Mornings don't have to be a daily battle against the snooze button. After years of testing sleep tech and wellness gadgets, I've discovered that the secret to easier wake-ups isn't louder alarms – it's smarter light, and the best sunrise alarm clocks can transform your morning routine.
After testing dozens of models over the last few years, I can confidently say that short of the best mattress, a sunrise alarm clock is one of the most effective ways to start your day feeling genuinely refreshed.
Unlike traditional alarms that jolt you awake with harsh noise, sunrise alarm clocks work with your body's natural circadian rhythms, helping you to wake up “over a longer period of time...stretching out the waking up period over 10 to 15 minutes,” explains Dr Maja Schaedel, co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic. The devices do this by mimicking a natural sunrise and gently coaxing your brain to suppress melatonin while boosting serotonin production. The result? You wake up feeling more alert and less groggy – a game-changer as we head into the darker months when natural light is scarce.
While, like SAD lamps, they can help combat seasonal affective disorder, sunrise alarm clocks also prove useful year-round. Whether you're dealing with blackout curtains, north-facing bedrooms, or simply prefer gentler mornings, sunrise alarm clocks will wake you up on time without the stressful rush of adrenaline from a phone alarm.
Many models now include additional features like sunset modes, nature sounds, and even smart home integration, making them versatile bedroom companions that work around the clock. My favourite is the Lumie bodyclockluxe 750DAB, and while the brand has much of the market cornered, there are other good options out there if you know where to look. Keep scrolling to find out which models deserve a spot in your home.
How I tested
Over the course of several weeks, I tested a range of sunrise alarm clocks across different price points, rotating each onto my bedside table for several nights. I silenced phone backups to judge light-only wake-ups, making note of features and perceived grogginess. My testing process evaluated each clock against several key criteria:
- Effectiveness: I was looking for alarm clocks that reduced tiredness and made me feel more alert. Most importantly, they had to wake me up on time for work.
- Usability: I timed how long it took to set up each clock and how long it took to schedule alarms. I assessed button feel, display readability, and auto-dimming overnight, as well as features like radio reception, Bluetooth stability, USB charging, and smart-home routines for more-advanced models.
- Footprint: I measured how much room these clocks took up on a bedside table.
- Value: I paid attention to other features, such as a radio, whether I could keep it on the nightstand year-round, and if it could replace other devices, like standard alarm clocks or phone alarms.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent’s dedicated shopping section, IndyBest is committed to providing unbiased reviews and expert advice. Our team of editors and writers have years of experience in testing products and trialling them within their own homes.
Caroline Preece is an expert product tester and journalist who specialises in home and lifestyle topics, including kitchen appliances and sleep products like the best cooling pillows.
The best sunrise alarm clocks for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Lumie bodyclock luxe 750DAB: £229, Lumie.com
- Best budget buy – Lumie sunrise alarm: £49.98, Lumie.com
- Best value – Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock: £79.99, Dreamegg.com
- Best for smart homes – Philips Hue twilight smart sleep and wake-up lamp: £249.99, Philips-hue.com
Lumie bodyclock luxe 750DAB
Best: Sunrise alarm clock overall
Wake light: 15–90 min sunrise; sunset mode; low blue-light
Radio: DAB / DAB+
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-A, AUX
Size: H 20cm x W 23cm x D 13cm
Sounds: 34 wake/sleep options
Why we love it
- Authentic, bright sunrise
- DAB+/FM radio, Bluetooth speaker, and USB charging
- Premium build
Take note
- Fiddly, unintuitive setup and controls
- Large footprint
- Pricey
After several weeks of testing sunrise alarm clocks, I found the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 750DAB delivered the most reliable, natural wake-up of the lot. Its sunrise function genuinely felt like daylight creeping in, with warm ambers building to a clear white in 15-90 minutes. The light was bright enough that I felt confident I could ditch my old phone alarm after just a couple of nights.
The features are also impressive, with DAB/DAB+ radio (with an admittedly old-school aerial), Bluetooth audio, and a USB port, so you can streamline your bedside setup. There are 34 wake and sleep sounds to choose from, but I rarely needed more than the light.
The interface is fiddly and less intuitive than the cheaper Lumie models featured in this guide, however. Programming multiple alarms took a fair bit of patience and a few false starts. It’s also big and a touch clunky in profile, so measure your bedside table before you commit. The premium price will also rule it out for some, but if you’re happy to splurge, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Buy now £229.00, Lumie.com
Lumie sunrise alarm
Best: Budget sunrise alarm clock
Wake light: 30 min sunrise (10 brightness steps); sunset mode
Radio: No
Connectivity: None
Size: H 18cm x W 17cm x D 9cm
Sounds: 6 alarms
Why we love it
- Effective 30-minute sunrise
- Good sunset mode
- Affordable and easy to use
Take note
- Utilitarian design
- Bbright red clock face
- Lower max brightness and pared-back features
If you’re interested in a light-up alarm clock primarily for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) support, this may be the one for you. It provides a 30-minute, 10-step dawn sequence that delivers a mellow, natural light that nudged me awake without the usual jolt of a hollering phone speaker. I was always gently stirred before the final brightness level, and the sunset mode proved just as valuable for helping me downshift in the evenings.
Setup takes just minutes, and you have six backup sounds to choose from if you need extra prompting. Despite the compact size, the top brightness is punchier than expected (perhaps because of the all-encompassing light, which newer Lumie models have abandoned), though its power can’t match larger, more premium lights.
Despite these positives, the utilitarian design looks and feels basic, and the buttons sometimes need a firm press. However, by far my biggest gripe is the garish red clock display, which is too bright for overnight, even at its lowest setting – I ended up angling it away from the bed. There’s also no radio, Bluetooth, or app functionality, but it’s a great no-frills option.
Buy now £49.98, Lumie.com
Lumie bodyclock glow 150
Best: Mid-range sunrise alarm clock
Wake light: 20/30/45 min sunrise/sunset
Radio: No
Connectivity: None
Size: H 16cm x W 19cm x D 12cm
Sounds: 10 wake/sleep options
Why we love it
- Natural, adjustable sunrise (20/30/45 mins)
- Auto-dimming display
- Power-failure backup
Take note
- Not as bright or room-filling as larger Lumies
- No app, radio, or Bluetooth
Hitting the sweet spot between performance and price, this sunrise alarm clock became my favourite mid-range model. Setup took mere minutes (I didn’t even need the manual at this point), while the clean interface makes this model feel more considered than Lumie’s entry-level options. The sunrise is customisable to 20, 30, or 45 minutes, and the light progression always feels natural. Crucially, it woke me reliably on all three settings.
There are 10 accompanying sounds (gentle birdsong was my favourite pick), and it has a smaller footprint than the Lumie bodyclock luxe 750DAB above, which will suit smaller nightstands. Two features stood out during daily use: the light-sensitive, auto-dimming display stayed readable by day and was never bothersome at night, while the sunset mode was also great as a wind-down cue, doubling as a bedside lamp.
The trade-offs make sense for the price point. It’s not as bright or room-filling as the larger luxe 750DAB, and the sound options are limited. There’s no Bluetooth or radio, either. Still, if you want proven Lumie features in an elegant package, this is my mid-range top choice.
Buy now £119.00, Lumie.com
Philips Hue twilight smart sleep and wake-up lamp
Best: Smart home sunrise alarm clock
Wake light: Six sunlight settings; dual-light design (front + rear)
Radio: No speaker
Connectivity: Philips Hue app; voice (Alexa/Google Assistant)
Size: H 33cm x W 16.4cm x D 15.9cm
Sounds: No speaker
Why we love it
- Hue app and voice assistant integration
- Dual-light design
- Science-backed light settings
Take note
- No clock or audible alarm
- High price
- Best if you already own Hue gear
For smart homes, this is the sunrise lamp to beat. During testing, it slotted into my existing Hue setup marvelously – I had it set up via the hue app within minutes. After adding it to my hub, voice control through Google Assistant was rock solid.
It immediately felt native to my routines – I added it to morning and bedtime automations alongside other Hue bulbs in applicable rooms, so my whole bedroom could suddenly be shifted from red-toned wind-down to a bright, get-up glow, without me touching a button.
The dual-light design is the masterstroke, as the front panel swivels for reading or targeted wake-ups, while the rear casts a soft gradient across the wall, doubling as ambient lighting. There are six sunlight settings that all feel pretty authentic, moving from warm reds to bright whites, which can be customised precisely to your preference. It’s also bright enough to replace any existing bedside lamp, and looks genuinely stylish and premium on the nightstand.
Of course, unlike traditional sunrise alarm clocks, it has no clock, speaker, or audible alarm. It’s also expensive and built for the Philips Hue smart home system, so it may only be truly cost-effective for those who already have existing Philips Hue devices around the home.
Buy now £249.99, Philips-hue.com
Lumie bodyclock spark 100
Best: Simple sunrise alarm clock
Wake light: 30 min sunrise (10 steps); 30 min sunset
Radio: No
Connectivity: None
Size: H 16cm x W 19cm x D 12cm
Sounds: 1 alarm
Why we love it
- Truly simple, intuitive button controls
- Mellow, natural 30-minute sunrise
- 30-minute sunset for wind-downs
Take note
- Basic, utilitarian build
- Lower maximum brightness than some other models
For those who want a simple sunrise alarm without any fuss, this straightforward design won me over. I set it up in minutes without touching the manual, and it looks great, complete with a clean interface and a neat grey base. The 30-minute sunrise builds through 10 gentle steps from warm amber to bright white, and the light quality feels mellow rather than harsh. There are also six pleasant sounds if you need them, but the light does most of the heavy lifting.
The simplicity extends to evening routines, with a 30-minute sunset setting helping to establish a consistent wind-down routine, with six mood colours adding subtle ambience without the overkill you get from some feature-heavy rivals. The compact footprint is also good for smaller nightstands, helping to keep things uncluttered.
However, this model is more utilitarian than some more design-focused examples, and the build feels basic, though reliable. Maximum brightness is also lower compared with larger Lumie models, so very heavy sleepers may want to add some audio.
Buy now £99.00, Lumie.com
Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock
Best: Value sunrise alarm clock
Wake light: 5-60 min sunrise; standalone night light
Radio: No
Connectivity: None
Size: H 17.6cm x W 23cm x D 9.3cm
Sounds: 29 wake/sleep options
Why we love it
- Natural-feeling sunrise
- Simple, app-free setup
- Compact, fabric-wrapped design
Take note
- Plasticky buttons and basic display/speaker
- Less bright than premium models
This sunrise alarm clock nails the fundamentals. During testing, its 30-minute dawn sequence from warm amber to clean daylight worked for me consistently enough that I could use it as my sole alarm after a few nights. It’s a genuine three-in-one device, too, with sunrise alarm, all-night sound machine, and a standalone night light all built in.
Setup was easy thanks to clear buttons, and the compact, 18cm footprint will fit nicely on smaller nightstands. I also liked the fabric wrap a lot, which extends to the light portion rather than just the base, and the dimmable (fully black-out) clock face was a highlight. There’s also a choice of seven ambient colours for evening wind-downs and 29 sound options, from birdsong to brown noise.
Compromises include a budget-friendly build quality, with plasticky buttons, a basic display, and a mono speaker that sounds functional but will never be your main listening device. Maximum brightness also can’t match that of more premium models, so very heavy sleepers may want to use the light plus audio functions. There’s no app, radio, or Bluetooth, either, but the trade-off is refreshing simplicity.
Buy now £79.99, Dreamegg.com
Lumie bodyclock shine 300
Best: Sunrise alarm clock for heavy sleepers
Wake light: 15–90 min sunrise/sunset with smooth colour progression
Radio: FM
Connectivity: None
Size: H 18cm x W 21cm x D 12cm
Sounds: 15 wake/sleep options
Why we love it
- Versatile 15–90 minute sunrise/sunset
- Crisp FM radio
- 14 varied sleep/wake sounds
Take note
- Confusing controls and setup
- Plasticky feel that undermines the price tag
During testing, this model’s versatility really stood out, with an authentic 15-90 minute sunrise and sunset, a useful light for reading, crisp FM radio, and 14 sounds thrown in. The light progression feels natural, and the auto-dimming clock display faded neatly into the background overnight. I also like the fabric-wrapped base, which looks smarter than plasticky rivals.
Where it stumbles slightly is usability. The setup was needlessly complex, and the button layout is actually counterintuitive to programming weekday/weekend schedules. Despite the higher price, the chassis still feels a touch plasticky, too, and there’s no DAB or Bluetooth streaming as with the newer luxe 750DAB (see above).
If you’re after premium‑grade dawn simulation with a built‑in radio and sunset options, it remains a powerful, all‑in‑one solution. Heavy sleepers will appreciate its brightness and the choice of 14 sounds, while the adjustable reading lamp means one less device by the bed. Just be prepared to invest some time in learning the controls. It’s surprisingly unintuitive, but once you have it sussed, it's easy to use.
Buy now £149.00, Lumie.com
Your questions on sunrise alarm clocks answered
What is the best sunrise alarm clock?
After weeks of extensive testing across every price point and feature set, the Lumie bodyclock luxe 750DAB emerged as a top choice for transforming morning routines. This premium model consistently delivered the most authentic sunrise simulation I've experienced, with brightness levels that genuinely rival natural sunlight, and comprehensive features including DAB+ radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and USB charging. It's a little fiddly to set up and demands significant bedside space, but the investment pays off in terms of genuinely improved wake-ups.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Lumie sunrise alarm is the cheapest I’ve tested, and while it’s mostly pretty good, the bright red display might put off the most sensitive sleepers. For a modest price increase, the Dreamegg sunrise alarm clock is also effective, delivering a surprisingly authentic sunrise simulation for the price, with useful three-in-one functionality, though the build quality reveals the price point.
If smart home integration matters most, the Philips Hue twilight offers sophisticated dual-lighting design and seamless voice control, though it sacrifices traditional alarm features for style and connectivity.
All these sunrise alarm clocks deliver on their core promise of gentler wake-ups, so choose based on your specific needs and budget – you genuinely can't go wrong with any of the tried-and-tested models included in this roundup.
Do sunrise alarm clocks work?
To ascertain the effectiveness of sunrise alarm clocks, I consulted Dr Maja Schaedel, co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic. Schaedel explains that sunrise alarm clocks offer a “really nice way to wake up” because “our circadian rhythms, our internal body clocks, depend on daylight to understand what is daytime and nighttime. During the early hours of the evening, when the sunlight fades, our bodies start to release a hormone called melatonin, which signals to the body that it is time to sleep. The level of melatonin continues to increase throughout the night until it starts to tail off in the latter half of the night. When the sun rises in the morning, melatonin is inhibited, and our circadian rhythm tells us that it is daytime. This makes waking up generally easier.”
Are sunrise alarm clocks good for you?
Sunrise alarm clocks help to ease you into the day by mimicking the sunrise, triggering your body to suppress melatonin and to produce serotonin, so you start the day feeling less groggy. This gentle waking process could lead to you being in a better mood and having greater levels of energy. Being woken by bright light in the morning can also help reset our circadian rhythm, which in turn can improve the quality of our sleep, which plays a role in our overall health.
Wake-up alarm clocks also boast mood-boosting benefits that people dealing with SAD may benefit from during the drearier months of the year.
In terms of further health benefits, research has shown that sudden waking can contribute to higher blood pressure and heart rate compared with those who wake up on their own time, as happens with a sunrise alarm clock. However, this is inference; there need to be more studies into whether sunrise alarm clocks lower blood pressure to be certain.
Meet the expert
Dr Maja Schaedel, co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic, is a clinical psychologist who specialises in insomnia and sleep issues.
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