Even with a regular sleep schedule, early mornings can be rough, and using your mobile phone as an alarm is a great way to pile on the added pressure of notifications and news breaks. Instead of relying on our phones for yet another task, we're here to make the case for a bona fide clock radio renaissance. Improved sound quality, voice recognition, therapeutic lighting, and the ability to sync with your other devices mean that it's never been easier to perfect your customized wakeup preferences with the convenience of a clock radio. From classic designs to high-quality sound, we've rounded up our top five clock radios to help you rise and shine with a smile every morning. Heimvision Sunrise Alarm Clock New Day, Your WayYou're in control with this smart clock that features voice control, sunrise and sunset lights, FM radio, and natural sounds. Best OverallFind on Amazon Rise and shine with this smart alarm clock from Heimvision. Sync your sleep schedule up with nature’s rhythms, no matter where your home is located, with its built-in sunrise/sunset light simulator and an assortment of soothing natural sounds. With four alarm settings and Alexa voice compatibility built-in, this highly customizable device puts you in control of your mornings. Pros: Sunrise/sunset simulation 15-minute snooze function Seven alarm clock sounds, including FM radio Set up to four different alarms Cons: Lightweight clock can tip over if you’re not careful The light is powerful and can be too bright before you adjust it to meet your needs DreamSky Decent Alarm Clock Radio Count on Your ClockThis classic clock radio has all the features you need for a simple and pleasant wake-up experience every morning.Best ClassicFind on Amazon Get nothing but the hits for a fraction of the price of some other models with this classic alarm clock radio from DreamSky. When the kids are in bed and it’s your turn to rest, set the alarm and volume for your preferred wake-up time, dim the display to a good sleeping mode, and plug your phone in to charge overnight. When the rooster starts crowing, you’ll wake up gently to your chosen alarm sound as it increases in volume. Once you’ve hit snooze a couple of times (no judgment–we do it, too), just turn off the alarm, check the time and temp, and hop out of bed for that first cup of joe. Pros: Temperature (C/F) display USB charging port 0-100% brightness control LCD screen Great cost value Cons: FM reception could be stronger in some areas Temperature displayed may be slightly higher than actual temperature Emerson Smartset Alarm Clock Radio Connect and ChargeWake up to the sounds of your choice with this Bluetooth-compatible alarm clock. Best With Bluetooth SpeakerFind on Amazon Whatever your style, there are many ways to make each day yours, and one of the most important ones is sound. Do you want to wake up to a classic alarm sound, to the voice of your favorite morning radio host, or your get-up-and-go personal playlist broadcast from your phone into a built-in Bluetooth speaker? With this Emerson Smartset Alarm Clock Radio, you can try out all three until you find your favorite way to wake. And the wireless functionality doesn’t stop with the tunes. This amazing bundle also comes with a charging station to make sure your phone is as ready to go as you are. Pros: Automatic time setting system 20 FM station memory Comes with wireless, quick-charging phone station Dual alarm mode Cons: Requires a bit of initial setup Volume of wake-up alarm can be pretty loud I-Code Time to Wake Alarm Clock Train Your ToddlersHelp your kids learn healthy sleep habits with this fun, feature-filled sleep training clock.Best For KidsFind on Amazon When there’s so much excitement in their world, it’s no wonder our children have a tough time sticking to their sleep schedules. Unfortunately for us, that means we often lose track of ours, too. That’s why sleep training alarm clocks like this one by I-Code are a boon for our kids’ health and our own peace of mind. The Time To Wake Alarm Clock uses sun and moon colored icons to tell your child when it’s time to get in bed and when it’s okay to wake you up in the morning. In addition to the timed training lights, the clock also functions as a gentle night-light and sleep machine to help your little ones feel safe all night long. Pros: Sleep timer trains kiddos to tell when it’s time to call it a day Kid-friendly touch-sensitive night light 28 comforting nature sleep sounds and white noises to choose from Child lock included Cons: Display can be a little bright for nighttime Soundfreaq Sound Rise Alarm Clock Sounds Like a DreamFor audiophiles who need their mornings to start on a high note, this compact, classy clock radio will hit the spot. Best Premium SoundFind on Amazon Any music-lover out there knows that when you’ve become accustomed to a certain level of sound quality, listening to anything less than the best can be worse than listening to nothing at all. So why subject your finely-tuned ears to that type of pain first thing in the morning? With this premium-sound Bluetooth clock radio by Soundfreaq, you no longer have to. In addition to its compact, sleek wood design and solid alarm functionality, the Sound Rise Alarm Clock can’t be beat when it comes to sound quality. Rest easy with your phone charging at night, knowing that you’ll be greeted by your own tunes, gradually waking you up without any fuzzy or muffled sounds. That’s music to our ears. Pros: Bluetooth connectivity USB charging port Adjustable brightness display Dual, gradual wake up alarms Cons: Higher price point, but the sound quality is worth it for many of us Minimal EQ control, as the default settings are pretty fine-tuned Frequently Asked Questions Is using an alarm clock better than using my phone? We think so, yes. Alarm clocks are designed to be used at night and for promoting healthy sleep cycles. Whether they rely on sunrise-mimicking lights or gradually increasing sounds, clock radios like those we mention here can help you wake up without necessarily disturbing your body’s circadian rhythms. On the other hand, our phones emit lots of light and are guaranteed to distract us from the reason we’re in bed in the first place. We prefer giving our brains a bit of a break before we plug back in the next day. Should I buy an alarm clock that uses a wake-up light or stick with my sound-based one? It depends on your preference, but we’ll outline why folks love sunrise alarm clocks. Light-based alarm clocks provide light therapy to combat Seasonal Depression Disorder (SAD), which occurs when we don’t get enough light exposure for our bodies to regulate our moods and sleep cycle naturally. Instead of getting woken up with an alarming, noisy jolt, you’ll experience a soft, gradually brightening light that will start 30 minutes before your set wake-up time. For people with SAD, it can make all the difference.