We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping People Tested The 11 Best Alarm Clocks of 2024, Tested by Light and Heavy Sleepers Our winner is the Lenovo Smart Clock By Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her 6+ years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce, Homes & Gardens, and more. Camryn is also the proud owner of a small homestead in Rhode Island, where she spends her spare time gardening, tending her many animals, and working through a never-ending list of home improvement projects. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on December 18, 2023 09:03AM EST In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Things to Consider How We Tested Alarm Clocks FAQ Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is People Tested? People / Jennifer May If you’re an early riser, chances are you need an alarm clock to help rouse you out of bed in the morning. Many people use their smartphones to set alarms, but if you don’t want your phone in the bedroom, an alarm clock can help you start your day off on the right foot. “Exploring different alarm clocks for ease of waking and also how alert they are after waking will help a person choose an alarm clock that works for them consistently and reliably,” explains Shalini Paruthi, MD, board-certified sleep and internal medicine doctor. “Most people may choose a sound, music, or light that is pleasing to wake up to or alerts their other senses.” When comparing alarm clocks, you’ll want to consider factors such as the alarm sound, its volume level, and special features such as a snooze button or night light. To help you find the best alarm clock for your bedroom, we tested 21 top-rated models to find the best ones for light sleepers, heavy sleepers, and everyone in between. These are the 11 best alarm clocks PEOPLE Tested. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Lenovo Smart Clock Essential at Amazon ($120) Jump to Review Best Budget: DreamSky Digital Alarm Clock at Amazon ($19) Jump to Review Best Investment: Loftie Clock at Amazon ($150) Jump to Review Best Digital: Jall Digital Alarm Clock at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best with Phone Charger: Mosito Digital Alarm Clock at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Sunrise: Hatch Sound Machine at Amazon ($130) Jump to Review Best with Bluetooth: iHome Bluetooth Alarm Clock at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review Best Retro: Kikkerland Retro Alarm Clock at Amazon ($18) Jump to Review Best for Heavy Sleepers: Roxicosly Super Loud Alarm Clock at Amazon ($20) Jump to Review Best Design: Gingko Edge Light Alarm Clock at Amazon ($60) Jump to Review Best Overall Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Amazon View On Amazon $120 View On Walmart $56 View On Newegg.com Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Value 4.5/5 Pros Wide range of alarm sounds Built-in Google Assistant Built-in night light Automatic brightness adjustment Cons Doesn’t work with other smart assistants The Lenovo Smart Clock will help make it a little easier to get up in the morning. This Wi-Fi connected clock does double duty as a Google Assistant, allowing you to give it voice commands and even control other smart devices in your home. This means you don’t have to fumble around with different buttons to set an alarm each day, and you can even snooze it without having to lift a finger. In testing, we loved that this unit allows you to choose virtually any sound to use as an alarm — we tried it out using bird chirping audio, as well as a popular song. There are 10 volume levels to choose from, the loudest of which is over 90 decibels, and we found that it is loud enough to wake you up without startling you out of bed. The Lenovo Smart Clock even has a built-in nightlight that you can turn on using voice commands, and it automatically adjusts the brightness of its display based on the ambient lighting. Overall, we thought the Lenovo Smart Clock was incredibly easy and convenient to use, and it will work for a wide range of people thanks to its highly adjustable settings. We couldn’t find any negatives when it came to design and function, and the only reason you might not want to go with this alarm clock is if you prefer another digital assistant, such as Amazon Alexa. Dimensions: 3.26 x 2.51 x 2.51 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: 92 decibels | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: Yes People / Alicia Dolieslager People / Alicia Dolieslager Best Budget DreamSky Digital Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $19 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4.5/5 Performance 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Value 4.8/5 Pros Inexpensive Large snooze button Fully dimmable Cons Only one alarm sound If you’re looking for a basic, budget-friendly alarm clock, the DreamSky Digital Alarm Clock is simple but still effective. It has a minimalistic design that’s available in several color options, and its large, easy-to-read digital display can be fully dimmed so it doesn’t bother you during the night. There’s a USB port on the back that you can use to charge your phone, and the alarm volume can be set between 30 and 90 decibels. The DreamSky Alarm Clock only offers one alarm option: It’s a classic beeping audio that starts out soft and gets louder if you don’t turn it off. We liked that the clock’s snooze button is large and easy to press, extending your alarm for another 10 minutes, and we appreciated the clock’s compact design, as well. In fact, it is small enough that you can throw it in your weekend bag or under-seat luggage when traveling. Dimensions: 5.3 x 2.6 x 1.4 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: 90 decibels | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: No People / Gabrielle Renslow Best Investment Loftie Clock Loftie View On Amazon $150 View On Byloftie.com $149 View On Huckberry $149 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 3.5/5 Audio 4.8/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Value 4/5 Pros Highly customizable Two-phase alarm Built-in white noise machine Adjustable night light Cons Not ideal for heavy sleepers Complicated setup The Loftie Clock is more than just an alarm clock — it’s an all-in-one sleep solution, complete with a night light, white noise machine, and even a Bluetooth speaker. The sleek design has a unique two-phase alarm that uses soft sounds for 30 seconds to gently lull you from your down pillows and cozy sheets, followed by louder melodic sounds nine minutes later—the whole process mimics your natural waking process so you’re not just jolted awake. During testing, we found that the Loftie Clock is more time-consuming to set up, as you have to sync it with your phone and allow it to run updates. However, once the app is set up, you can “personalize the hell out of it,” according to our tester. There are a wide range of sounds, volume settings, and night light options available, and it even offers a sleep timer and blackout mode if you don’t want the clock display on at night. The only downside we found is that the alarms are all very gentle and soothing, which may not be enough to rouse heavy sleepers. Dimensions: 2.75 x 6.5 x 2.75 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: Yes People / Donna Freydkin People / Riyana Straetker Best Digital Jall Digital Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $18 View On Walmart $20 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4.3/5 Performance 5/5 Design 4/5 Value 4/5 Pros Affordable Saves up to three alarms Displays temperature and humidity Cons Only one alarm sound Design may not appeal to everyone The Jall Alarm Clock has an easy-to-read digital clock face, and it also displays the temperature and humidity of the room. This alarm clock has a triangular design with a wood-inspired finish, and it comes in several finishes, including options with colored displays. We like that this alarm clock allows you to set up to three different alarms — for instance, one for weekdays and another for weekends — and it’s quick and easy to select them using switches on the back of the clock. The Jall Clock just has one alarm sound, but there are five volume settings to choose from, and we think that there’s enough difference between the settings that both heavy and light sleepers will be able to find an option that works for their needs. You can adjust the display's brightness to suit your needs, and there’s also a “sound control” setting that turns the display off unless the alarm is sounding or you touch the screen. Dimensions: 5.91 x 3.15 x 3.15 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: 60 decibels | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: No People / Phoebe Sklansky Best with Phone Charger Mosito Digital Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $30 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4/5 Performance 4.3/5 Design 4/5 Value 3.5/5 Pros Wireless phone charging Two different alarms Displays room temperature Cons Only one alarm sound Snooze button can be hard to find If you like to sleep with your phone within reach, the Mosito Wooden Alarm Clock has a convenient wireless charging station that’s compatible with most types of smartphones. It has a rectangular design that comes in a wood-style finish, and you can choose from a few different colors. The alarm clock has a large digital display that shows the time and room temperature, and you can set two different alarms using buttons on the back. We loved that this alarm clock is quick and easy to set up, and you can adjust the volume level and display brightness to suit your needs. Our tester especially appreciated the convenience of the charging dock: “It is very nice to just be able to set my phone down on the clock and not have to plug my phone in.” However, we did notice that the snooze button and alarm shutoff button are easy to confuse, especially in the dark. Dimensions: 5.7 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: 90 decibels | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: No People / Stacy Horton Best Sunrise Hatch Sound Machine Amazon View On Amazon $130 View On Nordstrom $130 View On Walmart $363 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4.8/5 Audio 5/5 Performance 4.8/5 Design 4.9/5 Value 4/5 Pros Highly customizable Built-in noise machine and sunrise light Custom sleep routines Cons Subscription required to access certain features Slightly bulky The Hatch Restore is an alarm clock, white noise machine, and sunrise simulator, all wrapped into one sleek unit. It offers a variety of soothing white noises to help you fall asleep, and it can gently wake you up in the morning by mimicking the sunrise. It also offers a variety of different alarm sounds, from a traditional beeping to chirping birds: “I've been using the chirping birds lately and it's a nicer way to wake up than the typical beeping of an alarm,” noted our tester. In testing, we found this alarm clock to be more complex to set up, as it must be paired with a smartphone, but once that was complete, it was intuitive to operate. We found that the bedtime routines are usual for winding down before going to sleep, though certain features — including meditations and sleep stories — require a monthly subscription fee, which costs $9.99 a month. However, the alarm is perfectly functional and still extremely versatile even without the membership. Dimensions: 7.5 x 2.75 x 5.75 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: Yes People / Hannah Freedman People / Michelle Parente People / Hannah Freedman Best with Bluetooth iHome Bluetooth Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On Newegg.com $79 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4.8/5 Performance 5/5 Design 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Pros Bluetooth connectivity Two different alarms Colorful night light Cons Bulkier than other options The iHome Color-Changing Dual Alarm Clock has built-in Bluetooth, which allows you to use virtually any audio as your alarm. It can even be used as a speakerphone to make calls, thanks to its built-in microphone. This alarm clock has a unique circular design that’s a bit larger than other alarm clocks, and the display is surrounded by a color-changing light that offers five hues and six different wake-up options. All the controls on this alarm clock are clearly labeled and intuitive to use, and we had no problem pairing it to our phone via Bluetooth. You can adjust the alarm volume to suit your needs, and we love that you can press any button to snooze the alarm — a handy feature when you’re groggy in the morning. Dimensions: 6.03 x 5.28 x 6.03 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: Yes People / Tammy Gardini Best Retro Kikkerland Retro Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $18 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 4/5 Audio 3/5 Performance 4/5 Design 3/5 Value 4.5/5 Pros Stylish design Easy to operate Glow-in-the-dark hands Cons No volume adjustment No snooze If you’re looking for an alarm clock with a little more personality, the Kikkerland Retro Alarm Clock is a basic, affordable option with a funky vintage design. It comes in a few different colors, and the compact design features an analog clock face with glow-in-the-dark hands, making it easy to tell the time, even at night. While this alarm clock has an attractive appearance, it’s extremely basic in terms of functionality. It has a classic beeping alarm sound, and you’re not able to adjust the volume at all. Additionally, there’s no snooze button — just a button to turn the alarm off. We would have liked for the control knobs on the back of the clock to be a little bigger, as they can be tricky to turn, but overall, we think this retro clock is a solid no-frills option for the price. Dimensions: 4.25 x 3.5 x 2.25 inches | Display: Analog | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: No | Smart Features: No Best for Heavy Sleepers Roxicosly Super Loud Alarm Clock Amazon View On Amazon $20 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4.3/5 Performance 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Value 5/5 Pros Includes vibration puck Louder-than-average alarm Large snooze button Cons Larger than most clocks Easy to accidentally press the wrong button If you tend to snuggle under the comforter and sleep through your alarm, the Roxicosly Alarm Clock is exactly what you need. Not only does it have a louder-than-average alarm that’s 110 decibels, but it also comes with a vibration puck that you can place under your mattress or pillow. The clock has three settings — alarm only, vibration only, or alarm and vibration — and it’s sure to rouse you from even your deepest sleep. During testing, we loved that the snooze button on this alarm is larger than its other buttons, and our tester noted that the vibration puck helped her to wake up faster without disturbing her partner. However, this clock is on the larger side at almost 7 inches in length, and all its control buttons are on top, making it easy to hit the wrong button when you’re trying to snooze the alarm. Dimensions: 6.82 x 1.5 x 3.39 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: 110 decibels | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: No People / Jennifer May People / Jennifer May Best Design Gingko Edge Light Alarm Clock Walmart View On Amazon $60 View On Gingkodesign.com Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 4/5 Performance 4.8/5 Design 4.8/5 Value 4/5 Pros Compact design Built-in night light Battery operated Cons No volume adjustment Display is hard to read in dark The Gingko Edge Light Alarm Clock has a unique design that we loved during testing. The compact clock is actually battery-powered, so you can place it anywhere in your room, and each charge can last for up to 6 months! It can be programmed with two different alarms, and when you flip the design over, it has a built-in night light — handy for late-night bathroom runs. During testing, we loved that this alarm is easy to fit on a cluttered nightstand, but we were a little disappointed that it only offers one alarm sound and volume level. When you want to turn the alarm off, you can simply flip the clock over, and while the display brightness is adjustable, we noticed it can be a bit hard to read in a dark room. Dimensions: 3.94 x 3.94 x 4.33 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: Yes | Smart Features: No People / Kate Donovan People / Kate Donovan Best Lamp Winshine Touch Wake Up Night Light Amazon View On Amazon $29 Our Ratings Ease of Setup 5/5 Audio 5/5 Performance 4.8/5 Design 4/5 Value 5/5 Pros Several alarm sounds Sunrise light Cons Display brightness isn’t adjustable If you’re looking for an alarm clock that serves as a sunrise light and bedtime lamp, the Winshine Touch Alarm Clock is one of our top-recommended products. It has a digital clock display at the bottom, while the top of the unit is a color-changing light. There are six colors and three brightness levels to choose from, and you can set it to dim after 10, 20 or 30 minutes. While testing this alarm clock, we loved that there were nine different alarm sounds, including ocean waves with a bird chirping lightly. We loved waking up to this peaceful noise rather than a classic blaring alarm sound. The lamp can also be set to light up slowly 30 minutes before your alarm time, mimicking the sunrise to help lull you from sleep more gently. The only downside of this unit is that the clock display isn’t dimmable, and it might be too bright if you prefer your bedroom pitch black for sleeping. Dimensions: 5.94 x 2.51 x 2.51 inches | Display: Digital | Alarm Volume: Not listed | Dimmable: No | Smart Features: No People / Emma Tollefson Things to Consider Before Buying an Alarm Clock Alarm Sounds When selecting an alarm clock, it’s important to find an audio that works for you: “Choosing an alarm clock is a very personal experience,” explains Dr. Paruthi. While some people prefer a classic beeping noise, you may also want to try out gentle melodies, nature noises, or even music. Our top pick, the Lenovo Smart Clock, allows you to choose from a wide range of sounds to find an option that suits you. “In terms of sounds, there have been small studies evaluating noise, voices, and music. These studies suggest that adults may be more likely to awaken to loud (~60 dB) alarms,” she says. “Also, music that a person finds positive or more melodic is more likely to awaken them.” Volume Another key feature for an alarm clock is its volume. Some models have one set volume, while others can be adjusted to suit your needs. In general, an alarm between 60 and 90 decibels is generally sufficient for most people. However, if you’re a heavy sleeper or hard-of-hearing, you may want to look for a model with a louder alarm, such as the Roxicosly Super Loud Alarm Clock, which even has a vibrating mattress puck to help wake you up. Features While alarm clocks like the DreamSky Alarm Clock have a basic, no frills design, other products, such as the Hatch Restore, offer a variety of other sleep-focused features. Common features include white noise machines, night lights, and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity. In particular, sunrise simulators are an increasingly popular option for alarm clocks, as the light helps wake you up more gently before the actual alarm sounds. “There is some evidence that dawn-simulating alarm clocks may improve subjective quality of sleep, as well as subjective alertness upon full awakening,” says Dr. Paruthi. How We Tested Alarm Clocks To find the best alarm clocks available today, we tested 21 popular models at a wide range of price points, including both basic and high-end options. After setting up the alarm clocks, our testers used them in their own homes over the course of several days. They tested different alarm sounds, settings, and added features, evaluating the products on their ease of use, audio, performance, design, and value. All this data was used to score each alarm clock, and our top pick, the Lenovo Smart Clock, earned a 4.86 rating (out of 5). The average score for all alarm clocks tested was 4.08, and 14 alarm clocks (67%) scored a 4 or above. People / Kate Donovan Frequently Asked Questions Are alarm clocks better than phone alarms? It’s common for people to use their smartphone as an alarm, but there are notable benefits to having a separate alarm clock in your bedroom. First of all, research has found that looking at your phone before bed can make it harder to fall asleep, and if your phone isn’t on your nightstand, you’ll be less tempted to look at it. On a similar note, if the first thing you do in the morning is pick up your phone to turn off the alarm, chances are you’ll end up reading texts or checking social media before getting out of bed — not the most productive way to start your day. Will a sunrise alarm clock really wake me up? Sunrise alarm clocks gradually light up 30 minutes or so before your actual alarm, helping to rouse your body from sleep. However, the light alone may not be enough to wake you up, which is why most of these units also have an audio function similar to a traditional alarm clock. What is the average price of an alarm clock? Alarm clocks can vary significantly in price—inexpensive models can cost less than $10, while high-tech options may be several hundred. In general, though, most alarm clocks cost between $20 and $50. Why Trust PEOPLE? Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her over 6 years of experience as a product tester, she's reviewed hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as PEOPLE, The Spruce and Homes & Gardens. For this article, she relied on the input of our team of product testers and interviewed Shalini Paruthi, MD, a board-certified sleep and internal medicine doctor. What Is People Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase. The 6 Best Down Pillows of 2024 for a Comfy and Luxurious Night's Sleep Sources PEOPLE uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McFarlane SJ, Garcia JE, Verhagen DS, Dyer AG. Alarm Tones, Voice Warnings, and Musical Treatments: A Systematic Review of Auditory Countermeasures for Sleep Inertia in Abrupt and Casual Awakenings. Clocks Sleep. 2020 Oct 20;2(4):416-433. doi: 10.3390/clockssleep2040031. PMID: 33118526; PMCID: PMC7711682.