10 Best Alarm Clocks UK 2024
If waking up in the morning is a struggle and you could do with some help, it might be time to invest in a good alarm clock. No one likes the feeling of accidentally sleeping in for an early meeting or an important appointment, something which is all too easy to do.
Alarm clocks come in many different forms, each deploying different tactics for getting you out of bed in the morning. So whether you prefer to be stirred by gentle voices on the radio or you need the sound of blaring alarms, there will be an option to suit you. We've looked at Amazon, Argos, and more to find you the best solution to help you start your day.
Quick List - Top Alarm Clocks
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Table of Contents
- How to Choose an Alarm Clock in the UK
- Different Sound Options Let Heavy Sleepers Customise the Volume and Tone of the Alarm1
- Decide on a Portable or Mains Powered Alarm Clock to Suit Your Lifestyle2
- Radio Alarm Clocks Let You Wake Up to Music and Can Be Used in the Kitchen or Office to Provide Entertainment Throughout the Day3
- How to Wake up Feeling Refreshed
How to Choose an Alarm Clock in the UK
- Consider if There Are Customisable Sound Options, Especially if You’re a Heavy Sleeper
- Whether You Want the Portability of Battery or the Reliability of a Mains Powered Alarm
- Check if It Has Radio Functionality for Music Lovers
Different Sound Options Let Heavy Sleepers Customise the Volume and Tone of the Alarm
Some clocks let you choose from different volumes and alarm sounds, so you can pick the right one for you. Those who sleep very deeply will probably want a loud alarm to wake them from their slumber, whereas those who sleep lightly might prefer a more gentle start to their day.
Many of us find it hard to get up as soon as our alarm goes off, and if that's the case for you, choose an alarm clock with a snooze feature. The snooze button lets you delay the alarm by a few minutes rather than turning it off, so you can get a bit more rest without being late.
If you're a very deep sleeper and sound alone just won't do the job, you might want to consider a vibrating alarm clock or one with flashing lights. Those types of alarm clocks target all of your senses to get that sleepy brain of yours in gear.
Need something a little more heavy-duty? Take a look at our favourite alarm clocks for heavy sleepers.
Decide on a Portable or Mains Powered Alarm Clock to Suit Your Lifestyle
If You Need a Travel Alarm Clock, Choose One That’s Powered by Batteries
If you travel a lot or often find yourself away from home, it's worth buying an alarm clock you can take with you on your trip. The best type of alarm clock for frequent travelling has to be one that is battery-powered.
They are often smaller and more compact, and although they might not have all the gadgets and gismos that other alarm clocks provide, they will do the job when it counts. These alarm clocks can also be more resilient as they won't be affected by power cuts, just remember to change the batteries!
You'll be needing some batteries to go with that so take a look at our rechargeable ones!
Mains Powered Alarm Clocks Are More Reliable and Offer Features, Like Radio and Backlighting
Mains-powered alarm clocks often come with more advanced functions and features than battery-powered models. Many mains-powered clocks can light up for easy reading at any time. For those who often have to get up very early before sunrise, it's good to have a clock face that illuminates so you can easily see it in the dark.
Some mains-powered clocks can also play music. If you're a person who loves listening to music when you wake up, an alarm clock with a radio function will be a great bedside companion. For peace of mind, it is good to choose a mains powered clock that has a backup battery for the times when a power cut may occur.
If you do decide to travel with your mains powered alarm, check out our travel adapters.
Radio Alarm Clocks Let You Wake Up to Music and Can Be Used in the Kitchen or Office to Provide Entertainment Throughout the Day
Being woken by the radio is a pleasant way to ease you into your day. Once you're out of bed, you can then have music playing in the background without having to make decisions about what to put on, whilst you get ready for the rest of your day.
If you like the idea of a radio alarm clock, we recommend picking a digital or DAB model. These radios are the best options as they are easy to tune and have an excellent range of channels.
10 Best Alarm Clocks in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LATEC Projection Alarm Clock | | A Modern Radio Alarm Clock That Charges Your Phone | |
2 | Precision Radio Controlled LCD Alarm Clock | | Travel Alarm Clock With Temperature, Time and Date | |
3 | Azatom Spitalfields Retro DAB & FM Radio | | A High-Quality Digital Radio to Wake You Up | |
4 | OCUBE Loud Alarm Clock With Bed Shaker | | A Digital Clock With Customisable Brightness and Volume | |
5 | I·CODE Sun & Moon Rise Kids Alarm Clock | | A Fun Alarm Clock and Sleep Trainer for Kids | |
6 | Newgate Clocks Charlie Twin Bell Alarm Clock | | Retro Alarm Clock With Silent Tick | |
7 | Travelwey Digital Travel Alarm Clock | | A Folding Alarm Clock for Frequent Travellers | |
8 | Geemarc Wake 'n' Shake Alarm Clock | | The Best Alarm Clock for Deep Sleepers | |
9 | Memo24 Multiple Alarm Medication Pill Reminder | | Set Reminders to Take Your Medication | |
10 | Famicozy Mini Alarm Clock | | Mini Portable Alarm Clock With Powerful Alarm |
A Modern Radio Alarm Clock That Charges Your Phone
Taking the top spot is this modern radio alarm clock packed with useful features. The dual USB port lets you charge your devices or smartphone wile you sleep, with a timer if you fancy drifting off with the radio playing in the background.
The clear digital display lets you read the time at a glance, with a ceiling projector to see it at night while lying bed. Perfect if you've decided to place the clock across the room to prevent yourself from hitting the snooze button one too many times in the morning!
Travel Alarm Clock With Temperature, Time and Date
This clock will tell you everything you need to know about the day ahead before you've even got out of bed. Great for travelling between time zones, or after a particularly late night, the main display shows the temperature, time, date, and the day of the week to avoid any confusion when you wake up.
The time is radio controlled and automatically updates to guarantee accuracy. Best of all, it's one of the smallest on this list so you can use it pretty much anywhere!
A High-Quality Digital Radio to Wake You Up
If you're looking for a radio alarm clock to get you up and going, we highly recommend this one from Azatom. It's technically a digital radio first and foremost, that doubles as an alarm, giving you access to more stations with an in-built sub-woofer to provide excellent quality sound!
Once charged via the mains, it's portable for up to ten hours, giving you the freedom to carry it with you throughout the day. It looks great, works well and sounds amazing, what more could you want?
A Digital Clock With Customisable Brightness and Volume
There are three alarm sounds; buzzer, bird chirps and music. All of which can be adjusted to just the right volume, depending on how you like to be woken up. It's loud, so perfect for heavy sleepers or those with hearing issues.
A Fun Alarm Clock and Sleep Trainer for Kids
The fun light-up display can be chosen from a range of colours to suit your child's mood. It features interactive touch controls and dims overnight, so they aren't too stimulated when they should be sleeping.
Retro Alarm Clock With Silent Tick
While you may want a loud alarm to rouse you out of bed, noisy ticking clocks are a surefire way to get on your last nerve! That's why this clock uses noise reducing technology to help you drift off peacefully.
A Folding Alarm Clock for Frequent Travellers
For frequent travellers who just need a simple and straightforward alarm, this clock does everything it needs to without the unnecessary extras. It's compact enough to fit in your backpack, or even a pocket, with a folding design that keeps the clock protected from knocks during transit.
Because of its stripped-down design, it is remarkably easy to use and set up. It also has a light which can be turned on manually if you need to see the time more clearly at night.
The Best Alarm Clock for Deep Sleepers
If sound alone won't wake you up, this alarm clock certainly will! With flashing lights and a shaking pad, there is absolutely no way you'll sleep in with everything that this clock can throw at you!
Although it might be a practical solution to your deep sleeping troubles, this clock is definitely not the not the most stylish on this list. It doesn't quite have the retro appeal and instead looks quite dated, therefore lacking some of the charm that other designs have.
Set Reminders to Take Your Medication
An alarm clock's main purpose is usually to wake you up in the morning, but this one is a little different. It lets you set up to five separate alarms throughout the day to help you remember when to take your medication.
Due to its unique purpose, it, unfortunately, lacks many of the other features that you might want, such as a radio or backlit display. That said, by forgoing any extras it retains a simple design that everyone can use without trouble!
Mini Portable Alarm Clock With Powerful Alarm
This compact alarm clock is your perfect travel companion. It has an analogue face but doesn't tick, so it won't keep you awake at night. When it's time to wake up, this tiny clock packs quite the punch with an alarm that rings at 2 frequencies, so there is no way you'll sleep through it!
Note that batteries are not included with this alarm clock so you will need to purchase them separately. Luckily, it only requires one AA battery to run.
How to Wake up Feeling Refreshed
If you've just about given up on becoming a 'morning person' it's not too late! Watch this video on the science of falling asleep, with tips to have you waking up feeling refreshed. If you're short on time, here is a quick summary of the 7 tips they give in the video for how to sleep better at night:
- Try to sleep in a colder environment, as this will help you fall asleep quicker and increase your sleep quality.
- Take a hot shower or bath in the evening. When you get out of the shower or bath, your core temperature will decrease, making your body think that it's time to sleep.
- Avoid caffeine and nicotine in the evening, as well as eating too close to bedtime.
- Exercising earlier in the day can help you sleep later, but you should avoid working out 2-3 hours before bedtime. Try not to take naps after 3 pm, too.
- Do try to relax before bed by doing calming activities such as reading. If your brain is still wired and ready to go it will be hard to sleep.
- Aim to get enough sun exposure during the day, while minimising your exposure to light in the evening.
Already completed these steps but still can't sleep? Skip to the end of the video for a Navy technique that can get you sleeping in 2 minutes!
Written and researched by Emma Cramp
Top 5 Alarm Clocks
No. 1: LATEC｜Projection Alarm Clock
No. 2: Precision ｜Radio Controlled LCD Alarm Clock
No. 3: Azatom｜Spitalfields Retro DAB & FM Radio
No. 4: OCUBE｜Loud Alarm Clock With Bed Shaker
No. 5: I·CODE｜Sun & Moon Rise Kids Alarm Clock
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