Best alarm clocks 2020: modern, retro, digital and light

A great alarm clock won’t stop the toast burning. It won’t stop the rain. And it definitely won't make your boss less of an infuriating micro-manager.

But it might just transform that moment you wake-up from one of yawning existential horror to something some people might actually consider to be pleasant.

With so many options available on the market, it can be hard to wade your way through the seemingly endless list of offerings. Alarm clocks with DAB radios, wake-up lights and wireless smart features seem to be everywhere, but the extensive array of options does mean you don’t have to rise to a bleep as robotic and unforgiving as The Terminator.

You’ll find some of the best alarm clocks you can buy today below. Upvote the one you’d like to use.

What comes after a good alarm clock? One of the best coffee machines, of course.

The best alarm clock

£159 at amzn.toThis is the Silicon Valley of alarm clocks. At first it seems like a kitschy black bar with an ironic ultra-blocky display, like some sort of ticker tape ad board.But the LaMetric Time is a lot more. It’s a smart alarm clock you can tool up with micro apps, from your phone. It can run off the BBC News headlines, your Twitter follower count, play Spotify or internet radio. Overkill for an alarm clock? Maybe, but it’s a great fit for a nerdy-and-proud bedroom.

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£25.29 at Amazon

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£17.90 at Amazon

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£170.09 at AmazonIf you’re looking for the best-sounding alarm clock, stop right now. You’ve found it. The Pure Siesta Home has a big 3-inch speaker driver and two passive radiators for hi-fi-like bass. There’s even a CD player should you want to wake to the sounds of The Lighthouse Family’s greatest hits instead of a DAB radio station or a bleep.The display auto-dims when it gets dark, there’s a USB port for phone charging and it looks smart too. One problem: it may cost more than you’re willing to spend on an alarm clock. But this is much more than just a way to wake up.

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£80.15 at AmazonRoberts is a master of DAB radios, just like Pure. You get a seemingly unlikely pairing of DAB radio and a traditional round alarm clock in the Ortus-Time.Granted, you probably didn’t think you’d want to spend this much on an alarm clock that looks so low-tech. But it sounds better than you would likely guess and is a great alternative to Pure’s Siesta radios.

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£39.99 at AmazonClocky might well be the most annoying alarm clock you ever laid hands on - but at the same time, it might just save your job. Ideal for early risers who can't keep their fingers off the snooze button, Clocky's ability to flee from your bedside table is, quite honestly, remarkable. Two large wheels make it a mobile machine, and with a host of colour options, there's a clock to suit every taste.

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£29.99 at AmazonIf you're after style as well as out-and-out practicality, this Wireless Charging Clock from Mpow definitely ranks up there. It's sleek appearance and large display make it suitable for every home, while the wireless charging capabilities of the base ensure this clock is as useful as it is attractive.

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£99.99 at Amazon

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£159.20 at AmazonLumie Bodyclock Starter 30, the entry-level model. It has the light, but you have to wake up to a harsh beep.

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£39.99 at awin1.comsmart light bulbs in your bedroom, anyway).

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