Where I got it: B&M, for maybe £10 (or £15)
How long I've had it: at least 4 years
Categories: calming; lighting
Size
It's quite big for a night light, the buttons are a bit fiddly, but it's not as tall as traditional lamps.
Texture
Just plastic... Not really a sensory 'toy' so much as a sensory nice thing.
Smell
No smell (if there was a smell when it came out the box I don't remember it, and it's not there now).
Interaction / How it moves
It can be battery operated, or powered by cable. The cable that came with it has the 5V attachment at one end (for the light itself), and a USB at the other. I power it through a mains-to-USB converter that came with a phone forever ago.
One button... does something. Maybe the power. I've always controlled the on/off via the wall plug/mains.
The middle button changes the light colour. You can have a combo... red, blue, green. I opt for red+blue for the purple vibe.
Another button starts/stops rotation. Activate this, and it'll turn, so if you're in a dark room you can watch the stars and moons go round. I must admit, I find it a bit fast, and the motor a bit loud, but in a bigger room (i.e. not a box room) it might not feel as intense.
Downsides
The outer plastic dome is hard, the dome with the shapes in it is much softer, so... be careful not to drop things on it or squish it in your rucksack!
I also don't like the noise of the motor when it's turning.
Awkward to take with you.
The buttons might be a little close together/fiddly for some.
Positives
Nightlight!! Mains powered means I'm not getting through a million batteries, and I prefer it to the static other night lights I've had. The stars are just so nice to look at, and I enjoy the red and blue together.
Stronger light source than most night lights, but not as bright as leaving a lamp on (excluding dimmable ones), and more soothing colour options.
The 'diffuser' dome softens and blurs the light, so you can make it softer! (And I only realised this after I'd had it for months, I just thought it was fuzzy because it was cheap!)
Battery powered option means you can take it anywhere - BUT REMEMBER to remove any batteries before putting it back into the mains!
Cheap. I've lost the box, but I'm pretty sure it was £5 or £10. Or maybe £15 actually, I'm sure a 5 was involved but £5 seems super cheap.
Good if...
You've got a little bit of space for a nightlight, and you like the stars and moons theme - it's way more interesting to look up at when you can't sleep than just your ceiling bathed whatever colour another nightlight might be putting out.
Bad if...
I'd look for another product if you want a 'planetarium' that you can control the rotation speed of, and with a quieter motor. I do not use it for that function.
Overall opinion / Verdict
For me, it's an essential. Good price, it's lasted pretty well, and I find it very calming/soothing. It'll also make a really good light source for a sensory den. I'd recommend it to anyone, so grab one if you see one in B&M!
