5 Best Alarm Clocks in 2022

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Depending on your sleep habits, you may need a loud alarm or a gentler option that awakens you gradually. Whether you’re a heavy or light sleeper, there’s an alarm clock that can wake you up reliably and effectively. 

“Light sleepers may want as few distractions and artificial light as possible,” said Alex Dimitriu, MD, founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine. “Deep sleepers may want an alarm that is loud or gradually loud, possibly with light or a sunrise simulator to facilitate waking up from a deep slumber.” 

As a certified sleep science consultant and sleep researcher, I always test products to see if they can improve sleep quality. For this guide, the Insider Reviews team tested over 10 alarm clocks for three days each. We evaluated them on ease of use and reliability. There’s more information on our testing methods later in the guide. 

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches products.

Best alarm clock overall: The Loftie, $126.65 at Amazon
The Loftie provides a unique wake-up experience with a growing library of pleasant melodies.

Best alarm clock for heavy sleepers: Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Dual Extra-Loud Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker, $36.55 at Amazon
If noise alone isn’t enough to wake you, the Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb vibrates intensely to help get you out of bed. 

Best loud alarm clock: Emerson SmartSet, $34.99 at Amazon
The Emerson SmartSet has a loud buzzer, easy-to-read numbers, and a beautiful cyan nightlight.  

Best projection alarm clock: Magnasonic Projection-Temp-Connection, $29.99 at Amazon
The Magnasonic Projection-Temp-Connection alarm clock is a reliable time projector that will ensure you wake up promptly every morning.

Best kids’ alarm clock: Hatch Rest+, $89.99 at Target
Many parents love the Hatch Rest+ because it can work as an “OK-to-wake-up” light and then transition to a traditional alarm clock for older kids.