The 6 Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks + How Sunlight Affects Your Sleep

This device's gradual sunlight display coupled with the brand's Sleep Membership makes a full sleep system. Perfect for people who are looking to invest in their overall sleep hygiene, the app comes equipped with all the dreamy content you could want. Imagine if your favorite meditation app and alarm clock had a baby–that's what you get with this app's sound library. At bedtime, sleep stories, guided rest exercises, and light rain sounds block out city sirens and other nightly distractions.

You'll receive a free one-month membership trial with your purchase, but you will need to pay $10 per month once the trial ends if you want to have access to the exclusive sounds (music, dreamscapes, rest exercises, and sleep stories). 

That said, this alarm clock is a great device even without those sounds included. It uses the natural light progression from red to orange to white, before playing your (optional) chosen sound. You can also use it at night as a reading light, and (even without the paid membership) you'll have access to a ton of features to help create a more calming bedtime and wake-up routine. Just note, you will need to use your phone to control this device, whether you pay for the membership or not.

What customers say:

Not only have more than 4,000 Amazon shoppers given this alarm clock a perfect rating, but it's also a favorite of mindbodygreen editors like Jamie Schneider. "I cannot say enough good things about the Hatch," she says. "The sunrise alarm for gentle wake-ups, the soft reading light, the library of soothing sounds to eliminate NYC noise... It's a godsend for city living. I love it so much that I even convinced my partner to have one on each nightstand—when the chimes sound off for his 6 a.m. wake-up, I don't hear a thing."

This brand has been making light therapy solutions for over 30 years, since long before we'd ever heard of sunrise alarm clocks. The brand's most advanced option, the BodyClock Shine 300, allows you to set the duration of the sunrise and sunset from 15 to 90 minutes; most machines max out at a 60-minute sunrise duration.

The model also earns extra praise for its extensive sound offerings. The 15 options go beyond typical rain or nature noises to include eccentric sounds, like purring kittens and a clattering cafe—all of which need to be purchased on the brand's website. Luckily, you can try them before committing.

What our testers say:

"I have never been a morning person, but since getting the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 my mornings are that much brighter—literally," raves mindbodygreen writer Sarah Regan. "The sunrise setting is particularly helpful now that mornings are getting darker, and waking up to the sounds of birds chirping never hurts either. I'll never go back to a standard alarm clock!"

This brand knows a thing or two about sleep—and its take on the sunrise alarm clock is about as aesthetically pleasing as it gets. The clock has a warm, glowy light and a minimalist design that makes it a great pick for people who prioritize a chic bedroom aesthetic.

The device's portable design and ambient light sensor come in handy if you do wake up in the middle of the night, as you can grab it and bring it with you as a night light rather than reaching for your phone or turning on a harsh overhead light.

Like most sunrise alarm clocks, this one also has a corresponding app that you use to control its features, and you can even sync your Flow Light with others, so you and your loved ones can settle into the same sleep rhythm.

What customers say:

The Glow Light has a 4.5-star average rating on the brand's website, with plenty of reviews to back it. Customers love the simple, intuitive design and the gradual wake-up it provides. One person raves, "My wife is very sensitive to light, especially at night. The warm yellow light itself is very calming, and the fact that they automatically gradually dim and turn off helps us wind down and naturally drift to sleep without having to worry about flipping a switch."

While Philips offers more barebones and advanced versions of its sunrise alarm clock, we're a fan of the middle-of-the-road HF3520 model for its ability to simulate both sunrise and sunset through 20 light settings.

But what really sets this sunrise alarm clock apart from others on the market is its color quality. While many brands use a cool white light, this clock starts with a red-tinted hue that slowly builds into a gentle orange and then to a warm white. The natural light progression makes this one of the most convincing sunrise simulators of all the clocks we considered. 

Oh, and the cherry on top? It includes a radio with five natural wake-up sounds—so if you do want to add some sound to your wake-up, you can choose from options like ocean waves or classical music.

What customers say:

This fan-favorite alarm clock boasts rave reviews on both Amazon and Philips' websites. One Amazon shopper writes, "The light emitted from this clock is warm and pleasant. My bedroom has a nice warm golden glow in the morning." Another added, "This wake-up light massively improved the quality of my sleep. It is so satisfyingly well-designed!"

One of the most affordable options on our list, this sunrise alarm clock doesn't come with as many bells and whistles as other models on our list. What it does deliver, though, is an effective sunrise simulation at a low price point. 

Equipped with 20 brightness settings and seven color settings, this alarm clock is a crowd-pleasing option that's ideal for those who want to customize their wake-up experience. It also allows you to press snooze up to five times, and it comes with a convenient dual-alarm clock feature, so you and your partner can wake up at different times using the same machine.

What customers say:

This clock is currently an Amazon bestseller, with a whopping 21,500 ratings. Many shoppers appreciate the low cost compared to its competitors and are generally happy with its sunrise capabilities. On the downside, some reviewers complain that the supposedly "relaxing" sound options, like chirping birds and a gentle stream, are a bit harsh.

We love a glitzy gadget as much as the next person, but sometimes you just need a simple, straightforward option—especially if you're talking about the alarm you use to get up in the morning. Enter: The homelabs sunrise alarm clock.

The most affordable option on our list, it costs less than $30 yet still packs plenty of features. For starters, light-sensitive users are able to turn off its clock display at night, a feature that's surprisingly nonexistent in more expensive devices. It also offers warm LED light and an array of eight fun color options—all of which this device delivers at the same price as a regular old alarm clock.

What customers say:

This alarm clock comes with a surprising number of features given its price point. Shoppers love that they can select the duration of the sunrise (from 15 to 60 minutes), as well as the color of the lights. Several mention that this model is a great option for kids who struggle to wake up early. That said, its sunrise is notably less gradual than other options, going from 50% to 100% brightness in one progression.