The Best Alarm Clocks You'll Be Happy to Wake Up To
Even heavy sleepers won't oversleep with these top-rated picks.
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If you've ever gone to set the alarm on your phone only to find out the next morning you punched 6:30 into your calculator instead, it might be time to switch to an actual alarm clock (don't worry, we've all been there). Alarm clocks have some great benefits like helping you stay off your phone before bed. We talked to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, Associate Program Director of the Sleep Medicine Fellowship at USC, for information on everything sleep, and he told us, "Blue light, like the one from screens and gadgets, messes up our internal sleep clock by pretending to be daylight. This tricks our brain into thinking it's daytime, so we don't feel sleepy. It's harder to fall asleep and sleep well when we're exposed to this light at night."
Our top picks:
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test all kinds of alarm clocks from the loudest clock radios to awaken even the soundest sleepers to sunrise alarm clocks that wake you up gently. We assess each model for its ease of use, visibility, sound quality and more. Below, you'll find top-tested picks as well as well-reviewed picks with features we look for in a good alarm clock.
Keep reading to the end of this article for everything on how we evaluate alarm clocks and what you need to know when shopping for your new wake-up buddy. Looking for more ways to improve your sleep routine? Check out our guides to the best pillows for every type of sleeper, the best sheets and the best mattresses of 2023.
Pros
- Sleek, chic design
- Allows you to set up to three alarms
Cons
- Runs through batteries quickly
Most alarm clocks aren't built with aesthetics in mind, but this one has one of the best-looking minimalistic designs we've seen. It allows you to set up to three alarms so you can wake up at different times on different days, or you can set it to weekday mode so it only rings Monday through Friday. An adjustable brightness setting lets you set the clock face to be as bright or as dim as you like. If you prefer to sleep in a pitch-black room, you can even turn the LED display all the way off — don't worry, the display turns back on when it hears you moving or when you touch the clock.
In our review, we appreciated that the clock doesn't take up too much space and that the digits can easily be seen from afar. It can also monitor indoor temperature and humidity. Be aware that while there is a small backup battery in case of blackouts, the clock is intended to be powered by its USB cord.
| Dimensions | 6.54 x 3.43 3.39 inches |
| Weight | 10.5 ounces |
| Power Source | Outlet and battery backup |
Pros
- Doubles as a sound machine
- Features a USB charging port
Cons
- Some users say programming is not intuitive
This compact, simple alarm clock packs in a lot of features for its low price tag. It features six different sleep sounds including ocean waves, white noise, nature sounds and soft music to help create a calming environment for sleeping. To wake up, you can set the alarm to FM radio or the last-used sleep sound instead of the traditional beep for a more pleasant wake-up experience. It also has an additional USB port on the side for charging your devices, so you don’t have to fight for valuable outlet real estate. The clock face features large numbers and an adjustable brightness, which is great for those who prefer a darker room when sleeping.
| Dimensions | 7 x 4 x 2 inches |
| Weight | 9.9 ounces |
| Power Source | Outlet |
Pros
- Integration into a smart home system allows for a wide variety of functions
- Can customize to wake up to a song, sounds and more
Cons
- Pricey
If your house is already set up with some smart home integrations, the Echo Show offers way more than a typical alarm clock would. You can ask Alexa for the weather, news or to make a grocery list, and setting an alarm is as easy as saying, "Alexa, set an alarm for 7 a.m. tomorrow." You can also set alarms manually in the Amazon Alexa app. Integrating your Echo with other smart home devices can allow you to turn off lights, adjust thermostats or even lock your doors. You can even ask Alexa to wake you up to your favorite song, a radio station or the voice of your favorite celebrity. (Good morning, Blake Shelton!)
Since it functions as a speaker, the sound is solid so you can just keep the music playing in the morning instead of scrambling to shut the alarm off.
| Dimensions | 5.78" x 3.5"{ x 3.23" |
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Power Source | Outlet |
Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Dual Alarm Clock With Bed Shaker
Pros
- Vibrates to help wake heavy sleepers and the hearing impaired
- Great option for snoozers
Cons
- Can be too intense for light sleepers
If you've tried the loudest alarm clocks but still seem to find yourself oversleeping, the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock may be the answer to your problems. This alarm can be turned up to an aggressive 113 decibels, which is about as loud as a rock concert, a jackhammer or a symphony orchestra according to the Hearing Health Foundation. It also features flashing lights and comes with a battery-powered bed-shaking unit to place under your mattress or pillow. You can even shut off the sound and have your only alarm be the vibrations — perfect for anyone worried about waking up their partner.
This dual alarm clock system is also customizable, allowing you to set multiple alarms, adjust the snooze duration to up to 30 minutes and adjust the volume if you want to tone down the noise. The clock face is dimmable too and it comes with a battery backup in case of power outages.
| Dimensions | 7.13 x 6.54 x 5.47 inches |
| Weight | 1.54 pounds |
| Power Source | Outlet and battery backup |
Pros
- Stylish, modern and compact design
- Highly customizable
- Soft light
Cons
- Buttons can take getting used to
- Expensive
The Loftie might be the ultimate way to keep your phone out of your bedroom. Not only does it come with a massive sound library that includes white noise, nature sounds, bedtime stories, breath-work exercises and sound baths, but it's also Bluetooth so you can stream your favorite sleep podcasts and playlists directly from the alarm clock instead of your phone. Its sleek black design features soft LED numbers and a gentle nightlight at the bottom. We loved the white noise feature, with one tester saying, “I didn't count all the different noise settings but there are plenty, including different ambient noises such as white, brown and pink, as well as natural noises like campfire (a favorite), rain, etc. The volume settings are impressive as it can go from a hush to a loud sound that drowns out nearby noises.”
The Loftie uses a two-phase alarm to ease you awake instead of jerking you awake, with soft sounds starting nine minutes before the actual set time to gently wake you. The steep price tag is nothing to sneeze at though, and our testers did note that setup was tricky.
You can check out our full review of the Loftie alarm clock here!
| Dimensions | 2.75” x 6.5” x 2.75” |
| Weight | 1.8 pounds |
| Power Source | Rechargeable via USB-C |
iHome iBT232 Bluetooth Dual Alarm FM Clock Radio
Pros
- Charges your phone
- Streams music
- Dual alarm function to set different alarms on different days
Cons
- Programming not intuitive
With this multi-feature alarm clock radio, you can wirelessly stream music via Bluetooth, charge most devices and ask Siri or Google Assistant to tell you the weather. The dual alarm function allows you to set multiple alarms if you want to wake up at different times throughout the week or wake up to different sounds on different days. One note: Some reviewers say that setup and programming can be tricky, but if you read the step-by-step instructions carefully, the process is easier.
| Dimensions | 5.39 x 2.99 x 4.88 inches |
| Weight | 0.4 pounds |
| Power Source | Outlet and battery backup |
Travelwey Digital Travel Alarm Clock
Pros
- Uncomplicated design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Limited number of features
If you're a frequent traveler and find yourself fussing with hotel alarm clocks when you just want to go to sleep after a long flight, you need a travel alarm clock. Lightweight and featuring only five buttons, this affordable compact alarm clock was made with simplicity in mind. It includes a large screen display and a wide snooze button that's easy to locate. The clock folds down so you can stow it away easily while traveling, and it has a backup battery function. Reviewers like that this alarm clock includes only the necessary features, making it a simple addition to your travel bag when you're on the go.
| Dimensions | 2.76 x 3.15 inches |
| Weight | .64 ounces |
| Power Source | Battery |
How we test alarm clocks
Though we haven't tested every alarm clock on this list, for the clock we have tested we use an extensive testing process that includes reviewing the ease of use when setting and turning off alarms and evaluating clock visibility. We also check performance when it comes to the effectiveness and accuracy of alarms, sound quality and usefulness of added features. We even perform a special "slap" test, in which we drop a 4-pound bag of sand from 20 inches above the alarm clock to mimic a hard slap it might receive in the morning when a user goes to hit snooze or turn off the clock. After the sandbag is dropped, we check for damage and repeat it two more times before evaluating durability.
Can using an alarm clock help your sleep habits?
According to Dr. Dasgupta, it absolutely can. "Going with a regular alarm clock instead of your phone's alarm can be a good move for your sleep," he says. "It helps you avoid screen time before bed and prevents those jarring wake-up sounds from your phone. But remember, how well it works depends on your personal habits and where you sleep." They can even help you adjust your natural sleep schedule over time, like if you're a night owl with a brand-new early morning job. "Sunrise alarm clocks, which mimic a natural sunrise by gradually increasing light before waking you up, can be very helpful for night owls trying to become morning people," says Dr. Dasgupta. "They gently signal your body to wake up and adjust your internal clock."
What to consider when choosing an alarm clock
When shopping, we recommend paying attention to the following features:
✔️ Screen display: Some digital alarm clocks come with big, bright numbers that can be easily seen from across the room, while others have small, softer numbers that reduce the amount of light they give off. If it's more important for you to be able to tell time at a glance, opt for the bigger numbers. If you need total darkness to sleep, opt for the smaller, softer ones.
✔️ Radio and Bluetooth settings: If you want your alarm clock to just be an alarm clock, that's totally fine! But alarm clocks do often come with AM or FM radio functions, Bluetooth capabilities and some even connect to Wi-Fi. More connections usually mean a higher price tag.
✔️ Sound variety and vibration settings: Newer alarm clocks will feature a library of sounds for you to wake up to, and some clocks will shake the bed in hopes of waking the heaviest sleepers.
✔️ Power sources: Most alarm clocks are powered by an outlet, but if you're a particularly punctual (or just cautious) person, check out alarm clocks with battery backups so your clock stays on even if the power goes off.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
For well over a century, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything you need to make your home smarter and more comfortable.
This article was written by Abigail Bailey, the Assistant to the General Manager of the GH Institute, who started with the brand in 2022 and covers everything from home goods to toys. She is notoriously hard to wake up, hates mornings and is always looking for a way to make that early alarm just a little more bearable. For this article, she consulted with Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist and Director of Engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who led the research and testing for this article. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about all kinds of products, including alarm clocks. This article was written by Abigail Bailey, the Assistant to the General Manager of the GH Institute, who started with the brand in 2022 and covers everything from home goods to toys. She is notoriously hard to wake up, hates mornings and is always looking for a way to make that early alarm just a little more bearable.
Abigail (she/her) is product reviews writer who has covered everything from kitchen gear to mattresses and smart blinds. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in creative writing and earned her M.S. in publishing digital and print media from New York University. She currently works at Wirecutter, but has also spent time on staff at Good Housekeeping and The Southern Review literary magazine. In her free time you can find her quilting, cross-stitching or trying to figure out how to squeeze one more bookshelf in her tiny apartment.
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