5 Best Lava Lamps - July 2024 - BestReviews

Buying guide for Best lava lamps Written by Melissa Nott Updated December 2021 These days, everything old seems to be new again – which may be why liquid motion lamps, more commonly known as lava lamps, are once again a trendy décor item. Motion lamps became popular in the 60s and 70s. While they fell out of style for a while,they’re back again, and you don’t have to be a retro queen or vintage junkie to enjoy a motion lamp. These liquid-filled lamps don’t really provide light, but they can be a fun accessory for a bedroom, dorm room, or any space that needs a little livening up. The liquid lamp was invented in 1963 by Edward Craven-Walker, a British engineer.Anatomy of a Lava LampA liquid motion lamp features a clear glass vessel containing translucent liquid. This liquid usually consists of water and mineral oil. Colored “blobs” made from a wax mixture are dropped into the liquid, and the vessel is placed on top of a base that holds an incandescent or halogen bulb.When the light is t...