Who knew there were so many options when it came to buying a night light?
If you’ve spent any amount of time looking for the best night light for your baby, you’ll probably agree with me.
From the simple, plug-in-the-wall night light to the super-colourful projection light that rotates and plays music, night lights have evolved significantly with the introduction of the LED light.
What is a Night Light?
A night light is simply a light you leave on during the night. Children who are scared of the dark often benefit from having a night light but babies and adults can also have night lights in their rooms.
The purpose of a night light is to give the bedroom – or bathroom or hallway – a gentle glow. For adults, that means reducing the chances of stumbling in the dark. For children, it means less fear of the dark. And for babies – well, I guess you could say that the night light benefits the parent the most.
One of the main benefits of having a night light is that you can avoid turning on bright overhead lights or lamps when you’re attending to your baby’s needs during the night. Once a daytime light has been turned on, it can be much harder to fall asleep. Your body associates bright light with being awake.
By having a gentler, softer light to guide you when you get up at night, you and your child have a better chance of falling asleep again faster.
Why You Should Buy a Night Light
There are several reasons to buy a night light if you’re a parent with a baby:
- help you see where you’re going at night when checking in on your baby,
- perfect for nighttime diaper changes or temperature checks,
- avoid turning on bright lights that make getting back to sleep more difficult,
- they’re cheaper and more effective than leaving a hall light on.
What to Look for in the Best Night Light
There are many options when it comes to the night light you want to buy. Here are some things to consider as you shop for the best night light for your family.
- Does it have a built-in sensor?
Some night lights automatically turn off during the day as the sun comes up. These night lights tend to stay on all night long or whenever it’s dark enough. Other night lights sense motion and will automatically turn on when you enter the room.
- Does it have a timer?
If you don’t want a night light that stays on all night, look for a night light with a timer. Some timers have time options while others turn off within a predetermined amount of time.
- Do you prefer plug-in or battery operated?
Plug-in night lights are not always the best option. They are not necessarily portable and that may interfere with taking them away from home.
Battery operated night lights do offer portability but batteries can be costly and annoying to replace.
Lastly, there are rechargeable night lights which plug in to charge and are portable.
- Does light color make a difference?
Yes, light color does make a difference to your sleep quality! Scientists have found that the most calming colour for a night light is red or orange, like a sunset.
Blue and white lights tend to be more stimulating to our bodies.
Top Best Night Lights for Baby
The most economical night lights will come in packs of more than one. The Sycees plug-in night light comes in a package of six and you can use them in multiple areas of the house beyond the nursery.
These night lights have a daylight sensor so they are always on when it’s dark and automatically turn off during the day or when the room is bright.
These simple night lights are quite small. They plug directly into the wall without covering the adjacent outlet. They give off a very gentle glow that is neither too dark nor too bright.
This package of night lights is best for families who need night lights for several areas of their home and who appreciate the simplicity of a plugin, daylight sensing night light.
This owl shaped night light would make any little child happy. It’s designed for little hands and has a carrying handle that makes night time trips down the hallway less frightening.
The Munchkin light gives off a soft, gentle glow. It is battery operated and comes with three triple-A batteries. You can expect it to last for at least two years.
Instead of a sensor, it has a timer that shuts the light off after 20 minutes. To turn it on, you simply touch the button.
The LED light means the owl is cool to the touch, safe for little hands, and you don’t have to worry if it ends up in someone’s bed.
This night light was designed for toddlers but it works for children of all ages. The 20-minute timer feature and the quick button turn-on lets your child use this night light independently.
It’s a stuffed animal. No, it’s a night light! Actually, it’s both!
This 100% polyester animal – either butterfly, elephant, bumble bee, hippo, or lamb – makes bedtime more fun with it’s soft touch and gentle songs. There are five songs in total you can select from as well as nature sounds. Plus you can pick from three different volume levels.
It also has three colors of lights you can select from – blue, green, and amber. The slumber buddy can also project star shaped lights onto the ceiling and walls.
In addition, you can select the amount of time you want the buddy to play. The timer options are 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes.
The slumber buddy projector is safe for children of all ages. It is battery operated and runs on three double-A batteries.
If you like having plenty of choices, the slumber buddy night light gives you just that.
Safety 1st is known for its line of baby products that are intended to make your life as the parent a little easier.
This affordable two pack of night lights contain the very economical LED lights which last twenty-five times longer than a regular light bulb.
These nearly flat lights plug directly into your wall socket and their semicircle shape gives off a warm, white glow.
As with most other night lights that plug directly into the wall, this light has an automatic day and night sensor.
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable night light for your children’s bedroom or the hallway, the Safety 1st cool touch night light is a great choice that will last for many hours without the hassle of changing batteries, light bulbs, or charging.
This #1 Amazon best seller projection night light is more than a simple night light. It offers a colorful light show in the comfort of your own home.
The SOAIY projection night lamp is like a soothing desktop disco ball. It projects your choice of red, blue, green, or multicolor lights onto the wall and ceiling with the added feature of an automatic shut off after one hour.
Another great feature about this night light is that it has a built-in speaker with a plugin for you to connect your choice of the music source. You can also adjust the path of the projection lights by adjusting the angle of the light.
This night light is not battery operated so you will need a plug-in accessible for it to operate.
The SOAIY is a fascinating night light that is calming for children and adults alike.
A truly unique type of night light, the Boon Glo night light is essentially a charging stand with three portable, night light balls that fit into the palm of your hand.
You can choose the color of the ball while it’s on the charging stand then remove each ball and place it where you want it. You can even pick up a ball and take down the hall with you to the bathroom.
Each ball remains cool to the touch and will hold it’s light for approximately 30 minutes after it’s removed from its base.
The base unit itself is battery operated but it also comes with a 9-volt power adapter.
This night light would is a great option if you have more than one child. Each child can take a night light ball into their bed with them. The LED light will remain cool to the touch. And best of all, the ball’s glow only lasts for 30 minutes, ensuring your child gets a good sleep.
If you like a conversation piece, check out this soft plastic cat night light. This unique night light may not be as cuddly as a stuffed animal, but it’s rounded, plain appearance and it’s silicon, hand-washable exterior give it a look and feel all it’s own.
The GoLine Kitty night light is charged via a USB port. The cable is included. A full charge takes 3 hours and gives the night light 15 hours of use. This means the cat light is completely portable.
The Kitty night light gives off a soft, warm glow with its cool-to-the-touch LED light. And with a simple touch of the cat, you can select the light colour you desire.
An optional remote control gives you access to many other features including the brightness level.
With a 30-day, no hassle money back guarantee and a 12-year warranty, this adorable cat night light is sure to be a favorite for any child or adult.
Conclusion
There are many options when it comes to night lights for your family. You can purchase a package of night lights or buy them individually.
You can get night lights that plug into the wall, are battery operated, or a night light that needs to be charged.
Night lights with timers are great because they ensure your child will get a good night’s sleep.
You can also consider if you want a night light that projects onto the wall or a night light that plays music.
So the question you need to ask before you purchase your next night light is this: which night light will best meet my family’s needs?
