Business

Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks 2024

September 25, 2024

Sunrise alarm clocks mimic the gradually brightening light of the sun to ease you out of sleep. Think of it as a biological hack. “We evolved to align our sleep-wake cycles with the sun,” explains Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, board-certified physician and certified sleep specialist. “By mimicking sun exposure first thing in the morning, it makes it easier to awaken and is a more natural process than being jolted awake by a traditional alarm clock.” The best sunrise alarm clocks combine this sunrise mimicry with soft sounds, color and light options and even bonus features. We think the Hatch Restore 2 is the best sunrise alarm clock overall due to its linen-wrapped aesthetic and its customization, from its sounds to the brightness and duration of its light.

The best sunrise alarm clocks can make for gentler, easier awakenings than sound-only options.

Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers

Adults and children alike can benefit from sunrise alarm clocks, and we did the research to find something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in a low-tech clock or a smart model, a child-friendly option or the most affordable, our list includes standouts across multiple categories. Keep reading for the best sunrise alarm clocks to help you enjoy a calmer start to your day.

Best Sunrise Alarm Clock Overall: Hatch Restore 2
Best Sunrise Alarm Clock For Kids: Hatch Rest+ (2nd Generation)
Best Easy-To-Use Sunrise Alarm : Casper Glow Light
Best Sunrise Alarm Clock For App-Free Use : Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150
Best Affordable Sunrise Alarm Clock : Jall Sunrise Simulation Wake-Up Light
Best Subscription-Free Sunrise Alarm Clock: Wiim Wake-Up Light
Best Smart Sunrise Alarm Clock: Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

App: Yes | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 nights

Pros:

Customizable features
Robust sound library
Aesthetically appealing

Cons:

High price point
Works best with the app

The Hatch brand became virtually synonymous with sunrise alarm clocks with the release of its Restore model in 2020, but it upped the ante with the Restore 2. The new version of the alarm clock comes in a choice of three muted colors and is wrapped in linen, which gives the light a soft, diffused quality. The sunrise alarm is entirely customizable, from the 10 accompanying sounds to the length of time it takes to fully come on (which you can set for anything from 5 to 60 minutes) to the brightness of the light itself. The Hatch Restore 2 functions best with the accompanying app, but you can turn the alarm on and off with a sliding side button on the device.

The Hatch Restore 2 has three speakers and a library of 21 white-noise tracks, including rain, wind, crickets and the ocean. These can help muffle any ambient noise as you fall asleep or throughout the night. This feature is customizable, too—you can set white noise to run anywhere from a few minutes up to 24 hours. Last but not least is the nighttime routine function, an integrated timer you can set to signal when it’s time to wind down and switch from one part of your evening relaxation routine, such as reading, to another, like meditation. The steps on the Hatch’s nighttime routine can also be set to correspond to various soothing sounds, different colors and brightness of light.

What our writers and the reviews say: “The gentle illumination of the Hatch Restore 2 has done away with my dark and stressful mornings,” says Forbes Vetted contributor Lindsey Vickers, who tested the Hatch Restore. “I entirely underestimated the difference it would make, but the light has massively improved my morning experience.” A Hatch customer writes, “While my Hatch Restore is amazing for winding down and setting myself up for a good night’s sleep, my favorite thing about it is waking up to its sunrise and starting my morning from a place of calm. I love how relaxed I feel waking up and throughout the day.”

Hatch

Hatch Rest+ (2nd Generation)

I’m a freelance writer here at Forbes covering sleep and beauty. I’ve been freelancing for the last 17 years and I’ve written extensively about fitness, health, sleep, general wellness, beauty, parenting and lifestyle topics. For more about me, check out my website or connect with me on Instagram and Linked In.

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App: Yes | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 nights

Pros:

Night light, sound machine and clock in one
Encourages healthy sleep habits in growing children
Wi-Fi controlled

Cons:

Higher price point
Works best with the app

With its child-focused Rest+, Hatch made our list again. The newest Rest+ builds on the success of the original Rest, with the addition of a backup battery that means it works even if the power goes out. This device is a combination night light, sound machine and clock—and it’s made to grow with children from infancy onward. The soft light and soothing sounds are designed to help young ones fall asleep and stay that way through the night. It can also help teach kids good sleep habits using a time-to-rise cue that lets bright-eyed little ones know when it’s time to get out of bed. This feature is especially helpful for parents of children who consistently get up too early.

The Wi-Fi-controlled Rest+ has a robust sleep library with music, bedtime stories and breathing exercises (available with the Hatch Sleep membership), an audio monitor and a dimmable clock. It’s also portable by design, so it can move from room to room or give your child a piece of home and their usual routine while traveling.

What the reviews say: “We had our first child at the end of 2018 and purchased a Hatch Rest to use in his nursery at night as a dual sound machine and night light. It became one of our favorite baby/toddler products,” says one customer. “We just had our second baby in 2022 and of course purchased our second hatch, a Hatch Rest+. Getting a Hatch is a no-brainer. It does everything you need it to and more without being over complicated.” Another writes, “It’s been wonderful to create good habits for our kids.”

App: Yes | Clock display: No | Trial: 30 nights

Pros:

Intuitive design works by flipping, twisting and shaking
Self dims to signal sleep
Can be synced with other Glow Lights

Cons:

No alarm
No clock

It’s neither an alarm nor a clock, but the Casper Glow Light still made our list for its low-key approach to wakeups. In the morning, it gradually brightens to gently nudge you awake—no alarm tone, just light. The self-dimming touch lamp also signals the body that it’s time for bed with customized light settings that let you control brightness and duration. You set the time you want it to wake you in the Glow app, which also lets you manage features like syncing multiple Glow Lights.

The device relies on simple controls like flipping, twisting and shaking. Flip it over to turn it on, and it gradually dims and turns off over the course of 45 minutes. Want to turn it off before then? Just flip it over again. You can also pause the dimming process with a tap of the top or bottom button. A clever gyroscope feature lets you manually twist if you want it to adjust the brightness on your own. During the night, the Glow Light works as a portable nightlight. It has an ambient light sensor that you can trigger with a gentle shake when it’s turned off, giving you just enough light for a late-night trip to the bathroom or the kitchen.

What the reviews say: “[It] makes starting my days at 5 a.m. in the dark so much easier. I wake up gradually [and] peacefully to a room and house filled with soft light. Evenings, as I settle into bed, [I] just flip the beside Glow lamp over, turn it to the brightness level I’m in the mood for, and fall asleep just as gently,” says one reviewer. Another writes, “We were skeptical about the Glow at first—how useful could it really be? The answer: very. We love the night light feature, which has made it so much easier to move around at night. Falling asleep is so peaceful without having to turn off the light.”

Lumie

Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150

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App: No | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 45 nights

Pros:

Adjustable lighting
Features are managed natively

Cons:

Higher price point for basic features
Clock comes pre-programmed in military time

The Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150 is a popular and well-liked bedside lamp and alarm clock in one, with fully adjustable lighting. It’s designed to help you curb that nighttime smartphone habit, with sunset-emulating light that you can set to fade over a period of time. If you aren’t a fan, it can be switched off completely. Wake in the morning with a sunrise duration of 20, 30 or 45 minutes, paired with the option of ten out-of-the-box sounds to get you going (happy goats, anyone?). Unlike many of the other alarms on our list, this one doesn’t require, or even have for that matter, an accompanying smartphone app—all of the Lumie’s features are easy to manage on the device itself.

What the reviews say: “I wanted a clock that didn’t force me to purchase an app or look at my phone before bed,” writes one customer. “I love this clock so much. It has a selection of sounds and a great sunrise simulator that always wakes me up on time.” Another says, “I just wanted something simple that I could operate bedside without fiddling with a phone, and all the simpler types had hit or miss reviews. This was a great compromise.”

Amazon

Jall Sunrise Simulation Wake-Up Light

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App: No | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 days through Amazon

Pros:

Fully adjustable features
Full-screen LED display with multiple color settings
Affordably priced

Cons:

Some reviewers have concerns about durability

This sunrise alarm clock has a full-screen LED display panel, which takes up the entire face. In the morning, it brightens gradually from a dim glow to fully lit, which is timed to peak just as the alarm begins. The combination should get even the deepest sleepers moving in the morning. It has seven natural sounds, including birdsong, ocean waves, wind bells and soft beeps, along with an option for FM radio. Adjustability is built in, so you can determine the duration and brightness of the sunrise, turn off sound completely, dim or turn off the clock face and adjust colors with the mood lighting feature. All in all, it’s a great option at a reasonable price.

What the reviews say: One happy Amazon reviewer says, “If you’re looking for a great sunrise clock at an amazing price, look no further. This is the one.” Another confirms, “This alarm clock checked all my boxes and then some. I doubt there is a better version out there, and it’s reasonably priced considering some of the competitors.” The same reviewer checked back in, and is still a fan a year later. “Update: It’s been a year, and it still works great. Still loving it. I definitely can tell a difference the days that I use this versus the days that I don’t. It’s much easier to wake up with this.”

App: Yes | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 days through Amazon

Pros:

Integrates with Alexa
Streams music services
Customizable features

Cons:

Light dimming occurs in noticeable stages
Higher price point

The Wiim Wake-Up Light can do many things—all without subscribing to an extra service. It still has a connected app and is also compatible with Alexa, so you can set up voice controls. To wake you, this clock has both a sunrise light feature and gentle sounds, or you can even pick a conventional radio wake-up. Instead of preset tones or music, this clock uses smart speaker technology, so you can stream sounds or songs from whatever service you like. The light color is customizable, so you can create the ambience of your choice.

At bedtime, it can also serve as a reading light and white-noise machine via the smart speaker, or use it to listen to the calming music or guided meditation or your choice. You can dim the clock display when it’s time to sleep.

What the reviews say: One customer says they “really do enjoy it and the ease of use and the free app.” Another points out its ease of use: “Download the app to personalize this machine or use the easy controls on the clock. It’s all good and it works either way. Nice appliance to keep you on track with your sleeping, waking and relaxation needs.”

Amazon

Winshine Touch Wake Up Sunrise Alarm Clock

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App: No | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 days through Amazon

Pros:

360 degrees of light
Touch controls are easy to use
Reasonably priced

Cons:

Clock light isn’t dimmable
Limited sound library

The Winshine sunrise alarm clock has a similar shape to the Casper Glow Light, which means plenty of light for your bedroom. In addition, it has traditional features like a digital clock and a five-minute snooze mode. It’s a highly rated sunrise alarm clock with six different wake-up sounds and a 360-degree light that comes on gradually 5 to 60 minutes before the alarm (you can also turn the sound off completely if that’s your preference). At night, there are seven color options, all of which can be set to dim in 10, 30 or 60 minutes to help you, or your little one, drift off comfortably.

We also like the price point. This easy-to-use sunrise alarm clock has all the features you need and it’s priced around $40.

What the reviews say: One customer writes, “Each colored light is bright enough that you can move safely around your room.” Another adds, “The light brightness is great and can cover a full room or just a portion of it depending on the intensity.”

Amazon

Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen)

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App: Yes | Clock display: Yes | Trial: 30 days

Pros:

Customizable morning routine
Reasonably priced, especially given its robust features
Compatible with multiple apps

Cons:

Display itself isn’t as bright as some other options on our list

The Google Nest Hub is a popular smart home device that rolls various functionalities into a single sleek system. You can pair and manage other smart devices in your home—like the thermostat, lights and locks—stream music, watch videos and set it to gently rouse you in the morning with gradual light and soft sounds. The display slowly brightens and pairs with a range of 20 alarm tones and chimes that vary from gentle to more insistent. There’s also an option to choose a Google Assistant routine that begins after you turn off the alarm—you can set it to turn on your home’s lights, share the weather, read your calendar and more. At night, use the Hub to play soothing sounds that help you drift off.

What our editors say: Mattress and sleep editor McKenzie Dillon says, “The Google Nest Hub is more than just a smart home device. It’s also a sleep tracker and sunrise alarm clock, making it one of the most versatile pieces of sleep tech in my bedroom. Not only does it gently wake me up, but I use it during my day-to-day to play music, read my schedule and for my nighttime routine. It also has a clean, sleek look that looks good on my small nightstand.”

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team deep dives into everything sleep—from the best mattresses for couples to the best down comforters. We strive to help you achieve a restful night’s sleep, with expert insight and product recommendations we’re proud to stand behind.

Jessica Timmons, the author of this story, is a regular Forbes Vetted contributor with years of experience in the sleep space. She’s a personal fan of sunrise alarm clocks and has extensively covered sleep products including sleep masks, diffusers and blackout curtains.
Bridget Chapman and McKenzie Dillon, mattress and sleep editors here at Forbes Vetted, assigned and oversee this article. Both are certified sleep science coaches who have collectively tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
We consulted with Dr. Angela Holliday-Bell, board-certified physician and certified sleep specialist, for her insights into the effects of light on the circadian rhythm and the role sunrise alarm clocks play.
To ensure our recommendations stay fresh, we regularly update our stories. In September 2024, Timmons added the Google Nest Hub and included new information in our shopping guide.

How We Chose The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks

To put together our recommendations of the best sunrise alarm clocks, we looked at bestsellers, relied on our own expertise, applied expert advice and drilled down to include options for everyone.

We considered function, aesthetics, smart features (and lack thereof for the “less is more” crowd) and prices. We also factored for included apps, clock displays and trial windows.
We incorporated the personal experience of Forbes Vetted contributor Lindsey Vickers, who tested the Hatch Restore 2. Dillon also shared her feedback on the Google Nest Hub.
We incorporated the expertise of Holliday-Bell in our selection process.
We made a point of including a range of sunrise alarm clocks to suit different budgets and needs and preferences.
We read through hundreds of reviews to see what real customers had to say. We only selected products with high ratings and a majority positive reviews.

How Sunrise Alarm Clocks Work

By combining a digital alarm with an artificial light source, sunrise alarm clocks effectively mimic early morning light. “Light is the strongest factor influencing our circadian rhythms, causing our brains to send alerting signals to the rest of our body and signaling that it is time to be awake,” says Holliday-Bell. “Light exposure first thing in the morning helps to reinforce when those alerting signals are sent and also helps to align when our melatonin is released at night.”

The combination of brightening light and soft sounds makes for a more natural and certainly more pleasant way to wake up that a blaring alarm tone. It can keep you from feeling groggy when you roll out of bed, too. “The gradual increase in light allows our bodies to awaken when we transition to a lighter sleep stage, helping to prevent the sleep inertia we sometimes get when awakened from a deep stage of sleep,” says Holliday-Bell.

There are both short- and long-term benefits from making the switch to this kind of wake-up light. Holliday-Bell says it allows for more gentle awakenings that can lead to more energy, alertness and a positive mood first thing in the morning. In the long-term, she says it can stabilize and reinforce the circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep-wake cycles for easier mornings and nights.

What To Consider When Shopping For A Sunrise Alarm

If you’re routinely fighting grogginess after dragging yourself from bed, the best sunrise alarm clocks could make a big difference. It’s a good idea to know what you want before you hit “add to cart.” Here’s what to keep in mind as you shop.

Features

Additional features of sunrise alarm clocks vary, but they all have the same core idea. These kinds of alarm clocks use synthetic light to mimic the sunrise, which may trigger the production of serotonin in the body and make you feel more alert. They’re an alternative to traditional alarm clocks that use sound alone.

Some sunrise alarm clocks pair this gradual brightening with muted tones or nature sounds to gently wake you up, or include features designed to help you develop better sleep hygiene as a whole, such as sunsets or evening wind-downs. You can find clocks that are app-enabled or others, like the Lumie and Jall on our list, that don’t require any separate technology—a plus if you’re trying to keep phones out of your bedroom or you just prefer a low-tech approach to waking up.

Function

Ease of use can make or break your experience with a sunrise alarm clock, so think about how comfortable you are with technology and let that guide your choice. If you don’t want to deal with pairing your clock to an app or using your phone to set alarms and preferences, look for an app-less option where everything can be controlled on the device itself. If you want to improve your sleep experience from beginning to end, consider a sunrise alarm clock with soothing bedtime and nighttime features, like the Hatch Restore 2. Choosing a clock for your child? Make sure it’s a sturdy option that can withstand curious youngsters.

Brightness And Color Options

Adjustability is an important consideration for sunrise alarm clocks and, generally, most sunrise alarms have at least a few options for brightness and color hue. Some manufacturers make a point of sharing specifics about the light’s brightness intensity with measurements in lux. For reference, typical lux from a natural sunrise is 400. The Jall sunrise clock on our list measures 320 lux at its brightest, making it one of the highest on the market.

Personal preference plays a big role in how bright or warm you want your light. Warm lighting, for example, is a better option for promoting relaxation, so that’s a feature you may find on sunrise alarm clocks equipped with bedtime options. Warm tones, rather than cooler ones, may be less detrimental to the circadian rhythm. Adjustable color hues also means flexibility for things like reading or night light. An orange or red-hued light is best at this time in terms of limiting sleep disruption.

Sound

Sunrise alarm clocks can rely entirely on light to wake you up, but most include the option of audible cues as well. Generally, you’re able to pick from a library of sound options ranging from traditional beeps to nature-inspired sounds, like ocean waves or chirping birds. Some include soothing sounds, such as rain or ocean waves, that can help promote sleep or serve as white noise during the night.

Bonus Features

If you like the idea of soothing nighttime guidance, like breathwork, mindfulness techniques, meditations or bedtime stories for the little ones, look for those sorts of features specifically. The benefit of an accompanying app tends to be these sorts of bonuses, along with more robust libraries of sounds and options for sunrise or sunset durations.

Timer

Part of the appeal of a sunrise alarm clock is the gradual lightening that mimics a true sunrise. A timer option allows you to schedule the length of this personal sunrise, from just a few minutes to about an hour. In the evening, timing the darkening of the light can help guide you toward sleep. Not all sunrise alarm clocks give you the flexibility to adjust the length of the brightening and dimming features, so make a point of looking for that if it’s of interest to you.

Subscriptions

Via their accompanying apps, some sunrise alarm clocks offer bonus functionality that’s only available with a subscription (such as the Hatch Sleep membership). It’s an extra expense, and it’s important to be aware of that before making a purchase. If you aren’t interested in paying for a subscription on top of the cost of your alarm clock, look for options that offer all the functionality you need without an additional subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is The Most Realistic Wake-Up Light?

“>

What Is The Most Realistic Wake-Up Light?

If the idea is mimicking a sunrise as authentically as possible, yellow wake-up lights are the closest match. Not only is yellow an energizing color, our bodies are already inclined to associate its brightness with morning.

What Makes A Sunrise Alarm Clock A Good Addition To Proper Sleep Hygiene?

“>

What Makes A Sunrise Alarm Clock A Good Addition To Proper Sleep Hygiene?

A sunrise alarm clock can help you achieve consistency with your sleeping and waking schedule, which is important for good sleep hygiene. Additionally, a more gentle wake-up can reduce morning grogginess.

A sunrise alarm clock with additional features, like sleep sounds, stories and meditations, can also make it easier to fall asleep at night. Holliday-Bell recommends prioritizing a pick with adjustable lighting, which makes it easier to avoid bright lights in the evening, as these can inhibit natural melatonin release.