Start your day very naturally and set your circadian rhythms with a gentle start using the sunrise. alarm. Waking up to a sudden alarm on your phone can start your day off on the wrong foot compared to gradually increasing light and calming sounds. Some models also offer white noise to help you fall asleep or customizable bedtimes. routine to make your morning a little easier.
Jamie Goldwellness design consultant and authortold CNET that she came across these quieter alarms while researching noise pollution. “Our lives and homes are filled with noise, and this creates the potential for insomnia, anxiety and stress. I love the idea of ​​these quiet alarms because they connect with our natural circadian rhythms and help us start our days on a calmer note. Some heavy sleepers may need a stronger wake-up system, but if you're not one of them, this is definitely a solution worth considering.”
The CNET team tested the best options on the market, and right now, even if you're not looking for one for yourself, it could be great gift.
The best alarm clock at dawn
After testing the Hatch Restore 3 for several weeks, this sunrise alarm clock is my top choice for its functionality and design. You can adjust the lighting settings to your liking to create the perfect sunrise. Whether you love waking up to warm golden tones or a soft amber glow, Hatch Restore 3 offers a wide range of sunrise-inspired shades to make your day easier. After using the Hatch alarm clock, my bedroom was phone-free at night, which greatly improved the quality of my sleep.
Another feature I really like about Restore 3 is the set of sounds that go with the sunrise. You can choose from soothing nature sounds to soothing melodies to create the perfect ambiance for waking up or falling asleep. I set my phone to the sound of the ocean shore to wake me up and to light rain at night to help me calm down after a long day. The ability to mix and match lighting and sound options is endless.
To properly use Hatch 3 Restore, you need to download the app. This is a simple and user-friendly application in which you can customize your individual routines. I control alarm times, lighting settings, and sounds from my phone. For $4.99 a month, you can subscribe to Hatch+, a library of meditations, music, bedtime stories, and ASMR.
There's a reason why the Casper Glow Light makes our review the most versatile sunrise alarm clock. Once charged, the Glow Light becomes a portable night light that I can carry with me, whether it's a trip to the bathroom or to the kitchen for a midnight snack.
The Casper Glow app adds another level of convenience to your alarm clock. In the app, you can adjust the brightness, sync multiple wake or sleep lights, and schedule a wake-up time. I really like the fading sleep options because they signal to my brain that it's time to start getting ready for sleep.
Of all the sunrise alarm clocks on this list, the Casper Glow is probably the most unique to use. In addition to the app, it also uses haptic controls, such as turning the device over to turn off the lights. Its minimalistic, elegant design will suit almost any interior.
The Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 is a simpler version of the Lumie Shine 300. It's a high-quality, entry-level sunrise alarm clock for people who just want the basics: The Lumie Rise 100 features a 30-minute sunrise with the ability to set the final light intensity. You can also program sunset to help you fall asleep.
The Lumie Rise 100 doesn't produce any nature or environmental sounds to add to the sunrise and sunset, although you can program an additional sound to sound when the sunrise reaches its maximum light intensity. Like the Lumie Shine 300, the Lumie Rise 100 features push-button snooze and an auto-dimming display.
If you already have a bedside lamp, you can make a DIY sunrise alarm clock by replacing regular light bulbs with smart light bulbs from Lifx. These Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs connect to Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and Apple HomeKit, and you can program them to dim and bright like the sun rises and sets as you fall asleep and wake up, respectively.
You won't hear any sound, but if you're a relatively light sleeper and wake up to changes in light intensity, these programmable bulbs will still wake you up in the morning. You can also combine with Lifx stripes in fun colors for the coolest fake sunrise ever.
Read our review of the Lifx Mini smart light bulbs..
If you're not quite ready to shell out $100 or more on a sunrise alarm clock, this inexpensive simulated sunrise clock from Jall should do the trick. It has all the basic features and allows you to customize your sunrise: choose from seven colors and 20 brightness levels to complete your sunrise, as well as seven natural sounds to accompany the light. You can also wake up to FM radio.
The Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock functions as both a night light and a bedside lamp, and you can adjust the brightness level for both. It doesn't have a sunset feature like some others on this list, and it doesn't double as a white noise machine. If you only need the sunrise feature, it doesn't matter.
Majority reviewers on Amazon I love this watch: it has 4.3 stars and almost 100% of the reviews are positive. It seems like most people who bought this watch were looking for a less jarring way to wake up, and the Jall Wake Up Light did the trick. Buyers also love that it's easy to set up and simple enough for kids to work on their own.
If you want a wider selection than just sunrise watches, check out our separate listing. best alarm clocks for 2025. If you need a good night's sleep, stop by best mattresses you can buy online and best pillows too much.
Tips for Buying Sunrise Alarm Clocks for the Holidays
The holiday season is a good time to set your alarm clock when the sun rises, as prices usually drop significantly, allowing your money to grow significantly. These make great gifts for light sleepers or those who want a more restful start to the morning. Popular options tend to disappear quickly, so you'll want to make your pick if you see a good deal.
How we chose the best sunrise alarm clock
Our review of the best sunrise alarm clocks entailed a comprehensive assessment of several key metrics for ease of use.
Setting: We prioritized sunrise alarm clocks that offer customizable lighting settings and included some models that offer a choice of sounds to pair with your light.
Functions: We've looked at what features sunrise alarm clocks offer. For example, application integration for smooth control, sound libraries and portability.
Design: There's nothing we love more than aesthetically pleasing yet practical design. We have selected models that can fit into almost any interior of your home.
Durability: Our staff has personally tested these alarm clocks to evaluate the quality and durability of each device.
Our top pick is Hatch Restore 2 because it includes all the features you need in a dawn alarm clock, such as customization, sound options, app integration, and ease of use.
Yes. The simulated light of a sunrise helps signal your brain that it's time to wake up.
Sunrise Alarm Clock simulates a natural sunrise and gently wakes you up by gradually increasing the light intensity until your set wake-up time. Unlike traditional alarm clocks that wake you up with loud sounds, this clock creates a more peaceful waking experience by simulating the gradual transition from darkness to daylight. This signals your brain that it is time to wake up.
Setting an alarm on your phone can be distracting. You may find yourself scrolling late at night or waking up early to notifications. An alarm clock will help you avoid these problems and get a better night's sleep.
Because they are designed to imitate the dim natural light of dawn, dawn alarms are usually not very bright. Many of them have alarm settings that allow you to set the brightness to your liking, but the brightest setting still won't be too harsh. Some models also gradually increase light output with a morning alarm to give your eyes time to adjust.
