A sculpture that hovers in mid-air with no visible support looks like it shouldn't be safe — that's half the appeal. But the technology behind it is well-established, low-power, and has been used safely in consumer products for years. Here's what's actually going on, and what to keep in mind.
How the Levitation Actually Works
Leviou's bases use a stabilized electromagnetic field, adjusted continuously by internal sensors, to hold a lightweight object in a fixed position above the base. If you want the full technical breakdown, we cover it in How Does Magnetic Levitation Work?. The short version: it's a low-voltage system, similar in principle to the electromagnets found in speakers, induction cooktops, and countless other household electronics.
Electromagnetic Exposure
The magnetic field is contained to the small area directly around the base and the floating object — it doesn't extend meaningfully beyond that. It's not a source of radiation, and there's no accumulated exposure risk from having a piece running on a desk all day, every day, any more than there is from a laptop charger or a Bluetooth speaker sitting nearby.
The one group that should keep some distance from any magnetic device, including this one, is anyone with a pacemaker or another implanted medical device — the same standard precaution recommended for magnetic phone cases, tablets, and speakers. If that applies to you or someone in your home, place the display somewhere it won't be handled or leaned over closely.
What Happens If the Power Cuts Out?
This is one of the most common questions we get. If power is lost — a blackout, an unplugged cord — the magnetic pull automatically secures the floating object down onto the base rather than letting it drop. Nothing goes flying, and nothing needs to be caught.
Pets, Kids, and Small Magnetic Parts
The floating objects and bases aren't toys, and like anything with small magnetic components, they should be kept away from young children who might handle or mouth the pieces. Curious cats are usually more interested in batting at the rotation than anything dangerous — the base itself is stable and the object is balanced to stay in its field — but as with any desk decor with moving parts, we'd suggest placing it somewhere it won't get knocked around by an enthusiastic pet.
Weight and Setup Limits
Each base is calibrated for a specific weight range — up to 400g for the included magnet — so the sculpture floats in a controlled, predictable way. Every order includes a Setup & Balance Guide to help you find that sweet spot on first use, and the system is designed to run on a standard low-voltage power adapter, no special wiring or installation required.
The Bottom Line
Magnetic levitation displays are built on the same low-power electromagnetic principles found in everyday electronics — the main precautions are the same common-sense ones you'd apply to any magnetic device: distance from pacemakers, out of reach of small children, and away from magnetically-sensitive media like older hard drives or credit card strips if placed directly against the base.
FAQs
Is it safe to leave a Leviou display running 24/7? Yes — the bases are designed for continuous, always-on use.
Will it interfere with WiFi, phones, or other electronics? No. The magnetic field is localized and doesn't produce the kind of interference that affects WiFi or Bluetooth signals.
Is it safe near a laptop or hard drive? We'd recommend keeping older magnetic storage media (like traditional HDDs) at a small distance, the same precaution you'd take with any strong magnet. Modern SSDs and phones are unaffected.
What if the floating object gets knocked off balance? Simply place it back over the base using the Setup & Balance Guide — no damage occurs, it just needs to find its balance point again.
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