Alarm Clocks That Will Actually Get You Out of Bed

Some people wake up to the first gentle chime of an alarm, or even a bird cooing in the distance. Others have somehow developed the ability to hit snooze without achieving full consciousness. If you’re in the second group, and your phone alarm has become background noise, switching to a dedicated alarm clock could make mornings a little less stressful.

Today's best alarm clocks go well beyond an aggressively beeping box on the nightstand. A sunrise alarm clock can gradually brighten your bedroom before it's time to wake, while smart models let you build routines around different lights and sounds. There are also straightforward digital clocks and louder alarms made for sleepers who need considerably more persuasion.

The right choice depends on how you naturally wake up, how dark your bedroom is, and just how complicated your relationship with the snooze button has become. Here are five alarm clocks worth putting beside your bed.

Hatch Restore 3

The Hatch Restore 3 is much more than an alarm clock. Designed around both nighttime and morning routines, it combines customizable light and sleep sounds with a sunrise alarm that gradually changes color and brightens before your chosen alarm sound begins. You can personalize the routine in the Hatch Sleep app, including the days, sunrise timing, and light and sound combination. 

It's an especially appealing smart alarm clock if you're trying to keep your phone out of reach at bedtime. Once you've customized your routines, the Restore 3's physical controls handle everyday functions such as starting a routine, adjusting volume, snoozing, and switching off the alarm.

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Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light

For anyone who finds a traditional alarm unnecessarily hostile at 7 a.m., the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light takes a gentler approach. Rather than relying on sound alone, your sunrise alarm clock gradually fills the room with light before your wake-up time, recreating some of the experience of waking to natural morning light. Sounds nice and gentle, right?

The circular lamp design also means it earns its place on a nightstand without looking overly gadget-heavy. It's a particularly interesting choice for darker bedrooms and those mornings when opening the curtains does absolutely nothing because the sun hasn't received the memo yet.

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Capello Moon Glow Alarm Table Clock

The Capello Moon Glow Alarm Table Clock brings some of the appeal of a sunrise clock to a simpler bedside design. Its wake-up light gradually brightens before the alarm sounds, while the built-in nightlight can display white light, individual colors, or a changing color gradient. You can also adjust both display brightness and snooze duration.

A sleep timer makes the light useful at the other end of the day too, and optional AAA batteries provide alarm and time backup during a power interruption. It's a good middle ground if you like the idea of waking with light but don't necessarily need an elaborate app-controlled sleep system.

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Sonic Bomb Dual Extra-Loud Alarm Clock

Then there are mornings when birdsong and a gradually glowing bedroom simply aren't going to cut it. The Sonic Bomb Dual Extra-Loud Alarm Clock is designed for heavy sleepers and takes a much more determined approach to waking its owner.

Its combination of a loud alarm and bed-shaker format makes it particularly useful for people who regularly sleep through conventional alarms. This isn't the serene, spa-like member of the list; it's the one you choose when your existing alarm has been reduced to an easily ignored suggestion.

If you can sleep through this one, we’re pretty sure you’re doomed then.

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Loftie Clock

The Loftie Clock takes a different approach to smart alarm clocks, focusing on a dedicated bedside device rather than making your smartphone responsible for everything. It combines alarm functionality with audio intended for bedtime and relaxation, making it another option for anyone trying to establish a more deliberate evening and morning routine.

Its understated design also suits people who don't want a bright screen dominating the nightstand. Think of it as an alarm clock for someone who wants more functionality than a basic digital model, but also wants fewer reasons to pick up their phone at night.

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What to Look for in an Alarm Clock

The best alarm clock isn't necessarily the one with the longest feature list. Start by thinking about what currently makes waking up difficult. If sudden noises leave you feeling startled, a sunrise alarm clock that gradually brightens the bedroom may suit you better. If you regularly sleep straight through your alarm, volume and stronger sensory cues are likely to matter more.

• Sound customization is worth considering too. Some people respond better to natural sounds or music than repetitive beeping, while heavy sleepers may want adjustable volume or a dedicated extra-loud alarm. If two people share a room but wake at different times, dual alarms can also save a surprising amount of morning negotiation.
• With a smart alarm clock, look at what can actually be customized. The Hatch alarm clock, for example, lets users combine light and sound into personalized routines and choose when the sunrise portion begins.
• Display brightness matters more than you might expect. A giant glowing time display can be useful from across the bedroom and deeply annoying once you're trying to sleep. Dimmable displays or screens you can hide overnight give you more control.
• Finally, consider power and backup options. If punctuality matters, a model that preserves the time and alarm during a brief outage offers useful peace of mind. And if the clock requires Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, an app, or a subscription for certain features, check those requirements before deciding that you've found your new morning savior.

Make Your Mornings a Little Easier

No alarm clock can make leaving a warm bed genuinely exciting, but hopefully the right one will make waking up feel considerably less brutal. A gradual sunrise might be enough for light sleepers, while customizable smart routines give you more control over both bedtime and mornings. And for dedicated heavy sleepers? There is always the alarm-clock equivalent of bringing in reinforcements.

With MyUS, you can shop for alarm clocks and other bedroom essentials from US retailers and have your purchases shipped internationally, giving you access to more options even when your favorite US stores don't deliver directly to your country.

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