More Sunrise Alarm Clocks We’ve Tried
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Vivilumens Sunrise Alarm Clock for $36: This sunrise alarm works fine but seems better suited as a desk lamp than a true sunrise alarm. But it could be a fun pick if you live in a studio and need a device that can both work for your desk or your bedside alarm. It also has a USB-A charging port and can show time as 24 or 12 hour.
Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light (HF3520/60) for $109: This might sound similar to the lamp we recommend above, but it has a different shape and is missing the word “Sleep” from the name because it doesn’t offer a nighttime routine like our top pick. But it still works great as a morning sunrise lamp, and similar to the other Philips model, it’s easy to set up without any instructions on hand. It’s a good affordable model, but not as cheap as other options with similar offerings.
Lumie BodyClock Glow 150 for $129: This cute little clock worked fine, but our other picks are bigger and brighter. You could get the WiiM for the same price, or the Philips HF3520 for even cheaper.
Lumie Shine 300 for $159: This sunrise alarm is pretty similar to the Luxe 700FM but doesn’t have as many radio-forward features like the telescoping antenna and multiple channel-saving buttons, and the light controls aren’t as easy as the dial. But if you don’t mind those changes and want to spend less money, the Shine 300 is a great alternative choice. It’s out of stock right now on Amazon and Lumie’s site, but we expect it to return.
Hatch Restore 2 for $170: Hatch isn’t selling this model any longer, but you can find it on some third-party retailers and sites like Amazon and eBay. It’s a fine device that gives you the same app and sound offerings as the Hatch Restore 3, but the Restore 3 has much better controls. I recommend skipping this device for the newer model.
Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light for $220: We previously recommended this sunrise alarm, formerly known as Somneo. Its name is nearly identical to our top pick, and it has the same shape. The Connected version had an app and extra capabilities similar to the WiiM, but it’s no longer available.
FAQs
How Do Sunrise Alarms Work?
Your body is built to wake naturally with the sunrise and feel sleepy as the sun sets. The light at both the beginning and end of the day is a warm, golden tone, unlike the midday bright, slightly blue sunlight that keeps you wide awake. A sunrise alarm clock mimics this transition from morning to bright daytime light, helping to signal your body to wake up (or fall asleep, if the clock also has a sunset option).
Each alarm below offers a sunrise routine, meaning you choose a time to wake up and then the alarm clock will start displaying a deep orange glow and transition to a bright light by the time your alarm is set for. Some offer customization, allowing you to choose how long you want that artificial sunrise to be, while others have set timers. Some also allow the reverse option with a sunset routine and can double as sound machines. Most of these plug into the wall like a classic alarm clock and stay put, though sometimes there’s a companion app or recharging capabilities (if it’s not mentioned, though, assume it doesn’t).
What Should You Look For in a Sunrise Alarm?
There’s a lot of features to consider in a sunrise alarm, but which ones that you’ll like best vary by person.
If you struggle to fall asleep: splurge on a lamp with a nighttime or wind-down routine. These help build a routine for you to fall asleep to.
If you need a bedside lamp and sunrise alarm: get a brighter sunrise alarm that has easy controls to switch it on as a bedside lamp. Not all sunrise alarm clocks have these, so check the details carefully (and reviews like ours)
If you want a specific bedside sound: check how many sounds are offered. Just about every sunrise alarm clock has some sound machine features and options, but cheaper ones tend to only have a couple of sounds.
If you want app control: some options in this guide don’t have a partner app or Wi-Fi capabilities, especially some of my favorites. An app doesn’t necessarily make it a better sunrise alarm, but it can be convenient to use. If you prefer an app to set up your sunrise alarm, shop the Casper, Hatch, WiiM, and Loftie.
How I Test Sunrise Alarms
I tested each recommended sunrise alarm clock on my bedside in a room with blackout curtains to see how much it could really brighten a room over the course of its sunrise routine. I slept with each sunrise alarm for anywhere between one and seven nights, depending on its performance. I also tried out the various sound options each machine had to offer to both test the speakers and see how pleasant the sounds were to wake up or fall asleep to. If there was a nighttime routine option, I tested that too.
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