As with any product, there are certain things to look out for when setting out to purchase a new sunrise alarm clock. These devices combine several features to make them as resourceful as they are, and we have put together a list of essential qualities your next sunrise alarm clock cannot do without.
Light color and brightness
The whole point of owning a sunrise alarm clock is to add a more natural effect to your wake-up call. Not only is it quite irritable to wake up to a burst of light — natural or artificial — it can also really mess with our cognitive senses and have us feeling tired and grumpier than expected. These devices are uniquely built to gradually rouse us from sleep or put us to bed with their sunrise and sunset simulations. The colors of the clock go a long way in determining how natural the simulations are and how beneficial they are to our sleep habits. Most sunrise alarm clocks feature a plain white light, while others have a warm yellow light and possibly even begin with orange and red hues that add to the natural effect and provide a sense of calm. A sunrise alarm clock should have brightness levels ranging from 100 to 400 lux and also have allowances to help you adjust said levels. You want its light to be bright enough to see in any condition but not too bright that it becomes uncomfortable, so the sweet spot for it should be between 300 and 350 lux.
Adjustability
Clocks are usually one of the easiest devices to set up, and the more complex this process becomes, the less wanted the product is. With that being said, even though sunrise alarm clocks offer more advanced features than regular clock systems, they should still be easy to use, adjust, and set up. Things like alarm scheduling, sounds, and times should be easily adjusted without any hassles. The right product provides a direct means to do this — whether manually or via an app — without adding any stress to its user.
Alarm sound
Another great thing about these devices is that they take away the noisiness that comes with regular alarm sounds and replaces it with calm, natural sounds. These sounds can range from bird chirps to even trees rustling in the wind. Sunrise alarm clocks provide a variety of natural sounds for a calmer wake-up call, as well as common loud alarm sounds for users that have a harder time getting up.
Alarm radio
One of the nicest things about owning an alarm system is that it comes with the additional benefit of an FM radio. Don’t worry because you will not need to sacrifice that option with our top picks. You should be able to go about your routines while listening to your favorite radio shows on the go, and thanks to these clocks, you always have an FM radio on standby.
Volume Control
As with anything that produces sound, you should be able to adjust its volume with ease according to your taste. These devices give you the option of personalizing your listening experience through straightforward volume control systems.
Customizable
Thanks to a wide variety of functionalities, you are also able to customize your sunrise alarm clocks to suit your personality and preferences. Some of these devices are fully manual with limited functionality, while others even allow control through software and mobile apps.
Price vs. quality
Of course, we don’t want you to spend a ridiculous amount on an alarm clock, and even though sunrise alarm clocks are a pricier option in general, we have selected devices that are built with durable and stylish materials at decent price ranges. The aesthetic construction of these products effortlessly fits into any room and produces beautiful simulations that immediately teleport you to a more relaxed state. They are designed with ease, portability, functionality, and durability in mind and will stay at your bedside for years to come.
Size
The last thing we want is to suggest a product that takes up all the space on your bedside table. Just like a nightlight and an alarm clock, a sunrise alarm clock should be portable enough to be easily carried around and should fit on your table while still leaving room for other necessary belongings.
Duration time
This quality refers to how long your sunrise or sunset duration lasts. Typically, this is decided and set by the user through adjustable timer controls, but each device has a maximum cap on how long its sunrise duration time is before the alarm or sounds go off. Sunrise simulations often last for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the manufacturer. Some devices also allow you to set the duration time in between each light increment, which can be five, ten, fifteen, or even twenty minutes depending on the total simulation time. On the other hand, wind-down sunsets are entirely user-defined depending on how long you’d require a dim-down before you’re put to bed.
Snooze options
We have all been there. That moment when you thought you’d be ready to get up but still need an extra five or thirty minutes to feel your most awake self. This undeniable part of being human is what snooze buttons were made for, and just like your regular alarm systems, sunrise alarm clocks also give you a variety of snooze options to have you feeling well rested and alert to begin your day.
Additional features
Who doesn’t love having a little something extra? Extra, nice-to-have features are like the cherries on top of every purchased product, and for these devices, their additional features are worth the hype. Sunrise alarm clocks can also double as night lights or reading lights with the right kind of features, and each of our chosen products is suitable for both. Anti-blue light is also a nice feature for a device like this to have because it means they cut out blue light rays that can harm our eyes using a warm yellow tint. This is also another additional feature that all the devices below have.
Source: https://nationaltoday.com/review/best-sunrise-alarm-clocks/