A Smarter Night-Light

Technology often works to disrupt sleep, but Casper’s new app-linked Glow bedroom light is designed to get out of the way and let you rest. The first gadget from the company known for its mail-order mattresses, Glow has a warm LED light that activates when you flip it over, then gradually dims as you wind down. In the morning, Glow slowly activates at your predetermined time to gently wake you. A twisting motion adjusts brightness, while a shake produces a soft, downward-­facing light, perfect for grabbing water in the middle of the night—no looking at your phone necessary. “We were trying to design for these larger gestures, which are easier to do in the dark or easier to do when you’re sleepy,” says Jeff Chapin, Casper’s chief product officer. And sleepy users evidently appreciate the intuitive design decisions; following Glow’s launch in January, the first batch sold out in less than three weeks. —Alejandro de la Garza