It’s Time for a Wake-up Call: The 9 Best Alarm Clocks of 2022

Whether you’re sick of staring at your smartphone or just want to switch things up a bit, an alarm clock is a great investment. The right alarm clock could make you master of the morning.

Here are nine nifty alarm clocks for all sleep styles (plus some runner-ups). We also have tips on how to pick a winner for your unique needs. ⏰.

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We scoured the internet for the top alarms, so you don’t have to. Here’s how we picked the cream of the clock:

• Price. We included clocks for all budgets.
• Reviews. All the alarm clocks have at least a 4/5-star rating from people who have used them.
• Power source. We focused on clocks that have a backup battery source so you’re not screwed if the power goes out or you knock out the plug.
• Features. Some of the best clocks have fun features like sunrise settings, built-in radios, and phone charging docks. But we also included a few simple designs if you prefer a no-frills approach.
• Ease of use. Clocks don’t have to be complicated. Our list is full of easy-to-use clocks that are simple to set and customize.

Here are the deets on the nine best alarm clocks for all budgets, styles, and needs.

Best overall alarm clock

DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock

• Price: $
• Color options: blue, green, orange, red, or white
• Size: 5.3 x 1.4 x 2.6 inches (in.)
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This compact clock has a streamlined design and a B-I-G number display. The illuminated LED digits are easy to see from across the room (or Alaskan king bed).

It also has a dimmer that lets you set the brightness from 0 to 100. But you can turn it down at night, so the bright light doesn’t keep you up.

It has a single alarm setting with a classic 9-minute snooze. You can adjust the alarm sound from 30 to 90 decibels (dB). This popular feature is def dope for deep sleepers that need a little extra nudge to wake up, but it’s also nice for folks who want a softer sound to wake up to.

Some reviewers say the LED digits faded after a few months. But overall, peeps are super satisfied.

P.S. It’s electric but has a backup battery power source. The AAA batteries aren’t included.

Best smart alarm clock

Amazon Echo Show 5

• Price: $$$$
• Color options: charcoal, deep blue sea, or glacier white
• Size: 5.8 x 3.4 x 2.9 in.
• Power source: electric

The Amazon Echo Show 5 gives you a big bang for your buck. It boasts a tap-to-snooze function, ambient light sensor, and sunrise alarm setting. You can set multiple alarms and wake up to the weather forecast, your favorite music, or news updates.

But the best part? The Echo Show 5 connects other devices so you can control the lights, cameras, and other compatible devices in your home. You can even stream your favorite movies and shows, and make video calls using its built-in camera.

Overall, reviewers think this clock is the tops. But a few folks claim customizing the display and learning all the settings can be a bit of a pain. Also, some say that the sound quality isn’t the best.

Best budget alarm clock

KWANWA LED Digital Alarm Clock

• Price: $
• Color options: black
• Size: 4.54 x 3.49 x 2.37 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

Clocking in under $15, this digital alarm hits every important feature at a low price.

It has a built-in night light and big digits. The repeating snooze function comes in clutch if you want to sleep in a bit. Folks also like that it’s easy to use and simple to set up.

Its small size makes it great for small nightstands or shelves. It only comes in black, but it has a sleek oval design. Bonus: The backup battery power can retain the clock’s memory for up to 8 hours.

All in all, reviewers say this budget-friendly alarm clock gets the job done. But multiple folks say the alarm is L-O-U-D. So, if you don’t like waking up to the sound of a foghorn, this clock might not be bae.

Best sunrise alarm clock

Jall Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock

• Price: $$$
• Color options: white or wood
• Size: 7.44 x 7.36 x 3.5 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This sunrise alarm clock is where it’s at. It has 20 brightness levels and multiple alarm settings. You can have the sunrise simulation light turn on 10, 20, or 30 minutes before the alarm goes off. The snooze function will give you an extra 9 minutes of shuteye, and you can press it up to five times. Oh, and you can set the clock to indigo, indigo blue, purple, orange, yellow, red, or green.

On top of looking great, you get to wake up to your choice of alarm sounds. You can pick from ocean waves, streams, birdsongs, bells, soft music, beeps, piano music, or FM radio. There are 16 volume levels, so it’s great for soft to deep sleepers.

But wait, there’s more! This clock doubles as a bedside lamp, night light, and reading lamp. The only downside seems to be the radio function. Some reviewers say they weren’t able to find a station that didn’t sound like pure static.

Best alarm clock for heavy sleepers

Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock

• Price: $$$
• Color options: blue, blue and black, camouflage, black and red, pink, red, or turquoise
• Size: 5.75 x 4.5 x 6.4 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This bomb clock is ideal for heavy-duty snoozers. It’s 113 dB, vibrates aggressively, and has bright red flashing lights. You can program multiple alarms and set the snooze from 1 to 30 minutes. The full-range dimmer lets you adjust the lighting so it won’t wake you in the night.

Reviewers say this clock is the real deal. Meaning, it’s extremely loud and will kick-start your day with a bang. Also, it’s super adjustable. You can set it to silent, so the alarm doesn’t disturb your fam or roomies.

The vibrations and flashing lights are also ideal for folks who are hearing impaired. You can also choose between fun prints and colors like blue, blue, and black, camouflage, black and red, pink, red, or turquoise.

PSA: Your neighbors might not appreciate the wake-up call. Also, a few reviewers say the setup is confusing.

Best large-screen display alarm clock

American Lifetime Day Clock

• Price: $$$$
• Color options: black, black polished, white, brown, or mahogany
• Size: 7 x 3.3 x 9.5 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

Sometimes, bigger really is better. This large-screen display is very easy to read. It clearly spells out the time, time of day (e.g. morning, afternoon, or night), day of the week, and the date. You can set up to five daily alarms with medication reminders.

The frame comes in five colors: black, black polished, white, brown, or mahogany. It has a sleek design and will fit on most nightstands, desks, or shelves.

Reviewers rave about the display format and overall look. It has a battery backup just in case the power goes out, and it automatically resets to the correct time if it gets shut off. But some don’t dig the auto-dimming feature and the lack of customizable settings.

Psst. You’ll need one CR2 battery, which isn’t included in the box.

Best alarm clock radio

Housbay Glow Small Alarm Clock Radio

• Price: $$
• Color options: black or white
• Size: 4.8 x 2.44 x 2.44 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

We love a combo pack. This alarm clock also acts as a night light and FM radio. You can adjust the alarm sound and volume to match your morning vibe — choose between built-in beeping sounds, birds chirping, or your favorite FM radio station. It also has a glow feature with seven colors and five brightness levels.

The buttons light up so you can adjust the settings or set your alarm in the dark. It features a nap timer that ranges from 10 to 120 minutes. You also get a regular sleep timer that turns off the night light and radio automatically.

Reviewers love the backup battery system. If you lose power, the alarm should still go off in the a.m. while running on three AAA batteries (not included). But full disclosure, a few folks say they got a faulty clock that stopped working after a few months.

Best alarm clock with charging station

MOSITO Digital Wooden Alarm Clock

• Price: $$
• Color options: bamboo, black, brown, or white
• Size: 5.7 x 2.5 x 2.5 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This alarm clock is a beautiful blend of design and function. It’s super sleek, stylish, and easy to use. But the standout feature is its charging dock. It will wirelessly charge most smartphones as you sleep. You can set two alarms at a time and the sound can be adjusted from 60 to 90 dB. It also has a snooze feature.

The clock comes in bamboo, black, brown, or white and has clear LED digits that show the temperature and time. It can be dimmed from 0 to 100 percent so it won’t disturb your REM cycles. It plugs into the wall, but also comes with a lithium metal battery.

Reviewers say this clock charges their phone quickly and efficiently. Peeps also say the digits are very clear and easy to read. But it’s worth noting that some folks say the charger can be a bit finicky. You have to place your phone in the right spot for it to work correctly.

Best alarm clock for travel

Travelwey Digital Travel Alarm Clock

• Price: $
• Color options: white or black
• Size: 3.39 x 3.19 x 1.3 in.
• Power source: two AAA batteries

This travel alarm clock is basic in the best way. Unlike other travel clocks, this one keeps things simple. It has a clear display, a simple alarm, and a standard snooze feature. You can use the 5-second on-demand light to see the time in the dark. And when you’re done, all you have to do is snap it closed. We also love that it’s very compact and lightweight.

Another perk is the ON/OFF button. Not only will it conserve battery, but it can also stop the internal time. That way, you don’t have to reset it when traveling to a different time zone.

Reviewers like this alarm’s no-frills attitude. It’s also a great value for the money. The downside is that it might not be loud enough for very deep sleepers. A few folks also say that the night light is too bright.

Here are four clocks that didn’t quite make the cut, but deserve a shoutout anyway.

1. Best projection: TOPELEK Projection Alarm Clock

• Price: $$
• Color options: black
• Size: 6.1 x 1.4 x 0.9 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This projector alarm is really cool in theory. It has five adjustable dimming levels and you can set two alarms at once. But NGL, it’s not the most practical clock on our list. Not everyone wants the time flashing across their entire bedroom wall.

2. Best mirrored alarm clock: Miowachi Digital Alarm Clock

• Price: $
• Color options: black, white, blue, or pink
• Size: 6.61 x 3.86 x 1.54 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This mirrored digital clock is fun and easy to read. The issue is in the design. The ports and plug are located on the side, so the clock cords pull sideways. Some reviewers also say the dimming function is confusing.

3. Cutest alarm clock: Houkois Cute Kitty Digital Alarm Clocks

• Price: $$
• Color options: white
• Size: 4.3 x 3.6 x 3.6 in.
• Power source: electric with battery backup

This alarm clock is 10/10 adorable. It features a kawaii kitten looking over a cup. The cup lights up when you tap it — which is def a great feature. But alas, the 24-hour display (aka military time) might take some getting used to. Also, the time display turns off automatically after 30 seconds.

4. Best retro: Peakeep Twin Bell Alarm Clock

• Price: $
• Color options: black, green, red, white, or pink
• Size: 6.5 x 5 x 6.5 in.
• Power source: battery

Here’s one for the retro lovers. This twin bell alarm clock has a fab vintage feel. It’s also very accurate and loud, so it should wake you up on time every time. The downside is that it doesn’t have a snooze function and the ticking can be annoying. Also, you have to make sure the batteries don’t die, since that’s its only power source.

You prob need an alarm clock if you want to wake up on time for work, brunch, and everything in between. But the type of alarm clock you get might make a difference.

Of course, you can use your phone’s alarm if you want to — but using a physical alarm clock can either be a good backup (smartphones can be ~dumb~ sometimes) or a way to separate sleeping from technology (text message vibrations and Facebook notifications can really put a wrench in a REM cycle).

Some studies show waking up to nonemergency sounds like music might be better than emergency sounds (e.g. horns or loud bells). But TBH, researchers are still trying to figure out the effects of alarm clock sounds on your alertness and overall health.

That said, everyone has their own vibe in the morning. Some peeps swear by loud alerts, and others like to be gently aroused by classical music or nature sounds. It’s all about your personal preference. That’s why it’s important you pick an alarm clock that suits your style.

Surprise! Picking the right alarm clock is actually pretty darn important. After all, you’re going to depend on it regularly. Here’s how you can pick the best alarm clock.

Ease of use

Ever look at a clock and think, “Why’d you have to go and make things so complicated?” Same, Avril.

Avoid the stress and pick a clock that’s actually easy to use. That might mean a simple interface, glow-in-the-dark buttons, or customizable settings.

Readability

You should be able to see what time it is without squinting too hard. The numbers should be big enough to view from your bed. You can also get a clock that has dimming features, so the digits don’t keep you up.

Wake-up features

Unless you swear by old-school bell clocks, you should get an alarm clock that has lots of wake-up features. That way you can switch the settings from one day to the next. Look for clocks that have a range of sounds, adjustable volume settings, and vibrating abilities.

Design

Obvi, you want an alarm clock that’s nice to look at. But size and durability are more important. Opt for a clock that will fit nicely on your nightstand or wherever else you’re going to put it. It should also be built to last in the long term, not just for a few months — look to reviews to get an idea of how durable it is.

Extra features

Are extra features necessary? No. But are they awesome? HECK yes. A lot of alarm clocks can connect to Bluetooth and have USB ports. Some models let you wirelessly charge your phone as you slay your sleep. You can even get a snazzy sunrise alarm clock that might make you feel more in-tune with your body’s rhythm.

What is the top rated alarm clock?

The DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock is one of the best basic alarm clocks available. It currently has a 4.7/5-star rating on Amazon, with more than 13,500 reviews.

What alarm wakes you up best?

The Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock is very loud. It also flashes lights and vibrates, so a lot of senses are covered.

Are alarm clocks bad for your health?

One small 2014 study showed that self-awakening can improve morning alertness and reduce daytime sleepiness.

And a small 2005 study shared that self-awakening might be better for your heart. A sudden wake-up call from a blaring alarm clock can raise your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate. It may also increase stress levels and get your morning off to a startling start.

Keep in mind, we need more research to show the pros and cons of alarm clocks. And not many of us are able to wake up whenever our bodies are ready — we’ve got places to be!

What kind of alarm clocks are there?

Four popular types of alarm clocks are:

• digital alarm clock
• sunrise alarm clock
• novelty alarm clock
• traditional wind-up alarm

You can also choose extra features like:

• backup battery power
• analog
• military time
• calendar or date display
• Bluetooth connectivity
• FM or AM radio
• extra-loud volume
• snooze settings
• temperature display
• travel

How much does an alarm clock cost?

You can get a basic alarm clock for under $20. But high end or smart alarm clocks can cost $75 or more.

Well, it looks like we’re out of time! Just keep in mind, it might take some trial and error to find a clock that works with your wake-up style. Try to look find a model that’s easy to use, easy to read, and has some cool features. You’ll def find a great match.