Recommend me a bedside clock

[RSVR101]

I’m looking for a new bedside clock. My previous one broke, it had the time projected on to the ceiling which was rather handy so I’d quite like that feature again, not critical though. Something that looks half decent and probably with radio.

I’m wondering if anyone uses a google home as one? Will it automatically dim at night?

[ajprice]

I have an Echo Show 5 by my bed, works fine as an alarm clock. The Google Nest Hub 7" looks like the equivalent if your home setup is Google not Echo devices.

[blueST]

I’ve got a Lenovo Smart Clock. Uses Google Assistant. It’s very good. Importantly the screen can be set go very dim at night so it doesn’t affect sleep. I like streaming podcasts from Spotify on it.

[ThunderSpook]

Echo dot with clock. Auto dims and can play whatever radio station you like.

[21TonyK]

ThunderSpook said:

Echo dot with clock. Auto dims and can play whatever radio station you like.

but can an echo play a radio without all the announcements etc. ie, just start playing radio 1 at a low volume without saying something an waking you up??

[RSVR101]

That’s my worry with a smart device as a clock. Will the announcements etc be silenced at night automatically. I assume this can all be set?

[blueST]

RSVR101 said:

That’s my worry with a smart device as a clock. Will the announcements etc be silenced at night automatically. I assume this can all be set?

In the Lenovo the responses from Google are at the same volume as whatever you want to play, so if.kts set low it will only talk quietly.

[Knoxville2410]

I use a Philips wake up light (not sure on actual name). Basically uses a light that mimics daylight to gently wake you up with either wildlife sounds or radio.

Expensive for what it is but really good and always wake up feeling refreshed.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-Wake-Up-Sunrise-S...

[PF62]

RSVR101 said:

I’m looking for a new bedside clock.

Or just use your phone.

With the appropriate ‘focus’ settings to mute non-appropriate apps and notifications overnight then I have found it works perfectly.

[snotrag]

Get a Lumie wake up clock.

Youll never use a horrific alarm again!

[AlexC1981]

I use a couple of Nest Audio (the new version of what used to be called Google Home) smart speakers as my alarm clock. They can be set to link up and run in stereo mode, and produce quite reasonable quality sound for their size. I usually fall asleep listening to a podcast on a sleep timer. Also handy for controlling the smart light bulb. I have a separate clock in the room if I want to see the time.

[55palfers]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fashioned-Bedside-Ticking...

[Ambleton]

I have a Pure Siesta and love it.

Unlike my previous clock radio it actually goes quite dim at night and quite bright during the day.

Got several alarms and gently wakes me up to classic FM in the morning. And it doesn't sound like a total potato either.

[ThunderSpook]

21TonyK said:

ThunderSpook said:

Echo dot with clock. Auto dims and can play whatever radio station you like.

but can an echo play a radio without all the announcements etc. ie, just start playing radio 1 at a low volume without saying something an waking you up??

Yes

[Fore Left]

21TonyK said:

but can an echo play a radio without all the announcements etc. ie, just start playing radio 1 at a low volume without saying something an waking you up??

You can set up a timed or voice activated routine to play a radio station without any announcements. Doesn't stop the radio station skill making one however (BBC Sounds certainly did, maybe still does). Worth also knowing that zero is a volume on Alexa devices and not mute.

Ambleton said:

I have a Pure Siesta and love it.

Unlike my previous clock radio it actually goes quite dim at night and quite bright during the day.

Got several alarms and gently wakes me up to classic FM in the morning. And it doesn't sound like a total potato either.

It is a great alarm clock / radio but mine is so bright at night I've had to stick tinted film over it. Also, I find the lowest volume on the (DAB) radio too loud to fall asleep to.

That said, having three independent alarms is great.

[21TonyK]

Fore Left said:

21TonyK said:

but can an echo play a radio without all the announcements etc. ie, just start playing radio 1 at a low volume without saying something an waking you up??

You can set up a timed or voice activated routine to play a radio station without any announcements. Doesn't stop the radio station skill making one however (BBC Sounds certainly did, maybe still does). Worth also knowing that zero is a volume on Alexa devices and not mute.

This is what I have found. I have set a routine to slowly bring up the light levels up over a couple of minutes whilst an alarm starts but would much rather a radio gently increasing in volume. (plus switch off the dame confirmation bongs!)

[anonymoususer]

RSVR101 said:

I’m looking for a new bedside clock. My previous one broke, it had the time projected on to the ceiling which was rather handy so I’d quite like that feature again, not critical though. Something that looks half decent and probably with radio.

I’m wondering if anyone uses a google home as one? Will it automatically dim at night?

I use a Sony Google speaker probably discontinued but more details below
However in the Google Home app you have a set of settings you can adjust to tailor your devices volume and visible appearance during evening hours
Under the settings "gog" on the relevant device - notifications and digital wellbeing - Night Mode -Enable night mode- slide to on -edit time required (default is 22;00 to 6:00 Mon to Sunday so set time/days required - do not disturb - slide to on if needed it blocks sounds from reminders broadcast messages and other notifications on the device - then you can look at LED Brighteness at night and set the slider accordingly then maximum volume at night set slider control accordingly.

My Sony Google speaker:



Also available in white:

[595Heaven]

blueST said:

I’ve got a Lenovo Smart Clock. Uses Google Assistant. It’s very good. Importantly the screen can be set go very dim at night so it doesn’t affect sleep. I like streaming podcasts from Spotify on it.

I use the same. Works brilliantly. I think it has been discontinued now but I bought a spare in case this one stops working!

[anonymoususer]

595Heaven said:

blueST said:

I’ve got a Lenovo Smart Clock. Uses Google Assistant. It’s very good. Importantly the screen can be set go very dim at night so it doesn’t affect sleep. I like streaming podcasts from Spotify on it.

I use the same. Works brilliantly. I think it has been discontinued now but I bought a spare in case this one stops working!

I think a lot of the 3rd party Google assistant speakers have been discontinued.

[Spare tyre]

Surely your phone can do it all, also, it has a nice battery in it for powecuts and it can travel easily with you

I have a toddler, never sleep in