The Best Kitchen Night Light

You most often hear of night lights being used in bedrooms and bathrooms, but these lights also come in handy for your kitchen. Whether you want a late-night snack or just need to pass through on the way to another place in your home, night lights can provide some illumination in a way that doesn’t use too much energy or disturb others.

Kitchen night lights come in various styles and sizes. The most compact ones are made to fit directly into an outlet without taking up much extra space. These are a good choice for those who prefer minimalist design and range from a simple square shape to more decorative options. Larger kitchen night lights often come in the form of round or square panels and might even have some patterning.

You’ll want to think about whether you prefer kitchen night lights that plug into an outlet or just use batteries. Electrical versions may require less maintenance, but can pose more of a risk if placed in reach of children. Battery-powered lights provide more flexibility since you don’t need an outlet nearby to use them — although you will need to make sure you’re well-stocked with battery cells.

The bulb type used in your kitchen night light is important especially for energy usage considerations. Most options these days come with LED bulbs, which have a long lifespan and are energy-efficient compared to traditional bulbs. Check the specifications, since both the wattage and lifespan vary by bulb.

Also, consider the differences between cool and warm light bulbs. The color of a light bulb is measured in kelvins, with 1000k offering a red or yellow candlelit glow, 4000k emitting a cool white tone, and 6000-7000k creating a cool daylight appearance.  So, if you’d like a kitchen night light that appears softer and yellower, opt for one that uses a warm light bulb. On the other hand, you might prefer one with a daylight bulb for the most natural and brightest illumination. A kitchen night light with a cool white bulb lies somewhere in the middle, offering a good brightness level but less natural light.

Many kitchen night lights include a feature that detects light levels, so they come on as soon as your kitchen starts getting dim. This can be convenient, but you may not wish to have a light on all night. Other lights may have a motion detector so that the light stays off until you or someone else walks nearby. Some lights also allow you to adjust their brightness.

Once you’ve found the best type of kitchen night light, figure out how many to buy. If you’re using lights that plug in, use the locations and number of power outlets you have in the kitchen as a guide. If you opt for battery-powered lights that you can stick anywhere, you have more flexibility to place them in multiple strategic places in your kitchen.

• Night lights are often sold in packages of two, four or six for your convenience. Not only does this give you more opportunities to light up your kitchen, but you can also always use the extra night lights in places such as hallways, bedrooms or bathrooms.
• When placing kitchen night lights, avoid putting them near anything flammable like paper, curtains or cloths. Put electrical night lights in a ventilated area.
• Make sure to place your electrical night light away from water and damp environments as well. Do not touch the night light when your hands are wet.
• If you plan to use a kitchen night light that stays on all night, pay close attention to how much energy the light uses so that you don’t get surprised with a significant increase in your electric bill. An LED light can reduce energy usage. Alternatively, you could choose a motion-activated light.
• The bulb will burn out at some point. Keep in mind that some kitchen night lights don’t have bulbs you can change, so you may just need to toss it out and get a new one. If yours does allow for bulb replacement, check the manual to make sure you get the right the bulb type and wattage.
• To avoid electrical dangers with plug-in lights, inspect your kitchen night light periodically to make sure there are no signs of overheating or damage. Also, plug the light directly in an outlet rather than into an extension cord.
• Make sure to follow manufacturer instructions and register your product with the company so you will be informed of any recalls or problems.
• Put your night light in the darkest or most traveled parts of the kitchen. Note that appliances such as microwaves and stoves may reflect or emit some light from glass doors or digital readouts, so you may not need lights near them.
• Placing lights under cabinets will help illuminate counters and floors. A dimmer on these can ensure they don’t get too bright.