The Sphere Salt Lamp: Review

It's hard buying gifts for men. My boyfriend in particular; he has only 2 hobbies. He is a bonsai hobbyist, and collects samurai swords and Japanese artwork.

Being with him for 4 years though, with exactly 4 Christmas', 4 Valentines Day's, 4 Birthdays, and 4 of all of the other holidays, I get him the same thing each passing year. Either a new (or rare ancient piece) Samurai sword, or a bonsai tree, or bonsai care kit.

This Christmas I wanted to get him things that perhaps he'd benefit from. He always complains that his nose is stuffy in the morning. I understand this, we dwell in a freaking basement.

I didn't particularly go out looking for something to help him breath better, it sort of found me. I was browsing a local gift shop when I came across an item that not only looked awesome, but it also claimed that using it would help those with breathing problems. I got it for him for Christmas, and waited until now to review it, only because I wanted to test it for a few months before giving a positive or negative viewpoint.

The Product:
 
The Sphere Salt Lamp.

 
I wondered if perhaps this was just a nifty name for a nifty looking lamp. However when I read the box, I learned that The Sphere Salt Lamp, in fact, is made of salt.

According to the box, once it is turned on, the sphere would heat up releasing negative ions into the air, which supposedly will purify the air we breathe in. The result may allow you to breath better.

It sounded too cool, it looked too cool, and with his love for Japanese things, this Sphere Salt Lamp looked all zen like.

Appearance:
 
The sphere itself sits on a wooden base. The salt sphere is hollowed out, and inside of the hole is a place for you to add a 15 W bulb. The sphere has a yellow tint to it, but is also semi transparent in certain areas, in order to allow light to shine through.

It comes in at about 7" in diameter, and weighs close to 7 pounds.

Our Use:
 
I don't wake up with a stuffed or dry nose, and The Sphere Salt Lamp was in fact for him. So I set it up on his night stand next to his side of the bed. I plugged it in, and clicked it on.

The sphere glowed like a piece of Kryptonite; only it gave off a faded yellow glow. Overall it was really pretty, I did wish though that it would glow green. It would of looked really neat.

I left the lamp on for the majority of the day, and into the night. The bulb has to heat the Salt Sphere up completely for there to be any recognizable benefit.

I was skeptical about the whole 'better breathing' thing. The next morning though, my boyfriend swore that he slept better, and that his nose wasn't stuffy or dried out.

I felt the same, no better, no worse. It felt like a normal nights sleep for me.

I began thinking that perhaps the results were all in his head. I was skeptical, so I felt nothing.

By night 4 though, I began to realize something that hadn't dawned on me till he began speaking so highly of the lamp. I realized that I had been able to fall asleep, and stay asleep throughout the night. I'd wake up feeling like I got a really good nights sleep.

I suffer from insomnia, and usually am plagued with thoughts running through my head on a constant. It's hard to fall asleep when thoughts keep you awake.

I don't know if the moon phases were in my favor, or if The Sphere Slat Lamp had anything to do with my recent good nights sleep, but I will say that I hadn't slept that sound in quite some time.
Overall Opinion:
 
I was skeptical at first, but I will say that my boyfriend swears the lamp allows him to breathe better, and I swear I have slept better since adding the lamp to the room.

Recommendation:
 
Highly. However those who cannot stand any light in the room while they sleep may want to skip. The lamp gives off a very low glow, but I can see how it would annoy some, and actually keep some awake.

Where To Find:
 
I have only come across Salt Lamps twice in my life. The first time was a few years ago at some tech store. They wanted a hell of a lot of money for a similar piece.

The lamp I own is not the one in this photo (click here), but it is very, very similar, and probably will give you the exact same results. The price is also very, very reasonable, compared to what the lamps sold for just a few years ago.