Mornings are glorious and mark the beginning of a new day, filled with infinite possibilities. However, if you're not a morning person, getting out of bed can seem like a chore. Even if you're a morning person, it can still be tricky to wake up to the traditional alarm sound. If you want to wake up more gently and naturally, we recommend investing in a sunrise alarm clock that will wake you up with gradual light and soothing sounds of nature. Skip the snooze button and improve your wake-up routine with the best sunrise alarm clocks.
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For those who don't know, the sunrise alarm clock gently wakes up your body in a natural way by simulating the dawn. Instead of blasting you with the power of the sun, it lets the light gradually illuminate your room like the sun is rising and shining through your window. Far calmer than a loud alarm going off, a sunrise alarm clock could be just the thing to bring your body into a more natural rhythm over time. And even if it isn't for you, it might be the perfect holiday gift for that special someone.
A sunrise alarm clock can also help those with limited sun exposure or those at risk seasonal affective disorder improve their mental health in the dark, winter months. Experts recommend getting bright light early in the morning, as it increases serotonin production and can have a positive effect on your mood. Not to mention, the silent alarm will also mean you feel less stressed each morning, and the sunrise alarm works as light therapy just as you start your day.
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Jamie Goldwellness design consultant and authortold CNET that she came across these types of optional noise alarm clocks during her research into noise pollution: “Our lives and homes are filled with noise, and this creates the potential for insomnia, anxiety and stress. I love the idea of these quiet alarm clocks for connecting with our natural circadian rhythms and helping us start our days on a calmer note, but if you're not one of those, it's definitely a solution worth considering.”
After I started using the sunrise alarm clock, I had better sleep. Waking up without a loud alarm has also made my mornings happier and my days more productive. According to a small study in the journal Behavioral brain researchexposure to artificial light in the morning can also improve cognitive performance during the day.
If all of this sounds like something you'd like to try, especially if you're looking for a more peaceful start to your day, we've rounded up the best sunrise alarm clocks on the market — from basic models to those that come with sleep timers, snooze functionality, or even reading lights.
The best sunrise alarm clock
After testing the Hatch Restore 2 for several weeks, this sunrise alarm clock stands out as my top choice due to its functional options and design. You can adjust the lighting options to your liking to create the perfect sunrise. Whether you want to wake up with warm golden tones or a soft amber glow, Hatch Restore 2 offers a wide range of shades that mimic the sunrise to lighten your day. After using the Hatch Restore 2, my bedroom became phone-free at night, which greatly improved my sleep quality.
Another feature I really like about Restore 2 is the collection of sounds that connect to your sunrise light. You can choose from soothing nature sounds to peaceful melodies to create the perfect setting to wake up to or fall asleep to. Mine is set to the sound of ocean shores to wake me up to and light rain at night to help me wind down after a long day. The ability to mix and match your light and sound options is endless.
To use Hatch 2 Restore properly, you must download the application. It's a straightforward, affordable app where you set up your personalized routines. I control the alarm time, light settings and sounds from my phone. For $4.99 per month, you can subscribe to Hatch+a library of meditations, music, bedtime stories and ASMR.
The Casper Glow Light makes our review as the most versatile sunrise alarm clock for good reason. Once charged, the Glow Light becomes a portable night light that I can carry around, whether it's a trip to the bathroom or the kitchen for a midnight snack.
The Casper Glow app adds another layer of convenience to your alarm clock. From the app, you can adjust the brightness, sync multiple lights to wake up or go to sleep, and schedule a wake-up time. I really like the fade to sleep options because it signals to my brain that it's time to start getting ready for bed.
Of all the sunrise alarm clocks on this list, the Casper Glow is probably the most unique to use. In addition to the app, it also uses tactile controls, like flipping the device to turn off the light.
Its minimalist, elegant design goes with almost any kind of decor.
The Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 is a simpler version of the Lumie Shine 300. It's a high-quality sunrise simulator clock for people who only want the basics: the Lumie Rise 100 has a 30-minute sunrise with the option to set the final light intensity . You can also program a sunset to help you fall asleep.
The Lumie Rise 100 has no natural or ambient sounds to add to your sunrise and sunset, although you can program the optional beep alarm to start when the sunrise reaches maximum light intensity. Like the Lumie Shine 300, the Lumie Rise 100 has a snooze function with touch control and an auto-dimming display.
If you already have a bedside lamp, you can make a DIY sunrise alarm clock by replacing regular bulbs with smart bulbs from Lifx. These Wi-Fi lights connect to Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and Apple HomeKit, and you can program them to dim and brighten as the sun rises and sets as you fall asleep and wake up, respectively.
You won't get any sound, but if you're a relatively light sleeper who wakes up to variable light intensities, these programmable lights will still wake you up in the morning. You can also combine with Lifx strips in fun colors for the coolest artificial sunrise ever.
Read our Lifx Mini smart light bulb review.
If you're not willing to shell out $100 or more for a sunrise alarm clock, this budget-friendly sunrise simulation clock from Jall should do the trick. It has all the basics and allows for a pretty customizable sunrise: choose from seven colors and 20 brightness levels to complete the sunrise, as well as seven natural sounds to accompany the light. You can also choose to wake up with FM radio.
The Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock functions as a night light and bedside lamp, and you can adjust the brightness level for both. It doesn't have a sunset feature like some others on this list, nor does it double as a white noise machine. If you just want the sunrise feature, it doesn't matter.
The majority of Amazon reviewers I love this watch: it has 4.3 stars and almost 100% of the reviews are favorable. It seems that most people who bought this watch were looking for a less abrupt way to wake up, and the Jall Wake Up Light did the trick for them. Buyers also like that it's easy to set up and simple enough for kids to do on their own.
If you want a wider selection — not just sunrise clocks — check out our separate list of The best alarm clocks for 2024. If you need a good night's sleep, check it out best mattresses you can buy online and at the best pillows also.
How we chose the best sunrise alarm clock
Our review of the best sunrise alarm clocks includes a comprehensive evaluation of several key metrics to ensure a great user experience.
Customization: We've prioritized sunrise alarm clocks that offer customizable light settings and included some models that offer a choice of sounds to match your light.
Features: We've looked at what special features sunrise alarm clocks offer. For example, application integration for seamless control, sound libraries and portability.
Design: There is nothing we love more than an aesthetic yet practical design. We have selected models that can fit into almost any decor you have in your home.
Durability: Our staff has personally tested these alarm clocks to assess the quality and longevity of each device.
Our top pick is the Hatch Restore 2 because it checks all the boxes of things you'd want in a sunrise alarm clock, like customization, sound options, app integration, and ease of use.
Yes. The simulated sunrise light helps signal to your brain that it's time to wake up.