The 8 Best Smart Alarm Clocks to Get You Out of Bed

ProsMimics natural sunriseMimics natural sunriseSleek designFeature integrated sleep tracking and personalized insightsIf you want a healthier, less embittered relationship with your alarm clock, consider this hybrid sunrise number. Hatch found its niche making sunrise alarm clocks for sleep-deprived new parents, but it’s taken on a new life in recent years, and everybody is getting involved.I’m a big fan of Hatch’s Restore line, and I’ve used the Restore 3 regularly. The brand, though, just released a new hybrid device that changes the game. The Sleep Clock combines the sunrise features of the Restore with real-time sleep tracking. It’s designed to help you establish healthy sleep habits by setting up a wake-up and downtime schedule via app. There’s everything from ambient sounds and mood lighting to guided meditation to choose from, and they’re all available from their expansive content library.The newest line boasts a slew of personalized insights, recommendations, and contactless sleep tracking, allowing you to monitor the quality of your sleep each night. The only downside is it’s subscription-based. You do get a free month of Hatch+ (and a risk-free bedside trial of the device), but once the 30 days are up, you’ll have to pay $5.99/month or $59.99/year. It’s totally worth it, though.Key SpecsDimensions7.23 x 2.40 x 5.7 inchesBattery BackupNoSmart BonusesCustomized sleep tracking, dimmable clock and sleep sounds, can control with phone or withoutProsYou can set this to the buzzer or a radio stationEasy to programDimmer control includedConsNot compatible with home systemsCheap + quality is the difficult-to-find combo we’re all on the hunt for. It’s tough to find a quality smart alarm clock for about $40, but the Emerson SmartSet has a $35 price tag at the time of this writing.With a compact body and an easy-to-read display, the wireless alarm clock charges via USB and features an FM radio with 20 presets and Bluetooth for streaming your own tunes.The time and date are set automatically when it’s plugged in, and there’s a dimmer control and a soothing blue night light that glows from the base.Reviewers “love” this clock, saying it has “great features,” but for those seeking smart home compatibility, it will not be the best choice.Key SpecsDimensions6.2 x 3.5 inchesBattery Back-UpYesSmart Bonuses USB output for mobile charging; digital FM radio; can be programmed to skip weekend wake-upsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsTrue distraction-free designEasy to setupAmbient colors and sound are designed to help you fall asleep fasterWakeup alarms are soothing and won't startleNo subscription requiredConsInterface is simple but takes time to figure out at firstAmbient debuted its sleep clock during this year’s CES, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about new releases in the sleep tech space. The brand really honed in on the “phone-less” aspect, allowing for full control of the device via touchscreen and dials. I use this clock regularly, and it’s made a huge difference in my sleep. It features immersive lighting, soothing sleep sounds (I personally prefer the thunderstorm setting), and a free library of sleep content, podcasts, and more. The 360-degree diffused sound is lifelike and the perfect way to wind down.Everything is super easy to set up and control, and Ambient takes a minimalistic approach to its interface and settings. There’s also a reading light setting that works great for late-night reading before bed. The best part is, it’s future-proof; it’s designed with a microphone built to support and capture real-time sleep insights one day.Key SpecsDimensions 5.5 x 3.8 x 4.5 inchesBattery Back-UpNoSmart BonusesFull-range 50mm speaker with 360˚ diffused sound, large library of sleep podcasts and sounds, built-in sensors for temperature, humidity, and light levelProsBuilt-in privacy protectionsDoubles as a WiFi extender (up to 1,000 feet)Can control other smart home devicesEasy to setup a routine through AlexaConsDifficult to mute device pairing notificationsThe already-smart 5th-Gen Echo Dot added an alarm clock to its feature set, and the Echo Spot continues that trend. It delivers balanced sound and (of course) voice control, so you can simply tell Alexa what time to wake you up. It’s both a smart hub and an alarm clock built into one sub-$100 device.The clock, alarms, and timers are all on the LED display, which emits a soft glow but is easy to read. It doesn’t take up a ton of space on your nightstand and has an eye-pleasing design, plus if you want to snooze, just tap the top of the speaker. It also doubles as a mesh WiFi extender, effectively killing two birds with one stone.More than 81% of reviewers on Amazon give this smart alarm 5 out of 5 stars, dubbing it a huge “upgrade” and “great,” with fantastic sound quality for its size.Key SpecsBattery Back-UpNoSmart BonusesBuilt-in mesh WiFi extender, can control your other smart devices, multiple layers of privacy controlsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowPros20 brightness settingsShown to improve energy and mood90-day money back guaranteeConsTakes up a lot of spaceIf you have been struggling with your sleep-wake routine, this Philips wake-up alarm clock may be your best bet for getting back on track.The clock includes smart features like tap snooze, a bedside lamp, multiple wake-up sounds and brightness settings, and a 90-day money-back guarantee. It has also been studied and linked to healthier sleep patterns and improved mood, thanks to the gentle sunset and sunrise simulation.Reviewers love the range of settings, saying it “really works” as advertised.Key SpecsDimensions6 x 10 x 10 inchesBattery Back-UpNoSmart BonusesSimulates sunset and sunrise; five natural wake-up sounds; Philips wake-up lights are recommended by physicians for establishing healthy sleep patternsProsBeautiful interfaceComprehensive app cross-functionalityAble to stream and create videosIf you’re a tech-geek, this pricey but extremely versatile smart alarm clock may be for you. We can’t help but mention this irresistible ’80s-pixel-art smart alarm clock, despite its hefty price tag. Sure, it wakes you up—you can stream tunes from Spotify, internet radio stations, and more—but its unassuming retro package delivers impressive 21st-century smart home technology.It’s voice-control-ready, compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and iOS, and with third-party players such as Nest and Ring. It can even flash the number of your social media followers and act as a speakerphone for calls. Reviewers love the “great looks” and “functionality.”Key SpecsDimensions7.9 x 2.4 inchesBattery Back-UpNoSmart BonusesThousands of versatile clock faces; wake up to radio, Spotify, streamable music; track time, weather, timers; get smartphone notifications; display news and appointmentsAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsAll-in-one designEasy to set up out of the boxVersatile lighting settings and modesConsSome users have reported issues with the phone chargerThis one’s a little different than the ones we’ve covered so far. In essence, it’s a charging station that just so happens to feature an alarm clock, but that’s fine by us. It boasts an easy-to-read-from-afar digital interface and a highly customizable sleep-and-wake cycle with Bluetooth-enabled automatic synchronization. You just have to connect the device to “S1” for real-timewireless updates of time, weekday, and indoor temperature. In this regard, there’s no real “setting” involved. The LED display and night light each feature four adjustable brightness levels, and the latter also offers three distinct modes: white, warm white, and warm yellow,This, of course, is also designed as an all-in-one station for Apple users, which will save you space and prevent messy cord tangling. Reviewers “love” the clock and appreciate that “you can charge your iPhone on it,” and “change the lighting.”Key SpecsDimensions8.5 x 6.3 x 4.2 inchesBattery Back-UpNoSmart BonusesCharges multiple smart devices at once, auto-sync technology, multiple modesProsComes in four colorsLarge digital displayIncludes USB charging portConsDoes not work with smart home systemsThis DreamSky smart alarm clock offers an astounding range of features, especially given its price. At a glance at the digital display, you’ll be greeted with time, date, and temperature.There are six levels of brightness available, and the clock sets itself to the right time once it’s plugged in. The cell backup battery has a long lifespan and retains all settings in case of a power outage. The ascending beeping alarm will gently wake you, and the snooze feature protects you from going back to sleep.Reviewers love this clock’s battery backup, “easy to read” interface, and super functionality.Key SpecsDimensions6.1 x 4 inchesBattery Back-UpYesSmart BonusesTime, date, and temperature on display; full range of brightness settings; advance auto set, automatically adjusts to Daylight Saving TimeTim Kohut is the Deals and Trends Editor for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, Best Products, and Runner's World. He has extensive product review and gear coverage expertise, particularly in tech, home, auto, and health. Tim was previously the Deputy Commerce Editor of The Drive and a Commerce Editor at BGR. He’s also overseen gear coverage and strategy at Popular Science, Bob Vila, Outdoor Life, and Field and Stream. He has a strong affinity for cats, Batman, and early 90’s Nicolas Cage films, in that order.Rachel is the Deputy Editor of Reviews for Hearst's Enthusiast and Wellness Group where she supports Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Best Products. Her background is in service journalism and earlier in her career she worked as a daily newspaper reporter and book editor. She spent more than a decade as a staff editor and writer at TripAdvisor and Penguin Random House and her byline has appeared in Time Out New York, the New York Daily News, and New York Magazine. Outside of work, Rachel can be found planning her next trip, visiting museums and galleries, and walking her wirehaired dachshund in Central Park.Kathleen Willcox writes about drinks, travel and culture from her home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and from the road, while exploring. She is keenly interested in sustainability issues, and the business of making ethical drinks and food. Her work appears Wine Enthusiast, Food & Wine, SevenFifty Daily, Wine Searcher, and many other publications.