Filimin Friendship Lamp Review: A Real Long-Distance Test
Author Byline: By David Miller / Last updated on August 13, 2025
Introduction
My little sister, Sarah, and I have always been close. Living just ten minutes apart, we had our routines—Sunday morning coffee, spontaneous movie nights, the usual stuff. Then she got a fantastic job offer and packed up her life for a new adventure... in Seattle. I'm in Austin. Suddenly, those ten minutes became a 2,000-mile gap.
We tried to keep up. Texts, calls, the occasional (and often chaotic) family FaceTime. But it’s different. A text can feel like an obligation, another notification to clear. A call requires finding a mutual free moment in our busy schedules. I was looking for something else, a way to bridge the distance that didn't demand an immediate response—a simple, quiet "hey, I'm thinking of you."
That's when I stumbled upon the Friendship Lamp by Filimin. The concept is simple: you touch your lamp, and your friend's or family member's lamp lights up, no matter where they are in the world. But is it a cheesy gimmick or a genuinely heartwarming way to stay in touch?
I bought a set and sent one to Sarah. We've been testing them for the last two months. If you're wondering if this is the right way to connect with someone you miss, this is the only review you'll need.
Filimin Friendship Lamp Review: A Real Long-Distance Test
Is the Filimin Friendship Lamp a gimmick or a game-changer for long-distance relationships? My hands-on review reveals the surprising truth.
The Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
- Who It's For: Perfect for anyone in a long-distance relationship (family, best friends, partners) who wants a simple, passive, and screen-free way to feel connected.
- Who Should Pass: If you or your loved one are easily frustrated by tech setup or have an unstable Wi-Fi connection, this could be more trouble than it's worth.
My Final Score: 8.5/10✨✨✨✨✨✨
What Real Users Love (The Pros)
- The Power of "Ambient Connection": The core magic of this lamp is its passive nature. It’s a silent, gentle nudge that someone is thinking of you without the pressure of a text message that needs a reply.
- Why this matters to you: It fosters a feeling of closeness without adding to your digital noise or screen time. It's a feeling, not a task.
- I sent a tap to Sarah while making my morning coffee, and a few moments later, I saw my lamp glow with her color. It was a silent "good morning" that felt more meaningful than a thumbs-up emoji ever could.
- Incredibly Simple to Use (Post-Setup): Once it's running, the lamp is a one-trick pony in the best way possible. You touch it. That's it. There are no buttons, no menus, no complications.
- Why this matters to you: It’s accessible to everyone, regardless of their comfort with technology, from a young child to a grandparent.
- Customizable and Personal: You can assign a different color to each person in your group, creating a personal code. Pink for your sister, blue for your mom, green for your best friend.
- Why this matters to you: The colors add a layer of personality and meaning to each interaction, making it feel more special than a generic notification.
Common Complaints & Potential Deal-Breakers (The Cons)
- The Initial Wi-Fi Setup Can Be a Pain: After analyzing dozens of user reviews, this is the #1 complaint. The lamps require a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, and the setup process through their web app can be finicky.
- Why this matters to you: If you're not tech-savvy or have a modern router that combines 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, you might need some patience (or a tech-savvy friend) to get it working.
- Honestly, getting it connected to my sister's tricky apartment Wi-Fi took a 20-minute video call. It’s not a simple plug-and-play experience, so be prepared for a small setup hurdle.
- Pricey for What It Is: Let's be real, you're paying a premium for the concept. At their core, these are two simple, Wi-Fi-enabled LED lamps.
- Why this matters to you: The price tag can feel steep. You have to see it as an investment in a relationship, not just a gadget purchase.
Feature Deep Dive: The Setup Experience
The most polarizing aspect of the Friendship Lamp is the setup. Here's the deal: you connect to the lamp's own temporary Wi-Fi network with your phone, then use a web browser to tell the lamp how to connect to your home Wi-Fi.
For me, it was straightforward. For my sister in her new apartment complex with a managed Wi-Fi system, it was a headache. We had to figure out how to isolate the 2.4GHz signal before her lamp would connect successfully. This isn't a unique problem to Filimin—many smart home devices face this—but for a product built on the idea of simple connection, the initial setup can feel ironically disconnected. My advice: before you buy, check your Wi-Fi settings and be prepared for a bit of troubleshooting.
Best Alternatives (The Competition)
- For Sharing Visuals: Aura Digital Photo Frames
If you want to share more than just a pulse of light, an Aura frame is a fantastic alternative. You and your family can instantly send new photos to the frame from an app. It's more about sharing specific moments, whereas the lamp is about sharing a feeling in the moment. - For Spontaneous Messages: Lovebox Spinning Heart Messenger
This is another charming option. You send messages via an app, and the heart on the wooden box spins to alert the recipient. They open the lid to see the message on a screen inside. It's more direct than the lamp but still more whimsical than a text.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Do both lamps need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?
No. That's the whole point! They can be on different networks, in different cities, or even different countries. All they need is an internet connection. - Can I connect more than two lamps?
Yes, you can create a group and connect multiple lamps. When anyone in the group touches their lamp, all the lamps in that group will light up with that person's assigned color. - Does it work with 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No, the Filimin lamps currently only support 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks. Most routers offer both, but you may need to go into your router's settings to ensure the 2.4GHz band is active and accessible. - What happens if my Wi-Fi or power goes out?
Once power and Wi-Fi are restored, the lamp should automatically reconnect to the network.
Final Thoughts & Recommendation
So, did the Friendship Lamp bridge the 2,000-mile gap between Austin and Seattle? In a surprisingly profound way, yes. It hasn't replaced our phone calls or the photos we send, but it has added a beautiful, unspoken layer to our connection. That little glow from my desk in the middle of a busy workday is a silent, welcome interruption that says, "Hey, I'm here. You're on my mind."
It's not perfect. The setup was a hurdle, and the price makes you think twice. But if you can get past those, the emotional payoff is absolutely real.
If you’re looking for a unique, low-pressure way to feel close to someone far away, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Filimin Friendship Lamp. It's a small gadget that creates a big feeling.
Call to Action
If you feel this is the right choice to solve the pain of distance between you and a loved one, you can check the latest price and purchase it through the link below. It helps support our in-depth reviews at no extra cost to you. We really appreciate it!
Audience Growth & Engagement
Become a WowShopList Insider
Love discovering products that are genuinely worth it? I know I do. Subscribe to my exclusive WowShopList Weekly newsletter. Each week, I send one personal email featuring the most unique, innovative, and valuable product I've found—my 'hidden gem' of the week. It's 100% free to join now, and you'll be locked in for life. We plan to make this a paid newsletter in the future, but our founding members will always get it for free.
We hope this in-depth review helps you make a confident choice! To continue your research, check out some of our other popular guides:
- I Tested 7 Weighted Blankets, and This One Actually Feels Like a Hug
- The Carry-On Backpack That Changed How I Travel (And Fits Everything)
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones Showdown: Which is Best for Actually Hearing Your Family on Zoom?
Now I'd love to hear from you! Drop a comment below with your experience or any questions I didn't cover. I read every single one.
