The Original Light Wedge Versus the Itty Bitty Book Light LED
Book lights, also known as reading lights, allow you to study or devour your favorite novel while your partner sleeps peacefully beside you. But when it comes to the Light Wedge or the Itty Bitty Book Light, which of these two best-selling book lights is better in bed?
Let’s compare.
The Itty Bitty Book Light’s sleek grey case hints that he’s hip and modern, but underneath it all, the Itty Bitty Book Light is a traditionalist. He may have flashy heat-free LED bulbs, but like any old-fashioned reading light, he clips onto the book and illuminates the pages from above.
The Light Wedge is an entirely different animal. This book light is an illuminated acrylic lens that goes down on your book, and lights up your page face. You can see right through this guy, he’s so transparent; and that’s how you read.
Body.
The Itty Bitty Book Light has pretty flimsy construction, and the plastic arm, which does not extend past 90 degrees, is far too easy to snap off. Moreover, there are frequent complaints of flickering LED lights in the Itty Bitty Book Light.
The Light Wedge, by contrast, is a bulky brute. You can throw him down and he won’t break. But he’s a bit thin skinned-scratches and smudges easily mar the surface of the Light Wedge, and can make it harder to read through. You can wipe down the acrylic, and keep him in a soft case to protect him, but that won’t be a perfect solution. Most people can read through the smudges and scratches without too much difficulty, but if that’s going to be a problem for you, you might consider a more traditional book light. All in all, on the question of durability, it’s a tie.
Endurance.
Both book lights use LED technology, so you can forget about trying to find those insane little bulbs to replace. Both also use normal batteries, so you won’t have to order away for anything special there either. The Itty Bitty Book Light and the Light Wedge also both have excellent battery life. Improvements have been made over previous Itty Bitty Book Light models, so that he no longer chews through power. But the edge here goes to the Light Wedge, which requires battery changes so infrequently, you may be startled when the light finally starts to dim.
Vigor.
The Itty Bitty Book light throws brighter light, but it’s not uniform. It’s seldom enough to cover the entire page, or even both pages without adjustment. Here is where the Light Wedge really shines. Because the acrylic lens covers the entire page, you get uniform lighting. Advantage, Light Wedge.
Positions.
Because the Itty Bitty Book Light no longer swivels side to side, you can’t adjust it easily to cover the whole page, and if you do need to adjust where the light falls-so it doesn’t fall into your partner’s eyes-you’ll need to tilt the book. Also, because of the bulky battery clip strapped onto the back of the book, when you go to set it down on your bedside table, it won’t lay flat. The Light Wedge can serve as a book-mark; just turn it off, close your book, and put it down. Another point for the Light Wedge.
Flexibility.
On the one hand, the Light Wedge seems like a pretty flexible tool. You can position it anywhere, use it as a nightlight when you need to get up and go to the bathroom, or provide ambient light when you’re in a more romantic mood. But the Light Wedge is maybe a little bit too flexible. You have to readjust it every single time you turn the page. And because of its bulky construction, it can be heavy and unmanageable. The Itty Bitty Book light has a similar Achilles heel. Because the arm doesn’t tilt past 90 degrees or swivel side to side, pages often brush the apparatus when you turn the page. Tie.
At heart, both book lights are great bedtime partners, but the Light Wedge has the edge. He’s not without his flaws, and he can be a pain to live with, but he’s the better choice all around.
