Philips Light Alarm Clock How to Turn Off Alarm
The 4 best sunrise alarm clocks for waking up gently in 2021
Updated
2021-11-11T17:08:47Z
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- Here are the best sunrise alarm clocks in 2021
- Best sunrise alarm clock overall
- Best sunrise alarm clock on a budget
- Best portable sunrise alarm clock
- Best sunrise alarm clock without an app
- What else we tested
- Our testing methodology
- Sunrise alarm clock FAQs
- Check out our other sleep guides
- Sunrise alarm clocks use light and natural sounds to help you fall asleep and wake up more gently.
- I tested seven models, consulted doctors, and used my sleep research background to find the best.
- Our top pick is the Hatch Restore because of its many light and sound options.
- Read more about how Inside Reviews tests home products.
A blaring alarm early in the morning can be quite jarring. Sunrise alarm clocks (sometimes called wake-up lamps) simulate a natural and gradual sunrise with a range of soft orange and yellow LED lights for a gentler wake up experience.
Many wake-up lamps combine light therapy with sound meditation and breathing techniques to create a more calming sleep environment and help regulate circadian rhythms — the natural ebb and flow of hormones that tell us when to go to sleep and when to wake up.
Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, told us that the gentle stimulus from sunrise alarm clocks starts getting the body out of deeper sleep stages and closer to wakefulness. "Whether it's a gradual sound or light alarm, wake-up lamps can help better prepare the body to wake up more gently, with less startle," Dimitriu said.
Sunrise alarm clocks can also help reduce the effects of sleep inertia, that drowsy, disorienting feeling that a lot of us experience after abruptly waking up. "Sudden awakenings can lead to sudden changes in cortisol and other neurotransmitters that could cause problems," W. Chris Winter, MD, of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, said. "Waking up with a gradual increase in wake-promoting light makes a lot of sense," Winter said, which is why sunrise alarm clocks might be a better option than regular alarm clocks.
In addition to consulting two experts, I leaned on my own experience in sleep science for this guide. Any new product you bring into your sleep routine should be backed by research. That's why I tested seven sunrise alarm clocks, using each for three consecutive days and nights to evaluate how effective, easy to use, and durable they are.
Here are the best sunrise alarm clocks in 2021
- Best sunrise alarm clock overall: Hatch Restore
- Best sunrise alarm clock on a budget: iHome Zenergy Dream Mini
- Best portable sunrise alarm clock: Casper Glow Light
- Best sunrise alarm clock without an app: Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light
Best sunrise alarm clock overall
The Hatch Restore has the most light options and sleep sounds of any model we tried, and they're all fully controlled through its multifunctional Hatch Sleep app.
Pros: More than 30 sound options and 20 light options to choose from, guided meditations, fully personalized sleep and wake-up routines through the app
Cons: Not a good option if you don't like to rely on an app, doesn't play music, guided meditations only available with subscription, must be connected to WiFi to use
The Hatch Restore sunrise alarm clock connects via Bluetooth to your phone, and using the app (available for iOS and Android), you can set your personalized bedtime routine and more than 18 alarms.
Setting up the Hatch is easy using the online instructions. There are countless features, including a bedside reading light, guided meditations, sleep stories, wind-down profiles, and sleep routines, all of which are fully customizable.
It has more than 30 soothing sleep sounds and many more light therapy options than any other product we tried. There are nighttime shades, warm oranges, and soft relaxing pastels, which I loved while listening to meditations. What's great about the Hatch is that users can fully personalize every part of their sleep schedule according to their preferences; you can add up to 10 steps to your wind-down routine.
My routine consisted of three simple steps. First, I got into bed and read my book using the coral nighttime light for 30 minutes while listening to the "sea wind" sound. Then I wound down with a soft pink light and the "meeting sleep with ease" meditation . Finally, I fell asleep to an orange light and the sound of rain. You can also set how long each step is.
The Hatch is well-designed with a nice half-moon shape that simulates a natural sunrise, and, at 7.5 inches long, it didn't take up much room.
The Hatch Sleep app controls all of the features, but the device includes a few soft-touch buttons for volume and brightness. Unfortunately, many of the guided sleep meditations can only be accessed by subscribing for $49.99 a year or $4.99 a month (though the first six months are free).
Two other negatives are the device usually takes a few seconds to connect when you open the app, and it doesn't play music or radio.
Best sunrise alarm clock on a budget
The iHome Zenergy Dream Mini produces a soft sunrise and will gradually wake you up with your favorite song. For the price, it's packed with a lot of features that will help you wake up in a better mood.
Pros: Lots of customizable options, pairs with Bluetooth to play music from your phone, won't take up too much space on your nightstand
Cons: The light intensity might be too low for some, most functions cannot be controlled through a smartphone, only two alarms
The iHome Zenergy Dream Mini is a tiny sleep therapy machine packed with features and customizable options.
A unique feature of the Zenergy Dream Mini is you can wake up to a Spotify playlist. It paired quickly and smoothly with my iPhone, and I woke up to a gentle simulated sunrise and my favorite song. The sound quality is good for such a small device. However, even though you can play your music through Bluetooth, this alarm clock does not have an accompanying app, so you can't control other features with your phone.
Instead, you control most of its functionality through 15 buttons on the top of the device. It has several options that you have to set manually, but the instructions make this effortless.
One of the key features is the "Zenergy" button, which activates calming sounds accompanied by gentle, colorful lights. It is customizable with the "fall asleep" and "stay asleep" buttons, which let you choose from sound and light options, including a guided breathing meditation, 13 relaxing sounds, and nine calming light therapy cycles. My favorite is the "heart" sound because it promotes steady breathing patterns and pairs well with the "breath" light color therapy.
The large snooze button is strategically placed in front so I didn't have to struggle to find it each morning. However, you can only set two alarms, and the snooze only lasts up to nine minutes. The light from the Zenergy Dream Mini may be too soft for individuals who need brighter hues to wake up.
Read our full iHome Zenergy Dream Mini review.
Best portable sunrise alarm clock
The Casper Glow Light is uniquely designed as a wireless, portable night light and uses intuitive gestures and a streamlined design to create a beautiful and simple experience.
Pros: Beautiful warm lights, portable, pairs with multiple Glow Lights for a bedroom light show, intuitive and easy to operate with simple gestures
Cons: Lacks sound, requires smartphone app for expanded features like setting sleep and wake times
Casper Glow Light is a small, portable cylinder that you control with just a few gestures: flip to turn on, rotate to adjust the light intensity, and wiggle to turn on the night light. The device is softly lit and smartly designed with gentle, warm hues for better sleep.
The light charges wirelessly and pairs with an intuitive app (available for iOS and Android). While you can operate the light without it, the app is a must if you want to set wake-up and wind-down times, which cue a sunset or sunrise that can last from 15 to 90 minutes.
One of the unique features of the Glow Light is that it synchronizes with other Glow Lights to make pretty light shows. Once you have more than one, you can name each and group or ungroup them through the app. I used two lights together and found they set a tranquil ambiance.
The night-light feature is useful when you want to find your way in the night without bright lights. It was fun to carry around when I needed a glass of water in the dark. It's made with polycarbonate to resist bumps and endure falls, so it's great for kids to use as well.
Falling asleep with the Glow Lights was a treat. The soft, warm lights create a tranquil sleep environment, gradually dim to slowly relax you, and then turn completely off for total darkness. The Casper Glow Lights are made with high-quality warm LEDs that were effective in waking me up gently.
However, the device focuses solely on effective light therapy, and, unlike other models we tested, there are no sound options. It might not be ideal for heavy sleepers who need noise to wake up; you'll still need to set a separate, audible alarm.
Read our full review of the Casper Glow Light.
Best sunrise alarm clock without an app
The Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light has a unique spherical design that creates a beautiful sunrise simulation and features many of the same premium settings as the more expensive Philips SmartSleep Connected.
Pros: Creates the best sunrise simulation, very user-friendly and simple, fully manual
Cons: Very limited sound options, doesn't have an app if you're someone who prefers a connected device
A less expensive option from Philips, the SmartSleep Wake-Up Light has fewer customizable options and features than the Philips SmartSleep Connected and is completely manual; no app needed. I recommend this one if you're looking for something simple but still high-quality and efficient. It's one of Philips' best-selling sunrise alarm clocks because of its impressive colored sunrise simulations and relaxing sunsets.
I had no problem setting the time and alarms with the easy-to-follow instructions. Falling asleep to this lamp was very relaxing; the sunset simulation therapy works just as well as the Philips SmartSleep Connected. The display automatically dims as the room gets darker, great for cocooning yourself in total darkness.
Waking up with this lamp was such a pleasant experience; the gradual and natural sunrise simulation increased over the span of 30 minutes until it completely flooded my bedroom with beautiful, rich, orange-and-yellow lights and the gentle sounds of "Nepal bowls."
You can choose from five different natural wake-up sounds, including beautiful "birds" and "ocean waves," or your preferred FM radio station. The snooze feature is unique: A single slight tap anywhere on the device snoozes the lamp for nine minutes.
It's also one of Philips' sunrise alarm clocks clinically proven to help you feel more ready for the day, and I have to admit that it did a great job at waking me up feeling refreshed in the morning.
I prefer this Philips model's smooth, spherical shape and smaller size over the Philips SmartSleep Connected, although I wish it connected to the app for more customization. I missed the extra features in the Philips SleepMapper app when I used this model, like the sleep-environment monitoring and extended customization. I hope Philips comes out with a new sunrise alarm clock that features all of the Philips SmartSleep Connected options but is shaped like this model to simulate that beautiful, natural sunrise.
Read our full review of the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light.
What else we tested
What else we recommend and why
Philips SmartSleep Connected: This was our top pick for the best sunrise alarm clock overall, but it is now out of stock. It resembles a glowing donut and is controlled almost entirely from an app (available for iOS or Android). You can customize "wind-down" and "wake-up" profiles with your preferred sound, light intensity, and duration. The device tracks your sleep habits and lets you know if your bedroom is too hot, humid, bright, or loud for optimal sleep. Read our full review of the Philips SmartSleep Connected.
What we don't recommend and why
Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 : The Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 doesn't connect to an app, and setting it up manually took me multiple tries and many minutes. The daily alarm has to be turned on manually every single night before going to bed; if you fall asleep before you do, you're out of luck for your morning alarm. The sound options are interesting. I chose to wake up to "kittens purring" because the other options were not exactly what I would prefer waking up to; for example, there was "ping-pong," "steam train," "goats," and "café," among the 15 odd sounds. Made by a British company, the device only provides a 24-hour clock, which is somewhat inconvenient if you're used to a 12-hour clock. The device and its lights do simulate a nice sunset and sunrise. The light progression is smooth, and it has gentle levels of brightness.
Our testing methodology
In addition to interviewing sleep experts Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, and Dr. William Winter of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, I did hands-on testing with seven different sunrise alarm clocks.
I previously managed a sleep laboratory for two years and continue to contribute to sleep research. I've presented some of my research at Eastern Psychological Association and have tested products for SleepScore Labs. Part of my research involved investigating strategies to reduce sleep inertia (like using sunrise alarm clocks), so I also relied on my background in sleep research and product testing to evaluate each product over several nights. I tested each sunrise alarm clock according to the following criteria:
Setup: For each lamp, I paid close attention to how difficult or easy it was to set up on my nightstand. I noted how accurate and helpful their instructions were and what it was like to set the time and alarms. I also evaluated how heavy they were and how much space they occupied on my bedside table.
Performance : I used each wake-up lamp for a minimum of three consecutive days and nights to get used to the routine and noted whether or not they woke me up on time and with the features (such as sound and light color) I chose. I took notes on what it was like to fall asleep with their wind-down features and paid particular attention to the wake-up experience. I woke up at the same time every morning with each alarm clock to keep my experiences consistent and noted how I felt and how much sleep inertia I experienced. I also evaluated the sound and light quality of each and how easy or difficult it was to snooze the backup alarm (if it had one).
Special features : I tested any additional and unique features of each sunrise alarm clock, such as speakers, Bluetooth integration, guided meditations, and accompanying mobile apps. I noted whether or not these extra features were actually helpful and easy to use.
Durability: In order to test how durable and resistant each alarm clock was, I knocked every one off my nightstand and checked to see if any parts came loose or broke. Fortunately, all of them passed this test. I also took note of each product's materials and warranty.
Long-term use:Since my original testing, I've continued to regularly use our top picks and will report back about their durability over time.
Sunrise alarm clock FAQs
What are the benefits of sunrise alarm clocks?
The light therapy implemented in these wake-up lamps helps regulate cortisol and melatonin production, two important hormones that are essential in controlling sleep/wake cycles. It can be difficult for some of us to adapt to season changes, especially in the winter when days get shorter and nights get longer. The shift from bright summer days to long, dark winter months can impact circadian rhythms, sometimes resulting in seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
New technology also affects our circadian rhythms by restraining the natural production of the sleep hormone melatonin as a result of constant exposure to artificial blue lights from our phones, TVs, and computers.
Regular daily alternation of light and darkness is essential in order to maintain good quality sleep. Sunrise alarm clocks have "wind-down" features that encourage a healthy production of melatonin at night by mimicking a gradual sunset, while the "wake-up" cycles encourage the production of cortisol in the morning by simulating a natural and gradual sunrise that prepares you for wakefulness. The wake-up and wind-down features can be equally important in helping maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
How does a sunrise alarm clock compare to a traditional alarm?
Many sunrise alarm clocks are equipped with all the features we all like in traditional alarm clocks — a radio or music player, custom or multiple alarms, and yes, even a sound alarm if you need it. The key difference is that sunrise alarm clocks use gentle light and sound to help you wake up before resorting to the louder noises that are typical of a standard alarm clock.
Waking up to the loud, obnoxious sound of a traditional alarm clock is not only unpleasant and irritating, but it's also quite unhealthy. "If we train ourselves to wake up suddenly, with a jolt, this can become a problem for any other time we wake up in the night, making it hard to fall back asleep," said Dimitriu.
That abrupt wake-up experience can also cause stress levels to suddenly increase, often aggravating long-term issues like chronic anxiety. Winter also advises waking up gently because sudden awakenings can cause sudden blood pressure surges, possibly leading to heart issues.
Your chances of waking up with sleep inertia — that debilitating groggy, drowsy feeling that occurs as a result of a sudden, often startling transition between sleep and wakefulness — also increase if you wake up to a traditional alarm clock. Sleep inertia makes it very difficult for some people to get out of bed and often puts people in a bad mood for the rest of their day. "Gradual alarms (sound or light) are excellent solutions to wake people gradually," said Dimitriu, since these softer alarms offer a gentler, more natural wake-up experience.
What features should I look for when choosing a sunrise alarm clock?
There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing a sunrise alarm clock. One very important aspect to consider is the brightness level of the lamp. If you're a heavy sleeper, you might need a sunrise alarm clock that has bright lights to effectively wake you up in the morning.
Another important factor is alarm sounds: Most sunrise alarm clocks have several sound options, and some (like the Casper Glow Light) lack this feature completely. If you're a heavy sleeper, you may want to opt for a device with many sounds. Or, if you are a "snoozer," you might want to consider a sunrise alarm clock that allows you to set multiple alarms like the Philips SmartSleep Connected, which offers up to 16 alarms just in case you like to hit snooze more than once.
Finally, consider your personal needs; if you're uncomfortable operating smartphone-enabled technology, you may prefer a sunrise alarm clock with manual functions right on the machine. On the flip side, if you want a very customized experience, you may like a lamp that offers many different colors and sounds that are controlled through a phone app.
Suzy Hernandez
Freelance Writer
Suzy is fascinated by sleep science so she decided to immerse herself in sleep research. She led a sleep psychology lab for more than two years where she conducted research on the effects of naps on cognitive function and the effects of sleep inertia. Suzy has presented her work at the Eastern Psychological Association and she tests sleep products for companies like SleepScore Labs. She continues to contribute to sleep research and loves to promote effective strategies for better sleep quality and communicate the importance of good sleep habits. When she's not testing sleep products or reading about sleep, she likes to spend time with her family on the east end of Long Island, New York, where she is probably taking a nap at Montauk Beach or enjoying a drink by the bay. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.
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Philips Light Alarm Clock How to Turn Off Alarm
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