If you are not If you feel relieved when your alarm rings, the problem may be with the alarm itself. Waking up to a sudden loud alarm is not a pleasant way to start your day, and an annoying jolt may not do the trick to tell your body it’s time to wake up. I’m a chronic snooze button type, and I find a sunrise alarm helpful, because the increased light helps tell my body it’s time to wake up — and that bright light is much harder to ignore.
After weeks of sleeping with a sunrise alarm next to my bed, I’ve noticed a good improvement in how alert I feel in the morning. I still don’t wake up in the morning, but I find myself staying up past my alarm in the gentle glow of sunrise lamps instead of going back to bed for another hour. Additionally, as someone who has trouble sleeping at night, alarm clocks with the option of a sunset routine have been a blessing in helping me fall asleep and wake up.
While you’re here, don’t miss our other sleep guides, including the best alarm clocks, best sheets, best pillows, best weighted blankets, best sound machines, and best mattresses.
Updated January 2025: We’ve added Casper Glow Light as a new selection. We’ve also added that Hatch has replaced Hatch Restore 2 with the new Hatch Restore 3, which we plan to test soon.
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Your body is built on Wake up naturally with sunrise He feels sleepy as the sun sets. The light at the beginning and end of the day is a warm, golden color, unlike the bright, slightly blue light of midday sunlight that keeps you awake at all times. This sunrise alarm mimics the transition from morning to bright daylight, helping signal your body to wake up (or sleep, if the watch also has a sunset option).
Each alarm below offers a sunrise routine, meaning you choose a time to wake up and then the alarm will start displaying a deep orange glow and transition to bright light by the time the alarm is set. Some offer customization, allowing you to choose how long you want the artificial sunrise to last, while others set a timer. Some also allow the reverse option with a sunset routine and can double as acoustic instruments. Most plug into the wall like a classic alarm clock and stay in place, though there’s sometimes an accompanying app or recharging capabilities (if they’re not mentioned, though, assume they don’t).