Clocks go back this weekend – and this expert-tested sunrise alarm clock is on sale

Have you ever been out and about, moving through your day, and you hear your alarm sound? Unfortunately for me, a lot of people seem to have set my alarm sound as their ringtone, and I’ll be totally honest – hearing it out of the blue is nothing short of traumatic.

I hate mornings. I hate the jarring tinkling of my alarm. And, for a triple whammy, I suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), meaning that the darker the season, the harder I find it to move through my life as usual.

But I’ve heard that there is a solution to all three of these conundrums – and it’s investing in one of the best sunrise alarm clocks.

What is a sunrise alarm clock?

Sunrise alarm clocks help regulate your circadian rhythm, so you wake up feeling refreshed

Ellis Cochrane/The Standard

Designed to mimic the effects of waking up with a sunrise, this type of alarm clock provides a gentle light that brightens gradually to simulate that of a natural sunrise, helping regulate your circadian rhythm so you wake up feeling refreshed, not startled.

The benefits of a sunrise alarm clock are not just limited to those, like me, who struggle with the shorter, darker days, but also those who are prone to sleeping through typical alarms, or more naturally, heavy sleepers.

Speaking to an expert, it seems that finding one which combines sound and light is also key. Rosie Scott, osteopath, founder of Erin Health and specialist in headache disorders, told us, “In truth, it is better to wake up to both,”.

She continues, “Light to begin the process and a low sound as a backstop. Light alone is unreliable, while a sudden noise on its own is a startle response, which is a poor way to start any day,” and a particularly poor one if you’re prone to migraines or grogginess.

Rated the number-one sunrise alarm clock by Ellis Cochrane, The Standard’s expert home appliances reviewer, the Dreamegg Sunrise Alarm Clock is particularly easy-to-use, easy-to-store, and delivers a gentle, nourishing wake-up experience. Here’s everything you need to know.

Ellis Cochrane/The Standard

★★★★★

What we love: Easy to use, excellent sounds and light settings, dinky size, no need for an app

Take note: No sunset timer

“With its dinky size, elegant linen finish, and impressive array of sleep-aid sounds, mood lighting, and adjustable sunlight settings, Dreamegg’s Sunrise 1 was an immediate favourite of mine. In fact, it is the one I still have on my bedside table to this day.Helping me wake up gently and gradually, it includes nature sounds – gentle birdsong became my go-to each morning – while the sunlight mimicked a natural sunrise in a way that wasn’t too bright or jarring as I started to wake and open my eyes.

Being able to dim or completely switch off the clock face also came in handy, especially if, like me, you prefer to sleep in as dark a room as possible.It replaces often cumbersome apps with simple-to-follow buttons. While it doesn’t have a sunset timer, which dims as you start to drift off, it does have a general multi-timer, which can be used either before bed or to give yourself a few extra minutes in the mornings.”.

• Light settings: 9 colour settings
• Sound settings: 29 sleep-aid sounds
• Dimensions: 15 × 15 × 7.3cm