Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks of 2026: Wake-Up Lights That Actually Work
When you click and buy through our links we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Your support allows us to keep delivering independent research for you.
By Ella Carter
Product Reviewer, Sleep Tech
Updated September 9, 2026
Sunrise alarm clocks are designed to wake you up more naturally by gradually increasing light, instead of jolting you awake with sound. But not all wake-up lights deliver the same experience, especially if you’re a heavier sleeper or waking up in a dark room.
For this guide, we looked at the best sunrise alarm clocks of 2026, including options from Hatch, JALL, and Philips to find the ones that offer the best mix of light quality, useful features, ease of use, and value.
Whether you want a simple wake-up light, a brighter sunrise that actually gets you out of bed, or a full wind-down and wake-up routine, these are the sunrise alarm clocks worth considering.
Quick Picks: Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks
If you’re short on time, these are the sunrise alarm clocks worth considering:
- Best Overall – Hatch Restore 3
- Best Value – JALL Wake-Up Light
- Best Light Quality – Philips HF3520
The Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock blends gentle light, sleep sounds, and guided routines. It's ideal for healthier sleep and wake habits in one sleek device.
If you’re trying to improve your sleep routine, not just replace your alarm, the Hatch Restore 3 is the one I keep coming back to. It combines light, sound, and simple routines in a way that makes both winding down at night and waking up in the morning feel easier and more consistent.
Why It Stands Out
What makes Hatch different is that it’s built around routines, not just alarms. Instead of only waking you up with light, it helps structure your evenings and mornings with sleep sounds, wind-down routines, and gradual sunrise light that work together.
Pros
- Combines sunrise light, sleep sounds, and guided routines in one device
- Helps build a consistent wind-down and wake-up routine
- App setup, but easy phone-free controls at night
- Modern design that looks more like decor than a gadget
Cons
- Subscription required for full content library ($4.99/mo or $49.99/year)
- It’s not ideal if you need a very loud alarm to wake you up
If you want a sunrise alarm that helps you build better sleep habits, not just wake up differently, this is the most well-rounded choice.
→ Read our full Hatch Restore 3 review
A surprisingly affordable sunrise alarm with customizable wake-up lighting, 25 sleep sounds, dual alarms, FM radio, and Bluetooth.
If you want a sunrise alarm with plenty of useful features without spending a lot, the JALL Wake-Up Light is our Best Value pick. You can customize the sunrise, choose from 25 sleep sounds, set two alarms, listen to FM radio, and even use it as a Bluetooth speaker.
Why It Stands Out
What makes the JALL stand out is how much you get for the price. The sunrise can be set from 10 to 60 minutes with 20 brightness levels, while the built-in sounds, FM radio, Bluetooth, and dual alarms make it useful beyond the morning.
Pros
- Excellent value for the features
- 10–60 minute sunrise with 20 brightness levels
- 25 sleep sounds, FM radio, and Bluetooth
- No app or subscription required
Cons
- Buttons may take a few minutes to get familiar with
- Sunrise isn’t as natural-looking as some pricier models
- No app-based sleep routines
If you want a good sunrise alarm with plenty of ways to customize your wake-up without spending a lot, the JALL is an easy one to recommend.
→ Read our full JALL Wake-Up Light review
Delivers exceptionally bright sunrise light paired with gentle alarm sounds for calmer mornings. Ideal for waking heavy sleepers without harsh alarms.
If gentler sunrise alarms haven’t worked for you or you struggle to wake up in darker rooms, the Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520 is designed to be more effective. It focuses on delivering a brighter, more noticeable sunrise that helps you feel more awake and alert in the morning.
Why It Stands Out
What makes Philips different is the strength of the light. The gradual sunrise still feels natural, but it reaches a higher brightness than many other sunrise alarms, which can make a real difference for heavier sleepers or winter mornings.
Pros
- Brighter sunrise light than most alarm clocks
- Gradual red-to-white sunrise that still feels natural
- Simple, reliable setup with no app or subscription
- Includes gentle built-in nature sounds and optional radio
Cons
- No app or smart features
- Buttons can be tricky to use in the dark at first
- Plug-in only, so placement needs to be near an outlet
If you need a brighter, more effective sunrise alarm to help you wake up more easily, this is one of the best options available.
→ Read our full Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520 review
How to Choose the Right Sunrise Alarm Clock
The best sunrise alarm clock isn’t the one with the most features. It’s the one that fits how you want to wake up.
If you’re looking for a full sleep routine, some models go beyond the morning with sleep sounds, guided wind-downs, and app control. The Hatch Restore 3 is the best fit here, designed to support both falling asleep and waking up more gradually. You can read our full Hatch Restore 3 review for a closer look.
If value matters most, the JALL Wake-Up Light gives you an impressive range of features for the price. You get an adjustable sunrise, 25 sleep sounds, dual alarms, FM radio, and Bluetooth without an app or subscription. You can read our full JALL Wake-Up Light review for more detail.
If you’re a heavier sleeper or your room is very dark, brightness matters more than anything else. The Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520 delivers a stronger, more noticeable sunrise that’s easier to wake up to. You can read the Philips Wake-Up Light review to see how it performs in real use.
The Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 was previously one of our top picks, but it has become increasingly difficult to find in stock. We still like its natural-feeling light and simple, app-free design, but we’ve replaced it in our current recommendations. You can read our Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 review for a closer look.
Ultimately, the best choice comes down to what matters most to you: a complete sleep routine, great value, or stronger light for easier mornings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
They simulate a natural sunrise by gradually increasing light 20–40 minutes before your alarm time, helping to wake you more gently than sound alone.
Yes. Studies continue to support that gradual light helps regulate melatonin and cortisol, making wake-ups easier—especially during dark seasons.
Yes. Many models offer directional light or soft sounds. For very different schedules, consider units with independent settings.
While not as powerful as clinical light boxes, sunrise alarms—especially Philips—offer therapeutic-quality light that can support mood during winter.
Yes. Hatch Restore 3 is fully app-connected, and Philips offers manual, screen-free use without smart features.
All three offer both light and sound. Hatch has the largest sound library (with subscription), JALL includes 25 sleep sounds, FM radio and Bluetooth, while Philips includes nature sounds and FM radio.
Among our top picks, the Hatch Restore 3 offers full app connectivity for customizable sleep and wake-up routines. The JALL Wake-Up Light and Philips HF3520 use controls directly on the clock, with no app or subscription required.
New to sunrise alarms? Our guide to how sunrise alarm clocks work explains what they do, the benefits, and what waking up with one is actually like. If you’re particularly difficult to wake, see our guide to sunrise alarm clocks for heavy sleepers for the features and settings that matter most.
If you’re building a full sleep setup, you can also explore our picks for Best Sleep Headphones, Best Sleep Trackers, and our full Best Sleep Tech of 2026 guide.