The 9 Digital Best Alarm Clocks
If you use your phone in the bedroom at night, it’s probably messing with your sleep, even if you turn it to silent and dim. An best alarm clock can be a healthy upgrade to a distraction-free bedroom, even if it feels like a technological downgrade. After a phone-free week of testing, recommend the best clocks (including analog, digital and smart versions) for a more peaceful bedroom. They are not too bright at night and will reliably wake you up in the morning. And they’ll look pretty on your nightstand to boot.
How do you choose?
Easy to read
Whether it has hands or a digital display, a watch should be clear at a glance.
Easy to set up
You won’t need YouTube tutorials to access alarm settings or adjust features like snooze, brightness, and alarm volume.
Nice to have
Radio, USB port, Bluetooth and Internet connectivity, alarm sound and tone options—these are welcome features (but not required).
Best Alarm Clock
There’s a reason so many people are jumping into the market for the best alarm clocks: By now, it’s common knowledge that using your smartphone while sleeping — or even sleeping near it — can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. That’s why many sleep experts recommend opting for a screen-free nighttime routine and recommend using a standalone alarm clock to keep track of time and wake up in the morning. This is just as essential as a quality set of bed sheets or a firm mattress. But after relying on our phones for so long, finding a best alarm clock can seem challenging. The good news: It’s not impossible. (Our top pick is Amazon’s Echo Dot, a digital watch that packs a ton of user-friendly features, like music playback options, podcasts, and more.)
The Loftie clock is programmed to complement natural sleep patterns with its gentle two-phase alarm … [+]LOFTIE
When buying an alarm clock, you’ll want to think about how much space you have to display it, how you want to operate it, and any extra features you want. For example, if you hate the idea of manually clicking or turning buttons to set an alarm, a smartwatch (especially one that’s smart assistant-enabled) will be your best bet. And if you prefer an old-school option, you’ll want to go for a hassle-free analog alarm clock.
The point is, whatever your needs are, there’s an alarm clock to meet them. Ahead, find eight of the best alarm clocks on the market to create a calm, distraction-free bedroom.
Best Alarm Clocks Overall
Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) With Clock
Size: 3.9 x 3.9 x 3.5 inches | Operation: Voice control | Additional features: Smart assistant and speaker
Amazon’s Echo Dot 4th Gen does a lot more than just display time. Besides being a regular digital clock and alarm, it’s packed with a ton of smart features to help you make the most of your morning routine. For example, in addition to setting multiple alarms to different sounds, you can use your Echo Door to stream podcasts, media cycles, and music that you want to fall asleep or wake up to. Plus, you can connect it to a smart plug that lets you turn on your light automatically when you wake up What’s more, if you want to fall asleep to your favorite entertainment, you can set a sleep timer, which will automatically turn off the sound after a certain amount of time.
All in all, if you’re looking to get the most out of an best alarm clocks, the Echo Dot 4th Gen won’t disappoint.
What the reviews say: “My son had some cheap alarm clocks that had a display that you could barely read in the light and it was impossible in the dark. It’s perfectly legible in both dark and light and not too bright in the dark that it’s distracting. It’s also nice that it’s a The timer will show the countdown as it nears the end and show the volume level while adjusting it.! says one satisfied customer.
Pros
Cons
- Illuminated LED clock
- Smart speaker
- Smart assistant
- Compatible with the Amazon Alexa app
- Some buyers complain that Alexa doesn’t hear well
- Compatible with the Amazon Alexa app
Best Budget Alarm Clock
Sharp Digital Alarm Clock
Size: 5.5 x 2.1 inches | Operation: Manual | Additional Features: Dual alarms, red display, battery back-up
This simple digital best alarm clocks may look like a relic of the past, but it remains a top pick for a few reasons: dual alarms, a large red display, and a booming alarm volume that gets louder the longer it rings. Although the alarm is designed to be plugged in, it is also battery compatible (although, they are sold separately) to ensure it remains active even if the power goes out. All in all, it’s a solid option given its affordable price tag, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to make sure you wake up on time every morning.
What the reviews say: Buyers love the ease of use. Easy to program alarms and change times. Dual alarms are nice; Can set one or the other or both. The alarm starts low and goes slow then gets louder and faster if you don’t turn it off. Snooze button works well. It might be a little bigger, but it’s big enough.”
Pros
Cons
- Dual alarms
- Gentle red display
- Also available in a green display option
- Manual alarm setting—which some shoppers complain can be time consuming
A Smart Alarm Clock That Doubles As a Wellness Companion
Loftie Clock
Size: 6.5 x 2.75 inches| Operation: Manual and via app | Additional features: Breathwork, meditations, sound baths, nature sounds, and more
The Loftie clock is making waves with its sleek, minimalist design and ample features that go beyond a traditional best alarm clocks. The Best smart watch comes with a compatible smartphone app that lets you easily set alarms, as well as link your favorite wind-down music, cycles, meditation breathing exercises and sound baths. Equipped with a dimmable display, the Lofty Clock is programmed to complement natural sleep patterns with its gentle bi-phase alarm system, which automatically snoozes at your chosen wake-up time before and serves as a wake-up call nine minutes later. closed earlier. and out of bed.
What the reviews say, Total game changer for me, says one satisfied user. The jingling alarm on my iPhone is gone. The lighting is soft, the sound is perfect and then the guided meditation is an added bonu
Pros
Cons
- Dimmable display
- Equipped with wind-down alarm for bedtime
- Features 2-phase gentle wake-up alarms
- Bluetooth and app compatible
- Stocked with nature sounds, white noise, meditations, and more
- Some reviewers complain that the nightlight is too dim
A Compact Alarm That Offers All The Essential Features
USCCE Digital Alarm Clocks Radio
Size: 4.25 x 2.56 inches | Operation: Manual| Additional features: Customizable alarms, FM Radio, USB charging ports and more.
If space is limited, the USCCE Digital Best Alarm Clocks Radio can help you make the most of it thanks to its featured 4.25-inch footprint. The small best alarm clocks is designed with a large dial (which doubles as a snooze button for easy tapping) to set the alarm and adjust the time. There’s also an adjustable brightness dimmer and dual alarms, which is particularly noteworthy because in addition to being able to set two alarms, you can set them 7-5-2 (aka every day of the week, weekday, and weekend).
Beyond its alarm capabilities, this clock has an FM radio and two charging ports, so it’ll help streamline your nightstand and ultimately save you major space. What the reviews say, Honestly, this is a little gem. It takes up very little real estate on the nightstand, yet the all-important time display is large enough to read easily at night or in the early morning fog. Probably the easiest alarm clock I’ve ever adjusted.
Pros
Cons
- Dual alarms
- Dimmable display
- FM Radio
- Two charging ports
- Some shoppers report it can be difficult to tune the radio
An Alarm Clock With A Large Display
DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clocks
Size: 5.3 x 2.6 inches | Operation: Manual | Additional features: Adjustable brightness, 9-minute snooze option, USB charging port
The DreamSky Compact Digital best Alarm Clocks has garnered nearly 14,000 5-star reviews with its impressive 2-inch tall time display. From a look standpoint, it is sold in five display color options as well as two device colorways (black and white). Above the alarm, there’s a large snooze button that’s impossible to miss when reaching in the dark, and on the back, all controls are clearly labeled for easy operation. There, you can set the time and alarm, adjust brightness and volume, and choose a 12- or 24-hour clock. Additionally, there are two USB ports for convenient charging through the device.
What the reviews say: As one reviewer said, “If you want a simple digital watch that’s not a radio, this is a really great watch. The watch is very compact, yet the numbers are huge. I really liked that some of the buttons on the back are clearly labeled, and very intuitive. , works in a logical way.”
Pros
Cons
- Jumbo display
- Adjustable sound and brightness
- Automatic 9-minute snooze function
- You can only set one alarm
An Nifty Device That Can Help Kids Build Healthy Sleep Habits
Hatch Rest 2nd Generation
Size: 4 x 4 x 6.6 inches| Operation: Wi-Fi App | Additional features: Sound machine, night light, sleep library, time-to-rise light and more
Hatch Rest 2nd Generation is an best alarm clocks, night light, sound machine and bedtime reminder that is incredibly popular with parents. The tall, tapered device, which has more than 28,000 5-star reviews, is powered by a Wi-Fi-compatible smartphone app, where users can program bedtime and wake-up schedules, set alarms, adjust night lights, And can tailor words. Nature sounds, white noise, music, or bedtime stories). The Dimmable Clock is praised for its intuitive design, which aligns with the body’s natural circadian rhythm and can help children develop healthy sleep habits by dimming it to glow when they fall asleep and gradually wake up.
What the reviews say: “Love the 2nd generation, very fast and easy to access the app, the watch is very convenient for us to tell the time and for kids to use when they are old enough, said one happy parent.
Pros
Cons
- Dimmable sunset and sunrise design
- Adjustable nightlight
- Built-in sleep stories, lullabies and more
- Need an additional membership to access the sleep library content
An Alarm Clock That Also Detects Temperature And Humidity
Jall Digital Alarm Clock With Humidity & Temperature Detect
Size: 5.91 x 3.15 inches | Operation: Manual | Additional features: Temperature and humidity detection
Over 35,000 Amazon shoppers have given this unique wooden pyramid best alarm clocks their 5-star seal of approval. The touch- and sound-activated clock looks like a sleek wooden decor item until you snap, clap or tap it, at which point it displays the time, temperature, humidity percentage, and whether an alarm is currently set. As far as the alarm itself is concerned, there are three settings, so you can ping it once, twice, or three times, with a pause between each. Also, you can program alarms with separate alarms if multiple people need to turn them off at different times. While some buyers complain that the minimalist watch is difficult to control, most conclude that it’s easy as long as you read the instructions.
What the reviews say: “As soon as I set it up, it became one of my favorite watches. I really like being able to set the brightness. It is easy to read and includes a calendar, temperature, and humidity. It has a mode where it turns off and you clap your hand (or snap your fingers) once to see it, which is great for sleeping or subtly blending in with your decor.”
Pros
Cons
- Chic wooden design
- Three alarm settings
- Comes with brightness controls
- Measures temperature and humidity
- The minimalist design can be confusing to use
An Old-School Clock That Gets The Job Done
Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock
Size: 6.5 x 6.5 inches | Operation: Manual | Additional features: Backlight button
Over 35,000 Amazon shoppers have given this unique wooden pyramid best alarm clocks their 5-star seal of approval. The touch- and sound-activated clock looks like a sleek wooden decor item until you snap, tap or clap it, at which point it displays the temperature, time, humidity percentage, and whether an alarm is currently set. As far as the alarm itself is concerned, there are three settings, so you can ping it once, twice, or three times, with a pause between each. However, if multiple people need to turn it off at different times, you can program the alarm with separate alarms.
Although some buyers complain that the minimum clock is difficult to control, most conclude that it is easy as long as you read the instructions. It has become one of my favorite watches as it sets what the reviews say. I really like being able to set the brightness. It is easy to read and includes a calendar, temperature, and humidity. It has a mode where it turns off and you clap your hands or snap your fingers once you see it, which is great for sleeping or subtly blending in with your decor.
Pros
Cons
- Sold in multiple colors
- Easy to program
- Not as easy to turn off as digital clocks
- Incredibly loud
How we picked and tested
Best clock radio for seniors may seem a bit old-fashioned since everyone and their grandmother now uses a phone as an alarm. A search for “alarm clock” on Amazon yields seven pages of models to choose from, many so slightly different from the next (and the ugliest that the thought of sleeping near them is enough to induce mild insomnia).
But there are still some great options available today, and here are the features we look for in an ideal best alarm clocks:
Easy to read: Whether it has hands or a digital display, a watch should be clear at a glance, even without contacts or glasses.
Creates a pleasant alarm tone: The ideal alarm will wake you up without creating a jarring effect. We favor models with pleasant tones and the option to change them based on personal preference.
Dimmable: A constant, noticeably bright light can be detrimental to falling asleep. We recommend a clock with an option to dim the display manually or automatically.
Compact and stable: A good alarm clock has a low center of gravity and enough weight to cope with the clumsy hands of half-awake people.
Easy to set up: No need for a Ph.D. or YouTube tutorials to access alarm on/off settings or adjust features like snooze, brightness, and alarm volume.
Offensive: An alarm clock shouldn’t be the first thing you notice in a bedroom—it should probably be the last. Leave statement pieces in the living room.
Additional features: radio, USB port, Bluetooth and Internet connectivity, multiple alarms, alarm sound, and tone options, and a backup battery are all welcome (but not required).
In 2018, after reading customer reviews from Amazon and other retailers—and focusing specifically on the qualities listed above—we’ve rounded up the 10 most promising alarm clocks. We used each watch for several days and nights. In 2021, we scoured retailers again and called four more alarm clocks to test. We tested each model in our bedroom, setting the alarm half an hour earlier than our usual wake-up time, to ensure that the clock’s alarm tone was responsible for breaking our normal sleep cycle as well as allowing us to use each clock’s snooze function. while still angry. We also looked for cosmetic flaws, and we inspected the durability of materials and construction, imagining the litany of abuse an alarm clock might endure over its lifetime. Apart from the biggest clock (the Philips Wake-up Light), our picks are smaller; They should fit on most nightstands and won’t slide or knock off easily.
Other good alarm clocks
Philips Smart Sleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up Light
As we mentioned earlier, the Philips Smart Sleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up Light is an outstanding best alarm clocks. The waking experience is just as good as our best sunrise alarm clock winner — and this light comes with more features, like a customizable snooze, more alarms you can set, relaxation exercises, and more. Also, since Smart Sleep is a smart alarm clocks, you can control it from an app without fussing with buttons.
However, on the last drop of our durability test, the watch unfortunately broke. We don’t expect people to drop their best alarm clocks very often, but accidents happen and if you’re paying that much for something, you want it to last. Even if it doesn’t break, the Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520 costs you an extra $100, and compared to other watches we’ve tested, which cost around $20, it’s more than justifiable. Looking to buy a sunrise clock that not only helps you wake up easier but also helps you fall asleep faster and have a fuller sleep experience, the Philips Smart Sleep Connected Wake-Up Light is an amazing device to have
Travelwey Digital Travel Alarm Clock
While this little best alarm clocks didn’t score high, we think it’s actually a great alarm clock if you travel a lot. It’s so small it can fit in your pocket, and it unfolds so that you can put it on any surface next to your bed. It’s battery-powered, so you can take it anywhere, and it has a standard alarm that’s easy to set There’s nothing fancy about this clock, but the Travelway Digital Travel Alarm Clock is a great portable option if you need a bare-bones one to take with you when you’re traveling or camping.
RCA Digital Alarm Clock
The RCA alarm clock had one of the harshest alarm tones we’ve tested It rattled the plastic inside the clock and there was a screeching sound that made us jump out of bed to end the earache as quickly as possible. Setting the alarm wasn’t incredibly easy, and even if you need an extra-loud alarm to wake you up, we wouldn’t recommend it. If you’re a very deep sleeper, check out the Sonic Bomb.
Pickup Twin Bell Alarm Clock
An alarm on the PikPip Twin Bell best Alarm Clocks was so loud and shocking that it scared us out of bed from the other room. We put it out of the bedroom in the first place because the second hand ticked. And even though we live in New York City and regularly hear cars driving in our apartment, we can’t stand the ticking clock. There wasn’t much better than this clock that could beat ticking and alarms, so if you want an analog clock, we’d recommend the Jall or the smaller PickPip.
Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light
Marathon has many great features. In addition to its compact design (the watch measures 3.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches deep), the Marathon features a sensor night light, dead-quiet movement, a clearly marked alarm and snooze button, and a low-glow light that’s similar. (but not as good) as the one in Ricky. Its one and only drawback was legibility: the clock’s printed numerals were small and difficult to read at a glance. If you want a battery-powered best alarm clocks that’s easy to throw in your luggage, we still recommend it
MoMA Alume Hours
We liked the Alum for its compact, 2.75-inch minimalist silver-cube design. It should fit on any page with plenty of white space, and display the time, date, and temperature with a snap of the finger or a tap on it. Where the watch falls short: the absence of a snooze or dimming option (the display turns off completely between snaps or taps) with an LED display that’s a bit cooler and brighter for tired or still-awake eyes. If you like this design, there are many knockoffs – with similar features – for much less.
Philips Smart Sleep HF3500 Wake-Up Light
This little sunrise clock from Philips was nice, but its larger parts really outweighed this $49.99 option. This watch has no natural sound, and it’s so light and tall that it can easily be knocked over, especially since you have to tap the top to snooze it. The alarm beeps aren’t too harsh and the alarm-setting process wasn’t terrible, so this could be a great buy if you want a sunrise clock but don’t want to spend a ton of money.
Magnasonic Projection Alarm Clock
The Magnasonic Alarm Clock is a nifty and all-around solid clock that we thoroughly enjoyed testing. It comes with a radio that you can listen to or use as your alarm, an aux cord, and a projector that displays the time on your ceiling. While the red numbers on the ceiling look like a doomsday clock at first, it’s actually a very useful feature if you wake up in the middle of the night and want to know the time. If you like the idea of a projector, definitely consider the Magnasonic Alarm Clock, as it scored pretty well in most of our other tests, just not as well as our winners.
PPLEE Store Alarm Clock
This large-screen best alarm clocks is similar to our runner-up, the DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock. The PPLEE has a standard beeping alarm and numbers that aren’t quite as eye-catching as the DreamSky, so if you’re looking for a simple alarm clock like this, we think you’ll be better served by our runner-up
Travelway Home LED Digital Alarm Clock
This travelogue alarm clock reminds us of a classic childhood best alarm clocks, with bright red numbers and giant snooze buttons. The snooze button can act as a light, which is a nice feature that other digital watches lacked, but setting the time and alarm was a slow and unforgiving experience. To set the time you have to hold one button and press the other and you can only increment the number. So if you miss your time by a minute, you have to go around the entire 24-hour cycle to get back to your desired time
Home Labs Sunrise Alarm Clock
Home Labs Sunrise Alarm Clock can’t really compare to Philips’ alternatives. The numbers on the clock itself were fuzzy and hard to read, and while it was equipped with natural sounds to wake up to, the audio quality was so poor it sounded like it was coming through a tin can. We’d recommend spending the extra money for a nicer alternative from Philips.
PickPip's a small battery-operated analog travel alarm clock
PickPip’s small clock scored the highest among analog clocks, which scored low in general due to lack of visibility in the dark and other features. This watch is the only analog option we tested for a snooze button, and setting the alarm was easy (though it’s not an exact science, since you’re moving an analog hand instead of entering a number). It has a light, but like other analog options, it only turns on when you hold it.
Sony ICF-C1 Alarm Clock with FM/AM Radio
This alarm clock from Sony scores decently, but none of its features stand out above the pack. It’s got a radio, which is a nice feature, and the design is simple, but the display was hard to see in the dark Also, every time you hit the snooze button, the snooze time increases, which seems counterintuitive.
Fake analog alarm clock
The mesh analog watch was a pretty good contender; However, since the analog watch was missing a few key features, it did not score well overall. The Jall looks good, comes in five different colors, and most importantly, doesn’t tick, making it a solid analog alarm clock if you want something a little heavier than the tiny PeepPip clock.
Lexon Flip On/Off Alarm Clock
(Note: This watch has now been replaced by the Lexon Flip Plus; but the size hasn’t changed.) The Lexon Flip is fun to use and has a novel design that works well: To turn the alarm on or off, you press a button or a switch instead. Turn the whole clock upside down. Each side is clearly marked, with “ON” written across the watch’s rubber casing on one side and “OFF” on the other. The flip (which is almost impossible) takes up little space, but its small size means that it’s not as obvious as we’d like for an everyday alarm clock. Its LCD display is hard to see in standby mode, and it’s easy to read-only with the backlight on.
Amazon Echo Spot
Amazon has discontinued the Echo Spot, so we can no longer recommend it. Although it was the most expensive watch we tested, we loved how small and easy it was to set up. It also offers more features than any other watch in our test. Amazon has folded features from the Echo Spot into its smart displays, such as the Echo Show 8 and the cheaper Echo Show 5 (which you can read more about in our guide to smart displays). We recommend the Echo Dot in our guide to Alexa speakers, which comes in a version with an LED clock display.
Restore the hatch
Hatch Restore is a great sunrise alarm clock that wakes up gently and slowly, just like our favorite sunrise alarm, the Philips Wake-Up Light. However, the recovery light is smaller, giving it a less immersive feel than Philips Wake-Up. While the Hatch couldn’t beat the Philips Wake-Up Light in our tests, it really shines as a white noise machine. In fact, it was our upgraded pick for the best white noise machines of 2022.
Our luxury pick Loftie is a good alarm clock overall, thanks to its amazing wake-up experience, and it also has plenty of meditations and soundscapes for falling asleep, programs that fall short of Hatch’s automatic wind-down routine. which combines different modes of light with sound to help you get ready for bed. You can program the Hatch to turn on a bright white light for 30 minutes so you can read, then it can transition to a dark blue color when lining up meditation, then lower the volume and play the sound of rain into the night. In short, Loftie is good at waking you up, and Hatch is better at helping you get to the bed first.
The only downside to using Hatch as a white noise machine is that you get free access to a small portion of Hatch’s library of soundscapes and meditations. Want an all-in-one device that really helps you fall asleep and does a good job of waking you up, Hatch Restore is second to none.
