Skip to main content Tom's Guide Tom's Guide Search Tom's Guide View Profile Newsletters Best Picks Entertainment Apple WWDC 2025 Switch 2 Restock Best laptops Best Mattress Wordle Today Recommended reading I finally learned how to wake up earlier — and it doesn’t cost a thing Hatch has launched a limited edition sunrise alarm clock — just in time for Mother's Day The days are getting lighter and longer — here's how an early evening stroll can help you get more deep sleep Have you been sleeping better since the season change? Here's why I didn't trust the Rise app when it told me to wake up at 4.45am — but now I fall asleep quickly and sleep through the night I test sleep tech — these are the 5 gadgets that actually help me fall asleep fast What is April Theory? Expert says TikTok trend can help you sleep better Are there any benefits to using a sunrise alarm clock in summer? Eve Davies 9 June 2025 How a sunrise alarm clock can help you sleep better and wake up easier, even in summer When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Hatch) From sleep headbands to sleep masks and viral vagus nerve stimulators, my job as a sleep tech writer means I've tried my fair share of gadgets that promise to help you fall asleep fast and sleep well through the night. But what's the one device that I think is really worth your money? A top sunrise alarm clock. Honestly, I've asked the same question as you — is there really any benefit to using a sunrise-simulating gadget in summer when natural daylight streams through your window? While I can't wake up without one in winter, I assumed a sunrise alarm clock would be redundant come summer. Turns out I was wrong: I'm still using my beloved Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light in June. You may like I finally learned how to wake up earlier — and it doesn’t cost a thing Hatch has launched a limited edition sunrise alarm clock — just in time for Mother's Day The days are getting lighter and longer — here's how an early evening stroll can help you get more deep sleep From elevating your bedtime routine to fighting morning blues, here are the benefits of using a sunrise alarm clock all year round... What is a sunrise alarm clock? A sunrise alarm clock is a wake-up and night light, alarm clock and sleep sound machine, all wrapped up in one gadget. There's a sunrise alarm clock to suit every budget and bedroom aesthetic. You can get a Geuuap sunrise alarm clock for just $24.99 at Amazon or splash out on our #1 sunrise alarm clock of the year, the Hatch Restore 2 ($169.99 at Amazon), which comes with a library of sleep mediations and looks sleek on your bedside table. Exposing you to light first thing in the morning, these bedside accessories help regulate your circadian rhythm. This means your body will know exactly when to release and suppress sleepy hormones like melatonin, so you fall asleep fast and wake up alert. 5 benefits of using a sunrise alarm clock in summer You don't have to pack your sunrise alarm clock away during summer. Here's how it can still help you get a good night's sleep and wake up refreshed... 1. Elevates your nighttime routine The sunset simulation and sleep sounds including with many sunrise alarm clocks are great year-round additions to your nighttime routine. Personally, I love using my Philips SmartSleep as a reading light before bed. It provides a warm light that gradually dims as I read, helping me feel sleepy and relaxed as I get through a chapter or two. Plus I don't have to get up or reach over to turn the light off just as I'm nodding off, counteracting the sleep-inducing effects of reading. You can put it on a timer so it turns off automatically. (Image credit: Lumie) According to Talker Research, 49% of Gen Z and 32% of baby boomers lean on sounds to fall asleep, and this is where a sunrise alarm clock can help you fall asleep fast. The new Hatch Restore 3 sunrise alarm clock comes with an upgraded audio library holding more than 60 sleep sounds from guided mediations to sleep podcasts, soothing domestic sounds and ASMR. 2. You can use it as a normal alarm clock Although simulating natural light is their main purpose, sunrise alarms have audio alarms too. Even though the gradual light increase slowly pulls you from sleep, many people, including our testers, don't wake up to light alone and need an audio alarm too. Packed with natural alarm sounds from tweeting birds to goat sounds, or upbeat music, sunrise alarm clocks have many alarm options that help you start your day on a better note than a jarring iPhone alarm sound. Using an alarm device separate from phone means you can follow science-backed advice and keep screens out of bed for better sleep. Plus, you're less likely to reach for your phone first thing, which experts say is bad news for sleep. Instead of mindlessly scrolling before your head leaves the pillow, you should get natural light exposure to help regulate your circadian rhythm. 3. Useful for shift workers People subjected to poor sleep because of shift work schedules, or anyone who needs to sleep at irregular times of day or wakes up super early, would particularly benefit from a sunrise alarm clock in summer. Shift workers may need to block out natural daylight for them to be able to nod off during the day to prepare or recover from a night shift. The simulated sunrise can help them wake up gradually at any time of day, preventing grogginess upon waking. (Image credit: Philips) While these people can't help their circadian rhythm being out of whack, the simulated daylight will help their internal body clock understand when to be alert and when to rest, which can help lift their mood, energy levels and sleep quality. 4. Gives you consistently brighter mornings Heavy sleepers may not be woken up naturally by light coming in through the window, especially on greyer days which, unfortunately, still occur during summer months. The added intensity of light from the sunrise alarm clock can help them wake up. The morning light exposure also helps reinforce your circadian rhythm, especially if you're exposed to late sunsets that can delay melatonin production. What's more, the warm colored light from the alarm clock is more likely to boost your mood than grey skies. This is because morning light exposure boosts serotonin levels, supporting a more positive mood and reducing irritability and grogginess. 5. Helps get the kids up You may use blackout curtains to get your kids off to sleep at a reasonable time at night throughout the summer months when daylight hours are longer, so the sunrise alarm clock can help wake them up come morning. Plus, they’re sure to enjoy the different color light options — particularly on the affordable Momcozy sunrise alarm clock available for $49.99 at Momcozy — and fun sleep and alarm sounds included with most clocks. Today's best sunrise alarm clock deals... Hatch Restore Sound Machine $169.99View Deal See all prices Homelabs Sunrise Alarm Clock $19.99View Deal See all prices JALL Wake Up Light Sunrise Alarm Clock $27.96View Deal See all prices Wiim Wake-Up Light $129View Deal See all prices Philips Wake Up Light HF3520 $108.95View Deal See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Sleep Staff Writer Eve is a PPA-accredited journalist with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. She is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide and has four years’ experience writing health features and news. She is particularly interested in the relationship between good sleep and overall health. At Tom’s Guide Eve is responsible for coverage and reviews of sleep tech and is our smart and cooling mattress specialist, focussing on brands such as Eight Sleep and Sleep Number. She also covers general mattress reviews, seeks out the best deals to produce tried-and-tested buyer's guides for sleep accessories and enjoys writing in-depth features about sleep health. She has been involved in rigorous testing procedures for mattress reviews in our Sleep Studio and has interviewed experts including sleep doctors and psychologists. When not covering sleep at Tom's Guide, Eve enjoys writing about health and fitness, food and culture. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. I finally learned how to wake up earlier — and it doesn’t cost a thing Hatch has launched a limited edition sunrise alarm clock — just in time for Mother's Day The days are getting lighter and longer — here's how an early evening stroll can help you get more deep sleep Have you been sleeping better since the season change? 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