The 16 Best Night Lights of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Great Value Mini LED Night Light

$5 at Walmart

Based on our latest round of testing, the Great Value Mini LED Night Light stands out as the best night light for its clever features and affordable price point. At just 2 by 2 inches in size, the sleek design and compact shape fits easily into small spaces without taking up multiple plug points. You can plug it in with the light facing up or down depending on your preference. 

Over four months, we brought this night light into multiple rooms of the home, including bathrooms and kitchens, and found that it provided ample illumination without overwhelming the eyes. Due to the gadget’s compact size, we were also able to easily pack it away for trips, bringing it to different Airbnbs for further testing. 

Given that it can be hard to navigate unfamiliar spaces at night without turning on overhead lighting—which can be unpleasant and shocking to the senses—we love that this night light could easily stow away and be transported.

The night light also has smart features, like its light-sensitive timer. Once plugged in, we appreciated that you don’t have to worry about turning it on and off, since it automatically illuminates as the sun sets and shuts down as the sun rises, saving your time and energy. The light gradually grows and fades—dimming rather than starkly changing—allowing for a gentler, soothing ambiance.

To top it off, we love that the night light is set at optimal light color and brightness. At just 0.5 watts or 60 Hz, it doesn’t require excessive power. The light can’t be manually dimmed; however, it’s set at an ideal 3000K for a soft, warm yellow illumination—a comforting departure from harsh white LEDs reminiscent of office overhead lighting. 

At under $5, the night light’s price point is ideal and we love that it can also be found as a pack of two in stores. There was no noticeable change in brightness over the four months of testing, a good sign in terms of the light’s durability and long-term effectiveness.

^{Dimensions: 2.1 x 2.1 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 0.5 watts | Sensor type: Light-sensitive | Color options: No}

Best Manual

Amertac Westek Plug-in Night Light Incandescent with Faceted Manual Switch

$14 at Wayfair $6 at Ace Hardware

Looking for something simple and reliable? The Amertac Westek Plug-in Night Light fits the bill. Though it wasn't the most stylish option we tried, this product earned high marks for effectiveness due to its four watt brightness and easy-to-use design. 

While this night light doesn't have a motion sensor or any other smart features, we noted that the manual power switch can be more convenient for certain situations, as you don’t have to look at your phone to turn it on in the middle of the night—or walk by it to keep it illuminated. 

The design itself is somewhat dated in appearance; however, the clear lens and ridges ensure the light is evenly and abundantly distributed. Plus, we appreciated the warm illumination, which is easy on the eyes. At just under $6, the night light performs well for the price. Just note that it has a non-LED bulb, so it may not be as durable or long-lasting.

^{Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.25 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 4 watts | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: No}

Best Smart

Hatch Rest 2nd Gen

$70 $55 at Amazon $60 at Target View on Hatch.co

When it comes to having all the bells and whistles—and then some—the Hatch Rest Night Light is a sure bet. After nearly a year of testing, we found that all the extra features make it worth the extra penny. 

Like many smart lamps, it can be controlled and customized from your smartphone. You can choose from a wide array of colors, including soft yellow, red (great for middle-of-the-night wakeups), or brighter hues like blue and green. Plus, we love that it has an extensive selection of sounds that it can play, from lullabies and stories to ambient sounds and white noise. It can even play recordings from family members. 

These features make it especially great for kids’ rooms, although the customization and sleek design allows it to easily blend into adult rooms and shared spaces as well. 

The lamp comes with timer capabilities, so it can be automated to turn on at a set time or even run through a routine. We also liked that you can control the volume, brightness, and mode with an easy touch sensor at the top of the light. As an upgrade from previous generations of the Hatch lamp, this newer version can be plugged in or can function as a portable, cordless lamp thanks to its rechargeable battery. 

The lamp did prove to be somewhat finicky in our testing. Once, it turned off due to a defective base and another time, it died after 11 months of use. However, the customer support team proved to be helpful in replacing the product and it was able to be used everyday during that span of time.

^{Dimensions: 4.2 x 4.2 x 6.61 inches | Power source: Plug-in or rechargeable battery | Brightness: Customizable | Sensor type: Touch | Color options: Yes}

Best for Hallways

Vont Lyra LED Night Light

$13 at Amazon

Have lots of hallways and bathrooms? We love the Vont Lyra LED Night Light for such spaces, thanks to its compact size and bulk packaging. The lights come in packs of six, so you can easily scatter them throughout your home. Plus, at just under $12, they make for a great budget-friendly option. 

The design is sleek and compact, easily blending in with most home styles and aesthetics. Plus, we liked that the night lights have built-in darkness sensors, so they automatically turn on and off as the sun rises and sets, or depending on how much light comes into the specific area of your home, saving energy and money. 

In terms of ambiance, we noticed that the warm-white option isn’t as warm as a true yellow glow, leaning toward a more cool-white illumination; however, the LED bulbs proved to be long-lasting, earning high marks in durability and overall value.

^{Dimensions: 2.6 x 2.6 x 1 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 0.5 watts | Sensor type: Light-sensitive | Color options: No}

Best Projection-Style

BlissLights Sky Lite

$60 $50 at Amazon $90 at Walmart $50 at Target

If you’re looking to totally transform the mood of your space, we are fans of the BlissLights Sky Lite. The projection-style night light emits a mirage of stars and blue swirls across the room, enveloping the space in a galaxy-like scene. The brightness can be adjusted based on the users’ ideal preference.

This night light certainly makes a fun, dreamy addition to kids’ or teens’ rooms, scoring high marks on effectiveness and durability. However, we scored it lower on features and design, as it can only project one image and has a short cord that needs to be plugged in to function.

^{Dimensions: 6 x 3 inches | Power source: Corded electric | Brightness: Customizable | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: Blue, non-adjustable}

Best for Kids

Globe Electric Wally the Whale Multicolor LED Night Light

$15 $13 at Amazon

Oh so cute and squishy, the Globe Electric Wally the Whale Night Light instantly adds joy to a kids’ room or nursery. While we didn’t test this newer model specifically, we did test its older model, the Globe Electric Tommy Dinosaur. 

We loved that, like Wally the Whale, the light was small in size and had a rechargeable battery, allowing it to easily move around and be taken on the go for travels or family visits. The product is also made from BPA-free silicone, making it soft and squishy—ensuring that it’s safe for kiddos even if they play with it or knock it over. 

Another fun feature is the color-changing capability. By touching the whale’s head, you can choose from a wide selection of illumination hues to cater to your or your kids’ preferences. One downside we noted from the older model was that the battery life only ran for four hours, so it may not stay lit throughout the night and require being plugged in from time to time.

^{Dimensions: 6.89 x 5 x 4.37 inches | Power source: Corded electric, rechargeable battery | Brightness: N/A | Sensor type: Touch | Color options: Yes}

Best Budget

Westek Night Light with Clear Lens

$14 at Wayfair $14 at Home Depot View on Lightbulbs.com

If you prefer to keep things classic, the Westek Switch LED Night Light does the trick. A level up from the Amertac Westek Plug-in Night Light, we liked that this product allows you to choose when to keep the light off but still has a light-switch, so you can manually turn it on and off as you need—which can be more reliable than a finicky motion sensor. 

The night light also has a sleeker design than its counterpart, set in a triangular shape with the same clear lens. The nightlight comes in a two-pack, which we love as it makes for a great affordable option and ensures you get more bang for your buck. 

One detail we noticed is the LED bulb has a cool-white illumination, which can be overly stimulating at night time and isn’t as ambient as a warm, yellow illumination. However, it is long-lasting.

^{Dimensions: 6 x 2 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 1 Lumens | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: Yes}

Best Versatile

Westinghouse 4-in-1 Rechargeable Night Light

$35 $28 at Amazon $32 at Home Depot $35 at Lowes

Winning high marks across the board, we love the Westinghouse 4-in-1 Rechargeable Night Light as a reliable, unique pick. The versatile design allows you to use it as a standard night light, flashlight, or portable table light, by simply folding in the plug-in portion for different scenarios. 

The battery is also rechargeable, powering up while plugged into its outlet so that it can be used wirelessly when needed. 

Along with their sleek appearance, we liked that the night lights also feature motion and light sensors, making them energy- and cost-efficient. They automatically turn on as the sun sets and off as the sun rises if you opt for the auto-dim setting, or you can choose from motion-sensing and simple off settings based on your preferred illumination style. 

The light does have a cool-white glow which we noticed can be glaring at night; it also covers both outlets when plugged into the bottom socket. However, our testing proved that the versatility and feature-filled design make it worth it if those aren’t dealbreakers for you.

^{Dimensions: 4.25 x 2 x 1 inches | Power source: Plug-in, rechargeable battery | Brightness: 30 Lumens | Sensor type: Light-sensitive and motion | Color options: No}

Best for Teens

Allsop Home and Garden Glow Light

$99 at Amazon $116 at Wayfair $116 at Home Depot

Globe shapes are becoming more and more popular in lighting, so why not incorporate them into night lights? From our testing, we found that the elegant, minimalist shape makes a hit for teens and younger adolescents, who have surely seen versions of it on their feeds at some point. We love this one by Allsop Home, as it has 16 color options and five light modes that can be controlled via remote for ultimate ease and customization, adapting to any aesthetic or mood.

We also appreciated that the night light has a long USB power cord when the lamp needs to be used for longer periods of time. However, it also has a rechargeable battery that provides eight hours of illumination — a much longer lifespan than other rechargeable lights on this list. 

One downside we found was that the light is on the higher end in terms of price point. Additionally, its round shape makes it a bit more prone to rolling on some surfaces, since it doesn’t come with a stand of any kind. 

However, we do like its versatility. It can be used indoors and outdoors, a good sign in terms of its durability and effectiveness.

^{Dimensions: 12 x 12 inches | Power source: Plug-in, rechargeable battery | Brightness: N/A | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: Yes}

Best for Nurseries

Pottery Barn Kids Ceramic Moon Light

View on Potterybarnkids.com

A cute night light makes all the difference in a nursery, and our testing proved that the Pottery Barn Kids Ceramic Moon Nightlight checks all the boxes. Hand-painted and made from ceramics, we immediately noticed the quality of the light and design. The style is whimsical and nostalgic, adding charm to a space with its warm, soft glow. 

We also appreciated the on/off switch on the night light, ensuring that it’s only illuminated when you or your child wants it, rather than having a motion or light sensor that might be finicky or disturb sleep patterns.

While the price is a bit steep for a kids’ plug-in light, we found that it makes for a solid addition to a nursery. Just note that the design is a bit more delicate so it may be too fragile for a baby’s room once they start crawling. We also don’t love that it features a non-LED bulb, which means you’ll have to swap it out sooner than LED alternatives.

^{Dimensions: 5.25 x 3.25 x 2 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 5 watts | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: No}

Best Interactive

Pillow Pets Winnie-the-Pooh Plush Night Light

$35 $32 at Amazon $32 at Walmart $32 at Target

Sometimes kids need engagement before bedtime, so if you can combine the two in one product, it's a win-win. One product that achieves the feat? The Pillow Pets Sleeptime Winnie-the-Pooh Night Light, which is designed as plushie, pillow, and night light all in one. We liked that it has three color modes, as well as a projection light that illuminates stars across the ceiling, making it endlessly entertaining for kiddos.

Despite the product’s cute facade, we did notice some drawbacks. Our testers found that the design was a bit outdated. Plus, the top part of the head is hard, so it’s not ideal to use as a pillow although the product promises that. Batteries are also not included, so you’ll have to acquire them separately.

^{Dimensions: 14 x 9 x 8 inches | Power source: AAA batteries | Brightness: N/A | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: Yes}

Best Decorative

AUSAYE 2Pack Mushroom Night Light

$14 at Amazon

This mushroom-shaped night light acts as decor by day, and offers soft illumination by night. The product is equipped with dawn-to-dusk light sensitivity, saving energy. We also like its compact size, which allows it to fit easily in tighter spaces like bathrooms and hallways. 

While many night lights often have a basic shape, we love that this one has a whimsical design so that it doesn’t become an eyesore and instead enhances your space’s style. Some reviewers note that the material is made of thin plastic, and can therefore be fragile to handle.

^{Dimensions: 0.16 x 3.2 X 3.7 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 2 lumens | Sensor type: Light-sensitive | Color options: No}

Best for Toddlers

LittleHippo Mella

$65 $40 at Amazon $50 at Walmart $34 at Wayfair

The LittleHippo MELLA Children’s Night Light is widely raved about, and for good reason. We love that the light doubles acts as an alarm clock and sounds system, creating a fun and easy bedtime experience for little ones. The subtle colors help teach them when to wind down and wake up. Plus, it has three different sound options—including white noise and lullabies—and six color options, so you can cater it to your kids’ preferences.

The cute, round design is instantly smile-inducing and crafted from soft silicone to ensure safety. One potential drawback we noted is that there’s no brightness-adjusting or dimmer capabilities, so there can be a stark difference in ambiance when the light turns on.

^{Dimensions: 4.25 x 4.5 inches | Power source: Battery, corded electric | Brightness: N/A | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: Yes}

Best Sunrise Alarm Clock

Casper Glow Light

$129 $117 at Amazon $176 $90 at Target View on Casper

Want a night light that can help you wake up — without the harsh sound of an alarm clock? We suggest The Casper Glow Light, coveted for its self-dimming capabilities which promises to ease you into sleep. It also helps with signal when to start winding down if you’re prone to doom-scrolling through news or social media before bed.

The warm illumination can be customized to your ideal brightness level with a simple twist of the product or through the Glow app. We tested an older version of the light and loved the sleep and night owl modes that offer continuous ambient light. 

The product also has a motion sensor so that it glows when you need to get around in the middle of the night. We love that it’s chargeable and wireless so you can transport it with ease. Some reviewers, however, note that the chargeable base can be faulty and expensive to replace.

^{Dimensions: 5.25 x 3.75 inches | Power source: Rechargeable battery, electric cord | Brightness: Adjustable | Sensor type: Motion, touch | Color options: No}

Best for Travel

YogaSleep Travel Mini Sound Machine with Night Light

$28 $23 at Amazon $28 at Walmart View on Yogasleep.com

The Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machine with Night Light earns high marks across the board for its long-lasting battery, sleek design, and sound effect options. We love that the size is uber-compact, making it easy to tuck into your backpack, luggage, or even pocket as you embark on travels. 

The product has a rechargeable battery that can easily be powered up with the included USB lanyard—which also helps ensure the pieces don’t get lost. We also appreciate that it has six different sound options, from white noise to stream noises and more for ultimate bedtime relaxation.

^{Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.77 inches | Power source: Rechargeable battery | Brightness: N/A | Sensor type: N/A | Color options: No}

Best Red-Light

Yunlex Red Night Light

$16 $12 at Amazon

Many people prefer red light for late night wake ups and middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks, as the color is said to be easier on the eyes compared to harsher white or blue light which can be overly-stimulating and disrupt sleep. 

We like the YUNLEX Dimmable Red Night Light as it has three different brightness levels to choose from, depending on your preferred illumination. Plus, it automatically adjusts to ambient light, switching on at dusk and off at dawn to save energy. Another bonus? The compact design ensures it only takes up one outlet space.

^{Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.6 x 2.6 inches | Power source: Plug-in | Brightness: 0.5 watts | Sensor type: Light-sensitive | Color options: No}