The Best Night Lights for Kids (and Adults)

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A pile of clothes on a chair might look totally innocuous in the day, but come nighttime, it can transform into a vicious monster in the eyes of a scared child. Our brains are constantly trying to recognize patterns and make sense of shapes and light. That’s why you can sometimes see shapes in clouds, but it’s also why you can sometimes see monsters or intruders in the dark. Even though sleep experts will tell you that darkness is key for more restful sleep, some people may have trouble nodding off if it’s too dark. That’s especially true for young children, who can feel comforted by a soft light in the bedroom, hallway or bathroom. Even plenty of adults opt to sleep with a night light, if only to avoid trips and falls during midnight bathroom runs.

Even if you’re not afraid of the dark or prone to flashbacks about Bloody Mary stories from elementary school, there are practical benefits to investing in the best night lights. They can be placed in the hallway or bathroom to illuminate your way if you have to use the restroom in the middle of the night. These lights can prevent you from stubbing your toes or stepping on toys, and they ensure you don’t need to turn on the lights and practically blind yourself.

While traditional lights emit a constant, unchanging glow throughout the night, you can now find clever options that have variable colors to provide a soothing, non-distracting glow. Plus, you can also find night lights with motion and light sensors that turn on in the dark or when you enter the room. Because can leave these plugged in all night with minimal energy waste, these are usually the best night lights for adults. The best night lights for kids may stay illuminated all night long, and they can provide the sense of comfort kids need to drift off to sleep.

Besides traditional night lights, you can also find wake-up lights that have a sunset-like glow at night and provide a bright beam of sunrise-like light when it’s time to wake up. Some of these options even have FM radios so you can wake up with the sound of your favorite jazz station or the dulcet tones of a public radio host.

No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve rounded up some great night light options, including picks for children, wake-up lights and darkness-sensor lights for hallways and bathrooms. Keep reading to find the best night lights for sale right now.

1. GE Color-Changing LED Night Light For an affordable and reliable option, these lights from GE are a good option. They come in a pack of two, and you can choose from 8 different soothing colors. Or, you can set the light to automatically toggle through all of the colors throughout the night. It has a light sensor that turns the light on at night and off in the morning or when lights are turned on and off. The light plugs directly into the wall, and it’s small enough to leave access to the lower outlet. Pros: Pack of two. Variable colors. Light sensitive to automatically turn on and off. Cons: You can change colors, but you can’t change brightness. Image Courtesy of Amazon GE Color-Changing LED Night Light $9.49 $11.99 21% OFF Buy Now on Amazon

2. Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine This machine from Hatch is designed as a light and sound machine for babies and young children. You can change the brightness, color, volume level and adjust the sounds using the app on your phone. You can also set programs so the light turns on and off at set times. You can also set a morning alarm for your child. We found this child’s night light to be easy to program, as long as you’re used to using apps. Pros: Soothing color and sound option for a better night’s rest. Can be customized from the app. Cons: App is required, so it may not be ideal for parents who want to keep it simple. Image Courtesy of Amazon Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine $69.99 Buy Now on Amazon

3. LOHAS LED Night Lights Today, a lot of children’s night lights come shaped like clouds or dinosaurs, or with hundreds of colors to choose from. However, sometimes the best night lights for kids keep it simple. If you want the kind of plug-in night light that you had in your own childhood bedroom, then go with this 2-pack of LED night lights. The dimmer switch lets you set exactly the level of light you or your child prefers, and the LED bulbs last for a long, long time. Pros: Dusk and dawn sensors. Adjustable dimmer switch. Each order comes with two lights. Cons: Lacks colorful features of some modern night lights. No motion sensor. Courtesy of Amazon LOHAS LED Night Lights $9.99 $13.99 29% OFF Buy Now on Amazon

4. Droiee Cloud Night Light This cute cloud lamp is a great option for a child’s room. It can be powered using either a USB cable or AAA batteries, making it easy to place anywhere in the room. The night light also has two lighting settings. The light is an energy-efficient LED, so you won’t be kept up at night worrying about an electricity bill. Pros: Cute design. Versatile option works plugged in or with batteries. Two brightness settings. Cons: Doesn’t have different color options. Larger than traditional night lights that plug into the wall. Image Courtesy of Amazon Droiee Cloud Night Light $13.99 $19.99 30% OFF Buy Now on Amazon

5. Emotionlite Plug-in Night Lights If you’re someone who wakes up in the middle of the night for a midnight snack or to go to the bathroom, you might need multiple lights. That’s why this option from Emotionlite is a great pick. It’s an affordable buy that comes in a pack of six. They plug into the wall, but the small size leaves space for other devices. There’s also a light sensor that dims the light in the daytime to save energy. The light can be rotated to provide the perfect angle. Pros: Comes in a pack of six. Doesn’t block the upper or lower outlet. Dims in the light and turns on in the dark. Cons: Some may prefer a brighter light. Image Courtesy of Amazon Emotionlite Plug-in Night Lights $14.99 Buy Now on Amazon

6. GE LED Night Light Because this night light from GE has a sleek silver-colored body and rounded shape, it’s the best night light for adults who want a tasteful source of light. There’s a motion-sensing panel on the light that flicks on when you walk into the room, making it a great option for late-night snack or bathroom runs. The frame of the light is also available in brushed nickel or bronze to suit your design tastes. The light is UL listed for safety. Pros: Motion activated. Stylish design. Leaves the bottom outlet open if plugged into the top. Cons: No variable brightness or color settings. Image Courtesy of Amazon GE LED Night Light $9.24 $11.99 23% OFF Buy Now on Amazon

7. Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light This option from Philips is designed to be there for you before you go to bed as well as when you wake up. It has a dim, sunset-like glow in the evening, and when morning comes it features a bright but not abrasive sunlike shine. There’s a clock right on the face of the unit, making it a great alarm clock, and you can wake up with one of the alarm settings or FM. Going back to bed? Simply tap it to snooze. Pros: Soothing evening and morning lights for easier sleeping and waking up. Features an FM radio and various wake-up alarm noises. Cons: Controls are tedious to use. Image Courtesy of Amazon Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light $169.99 Buy Now on Amazon

Best Night Lights and Lamps for Senior Adults

Pop quiz: at which time of the day are falls the most dangerous? Most falls occur while the sun is out but falling at night has the most lethal consequences since environmental awareness is at its worst in the darkness.

Did you know that the famous singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen passed away in a similar manner? The 82-year old musician experienced a fall in the middle of the night but reassured himself that everything is all right, and so he then returned to his bed, fell asleep, but sadly never woke up again. This story proves that nighttime accidents can be lethal, which is why adequate lighting throughout the whole building is a must-have, especially for seniors.

Types of Night Lighting

Having the right type of light source installed in the right places is essential, otherwise you will just be wasting money. Putting a lamp that must be manually switched on at the far end of the bedroom is pointless, because the elderly resident will still have to navigate through the room in complete darkness to find the switch. As such, here are some options for your consideration when it comes night lighting.

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Motion Night Lights

Motion-activated lights are among the most recommended options for seniors. They conveniently light up when the someone enters their field of vision, sparing the person from searching for the switch. However, the hands-free nature can be downside too, since people can be startled when the lamps switch on without notice.

Touch Night Lights

Touch-based night lights usually sport a round, flat design that provides a large surface for the users. Wherever the senior touches the lamp it will switch on thanks to the multiple sensors built into the device. These are highly recommended for Alzheimer’s patients because of the ease of use, or any senior whose fingers aren’t as nimble as they used to be.

Night Lights With a Timer

Designing lights to turn themselves off after a certain period of time is very prudent, considering that seniors suffering from forgetfulness could amass a huge electricity bill if they leave the lights on accidentally. Motion-activated lights are known to feature a timer, but many also offer the option to specify the exact timeframe.

Torch Night Lights

If the elderly resident cannot afford to install a series of automatically activating lights that lead from the bed to the bathroom, then the best alternative is a portable torch. Carrying a flashlight grants seniors the freedom to illuminate any area they like. Just make sure that they have spare batteries lying around, otherwise they may end up fumbling about in the darkness.

Where to Place a Night Light

The placement of these night lights requires some strategic thinking. First and foremost, the bedroom must be illuminated in an easy manner. A flashlight placed within hands-reach or a touch-sensitive lamp can provide enough light for the senior to find their slippers and reach the door. The hallways, too, should be covered with lights that brighten up gradually to avoid blinding the poor residents. Place the switches within a short distance or, even better, install motion-activated lights.

As for the bathroom or kitchen, stick to regular lights that are bright. Avoid motion lights or lights that have a timer because it can’t be known how long the senior will dawdle about the room. If the lights go out too soon, the elderly person will then have to struggle to reactivate the light, might make a wrong move while trying to reach for the switch or even start to panic.

Recommended Night Lights for Seniors

Night lights are fairly common commodities so you’ll find them plentiful in any hardware store or in an online store. The following products represent a good start for any senior who might wish to make their home a brighter place.

Sycees Plug-in LED Night Light Lamp

it monitors the darkness level of the room and activates automatically if necessary. It should also be mentioned that the long-lasting LED eliminates the need to change the bulb frequently, which is a huge benefit for less tech-savvy seniors. The perfect choice for the bathroom or hallway, this plug-in LED light by Sycees provides a cozy atmosphere at night. The brightness level is adjusted to be just enough to illuminate its surroundings without being blinding. The light has no switches, and insteadof the room and. It should also be mentioned that theeliminates the need to change the bulb frequently, which is a huge benefit for less tech-savvy seniors.

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Ivation Emergency LED Light & Torch

three different functions: while stationed in the charger it serves as a night-sensitive lamp; during a power outage it turns into a strobe light thanks to the backup battery; and it can be removed from the charger to be used as a flashlight. With full power the device can last for nine hours. This handy multi-purpose LED light is a recommended addition to any senior’s cupboard who frequently visits the bathroom during the night. The unit boasts: while stationed in the charger it serves as a; during a power outage it turns into athanks to the backup battery; and it can be removed from the charger to be used as a. With full power the device can last for nine hours.

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RTSU Rechargeable Touch Light

can be placed anywhere in the room, and it’s just as easy to relocate it from the wall to the ceiling. Secondly, the built-in batteries are rechargeable, meaning that seniors won’t need to spend money on AAA batteries anymore. But, most importantly, the touch-sensitive light has an adjustable brightness levels. The unit slowly increases the glow upon continuous contact and remembers the last setting even after it’s turned off. Seniors who hope to save on their energy bills should definitely consider this DIY lamp by RTSU . First of all, the lamp, and it’s just as easy to relocate it from the wall to the ceiling. Secondly, theare rechargeable, meaning that seniors won’t need to spend money on AAA batteries anymore. But, most importantly, thehas an adjustable brightness levels. The unit slowly increases the glow upon continuous contact and remembers the last setting even after it’s turned off.

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TK LED Night Light

photoelectric sensors turn the light on and off according to the current day cycle, activating a soft light during the night that won’t disturb the resident’s sleep. Even though it must be continuously plugged in a power outlet, it won’t cost much. The echo-friendly nature ensures that it operates under 0.25 cents per year. The longevity is further underlined by tests proving that the LED withstands 100,000 hours of use. The Super Bright Power-Saver by The Kitchenry is a light source meant to be used in the bedroom. Theturn the light on and off according to the current day cycle, activating a soft light during the night that won’t disturb the resident’s sleep. Even though it must be continuously plugged in a power outlet, it won’t cost much. Theensures that it operates under 0.25 cents per year. The longevity is further underlined by tests proving that the LED withstands 100,000 hours of use.

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Toilet Night Lights

illuminating toilet? There are only illuminate the object and its surroundings, the visitor is still able to navigate safely. Also, there is no need to search for the switch and the lights turn off after the resident has left its field of vision. We’ve already mentioned the option of installing special night lights in the bathroom, but what about an? There are motion-activated lights cu available on the market that can be hung on the edge of the seat. When a senior approaches these lights are activated in a custom color . Such lamps aren’t just for showing off, though: many seniors avoid turning on the bright ceiling lamps because they want to avoid waking up their spouse. Since toilet lights, the visitor is still able to navigate safely. Also, there is no need to search for the switch and the lights turn off after the resident has left its field of vision.

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Preventing Falls Before They Occur

It should be emphasized that night lights alone cannot safeguard a senior’s well-being. In case the elderly resident is prone to falling, other preventive measures must be implemented as well. For example, consider installing grab bars next to the toilet and on the bathtub wall, placing a special bench in the shower, or giving a gift of slippers or socks with a sticky lace to your relative. If they live in a multi-story building, consider investing in a staircase lift.

Unfortunately falls cannot be taken out of the equation completely, and all of these solutions just lower the risk of that happening. But when a fall occurs, the elderly need to have a way to effortlessly call for help even if they are lying on the ground. Medical alert help buttons are very effective at this since they connect the injured person to a monitoring agent who then dispatches the paramedics. The service is made complete with a fall detection button, which contains refined sensors that will detect when the wearer collapses and sends an automatic distress signal to the headquarters.

You Can Fit Your Bed With An Under Bed Night-Light That Turns On When Detecting Motion

No more stumbling around in the dark when you need to get up at night to go to the bathroom. This innovative Under Bed Night-Light automatically turns on the moment your feet touch the floor. But how does the magic happen? There’s no sorcery involved, really. It’s just a genius concept coupled with advanced technology that makes up this smart nightlight.

This light has a built-in human passive infrared motion sensor. It automatically gives off a warm soft glow when it picks up a movement. The soft illumination will guide you safely across the room every time you need to get up in the middle of the night. You can also ensure that the warm light won’t emit disturbing glare that can wake other people up in the room. Moreover, it has a dimmable feature that allows you to adjust the light from dim to full.

What’s more, this light can be installed easily and quickly without any tools. It features two 5-feet long LED light strips with 3M adhesive backing. Simply remove the adhesive backing and stick the LED light strip on the bed frame. Make sure that the bed frame is clean and free of dust before installation. The product also includes a power supply, infrared motion sensor, extension cable (3.5 feet) and two table clips to easily hide the cables. In addition to these, it also comes with a user manual to guide you along the installation process.

Aside from its motion activated feature, this light also has an auto shut-off timer that you can set from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Furthermore, the sensor can also detect light so it will only turn on in a dark environment. Needless to say, it will not work as long as it can sense light inside the room. This power-saver can last up to 30,000 hours of use. That’s approximately 3.4 years of regular usage and uses 80% less power than regular lights. Not just for underneath the bed but it also works well under the bathroom sink, baby crib, dining table and more.

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Watch the installation instructional video for the under bed night-light below

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Source: Amazon | MyLight