The Best Digital Clocks
Unless you're a morning person, getting out of bed can be challenging. That's why it's nice to have a dedicated digital clock to help you rise and shine. Digital clocks have improved over the years and boast many innovative features, like USB ports and wireless charging pads for your smartphone. Whether you're prone to sleep in or just want to wake up with the sunrise, a digital clock may improve your morning routine.
What to Look For
Digital clocks have improved over the years and boast many innovative features. Performance is a huge factor when differentiating the best digital clocks from the duds. If you’re a heavy sleeper, you need a clock that will wake you up in the morning. The best alarm clocks are also customizable, allowing you to adjust the volume of the alarm and snooze options based on your needs. Our favorite is the SZELAM digital alarm clock because it has a big bright display with multiple dimming options and a reliable snooze function. However, if you prefer an alarm clock that eases you into waking up, we recommend the sunrise alarm clock by JALL. It gently eases you awake by simulating the sunrise. Read on to learn more about the best digital clocks on the market.
SZELAM Digital Alarm Clock
Always on time
This sleek and versatile alarm clock with HD display doubles as a mirror, allowing you to check your makeup while keeping an eye on the time in the morning. The big display ensures you can see the time wherever you are in a room, but you won’t have to worry about it keeping you up at night. The clock has three brightness levels that adjust automatically depending on the room’s brightness. Another helpful feature is the clock’s memory function that restores your settings if the power goes out. Plus, it has dual USB ports, so you can easily charge your phone or other devices while you sleep at night.
Pros:
- We loved the multiple dimming options that allow you to adjust the brightness based on the time of day.
- The clock’s numbers are big and bright, so you can see them from across a room.
- You can snooze the clock for up to 60 minutes for those days when you just don’t want to get out of bed.
Cons:
- It doesn’t come with a wall adapter.
JALL Sunrise Alarm Clock
Rise and shine
If you enjoy waking up to natural sunlight, this sunrise simulation alarm clock was designed for you. The clock gently wakes you up as it gradually increases in brightness over a 30-minute period. If you’re a heavy sleeper and need more than light to get you up in the morning, you can select from seven sounds to go off after the sunrise function is complete. Plus, it has 20 brightness levels and seven color lights, so you won’t ever have to worry about the display disturbing you. That’s not all; the clock also has a built-in radio, so you can listen to the weather, news, music, or more as you get ready in the morning. It also doubles as a bedside lamp, making it an excellent option for reading before you go to sleep at night.
Pros:
- We found that waking up to the clock was a gentle and peaceful experience compared to an abrupt alarm.
- The clock features dual alarms, making it perfect when partners need to wake up at different times.
- You can adjust the sunrise function to last between 10 and 60 minutes.
Cons:
- The time display on the clock is small.
DreamSky Digital Alarm Clock
Little wonder
This digital alarm clock features a USB charging port that lets you keep your devices charged without plugging them into the wall. It also has a battery-powered backup function that saves the clock’s settings during a power outage. Plus, its jumbo illuminated time display makes it an excellent choice for anyone with vision problems. Whether you prefer a gentle alarm or need a loud jolt to get you up in the morning, you can adjust the alarm’s volume to fit your preference.
Pros:
- We loved the clock’s dimmer that allows you to adjust the display from very bright to barely visible.
- It comes with a USB cable, a wall plug, and two USB ports on the back of the clock.
- The clock’s display is big and bright enough to see the time any time of the day, even without glasses.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a radio.
Mosito Wooden Digital Alarm Clock
Elegantly simple
This attractive clock with a wooden finish looks good in any decor. It has a wireless charging dock compatible with various phones, allowing you to wake up to a fully charged phone. The clock’s dimmer control lets you adjust it to your preferred brightness level, so you won’t have to worry about it keeping you up at night. You can set the volume of the alarm to your preference, and it’s easy to operate. If you’re looking for simplicity and stylishness, this alarm clock is worth a look.
Pros:
- We were impressed that the alarm clock came with a USB wall adapter, so you don’t have to buy it separately.
- It looks like an elegant piece of wood when the clock is off, allowing it to blend into any environment.
- The wireless charging pad charges phones quickly and is wide enough that you won’t have to worry about your phone falling off.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a USB port.
Mesqool Digital Alarm Clock
Wake up gently
If you’re looking for a full-featured alarm clock at a budget price, this clock should be at the top of your list. This plug-in clock comes with a wall adapter and battery memorization that stores your settings if there’s a power outage. Plus, it has two USB ports so you can charge your phone or other devices while you sleep. Its large LED display is full-dimmable, so you’ll always have just the right amount of light. If you get up during the night, you’ll love the easy-to-use night light. All you have to do is tap the large night light button on top of the clock to turn it on. You can also adjust the alarm volume to the level you prefer for getting up in the morning.
Pros:
- We love how the night light turns on with a simple tap of the top of the clock. Plus, you can choose between seven light hues.
- Setting it up is a quick and easy process that only requires pressing the large button on top of the clock to set the time.
- The display is bright and clear, and it has a dimmer option for adjusting the brightness.
Cons:
- The USB ports charge devices fairly slowly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a digital alarm clock work?
Unlike analog clocks that use a pendulum or oscillating wheel to function, digital alarm clocks count seconds and keep accurate time using an electronic timebase. Instead of gears, they use a counter and an LED or LCD face to display the time instead of clock hands. They’re generally more accurate than analog clocks. Digital clocks wake you up using either a radio or a recorded alarm sound that pulses or rings.
How do I choose a good alarm clock?
When choosing an alarm clock, think about your wake-up style. Some clocks use nature sounds or sunrise simulation to wake you up, while others use a mix of lights, vibrations, and beeps. Choose the style that best suits you. You should also look for alarm clocks with a battery backup option. The battery backup option lets you insert batteries into your clock that will allow it to save your settings in the case of a power outage. Lastly, think about what type of display you want. If you wear glasses, you may want a clock with a large display. If you’re sensitive to light, look for a clock with full range dimming options.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
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.