Best Night Light for Toddlers – Our 9 Top Rated Picks (2024)

Nightlight for Toddler Nursery Buyer’s Guide

When we tend to our children at night, we naturally need to see what we’re doing, but we need our little ones to be safe, as well. Here’s what to look for.

Benefit for Kids and Parents

Nightlights are a great addition to any room in the house, particularly when training toddler to sleep in their bed. They’re even handy when placed in your and your partner’s room for those instances when your munchkin has a nightmare and climbs into bed with you at 2 am. Many youngsters struggle with fears of the dark, and a nightlight can soothe their worries.

They may seem like a necessity geared towards children, but they’re useful for adults as well. Have you ever stubbed your toe on a stray toy in the middle of the night? It hurts, and a nightlight can be handy for avoiding those circumstances.

How Safe Is It to Use a Nightlight for Toddlers?

Many modern nightlights are created with children and their safety in mind. However, it’s still essential to investigate how safe they are before committing to a product. Electrocution is a possibility, however extraordinarily uncommon and only likely if they become wet, so just make sure you don’t take them outside and expose them to liquid before plugging them into the wall.

The bulbs can become hot when lit for long periods, and if not encased securely, a curious tot could tear off the cover, burning their hands on the bulb. Being that this is a circumstance you’ll want to avoid, it’s critical to choose a nightlight that’s intended for children to prevent any issues.

Toddler Nightlight Types

Typical types of nightlights include projector, plug-in, portable, and plush. We’ll detail how each works so your munchkin can dream peacefully without scary nightmares.

Projector

Projector nightlights are, put simply, pretty cool. The light images they project onto your child’s walls or ceilings are remarkably mesmerizing for little ones and can provide significant comfort if they’re afraid of the dark. However, keep in mind some projector types need to be positioned a certain distance from the wall.

Plug-In

Plug-in types of nightlights are handy and straightforward to use as they don’t require batteries, and plug directly into the wall, just like a lamp. You shouldn’t have to worry they’ll malfunction or stop working since they’re plugged into the primary power source so you can rely on them night after night.

Portable

Portable nightlights are created with convenience in mind, as they can be toted around the house or traveled with ease. You can walk around with them like you would a flashlight; however, their brightness might not be comparable. They are battery-powered, making them helpful to use in an emergency as well.

Plush

Plush nightlights are an excellent choice if your little one is afraid of the dark, as they double as a huggable companion when it’s time to put on pajamas. They’re often designed so that they turn on when your tot squeezes them, making them catered more towards your tot rather than parents.

What to Consider When Buying a Nightlight for Toddlers

While nightlights are generally simple objects, there are various aspects to consider when selecting the right one to make life at home more comfortable to navigate in the dark.

Brightness (Glow)

Brightness is critical in a nightlight because you don’t want it too bright that it keeps you or your munchkin awake, nor too dim that it defeats the purpose. Specific models have dimmers built into them, allowing users to adjust the brightness with a sliding scale, and some you can adjust by smartphone.

Speakers

Some nightlights have a clever music function, allowing your tyke to drift off to dreamland with soothing melodies. Music has been shown to relax the brain and release stress. Additionally, playing similar songs each night can even act as a trigger for your munchkin, signaling to them it’s time for bed.

Timer Function

Often, kids don’t need to have a nightlight on an entire night, only until they fall asleep, so having a timer function can help save on battery cost and the trouble of changing them out. Plus, then your little one won’t wake in the middle of the night to brightness, potentially waking them up, and inevitably Mom or Dad as well.

Color and Light

While selecting a nightlight with alternating colors may sound like a fun bedroom addition for a child, some scientific evidence suggests a warm color, like red, is more conducive to quality sleep than blue or green hues. However, if you’re looking to put a nightlight somewhere like the hallway or bathroom, the color will be less critical.

Dimensions

Most nightlights are small in size; however, some can be on the larger side depending on their functions. Choosing one that fits nicely in the area you’re looking to brighten is crucial, so it doesn’t become an eyesore or inconvenience. If you’re looking to put one on a bedside table or shelf, make sure the dimensions suit the need.

Power Source

The power source of the light you select will affect where you can put your nightlight. If the furniture in the room you’d like to brighten doesn’t allow easy access to a plug, you’ll want to opt for a battery-powered or rechargeable USB device.

Sensor (Auto Shut Off)

Nightlights with light sensors can be remarkably handy if you’re a busy parent or need to frequently check on your tot in the middle of the night. With a sensor, you won’t have to remember to turn it on or off, and it’ll power down when it senses morning light, saving energy.

Lifespan

Most nightlights will last between seven to ten years, much longer than most children will need a nightlight. However, having a nightlight can be handy even for adults, whether you don’t want to turn on a light for a midnight snack or to use the restroom, they can provide a welcomed convenience.

Materials

Choosing products suitable for a child’s lifestyle means they need to be safe and durable, as munchkins don’t know what it means to be gentle or protect themselves, so squishy nightlights could be better suited. If you opt for a nightlight made of hard material, they could drop and break it, so placement is worth considering.

Safety

LED nightlights tend to be the safest option when compared to CFL (Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs) or incandescent nightlights, because LED products don’t heat up. If you opt for a device that can heat up or poses a fire hazard, remember to place it where no materials or flammable objects can present a risk.

Pros of Nightlights for Toddlers Rooms

There are various benefits to having a nightlight beside the obvious fact that it helps you see at night. Below, we go over a few reasons they’re good to have around.

Soft Illumination May Not Disrupt Sleep

Soft light may sound harmless, but certain night lights produce blue light waves, which can repress melatonin, the chemical that helps us feel drowsy at night. However, red light waves don’t seem to hurt. Specifically, LED nightlights tend to produce more blue light, not making them ideal; nightlights that emit red light seem to be a better choice.

Soothing Light Improves Brain Development

According to the American Optometric Association, the use of a nightlight with infants can improve visual development. The use of a dim lamp or nightlight stimulates their brain and eye muscles, letting them strengthen their ability to see and mentally process their visual world.

Eases Wake Up from Bad Dreams

Children often have fears of the dark due to their inability to see what’s in front of them. When they’re young, they’re still learning to discern the difference between reality and imaginary. A nightlight can illuminate their surroundings and soothe tense emotions after waking up from a nightmare.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nightlight for Toddlers

When should we stop using nightlight for toddlers?

As children get older and more active, a nightlight could inhibit sleep, causing their minds to keep turning. They may see their toys illuminated after being put to bed and want to play, or the brightness could keep them awake. Either way, keep a close watch on how the light affects them as they age because it could be something they no longer need.

If your little one wakes up frequently, the nightlight could become distracting once they’re older. It could be worth removing the nightlight to see if the darkness soothes the urge to hop out of bed in the middle of the night.

Which color of light is best?

In the link referenced above, according to Dr. Deirdre Conroy of The University of Michigan, red light seems to be more conducive to sleep than blue light. LED nightlights typically emit blue wavelengths, which are shorter in length. These blue waves seem to repress melatonin, the chemical in your brain that is released when the sun goes down, signaling it’s time for bed.

On the other hand, red or warm color wave hues, which are longer, don’t appear to affect melatonin levels, making them a better nightlight choice when selecting something that won’t inhibit sleep.

What can be used with nightlights to help children to fight their fear of the dark?

As our little one’s age, their minds grow more sophisticated, and they begin to imagine things they don’t see. This evolution of the brain can be useful for learning, but on the other hand, it also allows them to imagine things that might be scary like monsters. Helping your munchkin get comfortable in the dark can be a complicated process but there are ways to help them cope.

If they’re at an appropriate age to sleep with items in their crib or bed, an excellent way to help could be to offer a security item, like a stuffed animal or plush nightlight, that they can hold each night while drifting to sleep.