8 Best Night Lights in 2024, for a Restful Night Sleep

Overview

Night lights are worth investing your time and money in because they offer plenty of benefits compared to cons. For instance, the best solar lights that stay on all night long are vital for midnight movement as they increase visibility in dark areas like hallways and stairs without going off.

With night lights in place, you will be able to move around easily without hitting against furniture or tripling on a sleeping pet if you have one. It also reduces fear of darkness, especially if you have children who are afraid of darkness. Best plug-in night light can also help reduce stress and anxiety, enabling you to experience quality sleep.

According to Dr. Shelby Harris a clinical psychologist specializing in sleep medicine, night lights are vital especially warm-toned lights as they help to illuminate dark areas like hallways stairs, and bathrooms are the best options for night lights. They work well for everyone adults and children alike. They have low levels of cool blue light making them conducive not just for improving visibility but improving sleep too. You can also bank on them to reduce fear of darkness adds Dr. Harris.

In this article we bring you we bring you all the information you need to know about night lights including the available models, how they work, the benefits, side effects, and features to consider before making a purchase decision, and much more.

What are Night Lights?

Night lights are small low-power electric light fixtures usually placed in dark apartments to offer convenience and comfort in dark areas like in the hallways, stairs, and bathrooms or during emergencies.

They are usually not bright and are kept on throughout the night. Night lights are generally intended to offer subtle illumination in the house without ruining the quiet sleep house’s ambiance by putting strain on your eyes.

The best night lights can be placed in children’s rooms and indoor areas that are usually dark at night. The lights are meant to provide a dim light at night for better visibility and relaxation before sleeping. It is also to reduce fear of darkness especially among children who are afraid of darkness.

The Best Night Lights of 2024

How We Picked

We had our own criteria for picking our best picks. Below are some of the things we looked at before adding a device to our list:

Science and Evidence

There are plenty of similar products in the market today that claim to work without scientific backing. We did our search to ensure that our top picks are backed by scientific research and work to offer the claimed results.

Trusted Manufacturers

With plenty of counterfeit products in the market we made sure that our top picks are from trusted manufacturers to guarantee product authenticity. Products from a trusted brand/manufacturer are of high quality and guarantee efficiency and safety.

Cost Benefit

Night lights are from different brands and their price may therefore differ. Our picks above are selected from a trusted brand with cost-efficient prices to ensure that you get value for your money.

Expert Recommended

Expert-recommended night light means that they have the backing of professionals because they have proven to work. Devices that experts recommended are highly efficient and safe and therefore there are high chance that they will work to give the claimed results. In our top picks above, we ensured that the devices on our list are expert-recommended to guarantee efficiency and safety.

1. Hooga Red Plug-in Night Lights

Best For: Supporting natural sleep cycle, Forming healthy sleep routine.

Features: Energy-efficient LED, Fire-resistant 100% ABS plastic, Dusk to Dawn sensor, Red Light (625 nm)

Price: $15.64

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The Hooga Blue Blocking Night Lights give off a soft, red light with no blue in it, promote the production of melatonin, and reduce eye strain in the evening. They’re smart lights, turning on automatically as it get darker and adjusting to the surrounding light all night and day. They’re handy for helping you fall back asleep when you’re in bed.

These lights are compact, fit well in small spaces, and won’t block other outlets. They last a long time, over 10,000 hours, and are great for places like hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms where you need some light at night. They help prevent accidents at night without messing up your sleep pattern. They are also energy-efficient and cost less than 30 cents a year to run on average.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• It is known to reduce eye strain
• It prevents falls and accidents.
• It helps to fall back asleep easily.

Cons

• Limited Light Spectrum
• No Bright Light option

More to Know

Warranty Period: 3-year warranty | LED Lights: Red Hue (625nm) | Benefits: Develops healthy sleep habits, 60-day trial | Durability: 10,000+ hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4 out of 5 stars. User Judy Johnson explains:

Awesome products, especially for the money. I did a lot of research and Hooga gives you the best bang for your luck. Affordable, easy to use, and powerful. My skin never looked better.

2. VAVA Night Light

Best For: Helping Babies Getting a Good Quality Sleep.

Features: LED Indicator. Sleep Timer, Switching of Light Modes, Charging Port

Price: $23.99

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The VAVA dimmable night light is made from safe, toy-grade materials, and it’s really easy to use. It gives off a soft and soothing glow with eight color options, and it has a rechargeable battery and a handy 1-hour timer to save energy. You can adjust the light’s color and brightness with simple touch controls, and there’s even a warm “sun” mode. It automatically turns off after 60 minutes, so your baby can sleep peacefully. Just touch the top to make it brighter or dimmer, tap twice for standby mode, or hold for 1.5 seconds to activate night light mode.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 100% toy-grade material used for making bulb
• Easy to use.
• It has auto-off mode.
• It can adjust the brightness with a simple tap.

Cons

• Complex controls may be confusing
• It can lead to power consumption, especially in RGB color mode.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 12-month warranty | LED Lights: Warm light and RGB colors | Benefits: Improves sleep quality, 30-day Return | Session Duration: 200 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4.1 out of 5 stars. User Kureiko explains:

These have been amazing as night lights since we received them but I finally made a review because they’re also very durable! Today I learned that my toddler had figured his way around the child safety locks on our windows when he flung these lights out of 9th story window. Amazingly enough

3. GE LED Night Light

Best For: Feeling Relaxed Before Sleeping.

Features: Fast-Charging Ports (USB-A and USB-C), Available in Nine Colors, Plugin Regular Outlets, Contains Three Light Modes, Non-Standard Base

Price: $21.00

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It is possible to customize the lighting to suit your preferences by choosing from different sizes, shapes, and brightness levels. This allows you to make any space feel elegant and reflect your personality. The lights offer flexibility by providing various light temperatures. This lets you set just the right mood that you like, whether that’s vibrant colors or soft white light.
With nine color options and three different settings, you can add fun colors or calming white light to any room. The sleek designs are carefully made to minimize glare while spreading the light down and on the walls. Also, the lights have a handy automatic feature. They will turn on by themselves when it gets dark, making lighting more convenient.
Their adjustable positions mean they can easily fit in any outlet or space in your home.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 100% toy-grade material used for making bulb
• Easy to use.
• It has auto-off mode.
• It can adjust the brightness with a simple tap.

Cons

• Complex controls may be confusing
• It can lead to power consumption, especially in RGB color mode.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 5 years | LED Lights: Traditional LED Fixtures | Benefits: Energy Efficiency, Durability and Longevity | Session Duration: 25,000 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 3.9 out of 5 stars. User Robert L. Mohler explains:

The light itself functions well, but we’ve encountered a persistent issue with its motion detection, which has now happened twice with Amazon products. We placed it in our walk-in closet, expecting it to activate based on motion, but after leaving the closet door shut for around 30 minutes, it failed to respond as it should. While my wife appreciates the illumination it provides, I’m left questioning whether it justifies the $60.00 price, especially given the recurrent motion detection problem. It’s also noteworthy that this product is manufactured in China.

4. Philips Wake-up Light

Best For: Helps You Feel Relaxed Before Bed.

Features: 5 Natural Wake-up Sounds & FM Radio, Wake-up Light, Class II (double isolation), 150cm Cord Length, 12W Power Output Adapter

Price: $108.95

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The Philips Wake-up Light is designed to provide you with a soothing wake-up experience. It combines the gentle illumination of light with calming sounds to help you start your day feeling refreshed. Before it’s time to wake up, this device gradually simulates a relaxing sunset, making it easier for you to wind down and prepare for bedtime.

At your set wake-up time, the Wake-up Light introduces a subtle, natural sound that slowly increases in volume over about a minute and a half. You have a choice of five tranquil sounds to pick from, including forest birds, Buddha, yoga, ocean waves, and Nepal bowls. Moreover, if you enjoy tuning in to the radio in the morning, this device allows you to listen to your favorite radio show as you wake up.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• It has a sunset simulation for relaxation
• Wake up to the FM show of your choice.
• 90-Day Money Back Guarantee.
• Uses natural wake-up sounds to make you feel relaxed.

Cons

• Some users may find it complex to use
• Size and Design may not suit everyone’s preferences or available space in the bedroom.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 24 months | LED Lights: Lumiled Luxeon Rebel | Benefits: Makes you feel refreshed, Improves your sleep | Session Duration: 4-8 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars. User Scott Light explains:

I’ve been wanting to try one of these for years and finally took the plunge. I get up before sunrise and go from bed to a 24″ computer screen. And it’s painful to turn on the screen. Awful. My brain loves the 40-minute sequence of lights. And turning on the computer is not painful anymore. I swear that my mood has improved steadily now for the last two weeks — all day long. The product is beautifully made but expect to spend some time understanding full operation and setup. A smaller, travel version of this unit would sell very well. I know that I’d recommend it to everyone that I know. Thank you Philips for making my life much happier

5. Casper Glow Night Light

Best For: Experience a good night’s sleep and avoid falls at night.

Features: Motion Sensor Technology, Contains Two Night Lights

Price: $31.50

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Glow Night Light is a smart solution to guide your way in the dark without disturbing your sleep. It comes with motion sensor technology and includes two night lights, making it perfect for various areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens. Plus, you’ll enjoy free shipping in the US and Canada, with UPS handling deliveries from local warehouses.

This night light has some cool features. The motion sensor makes the light gradually get brighter when it senses movement nearby. We have a special Night Owl Mode that’s great for hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens. It’s smart enough to turn on automatically when it gets dark in the room, thanks to the ambient light sensor. And if you want a peaceful night’s sleep, there’s a Sleep Mode that provides a soft, gentle light that won’t disrupt your slumber. To make it even safer and energy-efficient, our Glow Night Light also has Night Owl Mode, so it only lights up when it detects movement, not when you’re sound asleep in bed.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 30 Day Return Policy
• No Contact Delivery.
• Good Customer Service.
• It won’t disturb your sleep during midnight trips for water.
• Ideal for bedrooms with its soft, sleep-friendly light.

Cons

• It may have limited features.
• It comes with a high price.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 10-year | LED Lights: Motion Sensor Technology | Benefits: It doesn’t disrupt your sleep | Session Duration: 12 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4.1 out of 5 stars. User Lauren explains:

I love the light as it slowly gets brighter, allowing my eyes to get adjusted. Yet, it never gets too bright. It’s perfect. My older cats like it too as their eyesight has gotten worse at night. I replaced my old night lights which didn’t offer enough lighting to see what I was doing and did not have the save features

6. Hatch Rest+ Ultimate Smart Sleep Machine

Best For: Helping kids to sleep better.

Features: Personalizable Nightlight, Easy-to-Use app, 11 Calming Sounds, Battery Back-up.

Price: $89.99

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You can make the perfect sleep atmosphere for your child with 11 sounds, 10 colors, and adjustable light. You can also keep an eye on their feeding and nap schedule with a clock that can be as bright or as dim as you like, or you can turn it off. Plus, you can control everything hands-free using Alexa voice commands. Change the volume, brightness, colors, sounds, and more without disturbing your little one. To access all Rest+ features, like two-way audio and sleep programs, you’ll need the Hatch Sleep app on your iOS or Android device. Without the app, you can still turn the device on and off, adjust the volume and brightness, and switch between 6 presets with touch controls.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• It uses various colors to wake up your kids.
• It comes with a 60-day return policy.
• The simple companion app is compatible with Android and iOS.
• It has simple programs for bedtime, nap time, and waking up.

Cons

• It may not be suitable for those who don’t use smartphones.
• It comes with a higher price.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 1 year | LED Lights: Glowing LED Light | Benefits: Gives your baby a healthy sleep | Session Duration: 8 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4 out of 5 stars. User Eric & Elise Malm explains:

We really struggled to help my son with sleeping. Having had 2 children before him I felt equipped to help him, but I was wrong. This sound machine helps so much. First off all the functions are great and work well, and having lights that come on has helped him to understand when morning time is. It’s helped so much!

7. Levoit Salt Lamp

Best For: Improving your mood and making you feel relaxed.

Features: AC Power Cord, C7 E12 15 W, Stainless Base, ‎Touch Control.

Price: $46.37

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Levoit Aria Himalayan Salt Lamp is made with a high-quality acrylic basin that resists damage and wrinkles. It’s safe and approved by ETL, FCC, CE, and RoHS, so you can trust its quality. The touch dimmer switch is also top-notch, and it lets you easily adjust the brightness to set the right mood. The lamp comes with everything you need: the acrylic salt lamp, the touch dimmer switch, three 15-watt bulbs (one already in the lamp), and a nice Xmas Gift Box. If you ever need more bulbs, you can buy them separately by searching for “LEVOIT light bulbs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Its ease of operation ensures that users can quickly adjust the lighting to their preferences.
• This item’s quality and attention to detail make it versatile, fitting well into various environments and settings.
• This product offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Cons

• Some individuals may not find it as visually appealing as others.
• Some users might find the 15-watt bulbs to be less intense than they prefer for their lighting needs.

More to Know

Warranty Period: 2 year | LED Lights: Salt Lamp | Benefits: It is known to improve your mood | Session Duration: 12 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4.6 out of 5 stars. User Sage Herrera explains:

We really struggled to help my son with sleeping. Having had 2 children before him I felt equipped to help him, but I was wrong. This sound machine helps so much. First off all the functions are great and work well, and having lights that come on has helped him to understand when morning time is. It’s helped so much!

8. LumiPets Night Light

Best For: For providing healthy night sleep to your children.

Features: USB Chargeable, Remote Control, Tap Control, Sleep Timer.

Price: $24.99

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LumiPets is a modern and beloved companion for kids and parents. They offer a calming light with nine different colors that you can change with a simple tap. You can take LumiPets with you wherever you go. They’re also a fun way for kids to learn about colors. These soft and safe companions are made from good-quality silicone that doesn’t heat up. You can even control the brightness and set a sleep timer with an optional remote. They’re rechargeable, but the battery life depends on the color mode you use.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• It is made with gentle, washable material for kids.
• It is formed from safe-to-chew materials.
• Free shipping is available for orders within the United States.
• You can get a refund within 30 days if needed.

Cons

• It does not offer a warranty on its products.

More to Know

Warranty Period: No warranty | LED Lights: Nine Colored Lights | Benefits: It helps kids sleep well and without any worries | Session Duration: 72 hours

There are positive reviews on the official site, users rate it 4.2 out of 5 stars. User Jessica explains:

We were in desperate need of a solution to get our toddler to sleep soundly through the night in her crib. After considering a few changes, we decided to add some light to her room to ease her fears, and it turned out to be a perfect choice! This nightlight illuminates her room beautifully without causing her to wake up or stay awake because of it. It’s nice that it offers both white light and colorful options, which adds a fun element. The fact that it can hold a charge for approximately two nights of sleep (around 12 hours each) before needing a recharge is quite convenient. The only downside we found is that the charger cord is quite short and doesn’t reach the outlet for us, but we solved this issue by purchasing a longer cord. We wholeheartedly recommend this nightlight!

How Do Night Lights Work?

Night light works by removing the color blue from the display while it warms the light to be natural. This enables it to mimic the daylight setting and the darkness that has qualities of ambient light.

They work by allowing safe-powered electric light to provide light making the room visible for easy and safe movement.

Some lights are designed to work automatically in that they turn on when it gets dark and switch off when there is enough daylight. However, the night light is dim enough to ensure that it does not disturb your sleep cycle.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Night Lights

Before buying night lights there are a number of factors you need to consider to ensure that what you are adding to your budget list is tailored not just to your needs but preference too. Below are some of the factors worth considering before buying night lights.

• Power Source: Best night lights are designed with several power sources including a USB rechargeable battery, powered plug-in, and cored electricity. All these narrow down to safety and preference. If you are after flexibility, a portable night light will be a perfect choice for you. However, if you are likely to forget to charge your night light device or buy extra batteries, a plug-in pick would be a better option for you.
• Style and Shape: There are different night light models and differ in shape and style. We have cordless devices and non-fuss plug-in devices that double up as alarm clocks, sound machines, and trendy nightstand accessories. Best children’s night lights come in different shapes like stars, kittens, shells, etc.
• Childproofing: Some devices emit night light that poses a threat to toddlers. It is advisable that you consider them when shopping. Avoid devices with cables whether short or long as the toddlers may tangle in. If you have a toddler, consider buying a battery-powered device as it is considered safe in such circumstances.
• Extra Features: Some night lights are simple while others are powered with a variety of features. If you have a preference for a device with multiple features, we advise picking one with different hues/colors and a sound-machine motion detector. Others may work via the app on your smartphone to help you adjust your night.
• Dimmability: A night light with dimmable light levels will enable you to customize the light to the brightness you desire. They are those who like to have too dim light and those who prefer a little brighter light. Whichever your preference, our devices have a feature where you can easily adjust brightness according to your preference.

What Specific Benefits Do Night Lights Offer?

Night lights are designed to offer a number of benefits. During our research, we came across the following benefits as discussed below:

Improves Visibility at Night

Night lights are meant to illuminate the dark areas so that there is light to enable people to move around without hitting themselves on the furniture or knocking on sleeping pets.

According to a publication in the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health by Oluwapelumi Osibana et al, light is vital for visual performance and plays a crucial role in regulating the physiological functioning of the human body.

Reduces Fear of Darkness

Night lights are useful if you or your loved one is suffering from nyctophobia (intense fear of darkness). It is a condition common in children although some adults may also experience it.

A research study published in the Journal of Psychophysiology by Yadan Li et al notes that darkness at night increases fear and little light can help curb the fear.

Lowers Non-Seasonal Depression Symptoms

Night light has shown the ability to reduce non-seasonal depression symptoms. A publication in BJPhych Open Journal by Stefan Perra et al notes that light therapy may be effective for people with non-seasonal depression & a therapeutic intervention for depression.

Enhances Sleep

Night light helps you fall asleep fast and get quality sleep, hence supporting overall health. Lack of adequate sleep has been associated with chronic ailments like depression & obesity.

A research study published in Scientific Reports by Seong Jae Kim et al notes that night light that uses blue-enhanced white light has been found to improve sleep quality in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Conclusion

When it comes to night lights it is important to consider the pros and cons involved. Not all of them are efficient and safe as claimed by the manufacturers. However, to make your search easier, we have taken the time to do in-depth research on every device we have on our list above. The information we have collected about these devices features reliable technology information to increase your understanding of how the devices on our list work and the benefits they offer.

The information we have given here includes the insights of professionals like physical therapists and dermatologists who have shared with our team their perspectives derived from their research. So, you can be rest assured that all the information you have read here is accurate and by selecting any of our best-rated night lights above, you are assured of not just efficiency but accuracy too.

We have one aim, to provide our readers with accurate and reliable information to increase their understanding of a product and make their purchase decision much easier. We are committed to utilizing up-to-date research and bringing you the latest developments about a product. So, we hope after reading this review, you are now up-to-date with how night light technology works, the benefits, and some of the things to take into consideration when choosing a night light for your home.

Whether you are looking for the best baby night lights, the best bathroom night lights, the best night lights for hallways, the best night bike lights, or the best night lights for the bathroom, consider checking them on our top picks above. What we have on our list guarantees you not just efficiency but safety, meaning that they will give you value for your money.

If you are a book lover you can also check out our article on the Best Book Lights that will help you for better decision-making.