I recently switched from a traditional alarm clock to a sunrise alarm clock, and my mornings has never been better I didn’t know how terrible it was wake up to loud, incessant beeps and keep pressing the snooze button until I wake up to the sound of waves and soft orange light instead.
Not only am I happier when I wake up and somehow feel like I’ve slept better, but I also feel like my days have been more productive. According to a small study in the magazine Behavioral Brain ResearchExposure to artificial light in the morning can improve cognitive performance throughout the day. Maybe my reaction isn’t just a placebo effect. Even if it’s a placebo, I think I’m stuck with sunrise alarm clocks now.
Jamie Gold, a wellness design consultant and author, CNET says she came across these types of noise-optional alarm clocks while studying noise pollution. Creating or restoring bedrooms in a way that reduces noise and improves sleep is a critical part of wellness design, the practice of creating a space to promote physical and emotional health, she says.
“Our lives and homes are full of noise and this can lead to insomnia, anxiety and stress,” says Gold. “I love the idea of these silent alarm clocks to adapt to our natural daily rhythms and start our days calmer. Some heavy sleepers may need a stronger wake-up system, but if you’re not one of them, it’s definitely a worth considering solution.”
If you want to avoid the beeps for good and want to start your morning after a good night’s sleep with natural looking light and sounds of nature, try our selection for the best sunrise alarm clock: One is the sunrise simulation watch that I use every day. and others are recommended by experts and reviewers on Amazon.
Philips
Philips offers a range of helpful sleep aids, from anti-snoring aids to the complete treatment of sleep apnea to alarm simulation alarm clocks. Not one, but two experts recommended the Philips SmartSleep Wake Up Light: Maggie BerghoffThe working nurse recommends this product to her patients who need help waking up every day before sunrise.
“This will artificially stimulate the sunrise in your bedroom to set your daily rhythm, the biological clock of your body, even though you have to wake up when it is still dark outside,” says Berghoff. “This is very important for maintaining morning and day energy, quality sleep at night, and metabolic health.”
It’s also helpful if you don’t want to rely on loud alarm sounds when you wake up, says Berghoff, and want a very gentle and natural wake up in the morning.
Dr. Erica Matluck, a naturopathic doctorCNET says she likes the SmartSleep Wake Up Light because it offers several settings, including settings for brightness at sunrise and sunset, a light therapy lamp, and natural sounds for sleeping and waking up. “In my practice, I recommend this type of alarm clock for various reasons, and often people’s needs and preferences change over time,” she says. “With a variety of settings, the product remains relevant to the patient, even if his needs change.”
Lumie
This is the sunrise simulation alarm clock that has changed my mornings for the better (much, much better). It’s a relatively high quality choice, but it’s worth it. With the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300, I can adjust the setting for the colored sunrise simulation from 15 to 90 minutes and choose from 15 high-quality wake-up sounds at the set alarm time – I am a fan of the waves and blackbird sounds.
You can adjust the brightness settings on the sunrise simulator so that the final intensity is perfect for you: not so dark that you don’t wake up, but not so bright that you blink. You can also set recurring alarms daily or weekly, and there is a snooze button with jog control (although I haven’t had to use it yet, although I pressed the snooze feature on my phone every morning).
In addition to all of these sunrise functions, you can also fall asleep with the Lumie. It also serves as a white noise machine, and you can also use the watch to set a sunset simulation. First set the light to the desired intensity, then press the sunset button and relax while the light is slowly dimming. I use the sunset simulation whenever I feel that I am having trouble falling asleep. So far, it seems to have helped every time.
Jall
If you’re not ready to spend $ 100 or more on a sunrise alarm clock, this budget-friendly sunrise simulation watch from Jall should do the trick. It has all the basics and ensures a customizable sunrise: choose from 7 colors and 20 levels of brightness to end your sunrise, as well as seven natural sounds that accompany the light. You can also activate FM radio.
The Jall Wake Up Light sunrise alarm clock also acts as a night light and bedside lamp, and you can adjust the brightness for both. It doesn’t have a sunset function like some others on this list, and it doesn’t function as a white noise machine – but if you just want the sunrise function, it doesn’t matter.
The majority of Reviewers on Amazon I love this watch: it has 4.8 stars and almost 100% of the reviews are cheap. It seems that most people who bought this watch were looking for a less abrupt way to wake up, and the Jall Wake Up Light did the trick for them. Buyers also love that it’s easy to set up and so simple that kids can work on their own.
Lumie
The Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 is a simpler version of the Lumie Shine 300. It is a high-quality alarm clock for the sunrise simulator with an intro level for people who are only looking for the essentials: The Lumie Rise 100 offers a 30-minute sunrise with the option to set the final light intensity. You can also program a sunset to help you fall asleep.
The Lumie Rise 100 does not have natural or ambient sounds that can add to your sunrise and sunset. However, you can program the optional beep alarm to start when your sunrise reaches the maximum light intensity. Like the Lumie Shine 300, the Lumie Rise 100 also has a snooze function with tip control and an automatically dimming display.
LIFX
If you already have a bedside lamp, you can make a DIY sunrise alarm clock by replacing ordinary light bulbs with Lifx intelligent light bulbs. These Wi-Fi enabled lamps connect to Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana and Apple HomeKit and can be programmed to dim and brighten like a sunrise and sunset when you fall asleep or wake up.
You won’t hear any sound, of course, but if you’re a relatively light sleeper who wakes up with changing lights, you’ll still get up in the morning with these programmable light bulbs. You can also combine with Lifx Light panels and Stripes in fun colors for the coolest faux sunrise ever.
Read the Lifx Mini Smart Bulbs CNET test.
And if you want a larger selection (not just sunrise watches), check out our separate list of best alarm clock for 2020. And if you want to sleep well, check it out best mattresses You can buy online and that best pillow to.
Originally published earlier and updated regularly when we review new products.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider if you have any questions about an illness or health goals.