One Good Thing: The Designer Task Lamp That Outshines the Original
An iconic piece of British industrial design with a jolt of Paul Smith color is now available for more than half off.
Since the early 1930s, the original Anglepoise (pronounced ANG-guhl-poyz) design has defined what a task lamp should be: stable, adjustable, and mechanically satisfying to use.
Over time, the balanced-arm lamp became so recognizable that it effectively represents the entire category.
The collaboration between Anglepoise and Paul Smith builds on that familiarity rather than reinventing it. Smith treated the company’s Type 75 lamp as a canvas for color, producing a small run of numbered editions that add personality without changing the underlying mechanics.
The so-called Edition Five and Edition Six collaborative versions of the iconic desk lamp are among the best in the series, thanks to their more understated pop of color, and they’re currently discounted by 60 percent, bringing these design collaboration pieces down to the price range of far more ordinary task lamps.
For anyone who has long admired the lamp’s mix of engineering and design pedigree, it’s an unusually approachable moment to add one to a desk, bedside table, or anywhere that could use a little more thoughtful light.
FTK Rating: 9/10
There may not be a better time to buy.
A legitimate design collaboration from the original manufacturer rarely sees discounts this steep.
Discount: ~60% off (Rare)
Deal Frequency: Very Rare
Why It’s on Sale: Inventory Reduction
Normal Retail Price:
Edition Five — $430
Edition Six — $370
Current Price:
Edition Five — $172
Edition Six — $148
Retailer: Anglepoise
Availability: In stock at time of writing
Why It Matters
What makes this product stand out?
1. Engineering is still the benchmark.
The original spring-tension mechanism patented in 1932 by engineer George Carwardine allows the lamp to move freely while staying precisely where it’s positioned—one of the reasons Anglepoise lamps remain common in studios and workshops.
2. The Type 75 is a modern design classic.
Industrial designer Sir Kenneth Grange refined the form in the early 2000s with the Type 75, preserving the mechanics while sharpening the proportions.
3. Paul Smith added personality without altering the object.
Beginning in 2014, Smith used the lamp as a canvas for his signature color sensibility, producing a numbered series of collaborations. Early editions featured bold multi-color components, while Editions Five and Six introduced bright shades in a smaller way via a designer’s “Artist Stripe” in two moods: a darker black version and a softer white companion.
The result is a lamp that still feels like a tool—but a slightly more stylish, unique, and cheerful one.
The Fine Print
Key details about this specific opportunity.
Both lamps use a standard E26/E27 bulb (not included) and are covered by Anglepoise’s “Guaranteed for Life” warranty, which reflects the company’s long-standing emphasis on durability and repairability.
Because the sale is offered directly through Anglepoise’s U.S. store, the purchase is also relatively straightforward, with free delivery and free returns, and without the import duties or tariff surprises that can sometimes accompany design goods ordered from overseas retailers.
Second Opinions
What other experts and designers think of it.
Anglepoise lamps have long been treated as more than simple desk lighting. The original design is widely recognized as a landmark of British industrial design—appearing in the collections of institutions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and discussed by the Design Museum as a defining example of functional modern design.
The Paul Smith collaboration has also drawn attention from contemporary design publications such as Dezeen, which have covered the partnership as an example of fashion and industrial design intersecting in a way that preserves the original object’s utility.
Pricing Context
Just how good is this discount?
Anglepoise typically discounts these collaboration lamps modestly, often in the 10–25% range during design-retailer promotions.
A 60% reduction directly from the manufacturer is unusual and likely reflects a clearance of remaining collaboration inventory rather than normal seasonal pricing. In fact, these editions are cheaper than many standard Type 75 models, which commonly retail for $275–$320, depending on the retailer and finish.
The Bottom Line
Who should consider this?
If you appreciate everyday objects that feel a little more considered than the generic alternatives, this sale offers an unusually approachable entry point into a genuine design classic.
At this price, the Anglepoise × Paul Smith editions deliver the same engineering pedigree the lamp has carried for nearly a century—at even less than the price of the ordinary architect lamp —while offering far stronger design pedigree and a little Paul Smith character.
