Parents whisper about a £9.99 fix that softens night-time glare and lights tricky corners without wires or drills.
Across family homes, a small stick-on light is turning up in hall cupboards, children’s rooms and under stairs. Aldi’s Casalux Puck Lights sit at the centre of this low-cost shift, promising fuss-free brightness where mains fittings fall short.
What are Aldi’s puck lights
Aldi is selling compact, battery-powered Casalux puck lights at £9.99 each. They give off a warm, gentle beam, enough to guide small feet to the loo or to help you find the right lunchbox without waking the house. No cables. No drilling. You peel, stick and press.
At £9.99 a unit, you get moveable light for awkward spots, without calling an electrician or opening a toolbox.
Parents are placing them in cupboards for better reach to the back shelf, on landings for safe night walks, and by bunk beds as softer, bedtime-friendly light. The format is deliberately simple: a puck you can mount in seconds, then lift and reposition when a space changes.
Why parents swear by them
- Nights feel calmer: a muted glow makes overnight feeds and toilet trips less jarring than a ceiling light.
- Less stumbling: stair corners and tight hallways get just enough light to see the next step and the odd stray toy.
- Better storage visibility: pantries, boiler cupboards and under-sink spaces become usable, not guesswork.
- Portable: move one from a reading nook to a den in a moment, no sockets required.
- Budget-friendly: a tenner brings practical lighting to spots where a lamp won’t fit or a hardwired fix isn’t worth it.
Real-world performance
Expect a warm, cosy tone rather than harsh task lighting. Reading picture books at bedtime or navigating a landing suits this style. For detailed kitchen prep, you might prefer a brighter, plug-in strip or a mains under-cabinet bar.
Most puck lights in this category run on AA or AAA batteries. Runtime varies widely by brightness and battery quality. Light output is usually modest—think guidance, not floodlighting. Adhesive pads typically grip on painted walls, tiles and clean timber. On uneven or dusty surfaces, clean first and test a small area to protect paintwork.
Think of puck lights as “place-and-go” beacons: quick to mount, easy to shift, bright enough to guide, soft enough for sleep.
Set-up and safety
Pick spots just below eye level for corridors to cut glare. In wardrobes, mount toward the front lip so doors don’t cast shadows. Keep away from curtains and bedding to avoid heat build-up. If small children have access, make sure the battery compartment locks with a screw and store spare cells out of reach.
Rechargeable NiMH batteries reduce waste and running costs. Label sets so you rotate them together, which helps maintain consistent brightness across lights.
How puck lights compare with other cheap fixes
| Option | Upfront cost | Installation | Ongoing cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery puck light | £9–£15 per unit | Peel-and-stick | Batteries or recharge | Hallways, cupboards, kids’ rooms |
| USB LED strip | £6–£12 per metre | Adhesive strip | Very low via power bank or plug | Under cabinets, wardrobes, beds |
| Smart bulb | £8–£25 | Existing lamp holder | Electricity only | Timers, dimming, routines |
| Plug-in night light | £5–£12 | Socket only | Very low | Landings, nursery sockets |
Money talk: what the £9.99 buys you
The headline price matters, but so does upkeep. Typical LED puck lights sip power, yet batteries add up if you run them for hours nightly. Using rechargeables cuts long-term costs sharply. A set of four rechargeable AA or AAA cells plus a charger often pays for itself after a few cycles compared with disposables.
A practical routine saves money and batteries. Only switch on when needed, mount at a lower height so less output still works, and choose warm white over cooler tones if you mainly want guidance rather than task light. If you need illumination all night, a plug-in night light may be cheaper over months.
When a puck light is not the right tool
If you require bright, shadow-free working light for food prep or sewing, go for mains under-cabinet strips or a dedicated desk lamp. If you want app control or voice commands, a smart bulb in a small table lamp on the landing offers timed schedules and dimming. Puck lights shine where sockets don’t reach, and the job is guidance, not spotlighting.
Availability and what to expect in store
Aldi’s homeware drops rotate quickly, so stock varies by branch and week. If you see the Casalux Puck Lights, check the pack for the battery type, mounting method and any timer or dimming options. Buying two or three at once helps you zone a hallway and a cupboard for consistent light levels.
Tips to get the most from a £9.99 puck
- Create a night route: place one at the bedroom door, one at the top of the stairs, and one outside the bathroom.
- Angle for reflection: mount near pale walls or doors so surfaces bounce light further.
- Protect paint: use removable adhesive tabs if you rent or regularly reorganise rooms.
- Make a reading nook: tuck a puck inside a child’s bed tent or shelf alcove for a soft, focused glow.
- Label locations: a small sticker under the base reminds you where each unit lives when the kids “borrow” it for a fort.
Three lights, under £30, can transform a landing, a wardrobe and a toy cupboard into safer, calmer zones overnight.
Extra pointers for busy families
For late feeds, pair a puck light with blackout blinds and a low-volume white-noise machine to nudge a sleepy mood without stimulating wide-awake eyes. In shared kids’ rooms, a single puck near the door avoids waking siblings; add felt pads behind the base to dampen the press-click sound at night.
If you want motion-activated convenience, consider a battery PIR sensor light for hallways. It switches on only when someone passes, stretching battery life and cutting forgetfulness. For wardrobes, a short USB LED bar powered by a slim power bank delivers brighter, even light with near-zero running cost, while still avoiding wiring.
We grabbed three Casalux puck lights at £9.99 each and they’ve been a lifesaver for night feeds. Warm glow, no glare, and rechargeable AA battries keep costs down. Peel–stick–done.