Tom's Guide Verdict
The Dreamegg Sunrise 2 Ultra Sunrise Sleep and Wake Clock is an excellent body clock at a budget price. Its convex face flooded my bedroom with a cheery faux sunrise that helped me wake up more easily, while the customizable sunset simulation made me feel relaxed and sleepy before bed. The accompanying sleep and alarm sounds aren't as varied or crisp as with some luxury sunrise alarm clocks I've tested, but they get the job done. After testing it for a week, I think the Sunrise 2 is best suited to kids bedrooms, to sunrise alarm clock beginners, and to those buying a Christmas present for someone who struggles to get going on dark winter mornings.
Reasons to buy
- +
Excellent value for money
- +
Bright sunrise simulation
- +
Intuitive controls
- +
Smartphone and app-free connection
Reasons to avoid
- -
Limited sound library
- -
Mediocre audio quality
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Dreamegg Sunrise 2: Review in brief
The Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is one of the best sunrise alarm clocks I've tested, thanks to its excellent value for money versus performance. I've been using this sleep gadget for the last week and have been impressed with its sunrise and sunset simulations and sounds, which have worked in tandem to help me fall asleep easily at night and wake up with more energy in the morning.
In my quest to improve my sleep, I like to keep my bedroom as analogue as possible. So I like how the Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is smartphone and app-free. The buttons sit on the top of the clock and they're intuitive and easy to use. There's a dial for volume, a dial for light, and a snooze button that sit at the top.
Type: Sunrise alarm clock & sound machine
Best for: Budget shoppers, kids bedrooms
Dimensions: 6.51 x 4.03 x 6.3 inches
Warranty: 12 months
Price: £70/ $49.99
As well as a warm, orange sunrise simulation that wakes you up in the morning (which it does effectively, thanks in part to its 3D dome-like shape that projects a wide arc of light around the bedroom), the Dreamegg also boasts a sunset setting.
Choose from 10 different colors to wind down at night, then select the brightness you want to start at. Next, set the timer for how long you want the light on, ranging from 5 to 180 minutes, depending on how long you want your sunset simulation (wind-down) to last for.
You can also choose between 29 relaxing sounds to accompany your sunrise or sunset simulation, ranging from white noise to nature sounds (for example, there's a 'fan', 'rain' and 'birds'). Granted, these sounds are seem pretty basic when compared to some other premium models on the market, such as the Ambient Dreamie, which boasts a library packed full of crisp sleep sounds to help you nod off and wake up. But then, the Dreamie costs $249 at full MSRP, while the Dreamegg costs $49.99.
Ultimately, if you want a decent sunrise alarm that wakes you up feeling refreshed during dark fall and winter morning and can double up as a nightlight before bed, I think the Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is an excellent choice in today's Amazon October Prime Day mattress and sleep sale. For a more detailed look, here's my full review...
Dreamegg Sunrise 2 review: Features
The Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is a sunrise alarm clock, as well as night light and sleep sound machine. In a world of sleep tracking alarm clocks and unrise alarms that double as noise cancelling sound machines, the Dreamegg features seem pretty basic.
But, for me, it does everything I want from a sunrise alarm clock, and without having to pay a monthly subscription or connect it to my phone, which I try to keep out of the bedroom.
The sunrise simulation mimics the rising sun, flooding your bedroom with warm, orange light. When setting your morning alarm, you can choose how long you want the sunrise simulation to last, ranging from 0-60 minutes.
The benefits of a slow sunrise simulation means that the increasing light, even through your closed eyelids, helps trigger the production of wakeful hormones, such as serotonin and cortisol. It helps supress the production of hormones keeping you asleep, such as melatonin. Together, the rise and fall of specific hormones help to wake you up feeling refreshed.
You can also choose between 29 sounds to help wake you up, which sounds at your chosen alarm time. These sounds feel pretty basic compared to top of the range models, but, as an alarm, work well enough. I opted for 'birds,' which fills my bedroom with a dawn chorus and it's really quite pleasant.
When it comes to winding down for bed, you can cycle through 10 ambient light colors to get the right hue for you, including red, amber and soft orange (all of which are conducive to sleep). If you want to, you can accompany your nightlight with one of the above sleep sounds to relax alongside to.
You can choose how long you want your sunrise to last, from 5-180 minute timer. Once you've settled upon a setting that works for you, press and hold the heart button on the side, which means that next time you can start your sunset simulation with the tap of a button.
Dreamegg Sunrise 2 review: Performance
I've been waking up with the Dreamegg Sunrise 2 alarm clock for the past week. Here's how I rate it across set-up, sunrise simulation and sleep sounds.
Set-up
Setting up the Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is straightforward task that will take ten minutes, tops. Included in the box is the sunrise alarm, instructions, a quick start card and USB to USB C cable (no plug included).
To begin, plug the Dreamegg into a power source. Next, set the correct time by pressing the dimmer/time set button.
The large snooze button on top is what you want to press to access your sleep sounds. Press and then twist the button to cycle through the different sounds available, adjusting the volume on the side.
To access the light options available, hit the sunshine button on the side. Press again to cycle through the colors and hold down when you want to turn it off. To create a winddown routine, press and the timer button and choose how long you would like your sunset simulation to last.
Sunrise simulation and alarms
The sunrise simulation on the Dreamegg can last between 0-60 minutes. A lengthy sunrise simulation can help gently draw you out of deep, through the production of key hormones that help you feel alert upon waking.
However, I've found before that a lengthy sunrise simulation can also wake you up a little bit too soon (which I don't want). So I opted for a 30 minute sunrise simulation, and that helps me wake up feeling pretty alert... but not wide awake half an hour before my alarm and wishing I was still asleep.
Before testing the Dreamegg Sunrise 2, I had been using the Dreamegg Sunrise 1. One of the key differences between the two is the Sunrise 2's dome-shaped clock face. This, according to the brand, helps project light further, helping to wake you up more efficiently.
The critic in me thought this sounded like a gimmick, but I've found that the light bathes my entire bedroom in a warm glow, as opposed to just one side of the room.
Another key difference between the two is the new, dial-shaped snooze button that sits proud at the top of the clock. If you find yourself reaching for the snooze button before you've even opened your eyes, you'll be able to easily identify it (that was another gripe of mine against the Sunrise 1).
Sleep sounds
Whether you're choosing one as part of your wind down routine or morning alarm, there are 29 sleep sounds to choose from. They range from 'storm', 'rain', 'lullaby' and 'birds.' These feel pretty basic in comparison to higher-end models on the market (see below for my top recommendations.)
No app or wifi connectivity means there's no option to play sleep meditations or podcasts through the speaker, either — which some premium models do. But then, these models cost upwards of triple the price.
The Dreamegg Sunrise 2 sounds quality is passable and the library of sounds is pretty standard, but, for me, it more than does the job.
Dreamegg Sunrise 2 review: Should you buy?
Considering its price vs performance, the Dreamegg Sunrise 2 is an excellent sunrise alarm clock for anyone who wants to dip their toe in the benefits of circadian lighting without spending a fortune on cutting edge tech.
Thanks to its convex clock face, the Dreamegg 2 does an excellent job of flooding dark bedrooms with simulated sunrise, helping to wake you up feeling refreshed during dark autumnal mornings.
The timed sunset simulation and accompanying sound feels like it could be geared towards kids, and I'm already thinking about snapping up another model to help my children settle at night and wake up on time for school.
Yes, there are better models on the market (cough, Hatch). But the Dreamegg is an excellent alternative for those on a smaller budget.
Dreamegg Sunrise 2 review: Alternatives
Like the Dreamegg, the Dreamie doesn't hide its best features behind a subscription, nor do you need to connect it to your phone every night to use it. You can expect crystal clear audio for sleep podcasts and mediations, on top of a bank of sleep sounds to help you nod off and drown out noise disturbances. As well as a wake up light, our lead Ambient Dreamie sunrise alarm clock reviewer rated its winddown setting highly, too.
The Hatch Restore 3 tops our guide to the best sunrise alarm clocks you can buy, thanks to its chic design, vast library of sleep sounds and quality audio. It's currently $169.99 at Hatch, but down to $135 at Amazon for Prime Day. But do take into account a subscription fee on top of that.
While I find the Dreamegg does an excellent job of waking me up, heavy sleepers or those with SAD symptoms might appreciate a brighter morning light. The Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 the best sunrise alarm for its ability to brighten up dark mornings. Priced similarly to the Hatch, it's currently $169.99 at Amazon.
