Best Alarm Clocks On The Market

Doctors say that the average person needs at least seven hours of sleep every night. The trouble is that a worryingly high percentage of the population fails to get enough sleep. This goes especially for working people and students. The lack of healthy night’s sleep can result in a drop in productivity. If you’re a college student, you need enough sleep to ensure you’re gonna perform well at your exams.

A solution to this problem could lie in establishing a good sleeping/waking up routine. Instead of waking up at different times every day, you should choose a specific time in the morning when your alarm will go off. If you get up at the same time each morning, your sleeping cycle will get in order as well; you will start feeling sleepy at approximately the same time every evening.

Obviously, in order to fix your sleeping cycle, the thing you need is an alarm clock. Sure, you probably have an alarm app on your smartphone, but no matter how awesome it is, it just can’t come anywhere near to a real alarm clock. This is a kind of a gadget that’s much louder than your phone, not to mention that it comes with plenty of additional features, all meant to help you get up in the morning easier. And on top of everything, some alarm clocks look pretty nice, so one such device would be a very good addition to your college dorm room.

What To Look For While Choosing An Alarm Clock?

Obviously, the main factor when choosing an alarm clock is its ability to wake you up. If it’s using sound to get you out of bed, the sound needs to be loud. Apart from audio, some devices may use other methods for waking you up, including light, vibrations, and so on.

Furthermore, your ideal alarm clock also needs to be easy to use, with plenty of options to choose from. You need to be able to set it up easily, as well as to turn it off without too many problems. It also needs to look nice and not be too chunky. Otherwise, you may not be able to find space for it in your college dorm room.

Your ideal alarm clock also needs to be quality built, that is, it should be able to serve you well for years. Finally, the best alarm clock for college students also needs to be reasonably priced. You surely don’t want to spend all your savings on one such gadget.

The good news is that there are plenty of alarm clocks you can buy on Amazon. The bad news is that finding the best one is not that easy. But, worry not, we’re here to help you with your quest. Strap up because we’re taking you on a journey on finding the ideal alarm clock for your needs and wishes!

Choosing The Best Alarm Clock By Lighting Features

Some of these devices use light in order to help you get up in the morning. Instead of shocking you with loud noises, they will create a pleasant atmosphere, giving away a feeling that a natural sunrise is taking place.

Speaking of light features, there are some alarm clocks that have a projector feature. They can project current time on the ceiling, so that you will always know what time it is, without the need to get out of the bed. There are also some alarm clocks that have an option to dim light, if that’s what’s preventing you from falling asleep.  

We’re now gonna discuss all these options, as well as recommend the best alarm clocks with light features built-in.

Best Sunrise Simulator Alarm Clock: Philips Wake-Up Light

The first item on our list is actually a light therapy lamp that can be used as an alarm clock. It will gradually increase its light, mimicking a real sunrise. This way, you will wake up shock-free. And the best thing is that it also comes with a sound alarm, which will ensure you will actually get awaken in the morning.

You can set up the alarm any way you like. For instance, you can pick how long before the audio alarm shell the light start increasing. You can also pick the sound of the audio alarm, choosing from five different tracks. Or, you can set the device to wake you up by turning on FM radio.

Apart from the options to get you up in the morning, this device also has features that can help you fall asleep faster. Being a light therapy lamp, this gadget can create an atmosphere simulating sunset.

Best Projection Alarm Clock [For Kids & Grown Ups]: Magnasonic

This alarm clock will project light on the wall, creating images that will give you information such as correct time, temperature, and so on.

Apart from providing you accurate info while you’re lying in bed, by projecting light on the wall, this device will also create a smooth atmosphere in your room, which can help you fall asleep faster.

This is just the beginning of the list of features this device comes with. It also comes with a large LCD control display, which can be dimmed if its light annoys you or prevents you from falling asleep fast.

You can use it to set up an alarm, which can wake you with the sound of your favorite songs. To do that, you just need to connect this gadget to your smartphone.

Alternatively, you can set this alarm clock to wake you up by turning the radio on.

Best Low Light Alarm Clock [That Doesn’t Light Up Your Room]: Travelwey Home LED Digital

This alarm clock has a monochrome LED display that shows the correct time and nothing else.

And the best thing about it is that you can turn on the night mode, which will dim the screen, creating a perfect sleeping atmosphere in your room.

Another great thing about this alarm clock is that it’s incredibly easy to operate. There are no overly-complicated functions that could confuse you.

Instead, everything is easy and simple. And one final awesome thing about it is that its price is pretty cheap.

Best Alarm Clocks By Sound Type/Feature

We’re now gonna discuss the best alarm clocks by their sound type and special features. Some alarm clocks are capable of making such a loud noise that they can wake up even the heaviest sleepers. Furthermore, these kinds of alarm clocks can be used by people with hearing problems. And we’re now going to review the best one!

Furthermore, we’re also gonna review the best alarm clocks that make nature noises as well as other pleasant sounds, thus ensuring you will get woken up gently.

Best Loud Alarm Clock [Loudest Option For Heavy Sleepers]: Sonic Bomb

If you think of yourself as a heavy sleeper, you need an alarm that can make such a loud noise it will wake you up. One such device is Sonic Bomb.

As its name suggests, this is an alarm clock that will create an audio explosion, which will get you out of the bed.

It’s incredibly loud, but that’s not its only advantage. It can also make vibrations, shaking your entire bed in order to wake you up.

This device looks pretty inconspicuous and is available in several different colors, so you’ll definitely be able to find one that will look nice in your college dorm room.

It’s also pretty simple to use, with large control buttons and a large LED screen that displays time in red color.

Best Nature Sounds Alarm Clock: HoMedics SoundSpa

This isn’t just another alarm clock; it’s a device that offers much more. As an alarm clock, it allows you to choose from a variety of waking-up sounds, including nature sounds.

In addition to being a loud alarm clock, it’s also a white noise machine, which will help you fall asleep faster.

It also comes with a built-in LED projector that can project light images on the wall.

So, you can set it up to project information on the wall, such as current time in either digital or analog version.

This device is also very easy to use, with plenty of control buttons and a LED screen of a decent size.

It also looks pretty nice, with its blue LED display and white case. Finally, this little gadget also comes with a pretty attractive price tag.

Best Gentle Wake Alarm Clock: HeimVision

Your first impression of this device probably would be that it looks stunning.

HeimVision designers have really done a marvelous job with this device, making it look like a gadget everyone would like to have in their room.

Apart from looking nice, this device also has so much to offer.

First of all, you can use it as a regular alarm clock. Just pick from several different alarm sounds (or FM radio) and choose the intensity.

But, what makes this device really awesome is that it has a yellow light that mimics the sunset. This way, you can set it up to wake you gently.

The light will gradually increase its intensity and if that fails to wake you up, a sound alarm will go off as well.

Best Alarm Clocks Combined With Other Devices

Alarm clocks have been around for decades, but recently, some manufacturers have been adding new features to their devices. The result is that these days, you can find alarm clocks with FM players, USB charging ports, CD players, Bluetooth features, and so on. We’re now gonna discuss some of these features, as well as review devices that have them. 

Best Alarm Clock Radio [Dual Device]: Emerson SmartSet

The first thing you will notice about this device is its retro design. It makes it look classy and elegant, while its large LED control display makes it a fancy choice. But, it’s not the looks that make this alarm clock awesome; it’s its features.

First of all, it comes with a built-in FM radio, with its own memory that can save up to 20 radio stations. Apart from listening to the radio, you can also use this feature to wake you up in the morning. Just set the alarm clock to turn on the FM radio at a specific time.

Another awesome thing about this device is that it packs a Bluetooth V4.1, which lets you connect it wirelessly to your smartphone, tablet, or a laptop. Then, there’s also a USB port used for charging.

Best Bedside Alarm Clock With USB Charging Port: HOUSBAY with Dual USB Charger

Although the previous device we reviewed also has a USB charging port, if you’re looking for an even better option, it’s this alarm clock. Its USB charging port is incredibly reliable and very fast, meaning that you can charge this device in no time.

Apart from charging it with a USB, you can also charge it with an AC 120V cable or use a battery. And that’s not all; charging goes the other way as well. You can use this device to charge your smartphone or a tablet.

When it comes to waking you up, this alarm clock has different sounds to choose from. It’s very easy to use, with a pretty large LED display. The device is also pretty cheap and, according to user reviews, it’s also very durable.

Best Alarm Clock With CD Player: Dpnao Clock

In the era of YouTube, you may think that CDs are remnants of the past. But, although they are simpler ways to play music, it doesn’t mean that you should throw away your old CDs. You can use them to play your favorite music on an alarm clock with a CD player. One such device is Dpnao Clock.

This device uses CD to play music in order to wake you up. But, apart from CDs, it can use many other things to play audio tracks. For instance, it packs an FM radio that can launch off at your waking-up time.

It also comes with a USB charging port, which you can use to recharge the alarm clock, but also to use this device to charge your smartphone or a tablet.

Best Bluetooth Speaker With Alarm Clock: Soundance

This is a device that can serve both as a Bluetooth speaker and as an alarm clock. It also comes with a built-in FM radio, which can be used for waking you up in the morning.

Apart from being awesome in terms of features, it’s also really impressive when it comes to the battery. Its playtime is almost eight hours.

This device is also pretty reasonably priced, which is kind of surprising, knowing how much it has to offer. It’s also built to last, with its manufacturer offering a 1-year warranty.

The only thing we aren’t too crazy about is its design. It’s pretty simple, with its black color.

But, then again, its design makes it pretty inconspicuous, so it won’t be an eyesore in your college dorm room.

Best Alarms By Technology Used

Some alarm clocks come in retro design, others look ultra-modern. Some of them come with innovative features, others are as simple as it gets. Some alarm clocks are battery-operated, some use AC or USB connection to charge. We’re now gonna discuss best alarm clocks when it comes to the aforementioned features.

Best Digital Alarm Clock [In Modern Design]: JALL Clock

If your college dorm room looks modern, you need one such alarm clock to complement it. And JALL Clock looks like a perfect device. It looks incredibly modern, with a wooden design and a delicate LED time display, which makes it both elegant and very chic. The device is available in two colors, black and yellow, both of which look amazing.

Apart from looking nice, this alarm clock is also pretty awesome when it comes to its features. For instance, it has the option to set up multiple alarms. It also lets you pick the alarm sound, as well as the brightness level of its LED display.

Another really awesome thing about it is that it has built-in temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to this fact, it can always display that kind of info on its LED screen. And one final thing that makes this alarm clock a perfect device for college students is the fact that it’s cheap.

Best Digital Alarm Clock [In Retro Design]: Westclox Alarms

If you’re looking for an alarm clock design that was popular a few decades ago, we got just the one for you.

Westclox 22690 comes with a retro wood grain design and a monochrome display, which makes it look vintage.

Still, it’s pretty modern in terms of features. It has alarm which you can set up easily, using the large buttons on the top of the device.

The alarm clock comes both with an AC plug and a battery, meaning that it will be able to wake you up even if a power outage happens.

It’s also very sturdily built, not to mention that its price is really low. In fact, you won’t find too many cheaper alarm clocks than this one.

Best Smart Alarm Clock: Echo Spot (with Alexa)

Made by Amazon as an alternative to Amazon Echo.

It’s much smaller and comes with a circular screen, but Echo Spot also works with Alexa.

And you can ask Alexa to do all sorts of tasks for you, including to play music, play audiobooks, read the news, and even set up and alarm.

It comes with a powerful built-in speaker that will get you out of your bed in the morning. You can choose what kind of song will wake you up, as well as how loud is gonna be.

Apart from that, thanks to the fact that it has a color display, you can set it up to simulate sunrise for you.

Best Wind Up Alarm Clock [Old Good Mechanical Option]: Peakeep

Who says you need electricity to have your alarm clock work properly? You can always use an old-fashioned wind up clock to wake yourself up in the morning.

Because it’s mechanical, this alarm clock is very suitable for those going on long camping trips or hunting/fishing adventures in the outdoors, where off-grid living is the only option.

Apart from being extremely reliable, this alarm clock also looks pretty awesome. Its retro style makes it cool, while its two-color style makes it a very elegant choice.

Speaking of design, this alarm clock is available in five different colors.

Best Battery Operated Alarm Clock: iTronics

It’s powered by batteries (4 x AA), which makes this alarm clock portable. This means that you can use it in your college dorm room, but also take it with you to camping trips, etc.

Apart from being portable, this device has another great advantage – it’s incredibly easy to use. It comes with large buttons on the top, as well as a large LED screen on the front end.

Speaking of the display, you can choose from three different levels of brightness. There’s also auto-dim function, which can be very convenient during night time.

It also comes with options for the alarm. For example, there’s an option that will gradually increase the volume of the alarm when the waking up time comes.

Best Vibrating Alarm Clocks

If you’re wondering why anyone would need a vibrating alarm clock, there are several reasons for that. First of all, you might want to use a vibrating alarm clock to get up in the morning if you don’t want to upset your roommates. A loud alarm clock will wake everyone up, not just in your room but on the entire floor.

Secondly, if you got hearing problems, vibration will still work in your case. By creating the kind of vibration that will shake your bed or sharking your hand (if it’s a wrist alarm clock), the alarm clock will definitely be able to wake you up. But, which vibrating alarm clock should you get? We will now help you find the right one!

Best Vibrating Watch Alarm Clock For Your Wrist: TOOBUR Activity Tracker

Here’s a device meant for fitness buffs. It’s a digital wristband with plenty of useful options. It serves as a pedometer, as well as calorie counter and sleep monitor.

On top of everything, it also serves as a vibrating alarm clock. It’s gonna wake you up in the morning, without wreaking havoc and waking up everybody else.

Another great thing about this device is that it looks pretty awesome, so you’ll probably want to wear it on other occasions, not just while working out.

And one final thing we liked about this wrist alarm clock is its price. Considering how much you’re getting from it, it’s pretty reasonably priced.

Best Alarm Clock With Bed Shaker: iLuv TimeShaker Wow

This is not an ordinary alarm clock; it comes with a gadget that you put under your bedsheets.

And that gadget will vibrate when it’s time to get up, shaking your bed ferociously. It will wake you up, but it won’t bother your roommates.  

Of course, apart from using the shaker, you can also set up a regular sound alarm to wake you up. You can choose the sound and its intensity.

The best thing is that you get all this at a very reasonable price.

iLuv TimeShaker Wow is one of the most reasonably-priced alarm clocks you can find on Amazon.

Choosing By User/Application Type

Different kinds of users require different functions from an alarm clock. That’s why we’ve decided to review the best alarm clocks for each of the following user types – coeds, travelers, teens, kids, and heavy sleepers. So, let’s start!

Best Alarm Clock For College Students: iTOMA

Why is this alarm clock such a great choice for coeds?

First of all, it looks very nice and is available in different colors. You will surely be able to find one that matches the interior design of your dorm room.

Furthermore, the alarm clock is also pretty reasonably priced.

Actually, we can honestly say that it’s really cheap, especially considering its features.

And there’s plenty of them, including FM radio, smartphone charger, night light, sleep timer, and so on.

Best Travel Alarm Clock [Folding Option]: Marathon CL030023

The main reason why it’s great for travelers is that it runs on batteries, which can keep it going for a really long time.

Another reason is the fact that this alarm clock is foldable, which makes it small and compact. And once you unfold it, the device can serve as a smartphone holder as well.

Another awesome thing about it is that it comes with a pretty large display, as well as easy-to-operate control buttons. You will have no problems setting up the alarm or using any of its additional features.

All these things make it a bit strange that this device isn’t much more expensive.

Best Alarm Clock For Toddler Kids: LittleHippo Mella

When buying an alarm clock for kids, it needs to have a fun and interesting design, as well as to have plenty of entertaining functions.

One such alarm clock is LittleHippo Mella. As its name suggests, it looks like a funny little hippo with its head being this devices’ display.

Looking nice is not the only good thing about this device. It has some really awesome options, such as the sunrise simulator.

By gradually increasing the intensity of yellow light, this device will simulate a real sunrise, thus getting your kid ready for waking up. It can also glow in different colors, all of which have a soothing effect on kids.

Another way to help your kid fall asleep faster is to play music and noises that will calm them down.

Best Alarm Clock For Teenagers: WamGra

This is an alarm clock with multiple features that include light, Bluetooth speaker, and a music player. It has seven different light modes.

You can adjust the brightness by touching the speaker metal-mesh. And you can even change the mode of the light. Another exceptionally great feature of this clock is that you can freeze the color that you like.

There are different input methods that you can use to listen to your favorite songs. These include Bluetooth, Micro SD card, USB Flash Drives, and 3.5mm Aux Line-in.

This device comes with a USB charging cable to provide you with a hassle-free experience. Moreover, the USB charging cable is adaptable to any mobile phone wall charger, computer USB ports and USB connector, etc.

Best Alarm Clock For Snoozers: Pavlok Wake Up Trainer

If you’re one of those people who struggle a lot to get out of the bed, you need a special kind of alarm clock. Pavlok Wake Up Trainer is a device specially designed for snoozers.

This is a wearable smart alarm clock which can get anyone out of the bed. How it works is that you need to keep it on your wrist while sleeping.

This gadget has an in-built shocking alarm clock. It is specially designed to train you to wake up before time.

Gradually, your brain also adapts with its timing. The shock clock trainer is the first-ever device that is specially designed by using psychological principles.

It is paired with haptic feedback (beep, vibration) and electric biofeedback (zap sensation), which trains your brain to be a “morning person.” With continued use of this alarm clock, your sleeping and morning routine is improved.

Conclusion

Feel free to consider yourself a true expert on alarm clocks now that you have read all of our reviews. You now have the knowledge needed to make the right decision. What’s right for you, of course, might not be ideal for other users. That is why you need to make your buying decision based on many factors, including your own wishes and preferences, but also your needs and your budget.

The good news is that most of the devices we reviewed are suitable for a wide range of users. They are all great at their job, which is to get people out of the bed in the morning. However, some do it in one way, others use inventive features to wake the users up.

Depending on the features, the price of alarm clocks varies. Some are incredibly cheap, while some come at slightly higher prices. But, we did pay attention not too include devices that are overpriced. That said, you can be certain that each of the alarm clocks we’ve reviewed deserves its price tag.