The bedside alarm clock, that small bedroom appliance of necessity (for most) and torture (for all). It's funny how most of us need a little electronic/analog device to nag us out of bed each morning, but without one I wonder how many of us would make it to work on time. Half the time I wake up before the alarm goes off with Nostradamus-like premonition, just so I can eke out a few precious more minutes of shuteye. But still, it's a safety net I do not dare go without.
It's certainly easy enough to find alarm clocks of all shapes, sizes, and methods of awakening. But to find an alarm clock that looks half-way decent is another story altogether. So we present to you Apartment Therapy LA's Top Ten Eleven Best Looking Alarm Clocks. It's about time, right?
*Hey, we just noticed that our stylish cohorts at AT Chicago posted their own Top 10. Check it out!
Handle Alarm Clock: We start off with a clock that pulls our chain, because it's only a concept right now and yet unavailable. An ingenious timepiece, the alarm is set by pulling out the pull-handle to a length that coincides with the time desired. Press the LCD to turn off the alarm.
On/Off Alarm Clock: Danish designer Nina Tolstrup's clock see-saws between on and off alarm settings depending upon which side of the clock is flat against the table. Six brilliant Tron-tastic colours to choose from.
Sony ICF-C763 Dream Machine : This little modtastic piece is the very same alarm that heckles and harasses me each morning, ensuring I make it into work on time...at least 90% of the time (the 10% tardiness my own fault). Obviously the designers were dreaming of Eero Aarnio's Ball Chair when looking for inspiration.
Companion Personal Light/Clock: Vessel combines the utility of a bedside rechargeable night light with a LCD alarm clock, making sure you're both on time for those late night snack raids of the fridge and that you can see what the heck you've regretfully eaten.
Big Ben Twilight Clock: Apparently the good folks at Real Simple recommended this vintage flavoured analog alarm clock. We can see why: it's 50's simplicity revisited, with 4 minute snooze feature and dimly illuminated clock face. The Cleavers would approve.
Beech Wood Clock: Made of rounded beech wood, there's nothing fancy or extraneous about this alarm clock. Yet it makes an impression of understated sophistication. If Natalie Portman was an alarm clock, she'd look like this.
The Zen Timepiece: A meditative hand-polished brass bowl gong mechanism clock that chimes with a mindful and progressive note of awakening. Peace and tranquility - *gong* - a beautiful day awaits -*Gong*- now get your ass outta bed already -*GONG*!
Starck Smart Clock: This Philippe Starck is for the person who wants to know everything upon awakening: clock, AM/FM radio, calendar, weather forecast, barometric pressure, your chances of winning the Mega Millions Lotto (not really, but perhaps in the next update). Take note, Overstock.com has a few of these for 69% off.
Jacob Jensen Alarm Clock: less is often more, especially when discussing the designs of Jensen. This looks like an extension of his past work for Bang & Olufsen, but with a much more reasonable price tag.
Tivoli Audio® Model Three™ AM/FM clock radio: A handsome dual component sound and alarm system from Tivoli that takes sound seriously, one for each side of the bed. You'd hesitate smacking the snooze button on this beauty.
Wooden Clock: We don't even try to understand how the numbers wondrously appear on the face of this wooden block clock. We think it involves Danish elven magic of design.
so timely (no pun intended) as i was thinking this am that i need to get a new alarm clock though the one i have my eye on is not on your list -- it's the one where you put your ipod on top so you can wake to music and it recharges your ipod at the same time.
they're all too big - i need tiny tiny tiny to fit in my tiny bedroom on my tiny nightstand...plus a radio would be helpful to wake to...
what's that on top of the zen timepiece? a water bowl for kitty?
that gets the gong show award, alright!
I've been dying for a new alarm clock, but my husband can't sleep with anything that ticks, so it's been hard to find decent looking digital clocks. This is a huge help--thanks!
Thank you for this great list! I now just have to choose one!
i actually really like the zen one. my main complaint about most alarm clocks is that the sound is so startling. i think that would be a really nice way to wake up. thing is, all of these are a bit too $$ for me.
The wooden clock is made by adhering a piece of veneer to the face of the LCD. The veneer is so thin that the light shines right through- much like if one were to place a piece of paper over an LCD.
julian: that's not what I heard. I heard it was elves...magic elves from Denmark. You want me to believe in silly LCD and veneers?
But really, thanks for the heads up about how the clock works! Very cool whether it be through technology or otherwise :)
Alarm clocks? Psssh, who needs alarm clocks? You can actually set up your biological clock (not that one you wannabe-moms, the other one), which can help you wake up on time. Some people, like Gregory here, can wake up right on time, if not a tiny bit sooner. And all that takes is a bit of mental and physical training.
Others, like myself, kick the girlfriend. If I wasn't awake before, then I'm definitely awake after she starts yelling at me.
Overall, clocks don't usually like me. I tend to destroy them. Any clock that's big enough for me to hit, usually has its clock face separated from the rest of its body. I have a little clock graveyard where I bury all of my loved ones.
So I've opted for a smaller, but no less annoying, clock for my safety net. http://tinyurl.com/yufmaq It's a real pos, but it's small, can be hidden out of the way, and takes up almost no space at all.
I went with something that small cause if I ever hit that clock, I'm more likely to hit it off-center and not damage it. Plus, knowing that you can't simply roll over and hit snooze prevents me from hitting it in the first place.
I'm a life-saver. Saving one clock at a time.
I was recently looking for an alarm clock, and spent hours of Net research on finding one with knobs or a full keypad (I can't stand holding down the button forever just to overshoot the time)
I read this review: http://tinyurl.com/23p5mf and bought the Sony Liv clock contained therein. I love it.
It shows the alarm time, is very easy to set, and has two alarms and a weekend mode (though I only use one because its so easy to set.)
Highly recommended!
Thins one looks great: http://tinyurl.com/34sbo2
but I decided against it because its battery based, but its pretty and modern, and small, set by a knob, shows the alarm time all the time, and has a white LED flashlight to boot!
Okay, I couldn't resist posting about the Voco alarm clock. The clock's design isn't all that fantastic, but I'd love to wake up to Stephen Fry's soothing voice. Ahhhh...
http://www.voco.uk.com/
I can't help but share this little gem-of-an-alarm-clock with you:
http://www.nandahome.com/products.clocky.html
Clocky is small, ingeniously functional and quite the conversation piece. You get one chance to hit the snooze button. After that, Clocky will roll off the nightstand and begin rolling around the room (while beeping)--forcing you to get out of bed and chase him around to turn the darn thing off. The original Clocky came with a shaggy cover and I hear that the company will be selling shag Clocky-covers shortly.
None of these make me want to take money out my pocket and pay for them. I do like the Companion Personal Light/Clock though. Nice to have a light beside the bed that isn't costing me cash (read: electric bill enhancer) and I don't have to get up out of bed to shut the light off then get back into bed.
Surprised no mention of the Boston Acoustics Receptor Radio. It's a compact, attractive and easy to use clock radio. It works great as an alarm clock and it actually sounds really good. It is a bit pricey but you don't often find one device that does so many things well.
http://www.bostonacoustics.com/home_product.aspx?category_id=34&product_id=213
sony dream machine reminds me of the aarnio ball chair but the wooden click is my favorite for sure. how cool!!!
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