16 Best Alarm Clocks On The Market (Review) in 2022

Brad Robinson
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Have you ever overslept a special event or meeting due to only your phone’s alarm clock? We certainly hope not!

The best alarm clock will help you wake up on time for any event. But the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Which one should you buy? What features should you look for? We’ve uncovered the best alarm clocks for you. Check them out below.

NameCategoryProduct
BrandstandBest OverallBrandstand
AmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm ClockBudget PickAmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm Clock
Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm ClockUpgrade PickPhilips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock

1. Brandstand

Our rating: 9 / 10

Brandstand

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| Heart Rate Monitor | USB Port | App Control | 8 Hour Sleep Timer | Color: Black | Time Range: 12/24 hour

2. AmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm Clock

Our rating: 9 / 10

AmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • At 4.5 inches, it’s the best alarm clock size to use in a hotel room
  • This model comes with a 4.5-inch display and large buttons for easy use
  • It’s a best inexpensive alarm clock for travel
  • Has a sturdy, foldable design
  • Has a light button and a battery backup for power outages

One of the things that may have sold us on this alarm clock was the ease of use. It’s straightforward and the lights and sound are easy to adjust.

In terms of features, this clock is pretty simple. It comes with a back-up battery, which ensures your alarm will sound even if there’s a power outage.

It also comes with an easy-to-use volume knob and buttons that are large and bold, so you can see them without difficulty.

3. Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock

Our rating: 9 / 10

Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Dual alarm with dual alarms
  • Sonic bed shaker vibrate gently and push out sound for those with hearing loss
  • 120dB with bed shaker has two alarm tones
  • 6.5 inch by 5.5 inch with clock radio for travel
  • Sleek wood grain finish and 2 AAA batteries for power
  • Extra loud for hard of hearing and lights up for night time
  • Smart snooze button puts clock in snooze and beep to remind you to get up
  • Red indicator light for clock display

Cons:

  • Battery installation is a little difficult in some models
  • Not the most sturdy and may require care

Before you choose this alarm clock to wake you up every morning, it may be wise to sleep with it first to ensure you can get out of bed when the alarm starts blaring.

The Sonic Bomb alarm clocks wake up over 97 percent of sound sleepers and may wake even the soundest sleepers. So if you need an alarm to wake you up, the Sonic Bomb is probably the best choice.

The company’s patented technologies vibrate the bed and shake the room to wake you up, meaning that you won’t even need an additional alarm.

4. LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer

Our rating: 8 / 10

LittleHippo Mella Ready to Rise Children's Trainer

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Pros:

  • Both kid and parent-friendly
  • It’s affordable

Melissa & Doug is a family-run company in New York that makes quality fine art and educational toys for kids. This is the only product they manufacture for kids, so it’s worth trying.

This toddler alarm clock is a cute, soft toy shaped like a bunny. It has big blue eyes, an orange nose, and long floppy ears. It comes with a digital clock that’s easy for little fingers to click buttons and a backlit LCD screen that displays the correct time.

Below the screen is a faint red light that provides a nightlight while not disturbing the toddler. Mella can also be used as an audio-nightsound machine. It comes with eight peaceful lullabies and soothing sounds of nature like a rainstorm, wind chimes, frogs, and running brook.

5. AcuRite Intelli-Time Alarm Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

AcuRite Intelli-Time Alarm Clock

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We really liked the AcuRite 13040CA, and it is a good buy overall. If our first pick is not available, and the AcuRite is, we would definitely consider buying it.

This model offers a combination of features that makes it stand out from the others. These include a humidity sensor that can be a pleasant extra for your room and a backlight to check the time in the dark.

This alarm clock is very easy to use and has a great look. The temperature and humidity readout are also great features to have, and a backlight is very handy in the dark. The only problem we had with this particular model is that it is pretty quiet when it is set to its maximum volume. If you’re looking for an alarm clock that will wake you, you may want to consider a different model.

6. Magnasonic Projection Alarm Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

Magnasonic Projection Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Decent high-contrast projection display
  • Dual Alarm option
  • Wake to music

The Magnasonic is a reasonably compact alarm clock which comes with a few extra features which are designed to appeal to people who are looking for something a little bit different to wake up to every morning.

The Magnasonic features a nice bright LED display which is easy to read from almost any angle. The brightness settings can be adjusted which means that you can use this clock as a night light, making it suitable for rooms where you need to make sure that you can see your door and window locks.

The clock displays the time and date and since it also has a built-in battery backup system it won’t lose its memory if the power cuts out. The alarm clock also has a sleep function for AM/PM settings

7. Wake- Up Light

Our rating: 8 / 10

Wake- Up Light

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Pros:

  • Different colors to choose from
  • 100% money back guarantee

6 Colors, Sunrise Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers.

Surprisingly for a light alarm clock, the Wake-Up Light, LBell 7 Colored Night Light/Sunrise Simulation and Sleep Aid has almost no bad reviews! It is loved by both kids and adults who suffer from insomnia due to important reasons such as heavy night-shift work or night-duty.

This light alarm clock is basically a light machine, but it is also an alarm clock at the same time. In addition to its high quality and stability, it is the most popular light alarm clock on Amazon selling 200,000 units on Amazon.

8. RCA Digital Alarm Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

RCA Digital Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Great display with clear, large numbers so you can read the time without having to move closer to the clock.
  • You can either use the clock to gently wake you up, or snooze when you want to catch a few more Zs.
  • The numbers turn from green to white as the light increases. They will not disturb your sleep if you wake with the light to start your day.
  • There are three loud alarm sounds you can choose from. You can hear the alarm from across the room.
  • You have an option if you want the numbers to always remain lit, or to light up when you press a button on top of the clock.
  • The clock itself is very lightweight. You can place it almost anywhere.
  • The clock is made with very basic components, which makes it very reliable.
  • RCA stands behind their product and will repair any products that arrive damaged or defective. You do not have to worry about receiving a dud.

Cons:

  • There is no snooze button on top of the clock like you find on other RCA products, such as their alarm clocks.

(DISCONTINUED BY MANUFACTURER)

9. Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Great product
  • Easy to set up
  • Has a backup battery
  • Doesn’t use much power
  • You can use it if you’re slightly deaf
  • You can use it to calm a crying baby at night

Cons:

  • If you want the sunrise and the sunset, you have to get one with the ionizer
  • It’s expensive
  • It doesn’t have a snooze feature
  • It’s only for wakeup alarms

Waking up to a bright reddish light from this Philips product can be very effective. This product uses a technique called Melanopsin brightening to enhance human alertness. The liquid crystal display displays the current brightness. This product offers a sunset fade-out and five different brightness levels so you can choose the one that you like. It has an alarm volume range of 40 to 100 db so you can turn it up to wake up or to fade out while you’re falling asleep. The display dims as you settle down for the night.

10. iHome Color Changing Bluetooth Speaker

Our rating: 8 / 10

iHome Color Changing Bluetooth Speaker

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Pros:

  • So easy to use
  • Includes a USB port and is Bluetooth compatible
  • Speaker has a decent ability to fill a room with sound.

A quick look at this Bluetooth clock radio and you’d probably think that it had no update from the radio alarm clocks of 1990. Well, you’d be wrong, because the iHome iBT9 Color Changing Bluetooth Alarm Clock Radio does more than just play your favorite radio station, set your alarm, or, of course, keep you up to date with time. It’s the best clock radio on the market because it incorporates its usefulness with its aesthetic.

It has Bluetooth capabilities, so not only can you set your alarm through the sounds of your favorite song on your smartphone, but you can also take hands-free calls. In fact, the color-changing display will tell you if your alarm is set for the next day, and even if you have a call.

The front panel buttons on the iBT9 are intuitively directed toward all the controls on offer. You can also use the remote control to control most of the clock’s features.

11. Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Sunrise-simulating alarm clock
  • Dimmable
  • 20 brightness settings
  • Radio
  • Easy and quick volume adjustment
  • Loopable alarm sound

This is a unique alarm clock. To wake you up, it uses a natural, sunrise-simulating light. Think of it as waking slowly to the soothing buzz of a familiar sound.

Using the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation and Radio, you’ll start your day in a peaceful way, enjoying the comforting light. It can be set to gradually increase from dim to full brightness to simulate a natural sunrise. The light also switches off gradually with a fade-out function to ease you gently back to slumber.

Other than this unique feature, the Philips SmartSleep alarm clock is also equipped with a radio, FM, MP3, and CD player, with slots for your iPhone, iPad, Android, and other devices in between.

12. Sonic Alert Skull Clock

Our rating: 8 / 10

Sonic Alert Skull Clock

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Pros:

  • USB charging option
  • Can be set to a simple or complex tone, and chime off
  • Can be set to one of four sounds.
  • Easy to use; just push a button.
  • Can be used as an alarm clock
  • Can be used to wake up, or notify you that something has happened.
  • Big digits that are easy to read.
  • Easy to adjust the volume of the sound.
  • Volume is loud, and can be heard throughout the house.
  • Is loud enough to wake up somebody who might be hard of hearing.

Cons:

  • Make sure you place it in a place where the snooze button is readily accessible.
  • The volume of the sound will not go down to a level where it will not disturb others.
  • A complete mute will only be accomplished if the instructions are followed.

13. Peakeep 4 inches Twin Bell Alarm Clock

Our rating: 7 / 10

Peakeep 4 inches Twin Bell Alarm Clock

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Pros:

  • Easy to set the time and the snooze function
  • Stylish and compact enough to fit in small spaces
  • Would make a good gift for people with hearing difficulties

This Peakeep alarm clock is a tribute to traditional clock design, with black and white hands that move a little slowly and create a hypnotising effect. It has a mechanical ticking noise not too loud and not too soft. It has two bells and it’s quite easy to set the alarm feature and the snooze function.

And while it’s certainly the simplest of all the alarm clocks on this list because it has the basic, few features possible plus a dual-dial design that helps in determining the exact time, it’s also compact, durable, and functional.

It’s an elegant and simplistic design and works very well for visually-impaired individuals. All in all, it’s a stylish and functional clock that has a minimalist look, making it a perfect choice for space-conscious people who don’t mind having an old-school moment every now and then.

14. Magnasonic USB Charging Alarm Clock Radio

Our rating: 7 / 10

Magnasonic USB Charging Alarm Clock Radio

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The Magnasonic EAAC475 is a clock radio with backup battery power. The backup battery will kick in whenever the power goes out in your home or office.

It features built-in dual alarms, FM radio for the bedroom, USB charging ports for all your media devices, and a built-in charger for most smartphones and tablets.

In addition to running on power, the wireless backup battery will last for 7 days without an outlet and can be used to charge your phone or tablet for the same amount of time.

15. Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels

Our rating: 7 / 10

Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels

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Pros:

  • Extremely great for heavy sleepers
  • Runs away from you to prevent you from hitting the snooze button again
  • If you press snooze, it moves somewhere else to mess with you
  • No more tapping by your significant other to get you up
  • The alarm clock is safe for the environment
  • Simple and easy to use

Cons:

  • It has a battery that needs to be replaced
  • The alarm clock is a little loud, although not too bad

(Sleep Better)

This product is a great way for people with sleep issues to make sure that they wake up in the morning. If you find yourself hitting the snooze button, this is a great tool to use to start getting you up in the morning.

This product is also environmentally friendly, with no batteries needed. Instead, the alarm clock runs on two AA batteries, and after a few years, they will need to be replaced.

16. Sony ICFC-1 Alarm Clock Radio LED Black

Our rating: 7 / 10

Sony ICFC-1 Alarm Clock Radio LED Black

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The Sony ICFC-1 alarm clock is one of the most popular and well-reviewed alarm clocks on the market nowadays. It is a product that combines sunny yellow color with black, a clean design with functions that you will find useful.

The main feature is the dual alarm, which is very useful whether you sleep alone, with your partner or with the whole family. You can set one for each person and each has a separate music volume and snooze length.

You will also find a pleasant surprise every time you turn it on: the screen lights up and becomes a white clock where you can see the time in big numbers. Your room is going to look brighter and the clock is easier to read in the dark.

17. Sleep Sense

Our rating: 6 / 10

Sleep Sense

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This natural sleep aid to help you with your sleeping. It contains Magnesium, GABA, L-Theanine, 5-HTP, Melatonin and valerian root. It helps calm your nervous system, relax back muscles, regulate muscles and promote deep sleep. It can be used for short and long term use.

This product can be used by adults, children and seniors. Even pets can use it! It is also free of sugar, gluten, and artificial colors. It comes in capsule form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the most effective alarm sound?

A good alarm (like clocks by Senscience) should trigger you to awaken without causing stress or anxiety. It should be loud enough to wake you up without sounding like a blaring fire alarm. It should be repetitive with no gaps or silent spots in between. It should more or less match your nap-time rhythm in frequency. It should be consistent with each successive ring–no sudden changes of alarm tone. If you need more help, here is the best alarm clock to buy.

What is the most effective iPhone alarm?

I don’t think there is a one size fits all answer to this because what is more effective is highly subjective. Let us start with the fact that we live in a world where there is an app for everything so you can’t go wrong with using an app to wake you up.

What is the best projection alarm clock?

Competitive in both price and features, the AMX-1047i alarm clock radio with projection is one of the best options available. Its excellent sound quality will make waking up easier, and the moving, jumbo-sized digits will make it easier to check the time in the dark.

The projection technology uses lenses which allow you to place the clock anywhere in your room and still see the time. The clock also has the option for large, easy to read numbers, which is great if you are visually impaired. The clock also has an auto-dimming light, which is helpful in scenarios when you want to stay asleep, but not be completely without light in your bedroom.

Overall, being able to have the clock easily readable from anywhere in the room, as well as having the backup battery feature included in the price makes this clock a great buy.

Pros:

What is the best digital clock?

The clock is very dependable. It does not lose battery quite quickly, but this will depend on your use. The clock is easy to read for people who are not used to digital clocks. You can use it either as a desk clock or a bedside clock.

One of the features of this clock is the snooze mode. This will allow you to sleep for some minutes before the alarm goes off again. You can also have the countdown timer. This will allow you to time something that you want to do.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s plenty of choice in the best of the best alarm clock list. You’ll find everything from bedroom clocks to clocks for the kitchen or bathroom. A good time to buy would be in the summer when you can purchase a great deal on one of these clocks at your local department store or electronics store.

Our Recommendation

NameCategoryProduct
BrandstandBest OverallBrandstand
AmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm ClockBudget PickAmazonBasics Small Digital Alarm Clock
Philips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm ClockUpgrade PickPhilips SmartSleep HF3520/60 Wake-Up Light Therapy Alarm Clock