The Best Digital Alarm Clocks
For the longest time, alarm clocks featured only two sounds: panicked ringing or code-red beeping. These sounds were effective in getting us out of bed but not great in helping us start off our day in a good mood. Fortunately, today's modern alarm clocks take a gentler approach. Rather than smashing gongs in our ears, these sleek devices wake us up with grace and ease. The market is full of digital alarm clocks, so we decided to whittle down the list to the very best to help make your choice easy. Read on to discover our favorites in digital alarm clocks, from the easiest to use to the best for kids.
Digital Alarm Clock, with Wooden Electronic LED Time Display, 3 Alarm Settings, Humidity & Temperature Detect, Wood Made Electric Clocks for Bedroom, Beside
Wake up in style
Like a diamond in the ruff, this alarm clock from Jall outshines the competition. For starters, the aesthetic is undeniably tasteful. Sleek and stylish, the wooden construction augments any bedroom decor. Ideal for those that cringe at bright garish displays, this pick features adjustable brightness settings that are easy to change. And for couples that wake up at different times, the Jall Wooden Alarm Clock can store up to three alarms. That’s also a beloved feature among those of us that manage to sleep through the first two alarms. Convenience never looked so good.
Pros
- A classy wooden aesthetic that compliments your decor
- Temperature and humidity readings as an added bonus
- Easy to adjust the brightness to your liking
- Affordable price
Cons
- No volume control but that just means you’re sure to wake up
Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock for Kids, Heavy Sleepers, Bedroom, with Sunrise Simulation, Sleep Aid, Dual Alarms, FM Radio, Snooze, Nightlight, Daylight, 7 Colors, 7 Natural Sounds, Ideal for Gift
Rise with the Sunrise
It can be kind of hard to stay in touch with our circadian rhythms in this day and age. Indeed, the 21st century is host to all sorts of unnatural lights that can throw off our biological clocks. So for those that struggle to wake up in the morning, Jall offers an alarm clock that simulates the sun. It’s a gentle way to wake up that’s surprisingly effective. And for the traditionalists, this pick also features seven alarm sounds, including chirping birds, ocean waves, and piano music. In fact, this option is more than just an alarm clock. It can be used as a reading lamp, a radio, and a sleep aid light for children. Although not as powerful as the sun, the Jall Sunrise Alarm Clock is the next best thing.
Pros
- Wide variety of uses
- Eases you awake
- Great value for the price
Cons
- Snooze function turns off light
Mpow Digital Alarm Clock, 5″ Curved LED Screen, 6 Brightness, 3 Alarm Sounds, Easy Digital Clock for Kids and Adults, Alarm Clocks for Bedrooms Kitchen Office, Adjustable Volume, Snooze, 12/24H
Back to basics
For those that want to keep it simple, this pick from Mpow is a no-brainer. Ideal for seniors and folks with visual impairments, this digital alarm clock features volume control, brightness control, and three different alarm sounds. And with so many features, the operation is surprisingly easy. Customizing the settings to your liking is as easy as the press of a button. In fact, Mpow makes the bold claim that you can finish setting it up in under a minute. Although Mpow might be overestimating our technological aptitude, their alarm clock is undeniably simple to use and easy to read.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Large display so you’re sure to see it even when you’re squinting to wake up
- Adjustable brightness and volume so you can hear it no matter how far away it is
- Three different alarm sounds
Cons
- No battery backup
TooTa Kids Digital Alarm Clock, 7 Color Night Light, Snooze, Temperature Detect for Toddler, Children Boys and Girls, Students to Wake up at Bedroom, Bedside, Battery Operated
Wake up your kids the fun way
Getting kids out of bed is never easy, so why not delegate the task to an alarm clock? For those looking for something to take on the burden of waking up their kid, we highly recommend this affordable little alarm clock from Toota. Featuring a multicolored LED-display and eight different alarm tunes, this compact option is built to withstand the sleepy rage of a freshly-woken child. Better yet, there is a nightlight setting for helping your youngsters achieve a feeling of security and peace at night. Cute and inexpensive, the Toota Alarm Clock is a comfort for both parents and kids.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Seven different color settings kids will love changing
- Reads the temperature and date
- Cute aesthetic your kids will love
Cons
- Kind of complicated to set up but that’s what parents are for, right?
DreamSky Auto Set Digital Alarm Clock with USB Charging Port, 6.6 Inch Large Screen with Time/Date/Temperature Display, Full Range Brightness Dimmer, Auto DST Setting Snooze, Backup Batteries, 12/24Hr
Dream easy with Dreamsky
Another fantastic overall option, the DreamSky Digital Alarm Clock is perfect for you if you don’t like the glaring harshness of most digital displays. Of course, it can get bright, if you want. But for those that prefer the brightness to adjust with the day, the Auto Dim setting is just a button away. And that’s not the only nifty feature that DreamSky has to offer. This clock displays the date and temperature and even offers two built-in USB ports for charging your devices. Best of all, the alarm volume ascends in volume, easing you out of bed rather than ripping you from your dreams.
Pros
- Eye care display
- Date and temperature
- Two USB charging ports
- Battery backup to save settings
Cons
- Only one alarm sound
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my clock-of-choice run on batteries?
Although most of the options on our list can hold batteries, these aren’t really for reliably powering the clock. These batteries provide backup power for saving customized settings should the unit lose power. While certainly useful during a power outage or a move, battery backups cannot deliver continuous power for more than a couple days.
How does the light simulation work?
The second option on our list features a light simulation that gradually changes brightness throughout the day. In the morning, the light increases brightness to emulate the sunrise. For many people, this helps them wake up more naturally since their circadian rhythms can adjust to the changing light. If you go with a light simulator alarm clock, you might not notice a difference at first (and may want to put an alarm sound on top of it just to be safe). However, after a week or two, your body should adjust to the rhythm of the light cycles.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.