I’ve Tested a Handful of Smart Alarm Clocks, and This One Is by Far My Favorite

Imagine waking up to the sunrise every morning with the faint sound of the ocean, which gradually gets louder until you open your eyes. It sounds dreamy, right? The best part is, you don’t have to be by the ocean to experience this. I’m a sucker for anything that looks good, and while electronics have come a long way over the years (shout out to Apple), many are still just plain ugly. Case in point: the alarm clock.

Old-school digital alarm clocks are an eyesore, and although I love the look of antique alarm clocks, they’re not exactly reliable for getting me up in the morning. Besides, our phones have built-in alarms, so who needs a separate one, right? Well, I had that mindset until I came across the Hatch Restore 2, an innovative device that makes it possible to wake up to the soft glow of sunlight, no matter where you are.

Sure, the Restore 2 is pretty, but you’re probably wondering: Is it worth the money? The answer is yes. As an upgrade from the original editor-loved Hatch, this device doesn’t just function as an alarm clock. It also has a built-in sunrise lamp, functions as a sound machine, and even offers a wind-down setting to help you fall asleep at night. All these features can be personalized in the Hatch Sleep app, which offers custom sleep and wake-up routines, sounds, light colors, and more. Plus, the Restore 2 comes in three gorgeous muted colors, making it a stunning design piece on your nightstand.

Its clock (displayed on the front) dims at night, so it won’t disturb your sleep. In the morning, you can turn off the alarm using a button on the Hatch or through the app. The optional subscription, which costs $4.99 a month, provides access to premium audio, additional light features, and personalized tools to enhance your sleep. Although I don’t personally have the subscription, it’s a nice option and can function for multiple devices (if you so choose to buy more). One thing to note is that a Wi-Fi connection is required to operate your Hatch. If you’d prefer to have one less electronic device on your network, this is something to consider.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m a sucker for anything aesthetically pleasing, which initially drew me to the Hatch. After having time to play around with it over the past six months, I can honestly say I’ve grown to love the device and can’t imagine waking up without it. With blackout curtains in my room, the sunrise function (I use the Mailbu setting) is a lifesaver, especially in winter when it’s dark by 3 p.m. Waking up gradually to chirping birds or the sound of the ocean is delightful and allows me to indulge in a bit of morning romance before facing the reality of my underwhelming bedroom in Boston.

My only caveat is that I wish the Hatch could sense when my phone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi and wouldn’t go off unnecessarily. I often have to remember to program it to shut off when I leave for extended periods (since it’s automatically set to go on), which can be a bit of a hassle. However, that’s a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. I chose the latte color, and it looks fantastic in my bedroom. I absolutely love it!

Buy: Hatch Restore 2, $169.99