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The Guardian
17-02-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
How I learned to love my alarm clock
I've always disliked getting up in winter. As a kid, I'd hurkle-durkle while blearily watching my school uniform warming on the radiator. These days, I set smartphone alarms for several consecutive minutes, just to make sure I'm roused. It's too dark, and I'm too groggy. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I'd heard of sunrise alarm clocks before the Filter asked me to review them, but little did I suspect they could resolve my waking woes. Essentially, they're a combination of alarm clock and light-therapy device that glows with increasing brightness as your wake-up time approaches. The light interacts with our circadian rhythms, much as the sun does when it rises, so we wake up biologically prepared for the day. As a writer interested in tech, I often review fascinating and useful gadgets, from electric heaters to, erm, smart drinking fountains for cats. It's enjoyable – but only a few of the products change my lifestyle in the long run. Sunrise alarm clocks soon proved to fall into this exclusive category. Through much of the winter I wake in darkness, so my organs probably won't have received signals from my brain to prep them for the day. My top sunrise alarm clock picks – the Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 and the Philips SmartSleep wake-up light – have tangibly changed the equation. I'm waking up feeling more energetic, less groggy and mentally sharper. All of the sunrise alarm clocks I've tested had their strengths – lilting wake-up sounds, pleasing design, useful features, and so on – but only certain models surpassed the brightness threshold that seems to wind my circadian clock. Whereas seasonal affective disorder (Sad) lamps are often advertised with a lux rating for brightness, this important stat tends to be absent from sunrise alarm spec sheets, which makes it difficult to know how bright a model will be. One good indicator is if they have certification as a medical device, as is present with the Bodyclock Spark 100. Sleep is personal, and no single device will suit every slumberer. For me, sunrise alarm clocks have benefited my sleep-wake cycle more than any other product – perhaps excluding my memory foam mattress. Very good models such as the Lumie Sunrise Alarm can be bought for less than £40, so it's worth trying one if you find dark mornings difficult. An important benefit of sunrise alarm clocks is that your morning wake-up no longer involves your phone. Stopping a smartphone alarm means your day begins with eyes on-screen – and the road from here to doom scrolling is about the length of a thumbprint. By using any kind of alarm clock you can start the morning smartphone-free. If you're still waking up on the wrong side of the bed, you can find further recommendations in the Filter's guides to the best mattresses, sleep aids and electric blankets. Some morning people are made, not born. 12 affordable jewellery brands, worn and rated for style and quality The best iPhones in 2025: which Apple smartphone is right for you, according to our expert The best bike lights to see and be seen when cycling in the dark, tried and tested The best online flower delivery services: seven favourites, freshly picked Guardian readers are no strangers to a cold-water dip. Myself included. So we thought it was time the Filter put some outdoor swim kit through its paces. Luckily, a new breed of thermal swimsuits (not wetsuits) has hit the market, designed for chilly temperatures. So while we're still deep in the cold-water swimming season, we asked the experienced outdoor swimmer and author Ella Foote to put these swimsuits to the test. She also wisely rounded up her favourite hats, gloves, flasks and more to warm up with afterwards. Hannah BoothEditor, the Filter If you're less keen on getting wet while you're outdoors, our rigorously tested waterproof jackets for men and women will keep you dry throughout even the most ferocious downpours. Keen hikers Paddy Maddison and Sian Lewis have put hundreds through their paces over the years, and know what to look for in a high-performance jacket. It could be a worthwhile investment in a country where it rains for more than 150 days a year. Do you have something that isn't quite doing its job, but you can't bear to throw away? It could be an expensive suitcase with a wonky wheel, a beloved armchair with saggy springs or a favourite jumper that's gone bobbly. If so, we'd love to hear from you for a new advice column. We'd also love to hear how you look after your own things to make them last longer, from your shoes to your coffee machine. Send us your questions by replying to this newsletter, or emailing us at thefilter@
The Guardian
29-01-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Rise and shine with the seven best sunrise alarm clocks, tried and tested
To wake each day in darkness is a plight you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, yet that's what many of us do routinely throughout winter. Getting up in the dark decouples our life from our circadian rhythm (our body clock), with bodily processes such as cognition and metabolism put to work before they're fully prepped. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Thank heavens, then, for sunrise alarm clocks. These 'dawn simulation' devices glow with gradually intensifying brightness as your wake-up time approaches, kickstarting your circadian rhythm before you get out of bed. For many users, this results in a happier, healthier start to the day. Not all sunrise alarm clocks are made equal – for instance, only some are bright enough to be medically certified as light-therapy devices for Sad (seasonal affective disorder) and other disorders. We've indicated which alarms have this certification in their specs below. I snuggled down with seven of the best-rated wake-up lights from Lumie, Beurer, Philips, Dreamegg, Momcozy and Hatch to find out which would make the most difference to my mornings. As a lifelong reluctant riser, I've found the experience of testing these devices a gamechanger – in fact, I'm now using one daily. Perhaps mornings aren't so bad, after all … Best overall sunrise alarm clock: Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100£76.23 at John Lewis Best sunrise alarm clock for late-night reading: Philips SmartSleep£157.99 at Philips Best sunrise alarm clock for a gentle awakening:Lumie Sunrise Alarm£36.80 at Amazon Best sunrise alarm clock for couples: Beurer Wake-Up Light WL50£79.99 at Amazon Best value sunrise alarm clock: Momcozy Sunrise Echo£54.99 at Boots Mornings, eh? I've often felt lousy first thing, after waking up to a minutes-long medley of smartphone alarms. When, at last, I drag myself out of bed, I frequently spend the day reviewing all kinds of gadgets, from Sad lamps to electric heaters. It's a freelance job I've been privileged to do since 2017 – and as we tumbled dimly into 2025, the Filter gave me one of my most quietly life-improving assignments yet: reviewing sunrise alarm clocks. The extent to which these gadgets have improved my mornings has surprised me – although it was greater in some cases than others. Frankly, I'd like other groggy wakers to feel the same benefit, and my reviews are written and ranked with this in mind. Our favourite model will be kept for long-term testing. Some brands did not want the sunrise alarm clocks I sourced for testing back, so those will be donated for fundraising to Cat Action Trust 1977, a small national charity dedicated to the welfare of feral cats. The only proper way to test a sunrise alarm clock is by using it to wake up each morning – so that's exactly what I did. I used each model for at least two nights, testing out multiple light and alarm sound settings, and assessing the quality of wake-up for each device. I considered the brightness of each alarm, how close the glow felt to real sunlight, and the audio quality. Above all, I reflected on how lively and refreshed I felt after waking up with each one. Many sunrise alarm clocks also have a sundown function, so I used this where available too. I also tried using each sunrise alarm clock as a reading light, to help me finish the day – as well as start it – smartphone-free. Some sunrise alarm clocks go even further, with additional features such as app operability, multiple alarm profiles and mood lighting. To ensure a thorough review of each sunrise alarm clock, I played around with every possible customisation option and functionality. I woke up feeling great when I used the medical-grade Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100, which bathes the room in gradually intensifying, sun-like light for a set period before the alarm goes off. Why we love itThe device is supposed to realistically imitate the lightening shades of a sunrise – and it does so more convincingly than any other sunrise alarm clock I've tested. Depending on your chosen light intensity setting, it can get very bright. The Spark 100 also has a sunset feature that graduates through the same red, orange and white light colours used with the sunrise function, but in reverse order. After the sunset cycle, the light can either switch off entirely or remain in a gentle night-light mode, whichever you choose. Besides performing brilliantly as a wake-up light and sunset simulator, the Spark 100 is simply a nicely designed, well-made thing. I appreciated its soft-edged yet robust construction and handy features such as the cable organisation in the base. It's a pleasure to have on the bedside table. Lumie is the brand that pioneered consumer-grade sunrise alarm clocks in the early 1990s and that pedigree shines through. It's a shame that … the alarm tone sounds piercing at the higher three of its five volume levels. I found myself settling for a 2/5 – more than loud enough to rouse this particular heavy sleeper. Certification: UK MDR 2002 and EU MDR 2017/745 medical classificationModes: sunrise, sunset, bedside lightFootprint: W19 x D12cmFeatures: tap to snooze, auto-dimming display, adjustable sunrise/sunset duration, adjustable digital display brightnessBrightness settings: five £76.23 at John Lewis£99 at Boots This lamp soon felt like part of the furniture on my bedside table. In typical Philips fashion, it's a good-quality, dependable product, with a middle-of-the-road design that won't look out of place in many bedrooms. Why we love itSetup is incredibly slick – I was able to set my alarm time, sound and brightness by following the simple prompts on the device's display, without having to consult the manual. Subsequently tweaking your alarm(s) takes a bit of practice, but you'll master all the controls you need after a few days. The SmartSleep's wake-up capabilities are impressive, combining brilliant light with a diverse choice of alarm sounds. It also has FM radio and 3.5mm auxiliary audio input options for the user who has tired of Alpine and gong bath soundscapes. There's a 5V USB charging outlet at the rear of the lamp, too, which could free up a valuable bedside power socket. I loved using this model as a reading light, as well as a sunrise alarm. Even when a bright setting is selected, the light seems relatively mellow and restful, which helped me get to sleep after reading pulpy detective novels late at night. The light can be deactivated with a press. It's a shame that … it costs such a lot. The SmartSleep has a hefty price to match its impressive performance. Certification: noneModes: sunrise alarm, sleep mode with sunset simulation, bedside lightFootprint: W22 x D12cmFeatures: FM radio, AUX audio input, 'RelaxBreathe' breathing exercises, adjustable sunrise duration, snooze, up to two wake-up profiles (with separate alarms)Brightness settings: 25 £157.99 at Philips£157.99 at Amazon Imagine telling one of your ancestors that you were awoken this morning by your lamp, which was purring at you. I'm not pulling your leg, you might say, it's all thanks to the Lumie Sunrise Alarm's 'kittens purring' alarm tone, which sits sweetly alongside four other natural sounds, including goats bleating and birdsong. Why we love itIn all seriousness, this is an excellent sunrise alarm clock, and it comes at a standout price. Its sunrise light subtly brightens during the minutes leading up to your chosen alarm time, producing a lovely awakening that really did remind me of natural light. Remarkably, this Sunrise Alarm has the same UK and EU medical classifications as the much costlier Bodyclock Spark – so it's an alternative light therapy option at a far lower price. I found it easy enough to set the Sunrise Alarm's time and alarm, although pressing some of the buttons can be fiddly. Do keep the instruction manual handy, as there are lots of options and buttons to get your head around. It's a shame that … it lacks a little bedside table appeal. But having said that, this sunrise alarm clock has incredible performance for the price. Certification: UK MDR 2002 and EU MDR 2017/745 medical classificationModes: sunrise alarm, sunset, bedside lightFootprint: W17 x D9cmFeatures: mood lighting (six colours)Brightness settings: 10 £49.99 at Boots£36.80 at Amazon Thanks to its capability to save two alarms for different times (each with its own sound and light settings), the Beurer WL50 is a great choice for couples who get up at different times. That's a rare feature in any sunrise alarm clock – let alone in such a reasonably priced model. Why we love itThe sunrise mode itself is gentle yet effective, and it's easy to activate the device as a reading light with a simple, groggy tap. I really liked the alarm sounds you get with the WL50 too – which is just as well, as there are only two options. Perhaps that narrow choice of alarm tones sounds a little stingy, but it seems less so when you explore the WL50's alternative audio options. It doubles up as an FM radio, with space to save up to 30 station presets, which you can listen to throughout the day or use as a livelier alternative to an alarm tone. Bluetooth connectivity and an AUX input expand your listening options further. Curiously, this sunrise alarm clock can be unplugged (when fully charged) and used on the go for up to three hours. It's hard to imagine a situation wherein this would be useful, but I appreciate the gesture. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion It's a shame that … the sound quality isn't great (but it's good enough for the half-awake). Certification: noneModes: sunrise alarm, sunset simulation, bedside light, radio/speakerFootprint: W11 x D11cm Features: FM radio, AUX audio input, Bluetooth audio, portable use (up to three hours), LED mood lightBrightness settings: adjustable £79.99 at John Lewis£79.99 at Amazon The clue's in the name: the Momcozy Sunrise Echo comes primed with a selection of wake-up sounds intended specifically for mums, dads and their little ones. It's also tough to topple, soft around the edges and weighs just 0.55kg. Why we love itI'm neither a parent nor a baby, but I can certainly hear the soothing quality in the Sunrise Echo's 30-strong repertoire of wake-up sounds, which includes lullabies alongside the usual nature sounds and meditative drones. The sound quality is impressive, with plenty of mid-range frequencies and a touch of bass. It's nicely balanced, and not at all jarring. The Sunrise Echo creates a lilting light effect, rather than intensively light-therapising the sleeper as some higher-powered models do. It was easy to set up and customise the alarm using the well-labelled control buttons around the shoulder of the alarm clock. It was a little harder though, through a fug of sleepiness, to adjust the screen and light brightness via their respective dials on the rear of the device. Nonetheless, the Momcozy Sunrise Echo is an excellent, accessible option for users who don't want a very bright wake-up. It's a shame that … a few nice-to-have features are absent, including FM radio and multiple alarms. Certification: noneModes: sunrise alarm, bedside lightFootprint: W19 x D8.5cm Features: night light (seven colours), sleep aid sounds, digital clock display, adjustable sunrise durationBrightness settings: 30 £54.99 at Boots£54.99 at Amazon Best for: soothing sleep sounds This compact, great-looking device offers something different, with a selection of 29 ambient sounds that can be used as white noise to help you fall asleep. There are also five options for rousing you in the morning, including birdsong, a campfire crackling and, my favourite, waves breaking on a shore. For me, perhaps the only issue with this approach was that the sounds did a better job of putting me to sleep than they did of waking me up. The Sunrise 1 is a beautifully designed alarm clock, with a softly textured front and foolproof dimmer controls on either side to adjust the light level and digital display brightness. Reluctant risers will be pleased to note there's a prominent snooze button at the top of the device – though, personally, I've rarely felt the need to use this feature while testing sunrise alarm clocks. It didn't make the final cut because … its light is a little too dim for my taste. Certification: noneModes: sunrise alarm, white noise/sleep sounds, bedside lightFootprint: W15 x D7.3cmFeatures: sleep sound timer, nine light colours, five wake-up soundsBrightness settings: adjustable £89.99 at Dreamegg£89.99 at Amazon Best for: customisation and smartphone connectivity In some respects, this premium sunrise alarm clock has an edge over its competitors. It's a chic, simple device, with a nicely textured front (similar to that of the Dreamegg Sunrise 1) and two unmissable buttons to activate sleep sounds or wake-up mode. While the Restore 2 has a pleasant, moderately bright light in a nice range of colours, its sound library is the real standout here. Some of the options – all of which are configurable with the Hatch Sleep smartphone app – are beautifully textured and more lifelike than anything I heard from competing products. The same Hatch Sleep app gives you access to additional audio content such as relaxing meditations and inspirational moments – but only if you're willing to shell out £4.99 a month for a Hatch+ subscription. You'll also need to buy a US-to-UK plug adaptor to use with this sunrise alarm. It didn't make the final cut because … the upfront cost of the product and ongoing subscription for paywalled content are off-putting. Certification: noneModes: sunrise alarm, white noise/sleep soundsFootprint: W18.4 x D6.2cmFeatures: paywalled content (including meditations and inspirational monologues), smartphone operability and sleep/alarm routine creationBrightness: adjustable in-app £257.49 at Healf£277 at Amazon Sad bright-light therapy involves the use of very intense light (in the region of 10,000 lux) to mimic the effects of bright sunlight. Sunrise alarm clocks tend to be far less bright than the average Sad lamp. With that said, the effect of light on our circadian rhythms has been shown to peak around the onset of dawn and early in the morning – so a mellow sunrise alarm may provide disproportionate benefits. If you've been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder and are looking for a light therapy device, it's best to ask your GP which product to use and how to get the most benefit. Sunrise alarm clocks that are classified as medical devices (indicated below each product above) are more likely to suit users seeking a therapeutic effect than models with no medical certifications. Getting up in the dark can feel awful, which makes a lot of sense because our bodies require light to wake up properly. Humans are diurnal, which means we've evolved to be more wakeful, energetic and capable of chasing mammoths over vast distances during daytime. When the brain recognises increasing light at dawn, it sends signals around other regions of the brain and to other organs to calibrate bodily processes including temperature regulation, hormone secretion and metabolism. And when darkness falls, the brain prepares us for sleep – a helpful effect that many of us compromise by looking at bright smartphone or laptop screens. These effects, which repeat every 24 hours, are our circadian rhythms. That is derived from the Latin words circa (approximately) and diem (day), meaning around a day. So, the sun is the original and best alarm clock – activating our minds and bodies with light, rather than startling us awake with sound. Think of your sunrise alarm as a plucky stand-in to rely upon during the star's shorter winter shifts. Pete Wise is a freelance journalist with more than a decade's experience covering everything from global development and social causes to technology and music. He has written extensively on sleep-related topics, including Sad lamps, intermittent fasting, and the effects of caffeine consumption on sleep. Having felt better than ever in the mornings while researching this article, Pete is now a daily user of sunrise alarm clocks
