Looking for a peaceful way to wake up in the morning without having to deal with unpleasant alarm sounds? You should get a wake up light. Read our research, guide, reviews and top picks for the best wake up light on the market.
Having a hard time waking up in the morning? Maybe you should get a wake-up light. Wake up lights are specially designed alarm clocks that use light rather than noise to wake you up. Since the circadian rhythms that are regulating our sleep and wake cycles are controlled by natural light, wake-up lights should be effective for most sleepers. This method is particularly recommended to those who struggle waking up in the morning or find the noise of the alarm rather unpleasant. Wake-up light alarms mimic natural sunrise by gradually becoming brighter, and awakening you. The colors of the lights are usually yellow or white, but some models may come with a wider color selection.
Wake-light, like traditional alarm clocks, have snooze functions, adjustable volume and multiple presets. Some also have a radio and a light timer. In case the model you select has a light timer, you can program the light for half an hour or longer before waking. The average product costs around $50, but you can also find many wake-up lights priced less than $20 or more than $150. The costlier models typically come with a sleep trial and a warranty.
If you are thinking about purchasing a wake-up alarm, take a look at our buyer’s guide and top picks. In our short guide, you will learn how these products function and what to consider when shopping for one. As always, our choices were made based on verified customers reviews and thorough product research.
Highlights: white light color, temperature and calendar functions, AM/FM radio, snooze option, one-year guarantee
Electrohome is a very affordable alarm clock and wake up light, and you get it for as little as $20. Although it’s pretty cheap, it comes with the features and functions offered by its pricier competitors such as nap timers, snooze option, and AM/FM radio playback with multiple presets. The clock needs two white bulbs in order to function as a wake-up light. The device has a battery back-up to preserve the clock’s settings in case of a power outage.
When it comes to advanced features, the Electrohome Retro Alarm Clock has lighting and snooze functions that are sensor-activated. The Electrohome’s LED interface displays indoor temperature and a full calendar. In case you don’t like to be awakened by alarm sounds, you can set up a vibrating alarm. Couples will love this clock because it comes with a dual alarm option.
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Highlights: 7 light colors, 8 wake-up sounds, FM radio, 10 brightness settings, ninety-minute dimming timer, USB charging port
The Lyght Wake-Up Light is considered to have one of the best wake-up light features. It has a very customizable alarm that allows the owner to program a gradual sunrise that lasts fifteen minutes or half an hour. Automatic dimming can be set in intervals of ninety minutes. The product offers seven light colors making it suitable for every taste and preference. Lastly, the device also comes with an FM radio with 20 stations presets
Apart from awakening you in the morning naturally, the Lyght Wake-Up Light also features music and ambient sounds that will help you wake up feeling completely relaxed and refreshed. Ambient sounds include birds, ocean waves, and thunder. The product has a USB charging port for your phone and an audio jack. You are probably wondering how much all these features cost? Believe it or not, the product is available for less than $30.
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Highlights: Colorful sunrise, 20 brightness settings, FM radio, 5 wake-up sounds, 8-hour battery back-up, best travel wake up light, 90 days’ trial and a two-year guarantee
Philips Wake-Up Light HF3520 is considered one of the most luxurious wakes up lights. It comes with a multicolored sunrise simulation, 20 brightness options, and gradual sunrise option that can be programmed to last from 20 to 40-minutes. The display will automatically dim once the room gets dark, and the sounds will automatically reduce in volume. The clock comes with five wake-up sounds, FM radio, and a smart one-touch snooze alarm.
In case of a power outage, Philips Wake-Up Light alarm clock has a backup battery that lasts up to 8 hours. The light is cool to the touch making it ideal for children. When it comes to the price, it’s on the more expensive side, with an average price of $140. Although you may think this is a product more suitable for shoppers with bigger budgets, don’t forget that included in the price is a 90-night sleep trial and a two-year warranty, which are significantly longer than average.
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Highlights: 7 light colors, FM radio, 6 wake up sounds, sunrise and sunset simulation, one-touch controls, suitable for traveling
The totobay Sunrise Alarm Clock comes with many beneficial features and multiple functions. It comes with seven light colors for the most colorful sunrise simulation, the clock gradually increases light intensity in 30 minutes, and automatically turns itself off in the evenings.
If you love to fall asleep while listening to music, the totobay’s Sunrise Alarm Clock is the best wake up alarm for you because it offers 6 built-in sounds, such as birds and ocean waves. FM radio with multiple preset options is also included. The wake-up light can be charged with USB, batteries or a wall cord. The price is very affordable to every budget, and it’s typically widely available for less than $30.
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Nowadays, many sleepers prefer using a wake-up light instead of traditional alarm clocks. Wake up lights are devices that mimic the sunrise by gradually brightening before the set alarm time. By the time you should wake up, your room will be partially or entirely illuminated, helping you to feel more wakeful and refreshed each morning. Since our internal body clock is naturally regulated by light and darkness, wake-up lights should help you get up in the morning feeling well-rested, not groggy or irritable. In case you require audible stimuli, some of these devices can produce light bleeps or play various ambient sounds or music. Since most wake up lights are priced below $50; they are available to every budget. However, high-end models may cost up to $150 or more.
In this part of the article, learn how wake-up lights work, the advantages and disadvantages of using them, as well as some shopping considerations for first-time buyers.
As mentioned in the beginning, our bodies sleep and wake cycle are regulated by an internal clock called the circadian rhythm. When it’s dark, our brain releases melatonin and signalizes our body that it’s time to sleep. High level of melatonin makes us feel drowsy and tired. In the morning, bright light suppresses the production of melatonin, signalizing our brain that it’s time to wake up. Normal functioning of our internal body clock also explains why we feel more tired during the winter and fall (when daylight is reduced) and more alert during the spring and summer.
Traditional alarm clocks are typically effective for most sleepers, but they are rather unpleasant, and we can even say harsh. If you are sensitive to noise, loud beeping can make waking up in the morning more like a chore than something that normally occurs.
If the alarm goes off and you are still feeling tired, you will most likely hit snooze, and continue to nap. However, you won’t experience this with wake up lights. Since you will be stimulated by light, once awaken, you will feel more alert. Most models produce light roughly 30 minutes before the audio alarm starts beeping.
Wake-up lights available on the market today come with different features and settings. Most models have between three and ten brightness settings, but high-end models can have up to 20 different brightness options. Light brightness is measured in ‘lux’ units, and most provide 200 to 230 lux, which is comparable to a low-lit office. High-end models can produce up to 10,000 lux which is very similar to outside light on a bright day.
Other features worth mentioning are multiple color options, various alarm options, adjustable volume, radio, snooze option, sunset settings and much more.
When shopping for wake-up lights and comparing different brands and models, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The most important factors you should focus on are your budget and product features such as multiple light color options, backup alarm option, adjustable volume, snooze option, and of course, sleep trials and warranties.
A wannabe journalist who somehow ended up as an art historian. She is a gamer, a coffee addict and a sleep aficionado. When she is not researching about sleep and finding out new ways to fight off the insomnia beast, she's spending time with her friends, gaming or visiting local museums.
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