Amazons new smart alarm clock has super-cute design, less-cute price

Why does everything have to be so expensive today? For comparison, Amazon's last smart alarm clock only cost $80. By Timothy Beck Werth Timothy Beck Werth Tech Editor Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl. Read Full Bio on October 30, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. A better option than your phone, for sure. Credit: Amazon Having good taste is expensive. Alas, it has always been thus.But $200 for a clock is pushing it, even for a snob like me. That's unfortunate, because I love the design of Amazon's new Echo Time smart alarm. The new Echo Time is really sleek looking. Credit: Amazon Earlier this week, Amazon launched a bunch of new Echo smart home devices, and Mashable was there for the unveiling. The new Echo devices have less of a Death Star vibe, and the Echo Time stands out to me for its friendly design. It's exactly the kind of product I can imagine installing on my nightstand.I really do love the design of this smart alarm. It doesn't have quite the same appeal as the new Apple HomeView for me (I'm not a huge fan of the knitted fabric cover on Amazon smart devices), but the round shape and pleasant, customizable clock faces work extremely well together. I even like the optional stand. You have the option to add a matching stand to your Echo Time. Credit: Amazon The Echo Time is available in graphite, coral pink, and glacier white. Credit: Amazon Why does everything have to be so expensive right now? Whether you're booking a hotel, ordering food, buying a phone, or looking for an alarm clock to break your morning phone habits, prices are painful. Amazon's last smart alarm, the Echo Spot, was priced at a much more reasonable $79.99. That is, until Amazon raised prices on the Echo Spot to $109.99 in August. Now, the company is asking us to pay even more.The Echo Time isn't even the only pricey alarm clock I'm lusting after in 2026. Stylish, Instagram-famous analog alarms like the Nanu Arc Alarm Clock cost even more, at $299. Mashable Light Speed The $299 Nanu Arc is even worse for my wallet. Credit: Nanu This is why I play the lottery.The Echo Time: What you get for the moneyThe Echo Time does work really hard to justify the price tag. And, for the record, I really wouldn't be mad about getting this as a Christmas gift this year. I just don't know that I can justify the money myself.Billed as "your Alexa smart clock," the Echo Time has hundreds of clock faces for its 3.2-inch circular touchscreen, and with the AI-powered Alexa+, you can even use it to control smart lights, set the perfect sleep temperature, or open your blinds. The Echo Time also doubles as a noise machine, playing soothing sounds as you fall asleep at night or meditate in the morning. Amazon says its built-in speaker offers lossless high-definition audio for listening to music. The Echo Time also comes in a kid-friendly version. More importantly, your privacy is also considered with the Echo Time, which is "built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphones enable/disable button." Customize your clock screen on the Echo Time. Credit: Amazon I've long since learned that having good taste is expensive, but in 2026, having any kind of taste is expensive. This, despite the fact that President Donald Trump promised to bring down prices at the pump, grocery stores, and beyond, telling crowds, "Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again." Obviously, that's not what happened. Tech companies, in particular, keep raising prices as they pass along the higher costs of the memory squeeze spurred by the AI industry.So, you'll have to decide if your budget can bear a $199.99 smart alarm.My verdict: Wait for Black Friday and see how much the Echo Time is going to cost when it inevitably goes on sale.Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters or get Mashable push alerts today. Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men's product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.Tim studied print journalism at the University of Southern California. He currently splits his time between Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. He's currently working on his second novel, a science-fiction book.