The best sunrise alarm clocks for a smoother wake-up call, tested by experts

Score: 92/100

Our winning alarm clock provided the ultimate wind-down/wake-up routine for our testers, thanks to its gentle sunrise and sunset simulations. Our panel liked the sleek design, the responsive controls that make it easy to cycle through the 20 different levels of light intensity and volume, and the wide range of sleep sounds. The sunset simulation is a particular highlight, gradually reducing the alarm’s brightness and helping you wind down before bed.

Our testers were also big fans of the ‘midnight function’, which is designed to provide just the right amount of light to allow you to move around in the dark without disturbing a partner. Simply tap twice on the top of the device to activate.

It is the most expensive model on our list and it’s fairly bulky, so you’ll need a good amount of space on your bedside table. However, this is a premium device that lets you personalise your wake-up call. Plus, it has a handy USB for charging your phone or smartwatch.

Score: 91/100

Coming in just behind the Philips alarm is the Lumie Bodyclock Shine. This alarm is a real multi-tasker, featuring everything from a traditional FM radio to a fancy sunset mode, and doubling up as a reading lamp. Most of our testers found it straightforward to use, with the sunset simulation providing the perfect wind-down at the end of the day.

There were a few niggles with set-up, which took a little longer than other products; however, once it was up and running, the controls were intuitive and testers enjoyed trying the 15 different wake-up sounds, which include everything from waves and purring kittens to white noise. Plus, you can even set and save a different alarm for every day of the week, which means there will be no accidental 6am starts on a Saturday if you forget to turn the alarm off.

Score: 88/100

The compact design of this Lexon alarm makes it the perfect addition to your bedside table. Our testers loved how easy it was to activate the sunset simulation, as well as the range of mood lighting, which helped them relax before bed. It also works wirelessly, so you can take it with you when travelling and keep up with your wind-down/wake-up routine.

Our testers also enjoyed the range of colour modes; however, one noted that the sunrise simulation starts on the colder end of the spectrum, moving from blue to warm lighting, which may not be to everyone’s liking. Overall, it’s a great buy, especially if you’re looking for a flexible option you can take on the go with you.

Score: 85/100

If we’re honest, sunrise alarm clocks aren’t always the most stylish gadgets. That’s where this innovative Dyson design comes in. It's not strictly an alarm clock (it doesn’t make a sound), but its smart capabilities mean it can function as a wake-up light.

Once you've programmed the wake-up mode via the MyDyson app, it will switch on at a set time and gradually brighten over a set half hour period. The light also changes throughout the day, adjusting its colour and brightness every 60 seconds to work with the natural light conditions in your home.

It’s simple to set up and there are responsive touch controls on the lamp itself if you don’t want to use the app all the time. It also detects and reacts to motion and can switch on at regular intervals for security purposes.

Plus, it has four different configurations, which make it incredibly versatile. There’s a task light to help reduce eye strain if you’re working or reading, an indirect light to create a soft background glow, a feature light that acts like a spotlight, and an ambient setting with reduced blue light to help you unwind before bed (our panel’s favourite pre-set option).

It’s expensive, but gadget fans will love it, whether it’s on the desk or by the bed.

Score: 85/100

With soothing lights, simulations and sounds, this alarm helped our testers drift off to sleep and wake up feeling relaxed. The Beurer WL50’s selling point is that it offers Bluetooth connectivity, so you can also use it as a speaker, as well as a sunrise alarm, mood light and bedside lamp.

One hitch our testers encountered was with the battery life. Most found it didn’t last very long, leaving some concerned that the alarm clock would run out overnight and not wake them in the morning. However, that’s simply a case of leaving it plugged in if you’re concerned or making sure you’re charging it before bedtime. Despite that niggle, almost all testers noted an improvement in their morning routines with this device.

Score: 82/100

This is one versatile alarm clock. It has a DAB/FM radio, Bluetooth pairing, a dimmable night light, and an impressive 20 natural sounds to help you drift off to sleep. There's even a wireless charging dock for your phone at the back of the alarm, which testers particularly loved – it’s practical and keeps your bedside table tidy.

In terms of its sunrise feature, both our expert and panel had mixed opinions. Set-up was time consuming, and you have to toggle through a combination of buttons and dials to navigate the menu. The light transition wasn’t the smoothest we’ve tried either and there’s no programmable sunset feature – so you’ll have to rely on its white noise sounds alone.

Score: 70/100

While this is the simplest of the Lumie alarm clocks we tested, it still does a great job at simulating sunrise and sunset, offering a smooth and gradual wake-up for our testers. Small and lightweight, it fits easily on a bedside table and is a good pick for travellers who don't want to mess with their sleep routines.

The dimmable white light has 10 different levels of brightness, which makes it ideal for bedside reading. There are just five natural sounds to choose from – fewer than most of the other alarms we tested – and some of our panel found the sound quality a little tinny. But, for a budget model from market-leaders Lumie, this is a reliable buy.