A plug-in night light adds a low glow to a hallway, bathroom or bedroom without a lamp or a battery. Most use a dusk-to-dawn sensor to switch on when a room gets dark, and some add dimming, motion detection or color options.
The six night lights below range from a color-changing light to multi-packs of warm white sensors. Sizes, brightness and sensor types come from each product’s listing page, and we flag where a listing disagrees with itself. We have not used these night lights ourselves.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sensor | Dusk-to-dawn, motion or both decide when it lights |
| Brightness | Lumen figures and a dimmer let you keep the glow low |
| Color | Warm white at 3000K, or color options |
| Size | A slim body leaves the second outlet free |
Specs at a Glance
| Night light | Size | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUVON 4-pack | 2.61 x 2.61 x 1.58 in | 16 LEDs, backlit; 1.5 W; dimmable | Motion and dusk-to-dawn sensor; sensing range 3 to 5 m |
| LOHAS 2-pack | 2.05 x 1.85 x 1.85 in | 0.3 W; 40 lumen; 3000K | Dusk-to-dawn sensor; ultra slim |
| MAZ-TEK 4-pack | 0.7 x 2.76 x 2.79 in | Warm white; 0 to 15 lm by slide switch | Dusk-to-dawn sensor; dimmable |
| GE 2-pack | 2.1 x 1.6 x 3.5 in | Warm white 3000K LED | Dusk-to-dawn sensor; covers an outlet or leaves one free |
| GE color changing | 2.5 x 4 x 1 in | 8 colors; soft white mode | Three lighting modes; dusk-to-dawn sensor |
| Lights by Night 2-pack | 2 x 2 x 2 in | Warm white 3000K | Automatic sensor; single-outlet footprint |
The 6 Best Night Lights
1. AUVON Plug-in LED Backlit Night Light, 4 Pack
A four-pack of 2.61 inch squares with 16 LEDs that reflect light onto the wall instead of shining straight out. An auto mode uses a motion sensor with a listed range of 3 to 5 meters at 120 degrees, and brightness is adjustable by touch.
Suits: hallways where you want motion-activated light. Strengths: four units, backlit design and adjustable brightness. Weaknesses: a bulkier body than basic sensor lights. Skip it if you want the simplest dusk-to-dawn light.
View AUVON Plug-in Backlit Night Light 4 Pack with Motion Sensor on Amazon
2. L LOHAS LED Night Lights Plug Into Wall, 2-Pack
A slim pair drawing 0.3 watts and putting out 40 lumens at 3000K soft white. A built-in light sensor turns it on in the dark and off in daylight, so there is no switch to use.
Suits: a low-key glow in many rooms. Strengths: very low wattage and a slim body. Weaknesses: the details list an app control method that the description does not mention, so treat that field as unreliable. Skip it if you want a dimmer.
View L LOHAS 3000K Plug-in Night Lights 2-Pack on Amazon
3. MAZ-TEK Plug in Dimmable LED Night Light, 4 Pack
A four-pack with a slide switch that steplessly adjusts warm white brightness from 0 to 15 lumens and a dusk-to-dawn sensor that switches on when ambient light drops.
Suits: a very dim glow you can tune. Strengths: adjustable brightness and four units. Weaknesses: the details also list waterproof and remote control, which conflict with a plug-in slide-switch design, so we ignore them. Skip it if you want a brighter light.
View MAZ-TEK Dimmable Plug-in Night Light 4 Pack on Amazon
4. GE Plug in Night Light, Dusk to Dawn, 2 Pack
A glossy white pair, 2.1 by 1.6 by 3.5 inches, with a 3000K warm white LED and a light sensor. The listing says the low-profile housing covers a full outlet or leaves one receptacle free.
Suits: a familiar plain design. Strengths: a recognizable brand and automatic sensing. Weaknesses: no brightness control. Skip it if you want to dim the light.
View GE Plug-in Night Light 3000K 2 Pack on Amazon
5. GE Plug In Color Changing Night Light
A 2.5 by 4 by 1 inch light with eight color choices, a mode that cycles through them and a soft white mode, plus a dusk-to-dawn sensor.
Suits: a light with color options. Strengths: three modes in one unit. Weaknesses: sold as a single light. Skip it if you only want warm white.
View GE Plug-in Color Changing Night Light on Amazon
6. Lights by Night Plug In Night Light, 2 Pack
A 2 inch cube pair with a dusk-to-dawn sensor and 3000K warm white light. The listing says it is made to guide through a room rather than light it fully or for reading, and it uses one receptacle.
Suits: a compact, plain light. Strengths: small body and automatic sensing. Weaknesses: the maker says it is not for reading. Skip it if you want a brighter light.
View Lights by Night Plug-in Night Light 2 Pack on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Unplug a night light before cleaning it.
- Wipe with a dry cloth.
- Place sensors where room light will not trigger them wrongly.
- Check the outlet fit before buying multi-packs.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Placing a sensor light opposite a bright window.
- Trusting a details field that clashes with the description.
- Choosing a wide body that blocks the second outlet.
- Expecting a night light to work as a reading lamp.
Night Light FAQ
What is a dusk-to-dawn sensor?
A light sensor that turns the light on when a room gets dark and off when it brightens.
Do any of these have motion detection?
Only the AUVON lists a motion mode among these six.
The Short Version
For motion and backlighting, the AUVON. For a slim 0.3 watt pair, the LOHAS. For a tunable glow, the MAZ-TEK. For a plain classic, the GE two-pack. For color options, the GE color changing. For a tiny cube, the Lights by Night.
