If you want to combine the best of both gentle wake-up and old-school function, there’s FM radio capability and a tap-to-snooze alarm clock, just in case. Additionally, the bedside light dims and it sounds gently to help you go to sleep, emulating a more natural way to enter REM sleep. With 20 total brightness settings, the lighting begins to gradually increase 20 to 40 minutes before your selected alarm time. One drawback of the design is the limited control over the display brightness. You can request reduced intensity with a voice prompt or by enabling night mode, but our product tester found limited success with both. The nightlight, though, is more straightforward to control with a voice command or manually. In most respects, the reliance on a smart assistant makes using this alarm clock easier and more desirable than a non-smart device. If you prefer, you’ll never have to manually input an alarm, and preparing for daily routines—by asking for forecast information, changing the thermostat or lights, and getting calendar or traffic updates—is as easy as saying, “Good morning,” or your command of choice. You can also use this smart clock as a speaker for streaming podcasts or playlists from Spotify, YouTube, and Pandora, and controlling other Google Assistant/Google Home-compatible devices throughout your home within a reliable 16-foot operating range. While it’s not the most advanced smart alarm clock on the market, it’s pretty clever for a very reasonable $25. The iHome’s spherical design and color-changing LED screen make it a perfect mood-setter for a party, or as a design piece for your office or bedroom. The color display isn’t just for show, either; you can set a light-based alarm to wake up more naturally in the morning. The iHome iBT29 includes an AUX input, a USB port, and a CR2460 back-up battery in the event of a power outage. While the Travelwey is powered by an AC outlet, two AAA batteries provide limited power backup. If power is out, the display goes blank to conserve battery and maintain existing alarm settings. To see the current time, just tap the snooze button and you’ll get 2 seconds of time shown. Connectivity - If you’re looking for a basic alarm clock, connectivity doesn’t matter. But if you want a little more out of your device, some of them can stream music via Bluetooth and even connect to the Internet. Alarm method - There’s no reason to settle for a basic buzzer, unless that’s what you really want. For heavy sleepers, some alarm clocks are equipped with flashing lights and loud noises, while others are designed to wake you up gently with simulated sunrises and nature sounds. If you’re guilty of snoozing, you can even find ones that won’t stop until you physically get out of bed.
