Struggling to get up in the morning? MC Editors agree: 13 sunrise alarm clocks that make waking up a joy

January is officially in full swing and, with it, shorter, colder, darker days. And if you're finding it a struggle to get out of bed in the morning, you're not alone—especially if your bedroom doesn't get a lot of light in the mornings. Enter stage right, our edit of the best sunrise alarm clocks: clocks designed to ease you into your day.

You may have seen these futuristic-looking clocks filling your social media feed and wondered what on earth they are, but don't worry—we've got the full lowdown on how they could transform your mornings for the better, below.

As Senior Health Editor here at MC UK, I rave about sunrise alarm clocks a lot. They've transformed my mornings and make waking up in winter immeasurably easier—so much so, I've got the whole team using them.

That's right—team Marie Claire UK has been testing the most popular models on the market. Below, you can shop the ones we genuinely love and use every morning.

Keep scrolling for our roundup of team MC's favourite sunrise alarm clocks, whether you're looking for a high-tech option or one that will blend in seamlessly on your bedside table. We've extensively tested loads of other wellness products, too, including the best fitness trackers, best matching gym sets, best protein powders and the best at-home Reformer Pilates machines, to boot. Self-care products that you're after? We've got you covered - from the best wellness journals to our favourite self-care products, to cosy workout options spanning the best matching loungewear sets, oversized gym T-shirts and gym hoodies.

Best sunrise alarm clocks: your guide

Sunrise alarm clocks quick links

• Philips SmartSleep Wake-Up Light - £169.99 at Amazon
• Beurer WL50 Wake Up Light - £59.99 at Amazon
• Lumie Bodyclock Luxe - £229 at Amazon
• Lumie Sunrise Alarm Clock - £36.89 at Amazon
• Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300 - £149 at Amazon

How do sunrise alarm clocks work?

If you struggle with SAD (that's seasonal affective disorder, FYI) these alarm clocks could also help. According to the NHS, SAD is often linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter autumn and winter days. Not only will the natural light from your alarm clock stimulate lighter mornings, but you can keep it lit throughout the day to help get you through the dark winter months.

One of our favourite benefits? Using a sunrise alarm clock means we don't find ourselves scrolling through social media the second we wake up.

Are sunrise alarm clocks worth the money?

They might be more of an investment, but a sunrise alarm clock can be a form of mental health help by getting your morning off to a gentler start.

Not all sunrise alarm clocks have to be expensive, either. If you don't want all the extra add-ons, such as soothing meditations or multiple light settings, you can find some amazing options at incredible prices.

Ever find yourself asking how can I get to sleep or Googling insomnia treatments? We've asked the experts for their top tips.

Testing process

In other words, what did we look for when testing? Good question. While there are more details on how we test here, for this article, we considered the following:

• Price: Was the alarm clock an affordable price point?
• Ease: Was it easy to set up?
• Functionality: Was it just a light alarm clock, or were there options for audio or radio alarms, too?
• Quality: Did it work as it said it would?
• Results: Did it affect our quality of sleep for the better?

13 best sunrise alarm clocks, tested by team MC UK

1. Best sunrise alarm clock overall - Editor's pick:

Ally Head, Senior Health Editor says: "If you've ever Googled a sunrise alarm clock, you'll definitely have come across this brand as the Lumie lamps are some of the most popular on the market.

"This model—the Lumie Bodyclock Shine 300—is a fairly basic design that promises to allow you to experience a more regular sleep and wake pattern with a simple plug-in and switch on. So, what did I think when testing? I loved it. It was simple to use and made my wake-ups 100x easier. I was initially worried about setting a 'wake-up period,'—would I be up way earlier or later than I needed to be?—but never found it an issue.

"Need-to-knows: You can set a sunrise duration of fifteen to ninety minutes and you can also choose your preferred final light intensity to wake you up in the mornings. It also comes with 14 different wake-up sounds if you like a little bit of extra noise. I found this alarm clock great for the evenings, too. You can wind down with the sunset feature and the fading light helps to produce melatonin (important for a good night zzz).

"I've also tried the Bodyclock Spark 100—read my Lumie alarm clock review, here."

2. Best affordable sunrise alarm clock:

Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor, says: "Looking for something that'll blend seamlessly into your home decor? I love this wood effect alarm clock by Mcbazel. It has a sunrise stimulation, a 'sleeping' mode with dual alarm and snooze functions, and can also be used as a bedside lamp.

"From the day the clocks go back in October, I start to struggle to wake up in the morning—every single year without fail. After suffering in silence for a few years, I did some research on sunrise alarm clocks and never looked back. I’ve used this affordable model for years and find it works wonders at gently easing me awake.

"Firstly, let’s talk about the design, which is pretty chic considering its lower price point—I adore the wooden back detail, which gives it a rustic feel. Functionality-wise, the warm light is intended to mimic natural sunlight, and I love how it gradually builds in intensity over 10 minutes before my alarm goes off—starting at a soft, deep orange and gradually brightening to a warm white light. This means that I feel like I’m already halfway awake, way before I’m due to get up.

"You can set the alarm sounds to whatever gets you going—from soft musical tunes to your favourite radio station, but I’ve set it to play soothing nature sounds (which made a welcome change from my previous blaring alarm). I wake up feeling alert, ready for the day and far less anxious. There’s just something about waking up to the sound of birds tweeting that makes me feel like the day ahead will be a great one—even if it’s grey, dark and frosty outside

It’s pretty easy to set up (even for a self-confessed technophobe like me), but I feel the real attraction lies in its affordability. Its under-£30 price point proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune to reap the wellness benefits of a sunrise alarm clock."

3. Best luxury sunrise alarm clock:

Sofia Piza, Fashion Writer, says: "I'm always keen to try something that promises to smooth out waking up during frosty autumn mornings.

"This sunrise alarm clock really did that and so much more. One of my main concerns was adjusting the sunrise duration—I'm a really sensitive sleeper and didn't want to risk waking up earlier than needed and feeling groggier. However, on those days when it did happen—in other words, the light woke me up earlier than I normally would have woken—it only helped me ease into my mornings more. Having more time is a luxury, and the Lumie helped with that a lot.

"The 25+ sounds offered also helped me wake up and fall asleep to my choice of birdsong and white noise. I really enjoyed this functionality—before, I'd been doing this via a YouTube video on my phone (not the best for boosting sleep hygiene).

"Additionally, I also found myself using the lamp during my WFH days for some extra light and loved that you could listen to both music and the radio through the built-in speaker.

"Overall, this product has been a massive game-changer for me. It's helped me use my phone less at night and in the mornings—now, I don't have an excuse to keep it on my bedside table for my alarm. Despite its slightly higher price point, I think this sunrise alarm clock is an all-round product that supports beyond waking up. A great investment for the many chilly winters to come."

4. Best sunrise alarm clock for winding down:

Jadie Troy-Pryde, News Editor, says: "I noticed over the summer that my sleep pattern was not so much out of whack but on a whole different time zone—feeling wired until the early hours and consequently needing at least seven full-volume morning alarms to permeate my near-conscious state. So when it came to testing the Philips Wake-Up Light, I was all in.

"While it offers a number of traditional alarm clock functions—like FM radio and multiple pre-set profiles—the wind-down and wake-up settings were the ones that I used the most. Combining light therapy with a variety of soothing sounds, you can adjust both the brightness and the volume to create profiles that are unique to you. There are seven different sounds to rest and rouse you, all inspired by nature, and the patter of waves teamed with the gradually dimming light usually have me snoozing before the 30-minute wind-down window has even finished.

"With my blackout blinds down, I also wanted to see if the sunrise simulation would succeed in getting me out of bed. And it’s not an exaggeration to say that I was nothing short of astounded when the soft forest birds chirping were waking me up with ease, given that multiple thrashing iPhone alarms had been failing to do it for months.

"Am I a convert? Absolutely. In two weeks I have already noticed a huge difference in my ability to wind down and wake up. I don’t know why I didn’t try it sooner."

5. Best classic sunrise alarm clock:

Treasa Burns, Freelance Designer, says: "I've been using this Lumie Table Lamp for a couple of weeks now and it's made a huge difference to my morning routine. I found it easy to set up and enjoyed creating a phone-free zone in my bedroom, thanks to the lamp.

"Prior to Lumie, I'd been using gradual sounds to wake up, but the addition of the natural light creates a far more gentle wake-up experience. Sitting up in bed to turn the side light on can be a real struggle at 7am, yet this Lumie removed this annoyance completely

"I did find the display a little bright—it took some getting used to, to begin with—and it is a tad bulky compared to other models. That said, I had no other complaints to note, and felt they were a small price to pay for something which has massively improved my morning routine. It makes exercising in the morning so much easier, plus there's no need to have my phone beside the bed for my alarm, so I can use the soothing sounds to wind down instead of scrolling through my phone before bed."

6. Best sunrise alarm clock with radio:

Dionne Brighton, Social Media Editor, says: "I was super excited to try a sunrise alarm clock, and in many ways, this one is everything I dreamed of. You can set the sunrise light to start 30, 20, or 10 minutes before your alarm goes off, and you can choose from eight different alarm sounds (I opt for the bird noise for a super peaceful wake-up call).

"Saying that though, I have had some challenges with it after a few weeks of testing. The radio has stopped working, and if I use the night light before bed (which is excellent for pre-sleep journaling), then the morning light doesn't work. I'm still figuring out how to make it change colour (I've seen that it should be able to online), but I'm yet to work out exactly how. If you have the patience to spend some time figuring out how it works, this is a fantastic affordable option."

7. Best sunrise alarm clock for mood lighting:

Alice Carter, Freelance Social Media Editor, says: "I've heard so much about the sunrise alarm clocks and how they change your morning routine.

"Now I've tried it, I can back those claims. The Beurer WL50 has helped to make my morning wake-ups much gentler way and more relaxed—especially important when it's dark outside and near impossible to get out of bed.

"The main stand-out of this model, in my opinion, is the different colour LED mood lighting. I utilised it at night time to help set the mood for sleep and remind my brain to switch off. Plus, the on and off button couldn't be simpler, making it easy to use.

"It's worth noting, though—I found that the battery life isn't the longest, which means it's essential to have it plugged in next to your bed. Unlike some other models on the market, the watch face doesn't dim in the dark, meaning you can see the green glowing digital clock in the dark. It wouldn't put me off buying, it though, and overall I'd definitely recommend investing if you're looking to change your morning routine."

8. Best SAD lamp

Ally Head, Senior Health Editor, says: "The latest design from sunrise alarm clock brand Lumie, this chic and cleverly designed desk lamp may not be an alarm clock, but promises to boost your mood and energy levels from your desk, living room, study or, well, just about any room in the house you fancy."

"It's compact yet effective, and their premium 10,000 lux LED technology helps to alleviate your symptoms of winter blues by regulating your circadian rhythm."

"I found this lamp effortlessly easy to use in my day-to-day - mine sits on my dressing table and I use it every morning while I'm getting ready. It's super simple to turn on or adjust the light setting, too - simply swipe your finger along the base of the lamp and it'll dim or brighten depending on which way you swipe."

"Plus, I love the colourways - I have the Pistachio White but am also a big fan of the Terracotta Pink."

Other sunrise alarm clocks to shop now: 

9. Best Amazon sunrise alarm clock:

This alarm clock has a 4.4-star average rating from almost 2,500 reviews, and it's not hard to see why. Not only is it a great price, but it comes with sunrise and sunset stimulation, seven LED light colours, a range of natural sounds and an FM Radio.

10. Best hi-tech sunrise alarm clock:

After something a little more hi-tech? Then look no further than the Beurer WL 75 sunrise alarm clock. It has everything you would expect from a luxury version, but it also incorporates multiple settings to make it a functional 4-in-1 product. Enjoy a radio alarm, stream music via Bluetooth, or enjoy the wide range of 256 nuances to control the mood light. This can all be controllable from your smartphone via the Beurer LightUp app. Neat.

11. Best stylish sunrise alarm clock:

The Hatch Restore sunrise alarm clock is a great gift option or present-to-self for those of you who like a little bit of luxury. Not only does it look visually stunning, it has a library of soothing sounds, white noise and mood lighting so you can create whatever vibe you desire. You can also choose the optional in-app subscription, which will allow you to control the device straight from your phone and get unlimited access to a growing library of meditations and sleep stories. We're sold.

12. Best sunrise alarm clock with next day delivery:

An affordably priced sunrise alarm clock with next-day delivery available, this simple design from Amazon has nineteen light modes and twenty adjustable brightness settings. It also doubles as a radio and bedside lamp. That said, some reviewers struggled with the setup process and said it wasn't the most user-friendly.

13. Best sunrise alarm clock that doubles as a desk lamp:

This sunrise alarm clock from Philips is seriously chic, with a wood-toned base, slender design and unique design. It's got a tonne of light settings and also doubles as a soothing desk lamp, alongside a sunrise alarm clock. Thanks to its Bluetooth functionalities, you can even control it from your phone, tablet, or TV, or set up voice control so you can dim or brighten it with your voice.

Does the sunrise alarm clock really work?

Take it from me - I swear by sunrise alarm clocks so much I've actually bought them for several family members to ease winter blues and wake cold morning wake ups that bit more enjoyable.

Most models gradually light up over the course of around an hour or so but also give you the option of making a wake-up noise at a pre-set time, or, some allow you to wake to the radio channel of your choice. Of course, once you're comfortable and confident that the light alone will wake you up (trust me - I had the same concerns), you can then turn the noise settings off for a peaceful, blissful morning wake-up call.