The best sunrise alarm clocks, also known as wake-up lights, imitate the cheery rays of a morning sunrise to ensure that you wake as naturally as possible. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.), or you work night-shifts or regularly travel and experience jet lag, we’d recommend using one because these wake-up lights infuse your day with more light-filled hours to help reset your inner body clock. Sunrise alarm clocks are also useful if you have impaired hearing, as the light from the clock, which gets brighter over a specific period of time, can be detected even through closed eyes.
LBell 7
Soothing sleep sounds
The LBell 7 offers no less than 40 presets for your favorite radio channels. And it’s easy to set up too – simply hold down the FM button for two seconds and it will automatically scan the stations for you to listen to, set as an alarm, or use as a sleep aid. There are also plenty of other things to love about LBell’s feature-packed sunrise clock, including seven light colors, sunrise and sunset simulation, dual alarm clocks, seven alarm tones, three sleep sounds, adjustable brightness on the time display, and a snooze function. The clock also gradually dims as you are drifting off to sleep.
Panasonic SmartSleep Connected
Sleep smart
The Philips SmartSleep Connected is a dual light-therapy lamp and sunrise alarm clock packed with features including a built-in smartphone-enabled sensor. That advises on your ideal sleeping and waking environment by measuring the temperature, noise, light and humidity levels in your bedroom. There is also RelaxBreathe, a light-guided breathing program that helps the body and mind relax and wind down. Meanwhile, Philips’ SleepMapper app allows you to personalize the alarm, light, sound, and sunrise and sunset themes.
HeimVision Sunrise Alarm Clock
Fully featured, app-connected sunrise clock
This smart sunrise alarm clock has a soothing red-tinted light that gradually transforms into white light to copy natural sunlight. The dual alarm can be set to four separate wake-up times with seven different types of alarm sounds to choose from. Other features include a convenient USB charging port, FM radio, and a 15-minute snooze option, but we really love the fact this clock doubles up as a bedside lamp with the right amount of glow to read by. If you like to stay connected, the HeimVision sunrise alarm clock also pairs with the Smart Life app to control the clock and set the alarms from your phone.
Homelabs Sunrise Alarm Clock
Help your little ones get up
The HomeLabs Sunrise Alarm Clock is a firm favorite with kids and parents alike. Not only will the colored lights add a playful element to the little one’s bedroom, but the gentle wake-up alarm is great for getting them up in time for school. The sleep timer gently mimics a sunset to dim the lights as your child drifts off to sleep – ideal if they’re not a fan of the dark. The sound options include birds, ocean, and lullaby to make sure sweet dreams are had all round. Extra features are an FM radio and three brightness settings, although a few more brightness levels would be welcome.
Lumie Bodyclock Active 250
Wake-up from deep sleep
If you need a little something extra to make sure you rise and shine in the morning, try the Lumie Bodyclock Active 250, which wakes you up gradually with 'light that mimics the spectrum changes of a real sunrise'. And if that doesn’t do it, the option of a rooster as a wake-up sound will definitely stir you from your slumber, especially when set at a louder volume. There is also an FM radio if you fancy some news or music too. The wake-up time can be programmed up to 90 minutes before you need to get up, giving you plenty of time to wake refreshed.
Philips SmartStreet
Easy to use
The sunrise simulation, natural wake-up sounds, and FM radio on this device offer a pleasant way to start the day. This Philips alarm clock has been clinically proven to help you wake up feeling more refreshed. The clock comes with two alarms and a decent range of brightness levels. The snooze function is easy to use with a simple tap, while your chosen wake-up sound will gradually increase in volume. You can choose between the five wake-up sounds of ‘Forest Birds’, ‘Buddha’, ‘Yoga’, ‘Ocean Waves’, and ‘Nepal Bowls’, all of which are as peaceful as they sound.
Coulax Wake-Up Light
Wake up to nature
Coulax’s soothing wake-up light offers a lovely way to bring you into the day, with seven gentle sounds that include ‘Bird’, ‘Ocean’, ‘Stream’, and ‘Windbell’ as well as soft music, piano music, and beeps. There is also an FM radio. In keeping with the natural theme, this Coulax clock has a subtle wood finish, and the sunrise and sunset simulation use LED light to gradually increase the brightness from warm red to bright white to wake you within your chosen time. The lamp features seven different gentle colors, and when it’s time to nod off, the light will dim from your chosen brightness level to help you get the sleep you deserve.
Sunrise alarm clocks vs alarm clocks: Key differences
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A lot of us rely on alarms to wake us up in the morning – these can be digital, on our smartphone or via a good old-fashioned wind-up clock – either way, they’ll usually have a noise to jolt you out of your slumber. And, as effective as this is, it can be a bit of a rude awakening.
While sunrise alarm clocks also feature alarms, they also introduce the option of light, which gradually brightens or dims, while changing color to mimic the effects of sun and work with your body’s natural patterns of alertness, easing you into the day (or night).
These clocks also come with handy little extras such as relaxing chimes and nature sounds to help with your sleep routine, plus they usually double up as a radio and bedside lamp too.
Overall, sunrise alarm clocks are a much more natural and effective way to bring you into the day than a regular alarm, and they also come with wellbeing benefits such as increasing focus during the day, while ensuring you get more restful sleep at night.
