But with endless options, from smart gadgets to plush companions, finding the right balance of brightness and features is tough.
We tested top-rated options, comparing ease of use, light quality, and extra features to help you catch more Zs.
Here are the best baby night lights to keep your nursery safe and sleepy.
- Programmed to turn on automatically
- Offers a variety of colors & sounds
- Includes toddler lock feature
- Lifetime warranty
- Soothing anti-blue light
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Easy control touch
- Adjustable light intensity
- Battery lasts up to 40 hours
- Adjustable volume control
- Four colorful lights
- Responds to baby’s cry
- Three soothing sounds and songs
- Three projection images
- Built-in timer
- Plays 10 different lullabies
- Five different volume settings
- Velcro straps secure it in place
- Mobile soother and night light modes
- Includes three adorable spinning toys
- Plays 18 non-repetitive tunes
Why You Need a Night Light
You might wonder if you really need a dedicated gadget when you could just crack the hallway door. Is a specific nursery light actually worth the money?
We found several solid reasons to add one to your baby gear lineup.
- Comfort: A soft glow can reassure toddlers afraid of the dark, making bedtime battles easier.
- Practicality: It makes nighttime feedings and diaper changes smoother since you aren’t fumbling with bright overhead switches.
- Security: You can peek in on your sleeping baby without risking a floorboard creak or a blinding flash of light.
- Safety: A night light illuminates trip hazards like crib legs or stray toys, saving your toes from inevitable destruction.
- Cost-efficiency: Unlike leaving a closet light on, modern night lights use LED technology that sips electricity and won’t spike your bill.
Types of Baby Night Lights
Not all lights are created equal. Here are the main styles you will encounter while shopping.
Plug-In
These classic units plug directly into a wall outlet. They are great for saving shelf space. Many modern versions include “dusk-to-dawn” sensors, meaning they automatically turn on when the room gets dark and shut off when the sun comes up.
Projection
These cast images, like stars, moons, or animals, onto the ceiling or walls. They are excellent for distracting a fussy baby or entertaining a toddler. However, placement is key. If the light is too far from the surface, the images might look blurry or faint.
Plush
A plush night light is essentially a stuffed animal with a glowing belly or back. These are designed to be cuddly companions. Keep in mind that for safety, these should not be placed inside the crib with a baby under 12 months (1).
Portable
These offer the most freedom. You can place them on a changing table, a nightstand, or carry them to the bathroom for toddler potty trips. Most run on rechargeable batteries via USB, though some still require standard AA or AAA batteries.
Lamp and Shade
This style mimics a traditional table lamp but usually features whimsical designs. While cute, they are often too bright for sleeping unless paired with a very low-wattage bulb. They work better as decor than functional sleep aids.
Candle
Real candles are a massive fire hazard and should never be used in a nursery. If you love the flickering ambiance, opt for a battery-operated flameless candle. They provide that cozy vibe with zero risk of fire.
How to Choose a Baby Night Light
With hundreds of options on Amazon, narrowing it down can be a headache. Keep these specific factors in mind to find the perfect match.
Outlet Location
Scan the room. Where are the power outlets relative to the crib? If the only outlet is right next to your baby’s head, a plug-in light might be too intense. Conversely, if the outlet is behind a dresser, the sensor might not work properly.
If your outlet situation is tricky, a portable, rechargeable light is your best bet.
Light Color
The color of the light matters more than you think. Blue lights mimic daylight and stimulate the brain, which is the exact opposite of what you want at 3 a.m.
Look for lights that offer red or amber hues. Red light has the least impact on circadian rhythms and melatonin production, helping your baby (and you) stay in “sleep mode” during nighttime wake-ups.
Timers
Do you want the light on all night, or just while your baby falls asleep? Many parents prefer a timer function to save battery or ensure total darkness later in the night. The best models allow you to choose “always-on” or specific timer durations.
Bulb Type
Most modern night lights use LEDs. These are cool to the touch (a major safety plus) and last for years without burning out. Avoid old-school incandescent bulbs, as they can get hot enough to burn curious fingers.
Brightness
Goldilocks rules apply here: not too bright, not too dim.
Test it yourself. Plug in the light, close your eyes, and face it. If you can see the glow through your eyelids, it is likely too bright for a sleeping baby. Adjustable brightness or a dimmable feature is a massive advantage, allowing you to turn it up for diaper changes and down for sleeping.
Red is the best bulb color for a baby night light as it doesn’t disturb circadian rhythm.
Editor's Note:
Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BCExtra Features to Look For
Are you a minimalist, or do you love gadgets? Here are a few bells and whistles that might sway your decision:
- Room thermometers (color-coded lights to indicate temp).
- Sound machines (white noise combos).
- App control (adjust settings from your phone).
- Motion sensors (light activates when you walk in).
- “Time-to-Rise” training clocks for toddlers.
- Humidifiers with built-in glows.
Product Reviews
We spent hours researching, testing, and comparing the most popular lights on the market. From smart devices to simple travel lights, here are the ones that actually make bedtime easier.
Hatch Baby Rest Night Light and Sound Machine
Most Portable & Best All Round
If you want a “do-it-all” device, the Hatch Rest is the gold standard. It combines a sound machine, night light, and time-to-rise clock into one sleek cylinder.
The real selling point here is the customization. You can control color, brightness, sound, and volume directly from your smartphone. This means you can turn up the white noise or dim the light without tiptoeing into the room and risking a floorboard creak.
It grows with your child, too. Use the soft light and white noise for nursing your newborn, then transition to the “Time-to-Rise” program as they hit the toddler years. You can set it to turn green at 7 a.m., signaling to your early riser that it is finally okay to get out of bed.
Pros
- Fully programmable via smartphone app.
- Combines sound machine and light in one device.
- Includes a toddler-lock to prevent little fingers from changing settings.
Cons
- Requires a smartphone for full functionality.
- The light can be quite bright if not dimmed significantly.
- It must stay plugged in (not battery operated).
Our Ratings
Asani Cute Chick Bedside Night Light
Best Baby Night Light for Breastfeeding
Nighttime feeds require a delicate balance. You need enough light to see the latch, but not so much that you fully wake up the baby. The Asani Cute Chick hits that sweet spot.
This light features simple one-hand touch controls, which is a lifesaver when you are cradling a hungry infant. A quick tap on the head adjusts the brightness or turns it off.
It emits a warm, anti-blue light designed to protect melatonin levels. The built-in 1,200 mAh battery is impressive, lasting up to 300 hours on the dimmest setting.
It is also rugged enough for adventure. Once your baby is older, this portable light works great for blanket forts or even backyard camping trips.
Pros
- Simple touch activation is perfect for tired parents.
- Warm light spectrum helps preserve sleep cycles.
- Long-lasting rechargeable battery.
- Durable construction.
Cons
- Battery life drops significantly on the brightest setting.
Our Ratings
RTSU Dimmable Touch Tap Light
Best Night Light for Newborns
Newborns are incredibly sensitive to their environment. This RTSU light is excellent for those early days because the LED glow is gentle on brand-new eyes.
It is small, flat, and unobtrusive. Moms love it because it is portable and easy to grab. You can keep it on your nightstand, then carry it with you to the nursery or changing table without needing to find a plug.
The stepless dimming is a fantastic feature. Instead of preset levels, you hold your hand on the light to find the exact brightness you need. Keep it super dim for a 2 a.m. check-in, or brighten it up to wipe a messy bottom.
It is simple, effective, and durable enough to survive being knocked off a table by a toddler later on.
Pros
- Stepless dimming allows for perfect light control.
- Compact and travel-friendly.
- Battery lasts up to 40 hours on dimmer modes.
- Very easy to operate in the dark.
Cons
- Does not come with a wall adapter (USB cable only).
Our Ratings
VTech Baby Critters Soothing Night Light
Best Baby Night Light for Soothing
This adorable hippo isn’t just a light; it’s a full-on soothing companion. If your baby needs a little distraction to settle down, this is a great pick.
It projects a starry night sky onto the ceiling while playing nature sounds, lullabies, or rhyming stories. The combination of visual and auditory stimulation can help break a crying cycle.
One standout feature is the voice activation. If your baby wakes up crying in the middle of the night, the hippo detects the sound and automatically turns on the soothing music and lights to help lull them back to sleep before you even get out of bed.
Pros
- Voice sensor responds to baby’s cries automatically.
- Projects colorful stars for visual interest.
- Includes volume control and an auto-shutoff timer.
- Sturdy enough to be a toy during the day.
Cons
- You cannot select specific tracks (it cycles through).
- Sound quality is decent but not high-fidelity.
Our Ratings
Homedics MyBaby SoundSpa Lullaby
Best Projector with Sound
Sometimes a simple glow isn’t enough. The Homedics SoundSpa is perfect for babies who need a “noisy” environment to sleep, mimicking the constant woosh of the womb.
This unit is a powerhouse for sensory input. It offers multiple soothing sounds, including white noise and heartbeats, alongside an image projector. Unlike some bulky projectors, this one is compact enough to toss in a diaper bag for grandma’s house.
It comes with an image disk featuring diverse scenes to project on the wall or ceiling. You can run the sound and projection together or use them independently depending on what your baby prefers that night.
The auto-off timer is handy for saving energy once your little one has drifted off to dreamland.
Pros
- Offers both sound therapy and visual projection.
- Compact design fits easily on crowded nightstands.
- Flexible timer settings (15, 30, 45, or 60 minutes).
Cons
- Shut-off is automatic after three hours (no continuous play).
- Max volume is relatively low.
- Buttons can be clicky/loud when adjusting at night.
Our Ratings
Bubzi Co Baby Sleep Aid Night Light
Best Plush Toy Night Light
Babies love soft things, and this Bubzi Co Owl combines a cuddly friend with a functional night light. Just remember: safe sleep guidelines say this stays outside the crib, not in it.
This plush owl projects a starry constellation while playing lullabies, white noise, or a heartbeat sound. It is battery-operated, making it the ultimate travel buddy for car rides or stroller naps.
We love that the inner electronic box is removable, so you can hand-wash the plush shell when it inevitably gets drooled on. The controls are easy to use, and it includes a velcro strap to securely attach it to a crib rail or stroller handle, keeping it safely out of reach but still visible.
Pros
- Plays 10 different lullabies and sounds.
- Projector creates a calming star show.
- Secure velcro strap prevents it from falling into the crib.
- Washable plush body (once electronics are removed).
Cons
- Batteries drain relatively quickly with frequent use.
- 30-minute auto-off might be too short for some babies.
Our Ratings
Tiny Love Meadow Days Soothe 'n Groove Baby Mobile
Best Mobile & Night Light Combo
If you are looking for a multipurpose nursery item, the Tiny Love Meadow Days offers great value. It starts as a crib mobile and transforms into a standalone music box and night light.
In the early months, the spinning characters and soft music entertain your baby. It plays 18 different tunes across six categories, providing up to 40 minutes of non-repetitive music, a blessing for parents tired of hearing the same 30-second loop.
Once your baby is sitting up and the mobile becomes a safety hazard, you remove the arm. The base remains attached to the crib (or sits on a table) as a comforting music box and night light that your toddler can carry around.
Pros
- Grows with your child from infant mobile to toddler music box.
- Plays 40 minutes of music without repetition.
- Universal attachment fits most standard cribs.
- Engaging spinning toys for daytime play.
Cons
- Requires C batteries (not the most common size).
- Installation can be finicky on some non-standard crib rails.
Our Ratings
Baby Night Light Safety Precautions
Even the cutest night light carries some risks. Keep these safety tips in mind to protect your nursery.
- Cord Awareness: Cords are a major strangulation hazard. Ensure all cords are secured to the wall or floor and are at least three feet away from the crib.
- Choking Hazards: Some lights have small buttons or battery covers that can pop off. Keep the unit out of reach unless it is specifically rated as a toy.
- Heat Check: While LEDs stay cool, older bulbs can get hot. Double-check that the light isn’t touching drapes or bedding.
- Recall Alerts: Register your product or check the CPSC website occasionally to ensure your specific model hasn’t been recalled for electrical faults.
Baby Night Light FAQs
Should Babies Sleep in the Dark or With a Night Light?
Darkness promotes the best deep sleep, but a dim night light is helpful for parents during feedings. If you use one, keep it very dim and warm-toned to avoid waking the baby fully.
What Age Do Babies Need a Night Light?
Babies don’t technically “need” one, but toddlers often request them around age 2 when fears of the dark develop. Before that, the light is mostly for the parents’ benefit.
Does Red Light Help Babies Sleep?
Yes. Red light is the best color for sleep because it does not interfere with melatonin production. It mimics the sunset and signals to the brain that it is time to rest.
Can Night Lights Cause Vision Problems?
No. There is a common myth that night lights cause myopia (nearsightedness), but modern studies have debunked this. Genetics and time spent outdoors are the primary factors in vision development, not dim nursery lights.
Are Smart Night Lights Worth the Money?
For many parents, yes. Being able to adjust brightness, change colors, or turn on white noise from your phone without entering the room can save a nap. However, a simple plug-in light works perfectly fine if you just need illumination.
