The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks for 2026: Philips, Hatch and Budget Picks
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
Disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, including Amazon links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change what we recommend. Details are in our affiliate disclosure.
Few things ruin a morning like a blaring alarm in a pitch-dark room. A sunrise alarm clock wakes you more gently, starting with a dim red-orange glow that brightens over time, much like the sun coming up, before any sound plays.
We based our picks on Wirecutter’s June 2026 testing of sunrise alarm clocks, which measured brightness with a light meter in a dark room, had testers sleep with finalists at home and drew on interviews with circadian rhythm researchers. We haven’t tested these clocks ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick answer: the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 is the best sunrise alarm clock for most people. The Hatch Restore 3 is the upgrade pick if you want an app, the biggest sound library and a beautiful design. The Jall Wake Up Light is a great budget way to try one.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Brightness at 2 ft | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520 | Best overall | About 140 lux | Red-tinted sunrise; 5 sounds; FM radio; backup power; no app |
| Hatch Restore 3 | Best upgrade | About 140 lux | App-based routines; 20+ light colors; Hatch+ $50 a year for full library |
| Jall Wake Up Light | Best budget | About 100 lux | About $30; 25 sounds; FM radio; Bluetooth speaker |
| Philips SmartSleep HF3650/60 | Easiest controls | As bright as the top picks | Touch buttons; usually about $70 more than the HF3520 |
Brightness measured by Wirecutter in a dark room. Check current prices.
The best sunrise alarm clocks
1. Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520: best overall
Best for: anyone who wants a simple, phone-free wake-up light.
Wirecutter’s top pick since 2018. Its realistic sunrise starts with a gentle red tint and builds to bright white light, reaching about 140 lux at two feet, tied for the brightest Wirecutter measured. It woke even the deepest sleepers in testing, including one tester who has slept through loud alarms. It also has a sunset mode, five alarm sounds, an FM radio and backup power. The downsides: there’s no app, programming it with tiny rim buttons is awkward, and its cone shape can tip over.
Pros
- Realistic, bright sunrise
- Works without a phone
- Backup power
Cons
- Awkward to program
- Can tip over
2. Hatch Restore 3: best upgrade
Best for: people who want a full wind-down and wake-up routine.
Wirecutter’s upgrade pick is just as bright as the Philips at about 140 lux, with more than 20 light colors and the largest sound library it tested. You set routines in the Hatch Sleep app, then control them with a big button on top. Its fabric cover looks great on a nightstand, and it’s sturdier than the Philips. Full access to more than 2,500 soundscapes, meditations and stories requires Hatch+, at $50 a year or $5 a month after a free month. You can’t play your own music.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Most customizable
- Easy one-button control
Cons
- Subscription for full library
- Requires the app to set up
3. Jall Wake Up Light: best budget
Best for: trying a sunrise alarm before spending more.
At about $30, this budget pick measured about 100 lux, slightly dimmer than the top picks but still one of the brightest Wirecutter tested, and it reliably woke testers. It has two alarms, 17 light colors, 25 sounds, an FM radio and a Bluetooth speaker. Its light and sounds are harsher than the Philips, and it feels less luxe.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lots of sounds
- Intuitive buttons
Cons
- Harsher light and sound
- Glossy face shows fingerprints
4. Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake-Up Light HF3650/60: easiest to use
Best for: anyone frustrated by tiny buttons.
Wirecutter found it as bright as its top picks, with front touch buttons that are much easier in the dark. It usually costs at least $70 more than the HF3520 and is often out of stock.
Pros
- Easy touch controls
- Bright
Cons
- Pricier
- Often out of stock
5. Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM: worth considering
Best for: Lumie fans.
Wirecutter found the Luxe 700FM as bright as its picks, about 140 lux, with an FM radio and appealing design, but it costs about $150 more than the Philips HF3520 without offering much more. Other Lumie models it tested were dimmer.
Pros
- Bright
- Attractive
Cons
- Much more expensive
Do sunrise alarm clocks work?
Light is the strongest cue for the body’s internal clock, Wirecutter explains. Even with your eyes closed, light-sensitive cells in the retina detect brightening light, and your brain releases less melatonin so you can wake. Warm, longer-wavelength light like red and orange mimics a real sunrise, and Wirecutter cites a 2019 study suggesting red light through closed eyes may help with grogginess.
There are limits. Studies link bright daytime light to better sleep, but that takes more than 1,000 lux, and Wirecutter measured that only about 6 inches from a clock. Renske Lok, PhD, of the University of Colorado Boulder told Wirecutter that a sunrise clock won’t stop grogginess if you’re still in deep sleep, and that some people are more light-sensitive than others. That’s why it’s worth choosing a clock with a backup sound alarm. If it makes waking up feel better, though, Lok says that’s really important.
How to choose a sunrise alarm clock
Brightness
Wirecutter used about 140 lux at 2 feet as its threshold for a top pick. Dim clocks may not wake you.
Light color
Look for a sunrise that starts red or orange and builds to white, rather than flat white light.
Controls
You’ll use it half-asleep in the dark. Large, easy buttons or simple app routines beat tiny buttons.
Sounds and subscriptions
Check how many alarm sounds are included and whether you need a subscription for the full library, as with Hatch+.
Backup power
A battery backup, like the Philips HF3520’s, keeps your alarm working in a power outage.
Which clock is right for you?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want something simple that works without your phone | Philips HF3520 |
| Want a full sleep routine with sounds and meditations | Hatch Restore 3 |
| Want to try a sunrise clock for little money | Jall Wake Up Light |
| Hate fiddly buttons | Philips HF3650/60 |
| Share a bed with someone on a different schedule | Any of these, placed on your side and angled toward you |
Getting the most from a sunrise alarm
- Put the clock on your nightstand about 2 feet from your face, the distance Wirecutter used to measure brightness.
- Use blackout curtains so the clock, not streetlights, sets your wake-up cue.
- Set the sunrise to start 20 to 30 minutes before you need to get up, and adjust to taste.
- Keep a backup sound alarm on, at least until you know the light alone wakes you.
- Use the sunset or wind-down mode to dim the room gradually at bedtime.
- Get outside in daylight after you wake. It’s far brighter than any clock.
Alternatives: smart bulbs and lamps
Wirecutter notes you can recreate a sunrise with smart bulbs like Philips Hue in a bedside lamp, controlled by an app or smart speaker. It works best if you’re confident waking without a backup alarm. See our guide to smart lighting systems.
Building a better sleep routine
A gentle wake-up works best with good sleep. Pair your clock with the right pillow, breathable sheets and, if you sleep hot, a cooling mattress.
How we researched this guide
We don’t test sleep products in-house. Our picks, measurements and expert quotes come from Wirecutter’s June 2026 guide to sunrise alarm clocks. Prices change often.
FAQ
What is the best sunrise alarm clock?
Wirecutter’s top pick is the Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light HF3520.
Is the Hatch Restore 3 worth it?
If you want app-based routines, many light colors and a huge sound library, yes. Full access requires Hatch+ at $50 a year.
Do sunrise alarm clocks work?
They can make waking gentler. Light cues your body to reduce melatonin, but they won’t fix poor sleep.
How bright should a sunrise alarm be?
Wirecutter’s top picks measured about 140 lux at 2 feet.
Can I use smart bulbs instead?
Yes, with a sunrise routine, though you may want a backup sound alarm.
