Illuminate Baby’s Room With The Best Baby Night Lights (2020 Guide)
There’s no way around it: the right night light can make a world of difference when it comes to getting your little one to sleep at night.
For me, I always found it came down to my son not feeling alone in the room.
A few toys, a cozy blanket, and a great night light helped calm him and helped him doze off to sleep.
And it can do the same for your little one!
But with so many night lights on the market, it can be difficult to narrow it down to “the one.”
So, read on to learn everything there is to know about night lights, the different types, some helpful tips and tricks that come with purchasing and using one, and our picks for the best baby night lights.
Should You Use a Baby Night Light?
Yeah, you should. Here are several reasons.
- 1First, a night light helps provide a soft glow so that your baby and toddler can see during the night. This comes in handy when your kids start to get afraid of things that go “bump” in the night, and it shows them that there’s no monsters lurking under their bed or ghosts haunting their room.
- 2A night light also gives off plenty of light for your toddler to use the potty overnight—whether you have a portable one in their room, or if they need to come down steps or walk to their door to access the hall bathroom.
- 3Also, some night lights have the ability to “tire” a child out. These types of lights project pictures on the ceiling or wall for your child to focus on until their eyes start to get sleepy.
- 4Finally, night lights are great to have on because some have the feature to transition into a daytime alarm of sorts. It projects a soft glow when it’s morning, or when your child is permitted to get out of their bed and leave their bedroom.
So, all in all, night lights are multi-functional and pretty darn useful!
Different Types of Night Lights
There are tons of night lights to choose from, and I shamelessly admit that I have one of each of these lights!
But, it pretty much makes me a pro with being able to relay sufficient information about each!
Electrical Outlet Plug-Ins
The most traditional of lights, you just need an outlet to plug in this kind of light.
The entire piece either lights up, or just the top part, depending where the bulb is placed.
Many of the plug-in lights are a favorite among parents because they are small, portable, and they blend in with the design and decor of a home or child’s room.
But, many of these plug-ins also come designed in bold, bright colors and as a theme, so your child’s favorite character or animal can be illuminated and with them at night.
Some even project images of the characters on the ceiling or wall!
The only downfall of these plug-ins is that their brightness can’t usually be adjusted and they require a replacement bulb pretty frequently if you use it a lot.
Some plug-ins run off a sensor, so they only come on when the curtains are drawn and the room is dark, allowing parents to keep it always plugged in and not have to worry about turning the switch on the plug in on/off or removing it from the outlet completely.
Night Light Projector
A night light projector is a favorite among children (and let’s be honest, adults too).
Much more high tech than a plug-in, a night light projector is.
And, it’s much larger as well.
The night light projector gets plugged into an outlet, but some can run off a battery.
It projects all kinds of images on the ceiling and wall, totally lighting up a room for your child’s comfort and enjoyment. Realistic images like the solar system, the ocean, and a galaxy (just to name a few) can fill your child’s room in an instant.
While on the larger side, projectors are also portable and can go with you on vacation, or sleeping over Grammy’s house when needed.
Many have remotes, so you can set it on your way out the door, and they boast a timer feature so it shuts off when you want it to.
Stuffed Animals
Probably the cutest and cuddliest of all the night lights, a stuffed animal light is great for kids who are hesitant to go to bed on their own and who may be afraid of the dark.
Your child can either hold onto the stuffed animal that lights up, or you can place it in a central location in your child’s room so that they can watch it change color, glow, or even project images off the wall or ceiling.
Able to be taken anywhere, these furry night lights come in many shapes, sizes, and forms, and run off batteries.
They usually boast a timer feature, so you can determine when they come on, when they go off, and what color they project.
Does It Matter Which Color I Use?
I had no idea that certain night light colors could foster a better night’s sleep. And, as a parent who’s willing to do anything to get their child to sleep (and sleep longer), I totally did my research.
REMEMBER
I learned that according to Dr. Michael Grandner, a board-certified pro in Behavior Sleep Medicine at the university of Pennsylvania, the best light color is reddish, yellowish, or orangish light.
Dr. Grandner feels this is the best because the light that your eyes use to tell daytime versus nighttime is blueish-greenish light.
But, reddish-orange light doesn’t have those frequencies, so it won’t give off as much of a daytime signal.
Also, the dimmer the better, according to the doctor!
Always use the lowest setting of night light when possible if the one you select has different levels of brightness.
This helps your child fall asleep and stay asleep. Woot!
Benefits of Using a Baby Night Light
A night light has the following benefits:
Things to Consider When Shopping
I personally found that shopping for night lights was easiest online.
While baby and department stores usually have baby stuff set up, night lights usually aren’t. So, I used the internet to price compare, read about features, and also read reviews from other parents who have used them.
You also may want to consider the following about night lights:
Important Features to Look For
A great night light should have the following features:
Best Baby Night Lights
#1. Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies
The Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies (click here to check the price on Amazon) has a variety of features to light the room and soothe your infant. When you use the general night light function, the animal’s belly glows. The light also includes a projector that displays stars on any surface of the room.
The item also plays four different music or nature sounds, letting you customize the auditory ambience in the room.
The sounds and lights can be controlled independently. You can use music alone, lights alone or everything together. The sounds and lights will stay on all night unless you set them to turn off using the automatic timer shuts them off.
We really like that the projector has a movable, angled lens that displays the night stars on any surface- allowing your little one to view the sky from any sleeping position.
Another great feature is that the night light has a dimmer control so that you can adjust the brightness. The dimmest option is light enough to help you with a feeding without disturbing your sleep cycle.
Parents also like that the control buttons on the back of the night light are easy to use, making this night light easy to operate.
One thing to be aware of is that the Moonlight and Melodies may not be as portable as it appears in their marketing materials—it does require you to plug it into an outlet.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the light that glows from the animal’s belly is a greyish-blue color, which may not be conducive to sleep.
#2. Luckkid Baby Night Light Moon Star Projector
The Luckkid Baby Night Light Moon Star Projector (click here to check the price on Amazon) works as a glowing white light or a projector that displays stars around the room. The control buttons are straightforward. One allows you to have a steady light. The second makes the lights change color. The third rotates the star projection.
The light can be used beyond the infant years. Many older children and adults are mesmerized by it.
You can choose to have the projection spin or stay still. Some users had trouble turning it off until they realized that you have to click back to the white bulb first.
Even though this light does not require a power outlet to operate, it might not be as portable as you would expect. Some customers felt that this light was not very durable.
One nice feature of the Luckkid is that the color adjustment options are fully customizable, giving you and your little one plenty of choices to light the room.
What’s also nice about this night light is that it’s wireless, so you can place it anywhere in the room without worrying about the location of the power outlet.
And even though the Luckkid has tons of color options, the light isn’t too bright, and the movement may help entertain and soothe your infant.
Some parents have noted, however, that the Luckkid doesn’t have a timer or automatic shut-off option, so you have to commit to using it all night or not at all.
Another thing to keep in mind is that this night light may sometimes make a humming sound or squeaking noise as it rotates, which could disturb your little one while they’re sleeping.
#3. Cloud b Twilight Constellation
The Cloud b Twilight Constellation (click here to check the price on Amazon) doubles as an educational tool as your baby gets older. It displays stars on the walls and ceilings. Eight constellations are concealed within the extensive star pattern.
The light runs off of three AAA batteries. It can be placed anywhere in the child’s room. Three colors cycle automatically until the timer shuts off after 45 minutes.
If your child needs extra comfort at night, this light may help. It comes in a variety of soft animal shapes. It includes a story book and adoption certificate, helping your child to create a personal connection with it. It’s not just a light; it’s a stuffed animal with which your child can bond.
We like that the light is brighter than many standard night lights because you can use it to see what you need when attending to your baby, even though it’s meant to be a soothing toy.
We also like that the battery-operated light is portable, which means you can take it with you any time you travel with your little one.
Another plus is that the Constellation Night Light It is just as appropriate for older children as for babies, so you’ll get the maximum amount of use from it.
Something to be aware of is that you can only use the light with the timer, which means there’s no way to simply leave it on through the night.
Another problem is that you can’t direct the display to a specific area without moving the entire product, which could prove to be slightly inconvenient for a lot of parents.
#4. SOAIY Sleep Soother Aurora Projection LED Night Light
The SOAIY Sleep Soother Aurora Projection LED Night Light (click here to check the price on Amazon) has several features to customize the mood of your room. The multiple lighting modes let you turn it on with a soft glow, project a realistic Northern Lights display or make the projected colors move. The projection can cover the entire room with color.
If you don’t want to overstimulate your little one, you may prefer to keep the cover on so that the lights cast a soft glow on the walls instead of opting for the moving laser light show. You can use the night light continuously or set a timer to turn it off automatically.
The remote control lets you change the display or adjust the timer without getting up. However, you can’t use the remote from a different room.
One great feature from the SOAIY Night Light is that it allows you to connect a device to play sounds or music through the USB cable, giving you an array of options for your baby.
We also really like that you can alter the brightness of the light, which allows you to use a setting that works best for you and your little one.
And you can even use the light for parties or older children’s bedrooms in addition to infant rooms, making it versatile and well worth the money.
We were slightly dismayed to see that the power cord is fairly short, as it can really limit your options as far as where you are able to place the light.
We also found it a bit frustrating that there was no way to adjust the speed, and that the only options were movement or no movement.
#5. Summer Infant Slumber Buddies
The Summer Infant Slumber Buddies (click here to check the price on Amazon) can be snuggled by your little one during the day or set to display a starry sky at night. Your child may bond with the stuffed animal, helping him or her remain comforted in the dark.
The light features several display and sound options. You can change the light’s color from blue to green to amber. You can also make the light show rotate if your child needs more visual entertainment.
Soothing sounds help drown out noise from outside your baby’s room. The night light can be set to turn off within 15, 30 or 45 minutes.
One major positive is that the light that comes from the animal isn’t too bright and shouldn’t interfere with your child’s sleep.
We also like that the light is small enough for your child to carry around and won’t take up a lot of space.
And for slightly older children, they’ll be able to push the button to turn the display back on if they wake in the middle of the night.
Some parents found it a bit inconvenient that there is no continuous option to keep the light or music on for the duration of the night.
We also noticed that it may be easy for a child playing with the animal to turn it off by accident, which may frustrate or upset them if they’re unable to turn it back on.
#6. Munchkin Light My Way
The Munchkin Light My Way (click here to check the price on Amazon) is a portable and lightweight night light. It doesn’t take up a lot of room, and it comes with a handle so that your child can carry it around. The handle also makes it convenient to light your way from room to room.
Many users enjoy the durability of this item. It is designed to fit into small hands. Your child may like to play with the light or keep it in bed. It should stand up to this kind of use. The battery compartment screws on so that you don’t have to worry about your child accessing it.
One good thing about the Munchkin night light is that it is small enough to make it both versatile and travel-friendly.
We also really like the simplicity: the one-button operation is straightforward, and you won’t have to struggle to turn it on or off when you’re tired
We also found that the light is bright enough to do things like diaper your baby at night without needing to turn the room lights on.
One thing that we found slightly inconvenient is that the night light will only stay on for 20 minutes at a time, which can be frustrating for parents who would rather leave it on for longer durations as their baby falls asleep.
Another issue is that the product lacks color, movement, and music options that are generally found in many similar products.
#7. Safety 1st LED
The Safety 1st LED (click here to check the price on Amazon) is a basic plug-in night light which many people are familiar with. The LED bulb doesn’t get hot and uses 87% less electricity than a regular night light bulb. It also lasts longer before burning out and is less likely to crack if it’s dropped.
The night light has a clear lens that disperses the light. The light is bright enough to illuminate the floor without adding too much light to the room.
You may be able to use this in an outlet that’s hidden behind furniture and still get a glowing effect. If you do, the sensor may keep the light on all day.
The light sensor turns the night light off automatically during the day. The light goes on when it gets dark.
One of the first things we noticed was ease of use—the light is extremely easy to operate and won’t give any parent a hard time.
Another positive is that the light does not get hot, which means it will be completely safe for your little one to handle with no worries.
And on top of that, the battery and bulb never need any replacing, so parents won’t have to deal with the bulb going out at an inconvenient time.
Some parents noted that the light doesn’t have a timer or sensor that allows it to go off; it shines continuously all night, which may be inconvenient for some.
Another thing is that it is possible for a young child to pull on it and disconnect it from the wall, which could potentially be dangerous.
Wrapping Up
Night lights are awesome.
They don’t just make life easier for everyone, but they bring years of comfort and peace to babies and kids.
It teaches your child that night time isn’t so scary and that they can sleep without a care in the world.
Consider some of the features described above, some shopping tips, and the kind of light that will work best for your space and child’s individual needs when choosing the best baby night light for your little one!
