Image: MomJunction Design Team
A lava lamp is a decorative lamp that contains a mixture of colored wax and a translucent liquid to create a visual of motion. An incandescent light bulb placed in the center gives off light and heat, making the wax rise and fall. The best lava lamps are beautiful for your bedrooms, creating a serene and relaxed atmosphere. They come in several styles, sizes, and colors for you to pick from.
In this post, we have put together a list of professional-grade lava lamps to choose for your abode.
Top Picks
11 Best Lava Lamps
1. Best Overall:Lava Lite 2124 Silver Base Lamp With Yellow Wax In Blue Liquid
Image: Lava Illuminate your space with this motion lamp with floating wax. It is a beautiful decorative glass lamp with gracefully flowing wax that fills any space with a soft glow and drama of motion. This classic lava lamp features an aluminum base and decorative glass with an iconic shape, making it a mesmerizing addition to the bedroom, home, man cave, or office.
Specifications
Size: 14.5in
Color: Blue, Yellow
Material: Aluminum, Glass
Pros
- Easy to plug into any standard household electric outlet
- Quality construction
- Heats up quickly
- Comes with a secure bottle cap
- Simple On/Off switch
- UL-tested and certified
- Includes a 25W light bulb
Cons
- May be cloudy
"This lava lamp brought a sense of nostalgia with its soothing glow and motion. It may take some time to get going, but the chill ambiance it offers makes the wait worth it."
Trivia
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 13,004 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
2. Best High Temperature-Resistant:Stemclas Glitter Lamp
Image: Stemclas Create a relaxing atmosphere in the office, home, or public space with the Stemclas glitter lamp. It is easy to install by joining an aluminum top and base with the high temperature-resistant glass container. This tried-and-tested lamp includes a 25W light bulb that illuminates the glitter motion, which can reduce stress and relax you.
Specifications
Size: 13.5in
Color: Glitter in green water
Material: Aluminum and glass
Pros
- Has a bright color source
- Available in other colors
- Durable
- Detailed instruction manual
Cons
- May turn hot quickly
- May have leakage issues
Caution3. Best Simple-To-Use:Edier LED Fantasy Jellyfish Lava Lamp
Edier’s lava lamp transforms children’s bedrooms into a mesmerizing underwater oasis with its iconic design. As per reviews, this premium jellyfish motion lamp features two fluorescent transparent jellyfish models. Enjoy the changing color scheme and dancing jellyfish with the exclusive aquarium night light that creates a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Specifications
Size: 15in
Color: Black
Material: Plastic
Pros
- Simple to use
- Fitted with a quiet motor for a noise-free experience
- Comes with seven color settings
- Safe-to-use AC power adaptor
- Motor and light buttons
Cons
- Jellyfish may stick to the top occasionally
"I got this lamp for its delightful appearance and unique design. I'm glad it blends perfectly with the neon lighting in my room. While the pump's durability seems concerning, the lamp's interactive design makes it a solid pick."
Do rememberLava Lite 2124 Silver Base Lamp With Yellow Wax In Blue Liquid Best Overall | Stemclas Glitter Lamp Best High Temperature-Resistant | Edier LED Fantasy Jellyfish Lava Lamp Best Simple-To-Use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Items | 1 | - | 1 |
| Wattage | 25 watts | - | - |
| Shape | Cone | - | Round |
| Base Material | Aluminum | - | - |
| Shade Material | Glass | - | - |
| Shade Color | Blue | - | Multicolor |
| Material | Aluminum, Glass | Glass | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 27"D x 4"W x 16.6"H | 3.3"D x 3.3"W x 13.5"H | 6.5"D x 6.5"W x 15"H |
| Color | Silver | Green | Black |
| Weight | - | - | 2.21 pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 13,004 | 168 | 1,149 |
| Price | $30 | $22.99 | $53.99 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best UL-Certified:Lava The Original 2211 Star Vortex Lamp
Image: Lava The Original Add a touch of sparkle to your room with the Lava The Original Vortex lamp. With an aluminum base, silver cap, and glass body that holds blue liquid with star-shaped silver sparkles, this retro-style glittery lamp instantly uplifts your mood as the molten wax moves, splits, and collides while the soft light soothes your mind. It is suitable for use in a bedroom, living room, or office.
Specifications
Size: 14.5 in
Color: Blue, Silver
Material: Glass, Aluminum
Pros
- Comes with three color-changing LEDs
- Easy plug-in option
- Has a sparkling effect
- Does not heat up
Cons
- Purple LED may be dim
- May be slightly noisy
"I have been using this lamp to organize captivating light shows for my kids. Its swirly and sparkling stars and changing colors fascinate them. It is a solid pick for adding a charming ambiance to any space."
5. Best Small-Sized:Playlearn Mini Glitter Lamp
Image: Playlearn Enhance your mood with the Playlearn mini glitter lamp. As the glittered liquid changes color, it creates a relaxing ambiance to help you unwind. This time-tested lamp also doubles as a night light and features a silver cap and sturdy base for an elegant look. Additionally, the gorgeous lava lamp is USB-powered, removing the hassle of batteries and ensuring smooth usage.
Specifications
Size: 7.5in
Color: Multicolor
Pros
- Convenient to use
- Has vibrant lights
- Doesn’t heat up
- Suitable for children’s room or working desk
Cons
- USB connection may falter at times
- Some may find it brighter than expected
"This glitter lava lamp adds a colorful glow to my space and has garnered much praise from my family and friends. Its sparkling appearance captivates me, and it works great as a night light in my room."
6. Best High-Transparency:Edier 30 Watt Bulb Lava Lamp
The retro lava lamp in blue by Edier comes with vibrant colored green wax that takes you into the world of dreams. Designed to enhance the atmosphere of any room, the unique lava lamp has features and visuals that create many slow-changing effects. The electric lava lamp is an attractive piece that comes with an R39 30W bulb and makes a wonderful gift.
Specifications
Size: 16in
Color: Black
Material: Aluminum, Glass
Pros
- Has adjustable rotary button
- Comes with a high-transparency glass bottle
- Features a sturdy aluminum base
- Aesthetically designed
Cons
- Surface may heat up
7. Best Aesthetic:Rhode Island Novelty Retro Rocket Lava Lamp
The rocket-style lava lamp by Rhode Island Novelty makes a good addition to your interiors. Equipped with a 30W incandescent bulb, this lamp has a modern appeal. The red liquid in this novelty lava lamp moves up and down to give you a pleasant visual experience and add character to your space.
Specifications
Size: 18in
Color: Silver, Red
Material: Plastic, Glass
Pros
- Has an aesthetic design
- Offers clear light
- Ideal for children as well as adults
- Sleek design
Cons
- May take time to heat up
"The rocket design of this lava lamp caught my attention, and its cool aesthetics blend perfectly with my son’s galaxy-themed room. It is an excellent pick if you want something similar to those vintage models."
8. Best Durable:Opulars Liquid Glitter Lava Lamp
Place this glittery liquid motion lamp in your child’s room and fill it with magical lights. This professional-grade decorative glitter lava lamp model is ideal for enhancing the mood of any space. The SanCook yellow liquid glitter light slowly rises and falls for a calming and soothing effect.
Specifications
Size: 13.3in
Color: Golden, Silver, Yellow
Material: Aluminum, Glass
Pros
- Durable design
- Suitable for adults as well as kids
- Has a glittery and sparkling effect
- Can be used as a table lamp too
Cons
- Surface may heat up
9. Best Relaxing: Jambo 16-Inch Motion Lamp
This mesmerizing relaxation lava lamp gives off a mystical underwater vibe as the wax changes colors from yellow to green and back again. The shapes are incredibly calming and have the power to turn your room into a magical space. Crafted with high-quality materials, the vintage-style lava lamp creates a soft, soothing effect and has a warm-up time of up to three hours. It comes with a 30-watt light bulb and a year-long warranty, making it the perfect ambient addition to your room.
Specifications
Size: 16 inches
Color: Blue with yellow/green wax
Material: Aluminum, glass
Pros
- One-year warranty
- Makes for a great gift
- Reflects around the room
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- Color might be slightly different
"Its bright light and glow make my room feel soothing and comfortable. Although smaller than expected, it's been durable enough to sustain occasional tippings, and the visual appeal has been hypnotic."
10. Best Hypnotizing: Schylling Lava Lamp 2600
Image: Schllying The cool lava lamp by Schylling can be a suitable centerpiece for any room. It features a silver glitter base and transparent liquid that adds a touch of glamor, while the tri-color globe makes for an eye-catching display. In addition, the modern lava lamp is sure to make a statement with its galaxy decal base. Tested and trusted by many reviewers, this colored lava lamp is suitable for your home, office, dorm, or man cave–it doubles as a light source and adds just the right amount of light to elevate your mood.
Specifications
Size: 14.5 inch
Color: Silver glitter, tri-colored
Material: Aluminum, Glass
Pros
- Hypnotizing effect
- Easy to set up
- 25-watt light bulb included
- Available in the height range of 11 to 27 inches
- UL-tested and certified
Cons
- May take a couple of hours to show the full effect
- May heat up when used for long periods of time
"The star-sparkle lava lamp captivates my little one with its dreamy charm, and he loves to have this as a nightlamp in his room. It seems durable and stands out in our collection, but the best part is watching my kid sleep peacefully under its calming light."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has garnered more than 441 positive reviews on Amazon.
11. Best Glittery:Lamp 2131 Baseax Rainbow Glitter Lava Lamp
Image: Lamp Lava Transform your space with the beautiful rainbow glitter gold lava lamp. This exquisite, groovy lava lamp gives any space a retro vibe and glamor. Just sit back and enjoy the soft light of the constantly moving lava that can magically hypnotize you with its magical spins.
Product Specifications
Size: 14.5in
Color: Rainbow glitter, golden base
Material: Glass, Aluminum
Pros
- UL-tested and certified
- Available in various sizes
- Durable and stylish design
- Convenient to use
- Instant action
Cons
- Some may find the lighting too bright
"This glitter lamp is the centerpiece of my flower shop and helps create a soothing ambience. While the glitter sometimes clumps, requiring gentle shaking, its charm makes it irreplaceable in my space."
How To Choose The Right Lava Lamp?
Here are a few points you should keep in mind while buying a lava lamp.
- Shape and size: Lava lamps come in sizes ranging from 11 in to 27in to fit on tabletops and shelves. They also come in different shapes, with most being tall and tapered.
- Material: Consider the material used for designing the housing, cap, and base. Usually, the housing is made of glass or translucent plastic. The base is generally made of aluminum or steel for durability.
- Bulb type: Most lava lamps act as a source of light. Therefore, a lamp bulb could be an LED, CFL, or incandescent. LED lava lamps last long and are environmentally friendly, while incandescent lamps are cheaper but may not be durable.
- Safety: Ensure that the lava lamp does not overheat on using it for a stretch of maximum eight hours. Another safety tip would be to keep the electrical cord safely tucked so that the lamp does not get inadvertently pulled. Make sure to check out user reviews to get a clear idea of the safety features and functions of the lamp.
Stephanie Lindsey, a registered interior designer and co-owner of Etch Design Group, says, “If a lava lamp suits your personal style, add one to your space. Design thrives on balance, so create a dynamic ambiance by letting the lava lamp’s playful glow challenge the seriousness of your décor.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a lava lamp that doesn’t get hot?
The bulb of the lava lamp generates heat, and the housing of the lava lamp is typically made of glass or translucent plastic, which tends to get hot. Therefore, there is no such lava lamp on the market that does not get hot. However, you can reduce the chance of overheating by not using it for more than eight hours.
2. Do lava lamps use a lot of electricity?
It depends on the power consumed by the bulb inside the lava lamp. Typically, standard lamps have bulbs that run on 25 to 30 watts of power, which isn’t much. You may choose lava lamps with LED light bulbs because they consume less energy.
3. Are lava lamps toxic?
Lava lamps are non-toxic because they contain non-toxic ingredients such as mineral oil and paraffin wax.
4. Can I touch the inside of a lava lamp?
It is not recommended to touch the inside of a lava lamp because it is heated by a bulb.
5. Do lava lamps help with sleep?
Lava lamps create a serene and relaxed atmosphere, which therefore helps with sleep. However, make sure to turn off the lamp before sleeping to prevent overheating of the lamp.
Why Trust MomJunction?
The author of this article, Wedetso Chirhah, is an expert product reviewer on home improvement tools, electronic gadgets, and automobiles. With many years of experience and carefully researched user reviews and online feedback, he has curated this buying guide and product list keeping in mind your convenience and quality needs. The decorative lava lamps listed here are great for enhancing your home decor.
An elegant decorative piece, lava lamps add to the room’s aesthetics and make a great gift for friends and families. While buying a lava lamp, consider its size, shape, bulb quality, power source, liquid color, and safety for optimal performance. These lamps are safe enough for eight hours of continuous use as they do not overheat. It is recommended to choose a lamp with an LED bulb for energy-saving purposes. We hope our list of the best lava lamps can help you understand the available products and features.
Infographic: How To Pick The Right Lava Lamp?
Although lava lamps are not ambient lights, they may enhance the mood and relieve stress. However, selecting the best one can be daunting when you have a plethora of options available on the market. Therefore, we have compiled a list of factors in this infographic to help you opt for the right lava lamp. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
