Your smartphone may seem outdated now that you have an unlimited number of apps and tones to wake you up. Using your phone as an alarm can tempt you to use it before you go to bed, which can lead to poor sleep.
Isn’t it enough for you to depend on your phone already? In order to get a good night’s sleep, give up all technology temptations, put some space between your bed and the screen, and keep an alarm clock on your nightstand so that you wake up on time.
Whether you’re looking for a hands-free analog alarm clock or a tech-filled wake-up light, we tested 18 top alarm clocks to help you choose.
To find the best of the best, we set alarms, listened to the ring, and slept in (maybe a bit too much). Here are the five alarm clocks that stood out after all our testing.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock | |
| Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 | |
| Travelwey Digital Alarm Clock | |
| Emerson SmartSet Alarm Clock | |
| Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock |
1. DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock
It’s both an alarm clock and a USB charging station, so it’s great if you’re looking for an alarm clock that does a lot on the cheap. In contrast to other clocks we tested, the DreamSky has a large digital display (each number is 2 inches tall) that spans the entire front of the clock.
DreamSky is easy to set and use, with easy-to-find buttons to set the time and alarm, and physical dials to adjust the volume and brightness.
It’s easy to dial in your individual preferences with the DreamSky, the only clock we tested with such a wide range of customization options. Its snooze button doesn’t have a physical button, but a surface that can be touched to mute the alarm in nine-minute intervals.
2. Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60
Sleep and wake up in peace with the Philips HF3520/60 SmartSleep Wake-up Light. You can use a sunset simulation to set the mood for sleeping, followed by a sunrise simulation to wake you up. It’s a serene way to sleep and wake up.
It has 20 brightness settings so you can choose the one that suits your needs. For those who don’t think the sunrise is enough to wake them up, there are 5 other natural wake-up sounds you can choose from birds, Buddha, yoga, ocean waves, or your favorite FM radio station.
It takes a minute and a half for the sound you select to gradually get louder until it reaches the volume level you select.
Two alarms can be set, and the snooze button allows you to sleep longer. A floodlight waits to be plugged into a fixture when looking at the SmartSleep Wake-up Light.
Additionally, a unique shape adds to the appeal of the digital clock. Ensure that your furniture is not scratched with the anti-slip rubber feet that hold the device in place. You can also use the light as a reading lamp.
3. Travelwey Digital Alarm Clock
Simple is the hallmark of Travelwey’s alarm clock. It has a small number of buttons, all of which are easy to understand and use. A large red number dominates the LED display, and you can easily disable the alarm in the morning by hitting the snooze button.
Sliders on the back allow you to adjust the brightness of the numbers. Numbers on all levels are large enough to be read from across a dark room, and they do not cast a glow that will disturb your sleep. Additionally, the Travelwey Home LED Alarm Clock has a separate night-light feature if you prefer not to sleep in total darkness.
The alarm does not have a lot of features besides the night light. There is no option for adjusting the snooze time, which is 9 minutes.
There is no option for setting a second alarm. If you prefer a soft or loud alarm, you can choose between two volume levels, but you can’t change the tone or have it play music or the FM radio.
Although this is only a simple alarm clock, Travelwey makes sure all the essentials are implemented. The alarm is turned on by a simple indicator.
If there is a power outage, there is a backup battery. A button can be pressed to check the time and to turn off the alarm, but it will be set for the same time the next day. Travelwey Home LED Alarm Clock doesn’t have a lot to offer, but what it does works well.
4. Emerson SmartSet Alarm Clock
Even heavy sleepers can wake up to the gradual beeping alarm on the Emerson clock radio alarm clock. You can also wake up to the sound of your favorite FM radio station gradually increasing in volume. The clock can be set to sound two alarms daily, seven days a week, or all seven days a week.
The large, clear, and easily readable cyan LED time display is attractive. The device features a soft cyan nightlight controlled by a button on top.
There’s also a Bluetooth speaker and USB charging port. Although the sound quality is decent for an alarm clock, the speaker cannot wake you up to your own music.
The device’s top-mounted buttons make it easy to navigate. It was difficult to change the alarm settings while listening to music via Bluetooth with this alarm clock. The radio or music must be stopped before you can set the alarms or adjust other settings.
In addition, even though a full turn-on or off of the nightlight is possible, a full shut-off of the time display is not possible. For people who like a big-time display, a lovely cyan glow, and a loud alarm, the Emerson SmartSet is still one of the best devices available.
5. Mirari OK to Wake! Alarm Clock
A Mirari OK to Wake Alarm Clock & Night Light is a multi-purpose alarm clock designed for families with small children. When it’s time to get up, the clock face turns green.
The result is that children learn not to disturb the rest of the family if the clock does not show the correct color.
Additionally, you can use the clock for nap time, quiet time, and other occasions (for example, to let them know when dinner is ready or when their favorite TV show is on).
It doesn’t matter if the color green isn’t your child’s favorite since it also comes with a purple interface-and surely they will like one of the two color options.
It features an audible alarm as well as a color indicator. It produces a series of beeps instead of a large sound, which kids can turn off by pressing the large feet on the clock. Two AA batteries serve as backup power and the clock is charged with a USB cable.
Things to Consider Before Buying
Sound
It is the alarm clock’s ability to get you out of bed that makes it successful. Clocks make a variety of noises, and some may be more or less effective for you. There are a variety of buzzer variations, but if you prefer nature noises you can use a radio to wake you up in the morning. Be sure to consider your preferences when searching.
Battery backup
The worst feeling is waking up to a blinking alarm clock that needs to be reset, only to find out that you overslept.
Make sure the alarm clock you buy has a battery backup if you live in an area prone to power outages. In the event that the power supply is interrupted, the battery will keep the clock running, ensuring your alarm will still go off at the scheduled time, saving you time and energy.
USB charging
It is becoming more and more common to find alarm clocks with USB charging. In case you need a convenient way to charge your phone while keeping it handy at your bedside, this might be a must-have item.
You may have to plug your phone in somewhere farther away if you don’t choose an alarm clock that has a USB port instead.
Also Read: