Want to wake up gently, without the shock of a loud phone alarm? A sunrise alarm clock could be your new morning essential. These clever clocks utilise gradually brightening light — known as sunrise simulation — to mimic the natural dawn, helping to regulate your circadian rhythm for a smoother start to the day.
As previously established in this forum (read: my thoughts on blackout sleep masks), I think a lot about sleep. How many hours did I get last night? What time do I have to get into bed tonight to have enough wind-down time? Sometimes I think more about sleep than I do actually sleeping.
As part of this sleep fixation, I’m also someone who requires ample ‘wind down’ time to be able to slumber at a reasonable hour, which also means having dim lighting before bed.
So, when a kindly colleague offered me a sunrise alarm clock they didn’t think they’d get enough use out of, I accepted with enthusiastic curiosity. While a sunrise alarm clock is true to its name in terms of alarm clock abilities, it was the pre-sleep functions I was mainly interested in.
What is a Sunrise Alarm Clock?
A sunrise alarm clock is a light-based alarm designed to mimic the natural rhythms of sunrise and sunset. Instead of waking you abruptly with noise, it gradually brightens your room over a set period—often 30 minutes—to simulate the rising sun, helping you wake up more gently. Many models also offer a sunset simulation, slowly dimming the light to prepare your body for rest. This light-based approach helps support your circadian rhythm, particularly during darker months when natural sunlight is limited. Some users also find it beneficial in managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), as the gradual exposure to light can positively influence mood and energy levels.
Benefits of a wake-up light
A wake-up light is more than an alarm clock — it’s a natural sleep aid that supports healthier sleep cycles. It gradually increases light before your set wake time, easing your body out of sleep more gently than sudden alarms. Many models offer customisable brightness settings to match your sensitivity and preferences. You can choose soothing alarm sounds like birdsong or soft music for a more peaceful start to the day. Some also include a wind-down routine, featuring dimmed lights and calming sounds to help you relax before bed. This makes them ideal for anyone who struggles to fall asleep or wants to improve their nightly sleep routine.
Sunrise alarm clock review
While a bedside table lamp provides significantly more ambience than a ghastly overhead light does, it is still bright. When you want to get all cosy before sleep, the dim, customisable light of the clock is perfect. After my shower, I’ll switch from the bedside table lamp to the alarm clock light, and it’s ideal for doing my skincare – or even for mellow reading. I also love the sleep aid functions, which allow you to set natural noises, such as rain or the FM radio, on a timer to help you drift off.
While I don’t quite reap the benefits of the gradual light function that mimics sunrise in the mornings (as I’m a blackout sleep mask wearer), I absolutely love the gradual wake-up of the accompanying aural alarm. I actually find myself smiling when I start to hear the gradual crescendo of the mix of recorded birds’ chirps and piano music. So, it’s safe to say that the days of groaning at the aggressive honk of my smartphone alarm are gone.
The dual alarm is great because I can set two alarms: one for weekdays (7:55 a.m.) and one for weekends when I’ve a gym class (8:15 a.m.). You’ve got your pick of an array of nature-inspired sounds, with my favourite one being the aforementioned bird’s song.
There’s a USB port that’s great for charging your phone, but I try to leave my phone out of my room at night, seeing as I no longer rely on my phone’s clock app to wake me up. A sunrise alarm clock is also great if you’re actively trying to reduce your screen time.
In short, I’d award the sunrise alarm clock five stars for being so user-friendly, helping to wind down before sleep, and having the most delightful alarms to wake up to.
The best Sunrise Alarm Clocks of 2025 to help you wake up naturally
Below, we examine some of the best sunrise alarm clocks on the market, which make for easy wake-up as well as a smooth winding down.
Boxtery Sunrise alarm clock, $59.99, Amazon
Like the reviewed sunrise alarm clock, this model comes with all the bells and whistles of helpful features. If the yellow light doesn’t appeal to you, consider a moody red or a relaxing green.
Key features:
- Sunrise simulation with 20 levels of brightness
- FM radio
- Seven light colours
- Dual alarm clock and snooze
- Sleep aid feature
- USB port to charge phone
- Night light and bedside lamp
- Quick delivery
Tuerthy Wake-up Light alarm clock, $46.97 (usually $59.99), Amazon
Picked as Amazon’s Choice, this budget-friendly sunrise alarm clock is designed to offer a more gentle wake-up experience with gradual light and a breezy alarm. With over 400 five-star reviews and an overall rating of 4.3 stars, it’s an affordable and reliable wake-up light option that won’t compromise on quality.
Key features:
- Sunrise simulation with 20 levels of brightness
- Sunset simulator sleep aid
- Seven white noise sounds
- Dual alarm
- FM radio
- Seven light colours
- Clock display
- Tap snooze
- 16 adjustable volume
- Dual alarm clock and snooze
- Quick delivery
Philips SmartSleep sleep and wake-up light, $327, Amazon
If you’re looking for a more peaceful way to wake up (and wind down), this sunrise alarm clock is a game-changer. The Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light gradually brightens before your alarm time, helping you wake up gently instead of being jolted by your phone. It’s not just about mornings either — the sunset mode, soothing sounds, and dimmable display make it just as helpful in easing into sleep.
Key features:
- The light slowly brightens over 30 minutes, starting with soft red tones and ending in warm yellow.
- You can choose from five calming alarm sounds.
- The reverse effect of the sunrise mode gently dims the light, helping your body relax and prepare for sleep naturally.
- With 20 light levels (up to 300 lux), you can set the brightness to suit your mood or room, whether you’re using it as a reading lamp or just need a soft glow.
- Tap to Snooze + Dim Display.
Does the sunrise alarm clock actually work?
By emitting warm light that gradually brightens over a sustained period – mimicking a sunrise – a sunrise alarm clock aims to stimulate the body to wake up more naturally. Some sleep experts suggest that sunrise alarm clocks can be effective in helping to regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, while also acknowledging that they may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those who wear eye masks, for example.
Features to look for in a Sunrise Alarm Clock
When choosing the best sunrise alarm clock, look for features such as a dual alarm setting, a snooze function, an auto-dimming display, customisable alarm tones, good sound quality, and whether it offers both a night light and reading light mode. These extras can make a big difference to your sleep and wake-up routine.
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