light for painting miniatures? Maybe you’re traveling to a convention, or you want to work in another room near the family. In either case, you probably could use a portable LED lamp.
In this article, I share my thoughts about what I think is the best portable miniature lamp for the traveling hobbyist and artist. Long story, short, the OttLite LED Task Lamp is my top pick for its compact size, bright and diffuse LED lights, and affordability.
TL;DR: The OttLite Task Lamp for Portable Hobby Lighting
The OttLite LED task lamp is the best for portable hobby lighting on the go because it offers a bright light that is easy to adjust. This lamp is also battery-operated, so it can be easily taken with you wherever you need it. Additionally, the Ottlite LED task lamp uses a natural daylight spectrum, which helps reduce eye strain and provides a more natural lighting effect. Finally, you don’t have to worry about changing bulbs at all because the LEDs are rated for an impressive 40,000 hours of service.
Pros:
- Portable
- Adjustable light
- Battery operated
- Natural daylight spectrum
Cons:
It won’t replace dedicated desk and hobby workspace lighting systems
I’ve been asked on several occasions what I use for lights when I want to paint in another room in my home. For example, I have an office desk setup, but for family reasons I need to move my hobby work to the kitchen dinner table.
What do I do?
Well, I’ve had to find different ways to improve my light situation. Whatever it was, the lights had to be easily transported and stowed away when not in use.
For the hobbyist, this means the need for a portable daylight system. Because of energy needs, you’re probably looking for an LED solution. Preferably, battery-operated.
Check out what I found as the best portable light for painting miniatures and models.
Best Portable Light for Miniature Painting?
Here’s my take. For scale modeling, miniature hobbies and painting tasks, where you might need to change locations a lot, I’m only going to recommend one.
Not only is the OttLite LED Task Lamp (more details here) highly functional for my needs as a miniature hobbyist, it has lasted years.
Aesthetically, it looks great. For those of you who might need something to display your wares at a meeting or convention, this would fit the bill. It would fit right into a showcase.
There are many kinds of lamps and lights. But, they are not all the same! Some have magnifiers built in. Others fold down compact into small spaces.
I shopped around for a while, but here’s what I needed:
- Small and portable
- Battery operated with wired option
- Bright diffuse color-neutral light
- LED
- Durable
- Inexpensive
- Bonus: Photography
A brief search on Amazon will show you a plethora of options.
What portable light system do I use and recommend?
OttLite LED Task Lamp
The OttLite is essentially a flashlight for miniature painting. Except it can stand on its own, casts a beautiful bright and diffuse light, and packs away with a nice carry handle. Ergonomically, it works in a way that is versatile for the hobbyist or just for having nearby for those unforeseen needs in your home.
Key features that make this ideal for the miniature painting hobby
Small and portable
The OttLite is tiny for how much light output it can produce. Given that you’re painting miniatures or other small parts for a modeling type hobby, the brightness of the light is key.
Strong powerful lights make every detail easier to see. It also makes it possible to use magnification. Magnification requires brighter light for minis to show good contrast and detail. My recommended magnifiers I’ve used for painting miniatures. Do you want a larger, more powerful light? Maybe this executive version will be better for you (more info).
RELATED: BEST PORTABLE HOBBY WORKSTATIONS FOR PAINTING MINIATURES AND MODELS
Battery operated bright light (wired optional)
So you want to carry this anywhere in your home or out to a traveling convention. Or maybe, you want to take this on business and paint something in your hotel room.
You’ll probably want your portable lamp to have a battery option.
Sometimes, you may not have an outlet nearby (i.e., a local cafe or hotel room desk). And, there’s a level of super convenience not having to carry tangling wires with you everywhere!
The OttLite uses batteries, but in case you need more power, it can also run off a wired AC power cable. Batteries and the AC cable are not included, but you can easily get them here and here.
I personally just use the lamp with batteries. It’s simply easier for when I need to move around.
Bright diffuse color-neutral light
All the OttLightes have lights that are close to natural sunlight. This is the best kind of light for painting miniatures. Why is this? See my article on best light bulbs for miniature work.
Ever get tired of painting; your eyes get droopy or you find yourself squinting? It’s probably because the quality of your light is hurting you. In general, natural light is easier on the eyes. The best magnifying hobby lamps use diffuse lighting with LED panels.
True colors from a color-neutral light show much better than standard incandescent or fluorescent light systems. OttLites show true color more effectively than incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
To have good light in a small package is awesome.
LED (Light Emitting Diodes)
As a feature, OttLite LED’s are more efficient than other types of bulbs (lasting up to 40,000 hours – which is more than a human lifetime). LEDs are also generally cool to the touch, meaning that you can use them for much longer periods without discomfort.
Don’t you hate sweating near a hot bright lamp?
LEDs don’t have this issue. Actually, I’m not even sure if it’s worth buying lights nowadays that aren’t LEDs. Maybe, if you like the warmth?
Durable
Here’s where I know there’s a difference. When it comes to portable equipment, I abuse my stuff. I throw it in a bag or suitcase and just go. I can’t be bothered with fragile stuff.
OttLites are built a tad stronger than some of the other portable desk lamp options I’ve looked at. The task lamp folds down with a carry handle and slips nicely into a backpack, or the sleeve of a laptop case. Because it’s battery operated (yeah, there’s a wire option but I don’t use it), you don’t need to worry about accessories.
Pick up and go. Flip open. Turn on the light!
No hassle, paint your stuff anywhere.
Inexpensive
As a portable solution for lights for painting miniatures and other hobby work (i.e., scale modeling), the OttLite Task Lamp is worth it. I do try to buy my best brushes at art stores.
The lamp varies in cost depending on where you buy it, but generally it’s easier and discounted online (there are several types). I’ve been to local art stores and unless you have a coupon, it’s more expensive that way.
Bonus: Photography
Do you photograph your miniatures?
The best photos require great light. You may even want to take photos in a different locations to record your games. See this article on 5 ways to improve your battle reports.
Do you vlog about your hobby? Maybe you want to record a painting tutorial, but it may require some extra lighting in a small area.
Bam. Portable bright LED lights.
Final Verdict
I like taking my hobby with me. I like working in the kitchen, as well as the patio. That means lugging paint supplies and tools. It means getting good light where I need it.
Those overhead kitchen lights are great for meal time, but they are horrendous for painting small minis. Convention halls are usually dim, which makes it horrible for all sorts of reasons.
Maybe you’d like to take your modeling hobby on business trips?
A battery operated portable daylight task lamp is perfect for when you might need to go somewhere with your miniature and modeling hobby.
Tangible Day on YouTube (Miniatures and More!)
