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  4. 10 Best Lava Lamps UK 2024 | Mathmos, Lava® and More
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10 Best Lava Lamps UK 2024 | Mathmos, Lava® and More

Invented in 1963, the hypnotic motion and luminescent glow of the lava lamp saw it take off during the swinging 60s as a means of setting a relaxing mood in the home. Nowadays, these novelty lights are having a bit of a renaissance and come in a whole host of designs from homemade lamp kits for kids to those filled with glitter and unusual shapes. 


To help you find a lava lamp that you'll appreciate for years to come, we've compiled a guide full of tips on all the things you should consider before you make your purchase. For inspiration, we've also reviewed the best lava lamps to buy in the UK from Argos, John Lewis, Amazon and eBay – including offerings from original manufacturers like Mathmos. Groovy! 

Last updated 26/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Lava Lamp in the UK - Buying Guide

As the primary purpose of a lava lamp is to set a relaxing mood, it makes sense that the ideal lamp for you is the one that you truly enjoy looking at. Read on for some ideas on how to find it!

1

Consider Light and Wax Colour: Different Combinations Can Have Very Different Effects

Consider Light and Wax Colour: Different Combinations Can Have Very Different Effects

Lava lamps are sought after because their hypnotic motions and luminescent hues are the ultimate means of setting a relaxing mood in your home. But did you know that their colours can drastically affect the tone they create?


Most lava lamps utilise a combination of two colours – one for the liquid and another for the wax globules. The way these interact can elicit different moods and evoke entirely different feelings as you observe them, and so it's crucial that you pick a pairing that creates the desired effect.


Take, for example, the combination of red and orange, a passionate pairing that evokes much warmer feelings than a cool, calming mixture such as blue and white. Other colour combinations can even bring specific images to mind; blue and purple can remind some of the Aurora Borealis, for instance. If you want a lava lamp that you'll truly appreciate, colour is something you need to consider!

2

Subtle Desk Ornament or Statement Piece? Get the Right Size for Where You Want to Place It

Subtle Desk Ornament or Statement Piece? Get the Right Size for Where You Want to Place It

Lava lamps come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, you'd be surprised by how much they vary in their appearance. The appeal of a lava lamp is in its spectacle, but that doesn't always mean that bigger is better.


The sight of a lava lamp can have an immediate calming effect, and nowhere will this be more appreciated than at your desk as you work through the tasks of the day. A huge lamp simply wouldn't be practical here, however, and this is where smaller pieces can come in handy. They're perfect as little objects of escapism that you can call on in your time of need.


That's not to say that big lava lamps don't have their place, though. If you want to cast a hypnotic glow across an entire room, you'll need something a little more powerful. A larger sized light placed on a table in the corner, for example, can serve as an alluring statement piece and completely transform the feel of a room.

3

Check the Wattage to Find Your Ideal Brightness Level

Check the Wattage to Find Your Ideal Brightness Level

All lava lamps glow, but not all of them shine with the same brightness. While they don't vary too much in their power – with most models' bulbs measuring somewhere between 20 and 35 watts – there is a noticeable difference between those at the top and bottom end of this scale.


Before writing off lamps towards the lower end of the wattage spectrum, however, there are some benefits to consider. They aren't as intense, for one, which you may prefer if bright lights have the opposite effect of calming you down. Lower wattage lamps are also perfect as children's night lights. 


On the other hand, if you're specifically after something that will make a statement or you want to ensure that its light truly fills a room, go brighter. There's nothing like the luminous glow of a well-lit lava lamp!

4

Look For a Shorter Warm up Time if You Want an Instant Glow

Look For a Shorter Warm up Time if You Want an Instant Glow

Unlike regular lamps, many lava lamps need a little bit of time before they 'warm up' and reach their full potential. While warm-up times do vary between lamps, they usually fall into one of two camps.


Any genuine lava lamp that uses wax will require 90 minutes to an hour to warm up fully. This is because the wax must be heated to a sufficient enough temperature before it can begin to form floating 'blobs' in the liquid. If this seems like a long time to wait, don't worry – many can reach at least 50% of their full potential within a couple of minutes.


If time is of the essence for you, however, there are lamps that'll emit a bright glow immediately. Just bear in mind that these won't be lava lamps in the traditional sense; rather those that create their effect through the use of LED lights and water.

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Top 10 Best Lava Lamps in the UK

There's more than one way to create a relaxing mood, and nowadays lava lamps vary wildly in their design, from rocket-shaped bottles to rainbow colour schemes. Take a look at some of the most beautiful options currently available in our top ten.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Mathmos

Telstar Rocket Lava LampBlue/Green

Mathmos Telstar Rocket Lava Lamp 1

£85.00

High

A Retro Lamp Made by the Original Creators

2

Lava®

14.5 inch Classic Lava LampYellow & Purple

Lava® 14.5 inch Classic Lava Lamp 1

£9.00

Low

Putting the ‘Lava’ in Lava Lamp

3

Lava®

Northern Lights Lava Lamp

Lava® Northern Lights Lava Lamp 1

£11.00

Low Mid

Aurora Borealis Encapsulated in a Bottle

4

Mathmos

Neo Lava Lamp for Children

Mathmos Neo Lava Lamp for Children 1

£82.00

High

A Safe Choice for Little Lava Lovers

5

Nova Lamps

Lava Lamp

Nova Lamps  Lava Lamp 1

£28.99

Mid

A Bright, Futuristic Lamp Quite Unlike the Rest

6

Lava®

14.5 inch Rainbow Lava Lamp

Lava® 14.5 inch Rainbow Lava Lamp 1

£21.99

Mid

Rainbow Coloured From Top to Bottom

7

Colorlife

Electric Jellyfish Table Lamp

Colorlife Electric Jellyfish Table Lamp 1

£26.99

Mid

Relax With This Soothing Ocean Light Display

8

Canal Toys

DIY Lava Lamp

Canal Toys DIY Lava Lamp 1

£15.99

Low Mid

A DIY Lamp Kit for Little Ones to Customise

9

The Source Wholesale

Round Mini Volcano Lamp

The Source Wholesale Round Mini Volcano Lamp 1

£15.29

Low Mid

A Desk Lamp Complete With Erupting Volcano!

10

Lava®

Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp

Lava® Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp 1

£29.00

Mid

Pretty Up the Room With Rose Gold and Glitter

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

MathmosTelstar Rocket Lava LampBlue/Green

Telstar Rocket Lava Lamp 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Telstar Rocket Lava Lamp 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Telstar Rocket Lava Lamp 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£85.00
High
Reference price
£85.00
High

A Retro Lamp Made by the Original Creators

The sight of a lava lamp is immediately evocative of the 1960s, and this is particularly true of this piece. Designed by Mathmos, the creators of the original lava lamp, it was 'inspired by the space race fever' that gripped the decade. 


Naturally, space fanatics will love this lamp, but so too will fans of 60s culture, who'll love getting their hands on one of the decade's most beloved items. Crafted with high-quality materials at Mathmos's Dorset factory where lava lamps have been made since 1963, we think it's an irresistible purchase. 

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No.2

Lava®14.5 inch Classic Lava LampYellow & Purple

14.5 inch Classic Lava Lamp 1
Source:argos.co.uk
Reference price
£9.00
Low
Reference price
£9.00
Low

Putting the ‘Lava’ in Lava Lamp

We couldn't have a list of the ten best lava lamps without including one that looks like it contains actual lava, and that's exactly what this lamp, with its whirling, flame-coloured globules, does.


Against the purple liquid, it creates a truly hypnotic sight, and because it stands at nearly 15 inches tall, it's easily viewable from all areas of a room. Affordable, fast to light up and from a trusted brand, you can't go wrong with this classic choice. 

No.3

Lava®Northern Lights Lava Lamp

Northern Lights Lava Lamp 1
Source:argos.co.uk
Northern Lights Lava Lamp 2
Source:argos.co.uk
Reference price
£11.00
Low Mid
Reference price
£11.00
Low Mid

Aurora Borealis Encapsulated in a Bottle

Certain colour pairings immediately evoke certain feelings and images in our minds. The creators of this lava lamp have seized upon this, using a distinct combination of purple, pink and blue that's reminiscent of the Northern Lights.


The result is a display that is at once dazzling and calming, rather like the Aurora Borealis itself, and even the bottle is appropriately decorated. Whether you're a sky gazer or simply someone that wants a cooler alternative to conventional offerings, this quick-to-heat lamp is a great choice.

No.4

MathmosNeo Lava Lamp for Children

Neo Lava Lamp for Children 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Neo Lava Lamp for Children 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Neo Lava Lamp for Children 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£82.00
High
Reference price
£82.00
High

A Safe Choice for Little Lava Lovers

Specially designed to be as safe as possible for children, the Neo lava lamp uses a low-voltage halogen capsule bulb and has a shatterproof bottle that can be fixed to a surface for extra security. That means no worry for you as it hypnotizes your child to sleep.


With over 55 years' experience in the business, Mathmos clearly know what they're doing, and this is attested to by the fact that this lava lamp has passed stringent safety tests. While great for those with kids, we believe that the unique shape of this lamp makes it a fabulous choice for adults, too! 

No.5

Nova Lamps Lava Lamp

Lava Lamp 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Lava Lamp 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£28.99
Mid
Reference price
£28.99
Mid

A Bright, Futuristic Lamp Quite Unlike the Rest

Foregoing the classic form and instead opting for a cylindrical shape and black aluminium finish, it's immediately clear that this lava lamp is unlike the rest. Its contemporary design is great for those looking for something that leans into the future rather than harking back to the past.


At 38 cm tall, it's quite sizeable, and this paired with its 30-watt bulb means that it casts quite a glow across the room. It's still nice and relaxing, though, as it opts for a calming combination of blue liquid and white wax. This lamp is the perfect ornament for any modern home.

No.6

Lava®14.5 inch Rainbow Lava Lamp

Reference price
£21.99
Mid

Rainbow Coloured From Top to Bottom

Taking the creative experimentation of the lava lamp's original decade and capturing it in a bottle, this offering from famed manufacturers Lava is the embodiment of 1960s psychedelia. Or maybe it's just meant to look like a rainbow... either way, it's incredibly colourful from cap to stand! 


Its appeal is broad, and it'll be loved equally by older folk who want to recall their youth and younger ones who love bright colours. One thing's for sure – even though it creates a nice mid-way glow at 25 watts, it's a vibrant lamp that'll never fail to turn heads. 

No.7

ColorlifeElectric Jellyfish Table Lamp

Electric Jellyfish Table Lamp 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Electric Jellyfish Table Lamp 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Electric Jellyfish Table Lamp 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£26.99
Mid
Reference price
£26.99
Mid

Relax With This Soothing Ocean Light Display

Here's another one for the non-traditionalists! These jellyfish lamps are immensely popular and it's easy to see why – they offer the same relaxing motions and colours but with an oceanic twist, making them a lovely natural alternative to the standard lava lamp.


We're rather impressed by the realism of the jellyfish and the fact that the colour of the lights can be changed as well as set to shut off after 4 hours. All of this makes this a great lamp for calming children (or adults, for that matter!) before bedtime. Just note that you will only receive one light, not three as the listing may suggest.

No.8

Canal ToysDIY Lava Lamp

DIY Lava Lamp 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
DIY Lava Lamp 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
DIY Lava Lamp 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.99
Low Mid
Reference price
£15.99
Low Mid

A DIY Lamp Kit for Little Ones to Customise

Not just to be looked at, this is actually a homeware piece that children can craft themselves. With a choice of decorations, stickers and, of course, a unicorn for good measure, little ones can design their lava lamp exactly as they want it.


It's clearly marketed at young girls, and while many children might find the bright pink of this lamp a little too sickly sweet, there are plenty that will love decorating their shelves or bedside table with something so intensely colourful

No.9

The Source WholesaleRound Mini Volcano Lamp

Round Mini Volcano Lamp 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Round Mini Volcano Lamp 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Round Mini Volcano Lamp 3
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.29
Low Mid
Reference price
£15.29
Low Mid

A Desk Lamp Complete With Erupting Volcano!

While not a lava lamp in the traditional sense, we couldn't resist including this battery-powered volcano light for the fact that it really does look as though it's spewing out lava. Rather than wax, it uses floating red beads, and unexpectedly, the sight of the erupting volcano has quite the calming effect.


Plus, because it runs quietly, it'd work well as a child's night light or as a desktop companion to keep you relaxed when work begins to get a little bit stressful! It is probably best used for these purposes anyway, as it's quite small at 23 cm high. 

No.10

Lava®Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp

Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp 2
Source:johnlewis.com
Rose Gold/Glitter Table Lamp 3
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£29.00
Mid
Reference price
£29.00
Mid

Pretty Up the Room With Rose Gold and Glitter

Rose gold – that instantly recognisable hybrid of pink and gold – is all the rage at the moment. This lamp utilises the colour not just on its exterior, but also inside where glittery flakes float and dance.


There's definitely something hypnotic about watching the flakes float about, particularly in combination with this lamp's pinkish glow. Its glittery colours and heart-shaped pieces won't appeal to everyone, but if you're on board with the rose gold craze, this is the lava lamp for you.

Set the Mood With the Right Kind of Light

Set the Mood With the Right Kind of Light

There's something about the right kind of light that seems to tap into something primal within us. It's hard not to be feel relaxed as you enjoy a warm glow, especially when it's paired with pleasant aromas. Take a look at the articles listed below for some products that are sure to help you unwind in the evening. 

Summary

Lava lamps really are in a league of their own, and we can't wait for you to be able to enjoy the luminescent glow that has ensured their popularity for over half a century. Once you've used our buying guide to help you find your perfect lava lamp, all that's left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy.


Author: Emily Victoria Porsch

Top 5 Lava Lamps

No. 1: MathmosTelstar Rocket Lava LampBlue/Green

No. 2: Lava®14.5 inch Classic Lava LampYellow & Purple

No. 3: Lava®Northern Lights Lava Lamp

No. 4: MathmosNeo Lava Lamp for Children

No. 5: Nova Lamps Lava Lamp

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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