The health gain varies with the type of health globe, but it is always some percentage (25%, 33%, 40%, etc) of a character's maximum hit points. The hit points are not added on instantly, but fill up gradually, over a few seconds. Health globes are thus not an instant cure for death, and a character very low on hit points and in a battle should drink a potion for the instant life boost, since they could still die to an attack taken right after using a health orb.

Health globes only add hit points to a character's maximum life, and provide no benefit or bonus above that level. A health globe has no effect for them when used by a character with full health, though Witch Doctors can receive a boost to their mana from a health globe, if they have enabled one of the [[traits]] that grants this bonus. A character with full health can still grant the full bonus to other characters though, so if a companion is low on health and stuck in combat, it's wise to use a health orb to assist them.