Comparing Our Favorite Sunrise Alarm Clocks
Honorable Mentions
Photograph: Nena Farrell
Vivilumens Sunrise Alarm Clock for $50: 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 work for both your desk and 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 $149: 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 $139: 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 Bodyclock Shine 300 for $169: This sunrise clock 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.
Hatch Baby for $100: The updated version of the popular Hatch Rest is the Hatch Baby, with a new look and app options similar to the Hatch Restore 3 above (previously the app options were much simpler, even though the devices all share the same Hatch Sleep app). This is a fun option for kids, though it doesn’t do a gradual sunrises. It does, however, turn on fun colors and play music at certain times and for certain lengths. My 3-year-old looks forward to the “green light” turning on every morning (but this does not, unfortunately, motivate him not to leave his bed for mine at 4 in the morning.) You’ll also get a six-month subscription to Hatch+ content.
Hatch Restore 2 for $94: Hatch isn’t selling this model any longer, but you can find it refurbished on some third-party retailers and sites like Walmart 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, and it’s only available refurbished from third-party retailers.
FAQ
How Do Sunrise Clocks 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 model we recommend offers a sunrise routine, meaning you choose a time to wake up and then the sunrise clock will start displaying a deep orange glow and transition to a bright light by the time your audio 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 Clock?
There’s a lot of features to consider in a sunrise lamp, but which ones that you’ll like best vary by person.
If you struggle to fall asleep: splurge on a sunrise alarm 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 clock: get a brighter sunrise clock that has easy controls to switch it on as a bedside lamp. Not all sunrise 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 clock has some sound machine features and options, but cheaper ones tend to only have a couple of sounds and might not have the sound you’re looking for.
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 clock, but it can be convenient to use. If you prefer an app to set up your sunrise lamp, shop the Casper, Hatch, Loftie, and WiiM.
Do Sunrise Alarms Work for Heavy Sleepers?
Yes! I’m an especially heavy sleeper in the morning and these can still help me wake up. You might want to choose the most gradual increase of brightness on the sunrise lamp you choose, so that the slow brightening of the room can better slowly rouse you from that deep sleep.
What’s the Difference Between a Sunrise Clock and a SAD Lamp?
These two gadgets might look similar on the outside, but sunrise clocks and other wake-up style lights are for waking you up, while a SAD or seasonal affective disorder lamp is designed to simulate sunlight for you during the day. SAD lamps perform light therapy to help combat seasonal depression during darker times of the year, while sunrise alarms are just for making morning wake-up less rough. Both can help regulate your circadian rhythm, but in different ways. You could set a sunrise clock to stay on all day to help simulate sunlight, though these don’t promise the same benefits and you might not get the help you’re looking for.
How Does WIRED Choose Sunrise Clocks to Test?
We research all models in advance to see which ones are a fit for testing. We look to ensure they have wake-up features (some SAD lamps will look similar to a sunrise alarm, for example, but if there’s no gradual sunrise to wake up to they don’t qualify for testing with this guide) and look to test a variety of price points and additional features to see what’s really worth buying. We make an effort to select both more affordable options with less features and high-end options to compare and contrast against one another in our testing rounds.
How Does WIRED Test Sunrise Clocks?
I tested each recommended sunrise 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 model 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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