What magnification is best for a desk magnifying lamp?

For general crafting, reading, and close work, a 2.25x (roughly 5-diopter) glass lens is the most commonly recommended range across listings because it gives a wide field of view without distortion. Higher-power options like 10X or 12X help with fine detail such as jewelry or electronics, but they sharply narrow the viewing area and require holding work very close to the lens.