The Best Alarm Clocks to Ease Into Every New Day
Comparing the Best Alarm Clocks for 2022
Uscce Alarm Clock – Best Overall
Key Features
- Weekday and weekend mode
- Temperature display feature
- 12-hour or 24-hour format
- FM radio can save up to 40 stations
Not only is this retro-style wood grain alarm clock a trendy addition to your bedroom, but it has some really great features that make morning and evening routines a breeze. The alarm clock brightness display can be adjusted from no-glow sleep to full brightness so you can see the LCD display from the other side of the room. The unit has a headphone jack and two USB charging ports for your phone or iPad. Although it is AC powered you can insert batteries as a backup alternative to keep time and wake you up in the case of a power outage. Wake up to your favorite radio station or choose from 5 other alarm sounds that can be set to increase gradually in volume. The sleep timer allows you to fall asleep with the radio playing and automatically switches off after 10 to 150 minutes as programmed.
Key Features
- Adjustable brightness from low to high as per your preference
- Set two or three different alarm times as needed
- Multiple display options
- Power cord operated with USB power cable
These trendy alarm clocks will blend in seamlessly with your bedroom décor. The triangular design is available in black stained timber, dark wood, whitewashed wood, or a yellow oak finish, offering a beautiful and functional way to get you up in the morning. The digital alarm clock has an LED time display that also shows the temperature and humidity level. You can set it to sound control mode. This will turn the LED display off after 5 seconds to make it sound- or touch-sensitive. If the display light bothers you at night this is an ideal feature to have. You can also set it to weekday mode so the alarm will only run from Monday to Friday, giving you a little extra snooze time on the weekends.
Mesqool Alarm Clock – Most Adjustable
Key Features
- Available in blue, white, or green digit display
- Rectangular 7-inch digital screen
- 12-hour or 24-hour format
- Slider dimmer to reduce screen brightness from 0-100%
This alarm clock is a fail-proof morning companion for your kids, teenagers, or even for yourself. The clock features seven-color night light options or you can completely switch the night light off if you prefer to sleep without background lighting. The unit is powered with an included AC adapter, but you can install 2 x AAA batteries as well which will serve as a backup during power outages, saving your settings and ensuring you still get woken up in time. The alarm clock doubles as a charger allowing you to plug in an additional USB charging cable for your phone or iPad.
Amazon Basics Alarm Clock – Best Night Light
Key Features
- 9 minute snooze function
- Built-in night light
- Can be used as a time display without the alarm
- Digital 0.7-inch green LED display
This little gadget is simple, easy to use, and will get you up every morning whether you’re at home or traveling. The alarm clock is AC powered (cable included), however, you can insert batteries as a backup power source which will ensure your alarm and time memory is retained for up to 8 hours. The black oval screen displays green, easy-to-read digits, and includes a low-intensity light that can be kept on or switched off.
DreamSky Alarm Clock – Most Compact Size
Key Features
- 12-hour or 24-hour format
- Adjustable alarm volume
- Adjustable display brightness
- Snooze function available
This compact unit is ideal to take with when traveling, measuring only 5.3 inches long, 1.4 wide, and 2.6 inches high. The alarm clock is available in seven different colors and is outlet powered with an included DC adaptor. The unit features a USB port so you can easily charge other devices such as phones, E-readers, or iPads. The alarm setting can be switched off allowing you to use it as a clock for time display if desired. Whether you need it as an office desk clock or a morning alarm when traveling, this is an ideal space-saving, dual-function gadget.
Buying Guide: Finding a High-Quality Alarm Clock
Even if you’re a morning person, you’ve probably needed some assistance waking up on time at some point. Alarm clocks can wake us up with noise as well as light. Choosing the right alarm clock is more important than you may think. The way we are woken from sleep can have an effect on our mood which essentially sets us up for a successful morning. Although many people use their phones as a morning alarm, there are still some benefits to employing the old-school alarm clock for the job. Here’s what you need to look out for when choosing the right alarm clock for a stress-free emergence from dreamland.
Types of Alarm Clocks
Classic alarm clock
The classic device really only has one purpose and that is to wake you up. With a time display and alarm, it doesn’t have too many extra features besides perhaps being able to adjust the alarm volume or set it to gradually become louder.
Radio clock
Radio clocks wake you up by turning on at the set time with your favorite radio station playing.
The regular radio frequency is FM radio but if you have poor reception you can look for DAB and DAB + digital connections which are interference-free, offer clear audio, and have more stations than FM frequency. Some radio clocks have a timer that allows you to fall asleep listening to the radio and switch it off automatically.
Light alarm clocks
These types are great especially in winter when the sun only rises long after you are meant to get up. Simulate an early sunrise with music, birds chirping, or rippling water. The alarm clock will wake you up with light that becomes increasingly brighter. You do get different color options. For a natural sunrise simulation, opt for white, orange, red, or yellow lights.
Alarm Clock Features
Sound
This is one of the most important features since a faulty sound mechanism probably means you’re not going to be waking up at all. Besides this, the type of sound the alarm plays can influence how you wake up and set the tone for the morning. Harsh sounds may startle you out of deep sleep, confusing your brain and leaving you feeling groggy. Startling alarm sounds can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which is not a happy or healthy way to wake up.
Softer sounds that increase in volume, or songs you love, are a better choice since they give the brain time to transition from the sleep phase. Being able to select what you wake up to is a great feature. Hearing your favorite song first thing in the morning is a sure way to get you out of bed feeling positive.
Multiple alarm times
Whether it takes three alarms to get you out of bed in the morning or one alarm for you and one for the kids, having a clock that goes off at different pre-set times is a great advantage. You also get devices that offer weekday and weekend settings which sets your early alarm off from Monday to Friday only.
Charging capability
A very convenient feature that saves you from having to search around for extra charging points is a unit that has built-in USB ports. This allows you to plug your phone or iPad in to charge at night. You can also use them while charging right next to your bed.
Note that the charging function only works when the clock is plugged into a power outlet and will not work if the device is running on battery power. Some clocks come with a charging pad. If your smartphone has QI technology, you can charge it wirelessly simply by placing it on the clock.
Temperature and humidity reading
Certain models show the temperature and humidity level in the room displayed on the digital screen. It will either give you a setting option for Celsius or Fahrenheit or display both readings.
Night light
This is different from the light that wakes you up like a sunrise simulator. A night light clock has an extra light for those who prefer not to sleep in a completely dark room. Your kids, for example, may love this feature as some units offer a choice of night light colors. If you like a dim light for ambiance before bed or while watching a movie, you can simply switch it off when you’re ready to go to sleep.
Portability
Small battery-operated alarm clocks are ideal for traveling and business trips. On the other hand, a small AC-operated device that has a USB charging port offers a lot of conveniences when traveling since it allows you to charge your devices and keep track of time by using one wall outlet only.
Jet lag can cause havoc on your wake-sleep routine, so having an alarm clock that brings a little familiarity is a good way to start the day when you’re out of your regular environment.
Time format
Digital displays often give you a choice of 12-hour or 24-hour time formats. Make sure the clock offers the display type that you are used to using to avoid confusion when setting your alarm.
Display features
When it comes to LCD displays, you need to ensure that the screen and numbers are big enough for you to read easily. When you roll over in bed and check the time you don’t still want to fumble around for glasses.
Many displays are dimmable which allows you to reduce the brightness or even switch the LCD display off completely without deactivating the actual alarm. This means you can sleep in total darkness knowing that your alarm will still go off at the correct time. When it does, you can set the display brightness back to 100% so that you can keep track of time from the other side of the room while getting ready.
Ease of use
Setting your alarm, dimming the screen, switching the light on and off, and changing the radio channel should be easy to do with buttons or dials. In addition, the snooze feature should be something you can operate without any fuss. Although it's recommended just to get up the first time your alarm goes off, the extra 9 minutes can sometimes be a life-saver.
Bluetooth
Clocks with Bluetooth functionality allow you to connect your phone to the device and use it as a speaker for your music. This allows you to fall asleep and wake up to the music you love.
