The 11 Best Night Lights of 2023, Tested by The Spruce

Best Overall

Westinghouse 4-in-1 Rechargeable LED Night Light (3 Pack)

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4.8/5

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, the product earned 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 we weren't huge fans 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

_{Dimensions: 4.25 x 2 x 1 inches | Power Source: Plug-in/rechargeable battery | Average Life: 10,000 hours | Pack Size: 3}

Best Budget

Westek Manual Switch LED Night Light with Clear Lens

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

On a budget? The Westek Manual Switch Light will only run you a few bucks. Though it wasn't the sturdiest option we tried, this product earned high marks for design and durability on account of the basic, pared-down appearance and LED bulb that promises 10,000 hours of illumination. 

While this night light doesn't have a motion sensor or any other fancy bells and whistles, we 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

_{Dimensions: 2 x 6 x 7 inches | Power Source: Plug-in | Average Life: 10,000 hours | Pack Size: 2}

Best Set

Vont Lyra LED Night Light (6-Pack)

4.4

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Features
  4/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

If you're looking for a multipack to use around your home, Vont's Lyra LED Night Lights might be your best bet. Available in sets of six, we gave the Lyra a perfect score for design, noting the sleek, modern appearance and compact size. Though these lights feel lightweight and sort of cheap, they're actually made of sturdy, fire-resistant thermoplastic and have an LED bulb with a 10,000-hour life span.

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

_{Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 2 inches | Power Source: Plug-in | Average Life: 10,000 hours | Pack Size: 6}

Best for Nurseries

Pottery Barn Kids Ceramic Moon Light

4.4

View On Potterybarnkids.com

Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Durability
  4/5
• Overall Value
  4.2/5

For lighting solutions in nurseries, we recommend the Ceramic Moon Light from Pottery Barn Kids. With a hand-painted ceramic face, it has a charming, somewhat old-fashioned look that will delight kiddos and parents alike. During testing, we found that it did its job well, emitting warm illumination that wasn't too stimulating for sleeping babies.

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

_{Dimensions: 2 x 3 x 5 inches | Power Source: Plug-in | Average Life: N/A | Pack Size: 1}

Best Smart

Hatch Rest Night Light and Smart Sound Machine

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4.8/5

If you’re in the market for a night light that offers more than just your standard illumination, the Hatch Rest is definitely worth considering. This night light comes with a handful of smart features that will make mornings and evenings all the easier. During our tests, we liked the simple, modern appearance, mobile app controls, various light modes, tap-to-change colors, and multiple sleep programs.

This pick is also ideal for those who have toddlers, as there are many settings that can help establishing a bedtime routine go more smoothly. For example, 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

_{Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 6 inches | Power Source: Corded electric | Average Life: N/A | Pack Size: 1}

Best for Kids

Globe Electric Multicolor Silicone Night Light Lamp

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Features
  4.5/5
• Durability
  4.5/5
• Overall Value
  4.6/5

Shopping for a kid's bedroom? You can't go wrong with Globe Electric's Multicolor Silicone Night Lamp. Available in a variety of fun characters—including Rylie the Unicorn, Wally the Whale, and Tommy the Dinosaur—these whimsical night lights will add a dose of fun to your kiddo's sleep routine. Each BPA-free light has a soft, squishy feel that we loved. With just a tap on its head, you can cycle through a variety of colors that emit a soft, warm glow.

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

_{Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 7 inches | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Average Life: 4 hours | Pack Size: 1}

Best for Teens

Allsop Home and Garden Glow Harvest Moon Light

4.7

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Our Ratings

• Design
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Features
  5/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

For teens and tweens, we suggest the Glow Harvest Moon Light from Allsop Home and Garden. We gave this globe-shaped light a 4.5 for design, knocking off just a half point because it's pretty big (12 inches in diameter) and requires a somewhat large, flat surface.

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

_{Dimensions: 4.5-inch base, 12 inches tall | Power Source: Rechargeable battery | Average Life: 6-8 hours | Pack Size: 1}

Best for Adults

Casper Glow Night Light

4.7

View On Amazon View On Casper

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4.8/5

Colorful night lights aren't just for kids! If you're looking for something a bit more sophisticated than everyday, child-friendly options, we highly recommend the Casper Glow. We gave it perfect scores for design and durability, considering its compact, modern appearance and long-lasting LED bulb.

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

_{Dimensions: 1 x 2 x 2 inches | Power Source: Plug-in | Average Life: N/A | Pack Size: 2}

Best for Bathrooms

SerieCozy Night Light (2 Pack)

4.6

View On Amazon

Our Ratings

• Design
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Features
  4/5
• Durability
  5/5
• Overall Value
  4.5/5

If you want to avoid bumping into your door or counter on your way to the bathroom in the middle of the night but prefer not to flip on the overheads, SerieCozy is an excellent choice. Available in six colors and boasting a long-lasting LED bulb, this night light has a durable design that is versatile enough to use throughout your home.

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

_{Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 0.5 inches | Power Source: Plug-in | Average Life: N/A | Pack Size: 2}

Best for Toddlers

Yogasleep Light to Rise Sleep Trainer, Sound Machine, and Night Light

View On Yogasleep.com

If you have a toddler at home, you’ll definitely want to check out the Yogasleep Light to Rise Sleep Trainer, Sound Machine, and Night Light. As the name suggests, this device offers more than just a comforting illumination at night. The adjustable multicolored light is the ultimate bedtime companion, as the feature-packed device aims to help aid your child’s sleep training as they establish a bedtime routine. It comes with 30 different comforting sounds, including fan sounds, nature sounds, and lullabies.

You can also program custom sleep schedules on the nightlight and designate a certain time for Sleep Mode, which will gradually dim and then shut off the nightlight after one hour. In Wake Mode, a yellow light will start off dim, gradually intensify, and turn green when it’s time to get up. The Yogasleep Night Light helps with the repetition of a nighttime routine and can support your child as they set up a consistent sleep cycle, which is especially helpful for toddlers who are newly developing these habits.

Price at time of publish: $45

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Power Source: Corded electric | Average Life: N/A | Pack Size: 1}