The Best Lava Lamp of 2023

Original Lamp Yellow Wax with Purple Liquid Lava

This Lava Lamp design is reminiscent of vintage lamps. When heated, the purple liquid and yellow wax in its glass enclosure blend into the yellow, orange, and red colors of flowing lava.

The lamp comes with a single 25-watt light bulb that warms a coil, causing the wax to move in a lava-like manner. Unlike many other lava lamps, this one employs an energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulb rather than an incandescent light bulb.

The sleek silver hue of the base and cap complements most design types while not detracting from the lava inside the glass canister. Its solid base and conventional dimensions make it suited for a wide range of indoor settings, such as tabletops or bookshelves.

It's worth noting that the wax and fluid within this lamp can get murky, but operating it for an extended period of time usually restores its consistency.

Pros

• Energy-saving light bulb
• Glass enclosure
• The bulb is provided.

Cons

• If the wax is jostled, it may break.

The Original 14.5-Inch Lava Lite 2124

This lava lamp by the Lamp Shop is a corded electric alternative that is simple to operate and looks fantastic in a variety of settings. Its cone-shaped form is smaller than previous types, allowing it to fit in places where traditional lights may not.

On either end of its glass globe, a silver hand-spun metal base and cap are fashioned. A yellow wax floating in a blue liquid creates green tones of shifting color inside. A 25-watt incandescent light bulb (included) powers the lamp and offers a mellow glow of light.

The movement of the lamp begins when the bulb heats the wax. This lava lamp is a safe and pleasant addition to a bedroom, living room, or office. It is safety approved and UL tested.

Pros

• Evaluated for safety
• Glass enclosure
• Small size
• The bulb is provided.

Cons

• After the initial plug-in, it takes 8 hours to work.
• Incandescent light bulb

13.5-inch Tabletop Lava Lamp by My Groovy Light

When room is limited, this tiny lava lamp from My Groovy Light is an excellent choice. This lava lamp is about half the diameter of a standard lava lamp and just a hair shorter. The My Groovy Light lamp, made of glass, metal, and plastic, is a fantastic buy with traditional lava lamp appeal.

The wax floating in clear fluid complements the lamp's plastic base and lid flawlessly. With less liquid to heat, the wax warms up faster and begins to move faster than in other lava lamps. Because this lava lamp is lighter than others, keep it in a position where it won't be bumped or shaken. This light has a 25-watt bulb.

Pros

• Design that is slim and small
• Many color variations are available.
• The light bulb is provided.

Cons

• Incandescent light bulb

Colormax Original Lamp Lava

Even when it's not plugged in, many youngsters like the vivid look of this lava lamp from the Lamp Shop. The aluminum base and cap of this lava lamp are coated in rainbow decals, and the lamp's glass is tricolored.

The lamp warms white wax suspended in a transparent liquid, yet the wax seems to change color from green to blue to red due to the tinted glass.

This lava lamp is powered by a regular 25-watt light bulb (included), and while it is UL-certified, smaller children should be supervised when near the lamp.

Older children may enjoy watching the wax's peaceful motion while they prepare for bed or rest. This standard-sized lava lamp can fit on most nightstands or desks in children's rooms.

Pros

• A one-of-a-kind rainbow pattern
• Glass enclosure
• The light bulb is provided.
• Evaluated for safety

Cons

• Incandescent light bulb

Lava 2131 Baseax Lamp, 14.5" Rainbow Glitter

The Lamp Store's contemporary lava lamp keeps the lamp's classic design but replaces the conventional floating wax with colorful glitter.

The glitter swishes around in its transparent solution when the bulb warms up. The movement is as hypnotic as the flow of wax in the original lava lamp, but with the gloss and flare of glitter.

As you switch on this lamp, you'll see that the glitter starts moving immediately away—this is unlike the wax inside ordinary lava lamps, which must be heated before it moves. Small glitter bits within this lamp shine brightly on the walls of a room.

The glass globe is supported by a gold hand-spun metal base and a matching gold cap, a change from the original lamp's silver trim.

A 25-watt light bulb is required for this standard-size lamp (included). The UL testing and certification assure that this glittering light is a safe and enjoyable addition to many different areas of the house.

Pros

• Quick start-up
• Glass enclosure
• The light bulb is provided.
• Evaluated for safety

Cons

• Incandescent light bulb

Lava 2149 14.5-inch Lamp, Colormax Decal

Unlike other lava lamps, which are a mishmash of day-glo pink and hippy purple, this novelty light from the Lamp Shop pulls inspiration from volcanoes, creating a lamp that actually resembles lava. The volcano designs on the metal base and cap complement the color and movement inside the globe.

The tricolored globe gives the white wax a red, orange, and yellow look, mimicking the color pallet of lava. This lava lamp is the same size as many of its rivals. It looks as at home in a leisure room or a bar as it does in an office or a bedroom.

You may be confident that this lava lamp satisfies safety requirements thanks to UL testing and certification. This light comes with a 25-watt bulb. Plug the lamp into a conventional power socket to start the lava, then wait for the wax to heat up and watch it move and glow.

Pros

• Graphics of volcanoes
• Glass enclosure
• The light bulb is provided.
• Evaluated for safety

Cons

• Incandescent light bulb

While it's tempting to think that all lava lamps behave similarly, a variety of factors influence their functioning. Continue reading to learn about some of the most crucial characteristics to look for when buying a lava lamp for your home or dorm room.

Dimensions and Form

Lava lamps are often designed to sit on a shelf or tabletop and range in height from 11 to 27 inches. Lava lamp sizes can be determined by their height in inches or their capacity in ounces. The most common lava lamp size is 14 inches tall and holds 20 ounces.

The typical lava lamp form is a tall, tapering shape that resembles a cone or bullet. While this form is still utilized for the majority of lava lamps, there are also other interesting shapes available, such as globes.

Material

When comparing lava lamp materials, there are two components to consider: the housing and the cap and base.

The casing of lava lamps is often composed of glass or transparent plastic. While some users may choose plastic since it is less likely to break if dropped, glass is a higher-quality material that will last longer.

The base and crown of a lava lamp are often constructed of metal, such as steel. A lava lamp with a plastic base should be avoided since it indicates a lower-quality build.

Lumens and Bulb Type

The majority of lava lamps have a light bulb that serves as a light source. The light bulb in the lamp might be incandescent, compact fluorescent (CFL), or light-emitting diode (LED). While incandescent bulbs are less expensive, LED lights last longer and are more environmentally friendly.

Lava lamps typically utilize 25-watt incandescent bulbs, while bigger ones may require 100-watt bulbs. When changing the bulb in a lava lamp, double-check the bulb type.

Special Effects

A lava lamp's liquid motion is formed by combining a water-based liquid with a wax compound—two materials with differing densities.

Often, the liquid is transparent with a colorful tint to enhance the visual impression. The wax is available in a variety of hues, allowing you to create unique color schemes to fit your preferences and home design style.

To generate a relaxing aesthetic impression, some motion lights employ glitter rather than wax. Some combine glitter and wax for an even more dramatic effect.

Safety

Although lava lamps are developed and tested for safe household usage, there are some basic safety considerations to take. To begin, it is critical to keep the bulb from overheating. Keep the lamp out of direct sunlight and only use it for a maximum of 8 hours at a time to achieve this.

It's critical to keep the electrical cable carefully tucked away so the lamp doesn't get accidentally pulled down or pushed over. When the lamp has heated up, avoid touching any part of it, and keep it out of the reach of little children.

What is the purpose of a lava lamp?

Lava lamps are vintage-style ornamental elements that may captivate you for hours with their liquid action. They also have a soft glow, making them perfect for use as night lights for both children and adults.

Are lava lights harmful?

While lava lamps are safe when used correctly, there are certain precautions to take. Use your lava lamp for fewer than 8 hours at a time to avoid overheating and creating a fire danger, and keep it away from small children to avoid burns.

Can a lava lamp be left on all the time?

Lava lamps should not be left on for longer than 8 hours.

What characteristics should I look for in a lava lamp?

Search for a lava lamp in a color scheme you like that is the right size for your given area. Evaluate how its vintage style might match the rest of the room's design.

Do lava lamps have a shelf life?

Lava lamps do not expire, however they do have a shelf life of about 2,000 hours.

What's the deal with my foggy lava lamp?

When lava lamps are moved or jostled while the liquid is still hot, they tend to turn hazy.

While the best lava lamp depends on your aesthetic choices, the Lava Lamp Original is our top option due to its high-quality construction and timeless appearance.

Consumers on a tight budget may appreciate the Lava Lite, which is comparable to BesrForHomes' (bestforhomes.org) top selection but costs less.