Best Alarm Clocks

Talking alarm clocks provide the time in a spoken voice. Some talking alarm clocks are also voice activated alarm clocks which give you more control. They potentially allow you to set your clock, alarm, display brightness, and more without punching any buttons. This is great for when you're drowsy or when you like to have your alarm placed across the room rather than at your bedside. You'll want to know how many voice commands a particular device will recognize and what spoken responses it will give.

Here are a few popular models.

For those who want a more subtle awakening, a gradual light alarm clock might be a good choice. Some of these devices have their own built-in light, for this reason they are larger. Others make use of a lamp in your room, allowing you to take up less table space with your alarm clock. These lights should start out dim and gradually lighten the room to wake you before any alarm sounds startle you. Some may also provide nature sounds or music while others provide a "sunset" function that performs similarly to put you to sleep.

Here are a couple of popular gradual light alarm clocks.

An alarm clock with projection light can help you, and others in the room, view the time more easily. Before you buy, you want to know where you'll want the projection to be; on the wall or the ceiling. Many of these devices have a fixed location for the projection but others offer you an adjustable projection to assure you can get the reading wherever you like. In addition, you want to determine whether the light projection will be constant or if it will be triggered only when you press a button. Clearly a constant light source can create unwanted light and use more power. On the other hand, if it lights only when you press a button, you must have the clock near your bedside where you can easily reach it. In addition, your partner might wake you when trying to activate it.

Most projection alarm clocks show only the time in their projection but others may offer additional information, such as the temperature or date. Here are three popular models.

Some vibrating alarm clocks sit on a table top and vibrate, however, most either slide under your pillow or have an accessory that that does so. There are travel models and desk top models. Some can even be worn on the wrist or clipped to your shirt. Most of these devices can also provide an auditory alarm, some quite loud, and some can even provide a visual alarm in the form of a flashing light. In fact, they may offer a flashing signal when the doorbell or telephone is ringing.

Here are a few popular models.

Clock radio alarm clocks have been around for generations. Now, when you choose one you probably want to know just how much music you will have access to through your clock radio. They may offer AM/FM or HD radio, internet radio, MP3 players, and connectivity to those devices, a CD player, and more. MP3 player clock radios in particular are better off if they either have a built-in dock for your particular MP3 player or use wireless connectivity. Audio quality matters too, so larger, stereo speakers are good and having equalizer controls can help.

Here are a few popular models.

There are many designs for children's alarm clocks; in most instances you can probably find one that matches up nicely with your young child's interests; cars, ballerinas, Dora the Explorer, Disney characters, dinosaurs, and much more. However, you probably need to think about other features. Do you want analog or digital? Do you want it to project onto the ceiling? Will it provide a nightlight? Can it actively assist your child in learning how to tell time?

Here are a few popular models.

Perfect for travelers, an atomic travel clock will keep accurate time nearly anywhere. These devices will fit in a suitcase of course and automatically synchronize with the international atomic clock, thus many people call them radio controlled clocks. If you travel internationally, you need to realize that the clock you use must pick up the frequencies transmitted in that country for the synchronization to occur. The clock will keep time anywhere, but to synchronize it needs a compatible signal.

Here are a few popular options.