The 5 Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks To Wake Up Peacefully And Energized

Like many sleepers, I loathe the sound of a traditional alarm clock in the morning (or any time of day, really). That’s why I appreciate sunrise alarm clocks, which use light to gradually wake you up, rather than a jarring beeping noise. The best sunrise alarm clocks offer a range of light and color options along with sounds like white noise, music and sleep stories to not only help you wake up peacefully, but also wind down at night. The new Hatch Restore 3 is our top pick overall because it does just that while flaunting a sleek, user-friendly design.

We also rounded up four other options of various shapes and sizes in case you’re looking for a simpler light, a value pick or a smart device. We researched and pored through customer reviews to highlight the best on the market and ensure that we’re recommending durable, effective and easy-to-use models. Ahead, the five best sunrise alarm clocks to start each day with more calmness and energy.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team is dedicated to testing and researching all things sleep. From the best mattresses to the best pillows, we aim to help you achieve the best night’s sleep by offering expert product recommendations and advice.

• Bridget Chapman, the author of this story, is the senior mattress and sleep editor at Forbes Vetted. She oversees the sleep section and has tested hundreds of sleep products over the past three-plus years, including the Hatch Restore 3. She’s also a certified sleep science coach.
• McKenzie Dillon, mattress and sleep editor, is also a certified sleep science coach with ample experience testing sleep products, from pillows to mattresses. She uses the Google Nest Hub and offered insights for this story.
• We consulted with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a board-certified physician and certified sleep specialist, for her insights on sunrise alarm clocks and how they can impact the circadian rhythm.

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How We Chose The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks

In order to highlight the best sunrise alarm clocks on the market, we looked at bestsellers on the market from reputable brands, relied on our own expertise and testing insights, pored through customer reviews and leaned on expert advice.

• We paid attention to features like multiple light and color options, smart features, aesthetics and overall function. We also took note of cost and trial windows.
• We incorporated feedback from Chapman who’s thoroughly tested the Hatch Restore 3 and from Dillon who’s extensively tested the Google Nest Hub.
• We read through hundreds of customer reviews to see what real people had to say about the sunrise alarms clocks and their functionality. We only selected products with high ratings and the majority positive reviews.

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What To Consider When Shopping For A Sunrise Alarm Clock

Although sunrise alarm clocks all use synthetic light to help trigger the production of serotonin in your body to help you wake up and feel energized, they vary greatly in what other features and displays they offer. Here’s what to take into account while shopping.

Features And Function

Some sunrise alarms have music or nature sounds to help you go to sleep at night or wake up in the morning in tandem with the synthetic light they produce. It’s important to keep in mind how many light and sound features you want and how easy the device is to use overall. For instance, some alarms like the Hatch Restore 3 are mostly controlled by an app on your phone, while others like the Jall don’t require any separate technology. Pay attention to the different buttons you use to operate the light and whether or not customers say it’s effortless to do so.

Brightness And Color Options

If you want your sunrise alarm clock to double as a nighttime reading lamp or a tool for promoting relaxation before bed, then take note of the different brightnesses and colors available. Light’s brightness intensity is measured in lux, with a typical natural sunrise or sunset on a clear day being 400 lux. Sunrise alarm clock brands often share the lux measurement for their products, and you can typically choose from different brightness levels.

A variety in color hue can also be beneficial depending on how you’d like to use your clock. Warm light is usually a better option for promoting relaxation, which is why so many sunrise alarms are equipped with it. An orange or red hue can also be soothing and help limit sleep disruption.

“Warmer hues like the oranges and ambers tend to have a more gentle effect on waking, while cooler hues like the blues or bright whites have a more immediate stimulating effect,” says Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, a board-certified physician and certified sleep specialist. “Brightness levels have a similar effect, with brighter light being more stimulating. Ultimately, the best combination is going to vary from each individual. Some may find it more difficult to awaken from warmer hues with a lower intensity of light and may need the cooler, high-intensity light to feel awake.”

Sound

True to their name, many sunrise alarm clocks only rely on light to wake you up. “They mimic the sunrise, which is what we originally evolved to align our natural wake cycles with, leading to a more gentle awakening with less chance of experiencing what we call sleep inertia (groggy disoriented feeling upon waking),” says Dr. Holliday-Bell.

However, it’s common to find ones that also feature at least a handful of sounds to play as you’re falling asleep or waking up. The Hatch Restore 3, for instance, offers everything from nature sounds and white noise to music and hosted audio segments.

“The main benefit of sounds while sleeping is that they help to drown out other environmental noises that may interfere with sleep,” says Holliday-Bell. “There is also a personal preference that comes into play when thinking about which sound would be best, so I recommend people try different ones. It’s best to avoid sounds that have any significant changes in tone or volume, as this can actually interfere with sleep overnight.”

Cost And Subscriptions

Sunrise alarms are available in a wide range of prices to meet various budgets—the ones on this list alone range from $30 to over $200. Along with keeping price in mind, it’s worth noting that some sunrise alarm clocks require a subscription to utilize all their bonus features. It’s an extra expense that may be worth it to you, but if it’s not, there are plenty of other options that don’t require it.

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