Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?
Calling all non-morning people—this one’s for you.
Waking up to a blaring alarm in the morning is a tough way to start your day, especially in the winter months when mornings are dark. Darkness, we know, causes our brains to produce melatonin, .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}the sleep hormone. Conversely, light gives our brains the signal to stop producing melatonin, according to the Sleep Foundation. Philips has tapped into this science with its revered SmartSleep wake-up light, which is currently on sale for $80 on Amazon.
The Philips wake-up light is consistently ranked as one of the best sunrise alarm clocks (we’ve put it on no less than three different alarm clock guides, including the best smart alarm clocks and the best alarm clocks overall). One writer for Wirecutter even claimed that it changed her life.
What makes this alarm clock so special? For one, there are 20 brightness settings and five wake-up sounds to choose from. You can also program the light to simulate both a sunset and a sunrise to help you drift off and wake up with gradual, rather than abrupt, light. It can also function as an FM radio and a bedside light. Better yet, it has a snooze button on the top like a traditional alarm clock.
The Philips wake-up light is a little on the pricey side, but the good news is that right now it’s 20% off on Amazon. It’s worth grabbing while it’s at a discount instead of trying to go for an off-brand version. Our very own deputy editor tried a copycat version from a less expensive brand and ran into a myriad of issues with it, including difficulty programming it, harsh sound options, and a subpar light gradient compared to the Philips light.
Many Amazon customers have said this alarm clock has helped make waking up easier, allowing them to be more alert and ready for the day to begin than traditional alarm clocks, which can leave users feeling pretty groggy, not to mention that horrible spike in heart rate when your alarm scares you out of sleep.
If you could use a little help making mornings less jarring, a Philips wake-up light might be the ticket to a smoother start to your day.
Micki Wagner is a New York City-based writer and editor, who loves exploring food, fashion, beauty, home, tech and beyond in her work. She specializes in digital media and content creation & production. Before coming to Hearst, she was a commerce editor at Saveur, director of digital content at Edible Manhattan and senior editor at Worth. A St. Louis native, she attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she received a Bachelors of Journalism in Magazine Journalism and an Associates in Ancient Mediterranean Studies. In her free time, you can find her checking out new restaurants, spending way too much time shopping online and binging Parks and Recreation…yet again.
.css-v1xtj3{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-v1xtj3:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.1387rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-v1xtj3{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}This Cleaning Gel Is a Best-Seller for a Reason
This Countertop Nugget Ice Maker Is on Sale Now
Score a DeWalt Toolbox for 30% Off Right Now
Grab This Top-Rated Shark Robot Vacuum For a Steal
Amazon’s Top-Rated Portable Fire Pit Is 53% Off
Get Up to 45% Off These Top-Rated Espresso Makers
Bundle Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5 for $60
Save 20% On a Breville Espresso Maker
Amazon Just Slashed Prices on Tons of Generators
25+ Best Cyber Monday Deals Still Happening
18 Best Cyber Monday TV Deals Still Happening Now
The Cyber Monday Lowe’s Deals Still Happening Now
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link.
©Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.