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Deal.ai › Compare

Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp vs Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple

Buy the LAVA lamp if you want the classic, proven lava lamp: it is the original brand, uses a standard 25W appliance bulb you can replace anywhere, and has a metal base and cap. Buy the Urban Shop 16" if you want a taller lamp with a blue-on-black look and a wider choice of colorways. Both take 1 to 2 hours to warm up and both are decorative night lights, not room lighting. Owners of the LAVA line report years of use; the Urban Shop has a large rating base at 4.3 and is the cheaper-feeling of the two in build.

  • Choose the Urban Shop 16" Blue Motion Volcano Lamp if you want a taller lamp, a blue-and-black finish, and several color options to match a room.
  • Choose the Yellow & Purple Lava Lamp if you want the original LAVA brand with a replaceable standard bulb and an aluminum base and cap.

Prices

  • Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp: $20.76 at mercari.com (last seen Nov 5)
  • Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple: $33.99 at powsciencetoys.com (checked today)
  • Difference: the Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp is $13.23 cheaper than the Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 10)
Urban Shop
Urban Shop 16" Blue Motion Volcano Lamp

Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp

Urban Shop 16" Blue Motion Volcano Lamp

4.3(5,493 ratings)
$20.76at mercari.comChecked Nov 5
See all prices and details
Visit mercari.com
Pros
  • Taller 16-inch body stands out on a nightstand or desk
  • Blue wax with a black metal base suits darker rooms
  • Several colorways, including Galaxy and Rose Gold
  • Large rating base of over 5,000 reviews at 4.3
Cons
  • House brand, not the original lava lamp
  • Bulb type not specified, so replacements are less certain
  • Long 1 to 2 hour warm-up before the wax flows
Y
Yellow & Purple Lava Lamp

Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple

Yellow & Purple Lava Lamp

$33.99at powsciencetoys.comChecked 11 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit powsciencetoys.com
Pros
  • Original LAVA brand with decades of owner experience
  • Aluminum base and cap feel sturdier than plastic
  • Standard 25W appliance bulb is included and easy to find
  • Compact 14.5-inch size fits shelves
Cons
  • Only one color combination
  • Shorter than the Urban Shop lamp
  • Needs the same long warm-up before it flows

What separates them

Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano LampLava Lamp Yellow & Purple
Brand and track recordUrban Shop, a mass-market house brandLAVA, the original lava lamp maker
Height16 inches14.5 inches
Base and cap materialMetal base, no cap listedAluminum base and aluminum cap
BulbIncandescent bulb, type not specified25W appliance bulb, included and easy to replace
Color optionsBlue plus Rainbow, Pink/Purple, Galaxy, Rose Gold and moreYellow wax in purple liquid only
Warm-up time1 to 2 hoursAbout 1 to 2 hours, typical of lava lamps
PowerPlug-in power adaptorStandard 120V wall outlet cord
ControlsOn/off switchInline switch on the cord

Price history

$39.99$20.76
Nov 6Nov 10
  • Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp: lowest $20.76 on Nov 6 at mercari.com.
  • Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple: lowest $33.99 on Nov 10 at powsciencetoys.com.

Prices at every store

Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $21.24+ $5.99 shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • mercari.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $20.76Checked Nov 5
    Visit mercari.com
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknown

    $22.56Checked Nov 5
    Visit eBay
  • PoshmarkNew

    Availability unknown

    $40.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Poshmark

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 4 stores and price history →

Lava Lamp Yellow & Purple

  • powsciencetoys.comNew

    In stock

    $33.99Checked 11 h ago
    Visit powsciencetoys.com
  • Five Little MonkeysNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $34.99Checked 11 h ago
    Visit Five Little Monkeys
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $39.99Free shippingChecked 11 h ago
    Visit Amazon
All 3 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecUrban Shop 16" Blue Volcano LampLava Lamp Yellow & Purple
Power SourcePlug in power adaptorplug to fit a standard wall outlet
Height16 in14.5" tall
Base MaterialMetalaluminum
colorBlue—
fixture_finishBlack—
actual_colorBlue/White—
patternBlue—
size16" H—
Width4.2 in—
Body ShapeVolcano Lamp—
Body ThemeVolcano—
Bulb TypeIncandescent—
Show all 27 specsShow fewer specs
SpecUrban Shop 16" Blue Volcano LampLava Lamp Yellow & Purple
Color ChangingYes—
Switch StyleOn/Off switch—
Base IncludedYes—
StyleUrban—
Body MaterialMetal—
Control MethodOn/Off switch—
Suitable RoomLiving room, Bedroom, Home office, Kids' room—
Age RangeKids—
Count1—
Mount TypeTabletop

What reviewers say

Urban Shop 16" Blue Volcano Lamp

  • 4.3 / 55,493 ratings

With 4.3 out of 5 from 5,493 ratings, buyers mostly like the look and the calming motion. Complaints center on warm-up time and uneven flow.

What people mention
  • GlowPraisedBuyers like the blue-and-white light and the calming swirl it casts.
  • Warm-upCriticisedOwners say it can take an hour or two before the wax starts moving.
  • FlowMixedSome report smooth motion, while others see the wax clump or stall.
  • BuildPraisedThe metal base and 16-inch size feel solid for the price.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a kid's room?
Both are plug-in decorative lamps with hot bulbs, so treat them the same around small children. The Urban Shop comes in more colors kids tend to like, while the LAVA has a metal cap that covers the top of the glass.
Which lasts longer?
The LAVA has the longer track record and a standard replaceable bulb, so it is the safer bet for years of use. The Urban Shop's main wear item is also the bulb, but its type is not specified, which makes replacement less predictable.
Is the Urban Shop worth stepping up to over the LAVA?
Step up only if you want the extra height or a specific color like blue or galaxy. On build and parts availability, the LAVA is the stronger lamp.
Do both take the same time to warm up?
Yes. Both need roughly 1 to 2 hours for the wax to soften and start flowing. Neither is instant-on like an LED.
Can I replace the bulb in both?
The LAVA takes a standard 25W appliance bulb, which is easy to find. For the Urban Shop, match the incandescent bulb it ships with; check the base before buying a replacement.
Which is better as a night light?
Both give soft warm light and are listed for night-light use. The LAVA's 25W bulb is dimmer and better for a bedside; the taller Urban Shop throws a bit more light.

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More comparisons

  • Yellow & Purple Lava Lamp vs Lava Lite Classic Lava Lamp - Pink
  • Yellow & Purple Lava Lamp vs 14.5in Lava Lamp Plated Crimson
  • Urban Shop 16" Blue Motion Volcano Lamp vs Lava Lite Classic Lava Lamp - Pink
  • Urban Shop 16" Blue Motion Volcano Lamp vs 14.5in Lava Lamp Plated Crimson

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best lava lamps
—
Volume—20oz
Bulb wattage—25W appliance bulb
Cap material—aluminum
Wax color—Yellow
Liquid color—Purple