This Mini Alarm Clock Looks Like a Retro Find — And It Finally Stopped My Snooze Habit

Ask anyone who knows me, and they’ll tell you that I’ve never, ever had any trouble falling asleep. It’s waking up that’s the problem. I’m a notorious snoozer, and I have the horrible habit of oversleeping, then jolting awake in a panic about being late for work (not exactly a graceful start to the morning). So when I got the opportunity to test The Clock, a modern, multifunctional alarm clock by BALMUDA — the Tokyo-based design and technology brand behind editor-approved home appliances like The Toaster — I was eager to try it out. 

Designed to bring a sense of calm to your routine with its soothing, fade-in alarm, the Clock seemed like the perfect antidote to my panic-stricken mornings. And it actually ended up doing so much more for my routine. Here’s how.

Inspired by old-school pocket watches, The Clock has a sleek, compact body that’s carved from a solid block of aluminum, which gives it a hefty luxurious feel while still being completely portable. And unlike the timepieces of yesteryear, The Clock uses light to indicate the time instead of traditional hour and minute hands, so there’s no constant ticking sound, and instead, a lovely little chime that plays on the hour. The Clock is controllable via the BALMUDA app (which doesn’t require a paid subscription — hooray!), but also features easy-to-use physical controls (like the crown and bow at the top of the clock, which are used to set and turn off the alarm, switch modes, and more), so you’re not tied to your phone.

But what really makes The Clock unique are its multiple modes. There’s the gentle fade-in alarm function that gradually lifts you out of sleep by playing a soundscape of your choice for the three minutes leading up to your set wake-up time (think: forest or city sounds, church bells, or the gentle bustle of a busy airport). Then there’s the timer function, which can be set for up to 60 minutes to support focus as you get things done for work or around the house. White noise or any of the sounds included in the app can be played during your focus session to minimize distractions. Lastly, there’s the Relax Time function, which plays calming soundscapes and helps you wind down before bed. What’s more, BALMUDA is continuing to expand the experience by releasing updates through the app — since I started writing this review, the brand has introduced a new function dedicated to nightly rest routines. 

After using The Clock for over two months, I can honestly say that it’s changed my mornings for the better. There’s something so soothing about being gently stirred awake by the sound of birds chirping in the forest, and by the time it actually is time to get out of bed, I’m fully awake and ready for the day. The forest sounds gradually increase in volume and can be turned off by pressing the clock’s crown. I’ll sometimes position the clock further away from me on the nightstand, too, to really set myself up for success. Plus, waking up with The Clock’s alarm has essentially nixed my groggy morning scroll habit. I can leave my phone outside my bedroom altogether, or put it inside my nightstand, out of my reach, which is a huge win. 

I don’t find myself using the Relax Time function very often (like I said, I’m sleepy to a fault), but I was surprised by how often I found myself using The Clock’s timer. It goes something like this: after disarming the alarm and getting ready for the day, I carry the clock with me into my WFH space (it’s like a little daily companion) and use the timer function to zip through tasks without distraction, like catching up on emails or knocking out an hour of uninterrupted writing time. I’m always amazed at how much I can get done in a short amount of time, and more often than not, I end up setting another timer immediately afterward. Even during my off-hours, I’ll use the clock to challenge myself to get chores done faster — and the white noise that plays from its embedded stereo speaker discourages me from having the TV on while I’m doing things around the house, so I don’t get sucked into my favorite shows. It’s brilliant. 

My only gripe with The Clock is the battery life, which only lasts 24 hours on a full charge. It’s not a deal-breaker, but part of its allure as a portable clock is not being tied to a cable, so it’s something to keep in mind. I basically keep it plugged in whenever it’s on my nightstand, and only use it cordless when I’m using the timer function. 

This isn’t necessarily a con for me, personally, but it’s worth noting that The Clock has seven ambient soundscapes to choose from. It’s a much more curated selection than what I’ve found on other smart clocks I’ve tried in the past, but as someone who’s rather indecisive, I’m not entirely mad about that. It makes The Clock simpler to use and avoids overcomplicating the experience by not hitting you with dozens of tracks to choose from. 

If you want a clock that streamlines your mornings and your day-to-day routine at large, The Clock is absolutely worth considering. It feels like a modern, design-led improvement on an analog clock, but at its core, it’s still incredibly functional and easy to use. It’s not overcomplicated by fussy controls or a costly subscription. And while you could argue that you’re paying a “subscription” fee upfront with its high price tag, I think its durable, solid construction helps justify the cost — it feels like a weighty design object that I’ll have for years and years. 

Buy: BALMUDA The Clock, $499