We researched and tested a dozen of today’s top options, assessing each product based on design, effectiveness, features, durability, and overall value. Our number one pick is the Westinghouse 4-in-1 LED Night Light, a versatile illuminator with a rechargeable battery that lasts six hours. Scroll down for the best night lights for every lifestyle and budget. After trying out a dozen options, the Westinghouse 4-in-1 Night Light was a clear winner. With a modern design that will work well throughout your home, our home tester gave it perfect scores for effectiveness, features, and durability. It comes with plenty of thoughtful features—including integrated light- and motion-sensing technology, which turns the unit on at dusk and off at dawn—that made it stand out from the rest. In addition to acting as a standard plug-in night light, this multipurpose unit also works as a security light in the event of a power outage. It charges on the wall and offers six hours of illumination when it’s not plugged in. When you remove it from the wall, you can fold in the plug so it’s flush with the rest of the light. This allows you to use it as a pocket flashlight, or place it on a flat surface when you need illumination. And unlike many other night lights, there’s a power button right on the side. Though this night light isn’t the most affordable option we tried, we appreciate that it comes in packs of three. Note that our tester wasn’t a huge fan of the cool-white illumination, as it can be stimulating if left on while sleeping. However, this is often the case with LEDs. All in all, this light is an excellent option for use all around the home. Price at time of publish: $35 While this night light doesn’t have a motion sensor or any other fancy bells and whistles, our tester still appreciated features like the handy power switch, which can be more convenient than a finicky motion sensor. While we wish the illumination were a bit warmer, it performed well for the price and would work particularly well for bathrooms or living spaces where the cool-white light might be less of a bother. Price at time of publish: $10 This night light earned high marks for effectiveness and features: It’s relatively basic, but has a dusk-til-dawn darkness sensor and gets the job done. And if you’re not keen on cool-white illumination, there’s a warm option, too. Price at time of publish: $12 Apart from its design, this light is fairly basic. Unlike some other options we tried, it doesn’t have an auto turn-off, but a simple on/off switch will still get the job done. We deducted a point for durability because it’s well-made yet somewhat fragile, which could pose an issue once a child starts crawling and walking. Price at time of publish: $39 The time-to-rise feature illuminates different colors to indicate when your child should stay in bed versus when they can get up in the morning—a potential life-saver for parents. We deducted half a point for effectiveness, as it functions great as a night light but won’t keep every mischievous toddler in bed when they’re supposed to be. Though the Rest is somewhat pricey for a night light, we’d say it’s worth the money overall. Price at time of publish: $95 Another perk of this night light is its rechargeable battery: You’ll get up to four hours of fun off a single charge, making it perfect for travel or on the go. If it’s all-night illumination you’re after, you’ll have to plug it in. Price at time of publish: $18 Offering five brightness levels, 16 color options, a rechargeable battery with eight hours of cord-free illumination, and easy controls with included remote, the Glow earned high marks for effectiveness and features. Since it’s designed for outdoor use, it’s also waterproof, making it a highly durable option. Price at time of publish: $99 Designed to go in bedrooms without disrupting your shut-eye, this light has two modes—sleep and night owl— which you control from the switch on the back. The sleep mode function goes on automatically when the room gets dark and offers a continuous, gentle ambient light. Since you can’t adjust the brightness or color, we deducted a point for features. But all things considered, the Glow Light is a versatile option for grown-ups and kids alike. Price at time of publish: $35 Though it doesn’t have a motion sensor, an on/off switch, or smart capabilities, it does have a darkness sensor and relatively straightforward functionality that gets the job done. Sold in packs of two, it’s an affordable option that doesn’t sacrifice quality. Price at time of publish: $11 After putting them to the test overnight, the lights were evaluated based on design, effectiveness, features, durability, and overall value, then awarded a score from 1 to 5 (5 being the best; 1 being the worst) in each category. The products with the highest scores in all categories were ultimately chosen for this roundup.
What to Look for in a Night Light
Childproofing
If you’re planning to keep the light in a baby or toddler’s room, you may want to skip corded options (or make sure to keep it far from their reach). Battery compartments should have screws to protect them from kids’ curious fingers. Some smartphone-compatible alarms, like the Hatch Rest, also have a “Toddler Lock” setting so little ones can’t override your preferences.
Power Source
Some lights plug into the wall while others use only batteries. A USB charger can be a handy feature, as can battery backup on wall-powered devices (if the power goes out, your settings will be preserved).
Extra Features
Bluetooth compatibility can be handy, but if your home has dead zones for mobile reception, it might not be ideal. Some night lights also have added features such as motion detection, an alarm clock, or a white noise machine.
Style
“When selecting a lighting style for your home, the most important consideration is the style of the home itself,” says Fendy Castillo, Gómez’s partner at Nemai Studio. “After you decide what style works best with your home, you must determine whether you will use it as general ambient lighting, task lighting, or accent lighting.” Night lights are primarily functional, but with the right design and a warm glow, they can enhance the ambiance of a space.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This story was written by Theresa Holland, a freelance commerce writer specializing in lifestyle, sleep products, and kids’ gear. Our editors researched today’s standout night lights and sent her home with a dozen to try out in a real-life setting. She carefully inspected, tested, and evaluated each product before landing on the final picks. As a toddler mom, Theresa is familiar with various types of night lights and time-to-rise gadgets and keeps a Hatch Rest+ in her child’s bedroom. Theresa has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers home goods, lighting, and interior decor. You can read more of her bylines on MyDomaine and Verywell Family.
