Top 6 Sunrise Alarm Clocks for Dark Winter Mornings
Six clocks, each with who it suits.
Being written
Sunrise alarm clocks and wake-up lights for dark winter mornings
A sunrise alarm clock brightens the room before the alarm sounds. Owners compare how slowly the light builds and whether the phone can stay out.
Sunrise alarm clock top list for dark winter mornings
Sunrise, sound or phone-free: wake-up light styles
Wake-up light reviews: Hatch Restore 3 and Loftie
Reading owner reports
Review
Hatch Restore 3 Review: Sunrise Light, Sleep Sounds and What Owners Report
Sunrise light, sound library and the app.
Reading owner reports
Review
Loftie Clock Review: A Phone-Free Alarm Clock With Sleep Sounds
Keeps the phone out of the bedroom.
Hatch Restore 2 vs 3
Restore 2Restore 3
Hatch Restore 2 vs 3: What Changed and Who Should Upgrade
What changed, from Hatch's own spec sheets.
Being writtenWhat to check on a wake-up light
The sunrise lengthWhether it can be set, and how bright the last minutes get.
The display at nightA bright clock face can light a dark room; check it dims.
Power outagesPlug only, or a backup: what happens to the alarm if the power goes out.
Gift season 2026
Gifts for dark winter mornings
Sunrise clocks lead the gift guide's mornings section.
Open the gift guideSunrise alarm clock questions
Ask us somethingWhat is a sunrise alarm clock?
A clock with a light that brightens slowly before the alarm time, often with a sound at the end. Some are set on the clock, others through an app.
Is a wake-up light the same as a sunrise alarm clock?
Yes, the two names describe the same kind of clock. Philips, for one, sells its line as the Wake-up Light.
Can a sunrise alarm clock replace a phone alarm?
Some are sold as phone-free, such as Loftie, so the phone can charge in another room. Check that the alarm sound is loud enough for you before you rely on it.
How we pick sunrise alarm clocks
Owner reports on the light, the maker's settings, and no wake-up promises.