The best toddler and baby night lights

The best night lights

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

Trying to get your little one to sleep through the night can be a bit of a challenge at times, but the best baby night lights or light projectors will help your little one sleep peacefully. Whether it's troublesome toddlers struggling to stay in bed or fall asleep or babies adapting to a new sleep routine, any help you can get to soothe them to sleep is a godsend. The best light projectors will give your little ones confidence to sleep independently without being so bright that they keep them awake. Many offer extra functions to help your little one drift off to the land of nod.

Many night lights have a warm glow that helps lull babies and toddlers back to sleep. These lights make their nursery a relaxed sleeping environment, unlike baby sensory lights, which are designed to stimulate the brain. You may want to purchase this if your child is often complaining about the dark or saying that they are frightened in their room. We found that leaving a light on works best for soothing our tots.

The best night lights at a glance:

Best overall night light: Sweet Dreamers Ewan the Dream Sheep - buy on Amazon
Best 2-in-1 night light and thermometer: Gro-Egg Room Thermometer - buy on Boots
Best portable night night: Shnuggle Moonlight - buy on Amazon

Nursery night lights can also help toddlers learn to potty train at bedtime like a toilet night light does, as it helps them get their bearings when looking for their potty in the dark. Alternatively, you can get the best toilet light for nighttime bathroom trips.

We've done our research so you don't have to and found the best night lights on the market here:

Best toddler and baby night lights

Misty the smart cloud is a clever connected 4 in 1 sleep aid for your baby: Nursery thermometer, sleep inducing light show, sleep trainer and personal assistant, all combined into one super cute and super smart product. Misty links to a mobile phone app meaning you can easily monitor your baby’s sleep environment, together with controlling her functions wherever you may be.

Review: "It's great that Misty can last from the newborn stages, helping new parents with the baby diary and as a feeding light, and then transition into sleep trainer and day/night indicator as well as a light show into toddlerhood and even for older children as a nightlight and clock. There's a real longevity with this product as it's not just a room thermometer, or a nightlight. It's multifunctional. You can also adjust the brightness of the light from the app so can make it brighter when you need it, for feeding for example, then lower it down again. The light doesn't go off unless you set it to idle, or you turn the brightness right down. The sleep trainer is a great feature as you can introduce the idea of awake/night times when baby is still quite young, and as they get older they’ll understand what the different colours mean."

Read our full review of Misty the smart cloud

Pros

  • Multiple functions, versatile product that will last from baby to toddler and beyond
  • Baby diary helps keep track of feeds etc
  • Easy to use app

Cons

  • Light show doesn't automatically turn off
  • Doesn't seem to like being moved to a new location/won't connect to another internet, so can't use for travel

Best moveable night light

This Wooden Wall Light makes for a great night light in any child's room. It looks stylish and attaches to the wall with a stick on base that is really secure too. The light can be recharged with a USB an has three modes: off, auto sensor and on. It's handy for new mums who might be looking for something in the night, as they can take the light off its stand, and also brilliant for children who need to get out of bed to use the toilet at night. It's a great, versatile night light.

Our Commercial Content Writer, Samantha, said: "My son is always turning all the upstairs lights on if he wakes up in the night to use the toilet and I'm forever changing batteries in his usual night lights, so after I saw this light online I had to get it. It's a huge game changer! It charges using a USB, looks stylish and the light is the perfect brightness. I love that there is the option to have it as a sensor light too."

Pros

  • Rechargeable
  • Portable
  • Looks stylish

Cons

  • Not waterproof
Dimensions:2.5 x 2.5 x 18cm
Material:Wood and acrylic
Power:USB charge
  • Frosted, plexiglass light
  • Wooden handle
  • Constant light mode, off and sensor light mode
  • 1 x wall base

Best night light that attaches to crib

Whether your baby is still co-sleeping or is struggling to settle in their new cot, this clever projector from Chicco is bound to help. Designed to fit the best-selling Next2Me crib, this lovely little projector also has a universal fit, so can be attached to a number of different cribs.

It's suitable from birth and comes complete with a removable, washable soft toy. The night light features 30 minutes of music and projection, including classical, new age and nature sounds - dream on!

Review: "Calms baby down when she's sleepy, stars on ceiling mesmerized her. Able to turn music volume up and down as needed, activates by baby crying and fits the next to me crib perfectly. Baby is now five months and plays with the little teddy attached when she wakes up in the morning (it's too small to cause any suffocation risk) It does have one downfall though, it goes through batteries very very quickly with a lot of use."

Pros

  • Multiple colour choices
  • Removable washable toy
  • Can be attached the crib

Cons

  • Batteries need replacing regularly
Power:3 AA batteries required (not included)
Size:54.7 x 34.3 x 23.7 cm
  • Starry sky projector lamp
  • Automatic colour change: night projection, soft projection and nightlight
  • Automatic cry detection that reactivates lights and music
  • Different music genres
  • Comes complete with a removable and machine-washable soft plush toy

Best night light for teaching toddlers the difference between night and day

For such an affordable price, this Tommee Tippee Groclock Sleep Trainer does a lot. The glowing screen not only provides comfort for your child at night, it also helps teach them about night and day, with the blue screen representing the nighttime and the yellow screen during the day. Each little star goes out one at a time as the hours pass, helping them start to understand the process of it being time to wake up.

We found that this was a great tool for teaching toddlers when they can get out of bed and start the day.

Review: "I honestly never ever expected this to work. Not in a million years. My two year old woke around 5am everyday. I knew something needed to change when I started considering 6am a lie in. I bought this clock and moved her into a proper bed on the same day (are you crazy I hear you say!! Yes, yes I am). I read the story to her (a load of rubbish if I'm honest), told her to say goodnight to Mr Sun and left her to it. Now, she slept all the way though and didn't try to escape from her bed which was just great. She didn't understand the clock. I expected that, she's only two. I persevered, every night I told her to say goodnight to Mr Sun (I threw the book away) and about a week later she suddenly got it. She started shouting at 6am (the time I set for the sun to rise). If she woke before 6 I told her Mr sun wasn't up yet so she needed to go back to sleep. And by god she listened. Four weeks after starting the clock, I have the sun set to rise at 6:20am and she's doing very well. So my child is proof that this clock does work. And I am no longer sleep deprived. Happy days!"

Pros

  • Helps children learn when it is nighttime or morning
  • Built-in digital clock
  • Adjustable brightness
  • Audible alarm

Cons

  • USB adaptor plug is not included
Power:USB-powered
Size:12.4 x 16.4 x 22.4 cm
  • Optional audible alarm
  • Key-lock option

Best portable night light

Shnuggle Moonlight
Price: £39.95
Alternative retailers
Walmart$39.95View offer

We love this sleep-friendly portable nightlight. This light has a non-removable rechargeable battery which is charged by USB. With dual-parent and child modes, a room temperature sensing dock and a unique design, we think this is a must-have for new parents.

Our parent reviewer, Beth said: "This light is brilliant for my nighttime nappy changes and feeding. The light is just bright enough to be able to see what I'm doing during the nappy change, but not so bright that it fully wakes the baby up. The soft light creates a calm environment for us while we do our night feeds. The portability of the light is also a brilliant design feature, allowing me to move the light from the bedside to the changing table. The product makes life easier as I don't have to turn on bright lights at night time."

Read the full Shnuggle Moonlight Nightlight Review

Pros

  • Warm glow
  • Portable
  • Temperature sensing dock

Cons

  • Requires a USB charging plug
<strong> Size: ‎ </strong>‎4.72 x 4.72 x 6.69 cm
<strong>Water capacity:</strong>200ml
<strong>Suitable for rooms up to: </strong>20 m2
<strong>Universal plug: </strong>110-240 V
  • Spare bulb and salt rocks included

Best multi-purpose night light

This ClevaPure Salt lamp does more than just illuminate your little ones' bedroom. Not only can it be used as a warm night light it is also a humidifier and aromatherapy diffuser as well. Genuine Himalayan salt crystals contained within the lamp cast a 'melatonin-friendly' glow, which helps to create a calm atmosphere for your little one to sleep.

Mother&Baby Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer, Hannah James said: "I really love this product. It does so much more than your generic night light. I put a few drops of lavender in the water which has helped my sons drift off to sleep much easier, as well as making the room smell wonderful. The light looks amazing and I love the Himalayan salt crystals. I love it so much that I have even purchased one for my own bedroom. "

Pros

  • Adjustable light
  • Spare bulb and salt rocks included

Cons

  • Can not be used by a child
Power source:Corded Electric‎
Size: ‎‎12.8 x 12.8 x 20 cm
Water capacity: 200ml 
Suitable for rooms up to: 20 m2 
  • 3-in-1 nightlight
  • Aromatherapy diffuser
  • Humidifier

Best night light with cry sensor

Tommee Tippee Rechargeable Night Light & Sound Sleep Aid Toy
Price: £72.97

This cute and cuddly nighttime companion will help you and your baby get a good night's sleep. With a soft heart-shaped light, soothing sounds and gentle lullabies, your little one will be reassured as they go to sleep. During the night, the intelligent cry sensor listens out for any crying noises and plays your chosen sound or lullaby to help them drift back to sleep.

Real mum tester Jennifer said: "I think this is such a great product. We had a Ewan the dream sheep with my older daughter, which she loved but it got lost! This is a great upgrade because you don't have to replace the batteries, you just have to make sure it's charged up (which it doesn't appear to need very often even though we have it on the sensor mode throughout the day/night)."

Read our full Tommee Tippee Rechargeable Light & Sound Sleep Aids Review

Pros

  • Cry sensor
  • Lullabies
  • USB chargeable

Cons

  • Some found the charger wire too short
Power:Rechargeable via USB cable
Size: ‎22.5 x 18.01 x 14.81 cm
  • Auto switch-off
  • Controllable Night Light
  • 6 natural soothing sounds
  • Sensor technology
  • Intelligent Cry
  • Available in three designs

Best overall night light

SweetDreamers Ewan the Dream Sheep
Price: £39.99

Make way for Ewan the Dream Sheep - the cuddly teddy mums everywhere swear by. Not only does he look adorable, but he comforts your baby with its soft glowing light and soothing soundtrack.

We love that Ewan the Dream Sheep has a 20-minute-long soundtrack of calming sounds, alongside womb and heartbeat sequences, to completely relax your little one. While it's not machine-washable, its bedtime benefits will be a blessing if your child is struggling with their sleep routine.

Review: "This product is a life saver I don't think I would have my sanity if it wasn't for Ewan. First night with our newborn son he was up all night crying and wouldn't settle. Soon as we introduced Ewan on white noise and heart beat he was asleep in minutes. I would strongly recommend the deluxe version as when our son wakes or stirs Ewans motion sensor picks him up and he kicks in to action soothing our little one back to sleep so we can get some rest. Seriously impressed with this product."

Read our full SweetDreamers Ewan The Dream Sheep Review

Pros

  • Soothing sounds
  • Soft
  • Warm night light

Cons

  • Not machine washable
Power:3 x AA batteries
Size:19.51 x 16.99 x 16.99 cm
  • Soothing sounds, including actual recordings of Mum’s womb and heartbeat along with the calming shush of a real human voice
  • Pink glow light to mimic the womb
  • SmartCry sensor
  • Auto switch-off
  • Adjustable volume control
  • Travel friendly

Best design

Skip Hop Moonlight u0026amp; Melodies Nightlight Soother
Price: £45.00
Alternative retailers
Kohl's$45.00View offer
Macy's$45.00View offer

This adorable owl night light is a winner on many levels - not only can it help ease your baby into their sleeping routine, but it also fits into their room like just another toy. We love the cute design. With a dimmable nightlight belly, eight melodies and calming nature sounds and projection feature that gives your baby's ceiling a starry nightscape, this is bound to send your little one off into a deep slumber.

All these features must guzzle up a lot of power, surely? No! Running on an adapter, this stylish nightlight won't have you reaching for new batteries every two seconds. A must-buy in our eyes.

Real-life mum tester Alina Davies said: "I would absolutely recommend this product to every parent I know! It is really useful from newborn age to much older. For newborns the white noise is perfect (and really works). The stars give them something to look at and for their eyes to follow - my little boy loves looking at it. For older children the stars look fabulous in their bedrooms and help them drift off to sleep watching them. There is also music for older ones with different time settings. And it looks good too! Brilliant product, very versatile."

Read our full Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies Nightlight Soother Review

Pros

  • Nature sounds
  • Star projector
  • Cute design

Cons

  • No clock or temperature reading
Power:Corded Electric Adapter
Size:13.97 x 11.43 x 15.24 cm
  • Dimmable nightlight belly
  • Four melodies and four calming nature sounds
  • Starry nightscape light projection
  • Auto off timer

Best 2-in-1 night light and thermometer

ON OFFER

An easy-to-use thermometer that changes colour depending on the temperature in the room, if you love a multi-tasking gadget, you'll be a fan of this little night light. You'll be able to tell at a glance whether the temperature in your tot's room is right, and they'll be soothed by the night light, whatever colour it's glowing. We love a product that does two things in one, and this clever gadget ticks that box.

Review: "This was recommended to us by staff in Neonatal. I have seen many reviews saying its inaccurate. I did notice when placed near a patio door temp dropped or near a light or TV it raised due to appliance heat. So we centred the cot in our room and placed the egg next to the cot and it seems to give a fairly accurate reading. It's not been off yet. Their leaflet is extremely helpful in terms of how many layers and clothing is required at certain temps. I found the leaflet is full of invaluable information. We are over the moon with it. And saves us guessing and worrying. We regularly check our baby's temp and so far the egg has been fantastic to regulate temp."

Read our full Tommee Tippee GroEgg2 Room Thermometer and Nightlight Review

Pros

  • Clear colour temperature indication
  • Accurate reading
  • USB charge

Cons

  • Not a very bright light
Power:Corded Electric Adapter
Size:10.2 x 7.1 x 7.1 cm
  • Colour-changing room temperature thermometer
  • Soft nightlight

Best night light and sippy cup combined

Lite Cup Sippy Cup
Price: £42.00

An alternative night light for thirsty toddlers! Another multiple-feature product, this classic sippy cup doubles as a night light. The innovative product combines a non-spill cup with a softly glowing light and is perfect for children who are battling their newfound independence around 12 months old and up.

At such a cheap price, it's worth seeing how your little one reacts to this super flexible, battery run product. It's also easy to clean and can be taken anywhere, just in case you need a mobile product for any sleepovers.

Review: "Doesn't leak as much as other similar cups we have had. Took my son a few tries to work out how to drink from it but he loves it now. It only really leaks if it is dropped. Which my son loves to do too as it splatters a little. Typical mischievous 18-month-old. Night light not very bright but that's not a big problem. Glows enough to see it in the dark. More of a novelty attached to what is otherwise a brilliant cup."

Read our full Litecup Sippy Cup + Nightlight Review

Pros

  • BPA and latex-free
  • Eliminates tips and spills
  • Easy to clean
  • Mobile

Cons

  • Only suitable for 12 months+
Power:1x CR2 battery
Size:9.5 x 6.5 x 15 cm
  • Dishwasher safe when night light removed
  • Turns on in low light and off in bright light
  • Integrated night light
  • Spill-resistant sippy cup

Best night light for breastfeeding

This Gro-Light 2-in-1 Night Light has two features in one, either a main bright light or a soft night light! It adapts to your existing light, attaching onto bayonet lights or a normal room light in the day or a soft glow at night. Our favourite feature was that there was no need for plugging in, charging up or battery-draining night lights, this innovative product does all the work for you! With a soft, white LED glow, your nightly feeds will barely interrupt your little baby!

Review: "This is great. With our newborn we didn't want to have large amounts of light at night but needed enough so we could see her as well as change her in the night with minimal disturbance. We started off using a reading light that attached to a book for low light but found this. It attaches to your normal ceiling light or bedside lamp and goes in line between your bulb holder and your bulb. It also has a control on it to increase and decrease the light level. It allows use of this light or the main light and that is controlled from your light switch- switch once and the low level light is on, switch off and on again and it's your main bulb.

"One thing to note is there are two connectors available, screw and bayonet so get the correct one for your fitting! I found the bayonet fitting cheaper and because I've got both screw and bayonet lamps I bought the bayonet and a screw to bayonet converter."

Pros

  • Two light features
  • Adapts to light feature
  • Adjustable amount of light 

Cons

  • Some found the light too dark
Size:9 x 9 x 10 cm
  • Running cost of the Grolight is 66 per cent lower than a dimmer switch
  • Adjustable brightness
  • Fits and adapts to your existing light or lamp (bayonet/screw)

Best night light for Peppa Pig fans

Peppa Pig Kids Night Light u0026amp; Torch Buddy by GoGlow
Price: £24.99

Peppa Pig can be by your child's bedside with this fun night light shaped just like the popular cartoon character. It's a 2-in-1 night light and torch perfectly safe for little hands. We love that this product turns off automatically after ten minutes.

Review: "Very happy with this night light my Dad bought my two year old daughter. Love the 10 mins timer that turns itself off and that it is also a touch. We have had it almost one year and still never have changed the batteries yet."

Pros

  • Timed light
  • Child-friendly design
  • Can be used as a torch

Cons

  • Batteries not included
Power:3 x AAA batteries (not included)
Size:‎7.5 x 7.5 x 12 cm
  • 2-in-1 night light and torch

How to choose a night light

When choosing a night light, it can be difficult with so many options available on the market. There are many factors to consider before making your purchase. Firstly, is this light suitable for your child and their needs? If you are looking for a night light that can be taken to bed with a toddler, it will need to be safe to do so. If you want a product to aid breastfeeding, you may opt for a light which doesn't require charging so that it can be used multiple times throughout the night. Similarly, you need to decide how much light the products omit, if the room is too bright, it runs the risk of waking the child, but if it is too dark, it may not be as comforting to your child.

Many night lights have extra features like clocks and temperature readings. These are fantastic for some parents but aren't always necessary if you already have a clock or a baby room thermometer.

Lastly, you will need to look at how the product is charged. Some lights will need batteries. This is a good option for some parents but may add an extra expense.

What age do children need night lights?

Usually, children will request a light when they are around two years old. This is because nightmares can begin as early as two years old. This often leads to a fear of bedtime. A night light is a comfort and can help them feel more confident when sleeping independently.

How can a night light help my toddler overcome their fear of the dark?

It's completely natural for your child to sometimes feel scared at night, so to help them overcome their fear of the dark, try these five handy tips:

Try a kids' night light: Leaving a light on is a quick and easy way to alleviate any fears. Buying one your tot can learn to turn on and off by themselves is a good idea, as they'll learn to use it as a comfort if they wake up scared in the night.

You could also buy your little one a light projector to turn on if they wake up in the night. The memorising patterns will help to keep them calm so they'll soon be soothed back to the land of nod.

Hold a monster hunt: Search the room with your toddler before bed and make a game out of checking for monsters. You could also bring in a "monster spray" – aka a spritz of water with lavender oil to scare any ghouls away – and let them have fun with that.

Buy a special toy to 'look after' your child: Whether it's a big teddy or a Buzz Lightyear, think about going on a shopping trip and buying your toddler a special "guardian toy" to watch over and reassure her at night.

Make a dream catcher: You probably remember making one yourself in school, use a feathery mobile to 'catch bad dreams' and keep them away.

Have a clear out: Ask your toddler if there is anything in their room that scares them. If so, put it somewhere else.

Is it safe to leave a night light on all night? Is that safe?

Always consult the manufacturer's information when you buy a night light and check what recommendations are made. Many products are designed to be left on all night, as they are low energy and can be cost-effective.

Check the brightness on your child's night lights before you go to bed, pick products that are not too distracting or change colour, and ensure they are placed away from anything flammable like a duvet or blanket.

Do I need to use a night light?

It is a good idea to use a night light as they have been specifically designed to not overstimulate your little one's brain, which will help them fall asleep quicker than the main light in the room.

What colour is best for babies?

When considering the range of baby and toddler night lights on offer, consider warmer colours when picking the best night light for your child.

Experts recommend avoiding blue and white lights as your child could be negatively impacted before they go to sleep, whereas red tones have been suggested to promote healthier sleep.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

Emily Gilbertis the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

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How we write our articles and reviews
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