The Best Wake-Up Alarms
An alarm clock is a helpful tool that can make your mornings easier. If you want to get up earlier, an alarm clock can help you do that. There are different alarm clocks, so find the one that works best for you.
Here are nine different alarm clocks for all types of sleepers (plus some runner-ups). We also have tips on picking the best alarm clock for your unique needs.
Quick Picks: The Best Wake-Up Alarms
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The Best Alarm Clocks
Here are nine alarm clocks that can fit all budgets, styles, and needs.
1. DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock
This clock is simple and has significant numbers that are easy to read. The LED numbers are easy to see from across the room because they are lit up (or Alaskan king bed).
The light has a dimmer, so you can set it as bright or dark as you want. You can also turn it down at night, so the bright light doesn’t keep you up.
His clock has one alarm. 9-minute nap. 30 to 90 dB are adjustable. It is a popular feature because it helps people wake up easier. It can help people who sleep profoundly or want to wake up to a softer sound.
Some people say that the LED digits faded after a few months. But most people are delighted with it.
Pros
Cons
2. Amazon Echo Show 5
The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a great value. It has a tap-to-snooze button, a light sensor, and an alarm that goes off at sunrise. You can set more than one alarm and wake up to the weather, your favorite music, or the latest news.
But the best part? The Echo Show 5 can connect to other devices. You can control your home’s lights, cameras, and other compatible devices. You can even stream your favorite movies and shows on it and make video calls using its built-in camera.
Overall, reviewers think this clock is excellent. But some say that customizing the display and learning all the settings can be difficult. Also, some people say that the sound quality isn’t perfect.
Pros
Cons
3. KWANWA LED Digital Alarm Clock
This digital alarm clock is a good value. It has a built-in night light and big digits. It also has a repeating snooze function, which is helpful if you want to sleep in a bit. People also like that it is easy to use and set up.
The small size of this clock makes it perfect for small nightstands or shelves. It is available only in black but has a sleek oval design. Another bonus: the backup battery power can keep the clock’s memory for up to 8 hours.
Most people say this alarm clock is a good value. But some people say the alarm is too loud. If you don’t like waking up to loud noise, this clock might not suit you.
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Cons
4. Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock
This sunrise alarm clock is excellent. It has 20 different brightness levels and multiple alarm settings. You can choose how long before the alarm goes off you want the sunrise simulation light to turn on. The snooze function will give you nine more minutes of sleep, and you can press it up to 5 times. Plus, you can choose what color: indigo, blue, purple, orange, yellow, red, or green.
You can wake up to your favorite alarm sounds. You can pick from ocean waves, streams, birdsongs, bells, soft music, beeps, piano music, or FM radio. There are 16 volume levels to find the perfect sound for you.
This clock is a bedside lamp, night light, and reading lamp. It also has a radio. Some people said that they couldn’t find a station that didn’t have static.
Pros
Cons
5. Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock
This alarm clock is perfect for heavy sleepers. It’s deafening and vibrates a lot to wake you up. You can program it to go off multiple times and set the snooze for 1 to 30 minutes. The full-range dimmer lets you adjust the light so it won’t wake you up at night.
People who have this alarm clock say it is deafening and wakes them up. They also like that you can set it to be silent, so it does not bother other people in the house when it goes off.
The vibrations and flashing lights are also ideal for people who have a hearing disability. You can also choose between fun prints and colors like blue, blue, black, camouflage, black and red, pink, red, or turquoise.
Pros
Cons
6. American Lifetime Day Clock
This large-screen display is straightforward to read. It spells out the time, time of day (e.g., morning, afternoon, or night), day of the week, and the date. You can set up to five daily alarms with reminders for taking medication.
The frame comes in five colors: black, polished, white, brown, or mahogany. It is sleek and can fit on most nightstands, desks, or shelves.
People who have reviewed the product say they love the display and its overall look. They also appreciate that it has a battery backup in case of a power outage and automatically resets to the correct time if it gets turned off. However, some people don’t like the auto-dimming feature and the lack of customizable settings.
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Other Solid Options
Here are four clocks that were not cut but are still worth mentioning.
1. TOPELEK Projection Alarm Clock
This projector alarm is attractive. You can set it to have five different brightness levels and select two warnings simultaneously. But it might not be the best alarm clock for everyone. Some people might not like having the time projected on the wall in their bedroom.
2. Miowachi Digital Alarm Clock
Fun, easy-to-read digital clock. Design flaw. The ports and plug are on the side where the cords pull. Some reviewers also say the dimming function is confusing.
3. Houkois Cute Kitty Digital Alarm Clocks
This alarm clock is adorable. It has a kitten on it that looks over a cup. When you tap the cup, the light comes on. That’s a cool feature! The only bad thing about it is that it shows time in military time, which may take some time. Another downside is that the time display turns off automatically after 30 seconds.
4. Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock
This twin bell alarm clock has a cool vintage look. It is very accurate and loud, so it should wake you up on time every time. The downside is that there is no snooze function, and the ticking can be annoying. You also have to ensure the batteries don’t die since that’s its only power source.
Do You Even Need an Alarm Clock?
You might need an alarm clock to wake up on time for work, brunch, and everything else. But the type of alarm clock you get might make a difference.
You can use your phone’s alarm, but a physical alarm clock can be a good backup plan or a way to keep technology from impacting your sleep. Phone alarms can be unreliable, and getting woken up by text message vibrations or Facebook notifications can mess with your sleep schedule.
Some studies show that waking up to nonemergency sounds like music might be better than emergency sounds. But researchers are still trying to determine the effects of alarm clock sounds on your alertness and overall health.
People have different preferences for how they want to wake up in the morning. Some people like loud alarms, while others prefer gentle music or nature sounds. You must choose an alarm clock that suits your style.
How to Choose an Alarm Clock
You should pick an alarm clock that is right for you. You will need to depend on it every day. Here are some things to think about when selecting an alarm clock.
- Ease of use
You should avoid stress when picking a clock. It means that you should choose one that is easy to use. It might have a simple interface, glow-in-the-dark buttons, or customizable settings.
- Readability
You should be able to see what time it is without squinting. The numbers on the clock should be big enough to see from your bed. If you have trouble seeing the numbers, get a clock with dimming features, so the digits don’t keep you up at night.
- Wake-up features
You should get an alarm clock that has a lot of wake-up features. That way, you can choose the sound that wakes you up daily. You can also decide how loud the alarm is and if it vibrates.
- Design
You want an alarm clock with a pretty face. But size and durability are more important. Choose a clock that is the right size for where you want to put it and is also built to last for a long time. You can tell how durable it is by reading reviews.
- Extra features
Extra features can be helpful, but they are not necessary. Some alarm clocks have Bluetooth and USB ports. It can be beneficial if you want to charge your phone or listen to music. You can also find alarm clocks with a sunrise feature. It might help you feel more in tune with your body’s rhythm.
Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks
If you are not a morning person or are a heavy sleeper, finding the best sunrise alarm clock can help. This is because it will gently wake you up over time before your set alarm time. You can find these clocks in different shapes and sizes.
Studies have shown that simulating sunlight may help improve sleep quality. A sunrise alarm clock could help you establish a regular rhythm of light exposure. Which could impact your ability to wake up and fall asleep simultaneously every day. This is good for your circadian rhythms and overall sleep quality. Individuals who suffer from seasonal sadness or a delayed sleep-phase syndrome might benefit from the morning light.
If you are unsure if the light will be enough to wake you up, there are many other features that different sunrise alarm clocks have. You can find ones with different snooze times and customizable light intensities and brightnesses. You can also find alarm clocks playing different sounds like nature or a radio station.
Suppose you have difficulty falling asleep or want to avoid blue light before bed. In that case, many alarm clocks include a sunset simulation program to help you relax and fall asleep. There are also sunrise simulation alarm clocks with Bluetooth speakers, USB charging ports for phones, nightlights, and reading lights. Some of these alarm clocks look nothing like regular clocks.
We have found the best ones to help you start your day more relaxedly.
Different Types of Alarm Clocks
1. Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300
Regarding sunrise alarm clocks, Lumie is a company that knows what it is doing. It has been making light therapy products for 30 years, and this domed design doesn’t disappoint.
Setting up your sunrise and sunset is easy. You can choose how long it lasts, from 15 to 90 minutes. You can also choose how bright the light is.
There are 14 different sounds that you can choose from to wake up to or fall asleep to. These include natural sounds like birdsong or the sound of running water, as well as a standard beep or FM radio sound. You can even wake up or fall asleep to the sound of goats!
Pros
Cons
2. Philips Smart Sleep Connected Sleep and Wake-up Light
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light is clinically proven to work. Independent studies found that it wakes you up more naturally (with 25 brightness intensities, it floods your room with a bright yellow light) and energizes you.
You can listen to nature sounds, ambient music, or FM radio in the morning to wake up. You can use the light-guided wind-down function at night to help you sleep. It will guide you through seven rhythms of light intensity with your breathing. You can also drift off to a simulated sunset with natural sounds.
It’s easy to personalize on the device or via the SleepMapper app. The latter is only available on the app-enabled Somneo model, which costs around $20/£20 more. Still, it is well worth it as it allows you to analyze your bedroom environment and sleeping patterns to help you attain your best night’s sleep.
The vehicle has a USB charging port. The “night mode” feature is helpful at night. To turn it on, you just need to tap the device twice, and it will emit soft orange light.
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Cons
3. Fitfort Wake-up Light
The wake-up light from FitFort is praised by users for its sleek, sun-shaped design. The buttons are hidden at the top of the light, and an integrated USB port is also perfect for charging your phone or other gadgets.
You can choose to set two alarms (one for you and one for your partner). There are also seven different sounds you can wake up to, like wind chimes or calming ocean waves. You can also choose to wake up to FM radio.
This gadget is of great value because it has 16 different volume levels and seven shades of mood lighting. The colors range from orange to green and blue.
Pros
Cons
4. Beurer Wl75
This slimline design from German brand Beurer is good-looking and takes up a relatively small amount of space – which is ideal if you’re short on room.
This alarm clock has some extra features that you might not expect. For example, it has an FM radio with 10 presets, six wake-up melodies, and four sleep melodies.
The LightUp phone light is perfect for bedside use. Mobile-savvy users will appreciate the handy LightUp app. This connects your phone to your light via Bluetooth, giving you access to various additional functions, like mood lighting and sunrise simulation. Additionally, you can stream your own music via Bluetooth.
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Cons
5. Coulax Wake-up Light With Digital Clock Projection
This wake-up light is affordable and can project the time onto your ceiling. It also has a large screen display that you can personalize with four different brightness levels.
The Coulax Wake-Up Light simulates sunrise gradually over thirty minutes. It also features a weekday, weekend, or daily alarm setting. The FM radio includes 30 preset tunes and 20 brightness settings.
This lamp has mood lighting in pink, blue, and yellow. It also has impressive functionality at a price that is affordable for most people.
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
Remember that finding a clock that works with your wake-up style might take trial and error. Try to look for a model that is easy to use, read, and has some cool features. You will find a great match.
If you are a heavy sleeper, have poor sleep hygiene, or don’t like the sound of traditional alarms, you might want to try a wake-up light or sunrise alarm clock. These devices simulate natural light, which can help you wake up more easily and on a better note.
Read more: 5 better ways to wake up
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Wake-Up Alarm
There are alarm clocks that wake you up with sound. It can sometimes cause you to feel dizzy and strange for a little while after waking up. Waking up using light instead can make you feel more alert and help you have a good mood during the day. You will also be able to concentrate better and remember things better.
There are a few reasons why you might wake up and find that you’ve slept through your alarm. Poor sleep quality and not getting enough sleep are the most common reasons. Irregular work hours, stress, and the presence of a sleep disorder can also contribute to this problem.
Many sunrise alarm clocks can help establish a regular light intensity exposure pattern, which could help with getting up and going to bed simultaneously each day. It is suitable for your circadian rhythms and sleeps quality.
A white noise machine may help you get a better quality night’s sleep. It is because it masks environmental or outside noises that are causing disturbed sleep. It can not only help you get to sleep but also stay asleep. It may also help train your brain to know when to nap.
The Philips smart sleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 is an excellent alarm because it has many features and is affordable. This alarm is less expensive than other alarms that have similar features. The simulated dawn and dusk feature is realistic and may help you feel less groggy in the morning.
The study found that people felt less groggy when they woke to melodies instead of beeping noises. The melodies used in the study were songs like “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys and “Close to Me” by The Cure.
Evidence shows that different alarm sounds can improve human performance after waking up. A study published in 2020 showed that alarm sounds with a temporal frequency of 500 Hz are better at arousing young children than sounds with a higher frequency.
Insufficient sleep is the biggest reason for snoozing past your alarm. Other possible factors include irregular work hours, stress, and the presence of a sleep condition.
If you are not waking up to your alarm, the problem might be your alarm clock. If it is too quiet or weak, it might not be waking you up. You can try getting an alarm clock for heavy sleepers or using an alarm clock online to wake you up better.
You need at least seven hours of sleep out of a 24-hour day to function well. According to a study of more than 10,000 people, your body’s ability to function declines if you don’t get enough sleep.
If you wake up after a good night’s sleep, you should leave the bed immediately. If you stay in bed, your brain will start to think that being awake and in bed are the same.
The Alarm tab has multiple alarm options. This is helpful if you are a heavy sleeper and often accidentally hit the snooze button. Choose an alarm that won’t startle you, like the radar alarm. Avoid alarms with loud noises, like the beacon, car horn, presto, and cosmic alarms.
