Sunrise alarm clocks — any good ones?

[MajorMantra]

I've seen some older threads on these but nothing very up-to-date.

I quite fancy a sunrise alarm clock (one that wakes you up with a dawn-simulating light) as I struggle to rouse myself at this time of year.

There are loads of no-name Chinese ones on Amazon and ebay, but most look crap and many have suspect reviews.

There's a £65 Philips one that some people like, but again reviews are mixed and it's a fair chunk of money if it turns out to be rubbish.

Are there any good ones on the market? I'm willing to spend a bit more for something that's genuinely well made and designed.

Cheers!

[Matt-il77s]

MajorMantra said:

I've seen some older threads on these but nothing very up-to-date.

I quite fancy a sunrise alarm clock (one that wakes you up with a dawn-simulating light) as I struggle to rouse myself at this time of year.

There are loads of no-name Chinese ones on Amazon and ebay, but most look crap and many have suspect reviews.

There's a £65 Philips one that some people like, but again reviews are mixed and it's a fair chunk of money if it turns out to be rubbish.

Are there any good ones on the market? I'm willing to spend a bit more for something that's genuinely well made and designed.

Cheers!

I have the Phillips one and have had it 5 years, use it every day and the bulb is still going.

I have to admit though, it works for the first few months, and then you just get used to it and learn to hit snooze without waking as with any other alarm clock.

I mostly just use it as a dimmable bedside lamp.

One good part is that because the light slowly gets brighter over 30 minutes, you wake up in a lit room and don't get the eye sting with a sudden light.

[theaxe]

I also have the Phillips once (about 2 years now). It is pretty good, I do think it helps and the gradual fade up is nice. My only complaint is that it loses the time if the power is disconnected.

[Teddy Lop]

I've used one for about 15 years, have weird sensory stuff going on and never could abide light glare or sudden intense noises, useful now as I get up before the mrs and the soft blend in means it doesn't usually disturb her.

They've always been scandalously expensive for what they are - first was a Phillips, current is a buerer, both okay did the job nothing special.

Just checked current prices, my god that's ridiculous for strapping an alarm clock to a dimmer switch and chucking it in a cheap plastic box, surprised someone hasn't developed an app for a smartphone by now, or maybe one of those fancy Phillips Wi-Fi light bulbs might do it?

[RammyMP]

I was thinking of trying this with a hue bulb. Not done it yet as her in doors is off work and will complain about getting woke up early.

[FiF]

I have a cheapo Lidl one. It's ok apart from the instructions being a bit poor. For example no explanation as to how to pick the different colours of light. I mostly use it for a bedtime reading light with sleep timer set, another hidden option not included in the instructions.

As an alarm clock I tend to be awake at the first or second stage of the light sparking up, then go back to sleep to be woken by the alarm, either surf noise or radio 4 Farming Today.

Daughter has a Philips one, much better.

[MajorMantra]

Thanks for the replies.

For those with a Philips, is it this one?:

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

(I ask as there are some significantly more expensive models.)

I've thought about other ways to achieve the same thing too. Alas I lack any kind of programming skills. I imagine with some basic knowledge one could engineer something with an LED or two and some simple circuitry.

[theaxe]

I have that one but without the weird sounds / radio part. Like this although it doesn't seem to be available anymore.