Best 10 Lava Lamps
As Of June 2022
We did the
Best Lava Lamp Overall
- Fall asleep restfully to the moving green & blue liquid
- Calm down & unwind after a stressful workday with the melted wax flow
- Set it up in seconds as it comes with a 25-watt light bulb
- Enjoy it for years to come thanks to the sturdy aluminium base
Ideal for Girls
- Set the mood with your partner by using this pink & purple liquid light
- No need to run to the store as it comes with an included light bulb
- Place it on your office desk as a mood light to relax & study
- Built to last thanks to the brushed aluminium base & cap
Best Choice for Boys
- Save money on supplies with its free 25-watt light bulb
- Decompress by watching the wax move up & down
- Add a touch of elegance on your tabletop with its sleek black base
- Install it in no time - just plug & let it work as a light lamp!
Ideal for Contemporary Design
- Withstands wear & tear for years to come as it’s made of robust aluminium
- Turn it on & watch your mood improve with its blue liquid white wax
- Get it going in less than 30 minutes to create vibey aesthetics
- Match it to any interior style thanks to its unique bottle shape
Top Pick for Dorm Rooms
- Bring a beautiful retro style to your space with its colourful hues
- Move it from one room to another effortlessly as it’s super lightweight
- Place it on any counter space thanks to the heat-resistant silver base
- Fit it hassle-free in your room due to its compact design
Best Choice with Glitter
- Add some sparkles to your bedroom with the glitter lamp design
- Make it the centrepiece of any living space as it stands at 40cm tall
- Have peace of mind that it won’t wobble around thanks to the aluminium base
- Select from a variety of different colours to match your taste
Ideal for Long-Lasting
- Bask in its gripping bright & clear liquids for hours on end
- Install it on your tabletop as a mood light & de-stressor
- No need to switch bulbs for up to 1 year with its included halogen bulb
- Pass it on to your kids as it’s made of a hard-wearing silver case
Top Pick for Battery Run
- Save on electricity bills as it has a cordless design
- Keep your friends hooked on it with its tornado-style display
- Soothe yourself with its high-quality LED lamp in multiple hues
- Safely put it in your kids’ rooms as it’s not hot to the touch
Ideal for Childrens' Rooms
- Give your little ones some science inspiration with its rocket shape
- Mount it on any surface with its sturdy cast metal legs
- Choose 1 of 5 colours that suit your personality
- Use it as a table lamp for over 2000 hours with its excellent construction
Most Aesthetic Choice
- Change the colour to your liking via the handy remote control
- Bring the ocean to your desk with its one-of-a-kind jellyfish lava lamp design
- Reduce your stress levels with its tranquil & peaceful LED light
- Recharge it worry-free with the included USB cable
Create An Ambient Room Setting With The Best Lava Lamps
Are you looking for some light fixtures to add to your living room? Do you want to create an eye-catching and beautiful space where you can destress and relax? If you're looking for an outdoor solution, we even have recommendations for the best garden solar lights. But, if you want solutions for indoor spaces, you can look into adding some LED strip lights, SAD lamps, or even some oil diffusers that help you set the tone. But, what other options are there that give you funky decor? Cue a lava lamp!
With our buying guide, you'll be ready to pick the one that makes the most sense for your home in no time! Learn everything about these beautiful decor pieces. Stay with us as we show you the features to consider, their cost and some FAQs consumers just like you wanted answers to.
What is a lava lamp?
A lava lamp is a motion lamp that creates an ambient light composition in wax form. The original lava lamp was invented in 1963 by Edward Craven-Walker, an idea based on the egg timer. The classic lava lamp uses incandescent or halogen light bulbs to light up and comes with a base on which you place the shifting wax light. They come in various designs and in different colours that resemble the Northern Lights. Most people use them as a table base lamp while working or sleeping. They have excellent destressing features that make them a relaxing light fixture at home.
How do lava lamps work?
These lamps have a glass vessel shape with liquid and coloured wax inside them. The mixture is placed on a base that ensures that the lamp doesn't tip over. Once you turn on or plug the lamp into the mains supply, the light bulb generates heat. That heat is absorbed from the liquid and expands in size, becoming less dense and rising upwards in blobs. When the liquid reaches the top, and it's farthest away from the heat, it starts moving downwards again, looping back and restarting the same process again.
What features should a lava lamp have?
Do you want to learn a bit more about what to look for in a lava lamp? We've added up a list of the top things to consider before you purchase one so that you can make the most informed choice possible. Keep reading below to find out more!
1. Size
The standard size of a lava lamp is about 46cm tall, but there are other smaller ones too that you can use depending on the space you have. The small ones can start from 13cm, and the mid-range ones can reach up to 20cm tall.
2. Material
The build quality depends on the materials the lava lamp uses. The most common material for the base is metal. The base is usually a sleek aluminium, black or silver. The glass is made of real glass or plastic. To enjoy the experience more, pick one that comes with a larger viewing glass for stunning visuals.
3. Colours
There's a wide range of colours available to pick from in the liquid and wax. Some common wax colours include yellow wax, red wax, and more. The light in the lamp can be purple, pink, orange, blue, clear and multiple other variations.
4. Warranty
To have peace of mind in case your lava lamp tips over or there's an unexpected accident, pick one that comes with a warranty. Some manufacturers include a 90-day guarantee that covers replacements free of charge.
Are lava lamps safe?
Yes, lava lamps are totally safe as long as you practise the recommended safety rules. With proper handling, you can enjoy them for years to come with no chances of damage or other hazards. The one thing to be wary of is a fire hazard due to overheating, but as long as you find a high-quality construction, you have nothing to worry about. Also, read the manufacturer’s description and follow the guidelines saying how long you can leave the lamp on.
How long can you leave a lava lamp on?
Some lamps say you can leave them on for extended periods, but we recommend that you don't leave them for longer than 8-10 hours. That way, you are guaranteed to enjoy them for many years as the light bulb’s optimal lifetime is up to 2000 hours. A good pattern to follow is to operate it for about 5 hours and let it rest for 2 hours while repeating that process for however long you want to keep it on.
5 Tips to help keep your lava lamp flowing
Do you want to make the most out of your lamp? We have some helpful tips to share that are sure to give you hours of entertainment looking at the blobs flowing up and down. Check our suggestions below!
- Don’t put the lamp under direct sunlight exposure as the colours will fade.
- Never open the globe’s top bottle cap.
- Avoid shaking the lamp as the warranty will not cover it anymore.
- Place the lamp at a comfortable room temperature that’s neither too hot nor too cold.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommended runtime (no more than 8-10 hours).
How much do lava lamps cost?
The classic lava lamp is an affordable choice fit for any budget. You can find a lamp to match your style as they come in various colours. You may have to dig a little deeper in your pocket for the original lava lamp by Mathmos Astro but think of it as a collector’s piece that adds a vintage touch to your space.
Affordable
The most inexpensive ones start from as little as £10 to £30. These are most likely mains supply operated, but you might be able to find battery-run ones too. The colours in these lamps will range from green, blue, clear, pink, purple or even glitter. The wax’s warmup time may be longer than the other more premium types.
High End
You will find options going up to £85 on the upper side of the price scale. These lamps are the original design that was made popular in the 60s. The aluminium base has a silver-chrome finish adding a more luxurious feel to it. Some models in this range may take as little as 1 hour to warm up fully, making them more suitable for adults too.
Closure
Bring some cosy vibes & beautiful aesthetics to your bedroom or office space with a lava lamp! Set a relaxing tone and create a welcoming atmosphere in your home that will keep you hooked and looking at it for hours on end. These unique lamps can soothe you after a long day of work and add some colour that works well with any home decor.
We are optimistic that our buying guide has helped you better understand lava lamps. Take some time to review the options available from our top picks and select the one you prefer. Are you ready to add some grooviness to your living space?
