Best Sunrise Alarm Clock

For many people, a conventional alarm can be a jarring, unenjoyable start to the morning. Sunrise alarm clocks offer a gentler, more natural way to wake up and start your day. 

Sunrise alarm clocks gradually brighten and sometimes change color to mimic a sunrise. Some products also include a sunset option, which gradually dims the light at night to help prepare your body for sleep. In addition to lighting options, many sunrise alarm clocks come with additional features like natural sounds, white noise, and meditation exercises.

We’ll discuss the best sunrise alarm clocks on the market today. We’ll also highlight the features of each product so you can determine the right alarm clock for your needs.

Product Details

Best Overall

Hatch Restore

Price:

$130

• Who it’s best for:

  1. Anyone who values a fully-customizable alarm clock
  2. Light sleepers who want to mask noises with soothing sounds
  3. Those interested in guided meditation or sleep stories

• Highlights:

  1. The option to choose from 22 different light colors
  2. A variety of different sound options
  3. Guided relaxation exercises

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

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The Hatch Restore pairs a sunrise alarm with several customizable features. Using the companion Hatch Sleep app, sleepers can choose between 22 different light colors, a variety of sound options, and change the lighting’s brightness and duration. 

Sleepers have the option to program a personalized sleep routine that they can begin by tapping the device. Personalized sleep routines can dim the light, initiate guided relaxation exercises, and turn on white noise when you’re ready to sleep. In the morning, the alarm clock wakes you with a colored light that gradually shifts from orange to white. Additionally, sleepers can also assign a sound to the sunrise alarm.

The free companion app comes with a library of different sounds. Sounds include white noise, natural sounds like rain and crickets, music, stories, and guided sleep exercises. Access to a complete list of sound options requires a monthly subscription, but shoppers receive a 30-day free trial for the app with a purchase of the Hatch Restore.

The Hatch Restore carries a higher price-point than other sunrise alarms on the market, but the device includes unique features not found in other alarms. The Hatch Restore includes a 60-night trial for shoppers to determine if it’s the right alarm clock for their needs.

Best Value

Dekala Sunstone

Price:

$50

• Who it’s best for:

  1. People who are looking for a simple device
  2. Those who like to listen to both natural sounds and the radio
  3. Anyone on a limited budget

• Highlights:

  1. Includes FM radio
  2. Built-in USB charging port
  3. Seven natural sounds

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Dekala products

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The Dekala Sunstone offers common features found in other sunrise alarm clocks for a lower price-point. The clock features a sleek design as well as both sunset and sunrise simulation. In the sleep-aid mode, the light gradually dims over a customizable period of 10 to 120 minutes. Sleepers can also choose between three different relaxing sounds.

In the morning, sleepers can set the light to gradually brighten over a period of 10 to 60 minutes. The Dekala Sunstone also offers a conventional alarm with seven sound options as well as an FM radio. The display includes a digital clock, and both the clock and light can be dimmed for those who prefer their room to be completely dark at night. 

The clock can be charged in a standard outlet or with a USB plug. It also contains a USB port for a phone charger. You can choose from the manual version, which is operated using buttons on the device, or the smart version, which can be operated using an app, voice commands, or buttons. The smart version costs slightly more. 

Dekala ships to all 50 states as well as international locations. Shoppers have 30 days to return the Sunstone if they find it doesn’t meet their needs.

Best Cordless

Casper Glow Light

Price:

$129

• Who it’s best for:

  1. People who want to use the light in different rooms
  2. Anyone looking for a simple, intuitive design
  3. Those who read before falling asleep

• Highlights:

  1. Portable, wireless design
  2. Brightness can be adjusted by twisting the device
  3. Multiple Casper Glow Lights can be synched together

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Casper products

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The Casper Glow Light offers both sunset and sunrise simulations with a cordless design. The light rests on a charging platform, which plugs into a standard outlet. Once charged, the battery lasts for several nights, allowing you to set it up in different locations.

Though the Casper Glow Light doesn’t offer audio features or a clock, our testers enjoyed its simple design. Sleepers can flip the light to turn it on or off and twist it to adjust the brightness. The light gradually dims over a 45-minute period at night. Sleepers also have the option to adjust the dimming duration with the Glow app. In the morning, the light gradually brightens to wake sleepers at their desired time.

The portable design also allows sleepers to use the Casper Glow Light in different rooms. Sleepers can simply shake the light to turn on night light mode. You can also sync multiple Glow Lights together if you want to add more light to a room.

The Casper Glow Light can be used without a smartphone, but the accompanying Glow app offers a full range of customizable features, such as synching lights and programming light settings. Casper offers a 30-night trail with each purchase of the Glow Light.

Best for Kids

Hatch Rest+

Price:

$90

• Who it’s best for:

  1. Babies and young children
  2. Parents who want to build healthy sleep habits for their kids
  3. Anyone who wants a portable alarm clock

• Highlights:

  1. Sound machine includes lullabies and bedtime stories
  2. Backup battery allows sleepers to move the device between rooms
  3. Customizable color display

Sleep Foundation Special Offer

Use this SleepFoundation.org link for the most current discount on Hatch products

shop now

If you have little kids, a sunrise alarm clock can be beneficial for helping them fall and stay asleep. Within the Rest+ 2nd gen’s companion app, sleepers can adjust settings to create healthy sleep routines for their children. For example, you can choose a specific color light and music to signal when it’s time to get ready for bed and a separate light with white noise when it’s time to sleep. You can also set the light to change colors at a specific time in the morning, which can be a helpful way to signal to early risers that it’s okay to get up. 

The Rest+ 2nd gen’s sound machine includes white noise to block out sounds that might wake up your little one. With the Hatch Sleep Membership, sleepers can access the full sound library, which has kid-friendly lullabies, meditations, and bedtime stories to help children wind down before sleep. All of these features are WiFi controlled through the Hatch Sleep App.

The Hatch Rest+ 2nd gen sits on a charging station that plugs into a wall, but the alarm clock also comes with an eight-hour backup battery so you can use the device in other locations.

Still have questions?

Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] or call us at (877) 672-8966 with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.