5 Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks For 2026

Our editors have researched and reviewed the best products for better sleep. These are our picks for sunrise alarm clocks to help you rise feeling refreshed.

Much like their names, alarms can feel alarming. If you find your morning wakeup routine needs a more calming refresh, consider investing in a sunrise alarm clock. Sometimes referred to as “dawn simulators,” these gently and gradually emit light to ease the transition from sleep to wakefulness. These make for a more natural wakeup experience, slowly preparing your body for the day ahead — no blaring alarm or cell phone needed.

What are the benefits of using a sunrise alarm clock?

• Support circadian rhythm: Our biological clocks often rely on things like the sun to signal the time of day. But humans spend so much more time indoors, and sleep in ultra-dark conditions, meaning you need something to tell your body it’s time to wake up. These types of alarm clocks imitate real morning sunlight, gradually increasing light exposure over a period of time to signal the beginning of a new day.
• Improve mood and energy: Exposure to sunlight has mood- and energy-boosting effects, and these clocks can help you get the best of both worlds — getting more “sun” without leaving your bed. Research has proven that “light exposure is associated with significant improvement in subjective alertness,” so you’ll feel more prepared and eager to start your day.
• Enhancing overall sleep quality: Most people say they can never go back to life before their sunrise alarm clocks. After using them, happy customers report a better sleeping experience that allows them to achieve a more restful snooze each night. It can also help you develop a better natural sleep routine, for more comfort and consistency overall.

What should you look for in a sunrise alarm clock?

In addition to providing the key feature of gradually waking you up with more and more light exposure, we also sought out products with soothing sounds, non-WiFi capabilities, style-forward designs, and more.

Our criteria:

After researching, corresponding with brands, and combing through customer reviews, our editors have chosen the best sunrise alarm clocks to support your morning routine. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites, and all of our picks are evaluated to meet the following criteria.

• SCIENCE-BACKED | All of the alarm clocks on this list use technology to emulate a natural wakeup cycle to better support your sleep and circadian rhythm, as backed by scientific findings.
• EASY TO USE | The products on this list are easy to setup, use, and integrate into your daily life without added stress or hassle.
• RECYCLED & NATURAL MATERIALS | We’ve prioritized brands that use recycled or natural materials, have give-back initiatives, and are thoughtful about sustainability overall.

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1. Loftie

Best For | Sound variety
Features | Two-phase alarm, bedtime reminder, sleep sounds, adjustable night light, non-WiFi mode
Prices starting at |$170

Founded in 2018, New York-based company Loftie set out to accomplish one lofty task: Help people stay away from their phones and be more mindful about screentime. And while you do need your phone to complete the setup process, it becomes obsolete once your Loftie is ready to go. Pairing sound and light, the sunrise alarm clock has two phases: One that wakes you up with soft sounds and fades after 30 seconds, and another that “fully wakes you 3, 6, or 9 minutes later with a calm, continuous melody.”

The device is also loaded up with more than 100 sounds for a calming sleep experience, so you can use it as a white noise machine or to do some breathwork at the beginning or end of a long day. Its design is the cherry on top, as people are obsessed with the sleek and sophisticated look of the product, sharing that it only adds to their interior design.

Our Editor’s Review | “When it comes to function, I have to say I’ve never been woken so gently. The two-phase alarm is specifically designed to mimic the body’s natural waking process, and it’s so seamless I sometimes wake up feeling like I missed my alarm. (I never have.)” – Emily McGown, Editorial Director [Read her review.]

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2. Hatch

Best For | Classic sunrise design
Features | Sleep sounds, night light, dimmable clock, free Hatch+ trial
Prices starting at |$170

Hatch originally started with two parents hoping to help families — and more specifically, babies — get better sleep. Over years, the collection has expanded with a more parent-friendly design. The Hatch Restore 3, now in its third generation, is a design- and wellness-forward sunrise alarm clock that shifts from red to orange to white before playing a sound to wake you up. The Restore 3 has basic features on its own, like a night light and dimmable clock, but your purchase also comes with a free trial of Hatch+, the company’s premium subscription service. This trial will unlock bonus content, such as music, meditations, and podcasts designed to help improve sleep. After the 30-day trial, you can purchase the subscription for $49.99 per year, and after the 7-day trial, you can pay $4.99 per month.

Similar to the Loftie, you’ll need your phone to register on the Hatch app, but phone-free usage is encouraged after that. To complement your bedscape, this popular device comes in three neutral hues: Putty, Greige, and Cocoa. Plus, it’s HSA/FSA eligible, and comes with a 30-night bedside trial so you can test it before fully committing.

Our Editor’s Review | “I’ve used my phone as my alarm clock for years, which has led to late-night scrolling and checking emails before getting out of bed. To help me break this habit, I tried the Hatch Restore 2 smart alarm clock. Now I sleep like a baby and I wake up more easily, too. I also love the additional features the product offers for meditation, winding down, and even calming your pets.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist [Read her review.]

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3. Lumie

Best For | Budget
Features | Sunrise and sunset lighting, optional alarm beep, dimmable display
Prices starting at |$109

In the world of sunrise alarm clocks, Lumie is the OG. Founded back in 1991, the company was known as Outside In and sold light therapy lamps. By 1992, they released “the world’s first wake-up light, Natural Alarm Clock,” and in 2000, they launched the original Bodyclock. There are four sold on the Lumie site now, but the most basic and budget-friendly version is the Bodyclock Rise 100. Along with the sunrise feature, all Lumie clocks come with a “sunset” feature, allowing people to doze off comfortably at the end of the day. The Bodyclock Rise 100 has a 30-minute sunrise or sunset function and one optional alarm tone, while others support shorter and longer sessions and offer more special features.

With more than 30 years in the industry, it’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to Lumie’s lights and clocks. The generous 45-day trial and three-year warranty make it an even easier decision. Keep in mind there is only one style option for the Bodyclock Rise 100, and you need to program your device each day (though customers say it’s very easy to use).

Customer Review | “Easy to use once I got the hang of the menu and symbols. Wakes me gently in the dark mornings and helps me drift off with a sunset.” – ML (Read more reviews.)

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4. Tala

Best For | Luxury
Features | 11 sounds, integrates with Google Home and Amazon Alexa, dimmable light
Prices starting at |$295

What happens when a sustainability-obsessed lighting company partners with renowned architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick? The most innovative, high design sunrise alarm clock ever: the Tala WAKE Sleep Light. “Our inspiration was drawn from the bulb and the light emitting element as a metaphor for the sun, and the base a natural metaphor for the earth,” Heatherwick wrote in a statement on the Tala website. Premium materials work together to make the rippled glass bulb and ceramic base look like a piece of art, but it functions similarly to its competitors. Wake up or unwind with the sunrise and sunset settings, and choose one of 11 total sounds provided.

A few other bonuses? Your purchase comes with free shipping, 28-day returns, and a three-year extended warranty. It’s significantly pricier than other sunrise alarm clocks on the market, but with the design visionaries involved, most customers see it as more than an alarm clock. A certified B Corp, they’re committed to mitigating climate change and have funded the planting of more than 130,000 trees through reforestation projects.

Customer Review | “The glow of the lamp is lovely to wake up to, and the controls are intuitive. It’s a delight to have something so sculptural and functional at the same time!” – Kathryn P. (Read more reviews.)

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5. Rise Center

Best For | Minimalist design
Features | 30-minute sunrise simulation, night light, one alarm sound
Prices starting at |$179

Rise Center founder Emily Byrne admits she never intended to start a business. “I just wanted to leave my phone in another room,” she wrote on the company website. She had used sunrise alarm clocks in the past, but was always troubled by their long setup processes, subscriptions, and general aesthetic. Inspired by her pink Himalayan salt lamp, she merged the two ideas to create The Original Sunrise Alarm Clock. Handmade in small batches, the product is carved from real Himalayan salt (white or pink) and rests on a beech or walnut wood base.

Another device driven by both functionality and aesthetic, this holistic wellness product should seamlessly integrate with the rest of your room’s design. Minimalistic by nature, it has the sunrise feature, but can also work as a lamp or alarm clock (simply turn on the one alarm sound available). The product comes with a 30-day trial, though all returns come with a $20 processing fee and all exchanges cost $35. No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity is required to get started, and you can set only one alarm at a time.

Customer Review | “This is a very beautiful and well thought out product! We purchased the white salt lamp as it can get very dark in the winter where we live and it has improved our morning routine immensely. It is simple to use, simple to keep, and we love how unattached it is from the outside world. It is helping us keep our phones out of the bedroom and letting us stay detached from them throughout the morning. I highly recommend this product!” – Erin (Read more reviews.)