Classic alarm sounds, relaxing sounds borrowed from nature, radio, CD, MP3 player … Choose how to wake up by opting for powerful digital radio alarm clocks.
We would all like to sleep well at night, that’s obvious because good sleep can start the day well and be at its best. But there is one thing as important as waking up. Let’s even admit that you are not a very sensitive person, you will still need a gentle awakening, an awakening that helps you to leave your ideas in place to start your day with a smile. You will therefore certainly be conquered by these morning radio alarm clocks, which as the name suggests is the best combination of a radio and a digital alarm clock.
Now you are probably wondering what functionality and criteria to be based on to be sure to choose the best radio alarm clocks, this is what we will try to detail in this guide that you must read.
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What alarm clock with a built-in radio to get off to a good start?
After several hours of research, I finally made my selection of the 6 best radio alarms among more than twenty models available at the moment.
Also, please see the best alarm clock apps for Android.
The Philips HF3520 has my preference. Although it does not have all the features of the Echo Spot, I think it is the one that offers the best options to wake up smoothly and in a good mood. You will also find at the end of this article a buying guide to help you find the clock radio that will proudly stand on your bedside table! Also, please see our selection of the best alarm clocks for travelers.
Sony ICFC1T Alarm Clock Radio
We start our selection of the best alarm clocks with radio functionality with one of the best cheap digital alarm clock models. This is Sony ICFC1TBLACK and it offers an interesting feature for couples: two pre-set alarms. You can set an alarm for you and another for your partner, which can be convenient … or confusing if you’re not careful. The system will work even when there is a power failure.
For those allergic to waking up with a start because of an alarm clock with a shrill sound, this alarm clock will be a good choice. Indeed, it is possible to wake up gently with the progressive volume functions of the buzzer. This clock radio, as the name suggests, also has an AM / FM radio receiver. You will be able to listen to your favorite radio station.
A convenient battery backup system is present, which avoids any problem of wake-up failure. No more excuses for not getting up in the morning, which will not necessarily please everyone!
We can appreciate the brightness of the time which is of relatively good quality, you can choose between 3 different luminosities for your comfort.
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La Crosse Technology
This is another budget alarm clock that can satisfy any type of user. The
Its slightly curved display is very nice to see and readable from any angle. It is a 5″ panel with three different pre-set brightness.
You can store two alarms so as to meet the needs of a couple for example. Finally, on the back of the clock radio, there is a USB port for power output 5V 1A ideal for charging any mobile device.
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Electrohome Projection Alarm Clock
This is another feature-rich and affordable clock with an alarm and built-in radio that can also project whatever is on its display to your wall. It can give time, date, and temperature readouts, and you can see them clearly across the wall, but only if the room is dimly lit or pitch dark. You can also rotate the projector up to 180 degrees, so you’ll never have to roll over to view the time again. You can even listen to music from a wired-connected device (Android, iPhone, for example) as opposed to just listening to its built-in radio.
The Electrohome EAAC601 is an awesome digital radio alarm clock, but you might want to have it at your bedside table for its ability to tell time and temperature, as well as its built-in radio and projector. The projector, very effective, does not reproduce an annoying light on the wall but, on the contrary, is adjustable (for angulation and projection distance) and dimmable. However, letting its users play music from another device is a nifty idea.
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Amazon Echo Spot
This is another of the best radio alarm clocks to buy. This device is much more than a clock radio. First, this one uses Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa. You can not only be woken up by this one but also watch your daily flash, see the weather forecast, your to-do list or shopping list, and much more.
You can even control your smart home with this little device! It’s also possible to play music directly from streaming sites like Amazon Music, Deezer, or Spotify, or listen to audiobooks from Audible.
You can use the built-in speaker, or if you wish, you can connect this Echo Spot to Bluetooth speakers or a 3.5mm stereo cable. This unit can be paired with other Echo Spot in other rooms, for example, playing the same music in different rooms. Indeed, if you have several copies of this device and you have arranged them in different rooms, the function Drop-in allows you to make calls from one room to another. You can inform your family that dinner is ready or remind the children that it is time to go to bed.
You can control your compatible connected devices and ask Alexa to turn on your lights, show the baby’s room, control the thermostat, power outlets, and more. Also, you can send a message or call anyone with an Echo Spot device or simply the Alexa app.
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Philips HF3520
This clock radio has more than one trick in its bag! At the level of the alarm clock, this device offers us a simulation of the sunrise with the most beautiful effect!
Indeed, it can be programmed to gradually increase the brightness for 30 minutes, changing from a morning red to an orange and a bright yellow that will illuminate your entire room.
This process will promote a natural awakening. When the light fills the room, the sound you have chosen for your alarm clock sounds.
It gradually increases in volume for a minute and a half until the previously selected level. You have the choice between five sounds: bird song, birds in the forest, Zen garden, soft piano, and seaside. In other words, the watchword of this alarm clock is to wake up effectively, but gently.
In addition, if you wish, you can set your alarm clock to wake up on your favorite radio show.
Another practical and ergonomic aspect of this device is to touch it anywhere to activate the Repeat mode. This one stops the awakening for 9 minutes, and after this delay, the diffusion of the sound resumes softly.
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Philips AJ3116M Radio-alarm
This is another of the best radio alarm clocks to buy. If you are looking for a brand and quality model, look no further, this is the clock radio you are looking for. It has everything you are looking for at a reasonable price tag. It has an interesting price and it offers you the guarantee of being manufactured by a great brand.
Personally, I like the design of this clock radio very much, at the same time that it has quite large numbers so that you can see them without problems, whether you are near or far away. For you to get used to the idea, it has an FM radio function with the option to record tunes, and dual and repeat alarms. The music is heard quite well, thanks to the fact that the speaker is of quite good quality.
One caveat for this device, however, is that you cannot set the volume of the alarm. It can be too loud to wake up other people within the immediate vicinity if you’re not too careful. Therefore, we can say that the Philips AJ3116M is the digital alarm clock radio for you if you’re living alone.
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How to choose your digital radio alarm clocks?
The clock radio may seem out of date when smartphones and other alarm applications via phone are present, but it remains a reliable and useful device for any type of room. In addition, as you will have seen in this comparison, some models are really inventive to ensure you the most comfortable wake-up mode possible.
It’s the best choice if you want to keep your mobile phone away from your bed.
What are the key points to consider when looking for the perfect radio alarm clock?
Advantages
There are far too many distractions on smartphones, especially when it’s time to go to bed. To go to bed and fall asleep on time, you need to eliminate as many distractions as possible.
In addition, many features found on alarm clocks are not found in alarm applications. A good clock radio allows you to keep your phone out of reach of your arm, so you can fall asleep quietly without distraction. In addition, unlike your mobile phone, alarm clocks do not emit UV rays that can be bad for your health.
Design and ergonomics
Radio alarm clocks come in many different styles and colors. You should choose one that is fun to watch when you wake up in the morning.
In addition, the clock radio is more likely to be installed in your room, the design must match your decor.
Beyond the appearance, it will also be necessary to think about the practical aspects. The display should be large enough that you have no problem reading it even when you are away from the bed. On the other hand, you do not want a lamp that keeps you awake all night. Some devices come with adjustable brightness controls as we have seen in this comparison.
Display options
Some alarms can project the time on the wall or ceiling of your room. This projection system can be useful if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night and wonder what time it is.
The audio quality
Most radio alarm clocks today have loudspeakers to broadcast radio, sounds, or even music from an external player. However, there is still a lot of progress to be made in this area.
You will rather want a device with larger speakers if you want to enjoy an optimal audio performance by listening to your songs and instrumentals. It is also worth noting that a clock radio with an iPod connection or an included mp3 player is more likely to offer a good sound quality than another that does not.
Alarm options
Choose an alarm that emits a loud enough volume to be able to wake you in any circumstance. Some alarm clocks only have a buzzer mode, which is sufficient if you just need a boring sound to force you out of bed.
If you prefer to wake up to music or radio, it’s better to go for a clock that has a radio alarm.
The double alarm
This option is useful if you need to wake up at different times on different days or if two people use the same alarm. Some newer models even allow the programming of more than two alarms.
The convenience of use
Apart from the appearance and functions available, the alarm clock must above all be able to be used simply and offer programming that is both easy and intuitive.
Some radio alarm clocks (as we have seen in this comparison) are radio-controlled to get automatically on time!
The consumption
The alarms consume little energy in general. But despite all, some people consume more than others and whether for ecological or economic reasons, this remains a point to consider.
It will also pay attention to the power source of the device, can it be connected? Does it have a backup system in the event of a power failure?
Complementary features
You must also take into account all the more or less elaborate functions that your device will have: radio, digital tuner, double alarm, sleep programming, ceiling time display, dawn simulator, or even twilight simulator (like we saw with the Philips alarm clock of this comparison).
In conclusion: radio alarm clocks
We all know that the choice of radio alarm clocks is vast and the taste of a person should not be the only decisive criterion. Although the majority of radio-controlled alarm clocks can now be adjusted in volume, it’s still worth checking if you can handle the tone of the signal before making your purchase because there are many differences in alarm tones. It’s up to you now to make the right choice and also remember that modern alarm clocks can automatically reduce light intensity while other models can rather interfere with your sleep through the LED display.