What is Colour Temperature?
Light itself is as complex as our eyes. There are many variables that affect our sight, Colour Temperature being one of them. Our useful guide explains what Colour Temperature is, and what you should be aware of.
What do I need to know?
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How is Colour Temperature measured?
Measured in Kelvin (K), colour temperature describes how yellow (warm) or blue (cool) a light source is. Light from a candle sits near the bottom at circa 1,850K, with noon daylight towards the top at 6,000K.
The complexity is deepened by environmental factors which affect our perception of colour. When outside in intense light, a 6,000K light will appear white, but move indoors to read in less intense ambient light, and that same light is likely to seem uncomfortably blue and intense.
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Colour Temperature and heat?
The unit Kelvin is also used as a temperature measurement. The term colour temperature began from referring to the colour metal turns as it is heated- glowing one of a variety of colours from orange (coolest) to blue (hottest) as it warms up. This can be especially confusing as the inverse terminology is used for lighting colour temperature. The bluest light is referred to as the “coolest” and the most orange light is referred to as the “warmest”.
With modern lighting technology, the colour temperature of the light has absolutely no bearing on the amount of heat it produces. Cool-to-the-touch LED lights can be anywhere from very warm (2,700K) to cool white (6,000K).
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How do I choose the right light?
Serious Lights use specialist technology to shine daylight indoors, projecting a warm white beam of 3,500-4,000K that is kinder to the indoor eye. We have found after decades of user feedback that this is the optimum colour temperature to allow you to read in comfort for longer.
Our mission is to mirror the daylight spectrum at this colour temperature. The High Definition and Alex Lights use specialist technologies to get as close to daylight as is technically possible.
The Serious Difference
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30 Day Risk-Free Trial
Free UK Mainland Collection
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Hand-Built in Great Britain
Made in Aylesbury
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Bring Daylight Indoors
Daylight Wavelength Technology™
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5 Year Warranty
Peace of Mind
Customer Reviews
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Made reading much more comfortable and less eye strain.
Mrs Cherry, London
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An excellent light for comfortable reading - spot on!
Mr Cutler, Mathon
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Reading is my favourite leisure time occupation and the lights make it so easy.
Mr Helmore, Cornwall
Our Best Reading Lights
High Definition Floor Light
![High Definition Floor Light](https://seriousreaders-public.s3.amazonaws.com/product_image/3988/fit_624x800_HD-Floor-Tile-2024.jpg)
Perfect for you if...
- You're an avid reader
- You enjoy a hobby with fine detail
- You have an eye condition
- You want the best possible light
Suitable For
- Reading books
- Reading larger publications (magazines, newspapers)
- Hobbies involving colour (artwork, needlework)
- Hobbies requiring wide beam (music, jigsaws)
- Eye conditions(AMD, Cataracts, Glaucoma)
Alex Floor Light
![Alex Floor Light](https://seriousreaders-public.s3.amazonaws.com/product_image/3984/fit_624x800_Alex.jpg)
Key Features
- Energy efficient LED
- Close to natural daylight
- Wide beam pattern
- Fully dimmable
- Bright, white light beam
Suitable for
- Reading books
- Reading larger publications (magazines, newspapers)
- Hobbies requiring wide beam (music, jigsaws)
Classic Table Light
![Classic Table Light](https://seriousreaders-public.s3.amazonaws.com/product_image/3975/fit_624x800_002.jpg)
Key Features
- Our original light model
- Deliberately narrow beam
- Ideal for night-time reading
- Light focussed on to your page
- Uses just 3W of energy
Suitable For
- Reading books