Sometimes, the smallest and most practical things can make the biggest difference to your home. For example, with a proper night light, accidents caused by navigating in the dark can be greatly reduced. However, the best motion sensor night lights can take you a step further. Not only are they more energy efficient, they are easy to install and can provide your space with the comfort and security it needs, even if there are no available outlets. In addition to brightness, you also need to keep in mind that the range of motion detection can vary from 5 to 25 feet.
What criteria need to be considered
When choosing one of these motion-activated night lights, consider its intended location and nearby power sources, if any. A traditional night light that plugs into an electrical outlet is the lowest maintenance and cheapest option, but it's also the most limiting. If you have a dark space (such as a closet or garage) that could use the glow of a motion sensor light, one that is battery-operated and comes with the correct mounting accessory (usually a duct tape). For added convenience, look for options with rechargeable batteries.
Next, consider how bright you need your light to be, which is a number measured in lumens—the more lumens a light has, the brighter it will be. As a rule of thumb, a typical night light is around 10 lumens, however, you'll find a wide range (and even some with multiple settings), and ultimately it comes down to personal preference . If you want to trigger a light in the bathroom or bedside in the middle of the night, colored lights may be a popular option. For example, research shows that red light can help signal to your body that it's time to sleep.
Buy the best motion sensor night light
hurry? Here are our top picks for the best closet dehumidifiers:
- Best Plug-in Night Light Overall: GE Motion Sensor LED Night Light
- The Best Battery-Powered Light You Can Place Anywhere: Anker Motion Sensor Eufy Night Light
- Best Night Light and Flashlight in One: Sensky 3-in-1 Motion Sensor Night Light
- Best Magnetic Night Light with Colorful Settings: SingHong Motion Sensor LED Night Light
- Best LED Night Light Under the Bed: Vansky Motion Activated Bed Light
- Smart Toilet Night Light: Chunace 16-Color Toilet Night Light
Now that you know how to choose one of the best motion sensor night lights, you'll find six options to choose from below. I've even included some non-traditional options, like one for the toilet and one that doubles as a flashlight.
1. Best overall plug-in night light
If you need a low-cost motion-activated night light, you can’t go wrong with this one from GE. It emits a bright white LED light when motion is detected within 25 feet, then automatically turns off after 90 seconds. Plus, it plugs into any standard outlet, and the prongs on the back are offset so it doesn't cover two outlets at once. More than 800 Amazon fans gave the device an overall rating of 4.6 stars, with one reviewer noting that it can light up a large room without being too harsh in the middle of the night. For a few dollars more, you can also buy a brighter and slightly larger 40-lumen version.
One reviewer writes: "I have this in the hallway and in the kitchen. The motion sensor is very sensitive and recognizes me from 5 feet away so I don't have to turn on another light. It's also great for short trips because It continues to light my way but once I'm gone I'm glad I bought these and they still work. ”
Power: Electrical outlet | Brightness: 20 lumens
Also: Bed Bath & Beyond, $10
2. The best battery-operated light you can place anywhere
This affordable eufy light set from Anker is a great value. They can be fixed to a wall or surface using the included tape, or for a more permanent placement, use the included screws. These night lights detect motion within 10 feet and automatically turn off after 15 seconds. Although it doesn't offer lumens, reviewers describe it as emitting a soft, warm white light.
One commenter wrote: "So glad we purchased these! We use these on the stairs inside the house. Decided not to stick with them but put them aside and wow, they work great! Really impressed, wish we had done it sooner Get them. Highly recommend these. We bought two sets for the added value of light along dark stairs and the motion detectors work great for these little guys.”
Power Supply: 3 AAA batteries (not included) |Brightness: Not provided
3. The best night light and flashlight in one
Not only can this motion sensor night light be used in a room or hallway, but its unique design also allows you to detach the light from the base (which doubles as a charger) and use it as a flashlight - a very useful feature, especially It's during a power outage. In night light mode, its passive infrared (PIR) motion detection is activated whenever someone moves within 10 feet of it. Thereafter, the light will automatically turn off within 25 seconds of inactivity.
One reviewer wrote: Every home needs one of these! You can use it as a flashlight when you lose power. It's perfect for night time, it detects motion and lights up when you walk into a room. I like it. "
Power source: electrical outlet (night light); rechargeable lithium battery (included with flashlight) | Brightness: 25 lumens (night light); 30 lumens (flashlight)
4. Best Magnetic Night Light with Colorful Settings
These circular motion sensor LED night lights emit a colorful glow (in fact, these are the brightest options on this list) And easy to use. The back is magnetized so you can easily stick it to any metal surface (such as a refrigerator or cabinet). Or, if a metal surface isn't readily available, you can choose to hang it using one of the included magnetic stickers. Its passive infrared (PIR) motion detection feature turns the light on when a human body is detected within 16 to 22 feet, and automatically turns off after 15 seconds. Best of all, there are eight different colors to choose from.
One reviewer wrote: "These little puck lights are the best I've found. They're the only motion-sensing, rechargeable puck lights I've found that have a red light setting. At night, we'll just have the red light on in the house, for relaxing sleep. We set these puck lights to red and placed them throughout the kitchen, hallways, and bathrooms. I started buying them as gifts for new parents who have to wake up repeatedly during the night because the red light makes them more comfortable. Get back to sleep quickly. They are more expensive than other puck lights I have seen, but well worth the price. ”
Power supply: Rechargeable lithium battery (including battery and USB charging cable) |Brightness: 60 lumens
5. The best LED night light for under the bed
With this 5-foot long motion-activated bed light, you can add indirect white LED light under your bed, crib, kitchen or bathroom cabinet, or wherever you need it! Each strip comes with 3M adhesive backing to hold it in place and comes with an extra 3.5-foot power cord so you can plug it into an electrical outlet. Unlike some other options on this list that turn on with any movement, this version is designed with passive infrared (PIR) motion detection, so it only turns on when a human body is detected. It also features a wide detection range (11.8 feet) and adjustable shut-off time (from 30 seconds to 10 minutes). Although no lumen figures are provided, Amazon reviewers report that it's very bright.
One commenter wrote: "My husband wakes up before me and he always has to fumble for his phone light in the semi-darkness so as not to wake me up while I'm still sleeping. However, the light from my phone still comes up every now and then Wakes me up. This motion light under the bed is great. It gives him enough light to see while getting ready without being too bright to disturb me while I'm still sleeping. The motion sensor is very sensitive. , so it works great. I highly recommend this product.”
Power Supply: Electrical Outlet | Brightness: Not Provided
Also available at: Walmart, $48
6. This clever toilet night light
For fun late-night lighting, look no further than this fan-favorite toilet night light, which has an overall rating of 4.5 stars after nearly 7,000 reviews. There are 16 neon color options and 5 brightness levels to choose from, making it easy to find your porcelain throne in the dark. Installation also requires no tools, just use the hooks to hang it under the seat. The light comes on once motion is detected within 5 feet, then automatically turns off after one minute (or no further motion is detected). Bonus: They come with a one-year warranty.
One reviewer wrote: "We weren't sure how this would work, but have one in every bathroom and love them! They take 3 AA batteries so be prepared. They put out quite a bit of light and have movement The sensor is sensitive and would make a great and practical gift for someone who has everything. ”
Power: 3 AAA batteries (not included) | Brightness: 20 lumens
