If your kid is the kind of sleeper who can somehow snooze through thunderstorms, earthquakes, and an entire herd of stampeding elephants, they need one of the best alarm clocks to help them rise and shine while away at college. As experts on all things dorm living, we scoured the market to bring you the five best alarm clocks specifically designed to catapult heavy sleepers out of bed.
Our top picks have necessary features like digital clocks and loud buzzers. But if an ear-splitting 113-decibel alarm would be problematic for a snoozing bunkmate, we also have options equipped with a vibrating bed shaker, a pulsating alert light, and more.
Now, there will be no more excuses for oversleeping — and missing those early morning classes. These are the best five alarm clocks that are ready to tackle the challenge of waking even the heaviest of sleepers.
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Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock – $39.95 at Amazon
- Best Sunlight: Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake Up Light Therapy Alarm – $219.95 at Amazon
- Best Moving: Clocky Robot Alarm Clock on Wheels – $39.99 at Amazon
- Best Splurge: Hatch Restore 1 – $129.99 at Amazon
- Best with Night Light: Amazon Echo Dot with Clock – $59.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers
1. Best Overall: Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock
If you’re searching for an alarm clock that could wake the dead, look no further than the Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker. This powerhouse is not your average wake-up call; it’s a full-on auditory assault. Equipped with a 12-volt vibrating bed shaker, a pulsating alert light, and an ear-splitting 113-decibel alarm, the Sonic Boom was initially designed to wake hard-hearing individuals and is a force to be reckoned with.
It’s easy to set up and has a battery backup, so you can rest assured that this is the best alarm clock to jolt your student to their feet, even if they tend to be a fan of the snooze button. However, because this alarm is intense, it might be better for students who live alone or know that their roommate is up and at ‘em before they need to blast the sound.
The Specs:
- Voice assistance: No
- Wake-up method: Alarm sound, vibration
- Display type: Digital
- Power source: Corded electric with battery backup
- Size: 7 by 6.5 inches
The Pros:
- Extremely loud
- Bed-shaking vibration feature
- Flashing light feature
- Cool design
The Cons:
- Cord is short
- Could be too loud for roommates
What Others are Saying:
The Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon from more than 34,000 reviews. Additionally, it was named the best overall alarm clock by both Prevention and Good Housekeeping.
Buy the Sonic Alert Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock:
2. Best Sunlight: Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake Up Light Therapy Alarm
In the realm of sleep aids, the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake Up Light Therapy Alarm stands out as a beacon of innovation. Designed to mimic the natural sunrise and sunset, the gadget gradually increases or decreases light intensity. promoting a more natural wake-up and wind-down process. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who struggle with abrupt, jarring alarms, and the brand claims it can help regulate sleep-wake cycles.
With the compatible SleepMapper app, they can decide the schedule, how much light they want, and how fast they want it to “rise.” The app also provides insights into their sleep patterns, offering a more holistic approach to sleep management. It even has calming breathing exercises, nature sleep sounds, and even an old-fashioned FM radio built-in for them to use.
The Specs:
- Voice assistance: No
- Wake-up method: Simulated sunrise, alarm sound, music
- Display type: Digital
- Power source: Corded electric
- Size: 8.6 by 4.7 inches
The Pros:
- 25 brightness settings
- 7 wakeup sound options
- Comes with an app
- Breathing and relaxation exercises
The Cons:
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
The Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake Up Light Therapy Alarm has a 4.3-star rating on Amazon from over 2,500 reviews, and it was named the best overall alarm clock by Men’s Health.
Buy the Philips SmartSleep Sleep and Wake Up Light Therapy Alarm:
3. Best Moving: Clocky Robot Alarm Clock on Wheels
Clocky is not your typical alarm clock: it’s an escape artist with a mission to get you out of bed. When the alarm goes off, Clocky will jump off your kid’s nightstand and roll away, forcing them to chase it down to silence the persistent beeping. It’s like a game of cat and mouse, but the only winner is the one who gets up on time. Clocky is perfect for those who need a little morning cardio to kick-start their day. We think it’s pretty cute too!
The Specs:
- Voice assistance: No
- Wake-up method: Beeps, vibration, motion
- Display type: Digital
- Power source: Corded electric
- Size: 6.3 by 4.33 inches
The Pros:
- Makes a game of it
- Moves around the room
- Fun to use
- Comes in lots of colors
The Cons:
- Volume is a bit low
What Others are Saying:
The Clocky Robot Alarm Clock on Wheels has a 4.1-star rating from more than 7.800 reviews on Amazon. It was named the best alarm clock for kids by Good Housekeeping.
Buy the Clocky Robot Alarm Clock on Wheels:
4. Best Splurge: Hatch Restore 1
The Hatch Restore Alarm Clock offers a comprehensive solution for students looking to improve both their sleep quality and wake-up experience. Its combination of light therapy, customizable soundscapes, and smart features provides a versatile and user-friendly sleep aid. It checks all the boxes for a struggling sleeper: a sleep sound library, a soft bedside light, and a wide range of warming and cooling light choices. They can also program it for a personalized bedroom routine.
While it might be pricier than traditional alarm clocks, the added benefits of enhanced sleep routines and personalized settings make it a worthwhile investment for those prioritizing their well-being.
The Specs:
- Voice assistance: No
- Wake-up method: Alarm sound, vibration, light
- Display type: Digital
- Power source: Corded electric
- Size: X
The Pros:
- Doubles as a sound machine
- Uses light therapy
- Can be used as a nightlight
- Wakes you up with gradual light
- Creates a bedtime routine
The Cons:
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
The Hatch Restore has a 4.1-star rating from over 7,800 reviews. It was also named the best sunlight alarm clock by Prevention.
Buy the Hatch Restore 1:
5. Best with Night Light: Amazon Echo Dot with Clock
If they’re more in need of a basic alarm clock that still has some smart capabilities, we think the Echo Dot with Clock is a great bet. The Echo Dot has become a versatile device, evolving beyond its humble beginnings as a smart speaker. Because it doesn’t have a screen, only showing the time, this version won’t disturb your student’s sleep with flashing lights or moving items. They can also use it to set a traditional alarm in the Alexa app.
With its integration of the Alexa voice assistance, it integrates well with other smart home devices, comes with voice assistance, and can be controlled by a smartphone. If they want to get technical, they could set up a bedtime routine in the app and have it linked to a smart bulb to dim the lights and turn on sleep sounds. It’s a little more work on their end, but it’s well worth it to get sleep on track.
The Specs:
- Voice assistance: Yes, Alexa
- Wake-up method: X
- Display type: Digital
- Power source: Corded electric
- Size: 10 by 10 inches
The Pros:
- Integrates with all Alexa devices
- Loud speaker
- Affordable
- Digital screen shows the time, weather, and song titles
- Minimal design
The Cons:
- Not available in colors
- Some may miss having a screen
What Others are Saying:
The Amazon Echo Dot with Clock has a 4.7-star rating with more than 54,000 reviews. Good Housekeeping named it best overall alarm clock in their roundup of smart alarm clocks.
Buy the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock :
Other Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers to Consider
Casper Glow Light
We wanted to love the Casper Glow Light because its LED cylinder with gesture controls is stylish, and it has a wireless charging station to give it portability. But for a “smart” light and alarm clock, it’s missing a lot of key features. It’s not compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, so it’s not ideal for most smart users. The Casper Glow Light is available at Amazon for $91.
Roxicosly Super Loud Alarm Clock
This alarm clock could wake the dead! It has three customizable alarm modes and vibrates the bed as the volume continues to get louder. It’s inexpensive, but it’s unattractive, and its app won’t work with other devices like some of our top picks. Plus, it’s likely a little too loud for a roommate. The Roxicosly Super Loud Alarm Clock is available at Amazon for $19.99.
Mesqool Projection Digital Alarm Clock
This digital alarm clock has a ton of great features, like dual alarms for multiple users, an extra-loud alarm, a bed-shaking feature, and a projector that projects the time through light onto the ceiling. The projection feature is cool and makes it easy to see the time, but it could be a bit of a distraction for falling asleep, as some reviewers say the light is quite bright. The Mesqool Projection Digital Alarm Clock is available at Amazon for $27.99.
Peakeep Twin Bell Analog Alarm Clock
This non-digital classic design looks super cool, but you can’t hear the ticking from the hands, which loses part of the charm of an old-fashioned alarm clock. It’s quite affordable, but in this day and age, you’re better off going with one of the most technically advanced options in our top picks. The Peakeep Twin Bell Analog Alarm Clock is available at Amazon for $14.99.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Belle, an award-winning digital content creator with a healthy passion for all things lifestyle, including shopping, food, fashion, and French culture. I also own an award-winning content creation agency and teach communications at three colleges and universities. My writing and on-camera work can be seen on Better Homes & Gardens.
For this roundup, I relied on previous recommendations for alarm clocks from the Grown and Flown and researched trusted review publications. I read hundreds of reviews to narrow down the best alarm clocks specifically for dorm rooms, considering the volume of the alarm, extra features, design, performance, and overall value.
Everything to Know Before Buying Alarm Clocks for Heavy Sleepers
What to Consider Before Buying an Alarm Clock for Heavy Sleepers
Sleep is important. There are a few things you should consider before purchasing an alarm clock for your student:
Smart assistance: In this digital age, many smart products are compatible with Google Assistant or Alexa. If your student likes to use a smart speaker, it may be a deal-breaker if the alarm clock isn’t compatible. Otherwise, a more traditional, “non-smart” alarm clock may work well for them.
Wake-up method: Alarm clocks traditionally use an alarm to sound when it’s time to get up. If you have a super heavy sleeper who needs more of a nudge to roll out of bed, you might opt for a model that also vibrates them awake or moves, so they have to get up to physically turn it off.
Display type: All of our top picks have a digital screen that displays the time. Some alarm clocks also have a touchscreen or can double as an entertainment hub for watching videos, which we think can be a bit of a distraction. Otherwise, a traditional analog alarm clock can be used to see the time.
Power source: Most alarm clocks on this list require an outlet as a power source. Many dorms are short on outlets, so make sure they have a surge protector with adequate outlets or opt for a battery-powered option. Also, make sure they have room on their nightstand or desk to store it!
Do Light Alarm Clocks Work for Heavy Sleepers?
The best sunlight alarm clocks can help gently wake even the heavies of sleepers with a gorgeous light that slowly fills the room, similar to a sunrise that gently gets more and more intense with light. But if your teen seems to sleep through a blinding light, an option that vibrates or is loud enough to get them out of bed might be better.
Do Sunrise Alarm Clocks Work?
Research suggests that timed exposure to light can reset the sleep-wake cycle, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As a result, sunrise alarms are a proven tool for improving the quality of sleep, mood, and general well-being. And, from someone who has used one for years, I can attest that it makes it easier to navigate the winter blues on the days when you feel like you both go to work and come home in the dark, so that can be especially helpful for those winter months.
How Do I Stop Sleeping Through My Alarm?
It all comes down to a term called “sleep hygiene.” Sleep hygiene refers to both your sleep environment and behavior, according to The Sleep Foundation, and it can greatly affect both the quantity and quality of your sleep.
Some tips for achieving the best sleep hygiene possible are:
- Follow a consistent sleep schedule by getting to bed and waking up at the same time every day. This includes weekends and holidays.
- Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes daily, but make sure you do it more than 4 hours before bed to avoid spiking up on adrenaline.
- Limit napping throughout the day.
- Save your bed for sleep and avoid the habit of streaming or scrolling in bed.
- Limit caffeine intake at least 4 hours before going to bed.
How Do You Set an Alarm Clock?
If you have one of our top picks, setting an alarm clock can be done easily. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure, but most digital alarm clocks are operated by buttons that take you step-by-step through the process or digital controls. Look for the “set” or “alarm” button, and then use the arrow buttons to adjust the time and alarm settings directly through the device or in the app.
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
