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What is a plasma ball?
A plasma ball is a glass sphere filled with a low pressure mix of noble gases around a central electrode. A high frequency, high voltage current ionises the gas into glowing filaments that reach out from the centre. Touch the glass and the filaments gather under your fingertip, because your body offers an easier path to earth. Nikola Tesla built the first one in 1894.
13 modelsFrom £29.996 to 12 inch spheresTouch and sound reactiveFree UK delivery over £45
Who is this collection for?
⚡
For a teenager's room or a games night
A plasma ball follows your fingers, reacts to music and lights a dark room in purple. The classic that never gets boring.
🎁
For a science fan of any age
Grandparents remember them from museums, children see them for the first time. One of the few gifts that spans three generations.
🎓
For teachers who want to show static electricity
Put a fluorescent tube near it and it lights up. A safe way to show an electric field in the classroom.
How to choose a plasma ball
Choose by size and by what you want it to react to: touch only, sound, or music through a built-in speaker. Shape is the fourth variable, from classic spheres to hearts and astronauts.
| Type | Best for | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic plasma ball | Desks, bedside, first science gift | 15 cm (6 inch) | £30 to £45 |
| Large plasma ball | Shelves, statement piece | 20 cm (8 inch) and over | £65 to £80 |
| Shaped: heart, astronaut, art | Gifts, themed rooms | 15 to 20 cm | £55 to £80 |
| Bluetooth speaker plasma lamp | Parties, gaming rooms | 20 cm | £118 |
Most models offer two modes, constant filaments and sound reactive. USB powered for the smaller sizes, mains adapter for the larger ones, always included.
The science in two lines
The electrode drives the gas at around 30 kHz and several thousand volts, enough to strip electrons from the atoms and light them up, but at a current so tiny the glass stays safe to touch.
Hold a fluorescent tube near the sphere and it glows: the same field is exciting the gas inside the tube.
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Plasma Ball: your questions, answered
Is a plasma ball safe to touch?
Yes. The glass is insulating and the current inside is tiny. Touching the sphere draws the filaments to your finger; that is the whole point.
Why do my plasma ball filaments follow my hand?
Your hand is a better path to earth than the air, so the electric field concentrates towards it. Same reason a fluorescent tube glows when held near the globe.
Does it interfere with phones or electronics?
Only within a few centimetres of the glass. Keep phones and bank cards off the sphere and there is no issue.
What is the difference between voice reactive and constant mode?
Constant mode keeps the filaments moving steadily. Voice or sound mode makes them jump to music and speech. Most of our models offer both.
Which size should I choose?
An 8 inch (20 cm) sphere for a desk or bedside, a 12 inch for a statement piece on a shelf. Heart and speaker models are listed with their own dimensions.
Free UK delivery over £45 and 30 days to return it. Want the arcs without the glass? The Tesla coils are the next step up.