10 Best Alarm Clocks in 2022 (Philips, JALL, and More)
For an alarm that will wake you up like no other, we recommend the Sonic Bomb by Sonic Alert. This alarm is no joke - not only can it get as loud as a car horn, but it also vibrates and flashes, ensuring that you're up and out of bed in a hurry. Check out the rest of our top 10 picks below and read our buying guide to ensure that you choose the best alarm clock for your needs.
Quick List - Top Alarm Clocks
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How to Choose Alarm Clocks
Whether you’re waking up to go to school, work, or simply want to start your day off right, you need an alarm clock that wakes you up. Here are some tips on how to narrow down your options.
Choose a Clock Based on Your Environment
When we say alarm clock, you probably think of one of those shrill clocks that you slam with your fist the moment you hear it. Of course, there are many such alarm clocks, but that’s not all. There are clocks that light up the room, clocks that vibrate incessantly, and clocks that move around so you have to catch them.
Choose a clock depending on what’s appropriate to your room, house, and even neighborhood. Let’s say you have a couple of roommates who get up later than you. Their sleep is important too, and a super loud alarm clock will probably wake them up.
If you have children, it may be a good idea to get a clock that involves some type of game or activity, like a clock you have to chase around the room. That way, they’ll look forward to getting out of bed in the morning and be less likely to get back in.
Pick an Effective Alarm Sound
A sonic component is vital to an effective alarm. Most alarm clocks need some type of noise, even ones that mimic the rising sun or ones that run around on the ground. Alarm clock sounds can be robotic chirps, bell chimes, actual fire alarms, or soothing sounds of nature. Some are loud; some are soft.
Think about what type of sleeper you are and how you feel in the mornings. Do you want to start your day off with a bang? Or do you want to ease into your morning and pretend you’re in the rainforest? Are you a light or heavy sleeper?
Some clocks let you set the alarm to be a radio station or even a song. If nature sounds are too quiet, but buzzers are too disruptive, music could be a good middle ground.
Decide If You Need a Snooze Button
While hitting the snooze button can be an attractive option, it may not be the healthiest. Sleep science indicates that using the snooze can actually disrupt your natural sleep patterns and lead to drowsiness and fogginess during the day.
However, not all of us have the will power to get up at the first alarm. Be realistic about your morning habits and pick an alarm clock that will work for you. If you do need a snooze button, think about how easy it is to use. A convenient button might lead to more oversleeping.
A snooze function that will sound the alarm at regular intervals can help prevent you from going back to sleep for good. Aside from the snooze, consider placing your alarm clock on the opposite side of the room from your bed so you have to physically get up to turn it off.
Consider Lights and Display Brightness
We're so used to having bright screens in our faces that we might not realize the effect light has on our sleep patterns. According to scientists, light at night can affect the body's circadian rhythm and cause it to produce less melatonin (which helps us fall asleep).
Since your alarm clock will very likely sit on your bedside table, consider how much light it will add to a dark room. Look for a clock with a dimmable display or even one that can be turned off completely. But also make sure that you can easily turn the light on if you need to check the time at night.
Explore Extra Features
Back in the day, alarm clocks were pretty simple. They could tell time, wake us up, and maybe play the radio. But modern alarm clocks often come with a suite of additional features that expand their utility. To avoid getting lost in the myriad choices, decide whether you want a simple alarm clock or one with more robust functions.
The most common extra features on modern alarm clocks are lighting and speakers. Some clocks feature color-changing lights that can help set a relaxing mood at bedtime or wake you up gently in the morning. Other clocks allow you to connect via Bluetooth or an auxiliary cable to play audio from your devices.
You can also find clocks that let you charge your devices from them, either wirelessly or via a USB port. Many people charge their phone next to their bed at night, so being able to plug it into an alarm clock can make life a bit easier.
10 Best Alarm Clocks Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb | | A Jackhammer Level Alarm With Vibrating Bed Shaker | |
2 | Magnasonic Projection Alarm Clock | | Project the Time on Your Wall or Ceiling | |
3 | WamGra Night Light Alarm Clock | | An Alarm Clock and Mood Light in One | |
4 | Mpow Digital Alarm Clock | | Has a Curved Display for Easy Visibility | |
5 | JALL Analog Alarm Clock | | Simply and Classically Designed | |
6 | JBL Horizon | | A Sleek Bluetooth Enabled Alarm With Stereo Sound | |
7 | Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels | | You Have to Catch This Alarm to Turn It Off | |
8 | Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light｜HF3520/60 | | A Natural Sunrise and Sunset Light Simulator | |
9 | iHome IBT29 | | Lights, Music, and More | |
10 | JALL Digital Alarm Clock with Wooden LED Display | | A Wood Grain Alarm Clock With Digital Overlay |
A Jackhammer Level Alarm With Vibrating Bed Shaker
This alarm is sure to make you jump out of bed. It has an "extra loud" setting that puts the alarm at 113 decibels, which is as loud as a live rock concert or a jackhammer. It also comes with a 12-volt bed shaker that will shake you awake if placed beneath your pillow or mattress.
This alarm has the option to set the intervals on your snooze button, lights that blink on with the alarm, and an “explosive red display.” If this doesn’t stop you from oversleeping, nothing will.
Some reviewers complained that the alarm stopped working after a few months. On the other hand, many found it to be extremely loud and effective. They warned that on the first try with this alarm you might honestly think there’s an earthquake happening. Be advised: your neighbors might wake up.
Project the Time on Your Wall or Ceiling
It's super easy to use: just specify your time zone upon initial setup, and you’re good to go for life, even when daylight savings time occurs. If your neighborhood experiences a power outage, don’t worry – this clock saves your alarm and environment settings.
Some reviewers complained that this clock doesn't keep time accurately and ends up being fast or slow after a few weeks. Still, many others said that it was easy to use and worked well for their purposes. They liked the projected time, which was easy to see at night, and appreciated the dimmer button.
An Alarm Clock and Mood Light in One
To turn off the alarm, you simply tap twice on the top of the light. If you’re looking to catch some extra Zs, tap just once. The lamp is also controlled by the touch sensor on the top.
Some reviewers found this clock difficult to use and program, saying that the settings and buttons were confusing. Others were frustrated that it didn't come with a charger. On the other hand, many reviewers said this was a great addition to their room. They said the speakers were of decent quality and the lights entranced both kids and adults alike.
Has a Curved Display for Easy Visibility
This digital alarm clock from Mpow features a curved LED display, allowing you to see the time from multiple angles. It has five brightness levels or can be turned off completely for a totally dark room. There are three alarm sounds to choose from: a standard buzzer, a chord ringtone, or birdsong.
The large snooze button on top provides easy access so you're not fumbling around in the morning, and will let you sleep in for up to nine extra minutes. You can also set the alarm's volume at either 75 or 85 decibels.
Some reviewers were disappointed by this clock's small size. Others said that the alarm wasn't loud enough for them. Still, most reviewers liked the blue display and said it was easy to read. They also found the setup to be super quick and simple.
Simply and Classically Designed
If you like the retro look of an analog clock, this option from JALL is a great pick. It doesn't have a lot of frills; it keeps time, has one alarm, and a warm backlight. The alarm and light turn on via a switch and button on the back of the clock. Unlike some other analog clocks, the hands don't make a ticking sound.
It requires just one AA battery to run and comes in black, green, red, blue, and white. Some reviewers complained that the clock didn't keep time. Others said the alarm was too quiet for their needs.
However, most reviewers thought this clock was simple and aesthetically pleasing. They said the analog face was easy to read and the night light was soft and not too bright. They also confirmed that this clock is completely silent.
A Sleek Bluetooth Enabled Alarm With Stereo Sound
You can have two independent alarms if one of you needs to get out of bed before the other. Choose to wake up to an FM radio station, a song from your smartphone, or one of several digital alarm choices. It has an ambient light bar on the back of the clock that will gradually brighten the room until you’re awake.
Some reviewers complained that the screen was too dim to read and the buttons difficult to use in the dark. Others said theirs stopped working after a few months. However, most reviewers praised this clock for its small size and clear speakers. They especially liked the screen dimming feature and USB charging ports.
You Have to Catch This Alarm to Turn It Off
If you’re one of those early birds who wakes up before the sun rises, it also has backlight indicators. This is a great alarm clock choice for children, who might enjoy running around in the morning to try to shut it off. The energy you expend trying to catch the thing is added exercise, too.
The main issue reviewers had was that this clock seems to eat batteries. It requires four AAA batteries and some reviewers said they didn't last very long before needing to be replaced. Still, many others said this was an incredibly effective alarm that was annoying in the best way.
A Natural Sunrise and Sunset Light Simulator
Our cavemen ancestors probably went to bed right when it got dark and awoke just as the sun rose. It’s the most natural way to go to sleep and wake up. That’s the idea behind this alarm clock - it simulates sunrise and sunset with gradually dimming lights and sounds.
In the morning, the light will start to brighten 20 to 40 minutes prior to your alarm time. You can choose from five different nature sounds that accompany the warm light. The clock also features a tap snooze, FM radio, and an auto-dimming display.
Some reviewers complained that the user interface was clunky and not very intuitive. Others said theirs stopped working after a while. However, most reviewers said this clock was a wonderful and gentle way to wake up. They said it was especially great for dark mornings in the winter.
Lights, Music, and More
The IBT29 from iHome is full of features for sleep and entertainment. It features dual alarms that you can set to play a standard alarm sound, FM radio, or music from a Bluetooth device. It also has a built-in microphone so it can be used as a speakerphone.
A USB port lets you charge devices from it and a headphone jack means you can plug in directly to play music if you don't want to connect via Bluetooth. The mood lighting has six different colors with multiple modes, including a gradient and a pulse to music mode.
The main complaint reviewers had about this clock was that the buttons were too small and close together. Some also said that the display stopped working after a number of months. However, many reviewers praised this all-in-one device. They said the sound quality was great and the lights were enjoyable for both kids and adults alike.
A Wood Grain Alarm Clock With Digital Overlay
The LED lights are dimmable, allowing you to see the time at night without too much harsh light. And if you switch it to the sound control mode, the display will shut off after five seconds and turn on with a touch or a clap.
The main complaint reviewers had about this clock was that the temperature and humidity display was inaccurate. Some said their clock stopped working after a while. On the other hand, many reviewers said this was a beautiful, well-designed clock. They especially liked the adjustable brightness of the LED display.
Tips to Avoid Oversleeping
Even though we hear the alarm, we often sleep through it. Sometimes we hit the snooze button in our sleep and forget it ever happened. Why does this occur?
Understand the Underlying Reasons for Oversleeping
Unsurprisingly, the number one cause for oversleeping is simply going back to sleep. We’ve all been in the position where we tell ourselves, “Just five more minutes.” Five minutes turns into 20 and the next thing you know, you're late to work.
Usually, we want to go back to sleep because we didn’t sleep long enough or deeply enough. In other words, if you can improve the quality of your sleep, it’ll be much easier to get up and stay up.
Stick to a Sleep Schedule
Keeping your body clock on time is important for improving sleep quality. When you go to sleep at 9 pm one night, then midnight the next night, your body doesn’t really know what do do. It freaks out and it’s unsure when to tell your brain, “Hey, time to fall asleep now.”
Your body clock is affected by factors like light and how much sleep you got the night before. These factors will affect certain hormones that determine how sleepy you get and when. Overriding these natural cues by staying up late or sleeping in can throw off the whole system.
In order to set your body clock, try to go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning. It’s hard, but you just have to do it. Your body will thank you. Also, getting sunshine in the morning can help get rid of drowsiness after you wake up.
No Screen Time Before You Sleep
In order to improve your quality of sleep, don’t look at a smartphone, TV, or anything with a screen before falling asleep. The bright lights from the screens can cause your brain to suppress the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep.
In this day and age, there are many people who fall asleep scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. If you’re one of these people, stop.
Set yourself time to do what you need to do on your laptop two hours before you go to bed. That might sound unrealistic, but it can become a habit if you stick to it. Dim the lights in your room and read a book or write in a journal. This can help you relax and sleep will come before you know it.
Get Your Best Night of Sleep
Now that you have an alarm that will get you out of bed, make sure you have the sleeping part covered too! Check out more of our favorite products to help you feel rested and ready to take on the day.
Top 5 Alarm Clocks
No. 1: Sonic Alert｜Sonic Bomb
No. 2: Magnasonic｜Projection Alarm Clock
No. 3: WamGra｜Night Light Alarm Clock
No. 4: Mpow｜Digital Alarm Clock
No. 5: JALL｜Analog Alarm Clock
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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