The best alarm clocks should make it easy to tell time and ensure that you can wake up. Alarm clocks can range from very basic analog and digital clocks to more sophisticated wake-up light clocks that simulate a sunrise to get your body’s rhythm into gear. Some might feature things like additional USB charging outlets for your smartphone or other devices, too. See below for the best alarm clocks to get.

The idea of a gentle wake-up alarm clock still has many skeptics, but the Philips HF3520 is designed to emulate the sunrise in the morning. The hope behind the Philips design is that the brain is stimulated to the point that it’s telling your body “it’s time to get up," which allows for a much more natural morning experience. Gone are the days of the abrupt wake-up with blaring beeps and snooze buttons. The colored display offers a natural light experience along with five calming wake-up sounds.

Best Overall

Philips HF3520 Wake-Up Light Therapy Lamp

If you want to combine the best of both gentle wake-up and old-school function, there’s FM radio capability and a tap-to-snooze alarm clock, just in case. Additionally, the bedside light dims and it sounds gently to help you go to sleep, emulating a more natural way to enter REM sleep. With 20 total brightness settings, the lighting begins to gradually increase 20 to 40 minutes before your selected alarm time.

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a Google Assistant-enabled alarm clock with a built-in speaker and nightlight. Design-wise, the compact wedge-like shape, bright LCD display, and textured fabric covering come together to provide a more contemporary and attractive spin on an old-fashioned digital alarm clock.

Best Smart

Lenovo Smart Clock Essential

One drawback of the design is the limited control over the display brightness. You can request reduced intensity with a voice prompt or by enabling night mode, but our product tester found limited success with both. The nightlight, though, is more straightforward to control with a voice command or manually.

In most respects, the reliance on a smart assistant makes using this alarm clock easier and more desirable than a non-smart device. If you prefer, you’ll never have to manually input an alarm, and preparing for daily routines—by asking for forecast information, changing the thermostat or lights, and getting calendar or traffic updates—is as easy as saying, “Good morning,” or your command of choice.

You can also use this smart clock as a speaker for streaming podcasts or playlists from Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora, and controlling other Google Assistant/Google Home-compatible devices throughout your home within a reliable 16-foot operating range. While it’s not the most advanced smart alarm clock on the market, it’s pretty clever for a very reasonable $25. 

“Compared to a basic digital alarm clock, this device offers a touch of above-average functionality at a budget-friendly price.” — Yoona Wagener, Product Tester

Sleek and simple, the CubieTime alarm clock is ideal for the home, but also can be found in hotel rooms across the world, thanks to its easy-to-use interface. Powered via an AC adapter cord, the CubieTime includes two AAA batteries for battery backup in the off chance of a power outage. Weighing 1.7 pounds, it measures a relatively small 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches in footprint, which makes it ideal for even a small nightstand. If what you’re after is an attractive, simplified option that’s reliable, the CubieTime is a fantastic choice.

Best Traditional

Brandstand CubieTime

Featuring a large 1.4-inch display with oversized red numbers against a black LED display, the RCA digital alarm clock is a perfect budget-friendly, no frills device. The large full-length snooze button makes it easy to swat when your head is still properly buried in a pillow, allowing you just a few extra minutes of rest before you face the day. Weighing an ultra-lightweight 0.2 ounces and measuring 5 x 4 x 6 inches, the RCA offers a repeating snooze option and a “no-stress” alarm set function. Additionally, the RCA offers battery backup through a separately purchased 9V battery.

Best Budget

RCA Digital Alarm Clock

If you’re looking for streaming capabilities and speaker quality, then the iHome iBT29 won’t disappoint. You can set your alarm to connect to your favorite music or tune into FM radio. In fact, with the option to set two independent alarms, you don’t even have to choose. The iHome pairs with any Bluetooth-enabled device and also allows you to save six FM radio stations. You even can answer phone calls using the clock’s integrated microphone and voice echo feature.

Best with Radio

iHome iBT29 Bluetooth Alarm Clock

The iHome’s spherical design and color-changing LED screen make it a perfect mood-setter for a party, or as a design piece for your office or bedroom. The color display isn’t just for show, either; you can set a light-based alarm to wake up more naturally in the morning. The iHome iBT29 includes an AUX input, a USB port, and a CR2460 back-up battery in the event of a power outage.

When you need an alarm clock with big red numbers that are easy to read, the no-frills Travelwey D Home LED alarm clock is a great option. Designed with simplicity in mind, this clock is easy to operate. Whether it’s for seniors or toddlers, this is as basic as it gets. Two settings are available for either low or high volume. A snooze function is tappable and offers up to nine extra minutes of sleep. The sliding button on the rear turns the alarm on and off as needed. The snooze button even can be quickly tapped to create a brief night light. The real highlight is the 1.8-inch LED digits which are vibrant enough to be seen from across a room. Fortunately, the display can be dimmed for added comfort, so they aren’t too bright.

Best Digital

Travelwey Home LED Alarm Clock

While the Travelwey is powered by an AC outlet, two AAA batteries provide limited power backup. If power is out, the display goes blank to conserve battery and maintain existing alarm settings. To see the current time, just tap the snooze button and you’ll get 2 seconds of time shown.

What to Look for in an Alarm Clock

Display brightness and color - If you have trouble sleeping in a room with a lot of light, look for an alarm clock that has adjustable brightness controls or a dim display by default. Also keep in mind that too much blue light can make your body think that it’s already morning.

Connectivity - If you’re looking for a basic alarm clock, connectivity doesn’t matter. But if you want a little more out of your device, some of them can stream music via Bluetooth and even connect to the Internet.

Alarm method - There’s no reason to settle for a basic buzzer, unless that’s what you really want. For heavy sleepers, some alarm clocks are equipped with flashing lights and loud noises, while others are designed to wake you up gently with simulated sunrises and nature sounds. If you’re guilty of snoozing, you can even find ones that won’t stop until you physically get out of bed.