This one pairs a gradually brightening light in natural sunrise colors with soothing sounds (you have a choice of eight) to wake you in the morning.īut this alarm clock goes far beyond the act of waking you up (and telling time). That's why our top pick for the best gentle alarm clock is a sunrise alarm. 'Light-based alarm clocks, also known as sunrise alarm clocks, are specifically designed to simulate the natural sunlight, which plays an important role in the regulation of our sleep-wake cycles and provides you with a more natural and gradual way to wake up,' says Harris. Here’s our breakdown of the best gentle alarm clocks:Īll those extra features come at a higher cost. We love that it wakes you up in the most natural way possible - with light - but also comes with high-tech elements like monitoring your bedroom environment and light-guided breathing programs to help you fall asleep at night.

Our top pick is the Philips Sleep and Wake-up Light HF3670. We've researched many different types of gentle alarm clocks, from sunrise lamps to coffee makers, to find the best ones that will rouse you in a calming manner.

'They are made to minimize the negative effects of traditional alarm clocks and reduce sleep inertia and are also beneficial in improving your mood, sleep quality, as well as symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), insomnia, and jet lag.' Shelby Harris, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis. 'Gentle alarm clocks are designed to wake you up more gradually with light, soft sounds, or a combination of both,' says Dr. You're better off choosing a gentle alarm clock. But most of those devices play rather harsh tones to wake you up, which isn't ideal for your mental and physical well-being. Chances are you'll need to use some form of an alarm clock at some point in your life, whether that's a traditional device, your smartphone, or even a smartwatch.

Soft morning alarm tone