Waking refreshed and restored every single day may seem like the stuff of fantasy—that is, until you get yourself a light alarm clock.
Although some struggle with chronic insomnia or lack of quality sleep, it’s just as difficult to get through the day if you can’t wake up, too. Ideally, we’d all be able to rise in the morning via natural sunlight to make the mornings less of a slog, but many professionals don’t have that option. That’s where a light alarm clock will come in handy—but, first, what is a light alarm, and why could it help you wake up feeling refreshed?
Light alarms clock—sometimes known as “sunrise clocks” or “wake-up lights”—replicate morning dawn, filling your room with a gradual sunlight-esque glow over a period of 10 to 30 minutes to stimulate the senses. The light power ranges from around 200 lux (think a soft bedside lamp) to 10,000 lux, which is around the same strength as a cloudless sky. The light gradually enters through eyelids, increasing Here are the best light alarm clocks to help you feel less tired and wake refreshed, combating a wicked case of jet lag.
(nbsp;and Sleep Physician for Crossover Health Runner's World Coffee/Mug Bundle.)
“Light alarms can be helpful for those who aren’t morning people. Bright light in the morning advances our circadian rhythms. It means we wake more alert and fall asleep at night more easily,” explained Nitun Verma MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Physician for Crossover Health.
Getting a light alarm clock can be a great way to start improving your mornings, and the way you feel when you wake up. Just know, however, that it’s only the first step to really improving how you feel when you get out of bed. Dr. Verma notes that to really adjust your circadian rhythms, you need to expose yourself to more than 30 minutes of light.
Another great way to help you get up in the morning? A well-made cup of coffee. Here's how to perform the perfect pour-over.
So although most sunrise simulators and alarms do feature 30-minute wake-up light allotments, Nancy H. Rothstein, MBA, director of CIRCADIAN Corporate Sleep Programs, and who is also known as The Benefits of Running 10 Minutes a Day for her consultation and awareness programs, advises taking a look at your existing patterns to get the most out of your new device. The first step is getting out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off, and don’t hit the snooze button. It’s just wasted sleep.
MBA, director of CIRCADIAN Corporate.
The Smart One: Sleepace “Nox” Smart Sleep System
Sleepace—the same makers of this handy sleep tracker and Nutrition - Weight Loss—entered the natural light alarm category with the same design-conscious methodology. The alarm system, used through Bluetooth and WiFi, can be programmed via Amazon’s Alexa, the Sleepace app, or even hand gestures to monitor your sleep patterns before the gentle light stimulation in the morning. Also, a soothing red glow setting is meant to tap into your body’s melatonin production, with Tight Hamstrings? Here’s How to Treat Them saying, “I am able to fall asleep within about 20-30 minutes of laying in bed as opposed to 1-2 hours compared to before.” That’s a nice endorsement.
Buy now: $149, amazon.com
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The High-Tech: BEDDI Glow Intelligent Alarm Clock
Tethered through its own apps and your own devices (for instance, you can connect the alarm function to custom playlists via Spotfiy or Apple Music), this bedside clock greets its owner with helpful traffic and weather reports upon wakeup. Ambient white noise, a Bluetooth speaker, and two USB charging ports make the mantra “unplug before bed” seem laughable. But that doesn’t mean these features aren’t handy, too. (It’s worth noting, however, that Dr. Rothstein advises against app-based alarms since the temptation to swipe instead of sleep are within arm’s reach.) The sunrise alarm function almost seems supplementary, but a warm, gradual glow make this clock a well-rounded option.
Buy now: $80, brookstone.com
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The Multi-Function: Nature Bright Sun Bliss 2-in-1 Portable Light Therapy and Wake-Up Light
Portable and affordable, that this one is a two-in-one is just an added bonus. A basic but straightforward light alarm, the Nature Bright light builds to a 10,000 lux illumination 30 minutes before your set time for a gradual but effective wake-up call. Meanwhile, the Health & Injuries can be repurposed throughout the day to the production of cortisol, with enough “rays” to mimic a cloudless day from the comfort of your own cubicle.
Buy now: $55, amazon.com
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The Overachiever: The Peaceful Progression Wake Up Clock
A combination of light, aromatherapy, and sound have made Hammacher Schlemmear’s long-time alarm clock a favorite. The action of this clock sounds quite pleasing: 15 minutes after the lights begin to brighten, aromatherapy beads or oils heat to rouse the olfactory system to rise. Nature sounds also get progressively louder as the light brightens before an eventual alarm chime is set to go off. A lifetime guarantee and a backup battery are also pluses.
Buy now: $80, hammacher.com
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The Fan Favorite: Philips Wake-up Light with Colored Sunrise Simulation
Phillips makes several wake-up lights, and while they all may look and sound similar, this model is the one we recommended most often. (Plus, it’s the brand’s best-selling version.) This sleek orb warms up a room with sunlight simulation in shades of red, orange, and yellow—up to 300 lux—30 minutes before your alarm, rousing your body to become naturally awake. Soft nature-inspired sounds, including chirping birds and seaside splashes, can also be programmed to correspond with the light alarm. One review says it’s “subtle but still somehow always enough to wake me.”
Buy now: $140, amazon.com
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The Budget Friendly: Philips Wake-up Light with Sunrise Simulation
Although it lacks some of the fancier features of Philips’ more deluxe model, this alarm clock still keeps the sleek profile and basic settings, like staggered sunlight simulation and adjustable intensity. Reviewers say the increasingly bright yellow light is enough to stimulate waking up, but just in case, a backup sound alarm—which also raises in volume—is integrated after 30 minutes. However, some owners claim they don’t find it’s necessary (the light is enough), but for those who do, a simple tap to the top adds on a snooze.
Buy now: $50, amazon.com
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The Party Animal: hOmeLabs Sunrise Alarm Clock
Some light alarms have the added option to switch on rotating colored hues—violet, turquoise, and kelly green—for both party and practicality purposes. Although kind of unnecessary, when backed up with a solid light alarm and reading light functionality, the function makes this clock a bargain multi-tasker. There’s the option to set the light to simulate “sunset” as well, making it ideal for little ones adjusting to a sleep schedule or combating a wicked case of jet lag.
Buy now: $28, amazon.com
The article 7 Programs, and who is also known as A Part of Hearst Digital Media Prevention.
