We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.
When our ancestors all lived in villages or farms, they would wake up to the sunrise or the sound of the rooster’s “cock-a-doodle-doo”. Then came the industrial revolution, and mechanical alarm clocks were invented to wake people up for their 9-5 jobs. Now, we are in the era of the smart alarm clock–let’s call it ‘Waking Up 3.0’.
A smart home alarm clock won’t wake you up abruptly with a sudden burst of sunlight, cock-a-doodle-doo or annoying ringing sound. It’ll wake you when you want and with just the right amount of sound and light that you need to get your day started. High-tech alarm clocks can be easily programmed to play or show you anything you want, like a podcast or today’s weather forecast. In short, a smart bedroom clock enables you to wake up entirely on your terms.
Finding the best smart alarm clock depends on your needs. There are smart devices with built-in smart alarm clocks vs. standalone smart alarm clocks; smart alarm clocks with vibrant touchscreen display vs. smart alarm clocks with compact, sleek LED display; and there are smart alarm clocks with surround sound and smart alarm clocks with lighting that simulates the sunrise.
Read on for our pick of the 10 best smart bedside clocks on the market today:
Amazon Echo is a brand of smart speakers with voice-controlled Alexa. The Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 8 are both perfect for using as an alarm clock, although the Show 5 is more suitable for the bedside table because of its smaller (5.5 inch) display. The Echo can be used just as an alarm clock or as a fully fledged personal assistant complete with films, recipes, video calling, and more. You can set your Amazon Echo Show 5 to wake you up to pretty much anything – from a podcast, audiobook, or Spotify to some mindfulness with the Headspace app.
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Lenovo is known for its budget laptops, PC, and tablets, and now it is earning a reputation for something else – its budget smart alarm clock with Google Assistant. To kickstart your day, just set up a ‘Good Morning’ routine on your Lenovo Smart Clock. You can listen to music, news, sports, weather, traffic, or anything really, thanks to the unlimited skills of the Google Assistant. Before bed, activate your ‘Good Night’ routine to turn down your connected thermostat, lock the doors, and wind down with relaxing music. The single dashboard that lets you do everything from check the kids’ bedroom to set the coffee maker for the morning.
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The Echo Dot is the second Amazon smart clock on our list, although it is quite different from the Amazon Echo Show. While both have built-in Alexa, the Echo Dot is more compact and offers a calmer experience. There is no video on the Echo Dot, only a sleek LED time display. It comes with an LIFX Smart Bulb with Wi-Fi, giving off a warm white light at day and night. You can adjust or pre-set the brightness and mood of the room with voice control or the app. You can also ask Alexa to tell a joke, play music, answer questions, and a whole lot more. This is the best alarm clock for starting your day relaxed.
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There are several wake-up lights on the market with alarm clock capabilities, but this one from Philips is the best. The SmartSleep’s light-guided breathing and personalized sun settings are designed to help you wake up feeling relaxed and refreshed. You can choose which sounds or music you want to wake up to, from nature sounds to ambient music to your local FM radio station. At your set wake-up time, your selected sound will start to play softly, gradually increasing to your pre-set level within a few minutes.
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JBL is a leader in Bluetooth-equipped speakers and audio equipment, so it makes sense that it would earn a nomination for best smart bedside clock. The JBL Horizon fills your room with stereo sound whether using it as an alarm clock or as a regular speaker. It contains dual independent alarms for you and your partner. It offers a choice of FM radio, original digital alarm tones, or music streamed from a Bluetooth device. It’s also equipped with LED ambient lighting to help you gently wake up.
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Marketed as the ‘ultimate digital photo frame’, the Google Nest Hub is an all-in-one connected device that also works nicely as an alarm clock. Just set the device up on your bedside table (or in your office or living room) and talk to Google Assistant to tap into the thousands of features. With Voice Match, just say “Hey Google, good morning” to set up your morning routine – from wake-up alarm clock to reminders to your commute and more.
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Emerson has been around for more than a century, but it has well and truly become a part of the digital age thanks to its budget smart speaker. The SmartSet is the smart alarm clock for anyone who wants an alarm clock radio with Bluetooth speaker but without having to pay for thousands of other features. With the Emerson, you can go to sleep and wake to your favorite music, adjustable nightlight and crescendo wake–and all for less than $30.
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For the best-looking smart alarm on the market, look no farther than Anker’s Wakey. This sleek alarm clock lets you wake up to 10 different sounds, pre-set your favorite FM radio stations, or connect your favorite music via Bluetooth or cable. At night, you can choose from 10 sleep-inducing ambient sounds or compose your own southing soundscape using the Sound Core app. The LED display automatically dims in low light and can be adjusted or switched off using the app.
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“How can an alarm clock be vintage and smart?”, we can hear you thinking. The Bulova Glendale Mantel Clock is proof this is possible. This table clock has a classic Oak case finished in an ebony stain, plus a black metal dial with contrasting silver numbers and markers. When the room light darkens, an LED light array illuminates the dial in the dark. In addition, the clock is equipped with a Bluetooth wireless speaker system, allowing you the ability to stream programming or music from any connected device. The Bulova Glendale is a classic and modern alarm clock in one.
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We’ve seen the most vintage smart alarm clock. Now let’s look at the most futuristic smart alarm clock: the Lametric Time. This smart home alarm clock lets you choose from thousands of unique clock faces or create your own. There are animal clock faces, cartoon and movie clock faces, emoji clock faces, flag clock faces, food clock faces, and more. You can even spice up the holidays with themed clock faces like pumpkins and Xmas trees. The Lametric Time is a truly unique smart alarm clock.
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They say your morning wake-up routine sets the tone for the rest of the day. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed and your day may not go well. But start your day off on the right foot and good things will follow. What’s the secret to getting a great start to the day in the era of smart devices? The smart bedroom clock.
