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Don’t snooze or you’ll lose out on these expert picks.
Experts say you should stop using your smartphone as an alarm clock. Not only do smartphones emit radiation, “sleeping with your phone next to you changes your mood — specifically, it may increase how much anxiety you experience,” Physician Dr. Elroy Vojdani tells MarketWatch. “The problem here is never allowing the brain to disconnect from digital communication or social media and even though you may be sleeping, just knowing the phone is next to you is enough to keep your mind engaged and prevent you from falling into a deep restorative sleep.” The solution, experts say, is an alarm clock. MarketWatch talked to sleep experts about the best alarm clocks for even the deepest of sleepers.
Best alarm clock for deep sleepers: Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Extra-Loud Dual Alarm Clock and Bed Shaker, about $32
New York City-based neuropsychologist Dr. Sanam Hafeez tells MarketWatch the most important thing to look for in an alarm clock is one with a very loud sound. “If a tone is too relaxing, most people tend to let it keep ringing,” says Hafeez. This 113-decibel alarm clock does the trick with built-in pulsating lights, a bright red display and the option to shake the bed instead of making noise with a 12 volt bed shaker that you place underneath your mattress. It’s popular with customers too garnering more than 7,000 Amazon reviews and 4.3 out of 5 stars. Learn more this alarm clock here.
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Best budget alarm clock: DreamSky Compact Digital Alarm Clock with USB Port for Charging, about $20
A large display makes the time easy to see on this alarm clock that includes an adjustable dimmer and volume control. And, the alarm can easily be disabled on the weekends with one simple on/off button. With both a battery and DC adapter charging option, this trusty gadget will still wake you up even if the power goes out. “Technology has always been a double-edged sword when it comes to sleep,” says Dasgupta, but with this basic, tech-free clock, there’s no temptation of checking Facebook or Instagram. Learn more about this alarm clock here.
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Best alarm clock for light sleepers: Homelabs Sunrise Alarm Clock, about $20
In an effort to improve sleep, energy and well-being, this alarm clock mimics a natural sunrise to make waking up easier. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine physician at University of Southern California tells MarketWatch, “I like the idea of an alarm clock that simulates natural sunlight because in the morning you want to inhibit the release of melatonin which is a hormone released by the pineal gland in your brain.” Using a warm LED light that gradually brightens 30 minutes before the alarm time, this clock also has a sunset feature which dims the room to make falling asleep more peaceful. Learn more about this alarm clock here.
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Best alarm clock for people who repeatedly hit snooze: Ruggie Alarm Clock, The Original Rug Carpet Alarm Clock, about $75
“According to the MIT Technology Review, Americans spend nearly four months of their lives hitting the snooze button,” Hafeez says. This plush mat requires pressure to be applied to it for three seconds to stop its 120 decibel alarm — which is on par with the noise level of a chainsaw. “Ruggie takes the ease and convenience out of simply rolling over and slapping snooze,” says Hafeez. Learn more about this alarm here.
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Best-looking alarm clock: Lemnos Riki Wooden Alarm Clock, about $72
Wirecutter suggests this clock for design enthusiasts or people looking to ditch their smartphones during the night. Designed by Japanese modernist Riki Watanabe, this simple-yet-functional clock has just one button for both its light and 4-minute snooze function. Fire this up with just one AA battery and keep your nightstand quiet and cord-free. Learn more about this alarm clock here.
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Best travel alarm clock: Marathon Travel Alarm Clock with Calendar and Temperature, about $17
Complete with a built-in foldable arm, this clock operates on a 12-or 24-hour clock and displays the month, date and day of the week all with just one AAA battery. A gently-lit backlight makes it easy on the eyes and a loud alarm with a snooze button wakes up even the most jet-lagged travelers.
And if waking up still proves dreadful, Palm Beach, Fla.-based board certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) and sleep medicine physician tells MarketWatch, “Many people can benefit from a high quality melatonin product, ideally one that lasts seven hours, which can help regulate sleep cycles and support healthy REM sleep.”
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