Lava Lite 11.5" Mini Lava Lamp vs Lava Lite Classic Lava Lamp

Both are genuine Lava Lite lamps with the same wax-and-liquid motion; the choice comes down to size and look. The 14.5" Classic is the larger, calmer, more traditional lamp and is the better pick for a desk or nightstand that needs real ambient light. The 11.5" Mini is smaller and louder in styling, with a tri-colored globe and rainbow base, so it suits a shelf or a gift for someone who wants color. Owners of both report the same quirks: a long warm-up before the wax starts moving and a bulb that eventually needs replacing.

• Choose the Lava Lite 11.5" Mini Lava Lamp if you want a small, colorful accent for a shelf or a gift and prefer the rainbow base and tri-colored globe over a plain classic look.
• Choose the Lava Lite 14.5" Classic Lava Lamp if you want the larger, traditional lamp with more presence and softer, more even ambient light for a desk, nightstand or office.