The Best Lava Lamps For Adults
If you've ever wanted to set a groovy mood, the ambiance created by your lighting choices goes a long way. The timeless lava lamp will help teleport you and your guests to a laidback lifestyle immediately. By using the heat from a high-powered bulb, these magical lights animate flowing wax in a soothing pattern packed with vibrant colors. No matter if you're in search of throwback designs or new age configurations, our top lava lamps boast compact frames, fast activation, and defense against overheating for a calming sensation all night long.
Lamp Original Lava Lite
Lovely liquid lighting
The Original Lava Lite is a hypnotizing lamp that delivers a calming ambiance wherever it ends up. Unlike overhead lights that can be too sterile and bright, the Original Lava Lite is soothing and attractive. While we wouldn’t recommend using it as a primary light source for reading or work, it does pump out just the right amount of power to add flair to the corners of rooms and end tables alike. Thanks to a cool blue liquid surrounding the infamous green goo, the Lava Lite will instantly transform square spots into groovy pads with the flick of a switch.
Pros:
- Includes a long-lasting light bulb
- Rock-solid glass enclosure
- Free from cloudy liquid
Cons:
- Long wait time for initial setup
Lamp Colormax
Shine in style
When you’re looking for a more colorful, modern take on a timeless classic, trust Lamp’s Colormax to brighten your room like never before. The Colormax consists of glitter throughout and three vibrant shades of blue, red, and purple on the glass enclosure. While the interior lacks the signature wax present in traditional lava lamps, it makes up for it with a dazzling light display thanks to the high-intensity bulb and generous glitter. Whether you’re dealing with space limitations at home or not, this compact contraption is a perfect fit for bringing polar lights to a room near you.
Pros:
- Beautiful artwork on the metal base
- It doesn’t take long to power up
- No assembly required
Cons:
- It pumps out quite a lot of heat
My Groovy Light Tabletop Lava Lamp
Miniature mood lighting
Customizing your light source to your specific interior design is a breeze with My Groovy Light’s Lava Lamp. Available in blue, purple, red, and green, My Groovy Light offers a wide selection of matching wax and frames that shine vividly. As far as construction goes, this lamp boasts a slim enclosure and stable base that’s no larger than a drink coaster. While the plastic frame is prone to overheating, it does dissipate heat faster than its metal counterparts. All in all, if you’re looking to occasionally light up your space for short stints, My Groovy Light is a colorful classic.
Pros:
- Impressive quality for the price
- Great gift for all ages
- The lava is very active
Cons:
- Cannot run for extended periods of time
Flybold Jellyfish Lava Lamp
Underwater rainbow radiance
Flybold’s Jellyfish Lava Lamp is a stylish take on an old-school design that’s packed with sophistication. While standard lava lamps are prone to overheating and cracks, Flybold takes a different approach. Instead of a powerful blub for melting wax, the Jellyfish Lava Lamp uses regular water and a motor to make light dance. In addition to extra safety precautions, this light uses a remote control to change the hue to fit your mood on the fly. Whether you’re young or old, Flybold is a fantastic choice for all lovers of the sea that don’t want the responsibility of maintaining an aquarium.
Pros:
- Sixteen color options
- Can operate for days at a time
- Includes two additional clownfish inserts
Cons:
- Tedious installation process
Yakii Tornado Lamp
Spinning satisfaction
If you’re sick of waiting an eternity for your funky light source to activate, check out Yakii’s Tornado lava lamp. This device is a fantastic take on mood lighting despite being a far cry from the original design. On top of speed, the Tornado is one of the safest lava lamp competitors because it doesn’t rely on expensive, specialized bulbs. Once activated, it produces a whirlwind that alternates between multiple colors. Best of all, with no rigid glass to worry about, you can sit back and relax, knowing that accidental bumps and drops won’t kill your vibes in packed parties or quiet nights at home.
Pros:
- Three frame colors to choose from
- Accepts disposable batteries and USB charging
- Kid-friendly design
Cons:
- Cannot dim the light
Frequently Asked Questions
How do lava lamps work?
Most lava lamps consist of a combination of wax, mineral oil, water, and carbon tetrachloride. While wax by itself is much less dense than water at any temperature, infusing it with carbon tetrachloride changes the equation entirely. At room temperature, the wax mixture remains solid and cannot float. However, with the help of a high-powered bulb, there is just enough heat near the bottom to change the blend into a semi-liquid state. Once the wax glob reaches the top of the lamp, lack of heat causes it to return to the bottom in a never-ending cycle that’s both exciting and hypnotizing to watch.
Are lava lamps safe?
While these devices may not appear to pump out too much energy, lava lamps can be a hazard in certain situations. Traditional designs rely on a high wattage bulb to generate heat to soften and move the paraffin wax around. Given this configuration, the lava lamp base should never have any foreign objects between the glass enclosure and light source to avoid fires. Furthermore, we recommend not overloading your outlet of choice with too many other devices or keeping the lamp on all night. Lastly, ensure that younger children cannot reach the device because the hot interior wax is dangerous and the glass enclosure can get quite hot.
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