A rechargeable table lamp is only as practical as its charging method. The best lamp in the world becomes a paperweight if you lose the proprietary dock, can't find the right cable, or need to order a special charger from a brand that may not exist in five years.
USB-C eliminates this problem entirely. It is the same connector on your phone, your laptop, your headphones, and your tablet. One cable charges everything. Every Serholt lamp uses USB-C, and this is not a coincidence — it is a deliberate design choice that determines how practical the lamp is to live with.
What Is USB-C and Why Does It Matter for Lamps?
USB-C (technically USB Type-C) is the universal connector standard adopted by the European Union, Apple, Google, Samsung, and virtually every electronics manufacturer globally. Since 2024, it has been the required charging port for mobile devices sold in the EU.
For a rechargeable table lamp, USB-C means:
- Any cable works — the one in your nightstand drawer, the one in your laptop bag, the one in your kitchen drawer. You will never need a "special lamp cable."
- Any adapter works — phone charger, laptop charger, power bank, car charger. All deliver power through the same USB-C port.
- Future-proof — USB-C is the standard for the next decade-plus. It will not be obsoleted like micro-USB, mini-USB, or Apple's 30-pin connector before it.
- Reversible — the connector plugs in either way, every time. No fumbling, no forcing, no broken ports from inserting upside-down.
- Robust — USB-C ports are rated for 10,000+ insertion cycles. At one charge per week, that is 192 years.
What to Avoid: Non-USB-C Charging
Micro-USB
Some budget rechargeable lamps still use micro-USB — the small, trapezoidal connector that smartphones abandoned in 2020. Problems:
- Fragile — the connector is notorious for breaking after 1,000-2,000 insertions. The pins bend, the port loosens, and eventually the lamp stops charging.
- Not reversible — you can only insert it one way. In the dark, before bed, this is annoying.
- Disappearing — fewer devices use micro-USB every year. Finding a cable becomes harder over time.
- Slower charging — micro-USB was designed for an era of smaller batteries and lower power demands.
Proprietary Charging Docks
Some brands use custom charging bases or magnetic connectors. The lamp only charges on their specific dock. Problems:
- Lose the dock, lose the lamp — if the dock breaks or gets misplaced, the lamp is unchargeable. Replacement docks (if available) often cost $30-60.
- Not portable — you cannot charge from a power bank, laptop, or car charger. The lamp only works at home near its dock.
- Vendor lock-in — if the brand discontinues the product, replacement docks vanish.
Wireless (Qi) Charging Only
A few premium lamps use wireless Qi charging, where the lamp sits on a charging pad. While convenient, there are drawbacks:
- Slower — Qi charging is inherently less efficient and slower than wired USB-C
- Requires a specific pad — another accessory to buy and maintain
- Alignment sensitive — the lamp must sit in exactly the right position on the pad
- Not portable — cannot charge from a power bank or car charger easily
Some Serholt models support both USB-C wired and Qi wireless charging — giving you the convenience of wireless at home and the universality of USB-C everywhere else.
How USB-C Charging Works in Practice
Daily Home Use
The most common scenario: you charge your lamp the same way you charge your phone. Plug in a USB-C cable before bed, unplug in the morning. With 20-109 hours of battery life, you may only do this once a week or once a month.
Restaurant and Hospitality
For businesses running 10+ lamps, USB-C is essential. Any standard USB-C cable and adapter works — no need to order proprietary parts from a single supplier. Our charging stations and carts use USB-C to charge up to 10 lamps simultaneously overnight.
Travel and Events
USB-C makes rechargeable lamps genuinely portable. Charge from:
- A laptop USB-C port at a co-working space
- A portable power bank at an outdoor event
- A car charger on a road trip
- A hotel room USB-C outlet (increasingly standard)
The Asteria Mini and Cassia are popular travel companions precisely because USB-C means they charge anywhere.
Outdoor Patio Use
Bring the lamp to the patio, use it all evening, then carry it inside and plug into any USB-C cable. No special outdoor charging setup needed. With 94-109 hours of battery on the outdoor-rated models, you may only charge once a month.
USB-C Lamp Charging Specs
| Lamp | Battery Life | Charge Time | Charge Input | Cable Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avenue | Up to 109 hrs | ~4 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Shelby | Up to 109 hrs | ~4 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Vega | Up to 109 hrs | ~4 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Aira | Up to 94 hrs | ~4 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Asteria | Up to 34 hrs | ~3 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Cassia | Up to 20 hrs | ~3 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
| Asteria Mini | Up to 12 hrs | ~3 hrs | USB-C 5V | Yes |
All models charge from any standard 5V USB-C source. No fast-charging required — a basic phone charger or laptop port delivers everything the lamp needs.
Charging Best Practices
For Maximum Battery Longevity
Lithium-ion batteries last longest when kept between 20% and 80% charge. That said, modern battery management circuits in quality lamps protect against overcharge and deep discharge automatically. Practical advice:
- Charge when convenient — do not wait for completely empty
- Unplug when full — the built-in circuit prevents overcharge, but it is still good practice
- Store at 50-80% for long periods (off-season winter storage, for example)
- Avoid extreme heat — do not charge in direct sunlight or near heat sources
For Long-Term Storage
If storing a lamp for winter (especially outdoor models), charge to approximately 50-70% and store in a cool, dry place. Lithium-ion batteries self-discharge slowly — about 2-3% per month. Check and top up every 3-4 months during long storage.
The Bottom Line
USB-C is not a feature — it is a prerequisite. Any rechargeable table lamp that does not charge via USB-C is already obsolete. You should not need to buy special cables, hunt for proprietary docks, or worry about a brand discontinuing your only charging method.
Every lamp in the Serholt collection charges via USB-C with the included cable. The same cable you already own, the same adapters you already have, the same standard that will be around for the next decade.
Browse the full rechargeable collection or read the buying guide for a complete spec comparison.
