Finding the best nightlight for toddler is a task that many parents face. Newborns and infants usually can sleep anywhere, anytime. As they grow older and become toddlers they might develop fear of darkness, which sometimes remains until the school age. Besides, toddlers often crawl out of their beds at night to go to the bathroom, or to come to their parents’ room. Parents often need to attend to their children at night. Wandering around a house or an apartment in complete darkness isn’t a good idea, especially with toys laying around in unexpected places. This is where a nightlight comes in handy. If you have ever considered buying a nightlight for a toddler, you have probably noticed that the spectrum of choices is immense, while the price range is confusingly wide. So let’s dig into the subject starting with the most common questions about nightlights.
Is good or it bad to sleep with a nightlight on?
There are different opinions about sleeping with a night light. Some people believe that we should sleep in complete darkness without any sources of light. Others believe that mild light does not affect sleep. Of course, sleeping in the dark is preferable, but it’s not always possible, especially if you have an 18-month-old afraid of the dark. So the best thing you can do is to choose the right night light that won’t be too bright and disturbing. To minimize the effect of a night light on your toddler’s sleep you should place it at some distance from the bed so that the light does not shine right in the sleeper’s eyes.
What color of light is preferable?
Is there any difference between a nightlight for infants and a night light for 2-3-year-old children?
What is the best night light for feeding a baby?
Now as we have covered the most important questions regarding nightlights, let’s go shopping! We have picked five best toddler nightlight lamps that are cute, fun and affordable and provided them with honest reviews.
| Product | Size | Color Options | Power Supply | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hontry Newest Night Light (Editor’s Choice) | 5.3 x 6.7 x 5.3 inches | Yellow, blue, red, green | Batteries or USB cable | Check Price |
| Dreampanion Portable Soothing LED Kids (Editor’s Choice) | 5.5 x 3 inches | Warm yellow | Built-in battery, rechargeable | Check Price |
| Cloud B Twilight Constellation Night Light | 12 x 8 x 3.9 inches | Amber, blue, green | Batteries | Check Price |
| Easuntec Night Light Dinosaur | 5.1 x 8.9 inches | Cyan, red, yellow, purple, green, blue, white | Batteries or USB cable | Check Price |
| My Tot Clock | 5.5 x 2 x 7 inches | Blue, yellow, cyan, green, red | Batteries or USB cable | Check Price |
1. Hontry Newest Night Light, Multiple Colors Star Light Rotating Projector: A Moving Nightlight for Babies and Toddlers
This nightlight is designed to be used in several different ways from a night lantern to a multimedia disco ball. The device comes in an egg-shaped case with a control panel on its bottom part. It has only four control buttons, so it’s quite easy to operate. If you wish to use this device as a nightlight, you should remove the projecting part and enjoy soft, soothing light in one of four colors: yellow, blue, red or green. To create a more fun and moving atmosphere you can leave it as is and it will fill your toddler’s room with beautiful starry light (also available in multiple colors). The third option is to take the cover lid off for brighter and more vivid projection.
The nightlight can be put on a night stand near your toddler’s bed or hung by a durable string. There are two power supply options available: batteries and a USB cable.
Features
- Rotating stars projector (multicolored)
- Customizable timer
An advanced timer allows you to set the night light on for as long as your toddler needs it, up to 995 minutes. You don’t have to settle for standard timing regimes offered by most other nightlights.
- Multi-colored starlight rotating projector.
- Available in four different color modes.
- Two power supply options offer more flexible use.
- Customizable timer.
- Can be used on different occasions by toddlers, older children, and adults.
- Portable.
- Comes with a hanging string.
- Easy to clean.
- Batteries are not supplied with the device.
- A wall plug is not included.
- The projector rotates rather fast and is too stimulating to be used as a before-bedtime entertainment.
- A USB cable is rather short.
Verdict
2. Dreampanion Portable Soothing LED Kids Night Light Lamp: The Best Night Light for a Newborn
Dreampanion Night Light Lamp is a portable wireless nightlight, suitable for children of all ages, including toddlers. It is powered by a built-in lithium polymer battery, which lasts for a very long time and does not require changing. The light is distributed by long-lasting LED bulbs. This nightlight uses mild warm light in yellow spectrum that creates comfortable sleeping environment.
Dreampanion night light is very easy to operate. It is designed in such a way that even toddlers can do it effortlessly. There is one button at the bottom of the lamp, which regulates brightness and burning time. You can choose between two brightness modes: as a dim lamp for a baby crib or in a brighter mode when you need to change the diaper or feed your child. By default, the night light shuts off automatically after 15 minutes. Alternatively, you may leave it on in a dim mode overnight. The battery lasts for approximately 14 hours between charges, which is more than enough for a single use. When on the base the light does not work, but in case the electricity shuts down, it will turn on automatically.
Features
- Does not heat
- 15-minute timer
- Lightweight
This nightlight is very lightweight and easy to hold even in small toddler hands. Older children can take this lamp to light the way to the bathroom in the night. The device does not heat up even after long hours of staying on, so there is no risk of damage or inflammation. It is made of rubberized plastic that is rigid, but pleasant to the touch. The nightlight is smooth and easy to clean. As claimed by the manufacturer, the material it is made of does not contain any harmful components.
- Long-lasting LED bulbs.
- Warm, sleep-friendly non-flickering light.
- Batteries do not need replacement. No maintenance cost.
- Easy to operate.
- Features two illumination modes: continuous and 15-minute auto shut-off.
- Two brightness levels available.
- Easy to grip and carry.
- Smooth and pleasant to the touch.
- Does not attract dust and dirt, easy to clean.
- Portable.
- Cute design.
- 1-year manufacturer warranty.
- Bulbs and battery cannot be replaced, so in case one of the elements stops working, the lamp will be of no use.
- 15 minutes is often not enough for an infant or toddler to doze off, so a parent will have to turn the night light on repeatedly, which is not very convenient. A longer interval could have been a better idea.
Verdict
3. Cloud B Twilight Constellation Night Light: A Magical Kids’ Night Light with a Timer
This turtle-shaped constellation projector is suitable for children aged 2 and older. It looks like a real toy, so it should be rather appealing to toddlers. It can be used as a nightlight and as a before-bedtime entertainment. The Cloud B nightlight projects starry sky with the moon on walls and a ceiling, creating a magical atmosphere. Perhaps, that’s why it is so adorned by toddlers.
Features
- 45-minute timer
- Constellation projector
The nightlight is rather bright, but not overly disturbing. If it is placed not too close to the bed, a child can peacefully fall asleep with the light on. Please note, that if you intend to let your toddler sleep with this nightlight, it is better to put the amber light on. Regardless of the color, the light is timed to stay on only for 45 minutes.
- Features a night sky projector, which many toddlers find very amusing.
- 2 in 1: a nightlight and a toy.
- Three colors available.
- Wireless and portable.
- Comes with batteries.
- The 45-minute timer provides enough time for a toddler to fall asleep and turns the light off for complete darkness during the rest of the night.
- Batteries need to be changed time after time.
- Plush fabric is a dust magnet, so the nightlight will be quite hard to clean.
- Does not have a regular dim light mode that can be left on throughout a night.
Verdict
4. Easuntec Night Light Dinosaur 7 Colors Change: The Best Nightlight for Kids’ Room
This is a rather unusual and fascinating nightlight. When turned on it looks like a three-dimensional hologram of a dinosaur. In reality, it consists of a base and a transparent acrylic insert with an etched image. When illuminated the nightlight produces the 3D effect. There are seven colors available, including red and yellow – the most favorable colors for the night sleep. You can put on a single color or start a carousel with one color changing another in several fun modes. Adjustable brightness allows you to create a desirable atmosphere in your toddler’s room.
Features
- Automatic color changing
- Long cable
- Battery
- USB cable
Easuntec Night Light has two types of power supply: batteries and USB cable that can be connected to a computer or to a power outlet (the plug is not included). The cable is rather long, so there should not be any problems with finding a place for the nightlight.
- Unusual design imitating a 3D hologram.
- Has seven colors to choose from, including red and yellow.
- Comes with a remote control.
- Two alternative power supply options.
- Rather compact, but not tiny.
- Several brightness levels.
- Easy to clean.
- Acrylic surface catches fingerprints very easily and that might affect the quality of an image.
- Does not have an auto-shut-off timer.
- A wall plug and batteries are not included in the package.
Verdict
5. My Tot Clock: Best Nightlight for 4-5 Year-Old Children
My Tot Clock is not a typical nightlight. As is clear from its name, this is a clock that is designed to help young children get used to their schedule. This device can be very helpful for children who are learning to be independent and need little hits when it is time to go to bed, to wake up or to take a nap. Nevertheless, toddlers are also welcome to use it regardless of their abilities, since My Tot Clock is very fun, entertaining and educating. And it wouldn’t have been included in this review if it didn’t have a night light option.
It has four colors of night light available. The manufacturer has designed it so that each color corresponds to a certain activity. The bedtime is indicated by the blue light, so by default that would be the color of the night light. Other features include bedtime songs, fairy tales, wake-up music and white noise.
The clock is rather small. It is just the right size to be placed on a toddler’s night stand. Controls that are to be used by parents are hidden under the faceplate. There are four levels of brightness that can be adjusted according your child’s preferences. This device also features an illuminated analog clock, which comes in handy if your child is learning to tell time.
Features
- Analog clock
- Alarm clock
- Timer
- Music
- Narrations
- White noise
- Scheduling
My Tot Clock runs on batteries or can be plugged in if you want to save the battery power. If it stays on all night and is used actively during the day, the batteries will die pretty fast. To make them last longer, you should use an energy saving mode.
- Aside from being a night light, My Tot Clock performs 9 different functions.
- Helps toddlers keep up with their schedule.
- Suitable for older children as well, helps develop self-organization skills.
- Educative.
- Hidden controls prevent a toddler from messing up with the settings.
- Night light with five brightness levels.
- Two sources of power supply.
- Fun and entertaining.
- Blue color night light.
- Batteries are not included.
- If batteries die all the settings will need to be reset, which might be inconvenient, considering that they normally don’t last long for this device.
Verdict
Tips on how to choose the best nightlight for toddler
Peaceful and sound sleep is very important for children, especially at an early age. The concerned parent naturally would do anything to create the best sleeping environment for their toddlers. A proper nightlight is one of the things that can combat a toddler’s fear of darkness and induce healthy sleep. So what are the most important features that make up a good nightlight? Let’s figure out.
- Proper color of light. If you intend to use a night light to help your baby sleep, you should choose the light in one of the following spectrums: yellow, amber or red. These colors are not disturbing and if your toddler wakes up in the middle of the night, he or she will be able to fall back asleep easier.
- Small and lightweight. Your toddler should be able to handle the nightlight effortlessly. Besides, in case a child accidentally drops it on a foot, it should not cause any serious damage.
- It is always better to have a device that is not just a night light. Some of the most common and useful features include white noise, alarm clock, music and stars projector.
- Cord-free nightlights are usually more convenient. A toddler can take such a lamp to guide the way to the bathroom at night. Besides, it will come in handy on a family road trip or a camping trip. Portable nightlights can be rechargeable or battery powered. Both types have their pros and cons; the choice depends on your preferences and lifestyle.
Easy to use
Toddlers love pressing buttons and operating simple devices. They feel proud to own something that belongs only to them and something they can use at their whim. Giving a toddler a nightlight is a great way to satisfy this need. Obviously, the device should be rather simple to use, preferably with only a few simple functions. More complex, multifunctional night lights should have hidden controls accessible only by adults.
Safe and hygienic
Your child’s safety always comes first. You need to take several precautions prior to giving a nightlight to your toddler. Furthermore, you should make sure it does not have any sharp edges or parts that your toddler can break off and swallow. If the nightlight has batteries, they should be located in such a way that a toddler won’t access them. Some toddlers still like putting things in their mouths, a nightlight is no exception. Therefore, it is very important that it is made of child-friendly materials. High-quality plastic would be the best choice since it is easy to clean and thus more hygienic.
Best toddler nightlight: conclusions and recommendations
As you see, night lights come in different configurations, sizes and colors. Some of them have so many features they can hardly be called nightlights. Nevertheless, if you realize what is important for you and your toddler, choosing the right one will not be too hard. You just have to keep in mind the basic recommendations and use some imagination. And remember that a nighlight is only a tool. To raise a good sleeper you should teach your toddler how to sleep in dark and light places. Most importantly, this is your loving care that makes your little one feel safe and sleep peacefully at night.
