Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
A nightlight is the best defense against the boogeyman and those scary monsters hiding under the bed. A nightlight makes your child feel safer and more secure, allowing them to sleep more soundly. While nightlights are essential for children who are afraid of the dark, they are also useful for parents who come in for late-night feedings and diaper changes.
When you think of nightlights, you might envision the type that simply plugs into an electrical outlet. Modern nightlights, on the other hand, do far more than just provide additional lighting in your child's room. Many are multipurpose, with white noise machines or music players. Others include alarms and timers to assist with sleep training for newborns and toddlers. The way that nightlights emit light has also evolved. Many are now outfitted with projectors that project light and images onto your child's ceiling.
Continue reading for our picks for the best night lights for kids.
1. Echo Glow - Multicolor smart lamp for kids
When it comes to technology, the next generation will undoubtedly have an advantage. The Amazon Echo Glow is not your grandmother's bedside lamp. It's a voice-activated smart lamp designed specifically for children. When paired with another Alexa-compatible device, the lamp's brightness and colors can be controlled via voice.
It allows parents and children to set timers and countdowns using color-coordinated lights. Alexa can be asked to start a dance party, or they can use dynamic modes such as color flow, campfire, siren, firetruck, and underwater. There are even Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Valentine's Day modes.
It is 8.6 ounces and measures 3.9 inches by 3.9 inches by 3.2 inches. It is appropriate for children aged three and up.
2. Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine
This multifunctional product is programmable, so you can change the settings for the nightlight, sound machine, and time-to-rise alerts. This device is unique in that it is app-controlled, allowing you to change the settings without disturbing your sleeping child. It can also be activated while you are in the room. It has a selection of presets that combine light and sound to create an ideal sleeping environment, as recommended by sleep experts.
It has a lock feature to prevent your child from tampering with the settings and stays cool to the touch for maximum safety. It is 4 inches by 4 inches by 6.25 inches in size.
3. LittleHippo Mella
This selection is much more than a nightlight. It's intended to help with sleep training and functions as both a sound machine and an alarm clock. The Mella light's display uses colored lights and facial expressions to alert your child when it's time to wake up. When it's almost time for them to start their day, it glows yellow, and when it's time to get up, it glows green. The nightlight can glow in six different colors, each with three different brightness settings. There is also an option to set the nightlight to run on a timer.
The sound machine has three modes: white noise, ocean, and lullaby, and it can be played at five different volumes. It includes a nap timer with either a silent or audible countdown. It's powered by a USB adapter and has a child lock to prevent your child from accidentally—or intentionally—changing the settings after you've left the room. It is small and unobtrusive, measuring 4.25 inches by 4.25 inches by 4.5 inches and weighing 8 ounces.
Color and Luminosity
While the goal of any nightlight is to provide enough light to be comfortable without disturbing your child's sleep, the color and brightness can vary greatly. Your child may desire a nightlight that glows in their favorite color, but keep in mind that different colors have different effects.
Too much light and certain colors, such as blue, can actually disrupt melatonin production, affecting sleep. Choose a red or amber light instead, which have been shown to have almost no effect on melatonin production. 1 To avoid waking your child, try to find a dim, warm light rather than something bright.
Design
Because many children rely on nightlights for comfort and to alleviate their fear of the dark, it's important to find a design they'll like. Nightlights come in every shape and size you can think of, including plain shapes, animals, and your child's favorite characters. Choosing a fun design is a great way to make your child's bedtime ritual more enjoyable, so include them in the process.
Additional Features
Nightlights used to be just that: nightlights. Almost every option now appears to offer a little something extra, whether it's a dual function as a white noise machine or music player, an alarm or timer, or a projector to light and illuminate the ceiling or walls. Many of these extras can eliminate the need for other machines, but keep in mind that the primary function of a nightlight is to provide light, so don't get too caught up in the extra features.
When should I provide a nightlight for my child?
You can give your child a night light at any age, but you should be aware of any safety features that may make certain models more or less appropriate for infants and toddlers. For example, you should avoid night lights with easily accessible battery compartments.
Why shouldn't you sleep with a red LED light turned on?
It is acceptable to sleep with a red LED light on. Red light is one of the few colors that does not interfere with sleep. Red light, unlike other colors, has no effect on circadian rhythm and can even help promote sleep by increasing melatonin levels.
A red LED is unquestionably superior to a blue/white LED and will have far fewer negative effects on sleep. There are also non-LED red light options that emit red wavelengths, as well as long wavelength red LED lights that have been shown not to negatively impact sleep or melatonin production.
There are numerous night lights available, ranging from the most basic to those with projections, sounds, humidifiers, and color options. Some night lights are dim, while others are bright enough for reading and changing diapers.
Warm-colored night lights are preferable to blue and white lights, which can reduce sleep quality and make it difficult to fall asleep. Some lights have color options and the ability to adjust brightness. If you intend to use it to read before bed or change diapers during the night, a brighter light is recommended. If you intend to leave the light on all night, choose a low-wattage bulb.
Another factor to consider is whether the light is portable and easy to turn on if your child wakes up during the night. While plug-in options may be ideal for children who stay put or sleep through the night, a portable, battery-powered model may be preferable if your child wishes to take it into, say, the bathroom.