Short answer: A battery picture light is either rechargeable by USB or runs on AA or AAA cells. Pick one about one third to one half the width of the frame, and use the timer or remote so it does not drain the battery. LEDs give off almost no UV, so they are a safe way to light art at home.
A picture light turns a print on the wall into the first thing you see in a room at night. It also used to mean an electrician, because the classic brass picture light was wired into the wall behind the frame.
A battery picture light needs no wiring. It mounts above the frame, lights the art from above, and has no cord at all. This guide covers how to pick one, how long the batteries last, and how to hang it so the light looks even.
What kinds of battery picture lights are there?
Rechargeable. A lithium battery sits inside the light. You charge it by USB, then hang it back up. It holds more charge than a set of AA cells, and you never buy batteries.
AA or AAA battery. The light takes standard batteries. You swap them when they run out. These cost less up front, and rechargeable AA cells cut the cost of running one.
Here is how the two in our range compare, from each product's specs:
| Light | Power | Run time | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Remote Picture Light | 4000mAh rechargeable, 5 to 6 hours to charge | 10 to 11 hours | Remote and touch, dimmable, 3000K / 4000K / 6500K |
| Magnetic Battery Picture Light | 3 AA batteries, not included | Depends on brightness and battery brand | Remote or touch, 10% to 100% dimming, timer of 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes |
How long do the batteries last?
The number of evenings one charge covers depends on how many hours a day the light is on.
Take the Wireless Remote Picture Light at 10 to 11 hours per charge. Lit for 2 hours each evening, that is about five evenings between charges. Lit for one hour, close to ten.
A timer helps. The Magnetic Battery Picture Light can switch itself off after 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes. Turn it on when you sit down for the evening, and it stops draining the batteries when you forget. Running any battery light below full brightness also makes each charge last longer.
How long should a picture light be?
The usual guide: the light should be about one third to one half the width of the frame. Shorter looks stingy and leaves the corners dark. Wider than the frame looks odd.
- A frame 24 to 30 in wide suits a light of 10 to 15 in.
- A frame 30 to 40 in wide suits a light of 13 to 20 in.
- For very wide art, use two lights side by side.
The Wireless Remote Picture Light comes in 13.0 in (33 cm), 13.8 in (35 cm) and 15.7 in (40 cm) lengths. The Magnetic Battery Picture Light is a round LED light on a small bracket, sold in packs of 1, 2, 3 or 6. Use one per small frame, or space several along a gallery wall.
How do you hang a picture light?
- Center it. Find the middle of the frame and mark it on the wall above.
- Set the height. Mount the light a few inches above the top of the frame, so the arm reaches out and angles down over the art.
- Angle it. Point the light at the middle of the artwork. Too steep and you light only the top. Too shallow and you get glare off the glass.
- Test before you fix it. Hold it in place at night with the room lamps on. Check for glare from where you sit, then screw or stick it down.
- Charge first. For a rechargeable light, a full first charge saves you taking it straight back down.
Glass and glossy prints reflect. If you see a bright stripe from the sofa, raise the light a little or tilt it further back.
What light color is best for art?
Warm light flatters oil paintings, wood frames and old prints. It brings out reds, browns and golds. Choose 3000K for most art in a living room.
Neutral 4000K suits black and white photographs and art with cool blues and greens. Avoid 6500K for art at home. It reads blue and cold at night.
Both lights in our range let you switch between color settings, so you can test each on your own piece. Our 2700K vs 3000K guide covers the numbers.
Does LED light damage art?
LEDs give off almost no ultraviolet light, which is the part of the spectrum that fades paper and pigment. The Canadian Conservation Institute says white LEDs give off so little UV that they need no UV filter.
Light still adds up. The same CCI guide notes that damage depends on the total dose, light level times hours. A timer that switches the light off after an hour helps the art as well as the battery.
Direct sunlight is still the bigger risk. Keep valuable prints out of direct sun, whatever lights them at night.
Where else can you use a picture light?
- Over a bookshelf, to light the top row.
- Above a mirror in a hallway.
- Inside a closet or over a kitchen shelf. The Magnetic Battery Picture Light is made for these spots too.
- Over a bed, aimed at the wall above the headboard for a soft glow.
For more ways to put light on a wall without wiring, read our guide to wall sconces without hardwiring.
Keep reading: bedroom lighting without a ceiling light and cordless table lamps.
FAQ
How long do battery operated picture lights last?
Our Wireless Remote Picture Light runs 10 to 11 hours per charge on a 4000mAh battery. At 2 hours a night, that is about five evenings between charges. AA models depend on the batteries and the brightness you choose.
Are battery picture lights bright enough?
For a framed print or a painting of everyday size, yes. For wide art, use two lights side by side.
How do you hang a picture light without wiring?
Mount it on the wall a few inches above the frame with the screws or mount it comes with, then angle the light down over the art. Battery and rechargeable lights need no outlet.
What size picture light do I need?
About one third to one half the width of the frame. A 30 inch frame suits a light of 10 to 15 inches.
Can I put a picture light on a timer?
Yes. The Magnetic Battery Picture Light has a built-in timer of 15, 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
Find more wire-free wall lights in our wall sconces collection. Shipping is free in the US, with 14-day returns.
A picture light also makes an easy gift for a new home. See our housewarming gifts and renter-friendly lighting pages.