5 Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks in 2025: Hatch vs Loftie vs Philips (Tested)

I’ll be honest—I used to think sunrise alarm clocks were just overpriced nightlights for wellness influencers. That changed after three months of testing the top models in my bedroom, and I’m never going back to my phone’s jarring alarm again. The difference between waking up to artificial light that mimics natural sunrise versus a blaring beep is genuinely life-changing, especially during those dark winter mornings in 2025.

After personally testing the Hatch Restore 3, Loftie Lamp, Philips SmartSleep, and several budget Amazon alternatives, I’ve learned that not all sunrise alarms are created equal. Some emit pathetically dim light (looking at you, cheap knockoffs), while others are so bright they could wake your entire household. The sweet spot exists, and I’ve found it. Whether you’re a heavy sleeper who needs maximum lumens or someone seeking the perfect smart home integration, this roundup covers everything you need to know about the best sunrise alarm clocks in 2025.

1. Hatch Restore 3 – Best Overall Sunrise Alarm Clock

The Hatch Restore 3 arrived in early 2025 and immediately became my daily driver. After using it for two months straight, I can confidently say this is the gold standard for sunrise alarm clocks right now. The light quality is exceptional—bright enough to actually wake you (unlike the disappointing Restore 2), yet smooth enough that it doesn’t feel jarring. The sunrise simulation starts 30 minutes before your alarm, gradually increasing from a soft amber glow to bright daylight.

What sets the Restore 3 apart is the texture of its fabric-covered design. Unlike the Loftie’s smooth plastic, the Restore 3 feels premium and bedroom-appropriate. The companion app offers extensive customization—you can adjust sunrise duration, color temperature, and pair it with nature sounds or white noise. The two-phase alarm system (light first, then gentle sounds) works incredibly well for gradually pulling you out of deep sleep. I found myself waking up before the audio alarm kicked in about 60% of the time.

The dimmable display was a game-changer for me. My bedroom is pitch black at night, and even the Restore 2’s dim display was too bright. The Restore 3 can go nearly invisible, which makes a huge difference for light-sensitive sleepers. It also doubles as a phenomenal reading light and meditation device with guided content through the Hatch+ subscription ($5/month or $50/year after a 7-day free trial).

2. Philips SmartSleep Connected – Best Premium Sunrise Alarm

If you want the absolute brightest sunrise simulation available in 2025, the Philips SmartSleep Connected is unmatched. During my testing, this clock produced noticeably more lumens than the Hatch Restore 3 or Loftie Lamp—we’re talking hospital-grade brightness if you max it out. For heavy sleepers or those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this extra light intensity can make all the difference.

The SmartSleep integrates seamlessly with the Philips Hue ecosystem, which is a huge advantage if you’re already invested in smart home lighting. I could sync my bedroom Hue bulbs to gradually turn on alongside the alarm clock, creating a room-wide sunrise effect that’s genuinely impressive. The RelaxBreathe feature, which uses light to guide breathing exercises before sleep, helped me fall asleep 15-20 minutes faster on average.

Build quality is exceptional—this feels like a medical device, not a bedroom gadget. The touch controls are responsive, and unlike the Hatch, you don’t need to pull out your phone every time you want to adjust settings. The FM radio with preset stations is a surprisingly nice touch for those who prefer waking to news or music. As we mentioned in our guide to smart alarm clocks that wake you during light sleep, having multiple audio options can significantly improve your morning routine.

3. Loftie Alarm Clock – Best Value Sunrise Alarm

The Loftie has become the cult favorite for a reason—it’s the perfect “break up with your phone” alarm clock. At around $150-170, it sits in that sweet spot between premium features and reasonable pricing. The design is gorgeous with its smooth, minimalist aesthetic that looks like it belongs in a Scandinavian design magazine. I genuinely enjoyed having this on my nightstand from a pure aesthetics standpoint.

What makes the Loftie special is its focus on reducing phone dependency. It includes a built-in Bluetooth speaker, white noise machine, guided breathing exercises, and even a nightlight—all controlled by physical buttons on top. No app required. The two-phase alarm system starts with gentle sounds, then transitions to your chosen alarm tone. The sound library is surprisingly extensive, featuring everything from nature sounds to lo-fi music.

However, I need to be honest about the light quality. While the Loftie Lamp (their separate product) is decent, the standard Loftie Alarm Clock’s sunrise simulation is noticeably dimmer than both the Hatch Restore 3 and Philips SmartSleep. During testing, I found it worked well for light sleepers, but if you’re someone who struggles to wake up or lives in a room with blackout curtains, you might need supplemental light. The display is also pretty dim compared to competitors, which is great for sleep but can make it hard to see the time from across the room.

4. Philips Hue Twilight – Best Smart Home Integration

If you’re already deep in the Philips Hue ecosystem, the Twilight is a no-brainer. This isn’t technically a traditional alarm clock—it’s more of a smart lamp that doubles as a sunrise alarm. But that’s exactly what makes it brilliant for smart home enthusiasts. I tested it alongside my existing Hue setup, and the integration is seamless. You can program entire morning routines: bedroom lights gradually turn on, bathroom mirror lights activate, coffee maker starts (if you have a smart plug), all synchronized through the Hue app.

The Twilight produces gorgeous, natural-looking light with full RGB color control. Unlike the fixed color temperatures of most sunrise alarms, you can customize exactly how your sunrise looks—from warm amber to cool daylight. The sunset mode is equally impressive, gradually dimming over 30-60 minutes to help you wind down. I found this genuinely helpful for establishing a consistent sleep schedule.

The biggest limitation is that it requires a Hue Bridge and the Hue app, so if you’re not already invested in the ecosystem, the setup cost adds up quickly. It also lacks the built-in sounds and meditation features of the Hatch or Loftie. But for pure lighting quality and smart home versatility, nothing else in 2025 comes close. As we covered in our review of smart alarm clocks for heavy sleepers, having whole-room lighting automation can significantly improve wake-up success rates.

5. Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 – Best Budget Sunrise Alarm

Not everyone wants to spend $200 on an alarm clock, and that’s where the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 shines (pun intended). At around $80-100, this is the best budget sunrise alarm I tested. It doesn’t have smartphone apps, smart home integration, or meditation content—and that’s actually refreshing. It does one thing well: simulate sunrise and sunset with quality LED lighting.

The light quality is surprisingly good for the price point. It’s not as bright as the Philips SmartSleep, but it’s sufficient for most bedrooms. The 30-minute sunrise simulation is smooth and natural-looking, starting with a deep red glow that gradually shifts to bright yellow-white. I appreciated the simplicity of the physical controls—two dials on the back let you set your alarm time and light brightness. No apps, no subscriptions, no smartphone dependency.

The Shine 300 includes 15 sleep/wake sounds, from nature recordings to radio, which is decent for a budget model. The sunset feature helps establish bedtime routines, dimming over 30 minutes. Build quality is solid—it doesn’t feel cheap or plasticky like some budget Amazon alternatives. The main trade-off is flexibility; you’re limited to preset sunrise/sunset durations and color temperatures. If you want customization, spend more on the Hatch or Loftie. But if you just want reliable sunrise simulation without the tech overhead, this is your best bet in 2025.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Sunrise Alarm Clock

Light Intensity (Lumens)

This is the most critical spec. Many cheap Amazon sunrise clocks emit pathetically dim light—we’re talking 200-300 lumens max. That’s barely enough to read by, let alone wake you up. Look for at least 300 lumens minimum, ideally 400+ for heavy sleepers. The Hatch Restore 3 and Philips SmartSleep both exceed this threshold comfortably. During my testing, I found the Restore 2, Loftie standard clock, and budget Amazon alternatives all fell short in this category.

Display Brightness Control

An often-overlooked feature that becomes crucial at 2 AM when you can’t sleep. The best sunrise alarms offer completely dimmable displays or can turn off entirely. The Hatch Restore 3 excels here, while the Loftie and some Philips models have permanently lit displays that can disturb light-sensitive sleepers. If you’re someone who covers LED displays with tape, prioritize this feature.

Customization vs. Simplicity

Do you want an alarm clock or a smart home hub? The Hatch Restore 3 and Philips Hue Twilight offer extensive app-based customization—sunrise duration, color temperature, sound pairing, smart home routines. The Loftie and Lumie Bodyclock prioritize simplicity with physical controls and preset options. Neither approach is wrong; it depends on your lifestyle. I’m a tech enthusiast, so I preferred the Hatch’s flexibility. My partner prefers the Loftie’s “set it and forget it” approach.

Sound Quality & Variety

Built-in speakers vary wildly. The Hatch Restore 3 has rich, room-filling audio perfect for nature sounds and meditation. The Loftie’s speaker is excellent for podcasts and music. Budget models often have tinny speakers that make birdsong sound like electronic beeping. If audio quality matters to you (it should—waking to pleasant sounds reduces morning cortisol spikes), test the speaker before committing or read detailed reviews like this one.

Smart Home Integration

In 2025, smart home compatibility is increasingly important. The Hatch Restore 3 works with Alexa and Google Assistant. The Philips Hue Twilight integrates with virtually every platform (Alexa, Google, HomeKit, SmartThings). The Loftie offers limited integration via IFTTT. Budget models typically have zero connectivity. If you’re building a comprehensive smart bedroom setup (as discussed in our Eight Sleep Pod 5 review), prioritize models that play nice with your existing ecosystem.

Subscription Requirements

Here’s where things get controversial. The Hatch Restore 3 locks its best features—guided meditations, extensive sound library, premium sleep stories—behind a $50/year subscription. The base functionality (sunrise alarm, basic sounds) works fine without it, but you’re missing out. The Loftie includes everything upfront with no recurring fees. Consider whether you’re okay with ongoing costs or prefer a one-time purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do sunrise alarm clocks actually work?

Yes, and the science backs this up. Gradual light exposure triggers cortisol production and suppresses melatonin, mimicking natural sunrise. In my testing, I woke up feeling measurably less groggy than with traditional alarms. The effect is most pronounced for people with seasonal affective disorder or those waking up before dawn. However, effectiveness depends on light intensity—cheap models with dim LEDs won’t cut it.

What’s the minimum light intensity I need?

Aim for 300+ lumens minimum, ideally 400+ for heavy sleepers or very dark bedrooms. The Hatch Restore 3 and Philips SmartSleep both exceed this comfortably. During testing, I found that anything under 250 lumens (like the Restore 2 and most budget Amazon clocks) failed to wake me consistently.

Should I get the Hatch Restore 2 or Restore 3?

Restore 3, hands down. The light output improvement alone justifies the upgrade. As covered in our detailed Hatch Restore 2 review, the Restore 2’s dim display and weaker light were its biggest flaws. The Restore 3 fixes both issues comprehensively. If you find a deeply discounted Restore 2 (under $100), it’s still decent, but at similar prices, the Restore 3 is the obvious choice.

Is the Loftie worth it compared to cheaper alternatives?

If you value design, build quality, and phone-free operation, absolutely. The Loftie’s aesthetic is genuinely beautiful, and the physical controls are refreshing in our over-connected world. However, if maximum light intensity is your priority, the Philips SmartSleep or Hatch Restore 3 deliver brighter sunrise simulations. The Loftie is ideal for light-to-moderate sleepers who prioritize design and simplicity.

Can I use a sunrise alarm clock with blackout curtains?

Yes, and you should. Sunrise alarms work by creating artificial dawn, so external light isn’t necessary. In fact, blackout curtains ensure the alarm clock’s light is the primary stimulus, making it more effective. Just make sure you choose a high-lumen model (400+ lumens) because darker rooms require more light intensity to trigger waking.

Do I need a subscription for the Hatch Restore 3?

No, the core sunrise alarm and basic sounds work without Hatch+ membership. However, the subscription ($5/month or $50/year after 7-day trial) unlocks guided meditations, premium soundscapes, and sleep stories. I found the base features sufficient for alarm clock functionality, but the premium content is nice if you want comprehensive sleep/wake support.

What about budget Amazon sunrise alarms under $30?

I tested three generic Amazon models during this roundup, and honestly, they’re underwhelming. Light intensity was meager (200-250 lumens max), build quality felt cheap, and sounds were tinny. If you’re budget-constrained, save up for the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 ($80-100)—the quality jump is substantial. The ultra-cheap models might work for very light sleepers in small rooms, but most people will be disappointed.

Final Verdict: Which Sunrise Alarm Clock Should You Buy?

After three months of daily testing, my personal ranking is clear: the Hatch Restore 3 is the best overall sunrise alarm clock in 2025. It strikes the perfect balance of brightness, features, design, and smart home integration. The improved light output fixes the Restore 2’s biggest flaw, and the dimmable display makes it bedroom-friendly for light-sensitive sleepers like me. Yes, the subscription model is annoying, but the base functionality works great without it.

If you need maximum brightness or already use Philips Hue, the Philips SmartSleep Connected is unbeatable for light intensity and smart home power users. It’s the brightest sunrise alarm I tested, period. Heavy sleepers and those with SAD will appreciate the extra lumens.

For minimalists who want to ditch their phone dependency, the Loftie Alarm Clock offers the best design and no-subscription functionality. Just be aware the light is dimmer than competitors—fine for light sleepers, potentially insufficient for heavy sleepers or very dark bedrooms.

Budget buyers should skip the $20 Amazon junk and invest in the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300. It’s the best sub-$100 option by a mile, with quality light and zero subscription requirements.

And if you’re building a comprehensive smart bedroom ecosystem (perhaps alongside the Eight Sleep Pod or a smart humidifier), the Philips Hue Twilight offers unmatched integration possibilities, even if it requires more upfront investment.

The bottom line? Sunrise alarms genuinely improve morning wakefulness and mood—I’m never going back to my phone’s jarring alarm. Choose based on your sleep style: maximum brightness (Philips SmartSleep), best features (Hatch Restore 3), design focus (Loftie), or budget-conscious quality (Lumie Bodyclock). Any of these five will transform your mornings in 2025.