10 Minute Timer With Music and Alarm
How we picked
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Easy to read
Whether it has hands or a digital display, a clock should be legible at a glance.
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Pleasant sounds
The ideal alarm will wake you up without a jarring effect. We favored models that had pleasant tones (or the option to change them).
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Simple to set
Accessing alarm settings or adjusting features like snooze, brightness, and alarm volume shouldn't require a YouTube tutorial.
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Nice-to-haves
Radio, USB ports, Bluetooth and internet connectivity, alarm sound and tone options—these are all welcome features (but they're not necessary).
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If you use your phone in the bedroom at night, it's probably messing with your sleep, even if you mute and dim it. An alarm clock can be a healthy upgrade to a distraction-free bedroom, despite its feeling like a technological downgrade. After a phone-free week of testing, we recommend seven clocks (including analog, digital, and smart versions) for a more peaceful bedroom. They aren't too bright at night and will dependably wake you up in the morning. And they'll look nice on your nightstand to boot.
Why you should trust us
I'm a writer at Design Milk, and since 2006 I've been writing about home design for a multitude of design-focused outlets, including Apartment Therapy, Lonny, Metropolis, and Design Sponge. I've also written several guides here at Wirecutter, including on bedside lamps, floor lamps, bed frames, and patio furniture. Previously, as an industrial designer, I designed children's toys and furniture, and this allowed me to learn the ins and outs of mass-market product design—from conception to manufacturing. I have an uncanny ability to wake approximately one minute before any alarm, but I'm still paranoid enough to set one as a backup.
A budget digital alarm with a large face: DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock
Our pick
Best for: Those who desire a large digital display, want to charge devices overnight via USB, and don't mind a plug-in model.
Why it's great: If you're looking for an alarm clock that does a lot on the cheap, the DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock is both an alarm clock and a USB charging station. Something that really stood out with this model, versus other clocks we tested: The DreamSky has an enormous digital display (each number is 2 inches tall) that stretches across the entire front of the clock. Although I'm nearsighted, with basically mole-like eyesight, I could read this clock clearly from a distance—without wearing glasses or contacts.
Some digital alarm clocks we tested—specifically those with lots of extra features and controls, such as the Philips Wake-Up Light—required a detailed review of manuals to get them up and running. The DreamSky, on the other hand, was plug and play: The clock was easy and intuitive to set and adjust, with clearly labeled buttons for time and alarm and two physical dials for volume control and display brightness. The DreamSky was the only clock we tested that had such a wide range of customization options—it's simple to literally dial in your personal preferences. The snooze button isn't a physical button, but there's a touch-sensitive surface that shushes the alarm in nine-minute increments.
If you're picky about colors, you'll like that this DreamSky model offers seven color variations, with different finishes and display hues to choose from. There's also a similar DreamSky model that includes a digital FM radio and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.
You should know that this alarm clock is not fully battery-operated—two backup AAA batteries are responsible only for keeping time and alarm settings, in case of a power outage. There are two USB ports in the back—one to charge most mobile devices with 5 V output and the other to power the clock via USB (or you can plug directly into the wall).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The DreamSky logo emblazoned at the top (underneath the snooze button) is downright ugly. The plastic case and buttons feel every bit like what you'd expect from a $20 device. The batteries protect only time and alarm settings, in case of a power outage; for a full display, you have to plug in the clock or keep it connected via USB cable.
Materials: plastic
Finishes/colors: black case available with green, orange, red, white, or blue digits; white case available with white or blue digits
Dimensions: 5.8 by 2.9 by 2.7 inches
Power: plug adapter
A just "smart enough" clock: Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
Our pick
Best for: Anyone looking for a compact digital alarm clock that offers time, day, and weather info at a glance, and those who prefer using voice controls over physical buttons.
Why it's great: Lenovo offers two Smart Clocks, the Lenovo Smart Clock and its cheaper sibling, the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential. We liked the smaller and more affordable of the two because its options are true to its name—Essential—with time, weather, and day easily viewed at a glance across its 4.5-inch auto-brightness-adjusting LED display.
Most everything this alarm clock can do is hidden, accessed using its built-in Google Assistant voice controls or with the Google Home app. Even though the clock is outfitted with four evenly distributed buttons—for volume, turning on music, and the alarm settings—they are obscured from view due to the angled wedge design. Unless you're looking at them from above, the buttons are discernible only by touch, and I often fumbled at night or in the early morning while trying to turn on music or adjust the volume. There's also a tap at the top to enable the snooze feature, but it sometimes required another touch to register. To set the alarm, adjust the volume, or turn on the night-light, it was always much easier to summon help with a "hey, Google …" instead. Fortunately, the clock's two microphones (one in the front, the other in the back) are very sensitive and able to discern commands, even when we used a hushed volume at night. And though the clock's single-speaker output can be a bit tinny for playing music, it can get surprisingly loud and is just fine for alarm tones and answering Google Assistant prompts.
The clock's compact size is ideal for anyone with limited space. Even so, Lenovo included a USB 2.0 Type-A port in the back for charging devices (albeit at a slow rate, which is best for overnight charging). There's also an oval-shaped night-light in the back. But the output is fairly dim, even at the brightest setting, so it's best used as an ambient light to help you find your way in the dark.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The clock's physical buttons make a satisfying click when pressed. But because of their angled pitch, they're small and hard to discern. The tap-to-snooze feature can be finicky.
Materials: polycarbonate and cloth cover
Finishes/colors: gray
Dimensions: 2.51 by 3.26 by 4.51 inches
Power: Plug-in
A unique and informative digital alarm clock: Oct17 Wooden Alarm Clock
Our pick
Best for: Those who prefer the look of wood over plastic and who value unfussy contemporary design—as well as those who want an alarm clock that displays the time, date, temperature, and humidity at a glance.
Why it's great: The Oct17's triangular-shaped wood body looks much nicer than one might expect from a budget clock. In fact, it's more attractive than many pricier clock options we considered. (It's also the only clock we found that's virtually impossible to tip over.) This model is very affordable, and yet compared with the cheap feel of the DreamSky and Capello alarm clocks, the Oct17 seems upscale. The clock's wood-grain finish has a great feel, and its cool "now you see me, now you don't" LED display shines from beneath its veneer.
The Oct17 displays more information at a glance than any other clock we recommend, showing the time and date (alternating) alongside the temperature and humidity level—all without requiring an internet connection. If you're bothered by ambient light glowing from your clock, the Oct17 has three brightness settings. And it's the only display we found that you can set to turn off completely after 10 seconds. But when you need to know the time again, a clap of the hands or a tap on the front face will reawaken the clock for 10 seconds.
If you don't wake at the same time each day, this is the digital alarm clock for you: It has three separate alarms, including one you can set to skip on weekends (to allow for sleeping in).
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Navigating the clock's mode settings and feature adjustments proved unintuitive, requiring more button presses than a Street Fighter move combination.
Materials: MDF and wood veneer
Finishes/colors: brown, black, bamboo, and white finishes
Dimensions: 3.1 by 3.1 by 5.9 inches
Power: USB cable (included), four AAA batteries (not included) for emergency power backup
A basic but loud digital alarm clock: RCA RCD30
Our pick
Best for: Anyone who doesn't want to spend a lot of money, prefers a huge digital display, and is just looking for the basics to be done right.
Why it's great: The RCA RCD30 is an affordable digital alarm clock with a bright display, an easy-to-use button layout, and an alarm loud enough to wake even heavy sleepers. It's also the least expensive model we tested, making it an easy choice when you need something cheap and dependable, like for a guest room or a vacation rental.
The RCA is a basic unit, but it has all you really need in an alarm clock. It's one of the smallest clocks we considered, so it won't take up much room on your nightstand. But it's also easy to read, with a 3.75-by-1.4-inch illuminated display that's visible in daylight and at night from at least 20 feet away. The large display size is a boon for people who wear glasses because there's no need to fumble for them in order to check the time. If a big display keeps you up at night, know that the RCD30 does offer a dimmer setting.
The no-frills RCA is also easier to use than other, more complicated clocks we tested. It has a large snooze button across the top, so you can usually hit it without much trouble. On the back, there are three switches: one for setting the time and alarm, one for dimming the front display, and one for turning the alarm on and off. The alarm emits a loud, constant beep that can be heard from at least 20 feet away. That wake-up call continues until you shut off the alarm or hit snooze (which provides an extra nine minutes of slumber every time you press it, for well over an hour).
The RCD30 also comes with the option for backup via a 9-volt battery, so you won't lose your settings if the power goes out at 2 a.m. As with most of the alarm clocks we tested, when the RCD30 is using only battery power, it will not display the time, but the alarm will still go off.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: A few of the alarm clocks we reviewed have up and down buttons for setting the time. The RCA does not. The minute and hour buttons go in only one direction, so if you get distracted while setting the time and go too far, you'll need to cycle through again. This is not unique to the RCA, though; setting the alarm on the Alessi Optic 02 B presented a similarly frustrating, "careful, don't miss it" experience.
Materials: plastic
Finishes/colors: black, white
Dimensions: 5 by 4 by 6 inches
Power: AC plug-in
An unalarming bedside companion: Loftie Alarm Clock
Our pick
Loftie
An unalarming and smarter bedside companion
This was one of the least sleep-disruptive digital alarm clocks we tested. Whether it's the night-light, the snooze button, or the sound of the alarm tones, every detail feels like it's been refined to reinforce a state of calm.
Buying Options
Best for: Those who believe in the minimalist ethos of "less, but better," and people who enjoy falling asleep or waking up to ambient music and nature sounds.
Why it's great: The Loftie can fool you into thinking you're waking up of your own accord every morning, rather than being forcibly annoyed out of bed. Of all the alarm clocks we tested, the clock's selection of five ambient compositions best induced the sensation of arising alongside the natural cues of the morning—sounds of birds, ambient tones, morning temple bells. After nine minutes, the Loftie follows up the first alarm with an ever-so-slightly more-insistent "get up" chime. (After first using the Loftie, I wrote down that "I felt like I had arisen to a morning directed by Terrence Malick, all contemplative mood and relaxing stillness.") There's the option to set different alarms scheduled for different days of the week, as well as a multitude of alarms you could set as reminders throughout the day—to get up occasionally, exercise, or walk the dog, among other everyday tasks.
The Loftie is also designed to help owners relax and fall asleep. It includes a variety of background-noise generators (white, brown, pink, and so forth), meditation/breathwork soundscapes, and even a podcast called Snoozecast. Any sound can be programmed to be activated or turned off with the press of a button, and this made the Loftie easy to use when the heavy blanket of unconsciousness began to take over at night.
Of clocks we've tested, this one's display isn't the largest or the brightest. But it's clear, and it automatically sets the time once connected to a Wi-Fi network. We also liked the clock's all-black exterior (it comes in a white and black option, too), which is free of distracting lights or branding. There's an adjustable night-light hidden at the base that's easily turned on and off, using the large button on top of the clock (it also works as the snooze button). You won't be able to read using the light, but it's bright enough for when you're fumbling for your glasses or going to the bathroom in the middle of the night. The two other buttons are for setting the alarm, accessing brightness and volume settings, setting the duration of the sleep timer, and choosing alarm tones. The Loftie isn't "smart" like other smart alarm clocks, in that you won't be served the news or the weather with the aid of a voice assistant. But on a regular basis this clock can get additional features delivered via Wi-Fi updates. For instance, we discovered one night that there were a few more soothing classical compositions to wake up to than we'd had the day before and that alarm-scheduling options had been expanded. The developers recently added Bluetooth speaker functionality and are promising Spotify connectivity and additional sounds as features that are "coming soon." We'll update this guide when—and if—these features appear.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Loftie was originally $165 when we first tested it but the price has now been lowered to $150. We still think it's a pretty penny to pay for any device, let alone an alarm clock with a purposely edited selection of features. The numerical display is legible up close, but it's slightly dimmer when viewed off-center. And, for nearsighted sleepers like us, we wish there were an option to increase the display size.
Materials: polycarbonate
Finishes/colors: black (with an option for black or white accent colors)
Dimensions: 2.75 by 6.5 by 2.75 inches
Power: plug-in (USB-C adapter)
Best sunlight alarm clock: Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520
Our pick
Best for: Anyone who hates being jolted awake each morning with a wailing alarm, and those who prefer easing into consciousness with increasing luminosity.
Why it's great: A top pick in our guide to sunrise alarm clocks, the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 is still our favorite sunrise alarm clock for anyone who hates being woken abruptly. Over the span of 30 minutes, the luminous LED orb produces a convincing simulation of dawn or dusk. It provides a kinder, gentler wake-up than any other alarm we recommend, and it's the only clock we tested that can help lull you to sleep at night. The Wake-Up Light also includes more alarm options than most clocks we tried, with five nature-themed tones, along with a built-in FM tuner and a backup alarm. (However, navigating the clock's touch surface and icon-based menu system isn't very intuitive, and not always responsive.) Our favorite setting was a combination of the simulated sunlight paired with the convincing sounds of cheerful chirping birds.
We also found the clock's light sufficiently bright enough to work as a decent reading lamp, making the Wake-Up the only clock we recommend that can do so. At 8 inches wide, this model takes up a lot more room on the nightstand than other clocks we tested. But when you think of the Wake-Up as a combination alarm clock and bedside lamp, it presents a pretty efficient use of space.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Despite the Wake-Up Light's overall size, its numerical digital display is less than an inch tall and so not as easy to read as those of the other clocks we tried (especially with its light at full brightness). The secondary set of tactile buttons across the unit's top are more intuitive to use than the icons on the clock's display, but they're small and all the same size, so it's easy to press the wrong button. The FM radio is a plus, but considering that the clock is our second-most-expensive pick, the silver-dollar-sized rear-facing speaker is tinny and disappointing. The LED bulb is rated to last seven years with regular use. But it cannot be replaced, so over time the clock could lose its most distinguishing feature.
Materials: polycarbonate
Finishes/colors: white
Dimensions: 8 by 3 by 3 inches
Power: DC power plug with eight-hour power backup
A classic wooden alarm clock: Lemnos Riki Alarm Clock
Our pick
Lemnos Riki Alarm Clock
A handsome, classic clock
The Riki is an analog clock that's easy to read and to set (with one of the most pleasant alarms that will still wake you up). It's ideal for light sleepers who want to banish electronic distractions from the bedroom.
Best for: Design enthusiasts, or anyone looking to ditch their smartphone for an uncomplicated, completely silent, easy-to-use classic alarm clock.
Why it's great: If you want a dependable alarm clock with a timeless analog design that's dead silent and easy to use, the Lemnos Riki checks all of those boxes. The only alarm clock among our picks with a design-award pedigree, the sedate beechwood Riki was designed by Japanese modernist Riki Watanabe, whose work was known for being simple yet functional. The Riki's prominent face has half-inch-tall numerals and large hour and minute arms, so it's easy to read—even in dim light and from a distance. The clock's sole button consolidates the light and snooze functions (doling out extra sleep in four-minute increments), and we found it effortless to use, even with our eyes closed. When you press the button, the clock illuminates just enough to make the face legible (a big plus for those of us who like to peek at the time before we have any real intention of waking up). The brightness level seemed more akin to candlelight than to the intrusive modern glare produced by the LED- or LCD-backlit displays on other clocks we tested. Even the next-dimmest night-light (on the Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light) seemed much too bright after we'd acclimated to the Riki's tranquil illumination.
Although it looks perfectly round, the clock actually has a subtle indentation on its base that keeps it from rolling away—and from moving when brushed or bumped. And because this clock is battery-operated (it needs only a single AA battery), there are no cords to worry about. In addition to its snooze button, the straightforward Riki has just three controls: an on/off switch for the alarm and two dial knobs to set the time and the alarm.
If the tick-tock of some clocks' mechanical movement tends to keep you awake, rest assured that this clock is completely silent—something we can't say about the percussive passing of time produced by the Alessi Optic 02 B or the faint bzzzz emanating from the Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light. The only sound the Riki makes comes from its alarm, which is loud enough to wake you without being annoying.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: The Riki isn't cheap, and it's gone up a bit in price since we first tested it. Even though this clock is still available on Amazon and at various other retailers, the Lemnos site currently lists the Riki as "archived," so we're investigating whether it may have been discontinued permanently. We will update this guide as soon as we know more.
Setting the Riki's alarm to a specific hour is fairly simple to do, but setting it to an exact minute is more of an estimate, due to the clock's dial face. The ABS resin snooze-and-light button matches the color of the beechwood clock case, but it isn't made of wood.
Materials: beechwood, ABS resin, glass
Finishes/colors: natural, brown, white, gray
Dimensions: 4.3 by 4.5 by 2.2 inches
Power: one AA battery
How we picked and tested
Alarm clocks may seem a bit old-fashioned, since everyone and their grandmother now uses a phone as an alarm. A search for "alarm clock" on Amazon returns a paltry seven pages of models to choose from, many only minutely different from the next (and most so ugly that the thought of sleeping near them is enough to induce mild insomnia).
But there are still some great options available today, and here are the features we looked for in an ideal alarm clock:
- Easy to read: Whether it has hands or a digital display, a clock should be legible at a glance, even without contacts or eyeglasses.
- Produces a pleasant alarm tone: The ideal alarm will wake you up without creating a jarring effect. We favored models with pleasant tones and the option to change them based on personal preference.
- Dimmable: A persistent, noticeable bright light can be a detriment to falling asleep. We highly recommend a clock with the option of manually or automatically dimming the display.
- Compact and stable: A good alarm clock has a low center of gravity and sufficient weight to counter the clumsy hands of the half-awake.
- Simple to set: Accessing alarm on/off settings or adjusting features like snooze, brightness, and alarm volume shouldn't require a PhD or a YouTube tutorial.
- Unobtrusive: An alarm clock should not be the first thing you notice in a bedroom—perhaps it should even be the last. Leave the statement pieces to the living room.
- Extra features: Radio, USB ports, Bluetooth and internet connectivity, multiple alarms, alarm sound and tone options, and a backup battery are all welcome (but not necessary).
In 2018, after reading through customer reviews on Amazon and other retailers—and focusing particularly on the qualities listed above—we called in the 10 most promising alarm clocks. We used each clock for a few days and nights. In 2021, we again scoured retailers and called in four more alarm clocks to test. We tested each model in our bedrooms, with the alarm set half an hour earlier than our usual wake-up time, to ensure the clock's alarm tone was responsible for breaking our usual sleep cycle as well as to allow us to use each clock's snooze function while still groggy. We also kept an eye out for cosmetic defects, and we inspected the durability of materials and construction, imagining the litany of abuse an alarm clock may have to endure over its lifetime. Aside from the largest clock (the Philips Wake-Up Light), our picks are small; they should fit on most nightstands and won't slide or knock over easily.
What to look forward to
We're keeping an eye on the OneClock, a supposedly built-to-last-a-lifetime analog alarm clock that is in the process of getting crowdfunded on Indiegogo. But with an estimated $350 retail price, it's definitely not cheap. We won't officially review it until the clock is fully available to the public, but a pre-production sample we saw seemed promising. We'll update this guide when we have more information. We're also going to look at the Echo Dot with clock in our next round of testing, to see how it compares to the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential.
Notable competition
Sangean RCR-5
Good for: People who want a basic and affordable AM/FM radio clock.
If you're looking for a solid alarm clock that's outfitted with essential features, this back-to-basics dual alarm clock–radio is less than $50. The Sangean scores solidly online with owners, but we found the clock's cheap, glossy plastic finish and overly conspicuous logo distracting and reminiscent of models found on drugstore electronics shelves. It made us appreciate the similarly priced Lenovo Smart Clock Essential's tasteful simplicity that much more.
Lenovo Smart Clock
Good for: Someone who wants a smart alarm with a color screen.
The Lenovo Smart Clock is just barely larger than its more affordable, monochromatic, non-touch Essential counterpart. But the Smart Clock adds a punchy, full-color touchscreen display with a selection of user-customizable faces and more alarm options than the Essential, but with the same Google Assistant hatful of tricks. We think the introduction of another bright color screen in the bedroom isn't a great idea, and the few extras the Smart Clock adds do not really justify its price.
The competition
Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock with Auto-Night Light: The Marathon has many great features. In addition to its compact design (the clock measures 3.5 inches wide by 1.5 inches deep), the Marathon features a sensor night-light, dead-quiet movement, a clearly marked alarm and snooze buttons, and a low-glow light that's similar to (but not quite as good as) the one on the Riki. Its one and only shortcoming was legibility: The clock's printed numerals were small and hard to read at a glance. We'd still recommend it if you want a battery-operated alarm clock that's easy to throw in your luggage.
Lexon Flip On/Off Alarm Clock: (Of note: This clock has now been replaced by the Lexon Flip Plus; the size hasn't changed, however.) The Lexon Flip is fun to use and has a novel design that works well: To turn the alarm on or off, you flip the entire clock over, instead of pressing a button or a switch. Each side is clearly marked, with "on" written across the clock's rubber coating on one side and "off" written across the other side. The Flip (which is nearly impossible to tip over) takes up little space, but its small size also means it isn't as legible as we'd like for an everyday alarm clock. Its LCD display is hard to see in standby mode, and it's easy to read only with the backlight on. Also, its high-pitched digital tone is effective yet annoying.
MoMA Alume Cube Clock: We liked the Alume for its compact, 2.75-inch minimalist silver-cube design. It should fit on any surface with plenty of room to spare, displaying the time, date, and temperature with a snap of the fingers or a tap on its top. Where the clock comes up short: the absence of snooze or dimming options (the display turns completely off between snaps or taps) with an LED display that glows a bit too cold and bright for tired or still-waking eyes. If you do like this design, there are several knockoffs—with similar features—for a lot less.
Capello Round Time Table Clock: The Capello is a small and lightweight plug-in alarm clock with an easy-to-read LED display and a stylish gray-fabric front. A USB port in the back works great for overnight charging, but the listed "option to plug in your phone so you can listen to music" didn't really work for us (with an iPhone). And the clock's lightweight plastic construction made it easy to knock over. The snooze button isn't a real button—touches or light taps won't register. Snoozing the alarm requires a firm, palm-down press across the entire clock. If you're sensitive to light, you should note that even at the dimmest of this clock's three settings, the LED display was distracting. We eventually had to turn it face-down.
Alessi Optic 02 B Alarm Clock: This now-discontinued model from Alessi was an example of high design being hampered by low-quality features. This clock was too audible to be a peaceful bedside companion, producing a tick-tock sound so loud that it bothered us even when we were in the next room. No doubt, the Italian space-age design is eye-catching, but having this clock near the bed made the passing of time a torturous, second-by-second affair. And we found its plastic construction flimsy, with tiny and difficult-to-set dial controls that had more in common with a cheap, drugstore alarm clock than something sold for many times the price.
About your guide
Gregory Han is a design, travel, and lifestyle writer, and the co-author of Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire. His work can be found at Design Milk, Dwell, Domino, Apartment Therapy, and Airbnb.
10 Minute Timer With Music and Alarm
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-alarm-clock/
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