The 5 Best Night Lights for Kids

Best Overall Night Light

Hatch Baby Rest Night Light

$70 at Amazon

81

OVERALL
SCORE

• Ease of Use 8.0
• Range of Brightness 10.0
• Durability 6.0

Sleep Timer: Yes | Portable: No

REASONS TO BUY

3-in-1 device & customization

App-control

Adjustable brightness

Charging cord with plug

Wide age range

REASONS TO AVOID

Button interface underneath

Don't be fooled by the sleek and straightforward appearance of the Hatch Baby Rest Night Light. It is a high-tech night light, combining three light, sound , and time-to-rise tool for toddlers and children. The exterior is plastic, and a charging cord and plug come with the device. Arguably one of the most innovative features of the Hatch is its app to control. Download the Hatch app onto a smartphone or tablet, and it will connect to your device through Bluetooth. This convenience means you can access and adjust the Hatch from the comfort of your bed without entering your child's room. Otherwise, control the device with its touch-sensitive silver ring on top or a button interface underneath. The app does provide a broader range of options than the other control methods. Create and save programs with your favorite color, sound, and brightness level through the app, which will run automatically. The program settings include a "Toddler Lock" option, so if a curious toddler touches the device, it will not disable a running program. Considering its range of functions, the Hatch will grow with your little one and provide years of service.

The Hatch has a few downsides. It only operates when plugged into an outlet. This lack of portability means you cannot take it from one room to another. Using the button interface underneath the device requires two hands (one to hold the device and the other to push buttons), which is slightly inconvenient if your arms are full with a baby. However, once you set up a program on the app, it will run automatically, and if modification needs to occur, the app is the easiest method to use. All in all, we think the Hatch has many praise-worthy features. If you fancy its minimal design, value its multiple functions, plus consider yourself tech-savvy and like the idea of using an app, we recommend the Hatch Baby Rest.

Best Budget-Friendly Night Light

LumiPets Bear

$25 at Amazon

77

OVERALL
SCORE

• Ease of Use 7.0
• Range of Brightness 8.0
• Durability 8.0

Sleep Timer: Yes | Portable: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

Soft silicone

Washable

Remote control

Adjustable brightness

REASONS TO AVOID

No wall plug & short cord

Fewer options without remote

Battery life mediocre

The LumiPets Bear is a perfect buddy for any child with eye-catching, bear-shape cuteness. The soft, squishy, non-toxic silicone material (free of BPA, latex, lead, and phthalate) is an adorable cuddle companion kids can hold. It is rechargeable, portable, and includes a micro USB cord. The Lumi is operated by tapping it to select one of nine colors or flowing through the color spectrum. Alternatively, you can use the remote control to choose the same color options, adjust the brightness, and set the sleep timer to 15, 30, and 60 minutes. The remote control is easy to use and exciting for children. Also, the LumiPets is dishwasher safe (what?!), a rare perk we appreciate in just about all baby gear.

The LumiPet does not come with a wall plug, and the charge cord is short, limiting where you plug it if you're using it. The remote control offers more features than tapping, so if the remote is accidentally lost, the options of adjusting brightness or setting a sleep timer will no longer be available. The remote control will only function with a power button pressed on the LumiPets first. We feel this flaw defeats the remote's purpose, especially if you need to walk across the room to press the button. Users mention the battery life is not ideal, and if you leave the LumiPets on through the night, it will need to charge for the next night. These factors aside, the LumiPets is a kid magnet. Seriously. If you think your child will enjoy an adorable light with multiple colors and remote control, we are sure LumiPets will provide bedtime happiness.

Best Bang for the Buck

Eufy Lumi Plug-In

$24 at Amazon

65

OVERALL
SCORE

• Ease of Use 9.0
• Range of Brightness 1.0
• Durability 10.0

Sleep Timer: No | Portable: No

REASONS TO BUY

Inexpensive

Multiple lights

REASONS TO AVOID

Cannot adjust brightness

As with all wall plug-in lights, the Eufy Lumi Plug-In embraces the set-and-forget mentality. Plus, at a budget-friendly cost per light, this option may appeal to those on a tight budget yet who need to illuminate multiple dark spaces around the home with a soft glow. So, if you need to brighten the route to the nursery and the bathroom for your toddler, you may consider this option. Also, this product offers longevity, providing light beyond late-night feeding and diaper changes and well into childhood for sleepovers.

The Eufy's appearance is not baby-centric, which may be a deal-breaker if you seek an adorable accessory for your nursery. But they're practical and affordable solutions for anyone who wants to illuminate several locations, such as hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.

Best for Double Duty While Traveling

VTech Myla The Monkey

$20 at Amazon

77

OVERALL
SCORE

• Ease of Use 7.0
• Range of Brightness 8.0
• Durability 8.0

Sleep Timer: Yes | Portable: Yes

REASONS TO BUY

Rechargeable

Control light brightness and sound volume

REASONS TO AVOID

Short cord

No wall plug

If you're hitting the road and need a dual-purpose product (a night light and sound machine), the VTech Myla The Monkey might be a good choice. This adorable monkey does it all, plus the travel-friendly size makes it a must-have when you are away from home. The monkey's cheeks let out gentle light, providing a familiar glow to help soothe your child's fears of the dark while falling asleep away from home. Plus, it can work in various locations, thanks to the monkey's stretchable tail that can hook around a stroller handle, doorknob, or baby's car seat. It is truly a cute pal you'd love to have tagging along. Customize the light's brightness with a button on the monkey's tummy, and it plays lullabies and white noise. You can also control the volume and an auto-timer (60 minutes) or choose to have it play on until it drains the rechargeable battery. We do appreciate not having to worry about ordering and storing alkaline batteries.

If you're charging the monkey while in use, keep in mind that the rechargeable cord is short, so this will limit where you can use it. Also, the Myla does not come with a wall plug. Therefore, you'll need to sacrifice a plug adapter or modern USB plug or purchase one for the monkey. Besides these drawbacks, the Myla works as a dual-purpose, travel-friendly product.

Our Favorite Projection Night Light

Cloud B Twilight Turtle

Sleep Timer: Yes | Portable: Yes

The Cloud B Twilight Turtle is a dreamy soother for little ones as they drift off to sleep. This soft, plush toy with a hard plastic shell projects eight major constellations onto the walls and ceiling in three color options: green, blue, amber, or flow through all colors. This product is durable and will withstand the rage of toddlers. Plus, it is portable as a battery-operated light and will automatically shut off after 45 minutes, preserving the battery. Use this light to entertain your baby during tummy time or incorporate it into naptime and bedtime routines. Regardless, we are sure this product will be a family favorite and provide years of enjoyment.

If you hope to use the turtle once it arrives, we advise having batteries on hand as the turtle does not include any. Also, there is no option to adjust brightness or to have it run constantly through the night. Therefore, we don't view this lovable turtle as a primary night light. Instead, we believe it is perfect for families who want a kid-friendly, adorable creature with an astral projection that will leave kids of all ages oohing and aahing. It may make the darkness seem less frightening.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	81	Hatch Baby Rest Night Light	$70
	77	LumiPets Bear	$25
	77	VTech Myla The Monkey	$22
	65	Eufy Lumi Plug-In	$22
	65	Vont Lyra LED Night Light	$12
	64	Skip Hop Soother Owl	$45
	52	Smart Chick	$25
	51	Cloud B Twilight Turtle	$45
	33	Munchkin Light My Way	$25

Why You Should Trust Us

We researched and purchased top night lights for quality, popularity, and applicability for nursery use. We tested the night lights side-by-side for considerations like quality, ease of use, features for little ones, durability, brightness range, and usefulness in the nursery or to help little ones relax or sleep.

Led by a pediatrician and mother of two children, BabyGearLab has tested baby-related products over the past decade, developing unique testing procedures and gaining expertise to rate and rank products. Directing our night light review is Molly Bradac, Senior Review Editor, as well as Nanny and Newborn Care Specialist with over 14 years of experience. Molly has worked with dozens of families, and her skills include sleep training, establishing sleep routines, and providing overnight care for newborns. Molly's experiences and knowledge render expert recommendations for you and your family. Also contributing to our review are little testers who play an essential role in our testing, allowing our experts further to assess usability and durability from a child's perspective.

Analysis and Test Results

We purchased each product in our lineup to evaluate real-world performance. While completing hands-on testing and side-by-side comparisons, we focused on specific factors, such as product ease of use, range of brightness, and durability. A product's overall score is a combination of scores in these metrics.

Value

If you plan to illuminate multiple dark spaces, such as hallways, staircases, bathrooms, and bedrooms, the Eufy Lumi Plug-In includes multiple lights in a pack, making the cost per light budget-friendly. This night light option embraces the set-it-and-forget-it mentality, offers longevity, and is a possible solution for families with multiple children. However, if your tot seeks a more kid-focused night light to bring happiness to bedtime, the adorable LumiPets Bear is the true winner. It not only has a budget-friendly price tag, but it is well-loved by children.

Ease of Use

As busy parents and caregivers, we already have enough to focus on, so why add to it? We believe a top-notch product should have a user-friendly interface, offer portability, illuminate throughout the night, and include a charge cord and wall plug-in adaptor, allowing the product to be ready to charge out of the packaging.

Among the competition, the Eufy Lumi Plug-In and Vont Lyra LED Night Light rank high. These products shine in this metric mainly due to their design. Considering their power source, they are ready to illuminate straight out of their packaging and require no learning curve. Plug them in and forget about the rest; they'll automatically operate as the room darkens or brightens. The only downside is that they're not portable, which impacts their score; however, with multiple lights in a pack, you should have enough to illuminate many areas around your home.

If a plug-in wall style is not what you seek, the Hatch Baby Rest is a runner-up contender that scores high and may meet your needs. This device is app-controlled, and although it may require a slight learning curve, it is convenient and easy to use. You can also operate this device remotely or customize programs with your favorite settings that will run automatically. Plus, we were happy to see that the product includes a rechargeable cord and wall plug-in adaptor. In contrast, some contenders did not have an adaptor, causing us to sacrifice one from around the house.

On the flip side, the Cloud B Twilight Turtle and Munchkin Light My Way rank low in this metric. Both products do not run throughout the night, and although the Cloud B Twilight Turtle has easy-to-push and operate buttons, we can not say the same about the Munchkin, which has a small power button that is tricky for toddlers to find in the dark. Plus, the sleep timer on the Munchkin is only 20 minutes, increasing the likelihood that you'll need to get out of bed to help your child in the dark.

Range of Brightness

Ideally, a night light should illuminate enough space to provide adequate vision, but it shouldn't disrupt your baby's sleep. Therefore, we value products that offer adjustability and a wide range of illumination over those that do not, and we considered this when scoring the competition.

Most of the competition offers adjustable brightness; however, the Hatch Rest provides the most extensive range, giving it some leverage and a high score, making it a top performer in this metric. However, the Cloud B Twilight Turtle, Eufy Lumi Plug-In, Munchkin Light My Way, and Vont Lyra LED Night Light do not offer adjustable brightness and, thus, rank low.

Durability

Children are not always gentle or careful creatures, and we anticipate a product to drop, fall, or crash at some point. Therefore, durability is vital, especially if your little one will be handling it. We assessed each product for material, sturdiness, and areas that may raise concerns.

Among the competition, the Cloud B Twilight Turtle, Eufy Lumi Plug-In, and Vont Lyra LED Night Light rank high. The plug-ins are nearly indestructible; from our experience, the Cloud B Turtle stands the test of time, moving from one child to the next. However, the Smart Chick scores low in this metric. While testing, we noticed that the chick's eyes could fall off, which we believe is unsuitable for younger tots.

Conclusion

A night light can provide a soft glow for midnight feedings and changes, a quick peek at your sleeping baby or reassure your little one that the darkness doesn't harbor lurking monsters. No matter why you need a night light, we think most parents will be grateful to have illumination at night. We've tested a variety of styles, including child-centric choices and more straightforward lighting. Let our expert recommendations help streamline your decision-making process. We are confident there is a perfect night light here to meet your needs and budget.