Nursery & Sleep Products The Best Night-Lights for Kids to Keep the Monsters at Bay By Julie Evans Julie Evans LinkedIn Julie Ryan Evans is a writer and editor who has worked with Microsoft, USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, CafeMom, SheKnows, and more. Learn about our editorial process and Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey Katrina Cossey is a freelance writer covering topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Often used to soothe a little one’s fear of the dark, night-lights can also encourage kids to sleep in their own bed. The glowing light can be useful if your child is going through a sleep regression, or if you need help navigating their room during late-night check-ins. But not all night-lights are conducive to good sleep. “The most important thing in choosing a night-light is the color; the light should offer a warm, red/amber/orange hue option,” explains Allison Panesar, founder and certified sleep consultant at the Sleep Collaborative. “The night-light also should be quite dim or have a dimmer, as using a night-light that is too bright can make sleep more difficult. You also do not want to place the night-light too close to the child's crib or bed whenever possible.” Other things to consider when choosing a night-light are extra features like music and sounds, battery options, projected images, and alarm capabilities. In order to find the best night-lights for kids, we consulted with a certified sleep consultant. We also researched reviews from customers and competitors, and studied the features of dozens of products. When selecting on our picks, we considered design, ease of use, age recommendations, special features, and price. A family physician from our Review Board reviewed this article for medical accuracy, what to look for in one of these tools, and the myriad benefits for both kids and caregivers. From wall night-lights to options that cloak the entire room in a satisfying glow, these are the best night-lights for kids. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Lumipets Jumbo Bear Kids' Night-Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best Sound Machine: Hatch Rest Night Light at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: Munchkin Light My Way Nightlight at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Travel: YogaSleep Travel Mini Sound Machine with Night Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best Plug-In: Pottery Barn Kids Unicorn Nightlight at Potterybarnkids.com Jump to Review Best Remote Control: Easuntec 3D Dinosaur Night-Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best Projection: RTOSY Stars and Moons Night-Light and Projector at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Music: Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Baby Soother at Amazon Jump to Review Best Basic: GE GE Automatic LED Plug-In Night-Light at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall Lumipets Jumbo Bear Kids' Night-Light 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros Remote control Several animal options Portable Cons Cannot store previous settings For a night-light that’s as cute as it is functional, the Lumipets Jumbo Bear is our top pick thanks to its kid-friendly design and ease of use. The soft silicone LED light with a smiling face remains cool when in use, so it's safe for kids to handle. You can choose the light's hue from nine colors with the included remote control, or by pressing on the unit itself. The night-light also has an adjustable dimmer and a timer you can set to automatically turn the light off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes. This portable night-light operates on a rechargeable battery via USB making it useful for traveling or navigating hallways in the middle of the night. In addition to the bear design, Lumipets come in other animal shapes, including cats, puppies, elephants, rabbits, and hippos. Price at time of publication: $25 Best Sound Machine Hatch Rest Night Light and Smart Sound Machine 4.9 Walmart View On Walmart View On Potterybarnkids.com View On Hatch.co Pros Fully customizable via app Wake-up alerts Many color options Cons App required to use remotely Costly When it comes to helping your child get a good night's sleep, this machine has you covered on all counts. From Hatch Baby, it combines a night light, a sound machine, and a wake-up time alert in one easy-to-use unit. Sleep consultant Panesar calls this her "personal favorite," and one reason is because having multiple devices in one means your kids' room is less cluttered with electronics. “The main benefit is that it includes 10 preset, dimmable colors (including warm red and yellow), as well as the option to choose your own colors in the app," she adds. "Having this night-light connected to your phone also allows you to remotely dim it further for kids who need a little extra light as they're initially falling asleep." You can also program it to let kids know when it’s time to wind down and start their bedtime routine. It basically does everything but rock your kids to sleep. It also includes a "time-to-rise" clock for toddlers and older kids, which is when the color changes in the morning to signal that it's wakeup time and OK to leave their rooms. Price at time of publication: $70 Best Budget Munchkin Light My Way Nightlight Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Munchkin.com Pros Easy-grasp handle Automatic shut-off Adorable design Cons LED light too bright for some Timer is short, not adjustable For middle-of-the-night trips down the hall or to the potty, a portable night light can light the way. This battery-operated owl is up for the job. It has a handle that's easy for toddlers to grab and looks great perched on a nightstand as well. One push of a button is all it takes to turn it on, and then it automatically turns off after 20 minutes. It runs on three AAA batteries, which are included, and there are no cords or plugs to worry about. LED technology ensures it stays cool too, so you don’t have to worry about kids burning themselves. Parents give this night-light high marks all around, saying it helps kids face their fear of the dark, and they love the automatic shut-off feature. Price at time of publication: $29 The 14 Best Twin Mattresses for Kids of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best for Travel YogaSleep Travel Mini Sound Machine with Night Light Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Best Buy Pros Warm, amber light Doubles as sound machine Portable Cons Sound quality could be better Battery life is short No timer This small night-light doubles as a sound machine, so you can take it on family vacations or keep it at home. When lit, the amber light gives off a soft enough glow for children to see their surroundings without being too bright. While it doesn’t come with a remote, the night-light has three dimmable options and six different sounds to choose from. It rechargeable via USB, so parents and caregivers don’t have to worry about buying batteries. Plus, its small design is perfect for tossing in your luggage before you head out the door. Price at time of publication: $26 Best Plug-In Pottery Barn Kids Unicorn Nightlight Pottery Barn Kids View On Potterybarnkids.com Pros Easily cleaned Crafted from ceramic Easy-to-use on/off switch Cons Cannot be customized No timer What could be more magical than a pretty unicorn lighting your sweetie's way in the night? From Pottery Barn, this whimsical night-light emits just enough comforting light and plugs into a wall outlet. The unicorn’s body is white, and the horn is a shimmery gold, all of which glows magically when it’s switched on. Not only is it useful for navigating and providing a source of comfort at night, but it adds a pop of personality to the room’s decor as well. It requires one 5-watt C battery, which is included. Price at time of publication: $39 The Best Board Books for Your Littlest Reader Best Remote Control Easuntec 3D Dinosaur Night-Light Courtesy by Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 3D effect Remote control More than a dozen color options Cons Small design Power adaptor not included This 3D dinosaur night-light from Easuntec adds a ferocious pop of personality to any room. When lit, it appears almost like a hologram in the dark. Kids can change the color via a remote and turn the dino red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, purple, and white. There are also flash modes to select from—though that's probably not going to be helpful at bedtime. Since it runs on three AA batteries (not included), you can move it anywhere in your child's room, but it can also be powered via a USB cord. Parents say this night-light is easy to use, and kids go crazy for it. If they're not into dinosaurs, it also is available in other shapes, including a butterfly and an ice cream cone. Price at time of publication: $23 Best Projection RTOSY Stars and Moons Night-Light and Projector Amazon View On Amazon Pros Remote control Built-in timer Projects night sky in different colors Cons Batteries not included Isn't completely silent when rotating If you're experiencing some toddler sleep challenges, give this out-of-this-world night-light a try. It projects stars, the moon, and planets for a soothing atmosphere as it spins. There are different colors and lighting effects to choose from, and they can all be controlled by remote control. If you want to add a little mood music, this one is also equipped with 12 different sleep-inducing songs. Parents say this is a high-quality machine that’s easy to use and provides lots of fun options. The light it emits is bright enough to provide comfort to those who may be afraid of the dark, but not so bright as to interfere with their sleep. Price at time of publication: $58 Best with Music Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Baby Soother Amazon View On Amazon View On Kohls.com View On Macy's Pros Projects lights Plays music Automatic shut-off timer Cons One color option Controlled manually This wise owl from Skip Hop knows a thing or two about getting kids to go to bed. Its belly glows with a soothing light, which can be adjusted to just the right level of brightness. It also can project twinkling celestial patterns on the ceiling to mesmerize them into a sweet slumber. For some extra sleep-inducing power, it also plays lullabies and white noise nature sounds. You can control the volume and set a timer to have the machine automatically turn off after a certain amount of time. It measures 5.51 x 4.5 x 6 inches, and it plugs into any standard electrical outlet. Price at time of publication: $45 The 11 Best White Noise Machines of 2023 Best Basic GE Automatic LED Plug-In Night-Light Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Home Depot Pros No bulbs to replace Warm light Light doesn’t get hot to the touch Cons Light cannot be dimmed Only turns off when unplugged If you need a night-light that’s easy-to-use with no bells and whistles, you’ll appreciate GE’s automatic night-light. You can plug it into any standard outlet, so you can use it almost anywhere. Parents and caregivers will appreciate the night-light’s sleek design to help match home decor. Plus, thanks to the energy efficient LED light, you never have to worry about replacing bulbs or the light becoming hot to the touch. Price at time of publication: $10 Final Verdict The Lumipets Jumbo Bear night-light has all the features you could possibly want in a night-light, in the cuddliest of packages. For a simpler, less expensive (but equally cute) night-light, go with the Munchkin Light My Way. How We Selected the Best Night-Lights We chose the best night-lights for kids by researching reviews from customers and competitors, and by studying the features of dozens of products on the market. We also consulted with Allison Panesar, founder and certified sleep consultant at the Sleep Collaborative, for any additional criteria to use in this choice. We considered price, design, special features, ease of use, age recommendations, and material when deciding our picks. What to Look for in a Night-Light for Kids Color and Brightness While the purpose of any night-light is to emit enough light to provide comfort without disturbing your little one's sleep, the color and brightness can greatly vary. Your child may want a night-light that glows in their favorite color, but it's important to remember that different colors can have different effects. Too much light and colors like blue can actually disrupt melatonin production, which affects sleep. Instead, opt for a red or amber light, which have both been shown to have almost no effect on melatonin production. You should also try to find a dim, warm light rather than something bright to avoid waking your child. “Warm-hued color lights such as orange and yellow also do not interfere much with sleep. You want to stay away from blue lights or other cool colors (white, green, etc.), which are proven to disrupt sleep patterns and boost alertness,” Panesar, tells Verywell Family. “It's equally important to note that children should also be kept away from screens and other blue light sources for at least an hour prior to bedtime, as well.” Design Since many kids look to night-lights for comfort and to alleviate their fear of the dark, it's a good idea to find a design they will love. Night-lights come in every form you can imagine, including plain shapes, animals, and your child's favorite characters. Choosing a fun design is a great way to make your little one's bedtime ritual more pleasant, so be sure to involve them in the process. Added Features Long gone are the days when night-lights were just night-lights. Now, almost every option seems to offer a little something extra, be it a dual function as a white noise machine or music player, an alarm or timer, or a projector to illuminate the ceiling or walls with light and images. Many of these extras can eliminate the need for other machines, but remember, at the end of the day, a night-light's job is to provide light, so don't be so caught up in the bonus features that it takes away from the principal goal. Frequently Asked Questions What is the best color light for kids' sleep? Certain colors of light, such as blue and bright white, have actually been shown to have negative effects on sleep, as they interfere with melatonin production. To ensure your child is getting the best sleep possible, look for a red or amber light. These don't disrupt melatonin production or risk waking up your little one. “The best color for kids' sleep is red light. Red light does not interfere with sleep or melatonin production the way that blue light does, and some studies have shown that certain types of red light (lights that actually emit red wavelengths instead of lightbulbs simply tinted red) may even improve sleep,” says Panesar. Do night lights help children sleep? While there are myriad ways a night-light can help your children fall and stay asleep, not every night-light is created equal, and some may actually have the opposite effect. Since color and brightness can make or break melatonin production, it's important to look for a dim, warm light in an amber or red color, which will actually help your child's sleep rather than harm it. Panesar tells Verywell Family night-lights are helpful in the majority of children she works with “as long as they are the correct color and are kept dim.” She continues, “In younger babies, having a night-light prevents parents from needing to turn on a light (or using their phone flashlight, which is very common these days and is incredibly disruptive!) during overnight feedings or check-ins.” Panesar recommends a dim, warm night-light so babies don’t become too alert during overnight feedings. “Toddlers and older children often develop nighttime fears, and a dim night-light provides extra comfort and security in their rooms, often translating to better overall sleep and reduced overnight wakeups," Panesar says. "A night-light is also extremely beneficial for potty-trained children who may need to get up in the middle of the night.” Why should you not sleep with a red LED light on? It's OK to sleep with a red LED light on. Red light is actually one of the few colors that does not negatively affect sleep. Unlike other colors, red light has no impact on circadian rhythm, and it can even help promote sleep by boosting levels of melatonin.“A red LED is certainly better than a blue/white colored one and will have far less negative impacts on sleep. There are also red light options that emit red wavelengths and are non-LED, as well as long wavelength red LED lights which are shown to not impact sleep or melatonin production negatively,” Panesar explains. “Keeping the light dim and the correct color appears to improve sleep the most, and I see tremendous improvements in children's sleep whoare using dim, red light.” Why Trust Verywell Family Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. 2 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Kayumov L, Casper RF, Hawa RJ, et al. Blocking low-wavelength light prevents nocturnal melatonin suppression with no adverse effect on performance during simulated shift work. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005;90(5):2755-2761. doi:10.1210/jc.2004-2062 Figueiro MG, Sahin L, Roohan C, Kalsher M, Plitnick B, Rea MS. Effects of red light on sleep inertia. NSS. 2019;11:45-57. doi:10.2147/NSS.S195563 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit