Testing 4 Lighted Gadgets You Will Actually USE!

Today I’m testing four products that all use light in totally different ways, from backyard decoration to power-outage readiness. Some were surprisingly solid, and one was a little more “good idea, but know the limits.”

Here’s how each one went in real-world use, including a couple of things in the listings that didn’t quite match what I experienced.

Where to Purchase

Below you can find links to the Amazon listings where I purchased the items in this review, plus the Acebeam flashlight used for the flashlight comparison.

Four Light-Based Gadgets Tested: Decorative, Practical, and Emergency-Ready

This was a fun mix because each product had a different job: solar décor that needs sunshine, a sunrise alarm that needs usability, an emergency flashlight that needs reliability, and a nightlight that needs the “just right” brightness and color warmth. I tested these the way most people will actually use them, including cloudy days, rain, and walking around the house at night with the lights off.

Solar Butterfly Garden Sculptures

I paid $56.99 for these and the concept is simple: a solar-powered garden decoration with multiple butterflies and color lighting. Assembly was easy, but there were a couple of surprises right away. First, I didn’t realize the butterflies were metallic from the listing, and second, the leaves looked different in person than they appeared online. Still, setup took just a few minutes.

The main, and perhaps obvious, observation is that performance really depended on the weather. On an overcast day, they turned on but weren’t very bright and didn’t last all night. After a full day of sunshine, though, the difference was obvious. They were noticeably brighter and stayed lit through the night into the early morning. The rain test also went fine, and they kept working afterward.

One important note: the listing mentioned colors that “slowly change,” but what I saw were static colors rather than a gradual color-shift effect. Overall, when they get proper sun, they’re decorative, low-maintenance, and they do what they’re supposed to do. Just don’t judge them on a cloudy day.

What I liked: Easy setup, looks good at night, works well after full sun, survived rain.
What I didn’t like: Brightness drops fast on cloudy days, listing claims didn’t match my color-change experience, metal points made me consider pet placement.

Best for: People who want simple solar yard décor and get decent sun exposure.

Sunrise Alarm Clock (Sunrise + Sounds + Moon/Shooting Stars)

This one cost me $35 and has a lot packed into it: sunrise wake-up light, two alarms (with a catch), a moonlight/shooting star mode, volume control, and multiple nature sounds. The sunrise feature worked the way I hoped it would. I set the alarm about 20 minutes out, and it gradually increased brightness for 10 minutes, then the sound kicked in right at the alarm time.

In my semi-real-world test, I ended up liking it. The light was pleasant, the sound options were solid, and the clock display wasn’t obnoxiously bright. The “shooting stars” mode was also genuinely relaxing and a nice bonus feature.

My only real issue is the same one many people mentioned: there are a lot of controls, and it’s not instantly intuitive. Also, the second alarm doesn’t include the sunrise feature, so if you were hoping both alarms did that, it’s something to be aware of.

What I liked: Sunrise effect works, good sound options, not too bright at night, fun moon/shooting stars mode.
What I didn’t like: Takes time to learn the controls, sunrise feature is only on alarm one.

Best for: Anyone who wakes up before sunrise or just wants a gentler wake-up routine.

Energizer Rechargeable Emergency Flashlight (Auto-On During Outage)

I paid $10.44 for this and it has a huge number of reviews, plus the general concept is appealing: keep it plugged into the wall, and when the power goes out, it automatically turns on. No batteries to hunt for, no drawer search in the dark.

In practice, it does work, but you need to know one key detail: it has to be left switched “on” while it’s plugged in. If you leave it switched off and there’s an outage, it won’t magically turn itself on. So it’s more of a “leave it armed” emergency light than a fully automatic no-brainer.

I also tested the battery life. It ran about three hours, but the final stretch wasn’t very bright. That means it’s great for short outages, but if you’re dealing with a longer situation, it probably shouldn’t be your only plan. I even compared it to a compact rechargeable EDC flashlight (with optional AA backup), and the big advantage of the Energizer is still the auto-on outage feature, not the brightness or the long runtime.

What I liked: Turns on when the power goes out (if left switched on), no battery swapping, easy to keep ready.
What I didn’t like: Runtime is limited, brightness isn’t its strength, not ideal as your only outage light.

Best for: A first line of defense for short outages, especially in a hallway or near a main outlet.

LuxLumin Dusk-to-Dawn Nightlights (4-Pack)

This was $10 for a four-pack, and the first impression was “these feel kind of cheap.” But cheap doesn’t automatically mean it’s bad, so I placed them around the house and tested them the way you’d actually use them: lights off at night, walking the halls, checking whether the sensor behaves properly.

The result was better than expected. They didn’t block the second outlet, they turned on when it got dark, and the brightness was what I’d call a pleasant glow. Not blinding, not useless. Once the house lights were off, they did a good job lighting a path through the hallway and around corners.

If someone wants a super bright nightlight, these probably won’t be enough. But if you want subtle, inexpensive, and functional, they did the job.

What I liked: Pleasant glow, sensors worked, doesn’t block the other outlet, good value for a 4-pack.
What I didn’t like: Feels cheaply made, brightness may be too dim for some people.

Best for: Hallways, bedrooms, and anywhere you want a soft guide light at night.

Video Review

Below you can watch my full review.