As the mornings turn darker, getting out of bed becomes an uphill battle. The best sunrise alarm clocks provide a better start to the day, filling your room with light on even the darkest fall morning.
The sun plays an important role in shaking off that groggy feeling of sleep inertia. Natural light suppresses sleepy hormone melatonin while spiking alert hormone cortisol. In fall and winter, however, early morning sun is hard to come by. A sunrise alarm clock is the next best thing — a controllable sun that wakes you gently so you feel fresh, even first thing.
But nowadays that's not all a sunrise alarm clock can do. Many come with built-in white noise, wind-down routines and even sleep trackers. We've tested them all, with options for every budget, so you can buy the best sunrise alarm clock for you. Hatch has just released its new top pick for Fall and Winter 2026 and you can read about our testing experince with it in our Hatch Sleep Clock review.
1. Best overall sunrise alarm clock
Simply the best sunrise alarm clock you can buy online right now. That’s it. That’s our review of the Hatch Restore 3. But seriously, if you’re searching for a sleep gadget that can help you wind down at night AND wake up restored with energy, look no further than this upgraded sunrise alarm clock (cross sound machine, cross night light).
Replacing the Hatch Restore 2, our former best sunrise alarm clock, in January 2025, we had high expectations for this model, which promised phone-free controls and dozens more sleep sounds without any price hikes. And it certainly delivered.
You can customize your nighttime and morning routines in the Hatch app, selecting from an extensive library of wind down and wake up programmes. All tastes are covered with upbeat music, tweeting birds, crashing waves, ambient domestic noises (yes, that includes the hum of a fridge) and exclusive sleep podcasts for Hatch+ subscribers.
What’s more, the buttons on the device, though sparse, work well without being overwhelming. The Big Button controls the start and stop of audio programmes and alarms, while the swap button allows you to skip forward and the toggle enables you to mute the alarm if you’re sure the light is enough to wake you up naturally.
Do note, however, this isn’t the best pick for less tech-savvy or budget shoppers as you must set up the device via a smart phone app and pay a monthly subscription fee (which is, understandably, a gripe for many Hatch customers). And with such versatility and seamless functionality, it comes at the premium price of $169.99 at MSRP (though that’s no more expensive than the previous model).
- Read more: Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock review
2. Best Hatch alternative sunrise alarm clock
Hatch out your budget, but still want a chic sunrise alarm clock? The Dreamegg is the one for you. Dainty, sleek and functional, it offers everything you need from a wake-up-light-cross-sound-machine, without breaking the bank.
In a bid to use my phone less in bed, I've actually swapped my Hatch Restore 3 for the Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock this winter (it's operated via on-device buttons rather than an app). While the sleep sound library and light quality isn't a patch on on Hatch, the Dreamegg does the job it sets out to.
There's basic sleep and wake sounds from nature sounds like birdsong and crashing waves to white, pink and brown noise. Plus there's nine colorful light options so you can use it as a night light too. The red light setting is particularly relaxing.
There's a timer so the light gradually brightens in the mornings, and dims at night, over the course of 30 to 60 minutes, lulling you to sleep peacefully and waking you up with more energy.
Aesthetically, it looks similar to Hatch, complete with a chic fabric cloth rather than cheap looking plastic. but at $99 MSRP ($59 on sale), it is much more affordable, and you can cross out the monthly subscription fee.
- Read more: Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock review
3. Best alarm clock at simulating sunrise
The Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light is the best sunrise alarm for simulated natural light without the need for noisy audio. While other sunrise clocks, such as the Hatch Restore 2, have more sophisticated functions (such as meditative breathing guidance and bedtime audio stories), the Philips Sleep and Wake-Up Light puts the main focus on its light and excels at that.
At $179.95, the Philips SmartSleep is not a cheap sunrise alarm clock – costing $10 more than our top-rated Hatch Restore 2 – but for the features and quality on offer, the few extra dollars make it worthwhile.
The design of this alarm clock is striking and stands at almost 9" tall, so if you're looking for something discreet for your bedside table, then it might not be for you. However, the circular build with hollowed out middle make for an authentic sunrise and sunset simulation.
During the testing for the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light, our reviewer was impressed by the wind-down function, which includes light-guided breathing that you can do with your eyes shut. This is important for a good night's sleep and overall sleep quality, helping you feel ready for the clock's morning-light simulation.
Our reviewer also used the Philips as a reading light to boost her relaxing bedtime routine. Note that the brightness of the light is easy to lower, ideal if you prefer dim lighting in the evenings.
This light does a great job of waking you up silently and tricking your body into thinking your room is flooded with natural sunlight. Operated via a touch-sensitive control pad, it's also the ideal sunrise alarm clock if you love to start the day without mobile apps or WiFi.
4. Best sunrise alarm clock for SAD
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a type of depression that typically occurs in the winter due to restricted sunlight – can wreak havoc on your sleep. If you are living with SAD your medical professional may recommend light therapy to introduce more sunshine into your day. While studies show that a specialist light therapy box is the best way to reduce SAD symptoms, a sunrise alarm clock can also go some way to improving your mood.
The Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 is our top recommendation for anyone looking for more support with their SAD from their sunrise alarm clock, with LEDs with reduced blue-light content to help create an environment conducive to sleep. Replacing your phone alarm with a natural light simulation and a good selection of wake-up sounds (including birdsong, waterfalls and purring kittens), the Lumie Bodyclock 300 aims to stop you scrolling first thing in the morning and last thing at night, which is also known to have a detrimental impact on your mood.
Our reviewer, who has experienced wellbeing struggles as the season changes, said the Lumie made their morning wake-ups much easier. The warm light created a cozy atmosphere, in turn helping them wake up feeling more alert and optimistic. The weird and wonderful alarm sounds, including the sound of goats, also put them in high spirits that carried on throughout the day.
The compact and sleek design of the Lumie Bodyclock 300 was also a hit, and our tester was glad to replace their existing clunky bedside table lamp with such a smart-looking gadget.
At $159 MSRP, the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 is a great investment for anyone looking to brighten up those dark, drizzly winter mornings as well as their moods.
5. Best budget sunrise alarm clock
The JALL Wake-Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock is an Amazon bestseller with an impressive 4.3 out of 5 customer rating from across more than 26,600 reviews. Customers praise the brightness and functionality of the clock, and love how it replaces the jarring sound of a regular alarm clock.
The clock features natural sleep sounds from rain and rivers to birds, frogs, crickets and crackling fire. To accompany the sounds, there are 17 colored lights (including solid colors and 'mood' lights) along with 20 levels of brightness. There is also the option for you to set different alarm times for different days of the week to suit your schedule.
The JALL Wake-Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock is $34.95 MSRP, making it one of the cheapest models we tested in this round-up. But despite the low price, the JALL is well reviewed with plenty of praise, and our own tests matched the customers' experiences.
While this top wake-up alarm clock doesn't come with all the plush features of our top-rated Hatch Restore 2 (and its sunrise simulation doesn't quite match the same standard of the Philips SmartSleep), for over $150 less it still performs exceptionally well, earning its position as our recommended best budget sunrise alarm clock.
6. Best sleep tracking sunrise alarm clock
Hatch tops this guide with the Restore and if it’s just a sunrise clock you want, we recommend scrolling back to the top for this cheaper model. Because the Hatch Sleep Clock is not only the most expensive option from Hatch, it's also a two-for-one: a sunrise alarm clock with a built-in sleep tracker. (Plus a white noise machine — it really does a lot.)
Simply place the Sleep Clock on your nightstand and it uses sensors to detect even tiny movements throughout the night. From this, it determines your sleep time, sleep stages and your wake up time. Overall, we found the Hatch Sleep Clock to deliver good tracking, with the accuracy improving the more you use it.
As a sunrise alarm clock, the Sleep Clock brings the quality we expect from Hatch. There's a decent variety of lights and sounds included with the clock (and more available if you pay for a subscription), alongside a wind-down service that effectively turns your bedroom into a spa. Well, almost. The Sleep Clock does a lot but it won't massage your feet.
We predict contactless tracking is the next big trend in at-home sleep health. Hatch has already shown that sleep tracking can be convenient, sleep-friendly, and look attractive on your nightstand. (The Sleepal is another example — see our Also Tested.)
At $249.99 this isn't cheap, although the pricing is comparable to the rest of the Hatch line-up. And the Hatch Sleep Clock does something other sunrise alarm clocks don't; you'll wake up gently and see how well you slept.
- Read more: Hatch Sleep Clock Hands-on review
Also tested
The sunrise alarm clocks in this section are also highly-commended online. In our tests, they were ultimately beaten by our top-picks above, but if you haven't found an option you like in our main buying guide then these are worth considering.
Sunrise alarm clocks we're testing right now
Our team is constantly testing a variety of different sleep tech to ensure we're only recommending the best gadgets on the marker. Here's a selection of the sunrise alarm clocks we're currently testing:
LaView Sunrise Alarm Clock: A more affordable, sleek smart alarm clock at $55.99, we're assessing whether this product aligns with its 3.5 star Amazon customer rating.
Dreamegg Sunrise 2: The original Dreamegg impressed with its budget-friendly performance. We're testing to see if this newer model can live up to its predecessor.
Dreamie: With sunrise alarms, integrated podcasts, and even noise masking, the Dreamie might provide the ultimate wind-down and wake-up. We're putting it to the test.
How we test the best sunrise alarm clock
Our guide to the best sunrise alarm clocks is based on thorough, consumer-report research, online reviews, and our own testing. We aim to test out sunrise alarm clocks for at least a week during fall, winter, or early spring, when we can expect darker mornings. However, we also test during summer, to see if this sleep tech investment can offer benefits year-round.
With each sunrise clock, we compared and rated the different features including the clocks' ability to wake us up with light rather than sound, the quality of the sound libraries on offer, additional functionality such as sunset features and wind-down routines, and design.
Frequently asked questions
Why buy a sunrise alarm clock?
While it is tempting to use our smartphones as a wake-up alarm, there are several reasons to avoid this. The first is the the temptation to scroll through your phone immediately upon waking. Not only does this not allow your brain and body to rouse gently, the blue light emitted by your device's screen can over-stimulate your brain and disrupt your circadian rhythm, which makes it trickier to fall asleep later that night.
Another good reason to make the switch to one of the best sunrise alarm clocks is that they banish the piercing alarm sounds that jolt you awake. These blaring sounds can make you feel groggy and irritated, which is not a great start to the day. This is where sunrise alarm clocks can help.
The natural-light simulation does a great job of tuning into your body's circadian rhythm, helping you wake naturally and gradually in tandem with the sunrise.
Even if the light alone doesn't wake you up, as some of our reviewers have found, it can still help you feel more alert and energised when your chosen alarm-sound goes off. The alarms are more natural-sounding too, and often includes the noise of waves, crickets and birdsong to help you start the day a little more chirpier…
Are sunrise alarm clocks worth it?
Based on our testing and along with all the great customer reviews, we can confidently recommend wake-up lights and sunrise alarm clocks. Even if you don't use the full set of features, they are still a worthwhile investment for all they have to offer – from the library of sounds to doubling up as a bedside lamp.
Tricking your brain into thinking there's natural light, sunrise alarm clocks can help you get through dark winter mornings with higher spirits and more energy. And in the grand scheme of sleep tech they are relatively affordable gadgets with plenty of low-price options, such as the JALL Wake-Up Light.
If you struggle to wake up in the mornings or want to improve the quality of your sleep overall, a sunrise alarm clock is certainly a great investment.
Do sunrise alarm clocks work?
While not all sunrise alarm clocks are powerful enough to wake you up with just light, they are valuable bedroom accessories. Even our testers who didn't wake up with the light still use a sunrise alarm clock, crediting the product for making their mornings easier. Even if you do need an audio alarm to pull you from sleep, waking up in a warmly lit room rather than a dark, cold one is sure to put you in higher spirits first thing in the morning.
Can I use a sunrise alarm clock all year round?
If you ask me, a sunrise alarm clock is a sleep staple in fall and winter, helping you fight grogginess on dark mornings and wake up with more energy and optimism. They also help create a cozy atmosphere in your bedroom during long dark nights.
But they're also excellent additions to your bedroom in the brighter spring and summer months, too. Granted the sun rises earlier during the summer months, meaning the natural sunrise outside your window can wake you up without tech intervening.
During these months you may not rely on the simulated sunrise function; you could simply sleep with my blinds open instead. But you can still enjoy using the sunset simulation while winding down at bedtime.
Plus the gentle alarm sounds are a vast improvement on a jarring iPhone alarm and you can turn to the library of soothing sleep sounds after a particularly stressful day.
There are plenty of standard alarm clocks and sound machine that can offer these features but by investing in a sunrise alarm clock you’ve got yourself covered all year round.
Is it better to be woken up by light or sound?
Our circadian rhythms recognise light as a signal to wake up, which in turn regulates the hormones that make you feel sleepy (melatonin) and awake (cortisol).
Because the human brain responds so well to daylight, being woken up by light is generally considered to be better than being woken up by sound. Light helps you wake more naturally and in sync with your body's natural rhythms.
Waking you up gradually, light is less jarring than being pulled from sleep by a sudden, blaring alarm. This can also help you improve your mood in the morning, and start the day right.
What additional features do sunrise alarm clocks offer?
Most sunrise alarm clocks, including the cheapest options, have additional features alongside their gradual wake-up light function. At the very least, budget options, like the JALL and HomeLabs sunrise alarm clocks, feature a selection of calming alarm sounds and a built-in radio. Meanwhile, more plush models like the Hatch have an extensive library of sleep sounds including sleep podcasts, guided meditation programs and music streaming services. They can also be used as reading lamps and have extra USB ports for phone charging, making them an all-round champion bedside accessory.
