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Smart Nightstands: Three Features to Look For

There’s a reason why keeping a nightstand at the side of a bed remains a classic bedroom arrangement: a bedside nightstand with spacious drawers and accessible dimensions adds convenience to bedroom organization and lounging. And with newer nightstands featuring smarter, tech-friendlier designs, relaxing in bed with your electronic devices before lights out, or keeping your devices charged while you sleep, is easier than ever.

Lamp Assist

Lamp assist technology, also known as touch lighting, is convenience brought to life. Featuring a touch-activated sensor bar, lamp assist technology makes it possible to turn on or off the lights – simply by touching your nightstand!
lamp assist

USB Ports & Power Outlets

Thanks to nightstands with USB ports and power outlets, keeping your devices plugged in and charged – and your bedroom lights on – is easier than ever. Plus, in most tech-friendly nightstands, USB ports and power outlets are conveniently located in easy-to-reach places such as the side paneling, making it effortless to reach and plug in your gadgets.

Media Cutouts

While using nightstands with lamp assist technology, USB ports and power outlets offers luxurious bedside convenience, it also comes with a tangle of cords. Shoving all your chargers and cords to one side of your nightstand may fix the mess in the moment, but every time you move one device (or add another), all the cords will simply fall back to where they were – making your bedside corner feel messy and disorganized.
Nightstands with media cutouts solve the problem of out-of-control cords. Featuring a sleek cutout at the back, through which you can feed every unsightly cord and wire that comes with every electronic device, media cutouts or ‘organizers’ let you keep your favorite tech plugged in without creating chaos.

Best Smart Nightstands

The best smart nightstands of 2021. Each of these has more tech-friendly features, style and positive reviews than any other nightstand you’ll come across.

Features: 2 Power Outlets - 2 USB Ports
Size: 22” x 18” x 29”
Why We Love It: The Pierce is sleek in style, which is fitting for the sleek tech it comes with. Featuring two power outlets and two USB ports, charging your phone, tablet and computer (all at once) is not only possible but easy. Get the Pierce for the price, love it for the tech. Hot tip: Double up for double the storage space – and four places for device charging! Place a Pierce on each side of a bed in a master bedroom for symmetry. This way also makes it easier for both parties to keep plugged in if sharing a bed with a partner.
Features: 2 USB Ports
Size: 24” x 18” x 28”
Why We Love It: The Dawson’s light color stands out, and, if you play your palette right, can even be the first thing you notice when you walk into the room. Bonus for the spacious storage, chic pulls and convenient USB outlets. Choose this one if you use less tech at bedtime (but still can’t do without it completely). Hot tip: Because the USB ports are located out of the way, it’s easier to keep cords organized and out of sight. If you’re using an extension cord to plug more than two devices into the Dawson, look into cord management gear for easier organization. If you really want to go for the aesthetics, opt for cords the same color as the nightstand!
Features: 2 USB Ports
Size: 29” x 19” 29”
Why We Love It: The Candice’s height gets all the love in the reviews section. Not too tall and not too short, it’s just right for anyone who needs to reach for a ringing phone in the middle of the night. Sleek USB ports aren’t bad, either.
Hot tip: To really make this nightstand smart, make use of the space underneath the top drawer by placing a smart speaker. You can also bring in a second Candice for the other side of a bed, and use that space (under the top drawer) for a wireless record player or stereo – to communicate with the first Candice. Thanks to the shelf, the options for “smartening up” the Candice are endless; smart alarm clocks, smart room lighting/lamp assist – you get the idea!
Features: 2 USB Ports - 2 Power Outlets
Size: 32” x 18” x 29.5”
Why We Love It: The Pierce 3-Drawer offers all the good tea as the 1-Drawer, but with (you guessed it!) two more spacious drawers. This means 66% more ways to place your phone, glasses and necessities for bedtime rituals. (And, like the 1-Drawer, you can bet the 3-Drawer will keep your phone charged during the night – and full-powered by morning.) Hot Tip: Whether for the Pierce or any of the other nightstands listed here, it’s also worth noting that lamp assist (or touch lighting) can be incorporated. Simply place a touch light on top and plug it into the nightstand: the Pierce (or whatever other nightstand you choose) will now bring you complete darkness (or brightness) with nothing more than the touch of a finger. (For anyone who hates the effort it takes to roll to the side of the bed and reach for the on/off switch under the shade of a lamp, the lamp assist feature is a complete game-changer!)

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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.