Americana

The Americana was, somewhat ironically, one of the last lava lamp models designed and produced in the United States. It featured hydro-dipped bases with an American flag pattern and was most commonly sold with red wax and clear liquid.

There are reports of a blue wax version, though it is rarely seen. A 32 ounce version using the same patriotic base design was also tested, but it is unclear if it was ever officially released.

Interestingly, the hydro dip film used for the Americana’s design is still commonly available today, making it one of the more recognizable and reproducible patterns despite the lamp’s limited run.

Blip

The Blip was a budget-friendly lava lamp line that did not carry the Lava Lite name. It was developed as a low-cost option for major retailers like Walmart, created specifically to compete with cheap imported lamps.

Blips were introduced during the transitional period when production shifted from the United States to China. They featured the first 20 ounce conical globes, always paired with a silver base.

The lava versions were often plagued by density issues or cloudy liquid. Glitter models, which used hexagonal silver glitter, commonly suffered from fading or clouding over time. Some globes from this line are marked with a “B” to indicate their association with the Blip series.

Though not especially collectible, Blips are a notable part of Lava Lite history due to their role in the company’s shift in manufacturing and market strategy.

Humongo

The short-lived Humongo was one of the final major releases by Lava Lite before they ended domestic manufacturing. Its globe was hand-spun in Germany and filled in the United States, marking it as a transitional piece between the company’s American legacy and its later overseas production.

Only a small number of Humongo lamps were ever produced, making them significantly rarer than the later, China-made Colossus model. Despite this, both lamps shared a similar format.

The Humongo stands an impressive 4 feet tall, holds roughly 10 gallons of liquid, and weighs about 110 pounds when full making it the largest consumer-available lava lamp ever created.

If you’re unsure whether you have a Humongo or a Colossus, the easiest way to tell is by examining the globe and cap. Humongo globes tend to have clearer glass with a higher-quality finish, and the caps are distinctly different in shape and construction compared to the Colossus.

The Humongo has a small screw on cap while the Colossus has a metal crimp cap like a Grande.

The Humongo features a slightly taller cap with an inner centering ring designed to prevent the cap from sliding side to side.

Lava Desk Lamp

A lava lamp… lamp? The Lava Desk Lamp was an unusual hybrid that combined a standard lava lamp with a small desk lamp. It featured a flimsy plastic shade designed to mimic the look of stained glass, though the effect was more novelty than convincing.

One of its standout features was voice activation, clap once to turn it on, clap again to turn it off. While not the most practical or durable product Lava Lite ever made, it stands out as one of the more curious entries in the company’s catalog.

Lava Desk Phone

The original Lava Lamp is now a telephone? This strange lava lamp was a combination lava lamp and telephone. A cool product, but also a victim of the advancements in technology, it is probably the only lava lamp you could consider obsolete.

Millennium

Created to celebrate the turn of the millennium, this limited-edition lamp used a classic Aristocrat base finished in bright chrome. The upper cone was specially designed with “2000” cut out, allowing light to shine through the numerals.

Only 5,000 of these lamps were produced, making it a true collectible among Lava Lite enthusiasts. Its reflective finish and subtle commemorative detail make it one of the more understated but elegant limited releases.

NECA Series

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Spiderman

The NECA Series followed a similar concept to the Vandor Series, featuring co-branded lava lamps tied to licensed properties. Unlike Vandor’s broader lineup, the NECA-branded lava lamp series appears to have been limited to just two known models.

While NECA’s partnership with Lava Lite was short-lived, the company did go on to produce several other motion lamps independently, which were not part of the official Lava Brand lineup. These non-branded lamps varied in quality and design but helped cement NECA’s role in the novelty lighting market during that period.

Safari Series

No animals were harmed in the making of the Safari series. This series offers excitement for the lava lover’s wild side.

Lava Lite Marketing

The Safari Series is highly sought after by collectors, largely due to its association with the rare 15 clear and orange globe. This globe was not widely used outside the Safari line, making the series one of the easiest ways to obtain it. Many of the so-called “chocolate lava” globes, produced accidentally during a single day of manufacturing, were also sold with Safari snakeskin bases.

Beyond the globes, the bases themselves are a major point of interest. Like the Psychedelic Swirl series, the Safari bases were created using hydro dipping. Designs included various animal print patterns like snakeskin and zebra, giving them a bold and distinctive look.

Many of the hydro dip films used in the Safari Series are still available today, meaning it is technically possible to recreate these lamps if you have the right base and materials. That said, original Safari models remain highly collectible due to their short production run, unique aesthetics, and the globes they were paired with.

Vandor Series

Batman

Betty Boop

The Doors

Harley Davidson Oil Can

KISS

Superman

Wonder Woman

The Vandor Series was a continuation of Lava Lite’s effort to produce co-branded promotional lamps, following earlier releases like The Beatles and Coca Cola Series. These earlier collaborations were originally marketed under the Lyon Motion brand, which was later rebranded as Vandor.

Many lamps in the Vandor Series were released as limited editions, with several models capped at just 3,600 units. All featured 52 ounce globes and were often paired with themed artwork and packaging tied to licensed brands.

Some models in the series were also produced with two different cap styles, giving collectors additional variations to track. Despite their promotional nature, the lamps in this series are well-made and remain a favorite among collectors due to their limited runs and unique branding.