Amazon Echo Spot Alarm Clock
Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock
RCA Digital Alarm Clock
- The Best Alarm Clocks
- 1 Amazon Echo Spot Alarm Clock
- 2 Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Dual Alarm Clock
- 3 RCA Digital Alarm Clock
- 4 Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock
- 5 Sony Led Alarm Clock
- 6 iHome Bluetooth Color Changing Dual Alarm Clock
- 7 Dreamsky Decent Alarm Clock
- 8 Soundfreaq Sound Rise Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
- 9 Timex Alarm Clock
- 10 JBL Horizon Bluetooth Clock Radio
- 11 Seiko Bedside Alarm Clock
- 12 Braun Quartz Alarm Clock
If dragging yourself from the cozy comforts of your blanket every morning is far too difficult, it’s time for you to invest in the best alarm clock to motivate you to get up and charge at the day. These aren’t the same alarm clocks of your past. Those which buzzed and rang and clattered and ended up smashed against the wall even if some of them look like they are. Instead, they are alarm clocks that encourage all kinds of sleepers from the heavy to the light. They’re better than a smartphone, they’re better than a rooster, and they’re better than the kids dive-bombing you awake. Your dreams of a reliable alarm clock has finally come true, so check it out.
The Best Alarm Clocks
1
Amazon Echo Spot Alarm Clock
Compatible with Fire OS, Android, and iOS devices, our pick for the best alarm clock is the Amazon Echo Spot. maybe this was too obvious, and as much as we like to surprise you sometimes, this little guy ticked all the boxes.
With an Alexa-enabled speaker, you get complete control over your smart home. You can dim the lights, check the weather, and even play that same song you’ve had on repeat for the past week, irritating your partner as all good boyfriends and husbands should.
As for the alarm settings, the display is clear, and the unit is compact enough to fit comfortably on your nightstand. You can set specific songs to wake you up (be careful you don’t end up hating your favorite tunes, though), and the display turns off function means you’ll get an uninterrupted sleep straight through the night.
Alexa-enabled speaker with 2.5” screen
Connect via Bluetooth or 3.5mm cable
Compact design fits anywhere in the home
Voice-activated Smart Home control
- BrandAmazon
- Weight14.8 oz
Provides information and news at a glance
Simple set up
1.4” speaker
‘Things to Try’ feature can get annoying and redundant
2
Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Dual Alarm Clock
If you’re looking for a selection of cool alarm clocks, the Sonic alert sonic Bomb Dual Alarm Clock is the earth-shattering answer. An alarm clock for heavy sleepers, it comes with a 113-decibel alarm and connected bed shaker to further stir you from slumber.
Combine this with a vibrant, almost aggressive red LED display, you’ve got all the makings of an alarm that won’t fail you when you need it most. You can set it for either single shaking or alarm settings although this can’t be done in the same alarm cycle.
It might be the worst thing you’ve ever bought at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll never have trouble waking up ever again.
Extra-loud, turbo charged vibrations force you out of bed
Built-in pulsating alert lights
Snooze diffuser
Bed shaker helps shift you out of slumber
- BrandSonic Alert
- ModelSBB500SS
- Weight1.6 lbs
Large red LCD for easy reading
Ideal for heavy sleepers
Capable of arranging single shaker or alarm settings
Inconvenient time setting despite fast adjustment mode
3
RCA Digital Alarm Clock
Sometimes, the best alarm clock for you isn’t packed full of modern technology, it’s not got Bluetooth connectivity, it can’t remind you to buy eggs or pick the kids up, and it doesn’t need to. The RCA Digital Alarm Clock is a classic, retro option which you can still rely on you get you out of bed.
With large red digits and a built-in alarm indicator, you’ll never get a nasty surprise as you’re torn from your favorite dream ever. The brightness contrast prevents just-woke-up blindness, and it has a full-width snooze button on the top so you can catch just a few more minutes.
It’s smart, simple, and streamlined, and for less than $10, you’ve got an alarm clock you can trust.
AC-powered
Large, full-width snooze button
Alarm indicator
Brightness contrast
- BrandRCA
- ModelRCD30
- Weight0.16 oz
Large 1.4” display
Battery backup in case of power failure
Smart, streamlined, and simple
Difficult to read time from across the room if set to dim
4
Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock
As much as simple is good for some people, there are others who need a little more encouragement to get out of bed. As our premium choice, this Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock is the most calming, supportive option you’ll find.
Doubling as light therapy and natural sunrise alarm, you will be nudged gently out of bed by a clock which won’t get upset if it takes a while. If you struggle to get to sleep, its built-in sound settings and dimming sunset will ease you off for the most comfortable sleep of your life.
The light will also dim as soon as the bedroom gets dark to make it easier for you. If you wake up in the dead of night, the screen is clear, and easy to read, but not so clear that it’ll snatch you from that confusing place between asleep and awake.
Light therapy lamp and natural sunrise alarm clock for improving sleep
Dimming sunset and sounds settings helps you drift off comfortably
Choice of five wake up sounds
FM radio function
- BrandPhilips
- ModelHF3520/60
- Weight4.7 lbs
Automatically dims when bedroom gets dark
20 brightness settings
Tap snooze function
No replacement for bulb or alarm functions
5
Sony Led Alarm Clock
This cubed Sony LED Alarm Clock goes back to something a little simpler than the Philips while still providing everything the struggling snoozer needs yo get their sorry, slumbering self out of bed in the morning. With a choice between radio, buzzer, or gradual wake alarm settings you can personalize it to suit you to perfect your wake up routine.
The LCD screen is easy to read both day and night and can be adjusted for sensitive, restless eyes. The wide, always-reachable snooze button is a fantastic feature, while battery backup prevents any mid-morning wake-up panics.
Unfortunately, you can only set one alarm, so don’t forget to turn it off on a Friday night and back on Sunday evening, otherwise, you’ll end up having sleep stolen when you need it the most.
Radio, buzzer, or gradual wake alarm settings
Adjustable brightness control
Programmable sleep timer and snooze button
Battery backup
- BrandSony
- ModelICF-C1/BC3
- Weight1.32 lbs
Large, easy-to-read LCD screen
Automatic Daylight Savings adjustment
Wide, reachable snooze button
Only allows you to set one alarm
6
iHome Bluetooth Color Changing Dual Alarm Clock
The wonders of the modern technology mean we can stream our favorite tunes from phone to alarm to our sleeping ears to get us ready for the day, and what’s not to love about that? The iHome Bluetooth Color Changing Dual Alarm Clock is one of these marvels, 6 color wake up modes to the bedside table to make waking up just a little more comfortable.
Besides this, there’s a dual alarm feature for versatile settings (weekends and weekdays), and multiple tone options to keep things fresh. If you’re too lazy to answer the phone, the built-in speaker and mic mean you can take calls from the comfort of your bed without turning the lights on.
So yeah, it’s good, but the Bluetooth connection isn’t great, and if you’re relying on an alarm to wake you up every day, it may be best to go with a product that won’t fail you when you need it most.
Music streaming from Bluetooth-enabled device
5 color changing LED and 6 Color wake up modes
Built-in mic and speakerphone for you to take calls
Dual alarm feature
- BrandiHome
- ModelIBT29
- Weight1 lb
Multiple alarm tone options
Clear, bright screen
Syncs with most smartphones and charges, too
Sometimes unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
7
Dreamsky Decent Alarm Clock
The DreamSky Decent Alarm Clock is a straightforward, no-frills option that’s also deceivably full of features. Included are a programmable sleep timer, a gradual alarm which comes with adjustable volume control, and snooze button with merciful 9-minute intervals.
The screen is clear, but not too bright, and even if it is, you can adjust the brightness to suit you. For those who can’t bear to be too far from their phone, there’s a USB port for overnight charging, ensuring you’re ready to run out the door as soon as your fifth snooze of the morning goes off.
All this points to an alarm clock that’s a little more than just decent. It’s perfect for dorm rooms, bachelor pads, or offices, not that you’ll need reminding when it’s time to go home or anything.
Programmable sleep timer
Gradual alarm with adjustable volume control
Snooze button with 9-minute intervals
Adjustable brightness control for a good night’s sleep
- BrandDreamSky
- ModelDS206
- Weight12.8 oz
Built-in USB port for charging smartphone
Large, clear, screen that’s not too harsh to look at
Battery backup in case of power failure
Smaller than pictures suggest, feels a little cheap
8
Soundfreaq Sound Rise Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
A sleek, modern option for the sophisticated lazy-bones, the Soundfreaq Sound Rise Wireless Bluetooth Speaker is one of the smartest clocks we’ve identified. It has a dual alarm system for separating weekends and weekdays, and an adjustable brightness to help you ease gently into the day.
The easy-to-set nap timer is perfect for that all-important siesta and combined with music or chiming wake up function, you’ve got a highly versatile option. The radio alarm clock feature is also ideal for anyone who can stand waking up to the chirpiness of breakfast radio hosts.
There’s also USB charging capabilities, which are always nice, but the whole product is slightly let down by the sound quality. It’s good enough for most, but heavy sleepers and audiophiles may want to take their business elsewhere.
Smart clock wakes you with music, radio, or chiming
Dual alarm for weekdays and weekends
Adjustable brightness for full blackout and easy sleeping
USB charging port for smartphone and other devices
- BrandSoundfreaq
- ModelAX-AY-ABHI-109966
- Weight2.1 lbs
Easy set nap timer
Compact design
Reliable Bluetooth connectivity
Sound isn’t as impressive as it could be for the price
9
Timex Alarm Clock
A simple but effective digital alarm clock that offers dual alarms for designated, independent use, a set-and-forget alarm with auto repeat and auto shut off, and changeable buzzer volumes, the Timex Alarm Clock is an excellent budget solution for any bedside table.
Despite its low price, it still provides some cool features, including a handy 7-5-2 alarm setting, giving you the option of which days of the week you need your alarms set. For the forgetful few among us, this is surely welcome and saves any nasty, hungover surprises on Saturday morning.
It’s small, compact, and lightweight, however, you’re unable to dim the brightness, so if you ever wake in the middle of the night, make sure you’ve got your sunglasses close at hand.
Dual alarms for independent use
Set-and-forget alarm with auto-repeat and auto shut off
7-5-2 schedule for every day, weekdays, and weekends
Buzzer alarm with high or low settings
- BrandTimex
- ModelT121S
- Weight8.8 oz
Battery back up in case of power failure
Small, lightweight, and compact
Easy to set up
Not option to dim brightness
10
JBL Horizon Bluetooth Clock Radio
An awesome combination of performance and functionality, this might be the best clock radio for playing music we’ve found. The JBL Horizon Bluetooth Clock Radio comes with room-filling JBL speaker stereo sound and Bluetooth streaming, making it an all-in-one option for the real audiophiles among us.
As an alarm, it has ambient LED lights which soothe you into and out of sleep a selectable alarm tone or one of 5 preset radio stations. For weekend warriors, you can also set specific Saturday and Sunday alarms independent of the dreaded weekday ringing.
Its compact design makes it a quality option, however, the automatic brightness can’t be dimmed if, which sucks, but maybe you’ll feel sprightly enough to leap out of bed, regardless.
Multisensory alarm with ambient LED light
Room-filling JBL speaker stereo sound
Bluetooth streaming
Dual USB fast charging for devices
- BrandJBL
- ModelHorizon Black
- Weight3.1 lbs
Compact, attractive design
Digital alarm tones or 5 radio preset options
Two alarm settings for weekdays and weekends
Automatic brightness dimming can’t be changed
11
Seiko Bedside Alarm Clock
Steering towards a more traditional product, this Seiko Bedside Alarm Clock – crafted with genuine Japanese quartz – is a great, modest option for anybody who has had enough of all this new, overbearing technology. With it, you get the option of being woken with a beep or a bell, and can still hit snooze if you really need to.
Unlike other analog clocks, the hands operate silently, which is good for light, easily disturbed sleepers, and also prevents any distinctly ominous feeling that comes with the tick-tock-tick of classic clocks. It’s also compact, which makes it a great travel alarm clock for those on the go.
The luminous hands and dials are good, but we’d prefer them to be a little brighter, especially if your alarm clock is far from the safety of your bed. This is a minor issue though, and there are still enough simple pleasures to make this an excellent choice.
Beep or bell alarm sound with snooze
Luminous hands and dials
Quiet sweep second-hand movement
Dial light
- BrandSeiko
- ModelQHK031SLH
- Weight13.6 oz
Lightweight, compact design
Permanent snooze disabling capabilities
Loud, reliable bell ringer
A little too dim in the dark
12
Braun Quartz Alarm Clock
The crescendo alarm is great for gently easing you from sleep instead of a typical, klaxon-esque ringing first thing, and the clock face is elegant and easy to read once you’re ready to roll over and face the day.
In a dramatic twist, the battery is – get this – included, which is awesome. However, the second hand is maybe a little too loud and could disturb lighter sleepers. If you go out like a log, though, then this could be the clock you need.
Quiet German precision quartz movement
Crescendo alarm
Pivot alarm system
Large, easily readable clock face
- BrandBraun
- ModelBNC011WHWH
- Weight5.6 oz
Battery included
Simple and elegant design
Accurate and easy to use
Second hand is a little too loud
Best Alarm Clock FAQs
Q: What Is The Best Way To Set An Alarm?
A: It’s tempting to set a bunch of alarms at 5- or 10-minute intervals to help you know you need to wake up but also give you the time to cope with waking up. Lots of people do this, and for many, it’s all they know. However, with every snooze, you’re only making things harder for yourself.
Knowing this, the best way to set an alarm is to trust yourself. Set an alarm and get up when it goes off. When first attempting this, you’ll still struggle to wake up, so you might need to stick to the separate alarms for the first week, but it’s beneficial for you to wean yourself off this, and eventually you’ll wake up first try, and maybe even before your alarm goes off at all, which is always a win.
Q: How To Train Yourself To Wake Up Early
A: Despite what you might believe, anyone can train themselves to wake up early. It doesn’t happen overnight (ha) but instead requires consistency and dedication.
Go to Bed Earlier
The obvious way to wake up early is to go to bed earlier. This gives you more hours to sleep through the night and gets you to a point where you will naturally wake up when you need to. The problem many people face is that they find it challenging to switch off once they’re in bed, so while they’re lying down in the dark waiting for sleep to grab them by the collar, it just won’t come.
To overcome this, it’s recommended you experience some downtime. Get off your phone, switch off the TV, and let your mind chill out for up to one hour before you can expect to get to sleep. It’ll probably also help if you switch your smartphone to Do Not Disturb, so you won’t be - um - disturbed while you’re trying to drift off.
As long as you maintain this early routine, you’ll eventually feel tired around the same time every day, making it easier to go to sleep and easier to wake up feeling refreshed.
Get Out of Bed When the Alarm Goes Off
We mean as soon as your alarm goes off, too. None of this smashing snooze, lying there, debating whether you can get a couple more minutes, but straight away. To make this easier, position your alarm on the other side of the room so you need to get out of bed to turn it off. Just don’t get back into bed, or the day has already won.
Being awake is not nearly enough, but being out of bed means you’re letting yourself down if you climb back in, and no one wants that. Look at it like you’ve already done the hard work, and you’re now in control of your own destiny.
If you still struggle once you’re out of bed, get yourself to the kitchen and fill up a glass of cold, refreshing water and chug as much of it as possible. Immediately, you’ll feel more awake, and any doubts you had about staying up are now a distant memory.
Reward Yourself for Waking Up Early
Despite waking up early feeling like something that everyone should do and that it’s not really something to shout from the rooftops about, there are actually many benefits in giving yourself little wins. Not only does it further encourage you to get up early, but it also puts a positive spin on the start of your day.
These rewards can range from the small to the substantial and can involve a night of relaxing, maybe having a couple of beers when you get home in the evening, or maybe you want to reward yourself there and then. You can make yourself a delicious breakfast (you’ve got the time, after all), you can read, you can treat yourself to a nice hot cup of good coffee, none of this instant-brew rubbish.
You can also reward yourself by sleeping every now and again. You might even discover you can’t sleep in any longer, and your body naturally wakes up at the same time every day. This might be frustrating at first, but it’s far from a bad thing. In fact, it shows that all your dedication has paid off, so go you!
Make the Most of the Extra Hours
Many people complain there aren’t enough hours in the day when, in fact, there are, it’s all about how you use these hours. Getting up early and making the most of the extra hours you have - instead of sitting on your phone or watching TV, can promote good, healthy habits.
Think about all the things you need to do that day and get a start on them early. Pack the kids’ lunches, do your laundry, wash the dishes from the night before, get some exercise, read, write, sing, draw, whatever it is you feel you don’t have time to do after you get home from work, you now have that time, so don’t waste it.
Getting all the boring stuff out of the way first thing means you can get home and do whatever you like, and this extra freedom is more liberating than anything you’ve ever felt before.
Don’t Let Your Brain Fool You
It's easy to fool yourself into staying in bed, in fact, it's what most people are probably best at more than anything else. You can tell yourself day after day that you made it work or school or whatever in just 5 minutes that one time, so you can definitely afford to give yourself an extra 10 minutes. You’ll just eat breakfast and brush your teeth in the shower. Hell, you might not even have a shower, the extra minutes are more than worth it.
But we all know they never are, don’t we? There’s never enough minutes to satisfy us, and whether we give ourselves 5, 10, 20, or 30 minutes it still won’t feel like we’re fully rested.
The thing about waking up is that it’s not as painful as we believe, and once we’re up, it’s fine. Sure, it’s a little cold, sure, it might take an hour to get fully going, but at least you’re up, you’re about, you’re ready, and that’s more than what we could say for you this time last week.
Get Outside
You know what the best part about the morning is? Sunrise. As an extra incentive to drag yourself from the bed as soon as your alarm goes off, think about how incredible the sunrise will look, especially if there’s no one else around to be all like ‘Hey man, isn’t the sunrise sweet?’
How many times can you admit to seeing a sunrise that wasn’t only because you’re still awake from the previous night? That’s what we thought. It’s not just the sunrise though. Getting outside, into fresh air early in the morning is a great way to wake you up, shake off the cobwebs, and get yourself ready for the day.
Even better: you can use this opportunity to get exercise, you’re up anyway, so take a quick run around the block and see how much better you’ll feel over time, you’ll associate this adrenaline rush with waking up early. It’ll become part of your routine, and you won’t be able to go a day without it.
Q: How Can I Wake Up Faster?
A: There’s no better way to wake up faster and get out of bed than to realize you’re late for something, but no one wants this. Instead, you can combine your simple alarm clock habits with exercise or just going to the bathroom. By the time you get to there, do your business, wash your hands, and check yourself out, you’ll be on the precipice of waking up anyway, so splash some water on your face and just do it.
Q: How Can I Make Sure I Wake Up On Time?
A: Unique clocks, such as those where you need to shoot a target to turn the alarm off or the bed-shaking Sonic Alert above are a great way to waking up on time, but suppose you don’t have one of those.
Instead, developing a routine is the best way to make sure you wake up every day. If there are things you need to do every morning, like walk the dog, work out, or make your lunch, then you have even more incentive to wake up at the right time day after day.
Q: How Many Hours Of Sleep Should I Get A Night?
A: It’s recommended that adult males should get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Everyone is different, though, and you know your body better than us. It’s still important to not burn the candle at both ends, as this can lead to fatigue and other health issues.
Q: Why Do I Wake Up Angry?
A: There’s no single reason why you wake up angry. It could be due to diet, something you have to do that day, or you may have simply gotten a bad night’s sleep. You can make changes to prevent this, but if the problem persists, discuss your concerns with a doctor.
Q: Can Supplements Help Me Sleep?
A: While we don’t recommend wholly relying on supplements to help anything - because a happy, healthy life is all about balance - there are some options to help you sleep better. These include:
- Vitamin D and E
- Melatonin
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- B vitamins
- Valerian
- Chamomile
- Theanine
Sources:
- How I Became an Early Riser - Zen Habits
- Why Do We Feel Angry When We Wake Up? -2 Know Myself
- 10 Vitamins and Minerals to Help You Sleep Better - BT