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Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks for Dark Winter Mornings: Picks From $40 to $250
A sunrise alarm clock wakes you with slowly brightening light, and these picks run from $40 to $250.
Why a sunrise alarm helps
The author starts work at 5 a.m. every weekday now that Daylight Saving Time has ended, and it was 4 a.m. before that. [1] Fewer hours of daylight in winter make it harder for many people to get out of bed in the morning, so that early start is a familiar problem if your mornings are dark. [2]
Before using a sunrise alarm, the author was jolted awake by a loud, blaring alarm and often overconsumed caffeine because of the lack of daylight. [1] The author says a circadian rhythm can feel out of whack if sleep is poor or the person does not wake up gently. [1]
A smartphone alarm tone can trigger a startle reflex that can lead to a day started with an over-alert nervous system. [3]
How sunrise alarm clocks work
Sunrise alarm clocks stimulate a sunrise to help get the circadian rhythm on track. [1] They use light that brightens over a 20- or 30-minute window before the set alarm time. [3]
Research on simulated dawn changes light levels over 15 to 90 minutes, from less than 1 lux to 300 lux, according to Russell Foster. [2] Foster said firm conclusions are difficult because study designs have varied, but results strongly suggest improved sleep/wake timing and greater alertness. [2]
Victoria Revell said morning light keeps the body clock in check and synchronised. [2]
The top picks at a glance
Best overall: the Dreamie is named the best sunrise alarm clock overall and is priced at $249. [1] Best budget-friendly: the REACHER Sound Machine Sunrise Alarm Clock is named the best budget-friendly sunrise alarm clock and is priced at $50 at Amazon. [1]
Best budget buy in the UK: the Groov-e Light Curve is named the best budget buy and is priced at £35 at Currys.co.uk. [2]
Where they differ
The Dreamie uses a 120 LED light system that is flicker-free to produce a full-color gradual sunrise. [1] It requires no phone or subscription to use its features. [1]
The REACHER Sound Machine has eight alarm sounds and wakes you gradually with a gentle orange light. [1] It also includes 26 sleep aid sounds. [1]
The Hatch Sleep Clock is priced at $250 at Hatch. [1] It tracks sleep by contactlessly detecting micro-movements and breathing patterns. [1]
Purchase of the Hatch Sleep Clock includes 30 days of free access to Hatch+. [1] After the free period, the Hatch+ subscription costs $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year. [1] Hatch+ has a library of more than 2,500 podcasts, meditations, sound baths, audiobooks, and sleep music. [1]
The Philips SmartSleep Wake-up Light is priced at $117 at Amazon. [3] It has a built-in FM radio. [3] The Groov-e Light Curve has a radio function that the Lumie sunrise alarm does not have. [2]
The Beurer WL 65 has a flat surface offering wireless phone charging for compatible devices. [2]
Lower-priced options
The Stillstorm Hatch is priced at $40. [3] The Reacher Smart Sunrise Alarm Clock is priced at $80. [3]
What this means for you
If winter mornings are hard for you, a sunrise alarm clock brightens light over a 20- or 30-minute window before your alarm time. [2][3] If you want to avoid a phone alarm, the Dreamie requires no phone or subscription. [3][1]
If you want to spend less, the REACHER Sound Machine is $50 at Amazon, and the Stillstorm Hatch is $40. [1][3] If you buy the Hatch Sleep Clock, plan for Hatch+ at $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year after the 30 free days. [1]
Sources
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