Every morning, modern sleepers the world over are roused by the unwelcome sound of their smartphone alarm, but the best alarm clocks present an alternative vision for your morning wake up routine: less grating, more considerate, and (if we have any say in it) aesthetically pleasing. For our list of the finest timekeepers out there, we privileged looks and throwback features (FM radio, anyone?) over Bluetooth capability and USB ports, resulting in this assortment of beautifully designed analog and digital alarm clocks that cover the basics—a snooze button, a backlight, and dimmer—without going full 21st century. Your doom-scrolling brain will thank you for the Circadian rhythm reset, and your groggy self will appreciate the thoughtful Daylight Savings Time assist.
Our Top Picks for the Best Alarm Clocks:
German-based Braun (of coffee maker fame) are masters of modernist style. This alarm clock has the basic amenities you’d expect—a backlight, snooze, and a crescendoing alarm—while still maintaining the analog look. Its simplicity, clean lines, and white color way give a nod to Scandi design, especially the way its sphere is set in its frame is ultra-modern. This pick is also battery operated, which makes it a great choice for those who live without the privilege of bedside outlets.
This Farbe analog clock takes us back to the future with a super ’70s design in bold primary colors. The frame is Japanese beech, making for a high-quality base that looks playful without leaning kitschy.
This smart alarm clock doesn’t just look good on your bedside table—it also works as a white noise machine, and a Loftie+ subscription gets you custom-made bedtime stories, guided visualizations, and meditations. The two-phase alarm mimics your body’s natural waking process (heavy sleepers, this is for you), so you can ease into your consciousness, instead of irritably beginning your day with a grating beep. It also makes a handsome night light.
One of the handsomest picks in our round-up, this analog clock from Danish architect Arne Jacobsen has a gorgeous clock face coupled with a very straight-forward set of features: alarm, snooze button, and light. If you’re shopping for a design-first bedside clock, and willing to make peace with a single alarm sound, this is a great choice.
Designer Henry Julier plays with dimensionality in this piece—upgrading a flat wall clock shape with a diagonal stand, while still keeping the watch arms at their most basic (no numerology here). Fans of pop art will love the character this brings, especially the Pepto Bismol-pink clock face and contrasting green ticker.
If you’re a sucker for mid-century modern, this design looks as suited for a Dali painting as it does a Hitchcock film. We’d pair it with a tapered leg nightstand or a lacquered end table to suit its style, but it’s handsome enough to stand alone as a living room decor moment, too.
Miniacs will lose it for this teeny tiny digital alarm clock, coming in at just less than 2.5” long. It has touch controls for time and alarm settings, and charges via USB-C, though its battery life lasts up to two months on a single charge.
Jasper Morrison’s iconic wall clock goes tabletop with this one-of-a-kind design from Copenhagen-based firm HAY. This clock comes in a deep green and cerulean colorways that will add a welcome dose of personality to your bedside table.
