I’ve got to admit that when I first looked for my first air purifier to deal with the allergies, I had at the time, I never considered a rock salt lamp.
However, now that I’ve owned a rock salt lamp for a while, I can see the hype and interest behind them.
They not only look aesthetic (especially when lit up), but they can also reduce the pollution in the air at home.
It’s a win-win, especially since I prefer my home to be lit up by a warmer and more ambient light.
What Are Himalayan Salt Lamps?
If you’ve never heard of them before, Himalayan salt lamps may seem like a strange purchase at first.
Why would anyone purchase a rock salt lamp over a regular lamp?
Besides their cool look and warm light emitted, Himalayan salt lamps can also benefit our health.
These products come from Pakistan, where the salt rocks are mined.
The color these rocks have comes from trace materials from within the salt rock.
Once the rock is mined and broken down into the desired size, manufacturers take it and hand-carve out the shape.
Once they do that, they then make the inside hollow so that a light bulb can be installed.
Tons and tons of rock salt are used to make these salt rock lamps, which have become increasingly more popular on the market.
Apparently, these Himalayan salt rock lamps release ions in the air, purifying our indoor air and ultimately making it healthier to breathe.
It can be pretty hard to believe how that could happen, so I will try and describe the process as well as I can in the section below.
How Do Rock Salt Lamps Purify the Air?
It doesn’t take a lot of effort to see that a rock salt lamp doesn’t have a filtration system as you would find in a typical air purifier.
Despite that, many people with COPD, asthma, allergies, and other respiratory symptoms claim that their rock salt lamp has positively impacted their condition.
So, how are these rock salt lamps capable of purifying the air?
Essentially, when the lamp heats up, it starts to produce negative ions.
And when these negative ions clash with the positive ions found in the air, they can make them fall down to the ground, much like an ionizer.
With that being said, no direct studies prove that Himalayan salt lamps can purify the air or improve the quality of air in any way.
The Best Rock Salt Lamps for Air Purification
There are dozens of types of rock salt lamps on the market today.
I know this because I did a ton of research back when I bought my rock salt lamp and this guide.
Below, I’ve listed my three top picks, one of which I currently own.
Best Overall Himalayan Salt Air Purifier Lamp: The Body Source 10’’-12″ Himalayan Salt Lamp
Before I review this product, I want to say that this is the one that I currently own.
And no, it’s not the best overall pick because I have it, but because it is the best rock salt lamp you can buy.
To start, let’s take a look at the design of this rock salt lamp.
It measures between 10″ and 12″ and weighs between 11 and 15 lbs.
The reason why I can’t give you the exact measurements is that every lamp of this type you buy will be slightly different from the next.
This is because each lamp features a unique and distinct rock (this is normal as it is a genuine lamp made out of a Himalayan salt rock).
The rock is perfectly balanced on a wooden base, which looks awesome when the rock salt lamp is on and off.
One feature I liked about this model is the integrated dimmer switch, which allows you to fully adjust the lamps’ warmth and glow.
Besides, this model comes fully assembled, meaning you can simply just turn it on, and it will light up and start to do its magic.
What’s more is that this particular product comes with a spare 15-watt bulb, which is a nice bonus considering this rock salt lamp’s pretty hefty price point.
Pros:
- Unique hand-carved design
- Sturdy wooden base
- Adjustable glow and warmth.
- It will last you for a very long time
- Comes in a range of different sizes
Cons:
- Quite pricey
Best Budget Himalayan Salt Air Purifier Lamp: Himalayan Glow 5-7 Pound Himalayan Salt Lamp
This one is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an affordable Himalayan rock salt lamp.
Due to the lower price point, the rock salt lamp is smaller than the best overall pick from above – weighing between 5 and 7 lbs and measuring 5″ D x 5 “W x 9 “H.
As a result of its size, it’s perfect for smaller bedrooms and living rooms.
Even for this affordable model, each rock salt lamp is unique because each rock is hand-crafted.
This model has a solid wooden foundation, which looks even better when the lamp is on in the dark.
Pros:
- Great for smaller rooms
- Sturdy wooden base
- Has a dimmer built-in
- Each lamp has a unique shape and design
Cons:
- Not the best pick for larger spaces
Best Himalayan Salt Air Purifier Lamp Bowl: SPANTIK Himalayan Salt Lamp
As we’ve already established, every rock salt lamp comes in a unique shape and size.
This is the natural shape that the rock has obtained during its making.
This allows for rock salt lamps to be shaped in infinitely different ways.
So, if you’re looking for a more unique rock salt lamp design, this bowl-shaped one might be just what you’re looking for.
This model weighs between 6 and 9 lbs and measures 9.92″ in height x 7.05″ in width x 7.01″ in length.
The Spantik’s bowl salt lamp comes with an E12 socket incandescent light bulb, a Dimmer switch, a 6-feet electric cord, and a polished wooden base.
Pros:
- Unique bowl-like design
- Ideal for common areas
- Large and built to last
- Dimmable switch
- Solid wood foundation
Cons:
- The design isn’t for everyone
What Are the Benefits of a Rock Salt Lamp?
Manufacturers claim that Himalayan rock salt lamp air purifiers offer several benefits.
These range from positively impacting your mood and improving your sleep quality to purifying the air inside your home.
But how accurate are these claims?
Well, while there is some truth to it, it’s essential to take them with a grain of salt because it’s common for manufacturers to inflate the claims to sell more rock salt lamps.
That said, there are still some benefits to owning a rock salt lamp, which we’ll get to in this section.
Better Sleep
Light (particularly artificial) can impact your ability to fall asleep and have a quality night’s sleep.
And while having a rock salt lamp might not directly improve your sleep quality, it will impact it indirectly.
For example, if you decide to use your rock salt lamp over your normal light in the room, your eyes will adjust to the rock salt lamp’s more calming and soothing colors.
This way, you will naturally feel more relaxed, your eyes will be at ease, and you can quickly and easily fall asleep when you’re tired.
When you have your normal light on, it is sharp and can keep you awake by tricking your brain into that it’s still daytime.
If you stay in a lit-up environment before bed, your brain won’t have the time to slow down and get ready to rest.
Improved Mood
With a rock salt lamp, there’s a big chance that you’ll see an improvement in your general mood, especially at night.
There is some evidence that negative ions can help treat depression.
And while these studies need to be reviewed and validated, many people claim their rock salt lamps improve their mood, especially when left on for a long time.
Personally, the improved mood comes from the soothing light that my rock salt lamp emits.
There’s something really relaxing about the dark orange color my lamp emits in my dark room.
It makes the room cozy, and who wouldn’t like a bit of coziness over an intense LED light?
You’ll Feel More Relaxed
Like the point above, thanks to the ambient light and the lovely, dark, and soothing colors, you’ll be at ease within minutes.
That way, you can quickly feel much more relaxed after a stressful day at work and enjoy the rest of your evening.
I look forward to turning my rock salt lamp on every night, especially during the winter.
It gets dark much sooner, allowing me to enjoy its beauty for longer.
Air Purification?
As I mentioned above, air purification is one of the primary reasons why people buy rock salt lamps in the first place.
However, after some research, I found that there is no evidence that rock salt lights improve the quality of air indoors.
However, even if it does, that’s a very nice benefit that we’ll experience on top of the calm and relaxing light these incredible and unique products emit.
What To Consider When Buying Rock Salt Lamps
It can be challenging to pick the best rock salt lamp for you.
So, I’d like you to consider a few things before investing your hard-earned money into a model.
These go in no particular order but are equally as important, so check them out before making a decision.
Your Room Size
I’d recommend you consider the size of your room where you’ll place the rock salt lamp.
If you want to buy one for a basement or another large area, consider purchasing a larger rock salt lamp.
However, this is optional.
You can go for any size rock salt lamp, unlike when you buy an air purifier and need to consider its air purification capacity.
The Design
Lastly, it’s also essential to consider the lamp’s design.
As you may already know, every rock salt lamp is different in shape and size.
Each lamp is made from a natural salt rock from the Himalayas and is usually carved out by hand.
As a result, you can buy a rock salt lamp in several designs, including bowls, a rock, and more.
So, you have the freedom to shop around and find just the right design for your needs and still experience the very same benefits as any other salt rock lamp.
Additional Features
When it comes to rock salt lamps, there aren’t many added features you can expect them to have.
This is different from virtually any other type of air purification appliance or air purifier for pregnancy.
Tips for Using a Himalayan Salt Lamp
If this is your first time owning a Himalayan salt lamp, there are a few tips that I would suggest to you to make the most out of your purchase.
Remember, these lamps can melt and lose weight over time.
So, make sure to put it on a plate or something to capture the water that melts off the lamp.
On top of that, here are some other tips for using a Himalayan salt lamp:
- Try to reduce humidity in the room you place the lamp
- Place the lamp on a dry surface
- Wipe down the lamp with a damp cloth when needed
Conclusion
Rock salt lamps are a unique accessory you can buy for your home.
And while they can’t purify the air, as well as some people believe, they can benefit you in many different ways.
These include improving your sleep, making you more relaxed, and boosting your mood.
I personally love my rock salt lamp, and I would definitely buy a new one when the right time comes for my current one to get replaced.
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