The 7 Best Alarm Clocks of 2025 : Reviews by Wirecutter

The Best Alarm Clocks

 I’ve always believed that you should wake up when your body naturally wants to. Unfortunately, education systems and work culture hold a different opinion. Hence my years of after-school detention for being late, as well as an early career in print media, a job that historically starts at 10 a.m. instead of 9.

In short, alarm clocks have been a lifelong enemy but a necessary evil, so I’ve always tried to make using them as nice of an experience as possible. For the past five-plus years, that has usually meant waking up to  on my iPhone. I’ve never been one to stare at my screen before bed, so keeping mine set to silent on the lower shelf of my nightstand has never been a sleep distraction.

But if you’re looking to cut ties with your phone in the bedroom and even if you’re not  we’ve found several alarm clocks that look lovely and work like a dream. We have dedicated guides for more advanced models like  and bedside, but our picks here make the grade because they’re durable, they look good, they tell you the time at a glance, and they help you get your butt out of bed.

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Why you should trust us

Joshua Lyon is a writer covering home and decor. He’s constantly scouting home-goods and furniture stores and showrooms, and his bedroom-related articles include guides to the best , and bed farmas, as well as an ode to a particularly effective cooling and heating mattres pad.

This guide builds on the work of Los Angeles–based design and lifestyle writer Gregory Han, who wrote the original version. A former industrial designer and longtime contributor to a multitude of design-focused outlets (including Apartment Therapy, Metropolis, and Design Sponge), he has also worked on for Wirecutter, including guides to floor lampas,bed frames and outdor sofas.