With sunrise alarm clocks, you can ditch the grating smartphone alerts and gently wake up with the light. Some people even find that they can alleviate morning grogginess!
Want to try one for yourself? We’ve tested tons of products and rounded up a list of the best sunrise alarm clocks of 2022. Whether you want a no-frills, budget-friendly option or a high-tech smart clock, we’ve got you covered.
The 5 Best Sunset Alarm Clocks
- Hatch Restore – Best Overall
- Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock – Best Sunrise Alarm Clock on Amazon
- Loftie – Best Smart Alarm Clock
- iHome Zenergy – Best Affordable Sunrise Alarm Clock
- Luminette Glasses – Best Sunrise Simulator
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Sunrise Alarm Clock?
We named the Hatch Restore as the best overall sunrise alarm clock. It offers a minimalist design that fits in with most room decor, and it has a variety of options to use. You can make a routine, have white noise or nature sounds play as you wake up, and you have a variety of color options. The Hatch+ subscription, while an additional $4.99 a month, unlocks even more options and personalization so we think the subscription is well worth it.
How We Choose Our Products
Using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing, our Certified Sleep Science Coaches rank the top performing sleep products. When creating this roundup of the best sunrise alarm clocks, we paid close attention to durability, unique features, and ease of use. For more information about what to look for in a sunrise alarm clock, read our buyer’s guide section below.
Best Overall – Hatch Restore
Hatch Restore Alarm Clock
The Hatch Restore alarm clock works in tandem with the Hatch app, a unique resource that not only helps you wake up feeling refreshed -- it also helps you create good sleep habits.
Our Expert’s Take
The Hatch Restore is one of the most advanced sunrise alarm clocks on the market. With the help of the Hatch Sleep app, you can easily set your wake up routine.
For the Hatch Restore, the sunrise alarm is just the beginning. You can also create a bedtime routine. Choose between numerous bedtime channels, including body scan meditations and relaxing soundscapes. You can also choose a sleep sound to play throughout the night. Popular options include “Calm Ocean,” “Night’s Tranquility,” and pink noise, which is a form of white noise. Once you have all of your settings in place, simply touch the top of the Hatch Restore Clock to begin!
How to Set the Sunrise Alarm
Setting up the Hatch Restore Sunrise Alarm clock is exceptionally easy, but it requires a subscription to the Hatch+ Subscription, which is $4.99 a month
After you’ve set up your profile on the app, go to the homepage and touch the “Get Started” icon under the Sunrise Alarm heading. First, you’ll choose your favorite sunrise settings. Options include “Spring Sunrise,” which is full of warm hues. “Malibu Sunrise” features bright yellow tones, and “Morning in Prague” has blue and gold colors.
Next, choose your morning wakeup sound. Popular options include “Morning Bird,” “Meditative Flute,” and “Relaxing Chimes.” Finally, choose your wake up schedule. You can keep the wakeup time consistent every day, or adjust it to allow you to sleep in on weekends.
To turn off your alarm in the morning, touch and hold the top of the restore. Tap the top of the Restore once to enter snooze mode and rest for nine more minutes.
What We Love about the Hatch Restore
- It has many different sleep sounds you can play throughout the night.
- You can easily control the settings through the Hatch Sleep app, where you can select what noise you want to play or what color you want the light to be.
- It helps you adhere to a consistent bedtime and wake up routine, and you can build your own routine as you get accustomed to the clock.
What To Keep In Mind About the Hatch Restore
- The clock itself is rather expensive, which could put it out of some people’s budget.
- In order to get access to all of the features the Hatch Restore has, you have to opt into the Hatch+ subscription, which is an additional monthly fee. I think it’s worth it for the amount of personalization, but I also understand an additional subscription might not be ideal for some.
Best on Amazon – Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock
Phillips Sunrise Alarm Clock
Take advantage of your Prime membership and order the Phillips Alarm Clock! This product has 20 different light intensities and is super easy to use.
Our Expert’s Take
If you want to take advantage of Amazon Prime two-day shipping, check out the Phillips Sunrise alarm clock. This well-made product has 20 different light intensities and an intuitive setup. In addition, it has five different wakeup sounds, including soothing waves, chirping birds, and calming piano melodies. You can also pair this alarm clock with FM radio.
But it’s not just a sunrise alarm clock – this product also has a sunset feature that helps people fall asleep by gradually decreasing the light.
How to Set the Sunrise Alarm
Setting the Phillips Sunrise alarm clock is easy, but it requires several steps.
First, you’ll want to set your wakeup time. To do this, touch the menu icon on the front screen. You should see an alarm bell icon pop up on the left side of the screen. Touch “select,” and use the plus and minus icons until you reach the desired hour you wish to wake up. Touch the “select” button and repeat the process for the minute section. To confirm, click “select” again.
Next, you’ll want to set the light intensity level. To do this, touch the “+” icon. A pop up menu will appear, which will let you change the brightness. Touch “select” once you reach your desired light intensity level.
Next, select your desired sound level. This process is similar to the instructions listed above, press the “+” icon and adjust the volume with the “+” and “-” icons that appear on the screen. Hit “select” once you reach the desired volume.
You can also set your desired sound and dawn duration using a similar process as listed above. For more detailed information, consult the instruction manual.
What We Love About the Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock
- It has a sunset feature that’s designed to help people fall asleep.
- This alarm clock has 20 different light intensity options and five preset calming wakeup sounds.
- It’s available on Amazon, so customers have the option for quick shipping and can often get it for a good deal.
What to Keep In Mind About the Philips Sunrise Alarm Clock
- Of all the clocks on this list, this is the largest one we tested. For some, this could be a problem if space is limited or if you’re trying to achieve a certain aesthetic in your room.
Best Smart Alarm Clock – Loftie
Loftie Smart Alarm Clock
The Loftie clock has a sleek design, and thanks to the free app, it's particularly easy to use!
Our Expert’s Take
Though not technically a sunrise alarm clock, Loftie is a popular option for folks who want to wake up feeling more peaceful and refreshed.
Thanks to the free Loftie app, it’s super easy to set alarms and adjust the settings. With the touch of a button, you can change the brightness level, listen to soothing white noise, and relax with guided meditations.
Unlike many clocks on the market, Loftie utilizes a two-phase alarm system which is meant to mimic your body’s natural waking process. The first portion, a 30-second melodic wakeup tune, helps bring you out of a deep sleep. A nine-minute auto-snooze portion follows this, which helps gradually ease you into your day. After that, a lively Get-Up tone will play, which is the signal to pull back the covers and kickstart your morning.
The Loftie Clock doesn’t just help you wake up in the morning – it also helps you fall asleep at night. Simply set the time you wish to go to bed at night, and the Loftie Clock will play a soothing lullaby as a reminder.
How to Set the Alarm
The Loftie Clock works in tandem with the Loftie app, which is available for both iOS and Android. First things first – download the app and create an account. Next, get your Loftie Clock on your wifi network by following the directions on the app screen.
Before you can use your clock, you’ll need to get a pairing code from the clock’s “settings” menu. To find this, press the right arrow button, located on the top center of the clock, five times. Then, touch the circular button on the far right side of the top of the clock. Press the right arrow button until you find “get code” and touch the circular button to confirm.
Once your clock is paired with the app, you can easily set alarms, choose your wake-up tones, and listen to Loftie’s curated playlists. It’s as easy as using the alarm on your smartphone, but without the annoying distractions that come along with it.
What We Love about the Loftie
- You can opt for an additional Loftie membership that comes with bedtime stories and soothing guided meditations.
- The Loftie Clock has a two-phase alarm system, which helps ease you into your day.
What to Keep In Mind About the Loftie
- In order to achieve the sunrise effect, you’ll have to invest in the Loftie Lamp. When paired with the clock, the lamp will light up with your set alarms.
- The clock and lamp combo costs around $400, which could be out of most peoples’ budgets.
Best Affordable – iHome Zenergy
iHome Zenergy Sound Machine with Sunrise Alarm Clock
The iHome Zenergy clock is a multipurpose clock that features a sunrise feature, bluetooth connectivity, and sound options. It's a good affordable option for those who want a clock that does it all.
Our Expert’s Take
Of course, waking up to a sunrise alarm shouldn’t break the bank. Amazon is a great option for those who are shopping on a budget because products are usually discounted a good deal. If you want to save some money, the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm clock is a great choice to consider.
The iHome has a small, compact design that should blend in with most bedroom aesthetics. The clock has a natural, warm sunlight option in addition to bright white and blue LED lights. You can also set the alarm to light up with natural environment sounds or white noise.
How to Set the Sunrise Alarm
One thing I’ll note is that the iHome has a good number of buttons on the back of this clock. Setting up this clock was a bit more involved than just pressing the same button a few times. Once you open the clock from its packaging and plug it in, not only are you prompted to set the time, but you’ll also have to set the date. This part can easily be done by pressing the plus or minus buttons on the back.
To set the sunrise alarm, find the Light Alarm button (this looks like an alarm clock with a sun) and hold it down until the display starts blinking. From there, you can select your desired wake up time by using the plus and minus buttons. Once you’ve selected your desired time, press the Light Alarm button to confirm. You’ll also be able to use the plus and minus buttons to select whether or not you want this to be an everyday alarm, or if you just need it for weekdays or weekends.
Press the Light Alarm button one last time, and the clock will beep to let you know that the time is set. There are also light and sound buttons that you can push to cycle through different light and sound options.
What We Love About the iHome Zenergy Sunrise Alarm Clock
- The iHome Zenergy can be found on Amazon for about $50. This is considerably more affordable than some of the other options on this list, making it a great choice for budget-minded shoppers.
- You can set the alarm to wake you up with different LED light options from a warm natural light to a calming blue.
- The iHome has bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can pair your phone to it and use it as a speaker.
What to Keep In Mind About the iHome Zenergy
- The setup might not be as intuitive as other clocks on this list, considering the number of buttons on the back of the iHome clock. I recommend keeping the manual handy to ensure proper set up.
Best Sunrise Simulator – Luminette 3 Glasses
Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses
The Luminette 3 Light Therapy Glasses are a portable, lightweight light therapy option for those who are shift workers, wake up before the sun rises, or live in areas that don't see the sun for extended periods of time.
Our Expert’s Take
While not exactly an alarm clock, the Luminette 3 glasses are a sunlight simulator for those who work night shifts or live in areas where the sun is a bit more elusive. These glasses utilize light therapy, which is a technique to help people wake up more easily in the morning, and it has even been shown to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The glasses have three brightness settings and only need to be used for about 30 minutes after you wake up. Some loud alarm sounds can jerk you out of sleep and cause something called sleep inertia. This is a sleep-to-wake transition phase that usually happens when we’re suddenly pulled from a deep sleep, which can make us feel groggy. If you’re a deep sleeper who needs a loud alarm to wake up before the sun rises, the Luminette glasses could help make you feel more alert and awake.
How to Use the Luminette 3 Glasses
Right out of the box, you’ll have to charge the Luminette glasses. The instructions say that they’ll take about two hours to have a full battery. But during my tests, I was able to start using it after about 30 minutes of charging. From there, you can press the power button to select your light intensity.
There are three light intensities, and each intensity will last for a set period of time. The lowest light setting will last about 20 minutes, the middle setting will last 30 minutes, and the highest setting will last about an hour. The glasses have a built-in timer and should shut off once the time has elapsed.
Ideally, you’d wake up and immediately put on the Luminette glasses. This is great for those who work night shifts, have to get up before the sun rises, or live in areas with little sunlight. The light mimics sunlight and should help you feel less groggy after waking up.
What We Love about the Luminette 3 Glasses
- They have a lightweight and compact design, making them great for travel situations.
- A full two-hour charge should last anywhere from five to 10 light sessions, depending on the light intensity you’re using.
- It comes in three different colors.
What to Keep In Mind about the Luminette 3 Glasses
- While it simulates the sunlight, it isn’t an actual alarm clock. It’s intended to be used right after you wake up, so you’ll still have to use some sort of alarm to wake you up if you aren’t able to wake up naturally.
- At full price, the Luminette glasses are around $200, which might be too pricey for some people.
What Makes the Loftie Alarm Clock Stand Out?
- It has a free app that’s easy to use.
- The Loftie Clock has a two-phase alarm system, which helps ease you into your day.
- The clock has many features that help people fall asleep at night, including white noise, guided meditation sessions, and bedtime signals.
What Are the Benefits of Sunrise Alarm Clocks?
Sunrise alarm clocks don’t just look cool – they have many health benefits. Let’s take a look at the perks:
Helps Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Sunrise alarm clocks could help folks get a consistent amount of light exposure every morning, which can encourage a more uniform sleep schedule.
Can Brush Off The Morning Grogginess
Sleep inertia, or the feeling of waking up in a fog, can make getting out of bed a chore. Artificial light devices, such as these sunrise alarm clocks, can help people shake off that grogginess and feel more focused.
Discourages Morning Doom Scrolling
About 83% of the population uses their phone as an alarm clock, which means they touch their phone first thing in the morning and likely start scrolling through notifications right away. If you want a break from social media and emails, start your day with an artificial sunrise. You may find it alleviates anxiety, too!
Great For The Hearing Impaired
Because sunrise alarm clocks can work without producing sound, they are great options for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Sunrise Alarm Clocks vs Normal Alarm Clocks
Light: It’s the sunrise alarm clock’s distinguishing feature. But many sunrise alarm clocks can work like traditional alarms and have a variety of different sound options.
Depending on the model you choose, some clocks even have sound machines that play white noise and bedtime stories. If you want all of the bells and whistles, opt for a clock that syncs with your smartphone. Many, such as Hatch, have their own apps that can track your sleep.
You may find some of these features in some regular alarm clocks, but they aren’t as common. Some normal alarm clocks cost significantly less than the high-end sunrise clocks, but you can always opt for the budget-friendly hOmeLabs clock if you don’t want to break the bank.
What To Look For In A Sunrise Alarm Clock
With so many different models on the market, it might feel daunting to find the perfect product. We’ll simplify things and break down the most important elements to consider when buying a sunrise alarm clock.
Brightness Level
Deep sleepers may need a sunrise alarm clock that gets particularly bright. If you struggle with seasonal affective disorder, you may also benefit from a brighter clock, because this can alleviate grogginess and boost your morning mood.
Sounds
Who wants boring alarm sounds? With many sunrise alarm clocks, you can also hear soothing nature soundscapes, guided meditations, and relaxing bedtime stories.
App Controls
Many sunrise alarm clocks connect to your smartphone, and with the help of their app, can help track your sleep schedule. This could prove especially useful for night shift workers and folks recovering from jet lag.
RELATED: Best Sleep Apps
Price
Sunrise alarm clocks range in price points. You can get a simple clock for about $30, but if you want your clock to connect to wifi or Bluetooth, you may need to spend about $200.
Summary
Once again, here are our top picks for the best sunrise alarm clocks.
| Clock | Best For |
| Hatch Restore | Best Overall |
| Phillips Sunrise Alarm Clock | Best Sunrise Alarm Clock on Amazon |
| Loftie | Best Smart Alarm Clock |
| iHome Zenergy | Best Affordable Alarm Clock |
| Luminette 3 Glasses | Best Smart Alarm Clock |
The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks FAQs
Do sunrise alarm clocks work?
Yes! Sunrise alarm clocks combine the benefits of digital alarm clocks with the therapeutic effects of light. If you tend to drift into deep slumbers, you can get a sunrise alarm clock with sound options that will ensure you wake up in time.
Are sunrise alarm clocks good for you?
Sunrise alarm clocks have many health benefits. They can help regulate your sleep schedule, make you feel more alert, and keep you away from your phone in the morning. They’re also great options for the hearing impaired!
Do sunrise alarm clocks help with depression?
Light exposure often helps those suffering from depression, especially if it flares up during the winter months. Sunrise alarm clocks aren’t great replacements for light therapy lamps. They can alleviate feelings of grogginess in the morning, however, which can make people feel happier and more alert.