We can’t always depend on our internal clocks to wake up on time every morning. Modern smart alarm clocks not only offer reliability but also unique and interactive features that make waking up and going to bed much more comfortable.
The best alarm clocks offer USB connection, voice interaction, connectivity with Bluetooth, and even peaceful “ambient” sounds to help you fall asleep. Here's a look at some of our favorites.
To truly earn its place on your nightstand, an alarm clock should be reliable and versatile, letting you customize your wake-up experience without letting you down. This model is actually more than just an alarm. It has two USB chargers and two outlets. That alone means you and your significant other might fight for who gets to put this clock next to their side of the bed. Thanks to its backup battery, you won’t have a Home Alone oversleeping situation when you need to get to the airport or if the power goes out. There’s a big snooze button for those mornings when you need some extra Zs.
Its display can be turned off or dimmed, so the large, easy-to-read numbers won’t blind you all night long. If you like to wake up to the radio or to an alarm that gets louder over time, you won’t find those features in the BrandStand Alarm Clock, although there is a version with a Bluetooth speaker. Still, it does its job well, and there’s a reason this clock is found in a lot of hotel rooms.
Although it isn’t strictly an “alarm clock,” the Nest Hub can wake you up in the morning and do so much more. One of the most drastic differences between the Nest Hub and other comparable devices is its size; the Nest Hub stands at around 4.5 inches tall. This makes it small enough to fit comfortably on a nightstand versus its bigger-sized sibling in the Nest Hub Max. That small frame is partly due to the lack of a camera, which may be a pro or a con depending on how much you value your privacy.
The Hub connects to the various devices you have throughout your home, including lights, speakers, etc. You can set up the Hub to respond to your voice commands, or manage devices using the touchscreen. For the purposes of an alarm clock, the Hub works exceptionally well. You can set a normal alarm, or even have the Hub wake you with a specific song from your music library. For more details, read our full review.
According to Amazon, “What time is it?” is one of the more commonly asked questions to any Echo device. So, to make your life easier, the company offers an Echo Dot with a built-in clock – ensuring you always know the answer to your burning question.
Aside from the clock, the Echo Dot with Clock is exactly like the standard Echo Dot. The clock drastically improves the look of the speaker and serves dual functions, keeping your nightstand free of unnecessary devices. You can make phone calls through Alexa, control other connected devices, and check the weather, all from the comfort of your bed.
The version of the Echo Dot with a clock is neat, but what if you also want a smart display? The Echo Show 5 is specifically designed to fill this bedside niche, with a 5.5-inch screen: You can do everything with Alexa that you could with a smart speaker (including setting alarms and reminders), but you can also pick a fancy clock graphic, watch videos or shows, and do many other visual-oriented tasks.
The Echo Show 5 can also connect with a video doorbell, nursery cam, other Echo Show devices, and even Skype, so you can check on things or have video conversations with ease. If this disturbs your privacy expectations, there’s both a shutter and an off switch that physically disables both the camera and the mic on Show 5 whenever you want. Read our full review of the Echo Show 5 to learn more.
If you’ve never seen an alarm clock that can project the time onto the wall, you may be surprised at how handy this function can be. This Mesqool clock can project the time onto the ceiling, the curtains, or just about any other surface, thanks to the 180-degree swivel. So instead of squinting at the clock through sleepy eyes in the morning, you can just look up at the ceiling. The clock also includes AM/FM Radio, so you can listen to your favorite morning talk shows or follow along with your sports team while you get ready in the morning.
The LED display is nice and easy to read, and you can adjust between low, medium, and high brightness settings. The Mesqool clock also includes a convenient alarm feature that grows incrementally louder, so as not to startle you awake. There’s also a USB charging port that lets you juice up your phone while you sleep.
It’s a bit pricey, but the Hatch Restore 2 is one of the most premium smart alarm clocks money can buy. Offering a modern design, tons of wake-up routines, and even a variety of sleep sounds, the Restore 2 makes it easy to start each morning fully rested. A handful of these features are available to everyone, although you’ll need to spring for a Hatch Sleep subscription to get all the available sounds and wake-up routines.
But whether you’re a paying subscriber or not, you’ll be getting a robust alarm clock that’s easy to use, incredibly versatile, and a welcome addition to most nightstands.
Erika became a professional writer in 2010, and her work is published all over the web on sites ranging from USA Today to Lifewire. Erika has reviewed more than 150 consumer technology products, and she primarily covers smart home evergreen content here at Digital Trends.
Michael Archambault is a technology writer and digital marketer located in Long Island, New York. For the past decade, Michael has covered the consumer technology space, reporting on the latest industry offerings while crafting comprehensive how-to guides, hands-on-reviews, and opinion-editorials. Michael has worked for Amazon.com's DPReview, Mobile Nations' Windows Central, onMSFT, PetaPixel, Dotdash’s Lifewire, and Gadget Review.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.