What bulb does a lava lamp take?
A 14.5 inch Lava Lite lamp takes a 25 W incandescent bulb with an E17 socket. The 11.5 inch lamp takes 15 W and the 16.3 inch lamp takes 40 W.
Variances in bulb size or wattage will produce unsatisfactory operation, fire, or possible breakage of the globe.
The wattage is matched to the size of the globe. Too little heat and the wax never rises. Too much and the lamp overheats.
| Lamp | Bulb | Socket | Shape | Bulb item | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.5 inch, 12 oz | 15 W | E17 | T7 | 5015 | Lava Lite 15 W Bulbs, 2-Pack, $8.60 |
| 14.5 inch, 20 oz | 25 W | E17 | S11 | 5025 | Lava Lite 25 W Bulbs, 2-Pack, $12.59 |
| 16.3 inch, 52 oz | 40 W | E26 | A15 | 5032 | Ask us by email |
| 27 inch Grande, 250 oz | 100 W | E26 | Reflector | 5010 | Lava Lite 100 W Grande Bulb, $9.99 |
Can you use an LED bulb in a lava lamp?
No. A lava lamp needs the heat of an incandescent bulb to melt the wax, and an LED bulb gives light with almost no heat. The 25 W bulb is the heater as much as the light.
LED bulbs do not generate the heat necessary to make a LAVA® lamp function.
As a result, incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat.
How do you change a lava lamp bulb?
Unplug the lamp, wait 2 hours, lift the globe off, wait 1 more hour for the bulb to cool, then swap it for one of the same wattage. Allow about 3 hours from switch-off to switch-on.
| Step | Wait | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No wait | Switch the lamp off and pull the plug |
| 2 | At least 2 hours | Lift the glass globe off the base and set it somewhere safe |
| 3 | At least 1 more hour | Let the bulb cool until you can touch it |
| 4 | No wait | Unscrew the old bulb and screw in the new one of the same wattage |
| 5 | No wait | Put the globe back, plug in and switch on |
Sources
Unplug the lamp and let it cool before you touch the bulb. Fit only the wattage the lamp came with.
- Schylling Inc.: LAVA Lamp Instruction Manual, series 1900 to 8000. Read 2 October 2026.
- ENERGY STAR: Learn About LED Lighting. Read 2 October 2026.
