The best wake-up light alarm clocks you can buy

Why you'll love it: The iHome Zenergy offers a number of great light alarm features, but it also has a pretty great Bluetooth speaker built into it.

While some of the other devices on this list double as Bluetooth speakers, most of them treat the speaker as more of a tool for the alarm than as an actual music-listening speaker. The iHome Zenergy, however, is for music specifically.

Let’s start with the alarm itself, which boasts a number of great features. For example, the light on the device is 360-degrees and allows for a range of different colors to fit your mood. The alarm comes with 10 naturally-recorded environmental and white sound noises to keep you relaxed as you go to sleep and wake up. Last but not least, the device has a USB port on the back to help you charge your device next to your bed.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to buy this device is the fact that it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, and it sounds pretty good for a device in this price range. That’s good news for those of you who want to use the speaker not just to wake you up, but also to play music for other reasons.

There are some downsides to the iHome Zenergy. For starters, while it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, the Bluetooth is sometimes a little spotty. Still, the device has an aux port, if you can’t deal with the spotty Bluetooth. On top of that, some find the range of sounds to be a little limiting.

Pros: Well-designed, has a nice speaker, USB charging

Cons: A little pricey, spotty Bluetooth

Buy the iHome Zenergy on Amazon for $78 (originally $94.99)

Why you'll love it: If you’re someone who likes to sleep in pitch dark, you’ll love the dimmable clock and lots of options on the Lumie Bodyclock 250.

While wake-up light alarm clocks offer a number of benefits, some of them blast a bright light in your face by showing the time during the night. The Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 attempts to alleviate that issue by allowing users to dim the display as much as they want with two buttons on the front of the device.

Of course, beyond simply having a dimmable display, the Lumie Bodyclock Active 250 offers a number of other great features. It allows you to choose when the “sunrise” starts, so you can set when the clock should start the fade-in process if it would be helpful.

Like the other clocks on this list, the Lumie Bodyclock 250 has some options. For example, there are five sounds you can choose from to wake up to, or you can use the built-in FM radio. You even have six language choices.

Pros: Dimmable clock, lots of options, easy to use

Cons: Expensive, no accompanying app

Buy the Lumie Bodyclock 250 on Amazon for $125.10

Why you'll love it: The ToToBay Wake Up Light alarm clock offers many of the same features as the others on this list for a far lower price.

The clocks on this list have a lot to offer, but beyond that, they also have something else in common — they’re a little pricey. If you’re looking for a wake-up light alarm clock that’s a little cheaper, then the ToToBay Wake Up Light alarm clock may the best one for you.

The ToToBay Wake Up Light alarm clock may be inexpensive, but it still has some nice options. For example, you can choose between seven colors and 10 light brightness’ for your sunrise light. There are also six natural sounds and an FM radio to choose from, plus, 15 levels of volume for those sounds. And, last but not least, the clock has a USB port on the back.

Of course, like everything, you do get what you pay for. Buyers have reported a few different issues with the alarm clock, including some build quality issues. Still, there aren’t many other options out there for under $30, and the competition in this price range seems to be far worse than this device.

Pros: Inexpensive, plenty of options

Cons: Some build quality issues, no accompanying app

Buy the ToToBay Wake Up Light on Amazon for $26.99

The best alarm clocks you can buy

Although waking up early for work or school might never be a joy, a good alarm clock makes it easier.

You might be wondering, "Why bother with an alarm clock when I have a phone?" A fair question and many people do wake up to their cell phone's prompting. The problem with this, however, is it makes it far more difficult to put some space between your technology and your sleep, and those are two areas of your life best kept separate.

We checked out dozens of alarm clocks to find the best ones.

Here are the best alarm clocks you can buy:

• Best alarm clock overall: Electrohome Projection Alarm Clock
• Best alarm clock for heavy sleepers: Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock
• Best light alarm clock: Philips Wake-Up Light
• Best analog alarm clock: Marathon Analog Desk Alarm Clock
• Best kid's alarm clock: OK to Wake! children's alarm clock