Alarms clocks and I have a damaged relationship. Friends notice me wince every time I’m watching a movie and a character’s alarm blares them awake with all of the subtlety and gentleness of an aircraft carrier slamming into the sun. And don’t get me started about how, when I was a kid, my dad would wake me up for school by thrusting the window curtains open as if he were opening the Ark of the Covenant right in my face. Waking up to a sunrise alarm is, by stark contrast, downright pleasant. And if you’re like most of us, you need more sleep.
Sunrise alarms simulate gradual sunsets at night and gradual sunrises in the morning to help you fall asleep and wake up more naturally by tricking your biological hardware. I’ve tested the best sunrise alarm clocks, and a few of the worst. These are my favorites.
Check out our many other sleep-related buying guides, such as the Best Mattresses, the Best Weighted Blankets, and the Best Sound Machines, all of which could help you get a better night’s sleep.
Updated October 2023: We’ve added the Lexon Mina and the WiiM Wake-Up Light, as well as updated pricing and availability.
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