Everyone needs an alarm clock. Whether you use your smartphone, a traditional alarm clock, or your friendly neighborhood rooster (whatever works), most of us need help getting out of bed in the morning. Or afternoon. Or the middle of the night. Shift workers, we salute you. According to Mark Muehlbach, the clinical director at the Clayton Sleep Institute in St. Louis, alarm clocks are necessary for staying on society’s time (i.e., If you’re late to work, society/your boss may fire you), normalizing sleep schedules and peace of mind. Anxious about missing an early morning flight? Set your alarm and catch some zzz’s.
Alarm clocks can help users get better sleep by reducing anxiety and stress caused by the possibility of oversleeping. They can also help to keep you on schedule and ensure you don’t oversleep, which can be detrimental to your health. For the elderly or those with vision or memory problems, alarm clocks can be a welcomed alternative to using a wristwatch or smartphone, with an alarm clock often boasting a much larger digital display.
Even if you do rely on your phone for telling time, having an alarm clock as a backup is an easy way to add peace of mind to your hectic life. Anxiety about oversleeping/running late? Back up your schedule with one of these three alarm clocks.
1. American Lifetime Day Clock
The best option for those with vision or memory issues, the 8-inch high resolution alarm clock from American Lifetime clearly displays the time, date, and time of day (morning, afternoon, etc.) in large, bright letters with no confusing abbreviations. We like that American Lifetime offers a one year unlimited warranted and has a battery backup for the clock in case of a power outage.
Pros: Designed especially for users with dementia or Alzheimer’s, the American Lifetime clock has five multi-function alarms that can be set as reminders to take medications throughout the day. The clock can be programmed in eight languages, including English and Spanish.
Cons: The clock does not offer a dimmer option and the light it emits is very bright, making it difficult to sleep when placed in a bedroom.
2. Travelwey Home LED Digital Alarm Clock
The recently updated Travelwey Home LED Digital Alarm Clock is the best option for those looking for an alarm clock and nightlight in one. The Travelwey comes with a brighter than average nightlight that can be turned on with the simple press of a button, making this an excellent option for kids, the elderly, and anyone who likes to read in the dark. With a handful of improvements, including an extra loud alarm that is ideal for heavy sleepers and battery backup that can last for several weeks, the Travelwey clock is not only useful but easy to use.
Pros: Unlike the American Lifetime clock, the Travelwey has a display that can be dimmed from 0 to 100 percent.
Cons: The alarm will automatically turn off after five minutes, which could be a negative for heavy sleepers.
3. RCA Digital Alarm Clock
Weighing only 0.16 ounces and featuring a 1.4-inch screen size, the RCA Digital Alarm Clock is a great clock to use at home or when traveling. Like the Travelwey, the RCA also has an adjustable brightness display with two brightness options.
Pros: The RCA has an alarm setting that includes a repeating snooze function.
Cons: The RCA does not have as many features as the first two clocks on our list. Although it has space for a 9V battery to be used in power outages, the battery must be purchased separately.