Best Sunrise Alarm Clock & Wake-up Lights UK 2022
Introduction: What are sunrise alarm clocks, and how do they work?
The best sunrise alarm clock UK combines an alarm clock with morning light and simulates the feeling of waking up naturally. They are often equipped with timers that emit a bright light at the appropriate time, which gradually gets stronger. This feels very similar to waking up in the morning naturally.
Other models simulate natural light cycles, such as dawn and dusk. Depending on the alarm you choose, you may see the best sunrise alarm clocks and wake-up lights in the UK 2020 start at around £20. This article will help you select the best sunrise alarm clocks & wake-up lights UK in 2022 based on our experience testing out Alarm clocks!
In our opinion, the best sunrise alarm clock UK in 2022 is the Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 Alarm Clock (below). Henry has been using this for over a year now, and it is his personal favourite.
The first step is to decide what type of alarm clock or wake-up light is right for you. There are two main categories: a sunrise alarm clock or a wake-up light. A sunrise alarm clock uses an artificial dawn simulation, which gradually gets brighter over a period of time until it reaches the level of natural light from the sun at dawn. It's ideal if you need to get up early but don't want an abrupt start to your day.
The second step is deciding what features are vital for you. Do you want an alarm clock with a prominent display? Do you want to wake up to the radio? Do you want the option of programming your own wake-up time? Lastly, what's your budget?
3 Amazing Uses for Sunrise Alarm Clocks & Wake-up Light Alarms
Below we have added three great uses for sunrise alarm clocks and wake-up light alarms that Henry has found based upon using his own Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 for over a year. If we have missed out on any ways that you can use them, feel free to get in touch with us!
Sunset: One of the unknown ways to use sunrise alarm clocks in 2022 is for their sunset feature. This feature will gradually dim the light before you sleep to mimic a sunset. The sunset feature will be easier to use in this way, as you will only have to turn the light on once before going to bed and then you don't have to turn it off.
Going to bed at sunset is good for your cardiac rhythm (as we'll cover below), your body's master clock that keeps your body balance in check.Booklight: Henry uses his sunrise alarm clock to read in bed before sleeping. Not only is this good because you don't have to put your main light on (and annoyingly get up when you want to turn it off), but because of use #1, you can read for 20 minutes as your light slowly gets dimmer, and you naturally want to fall to sleep.
Sunrise: Of course! A wake-up light's best use is gradually waking you up via their sunrise setting. Henry uses this by setting the alarm for 5:15, which means the light will slowly get brighter from 4:15, to wake him up 30 minutes later with maximum brightness and a pleasant alarm noise.
Now we’ve sold you the benefits, why not wake up in one of the most romantic places in the UK? Check out our previous blog to see where they are!
A Complete Guide to the Three Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks and Wake-up Lights 2022
#1 Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100
Henry finds it extremely hard to get up early in the morning when it's wet and windy. The Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 is proven to help with the winter blues and SAD through its natural sunrise effect. This effect allows you to feel more energetic and refreshed in the morning. Similarly, for a good night's sleep, the Lumi has a pleasant sunset setting that convinces your brain it's ready to sleep.
After using it for over a year (below), we can confirm it is the best sunrise alarm clock UK 2022.
This light-up alarm clock will help you get up in the morning. It also has a light that can be toggled and an easy to disable audible alert. This model packs a punch for its size! You can use the light as a night light for young children or adults. The LED screen automatically dims at bedtime to help you sleep more soundly.
This is an ideal way of waking up feeling refreshed, but there are cheaper, more cost-effective options if you want additional features such as music and radio. So while it has some positive points, this might not be the right model for you and may seem a little overpriced. Some reviews online claim that the alarm isn't very loud; however, we disagree with this as it certainly is loud enough to wake us, even when we wake up early to go on a romantic weekend!
Pros:
It has both sunset and sunrise features
The alarm beep is optional
There is an easy-to-use snooze function, although we don't recommend you use this!
The light is fully dimmable, and it can go very bright
Cons:
The interface isn't that easy to use, especially when tired!
More colour options would be handy
It cannot play music
Expensive compared to some lights which claim to have the same functionality
As we have touched upon, having used this clock for over a year, we can comfortably say it is the best sunrise alarm clock & wake-up lights UK of 2022. Henry has got an adequate amount of sleep each night, and has maintained his wakefulness cycle.
#2 Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock - HF3520/01
Philips' HF3520/01 is one of their most popular models and has 20 different brightness settings, 5 sounds, digital FM DAB radio and bright 300 Lux LED light. This bedside lamp has you covered whether you like to sleep in a dark room or want a more uplifting wake-up.
This wall clock has a large flat face with gently curving edges that slope outwards to a narrower shape at the back. It is shaped similar to a cone speaker. Our friend Sam from The Man Blueprint has been using this in his morning routine and is a big fan of the Philips HF3520/01 model.
The exterior of this light is a clean white that can match any room, and it is also straightforward to read. It features a timer with a dim yellow colour that doesn't disturb sleep. The brightness can be adjusted at any time and will automatically dim at night.
Philips HF3520/01 also has several buttons on the rim of the light face. Some of these buttons are grouped together depending on their function.
Simply set the time you wish to wake up, and the sunrise alarm clock will gradually get brighter up until this time. Starting at a soft orange colour, it will slowly build to a bright yellow colour to match the natural progression of a sunset. Of course, if you find the brightness too hard on your eye, you can always change it to a more convenient level. There are twenty different brightness levels to choose from.
For those with a more heavy sleep cycle, Philips provides an alarm to make sure you wake up. The alarm will play at a set time and defaults to "birds chirping", but you are always welcome to choose another sound if it is not your preference.
The chosen sound will start off at a low volume and gradually increase to a usual level, instead of the sudden type like some of the other best sunrise alarm clocks UK. Some reviews claim that the FM radio experienced interference when the light was turned on, but others have said they can't wait for beautiful scenes in the morning!
One of the most notable benefits of this is the inclusion of a dedicated 'sunset mode'. Like how a sunrise gradually increases lights and sound, sunset mode gradually decreases these two elements to darkness and silence. This, in turn, stimulates the user to fall asleep.
Some users might find the instructions difficult to understand, but overall the product is straightforward and comes with an easy-to-use interface.
Pros:
A selection of 20 different light settings which go all the way to 300 Lux
The digital clock will adjust according to the ambient light
3 different nature sounds and an integrated FM radio
Sunset feature
Cons:
The manual is quite difficult to understand
A friend told us that it is easy to accidentally turn the alarm off
It isn't cheap!
3rd Best Sunrise Alarm Clock UK: Philips HF3651/01
The Philips HF3651/01 Wake-up Light is functional and stylish, making it a perfect product for those who are looking for an easy start to their day. It comes with loads of advanced features and a sleek design that is sure to please.
This Philips wake up light is designed to help you awaken naturally. There are 3 pre-set settings: personalised brightness, blue light and sunset simulation. Even with the lights off, once activated, the light gradually increases and circulates through your room. This activates all the senses gently while being more comfortable on your eyes during a simulated nighttime environment. The natural sounds or an FM radio might be added towards the end of a sunrise cycle.
As I've touched upon above with the Lumie, I love the sunset feature as it winds my brain down perfectly. You can add natural sounds or the radio to this function as well. The Breathe+ also provides a light-guided breathing function called Relax Breath, which lets you use it as a meditative aid. It also features the Midnight Light, Reading Mode and an Easy Tap Snooze.
It may be marketed as an alarm, but you should know it doesn't have a traditional beeping sound - now I'm sure you can see why people might not think it's a true alarm. It also seems to lack sound quality and can't run on battery.
Pros:
Various brightness options (as with the Lumie)
Sunrise and sunset features
Options to wake up to FM radio or natural sounds
Guided meditation features - a real bonus!
Reading and midnight light
Cons:
Doesn't have a beeping sound, meaning you may sleep in!
The sound quality isn't too great on the radio
What are the Benefits of a Sunrise Alarm Clock? Do Sunrise Alarm Clocks Work?
Sunrise alarm clocks have many benefits - much more than you think, considering they're just a timed light! There are many benefits to sunrise alarm clocks that emit a bright light. This can be especially helpful for people who have difficulty waking up in the morning or sleeping during the day because their natural wake-up time is too late. The light is enough to keep them from nodding off and avoiding responsibilities in the morning!
A significant benefit of sunrise alarm clocks UK is that they avoid disrupting your body clock and help you get enough hours of sleep. They can help your circadian rhythm, which is the master controller of the autonomic nervous system. This controls bodily functions that you don't consciously control (like breathing and heart rate).
It also coordinates the release of cortisol, one of the hormones that prepare our body for the day, and it signals with melatonin, a hormone that helps us sleep about two hours before our regular bedtime.
Sunrise alarm clocks definitely work. We have found that sunrise alarm clocks get you ready for the day and make it much more pleasant to wake up early hours. So whether you want to get up early to go to the gym, get ahead of the competition or go on holiday, a sunrise alarm clock is the answer.
When we stayed in Rest and Wild Cabins, we noticed we felt so much more relaxed when we woke up naturally as the sun raised.
Sunrise Alarm Clocks & Wake-up Light Alarms FAQs
What does a sunrise alarm clock do? Sunrise alarm clocks are a type of alarm clock that combines both a morning light and an alarm to help you wake up naturally. Sunrise alarm clocks usually have timing features where the light gradually wakes you up. This feels very similar to waking up in the morning on your own naturally.
Are sunrise alarm clocks worth it? Few would disagree with the importance of a good alarm clock and the ability to wake up properly in the morning. That's why we recommend you start your day with sunrise alarm clocks; it not only gets you out of bed well but also improves your sleeping pattern.
Do sunrise alarm clocks work for heavy sleepers? The sunrise alarm clock uses natural light to wake you up more naturally, perfect for heavy sleepers. On top of this, the noise included in a Lumie alarm clock ensures you wake up even if the light doesn't do the job.
Are sunrise alarms better? Ariel's founder and CEO, Alex Dimitriu, shares some evidence that natural morning light can alleviate depression in those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as well as those with sleep issues because it helps regulate mood and circadian rhythms.
What time should I wake up for sunrise? Waking up at least 20 minutes before sunrise is a great way to get ready to start the day - sunrise alarm clocks can help with this, particularly if the weather isn't great!
Is it unhealthy to wake up before sunrise? It's important to follow your natural sleeping cycle. Throwing off the body's normal circadian rhythm can cause hormone imbalances and increase the risks of major diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression.
What is the best time to wake up scientifically? A recent study by scientists claims that older people benefit most from having breakfast early. This helps to jump-start their sluggish metabolism, which can also help younger people. We find waking up early, followed by a gym session, is the best way to start the day!
Conclusion: The Top Three Best Sunrise Clocks and Wake-up Lights on the Market Today
If you don't want to go for a sunrise alarm clock, another option is to go for a Philips Hue Smart Lightbulb - Henry used one of these for 6 months before switching to an alarm. They're definitely worth the money as you can control them from your phone and have multiple colours.
If you want to stick with an alarm, this blog has told you the three best sunrise alarm clocks UK for 2022 - the Lumie and two Philips options.
If you have a product that you would like us to review, then feel free to get in touch - we're always looking for new brands to work with!
