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Here are 12 of the best night lights for babies and children
Looking to improve your baby or toddler’s bedtime routine? A night light can be a helpful addition to your child’s nursery or bedroom. Here's our guide to the best night lights of 2023.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Nov 23, 2023
Whether you’re after a soft glow to help navigate around your baby’s crib at night, something to assist with the bedtime routine or a tool to help your child who’s scared of the dark, the best night lights will come to the rescue for babies, toddlers and older children alike.
Establishing an effective sleep routine for your child can be challenging. Even if your child has the best cot mattress money can buy, cosy bedding and a good routine, you may find that they struggle to sleep in a completely dark room, toddlers may experience separation anxiety and older children may find it hard to switch off and relax. Night lights are a great way to create a gentle and soothing glow, take the edge off the darkness and help calm and settle your child before bed. From simple plug-in lights that offer a fixed, dim glow to projector lamps which cast a beautiful visual show across the ceiling and others which double as some of the best white noise machines, a great night light will make a real difference to bedtime. So which one should you pick for your child?
Luckily we’ve taken a look at and investigated the huge range of products available so you don’t have to, scouring the Mumsnet forums - the biggest online network of parents in the UK - to find the best night lights and those to avoid. We then did extensive research across the wider web, looking at which night lights had won accolades or been featured in expert ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers’ reviews said about them, noting the authentic and in-depth consumer feedback on retailer sites.
Here are the best night lights to buy in 2023.
1. Best overall night light: Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light
Price on writing: £69.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Mains-powered | Timer: Yes | Sounds: Yes | Best for: Newborns, toddlers and beyond
Reasons to buy
Adapts to your child’s needs as they grow
Remote use via the app
Adjustable brightness and sounds
Reasons to avoid
Costly
What Mumsnet users say
“We use a Hatch that was recommended here. Has white noise plus various other noises and different colours/brightness etc too.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user TheGlitterFairy)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? The Hatch Baby Rest comes with its own app, allowing you to control the night light remotely. This is a real plus point, meaning there is no need to sneak into your baby’s room and risk waking them with a creaky floorboard, a feature that parents love.
This brilliant gadget from Hatch comes highly rated on both the Mumsnet forums and online reviews, so it’s no surprise that it earned the status of ‘best overall night light’.
With thousands of parents singing its praises across the world, it's set the bar high for other night lights and baby sleep aids, packed full of practical features that help your little one achieve that elusive good night's sleep.
It is a fully customisable night light which comes with the additional features of white noise sounds and a built-in timer. You can opt for a preset sound and colour combination recommended by sleep experts or play around with the configurations (adjusting the colour, brightness, sound and volume levels) to find the perfect sleep set-up for your baby. Once established, these settings can be locked in and repeated night after night as part of your bedtime routine.
Whilst it’s certainly not the cheapest night light available, it can easily adapt to your child’s needs as they grow. Starting as a white noise tool to help your newborn settle to sleep, Hatch also becomes a comforting night light and a ‘time-to-rise’ sleep training aid for toddlers and preschoolers.
2. Best budget night light: IKEA Spiken Night Light
Price on writing: £10 | Buy now from IKEA
Key specs
Power: Mains-powered | Timer: No | Sounds: No | Best for: Toddlers and children
Reasons to buy
Child can turn on and off themselves
Choice of seven colours
Reasons to avoid
Limited features – no sounds or timer
What Mumsnet users say
"We use this one from IKEA in my LO’s room. I have tried a few and this is by far the most gentle light (and also the cheapest)." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Treaclespongeandcustard)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? An incredibly cute and friendly otter character, Spiken is a budget-friendly night light that can provide comfort and reassurance for young children who may be scared of the dark or struggle to get back to sleep when they wake during the night.
This mains-powered mood light can change between seven different colours including white, purple and turquoise, filling the room with a comforting glow and helping children navigate their room during any overnight toilet trips. Coupled with an effective blackout blind, a night light like this one means you can customise the lighting in your child's bedroom so it's just right.
Incredibly easy to use, an older toddler can turn this night light on and off without assistance, alternating through the colours by simply pressing his tail.
3. Best night light for babies: Ewan the Dream Sheep
Price on writing: £39.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Battery-powered | Timer: Yes | Sounds: Yes | Best for: Newborns and young babies
Reasons to buy
Cute and cuddly
Replicates sounds from the womb
Has a soft, pink glow
Reasons to avoid
Heavy on battery use
May not work for every baby
What Mumsnet users say
"Ewan is lovely, I wouldn't hesitate. My 4 yo still uses it every night." (Recommended by Mumsnet user Topjoe19)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? Unlike brighter projector lights, Ewan's soft pink night light glow is subtle, cleverly designed to mimic their experience in mum's tummy. This can help to settle your newborn or toddler into a peaceful slumber, thanks to the comfort and familiarity they will feel.
Ah, the famous Ewan. If you’re not a parent then you likely haven’t heard of this little fella but, trust us, you’re going to want to take a look.
Almost a million Ewan the Sheep toys have been sold worldwide and it’s easy to see why. Super cute and cuddly, Ewan replicates the comfort of the womb with a selection of soothing sounds, making this an excellent choice for encouraging sleep. But you can choose the sounds if preferred - the options include white noise, rainfall and even a vacuum cleaner!
Be warned though - frequent use of Ewan will gobble up the battery power, so make sure you’re well-stocked with the AAAs. It’s also important to manage your expectations too – while it's a fantastic sleep aid, sadly Ewan is not a miracle cure for sleep deprivation!
4. Best night light for toddlers: Tommee Tippee Sleep Trainer Clock
Price on writing: £30.99 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Power: USB charged | Timer: Yes | Sounds: Yes - white noise and music | Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers
Reasons to buy
Controlled remotely via the app
Customisable colours and brightness
Helps prevent early wake ups
Reasons to avoid
More expensive than the original GroClock
Some found the app quite tricky to set up
What Mumsnet users say
"Couldn't recommend the gro clocks more. They can't make your child sleep, but provide structure and rules. They can see that there are still stars on the clock so it is still night time. It also gives the parent something to blame, ie. Sorry the clock says it's night time, you can't get up yet. Be realistic though, you can't set it for 8!" (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter Bmidreams)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? If you’re trying to establish a good sleep routine or prevent your child from waking up the whole house at 4am, Mumsnetters can’t speak more highly of the GroClock, which comes with a solid reputation as a sleep trainer clock and night light for toddlers and preschoolers.
Recently taken over by Tommee Tippee, the GroClock has had quite a design overhaul, but still has the benefits of the original GroClock we know and love (with some additional new features too).
Using two different colours to represent sleep and wake times, children can quickly learn when they need to stay in bed and when it’s time to get up. Controllable from an app, parents can also set alarms, play lullabies, adjust the brightness and choose from a range of colours, all from the comfort of their phone.
Whilst some Mumsnet users were concerned that the blue light on the original GroClock would keep their child awake, the new version has colours that are completely adjustable on a scale, meaning you can select the sleep and wake colours that work best for you and your child.
5. Best night light with thermometer: Tommee Tippee GroEgg2 Digital Colour Changing Room Thermometer and Night Light
Price on writing: £16.99 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Power: USB charged | Timer: No | Sounds: No | Best for: Newborns and babies
Reasons to buy
Subtle light for night feeds and nappy changes
Visual reminder of room temperature
Reasons to avoid
No sounds or timer
What Mumsnet users say
"We have it and I'd be lost without it! We used it as a night light during the newborn night feeds. She's 9 months now and I still rely on it so I know how to dress her for bed." (Recommended by Mumsnetter WhenTwoBecomeThree)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? Changing colour depending on the temperature of the room, the GroEgg is a great visual reminder to ensure your baby is dressed appropriately, turning red if the room is too hot and blue when the room is too cold.
If you’ve ever tried to change a nappy in a dark nursery without fully waking your baby, you’ll know just how difficult it can be. The GroEgg2 Digital Changing Thermometer is a great solution, offering an adjustable brightness and warm glow that provides enough light to see your surroundings, whilst being subtle enough to keep them calm and content.
6. Best baby night light with projector: Moredig Galaxy Projector Light
Price on writing: £34.99 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Mains-powered | Timer: Yes | Sounds: Yes | Best for: Preschoolers and above
Reasons to buy
Stunning light show in a range of colours
Easy to use
Reasons to avoid
Risk of overstimulating younger children
Our verdict
Our favourite features? With a built-in white noise and Bluetooth speaker, you can also play music or calming sounds and control all the functions via remote control.
Some active little minds need more help than others to switch off and relax at bedtime. If your child is best soothed by a moving light show, then this is the best projector night light we’ve found.
The Moredig Galaxy Projector Light comes with 15 colour shows and a choice of nine different solar system patterns to help create a calming mindful light show across your child’s walls and ceiling before bed. A great option for sleepovers and parties too, the ocean wave and star light can also be set to change according to the music rhythm, creating a magical disco effect.
7. Best plug-in night light: Lindam by Munchkin Nursery Night Light Set
Price on writing: £12.10 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Plug-in | Timer: Dawn till Dusk sensor | Sounds: No | Best for: Any
Reasons to buy
Plug and go
Dusk till Dawn sensor
Good value
Reasons to avoid
Blue light not everyone’s first choice of colour
Some users found them to be too bright
What Mumsnet users say
“I really like the very simple plug-in Lindam ones. They give off a soft blue light. It’s not very much but enough that you can move around the room without banging into stuff and see faces if close-up. Kids have them and we have them on the stairs too." (Vetted by Mumsnet user PiratePete’sPyjamas)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? A great option for creating a subtle light in nurseries and children’s bedrooms, as well as landings and hallways, the Lindam Nursery Night Lights are lightweight and portable and come with a Dawn till Dusk sensor, automatically switching off when the room gets light.
While some Mumsnet users were concerned about the use of blue light or found them too bright, many reviewers found these to be ideal for travel, being small enough to easily fit in an overnight bag. These plug-in lights are also a practical option for toilet training, helping your child navigate their way to the toilet during the night.
8. Best multifunctional night light: Tommee Tippee Grofriend Ollie the Owl Nightlight and CrySensor
Price on writing: £24.99 | Buy now from John Lewis
Key specs
Power: AA battery powered | Timer: Automatic | Sounds: Yes - white noise and lullaby | Best for: Babies
Reasons to buy
Cry sensor triggers sounds when baby cries
Cute cuddly toy
White noise and lullaby functions
Reasons to avoid
Can get through batteries quite quickly (no mains or usb power)
What Mumsnet users say
"We have Ollie the owl for DS and he settles well with it. We use the heartbeat on it and the tummy glow light, which acts like a night light. We use this for bedtime which works really well." (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter lockdownpregnancy)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? The Tommee Tippee Ollie the Owl Light and Sounds Sleep Aid not only has a warm glowing ‘heart’ to comfort and reassure, but comes with an innovative cry sensor that activates the light and sounds if your baby wakes.
If your baby struggles to get back to sleep when they wake during the night, a night light with soothing sounds can be worth its weight in gold.
With a choice of four soothing sounds including white noise and lullaby options, Ollie also comes with adjustable volume and light levels and a timer that shuts the sounds off automatically after 20 minutes.
Made from a super soft plush material, Ollie can also be securely fastened to the side of a cot, crib or pushchair, making him a great sleep companion for your travels too.
9. Best night light for portability: Shnuggle Moonlight Children’s Night Light with Thermometer
Price on writing: £22.95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Lithium Battery | Timer: No | Sounds: No | Best for: Babies and toddlers
Reasons to buy
Portable carry strap
Soft glow
Reasons to avoid
No timer or sounds
What Mumsnet users say
"I have the Shnuggle moonlight and it's just right. Have it on parent mode then when baby is older can have as a night light." (Vetted by Mumsnet user splishsplashsploshsplishsplash)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? The Shunggle Moonlight is a fully portable night light that creates a soft glow with low blue light levels.
Travelling with a baby or toddler can be challenging, particularly when attempting to get them to sleep in an unfamiliar environment. A night light can be helpful to create a more comforting and familiar space at bedtime, which will not only get them to sleep faster but also ensure they get back to sleep quickly if they wake during the night.
In 'Parent' mode, the Shnuggle is ideal for night feeds and comforting your baby, with a subtle light that is far less likely to stimulate or wake them during nappy changes. In 'Child' mode, children can tap to activate full brightness, which then gradually dims as your child drifts off, becoming a reassuring soft glow. The Shnuggle also comes with a handy strap to take on bathroom visits before slotting back on to its coloured thermometer base.
10. Best musical night light for babies: Chicco First Dreams Lullaby Musical Sheep Nightlight Projector
Price on writing: £17.95 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: 3 AA batteries required | Timer: Yes | Sounds: Yes | Best for: Babies
Reasons to buy
30 minutes of music
Automatic reactivation cry sensor
Reasons to avoid
Battery use
Colour rotations are predetermined (can't select colour choice)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? Not only is Chicco First Dreams Lullaby Musical Sheep an adorable, cuddly friend for your baby, it also comes with a glowing colour changing night light on his tummy, enough to create a familiar warm glow in the nursery or bedroom.
Music can be a great comforter for younger babies and a helpful distraction to calm and soothe them before bed. At bedtime, this musical sheep can play 30 minutes of relaxing music and lullabies for your baby before shutting off automatically. You can even record your own voice or music of choice. Even better, an innovative sound sensor will automatically trigger the music and light activation when your baby cries, helping them drift gently back to sleep without your intervention.
11. Best night light for colds and congestion: Calpol Vapour Plug and Night Light
Price on writing: £6.75 | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Plug-in | Timer: No | Sounds: No | Best for: Suitable for three months and over
Reasons to buy
Helps clear congestion
Ideal for travel
Reasons to avoid
Light is blue
What Mumsnet users say
"I second using calpol plug ins. I put one in the living room during the day as well in the bedroom at night." (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter ToastCrumbsOnAPlate)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? Simple to use and providing up to eight hours of relief, the refillable vapour tab slots in before plugging into the mains. The night light then creates a subtle but reassuring glow whilst sending lavender and chamomile vapours and aromatic oils around the room.
Just when you think you’ve got the sleep routine mastered and your child is sleeping like a pro, along come the cough and cold germs; taking you straight back to those early days of restless nights, tears and sleep deprivation.
When your baby has a blocked nose, cold or congestion, it can be incredibly difficult for them to breathe easily when lying down, making sleep feel like a distant memory. The Calpol Vapour Plug and Night Light is a really effective way to help your child breathe more easily.
12. Best night light for night feeds and breastfeeding: Phillips Hue Bulbs
Price on writing: £22.99 for two | Buy now from Amazon
Key specs
Power: Mains-powered (bulb only) | Timer: No | Sounds: No | Best for: Any
Reasons to buy
Fully adjustable brightness on the app
Dimmed light won't overstimulate baby
Reasons to avoid
Expensive
What Mumsnet users say
“I had a Philips Hue lightbulb in my overhead lamp that I could dim on my phone, which was quite useful too.” (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter edgeware)
Our verdict
Our favourite features? Fully adjustable and controlled from your phones, the Hue bulbs can help create just the right amount of light to breastfeed, prepare a bottle or change nappies during the night.
If your baby is waking for feeds in the night, you might find yourself fumbling around in the dark whilst attempting not to overstimulate them or disturb other family members.
A really helpful addition to any nursery setting is a smart light option such as the Philips Hue bulbs. These can be added to either a table lamp or main light fitting to create a fully adjustable, dimmable light, giving you far more control over your surroundings.
Are night lights good for babies?
Conventional wisdom would have us believe that children should learn to sleep in a pitch-black, quiet room. Fortunately, times are changing and nowadays parents feel more confident in choosing routines and habits that suit themselves and their children.
In short, if a night light helps your child to sleep well or be less afraid of the dark, then it’s almost certainly a good idea. What’s more, a few strategically placed, gentle night lights can help parents to navigate the dark, assisting with night feeds and nappy changes, as well as check on your sleeping baby without disturbing them.
Just make sure the light is kept dim to ensure it doesn’t disrupt your or your child’s internal clock or overstimulate them at bedtime. Most night lights switch off after a short time so, once your child is asleep, the room becomes dark again.
What colour night light is best for babies?
A dim red light has been scientifically proven to be the least disruptive to the body, whereas blue lights can impact melatonin production and actually interfere with sleep patterns. Most night lights tend to offer a subtle gold or white glow, whereas others can alternate between a variety of colour options.
What should I look for in a night light?
Here are some features to consider when choosing the right night light for your child:
Age - Some night lights are targeted to soothe, comfort and calm a young baby, whereas others are more suitable for toddlers, preschoolers or older children. Look at the key features to consider which are most suitable for your child’s needs.
Power source - Does the night light require batteries? If so, it's worth remembering that you will need a supply of replacements if the nightlight proves to be popular with your child. Alternatively, mains-powered or USB chargeable night lights can be more cost-effective in the long term. If the night light is battery powered, how long can you expect batteries to last? Some night lights with sounds and white noise can drain batteries pretty quickly.
Sounds - Do you want a night light with sound options and if so, what kind? Some night lights have white noise and soothing sounds, whilst others include lullabies and classical music. Some even allow you to record your own voice and sounds.
Motion or cry sensor - Some night lights come with motion or noise sensors that trigger light or comforting sounds when your baby wakes in the night. These can be really useful to help get your baby back to sleep without parental intervention.
Timer - One really useful night light feature is a timer where the night light turns itself off after a defined time period. Others require you to manually turn them off - this can be a risky action if you aren't able to control it remotely.
Portability for travel - If you're planning to travel or visit family, how easy is the night light to take with you? Is it portable and small enough to fit in your case?
Appealing design - Will your child like the night light? Is it a friendly and appealing character design? Can it be cuddled? Will it soothe and calm your baby or is there a risk of it overstimulating and exciting them?
Adjustable settings - How bright is the night light and can you change the settings to dim it as required? Are there a choice of colours available or is the colour fixed?
Ease of use - Are the instructions easy to follow? Does it require any initial set up or apps to download? If you have creaky floorboards or haven't yet mastered the art of ninja creeping out of a sleeping child’s bedroom, a nightlight that can be controlled from the comfort of your phone is a big plus.
What age should a child stop using a night light?
There’s no definitive answer to this question, like most parenting conundrums. Your child will likely grow out of any attachment to a night light by the time they are four or five years old, but this largely depends on the child.
Some children struggle with nightmares or a fear of the dark throughout the primary years, and a night light can be a great help. What’s important is that the light is dim to keep any effect on the body’s natural rhythms to a minimum.
What’s the best night light for babies?
When it came to the best night light on our list, the Hatch Rest Baby Rest Night Light was certainly the most versatile choice. It offers a smart and adjustable night light solution to help families from the newborn days right up to early childhood. Whilst it’s quite a significant initial investment, the fact it isn't targeted simply at a particular age group means you’ll certainly get your money’s worth.
Here's a handy round up of the best of the rest:
Best budget: IKEA Spiken Night Light
Best for babies: Ewan the Dream Sheep
Best for toddlers: Tommee Tippee Sleep Trainer Clock
Best with thermometer: GroEgg2 Digital Changing Thermometer
“We use a Hatch that was recommended here. Has white noise plus various other noises and different colours/brightness etc too.”
Hatch Baby Rest Sound Machine and Night Light
Hatch Baby Store
amazon.co.uk
Can I leave a night light on all night?
There are a huge range of different night lights, so this will vary from one brand to the next. It isn’t recommended to keep a bright light or a projection show on all night long as this may affect the quality of your child’s sleep and even upset their entire body clock. But, generally speaking, a small light that gives off a dim glow can be used all night to no ill effect.
How we chose our recommendations
Because we know that there’s nothing like a recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which night lights discerning Mumsnet users had bought and rated themselves. We thoroughly analysed these suggestions, noting the pros and cons of each.
We then did extensive research across the wider web, looking at which night lights had won accolades or been featured in expert ‘best buy’ lists across websites and print media, and what customers’ reviews said about them, noting the authentic and in-depth consumer feedback on retailer sites.
Having collated all that information, we picked the night lights we thought would make the best buys in several interest categories, helping solve some of the biggest sleep challenges with newborns and young children.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.