Ditch Your Phone and Bring Back the Bedside Clock

Smartphones offer the allure (and addiction) of scrolling mindlessly in bed, but they rarely help us power down or power up in the ways that best serve our bodies and minds. That’s why we’re setting aside those blindingly bright phones and enlisting a recently rediscovered accessory to better serve us: the classic bedside clock. Far from the clunky AM/FM radio clocks of the past, today’s bedside clocks are true works of ingenuity, operating as sunrise alarms, soothing sound machines, wireless charging stations, and even smart home hubs. Wondering what bedside clocks can help you put down your phone and reclaim those restorative evenings and mornings once again? Read more to find out about timepieces like the Loftie Clock and Hatch Restore 3 that’ll help you cultivate healthier sunrise and sundown habits. 

_{Prices are accurate as of February 21, 2025. Subject to change.}

Loftie Clock

This colorful bedside clock is for those who like to hit the snooze button one too many times. The best-selling Loftie Clock features a two-phase alarm: one to gently start the waking-up process, and another, louder, alarm to help get you awake, moving, and commencing your day. A far cry from the buzzing, annoying tones we’re all too familiar with, the Bluetooth, Wi-Fi-powered Loftie Clock utilizes gentle sounds like gongs, jungle noise, and bells to rouse your body naturally — there is also white noise, wellness tracks, and classical music preloaded. The bedside accessory even features a wellness-focused bedtime alarm that cues you when it’s time to rest and a nightlight for those who have trepidation about the dark. With its sleek design and innovative approach, it’s perfect for anyone looking to start their day on a more peaceful, phone-free note.

Hatch Restore 3

Unable to pry away from your phone? The newly released Hatch Restore 3 is just the tool to help you break away from screens in the bedroom. The playfully shaped, linen-covered piece features over 80 sleep sounds to help you drift off into slumber without fuss, as well as wake up easier. Known for their best-selling baby sound machines, Hatch has delivered an adult-designed version with upgraded features like a customizable-color light, dimmable clock, and a library of alarms, sleep sounds, ambient nature sounds, and other tones that help you tune out the world and focus on honoring your circadian rhythm. Fall asleep and wake up gently with its sunset and sunrise simulations. Should you want to access a library of guided meditations, Hatch has a paid subscription offering a wider range of relaxation content. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, the Hatch Restore 3 helps you cultivate habits that’ll leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Anjank Digital LED Alarm Clock

There’s something about a retro-style clock that’s hard to resist. This stylish and affordable option from Anjank not only features those mid-century modern hues that evoke a bygone era of style and sophistication, but it also boasts a functional, forward-thinking design that will keep you on schedule each and every day. The bedside clock, which features an FM radio and an adjustable digital LED display, includes a wireless charging station on top, letting you charge and disconnect from your devices while still keeping track of the time. Need to schedule a daily work alarm? You’ll wake up without issue with a loud-but-not-overpowering tone that’ll give your cell phone, and tired eyes, a much-needed break.

Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150

Imagine the power of the sun right at your side. That’s what you get when you invest in a sunrise alarm clock light — a device that simulates a sunrise by gradually increasing the light in your room, helping you wake up naturally feeling refreshed and energized. There are a slew of sunrise alarms to choose from, like the Hatch Restore 3 above, but our favorite has to be the Lumie Bodyclock Glow 150. This game-changing clock lets you choose between a 20, 30, or 45-minute sunrise duration with a selection of soothing sounds to help get you up and moving. If you’re someone who struggles to power down in the evenings, no worries, the clock also features a sunset-mimicking light so you can drift off to sleep calmly and naturally. More than just a nifty sleep-and-wake aide, the clock is also a phenomenal reading companion, providing a glow that’s perfect for curling up with a good book before bed.

Author Clock

For those who eat, sleep, and breathe all things literary, the Author Clock is the ultimate investment, displaying each minute of the day through the magic of literary quotes from the likes of H.G. Wells and Victor Hugo. Featuring over 13,000 quotes from various genres, don’t be surprised if you spot a never-before-seen line within the 1,440 minutes of each day. It could be weeks before you ever spot a duplicate, which means you’re in for some real surprises every time you check the time. While novel and nuanced in its design, the clock does not have alarm capabilities, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something to wake you up. We love how compact the first Author Clock is, but it’s worth considering if you want something more sizable and mountable like the Volume 2 version.

DreamSky Alarm Clock

It’s great to keep things simple and stick with a clock that does its job without too many bells and whistles. This simple but efficient alarm clock from DreamSky is great for those who want the day’s most pertinent info right at their fingertips, displaying the date, time, indoor temperature, and alarm settings. The large, easy-to-read display features various brightness settings so it won’t interfere with your sleep, and it also features a two-minute alarm that’ll ensure you wake up on time, every time. The affordable and reliable DreamSky alarm clock is a no-brainer for anyone wanting a hassle-free wind-down and wake-up experience.

Amazon Echo Spot

All about smart home tech? Far more than a clock, the best-selling Amazon Echo Spot is a reliable, feature-rich device that brings Alexa’s capabilities to any room, whether that’s playing your favorite playlist, displaying the date, time, and weather, listening to an audiobook, scheduling an early-morning wake-up call, and a host of other routine-altering features. With the convenience of this compact, hands-free organization hack, you can set a morning wake-up and evening power-down routine of your own making, whether that’s gradually dimming or turning on lights, adjusting the thermostat to a comfortable temperature, or scheduling early-morning reminders of events to come.

Featured Image Credit: Image Courtesy of Hatch