The coolest tech gadget I got for Christmas is this Volta floating lightbulb

Floately Volta
Floately Volta (Image credit: Windows Central)

With many of us working from home in the midst of the ever-present pandemic, spicing up your desk space can add some flair to help motivate and inspire. I recently grabbed a bunch of items to make my desk space a bit more attractive, but this Volta floating desk lamp was among the coolest items I got over the Christmas period.

The Volta floating lamp from Floately uses magnets to hover above its power base, which connects to the mains. A touch-capacitive power toggle turns the lamp on, which is bright enough to illuminate books while reading from a bedside table, or a desk if you're working through the evening, but want a light profile that's a little more ambient.

Although the material isn't actually wood, it sports a very attractive wood-like texture and appearance, which is indiscernible from the real thing unless you're very close to it.

Setting up the Volta can also be quite tricky, which requires a bit of practice. You need to center the bulb between the magnets, then gently release it so that it floats in between the magnetic poles. Once you've got the hang of it, repositioning it is easy, although if you knock your desk a small bit of wobble can cause it to magnetically snap onto the base, so be sure to put it somewhere stable. Breezes can make it spin as well, so it's often ideal to keep it away from windows if you're not a fan of that.

It's a bit pricey at $99, but it's a truly awesome product with robust construction and good materials that makes for a cool gift for anyone who finds themself tethered to a desk for long periods.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)
Jez Corden
Co-Managing Editor

Jez Corden is a Managing Editor at Windows Central, focusing primarily on all things Xbox and gaming. Jez is known for breaking exclusive news and analysis as relates to the Microsoft ecosystem while being powered by tea. Follow on Twitter @JezCorden and listen to his XB2 Podcast, all about, you guessed it, Xbox!