Autumn is officially here and with it come the shorter days, darker mornings, and that familiar battle with the snooze button. If you’ve been finding it harder to get out of bed lately, you’re not alone. As the clocks get ready to go back and the mornings stay darker for longer, it’s no wonder our motivation dips. That’s where sunrise alarm clocks come in.
You’ve probably seen them on your social feed, glowing softly on bedside tables, promising to make early starts a little less painful. I’d been curious for years, especially when my 5am reformer Pilates alarm felt like a shock to the system. This year, I finally took the plunge, and I wish I’d done it sooner.
A sunrise alarm clock has transformed my mornings. Instead of being jolted awake by a loud alarm, I now wake up gradually as the light brightens slowly, just like a real sunrise. It feels calmer, more natural and makes getting up in winter that bit easier.
So if you’re struggling with the darker mornings or just want a gentler way to start your day, here’s what you need to know before you buy.
How Do Sunrise Alarm Clocks Work?
Sunrise alarm clocks use gradual light therapy to mimic a natural sunrise. Around 30 minutes before your set wake-up time, the clock starts to glow softly and gradually brightens, helping your body to wake up more naturally. Some models even pair this with gentle sounds or nature noises, easing you into the day rather than shocking you awake.
This kind of light exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock) which can improve mood, focus, and even sleep quality. It’s especially helpful during the darker months when natural sunlight is limited.
Are Sunrise Alarm Clocks Worth the Money?
In short, yes, if you struggle with mornings or seasonal dips in energy. I noticed a difference within a week of using mine. I felt less groggy, my energy lifted faster, and I actually stopped reaching for the snooze button quite so often.
If you’re someone who works out early, commutes before sunrise, or just dreads the winter wake-up, it’s a small investment that can make a big difference to how you start your day.
The Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks to Try
Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100
After a lot of research and reading hundreds of Amazon reviews, this is the one I finally decided to go for and honestly, it’s completely changed my mornings. The Guardian even named it “best overall” in one roundup, and the Amazon reviews are just as glowing.
What I love about it: it’s simple, with fewer bells and whistles, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want – just a gentle, reliable light to wake up to.
Check out the Lumie Bodyclock Spark 100 on Amazon
Philips SmartSleep Wake‑Up Light
A solid, trustworthy option. It simulates sunrise & sunset, has multiple brightness settings, and is praised for its light quality. It’s not ultra cheap, and some models may not come with as many extras as luxe versions.
Check out the Philips SmartSleep Wakw-Up Light on Amazon
Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300
This is one of the brightest, most customisable sunrise clocks around. You can adjust the duration from 15 to 90 minutes. It also has sunset dimming, multiple brightness levels, and features beyond just the wake-up light. It’s a little more expensive than the basics, and some users find the menu a bit fiddly at first.
Check out the Lumie BodyclockShine 300 on Amazon
Lumie Sunrise Alarm
If you just want a simple, reliable light-based wake-up tool that looks sleek and does the job beautifully, this is it.It doesn’t have every fancy extra (no app control or smart features), but that’s part of its charm. It’s affordable, effective, and does exactly what you need it to. For the price, it’s hard to beat – a brilliant way to brighten up those dark mornings without spending a fortune.
Check out the Lumie Sunrise Alarm on Amazon
Tips for Choosing Your Sunrise Alarm Clock
- Brightness / lux levels matter – if your room is big or you have heavy blackout curtains, you’ll want something with a stronger light.
- Sunrise duration & curve: Some allow a 15-minute fade, others go up to 90 minutes. Pick what feels “gentle but effective” for you.
- Sound / alarm options: Birds, wind chimes, nature sound, some let you combine light + sound, some are light-only.
- Extras: Sunset dimming, app control, light colours, subscription services, nice to have but not essential.
- Ease of use: If there’s too much complexity, you might not use all the features. Sometimes simple is better.
