Tom Dixon
Putty Bell Portable Led Lamp
CA$375.00CAD
In Stock
This portable LED table lamp from Tom Dixon features a putty-colored, ABS-plated steel body with a bell-shaped shade and a built-in 3000 K soft white LED. It operates wirelessly for up to 9 hours on a single 5-hour USB charge, with a tactile dimmer for variable intensity, and is designed for indoor use. The lamp measures 11 inches (28 cm) high and 7.5 inches (19 cm) in diameter.
- Color
- Putty
- Material
- ABS-plated steel
- Style
- minimal, modern
- Category
- Home & Garden > Lighting > Lamps
Color
White
Size
ONE SIZE
Specifications
Tom Dixon's BELL table lamp with plated-steel mirror finish, wireless LED dimmable light.
Includes energy-efficient 3000 K soft white LED light fitting, variable intensity on tactile dimmer, wireless rechargeable via USB, battery lasts up to 9 hours.
- Color
- Putty · brown
- Material
- ABS-plated steel
- Secondary
- plastic
- Style
- minimal, modern
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Dimensions
- 7.5x7.5x11 in
- Category
- Home & Garden > Lighting > Lamps
Additional Attributes
- ABS-plated steel
- energy-efficient LED
- soft white 3000K
- variable intensity dimmer
- wireless rechargeable
- USB charging
- portable
- mirror finish
- indoor use
Product Insights
The Tom Dixon Putty Bell Portable LED Lamp, winner of the 2024 Livingetc Style Award for Best Portable Light, offers a vintage-car-inspired pressed-steel dome that delivers soft, glare-free warm light (3000K, CRI>90) ideal for reading, with a three-step dimmer reaching 160 lumens and a 6-9 hour battery that charges via USB while in use. Its cordless design ensures stable placement (1.40 kg) and eliminates cable clutter. However, its glossy ABS finish demands dry-cloth-only care (gloves included) and is not water-resistant, limiting outdoor use.
Verified claims
- Finish
- Glossy ABS over steel shell requires dry-cloth-only care to preserve its reflective, chameleon-like sheen.
- Light quality
- Concealed 3000K LED with CRI>90 produces a soft, shadow-free warm light.
- Accolades
- Won the 2024 Livingetc Style Award for Best Portable Light.
- Livingetc award
- Won the 2024 Livingetc Style Award for Best Portable Light.
- Reading light
- Ellen Finch: Bell's dome shade makes a wonderful reading light.
- Light distribution
- Soft, even, glare-free wash with focused downlight from hidden LED.
- Brightness
- 160 lumens, three-step dimmer: candle-like light that also aids reading.
- Battery life
- Battery life ranges from 6 hours at full brightness to 9 hours at low setting.
- Charging while in use
- Can be used while charging via USB, eliminating downtime.
- Cordless flexibility
- Cordless design eliminates cable clutter and ensures stable placement.
- Care instructions
- Clean with a soft dry cloth only; gloves included for fingerprint-free handling.
- Design
- Winner of Livingetc's Best Portable Light 2024 for its vintage-car-inspired pressed-steel dome.
- Light diffusion
- Concealed diffuser produces a soft, even wash with no hotspot, unlike Melt's decorative light pattern.
- Stability
- 1.40 kg weight gives low center of gravity for excellent stability on flat surfaces.
- Cordless operation
- 6-9 hour battery life and simultaneous USB charging allow cordless reading.
- LED replaceability
- LED replaceable via Tom Dixon spare part (LEDPB02).
- Outdoor placement
- Stable but glossy ABS finish is not water‑resistant
- Surface care
- Includes cotton gloves for fingerprint-free setup and requires dry-cloth cleaning only.
- Initial operation
- Works while charging and has three discrete brightness levels via tactile dimmer.
Product record
- Title
- Putty Bell Portable Led Lamp
- Brand
- Tom Dixon
- Price
- 375 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
Warmth and color accuracy in real-world use
- The Bell's 3000K LED matches the incandescent light people instinctively prefer for evenings, casting a golden, calm-inducing glow that makes a living space feel instantly more intimate — it's the opposite of the cool, clinical 4000K+ found in many portable LEDs.
- With a 6-9 hour runtime on a full charge, the Bell can glow through a leisurely three-course meal or an entire evening on the patio — crucially, without the visual clutter of a trailing cable, which preserves the clean, sculptural presence that is half the lamp's appeal.
- With a CRI above 90, the Bell ensures that the rich colors of a mahogany table, a glass of Burgundy, or skin tones all read as true and vibrant under its light — the difference from a typical 80-CRI LED is the elimination of the dull, slightly greenish cast that cheapens interiors.
- At a maximum 160 lumens, the Bell is purposefully dim for a reason: it's not a task lamp meant to illuminate a desk full of paper — it's a candle-replacement for the dinner table, a bedside companion that creates a pocket of warm light without bleaching out the darkness around it.
- Because the LED sits hidden at the top of the dome and projects light onto the reflective interior before it escapes, the Bell generates a soft wash with no visible hotspot or harsh shadows — on a face, this means the same flattering, even illumination you get from upward-facing sconces rather than the interrogating glare of an exposed bulb.
Livingetc Style Award 2024 and what it means
- The Bell Portable captured the 2024 Livingetc Style Award for Best Portable Light, a category that the magazine calls a ‘design must’ as flexible living grows—this is editorial validation from a publication whose style awards are closely watched by the interiors industry.
- The award was decided by Livingetc’s senior editorial team—Global Brand Director Sarah Spiteri, Executive Editor Pip Rich, Digital Editor Hugh Metcalf, and Deputy Editor Ellen Finch—who personally sifted through numerous entries; the win means the Bell Portable convinced a panel of seasoned interiors editors who will have evaluated hundreds of lamps.
- The award was presented at a live ceremony at London’s Mandarin Oriental and featured in the September 2024 print issue, connecting the Bell Portable to a high-profile, physical editorial moment that carries more weight than an online-only accolade.
- Tom Dixon’s own announcement characterized the win as coming from ‘numerous outstanding entries’ and singled out ‘exceptional design and engineering’ as the deciding factor, reinforcing that the lamp was chosen on merit rather than brand reputation alone.
- Deputy Editor Ellen Finch specifically praised the Bell’s dome shade for creating ‘a really wonderful downlight to read by,’ a key insight for anyone selecting a portable lamp for reading nooks or bedside use—the quality of the directed light is what stood out to a design editor.
Vintage car bumper inspiration and design story
- The dome-suspended-over-dome construction is an exercise in reductionism directly inspired by the curved forms of classic car bumpers, tying the lamp to automotive design and to Tom Dixon's early passion for repairing vintage cars and motorcycles.
- The Bell lamp's high-gloss chrome plated finish is deliberately hyper-mirrored to reflect the colours and characteristics of its surroundings like a chameleon, a direct continuation of Tom Dixon's long-standing obsession with highly reflective surfaces that evoke the polished chrome of vintage car bumpers.
How Bell compares to Melt and Stone portables
- Bell's plated pressed-steel dome and mirror gloss are directly inspired by classic car bumpers, giving it a retro-futuristic industrial character that contrasts sharply with Melt's hot-blown glass look and Stone's organic marble ring.
- Melt's polycarbonate body is formed through high-tech German manufacturing to produce a faceted, translucent shell that glows like molten glass when lit and returns to a mirror when off, casting a complex decorative pattern that Bell's hidden diffuser intentionally avoids in favor of a soft, even wash.
- Bell ships with a pair of cotton gloves for setup, a practical detail that acknowledges the upkeep of its mirror finish — a consideration Melt and Stone surfaces are less prone to require.
- On a full 5-hour charge, Bell and Stone deliver 7–9 hours of cordless light, while Melt stretches to a maximum of 10 hours — a small but meaningful edge for extended dining or spaces where recharging mid-evening isn't convenient.
- With Bell starting at £135 (from an RRP of £195), Melt spanning £235–£290, and Stone at £350, the Bell gives buyers the Tom Dixon signature at a consumer-friendly tier that undercuts the materially complex siblings by a wide margin.
How the putty finish affects reflection and ambiance
- Maintaining the high-gloss reflectivity demands a strict no-polish, no-water cleaning routine — Tom Dixon specifies only a soft dry cloth, as polishes and abrasives can dull the glossy finish over time.
- Rather than a polished metal surface, the putty finish is a glossy ABS plastic layer bonded to the pressed-steel shell — this produces a more uniform, paint-like sheen that picks up ambient light without the hard-edged reflections of a chrome or gold finish, making it blend more easily into warm, understated interiors.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
A glossy dome-shaped table lamp with a rounded cylindrical base and a visible circular power button on the front; the lamp is a uniform putty/cream color and sits on a flat surface.
- Shade geometryLarge hemispherical dome shade with a smooth continuous curve and a high-gloss finish; shade sits centered above the base on a short vertical stem.
1 region
x 0.04 · y 0.20 · w 0.56 · h 0.38 (high) - Base shapeRounded cylindrical base with a slightly domed top where the stem meets it; base has a continuous glossy surface matching the shade.
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.58 · w 0.14 · h 0.28 (high) - Power buttonSmall circular recessed power button on the lower front face of the cylindrical base, outlined by a thin ring visible in reflection.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.80 · w 0.05 · h 0.06 (high) - Finish and reflectionsHigh-gloss smooth finish across shade and base producing bright specular highlights and soft reflected rectangles of light.
- Stem detailShort straight cylindrical stem connecting the center of the dome shade to the top of the rounded base; same color and finish as other parts.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.52 · w 0.03 · h 0.08 (medium)
Other
Studio-style product shot with a neutral textured backdrop and soft side lighting producing a soft shadow to the right; lamp sits on a flat horizontal surface with a vertical architectural panel behind.
- Background and stagingNeutral textured wall panels in a similar putty tone form the backdrop, including a vertical recessed seam to the right of the lamp and a rectangular pedestal at right edge.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 0.70 (high) - Surface and shadowFlat tabletop surface in a matching neutral tone with a soft elongated shadow cast from the lamp toward the right front area.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.70 · w 1.00 · h 0.30 (high) - Shot compositionVertical portrait framing with the lamp positioned left-of-center and negative space to the right showing backdrop elements; image cropped at top of dome and base bottom nearly touching lower edge.
- Lighting styleSoft diffused key light from left producing gentle gradation and visible specular highlights on the glossy lamp surfaces.
Colors
putty cream· shadeputty cream· base- Shade geometryLarge hemispherical dome shade with a smooth continuous curve and a high-gloss finish; shade sits centered above the base on a short vertical stem.
- 02
Product
Close-up of a portable lamp laid on its side showing the cylindrical body, underside charging cavity, side power button, and the interior of the wide bell shade lit warm.
- Shade interiorWide flared bell shade visible from below with a smooth matte interior surface that is lit to a warm cream color; rim is a thin raised lip.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.00 · w 0.55 · h 0.45 (high) - Central supporting stemShort central stem connects the shade to the cylindrical body; a circular mounting plate at the stem base shows stamped text around its edge.
1 region
x 0.63 · y 0.10 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high) - Stamped ring text“TOM DIXON”
1 region
x 0.71 · y 0.10 · w 0.08 · h 0.08 (high) - Cylindrical bodySmooth cylindrical body lying at an angle with a continuous matte finish and a single circular recessed power button on the visible side.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.30 · w 0.40 · h 0.45 (high) - Side power buttonCircular recessed power button with a concentric ring detail, centered on the cylinder side.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.48 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Underside charging cavityRound recessed black charging cavity at the base of the cylinder containing a central circular metal contact and molded channels for a detachable cable.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.63 · w 0.34 · h 0.26 (high) - Charging label text“5V = 1A”
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.70 · w 0.08 · h 0.06 (medium) - Small regulatory symbolsSmall circular and rectangular certification and compliance symbols printed inside the black cavity that are legible as shapes but too small to fully read.Partial
1 region
x 0.53 · y 0.72 · w 0.12 · h 0.08 (medium) - Visible finish and textureExterior surfaces of the shade and body show a uniform smooth matte finish with soft specular highlights on curved edges.
Other
Studio scene showing the lamp on a textured horizontal surface with a textured vertical background, a detached flat black USB cable and magnetic connector laid beside the lamp, and soft directional lighting creating gentle shadows.
- Flat USB cable and connectorFlat black USB-A cable with a low-profile rectangular USB-A plug and a small round magnetic connector at the other end, positioned left of the lamp.
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.78 · w 0.42 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.02 · y 0.70 · w 0.10 · h 0.10 (high) - Shot compositionClose detail shot cropped to show the lamp tilted toward the camera; majority of frame occupied by the shade and body with negative space on the left.
- Background and surfaceTwo-tone textured backdrop formed by a vertical textured wall and a horizontal textured surface meeting near the lower third of the image; both are light neutral tones.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 0.45 · h 0.60 (high) - Lighting and shadowsSoft directional light from the shade illuminates the immediate area and casts soft shadows to the lower left of the lamp and cable.
Colors
putty off-white· shade exterior and cylinder bodywarm cream· shade interior (lit)matte black· charging cavity interior#0E0D0Bmetallic brass· charging contactflat black· detachable cable#231E1A- Shade interiorWide flared bell shade visible from below with a smooth matte interior surface that is lit to a warm cream color; rim is a thin raised lip.
- 03
Product
Multiple decorative tabletop lamps and glass decorative objects are shown on stepped white display shelves; visible items include a glossy white dome lamp, a glossy black dome lamp, a polished gold dome lamp, two cylindrical white marble lamps with round metal accents, a green glass bell object, and two smoked glass decorative pieces.
- Glossy white dome lampSmall table lamp with a smooth hemispherical dome shade seated on a short cylindrical base; both dome and base are high-gloss white; a subtle circular power symbol is visible on the front of the base; lamp emits warm light from beneath the shade.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.44 · w 0.23 · h 0.28 (high) - White marble cylinder lampsTwo short lamps constructed from white marble with visible gray veining; each lamp has a thick cylindrical stem and a wide ring-shaped top that creates a donut-like silhouette with a round metallic hemispherical accent sitting recessed in the top ring; both lamps emit warm light beneath the ring.
2 regions
x 0.32 · y 0.31 · w 0.14 · h 0.17 (high); x 0.36 · y 0.48 · w 0.17 · h 0.17 (high) - Glossy black dome lamp (elevated)Larger table lamp with a deep glossy black hemispherical shade mounted on a tall cylindrical black base; interior of the shade is light colored and the lamp is lit, casting warm light downward; the black finish is highly reflective and shows highlights.
1 region
x 0.53 · y 0.02 · w 0.20 · h 0.26 (high) - Polished gold dome lamp (lower niche)Table lamp with a polished metallic gold hemispherical shade and matching short cylindrical gold base; lamp is lit and emits warm light; surface is mirror-like and shows a small bright reflection spot.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.71 · w 0.20 · h 0.19 (high) - Smoked glass conical vessel (lower left)Tall conical glass vessel with a narrow neck topped by a dark spherical stopper; glass is translucent smoked gray and reflective; vessel sits upright and is not lit.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.67 · w 0.17 · h 0.23 (high) - Smoked glass cone (upper right)Tapered conical smoked glass object with stacked rounded internal forms visible through the glass; glass is translucent dark gray and reflective, placed on an upper right platform.
1 region
x 0.80 · y 0.24 · w 0.11 · h 0.23 (high) - Green glass dome objectShort cylindrical green glass object with rounded top and internal stacked dark glass forms visible inside; the glass is translucent green and glossy.
1 region
x 0.75 · y 0.45 · w 0.11 · h 0.13 (high)
Other
Staged still-life photograph showing stepped matte white display shelving against a warm beige wall with soft studio lighting and gentle shadows; even soft directional light creates reflections on glossy and metallic surfaces.
- Shot compositionVertical-framed lifestyle studio shot showing a multi-level white stepped display with recessed niche at lower center; objects arranged across three horizontal display levels.
- Background and lightingSmooth warm beige wall background with soft even lighting; visible soft shadows cast by objects and subtle highlights on reflective surfaces.
- Staging surface materialDisplay shelves and niche surfaces are matte white with sharp geometric edges and right-angle corners.
- Image qualityHigh-resolution photograph with clear focus, natural tonal range, and visible reflections on glossy and metallic materials.
Colors
gloss white· white dome lamp (shade and base)white marble· white marble lamps (body and ring)gloss black· black dome lamp (shade and base)#130D0Apolished gold· gold dome lamp (shade and base)#D1A969smoked gray· smoked glass conical vessel#635D5Btranslucent olive green· green glass dome object#8A944D- Glossy white dome lampSmall table lamp with a smooth hemispherical dome shade seated on a short cylindrical base; both dome and base are high-gloss white; a subtle circular power symbol is visible on the front of the base; lamp emits warm light from beneath the shade.
Documents & Data
Q&A
5 answered- Can the lamp be used while it's charging, or does it have to be wireless only?
- Yes, the lamp can be used while charging. The USB cable supplies power while simultaneously charging the battery, so you're not limited to wireless-only use.
- Is the LED light source replaceable, or is it integrated permanently?
- The LED light source is replaceable. Tom Dixon offers a spare LED (part number LEDPB02) designed for this model [1][2], and the product manual advises using only specified replacement parts [3].
- What is the Color Rendering Index (CRI) of the LED?
- The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is greater than 90, specifically rated at CRI >90 in the technical specifications [1].
- Is the tactile dimmer a smooth continuous dimmer or does it have discrete steps/brightness levels?
- The tactile dimmer has discrete steps, not smooth continuous dimming. It offers three brightness levels, as confirmed by the product specifications [1].
- How much does the lamp weigh, and is it stable on uneven surfaces?
- The lamp weighs 1.40 kg (about 3.1 lbs) [1]. Its low center of gravity and wide, flat base make it stable on most flat surfaces, but we recommend placing it on a level tabletop or shelf for best stability.