Ultimately, these lights can do a lot. They can double as a sound machine, help you wake up and fall asleep, and even act as a regular bedside lamp if they’re bright enough. Not all sunrise alarms have all of these features, though, so you have to choose how much you want to spend and what features are most important to you.

What Features Should You Look for in a Sunrise Alarm Clock?

You might see a range of features listed for a sunrise alarm, and more expensive ones will include more of these than cheaper models. If you’re not sure what features you want, try this series of questions to figure out what features you need.

Do you struggle to fall asleep? Splurge on a sunrise alarm with a nighttime or wind-down routine. These help build a routine for you to fall asleep to.

Do you need one device that doubles as an alarm and a bedside lamp? Get a brighter sunrise clock that has easy controls to switch it on as a bedside lamp. Not all sunrise clocks have these, so check the details carefully (and reviews like mine!) and note that cheaper, smaller sunrise alarm clocks usually won’t brighten an entire bedroom.

Are you picky about your alarm sounds? Check how many sounds are offered. Just about every sunrise clock has some sound machine features and options, but cheaper ones tend to only have a couple of sounds and might not have the sound you’re looking for.

Do you want app control? Some options in this guide don’t have a partner app or Wi-Fi capabilities, especially some of my favorites. An app doesn’t necessarily make it a better sunrise clock, but it can be convenient to use. If you prefer an app to set up your sunrise lamp, shop the Casper, Hatch, Loftie, and WiiM.

Which Sunrise Alarm Clocks Are Best?

This sunrise alarm is my favorite one. It’s big and bright with a stylish exterior, and has a button for lamp mode so you can easily switch it on to use in the evening as a regular lamp, and it was bright enough to fill my bedroom like a normal lamp. It has a nice range of sounds, and not only connects to the radio but allows you to save five stations. There are both sunrise and sunset settings. The biggest downside is it only has a 24-hour clock, and it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or an app so you have to set the time manually (and change it manually for daylight saving). If you want to spend less, the Shine 300 ($169) is a little smaller and has fewer sounds, but otherwise is similarly great.