Philips says the connected app, SleepMapper, will let you customize your chosen sunset and sunrise times, and its auto-dimming display and sensors can also keep track of your bedroom environment. The Withins Steel HR tracks this data by day, week, and month to help you understand whats going on when you go to bed, and the watch learns to gently vibrate to wake you at the optimal point in your sleep cycle. Its one of the smallest clocks we considered, so it wont take up much room on your nightstand. This JALL sunrise alarm clock offers seven colored lights, including blue, indigo, purple, orange, yellow, red and green. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-alarm-clock/#best-sunlight-alarm-clock-philips-smartsleep-wake-up-light-hf3520. Flaws but not dealbreakers: A few of the alarm clocks we reviewed have up and down buttons for setting the time. Dimensions: 6.8 x 3.4 x 1.2 inches | Weight: 14.8 oz | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Corded electric with battery backup. However, our tester rated this alarm clock a perfect 5/5 in all our evaluated categories and praised the peaceful wake-up experience. *At the time of publishing, the price was $120. The no-frills RCA is also easier to use than other, more complicated clocks we tested. Alessi Optic 02 B Alarm Clock: This now-discontinued model from Alessi was an example of high design being hampered by low-quality features. Something that really stood out with this model, versus other clocks we tested: The DreamSky has an enormous digital display (each number is 2 inches tall) that stretches across the entire front of the clock. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The brightness level seemed more akin to candlelight than to the intrusive modern glare produced by the LED- or LCD-backlit displays on other clocks we tested. Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light, This Light Transformed Our Reviewers Morning Routine, Best for Kids: If you live in an area prone to power outages, make sure that any alarm clock you buy is equipped with a battery backup. The clock also has an indoor temperature sensor, so youll know if you need to adjust your homes thermostat, or grab a jacket before you leave the house. After a phone-free week of testing, we recommend seven clocks (including analog, digital, and smart versions) for a more peaceful bedroom. Lumens are a measure of brightness, whereas lux is a measure of lumens spread over an area, expressed in square meters. Wind-up alarm clocks generally have knobs on the back to set the time and alarm wake-up time, plus a knob on top or on the back to set or turn off the alarm. Dimensions: 6 x 10 x 10 inches | Weight: 2.5 lbs | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Corded electric, "The light almost always wakes me up before the 30-minute mark. This is not unique to the RCA, though; setting the alarm on the Alessi Optic 02 B presented a similarly frustrating, careful, dont miss it experience. It's also pricier than other options. The RCA is a basic unit, but it has all you really need in an alarm clock. This pocket-size alarm is perfectly simple, displaying the time, letting you set an alarmand thats about it. Roxicosly Extra Loud Alarm Clock, Best Health and Fitness: And though the clocks single-speaker output can be a bit tinny for playing music, it can get surprisingly loud and is just fine for alarm tones and answering Google Assistant prompts. Each light-induced wake-up feels so natural that I forget why Im awake at 7 a.m. Plus, the soothing bird calls are a nice treat when I make it past 30 minutes. If green isnt your kids favorite color, dont worry since the clock also comes with a second interface, which is purpleand surely, theyll like one of the two color options. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Riki isnt cheap, and its gone up a bit in price since we first tested it. Why its great: If youre looking for an alarm clock that does a lot on the cheap, the DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock is both an alarm clock and a USB charging station. Most recently, he worked full-time as an editor at Alaska Beyond, the inflight magazine for Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. 2022 SELECT | All rights reserved. The waterproof watch has a rechargeable battery life that lasts for up to 25 days. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. The clocks wood-grain finish has a great feel, and its cool now you see me, now you dont LED display shines from beneath its veneer. For many of us, smartphones are the last thing we check at night and the first thing we check in the morning. Thats partly to do with LED lights. But you can dim the screens brightness if you find it provides too much light. You can choose from noise or light alarms and even select sounds to sleep by. It has a 4.3-star average rating from over 100 Amazon reviews. Some clocks have other features like sleep sounds and connected apps, but the light is the critical feature that determines whether the product will be useful to you. The clock includes 28 audio options, from nature sounds like rain and birds to white noise. The Philips HF3520/60 SmartSleep Wake-up Light offers a relaxing way to wind down at night and wake up gently. If you hate alarm clocks and are always tempted to throw one at the wall when it goes off, youll be glad to know that you can shake this one to activate the snooze function, and flip it over to turn the alarm completely off. This sunrise clock from Philips equips a light with 315-Lux brightness and can adjust between five different colors, according to the company. The clock is charged using a USB cable and uses 2 AA batteries for backup. Terri Williams is a journalist and freelance writer and has written extensively on real estate, home improvement, home dcor, and home products. If you do like this design, there are several knockoffswith similar featuresfor a lot less. To find the best picks for you, we send top alarm clocks to our team of testers to evaluate on the basis of design, setup, audio, light, features, and overall value. The Casper app will let you schedule when the light turns on in the morning to help you wake up, according to the company. In addition to having an alarm function and tracking your sleep, it also monitors your awake activities, such as how many steps you take, and how many calories you burn. At 8 inches wide, this model takes up a lot more room on the nightstand than other clocks we tested. Its sunrise and sunset lighting features, customization, and minimalist design help this alarm stand out from competitors. Our editors selected these deals and items because we think you will enjoy them at these prices. For instance, we discovered one night that there were a few more soothing classical compositions to wake up to than wed had the day before and that alarm-scheduling options had been expanded. The only alarm clock among our picks with a design-award pedigree, the sedate beechwood Riki was designed by Japanese modernist Riki Watanabe, whose work was known for being simple yet functional. Dont phone it in; pick up one of the best alarms today. Whether its the night-light, the snooze button, or the sound of the alarm tones, every detail feels like its been refined to reinforce a state of calm. In addition, a subscription option lets you access meditations, sleep stories, and a more adjustable ambiance. Early humans slept when it was dark, and woke up with the light. But it cannot be replaced, so over time the clock could lose its most distinguishing feature. You can set two alarms at a time and press a nine-minute snooze button for extra rest time. That wake-up call continues until you shut off the alarm or hit snooze (which provides an extra nine minutes of slumber every time you press it, for well over an hour). The Flip (which is nearly impossible to tip over) takes up little space, but its small size also means it isnt as legible as wed like for an everyday alarm clock. In fact, our preschooler frequently tries to steal the clock from his toddler brother by tucking it into bed with him. Lumie also has other Bodyclock models available: The Bodyclock Rise 100 loses its radio function and alarm while the Bodyclock Glow 150 includes waking sounds and allows for more flexible waking duration. In fact, its more attractive than many pricier clock options we considered. You wont be able to read using the light, but its bright enough for when youre fumbling for your glasses or going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Wirecutter also picked the Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light. You don't have that big adrenaline surge [like] when that alarm clock suddenly goes off, noted Dr. Sabra Abbott, assistant professor of neurology at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine and board-certified sleep medicine doctor. Usually you have to hold one button that says "alarm set" while you press other buttons to set the time of the alarm. Amazon Echo Spot: Amazon discontinued the Echo Spot, so we can no longer recommend it. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Dimensions: 2.75 x 6 x 2.75 inches | Weight: 2 lbs | Material: Plastic | Power Source: Corded electric, "I love the look. This clock by hOmeLabs, a Select reader favorite brand when it comes to dehumidifiers, features sunrise and sunset simulation through brightening and dimming the room over 30 minutes, according to the company. For instance, sunrise alarm clocks adjust the brightness and color of LED lights to help you fall asleep or wake up. Mirari Ok to Wake! This alarm clock has a unique tip-proof, triangular design, and you can set the display to turn off automatically after 10 seconds (just tap the clocks face to wake it up again). She has product review bylines at Toms Guide, and both home improvement advice and product review bylines at Realtor.com, Bob Vila, Apartment Therapy, and Heavy.com. The types of noises produced by a clock can vary widely, and some may be or more less effective for you. Most everything this alarm clock can do is hidden, accessed using its built-in Google Assistant voice controls or with the Google Home app. SKIP AHEAD Highly rated sunrise clocks | How sunrise clocks promote better sleep, Sunrise clocks are a quieter alternative to audio alarm clocks, using light that mimics the natural sunrise to wake us up rather than a blaring sound. But because of their angled pitch, theyre small and hard to discern. MoMA Alume Cube Clock: We liked the Alume for its compact, 2.75-inch minimalist silver-cube design. That may seem intuitive, but it tells us that the brightness rating provided for any sunrise clock is only accurate at a certain distance. LED lights can also allow an alarm clock to function as a reading light or a nightlight, or they can signify when youve activated your virtual assistant., Many of us are still haunted by the obnoxious beeping or buzzing of our childhood alarm. Best for: Anyone who hates being jolted awake each morning with a wailing alarm, and those who prefer easing into consciousness with increasing luminosity. "Stephanie Vermillion, Product Tester, Can't store your own sounds on the device, as the company claims. One charge lasts 5 to 6 months if youre only using the alarm clock. It has a 4.5-star average rating from over 250 reviews on Casper. Im a writer at Design Milk, and since 2006 Ive been writing about home design for a multitude of design-focused outlets, including Apartment Therapy, Lonny, Metropolis, and Design Sponge. Read our, Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light at Amazon, Mirari Ok to Wake! Most sunrise alarm clocks are fairly similar they have a light that simulates the sunrise and/or sunset. We still think its a pretty penny to pay for any device, let alone an alarm clock with a purposely edited selection of features. Also, its high-pitched digital tone is effective yet annoying. Subscribe now for unlimited access. And while some may enjoy the evening daylight in the summer, sleep doctors from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine say that less morning light and more nighttime light can result in circadian misalignment and lost sleep. We also liked the clocks all-black exterior (it comes in a white and black option, too), which is free of distracting lights or branding. Snoozing the alarm requires a firm, palm-down press across the entire clock. Flaws but not dealbreakers: The DreamSky logo emblazoned at the top (underneath the snooze button) is downright ugly. Justin Redmanis a reporter for Select on NBC News. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It comes in a variety of colors, including matte black, mint green, smart grey, soft pink, lucky red, and cream white.