A Himalayan salt lamp is a block of salt, usually hand-carved or chipped, with a small bulb or LED inside, set on a base. The glow is a warm amber and each piece looks a little different. Here we look at them as bedside and shelf lamps.
The six lamps below range from a 6.5 inch metal basket to a 12 inch lamp, with USB, corded and remote versions. Sizes, bulbs and controls come from each listing page. We have not used these lamps ourselves. Where the salt comes from is the makers’ own statement.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size and weight | Height and pounds decide where it fits |
| Base | Wood or a metal basket changes the look |
| Power | USB, corded or remote control |
| Dimmer | An inline dimmer or touch control sets brightness |
Specs at a Glance
| Lamp | Size and weight | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himalayan Glow | 4.5 x 4.5 x 7 in; 5 lb | USB cable, 5W LED | Touch dimmer; wooden base |
| POHS extra large | 5.5 x 5.5 x 12 in; 11 to 15 lb | AC; 15W; E12 | Dimmable cord and spare bulb included |
| WBM USB | 5 x 5 x 9 in; 4.8 lb | USB cable; listing shows 15W | Touch dimmer; 6 ft cable |
| UMAID bowl | 6 x 6 x 7 in; 6.5 lb | Corded; 25W | Dimmer; comes with 6 salt stones |
| Shineled basket | 4.1 x 4.4 x 6.5 in; 4.4 to 5 lb | Corded; 25W bulb | Metal basket; dimmer switch |
| 7 inch remote | 4.72 x 4.72 x 7.09 in | USB; 3W | 16 colors and 4 modes by remote |
The 6 Best Himalayan Salt Lamps
1. Himalayan Glow Salt Lamp with Touch Dimmer
A 7 inch tall lamp of hand-chipped salt on a polished wooden base, powered by a USB cable with a 5W LED. A long press on the inline touch dimmer adjusts brightness and a short press switches it on or off. The maker says the salt is from the Himalayan Mountains, and each lamp varies in shape and color.
Suits: a small bedside lamp. Strengths: touch dimming and USB power. Weaknesses: every piece looks different. Skip it if you want an exact shape.
View Himalayan Glow Salt Lamp with Touch Dimmer Switch, 5-7 lbs, Wooden Base on Amazon
2. POHS 10 to 12 Inch Extra Large Salt Lamp
The tallest here at 12 inches and 11 to 15 pounds, on a wooden base with a dimmable cord. A replacement bulb is included, and the maker says the salt is mined in the Kewra Mountains and hand-carved.
Suits: a larger statement lamp. Strengths: height and a spare bulb. Weaknesses: heavy. Skip it if your shelf is small.
3. WBM USB Salt Lamp with Touch Dimmer
A 9 inch lamp weighing about 4.8 pounds on a wooden base that the maker says is neem wood. It runs from a 6 foot USB cable. The listing shows 15W alongside USB power, which do not obviously match, so check the details on the page before buying.
Suits: a mid-size USB lamp. Strengths: a long cable. Weaknesses: conflicting power details on the page. Skip it if you want a clear wattage.
View WBM USB Himalayan Salt Lamp with Touch Dimmer, 5-7 lbs, Wooden Base on Amazon
4. UMAID Salt Lamp Bowl with 6 Salt Stones
A 6 by 6 by 7 inch bowl of natural salt on a wooden base, weighing 6.5 pounds, with a dimmer and a 25W bulb. It comes with six small salt stones that sit in the bowl.
Suits: a bowl shape with a loose stone display. Strengths: a dimmer and extra stones. Weaknesses: a higher 25W bulb. Skip it if you want a single solid block.
View UMAID Himalayan Salt Lamp Bowl with Salt Stones, Dimmable on Amazon
5. Shineled Salt Lamp in Forest Metal Basket
A small 6.5 inch lamp with salt chunks in a forest-pattern metal basket, a 25W bulb and a rotary dimmer. The maker says the basket throws a pattern of shadows on the wall.
Suits: a patterned glow on a wall. Strengths: compact size and a dimmer. Weaknesses: loose chunks rather than one block. Skip it if you prefer a wood base.
View Shineled Himalayan Salt Lamp, Forest Design Metal Basket, 4.4-5 lbs, Dimmer Switch on Amazon
6. Himalayan Salt Lamp 7 Inch with Remote, 16 Colors
A 7 inch lamp on a wooden base, powered by USB at 3W. A remote offers 16 colors, adjustable brightness and four light modes, which makes it a color lamp more than a classic amber one. The title gives 5 to 6 pounds, while the detail table shows a much smaller weight, so treat weight as unconfirmed.
Suits: a color-changing lamp. Strengths: a remote and many colors. Weaknesses: not only a warm amber glow. Skip it if you want a traditional look.
Care and Setup
- Place it on a stable, dry surface.
- Wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth, as the listings say these are not water resistant.
- Use the bulb type and wattage the listing names.
- Keep cords out of walkways.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting a lamp in a damp spot.
- Using a higher wattage bulb than listed.
- Expecting identical shapes from hand-chipped salt.
- Ignoring weight on a thin shelf.
Himalayan Salt Lamp FAQ
Where does the salt come from?
The makers say Himalayan salt, and one names the Kewra Mountains. We cannot verify this.
Do they all need a bulb?
Most use a small bulb or LED. Some include a spare or the bulb itself.
The Short Version
For a small USB lamp, the Himalayan Glow. For height, the POHS. For a mid-size USB lamp, the WBM. For a bowl with stones, the UMAID. For a basket pattern, the Shineled. For colors with a remote, the 7 inch remote lamp.
