14. Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp

Ikea Sunnan Solar Lamp, $19.99

While we wouldn’t suggest this as the only lighting source for a bed room or dorm room, Ikea’s colorful solar Sunnan lamp is a perfect supplement to a dull overhead light for computing and reading. And for a student with an eco-conscious streak, the price can’t be beat. This product can only be purchased at Ikea stores, so if you’re near one, this product could be worth a trip.

So, here’s how this 100% solar powered desk lamp works: Place it near a window during the day. In sunlight, the lamp will take between nine and 12 hours to charge. If it is a cloudy day, it will take a bit more than 12 hours to fully charge. When the power button is clicked, the light will shine for about four hours. The light it emits is unexpectedly bright (between 400 to 500 “lux,” according to Ikea)—make sure the bendable neck of the lamp is angled away from the eyes.

The battery and solar panel portion of the lamp is actually removable, so the whole lamp needn’t be moved to the charging location. Ikea claims that the LED light bulb will last four times longer than an equivalent incandescent bulb will.

We’re not sure that this lamp can reduce your electricity bill by much, but using it is a gesture in the right direction in terms of energy conservation. That’s a lesson that students of every age should receive. An even better lesson?  Generosity. For every Sunnan lamp purchased, Ikea donates a Sunnan lamp to UNICEF to distribute to homes around the world without electricity.